Abstract:
The present invention aims to provide a network print system including a plurality of printers, wherein the communication traffic for collecting information is small and a setting change job of a computer for collecting job information, etc., is also easy to conduct. The network print system comprises a plurality of printers and a printer management computer. Each of the printers making up a network print system has a function of transmitting a report concerning the state of the own printer and the state of a different printer to a specified computer in accordance with a specified schedule. The printer not printing among the printers transmits the report.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to a printer connected to a network for use and a network print system including a plurality of printers connected to a network.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     As a network system including a plurality of printers connected, used in an office, etc., which will be hereinafter referenced to as network print system, a network print system is known wherein a program for collecting job information, consumable information, and error/warning information from each printer is installed in a computer contained in the system, whereby the printers can be managed in the computer (for example, patent document 1: JP-A-2000-309147). A network print system is also known wherein a computer (print server) having a function of relaying print job data from each host computer to each printer is installed and is also provided with a function of managing job information and a function of collecting and managing consumable information and error/warning information from each printer.  
         [0005]     The described network print system makes it possible to manage the printers in one computer, so that the printers can be managed easily.  
         [0006]     However, the described network print system requests each printer to output job information, etc., and therefore the communication traffic for collecting information is comparatively large. After the program for collecting job information, etc., is installed in the computer, various setting jobs must be executed and therefore the job at the startup time and the change job of the computer for collecting job information, etc., are also cumbersome to a considerable extent.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a network print system including a plurality of printers, wherein the communication traffic for collecting information is small and a special setting job need not be conducted for a computer for collecting job information, etc.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the invention to provide printers for making it possible to construct such a network print system.  
         [0009]     To the ends, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a network print system including a first-kind printer, one or more second-kind printers, and a printer management computer, wherein the second-kind printer is an apparatus including a request response section for returning printer state information representing an own state at the point in time to an apparatus transmitting predetermined request information, and wherein the first-kind printer is an apparatus including an information storage section for storing transmission schedule information for specifying a transmission schedule of printer state management information, information representing the state of the own printer and the state of each of the one or more second-kind printers, and address information of each of the one or more second-kind printers; and a printer state management information transmission section for repeating processing of acquiring the printer state information from the second-kind printer determined by the address information stored in the information storage section by transmitting the predetermined request information, creating the printer state management information based on the acquired printer state information and printer state information concerning the own printer, and transmitting the printer state management information to the printer management computer in accordance with the transmission schedule specified in the transmission schedule information stored in the information storage section.  
         [0010]     In the described network print system according to the first aspect of the invention, the printer state information concerning each printer is transmitted to the printer management computer based on the schedule specified in the transmission schedule information. Therefore, the network print system functions as a system wherein various setting jobs including installation of a program for collecting information from the printers need not be conducted for the printer management computer.  
         [0011]     To implement the network print system according to the first aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the printer state management information transmission section should transmit text information as the printer state management information. The reason is as follows: If the printer state management information is any information other than text information, the parties to which the printer state management information is to be transmitted are limited to only computers capable of displaying the information (or a program for displaying the information needs to be installed in the computer to which the printer state management information is to be transmitted); whereas, if the printer state management information is text information, almost all computers can display text information and therefore the parties to which the printer state management information is to be transmitted are not limited (a program for displaying the information needs not be installed in the computer to which the printer state management information is to be transmitted).  
         [0012]     To implement the network print system according to the first aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the printer state management information transmission section should transmit files generated on a printer-by-printer basis as the printer state management information to facilitate information management in the computer. It is desirable that the printer state management information transmission section should enable the user to select the protocol used to transmit the printer state management information from among protocols so that the computers to which the printer state management information is to be transmitted are not limited.  
         [0013]     According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a network print system including a plurality of printers and a printer management computer, wherein each of the plurality of printers is an apparatus including a printer state information return section for returning printer state information, information representing the own state at the point in time, to an apparatus transmitting predetermined request information; and a printer state management information transmission section for acquiring the printer state information from each of other printers by transmitting the predetermined request information to the printer state information return section in each of other printers, and transmitting printer state management information, information responsive to the acquired printer state information and printer state information concerning the own printer, to the printer management computer, and wherein at least one printer further includes an operation control section for repeating control to cause only the printer state information transmission section in the printer not printing among the plurality of printers making up the system to operate in accordance with a specified transmission schedule.  
         [0014]     That is, the network print system according to the second aspect of the invention is a system wherein one printer transmits the printer state management information (information equivalent to a set of the printer state information concerning the printers) to the printer management computer in accordance with the specified transmission schedule and the printer not printing transmits the printer state management information. Therefore, the network print system functions as a system wherein print processing is not delayed as processing for transmitting the printer state management information is performed.  
         [0015]     To implement the network print system according to the second aspect of the invention, like the network print system according to the second aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the printer state management information transmission section should transmit text information as the printer state management information, transmit files generated on a printer-by-printer basis as the printer state management information, enable the user to select the protocol used to transmit the printer state management information from among protocols, or the like.  
         [0016]     In the network print system according to the second aspect of the invention, the operation control section may be implemented using means for searching for a printer not printing and causing only the printer state information transmission section in the found printer to operate, each printer may be an apparatus including the operation control section, and the operation control section of each printer may be means for circulating processing description specification information indicating the date and time to cause the printer state information transmission section to operate among the operation control section of the plurality of printers, determining whether or not the own printer is processing print job data at the date and time indicated by the received processing description specification information, if the own printer is not processing print job data, causing the printer state information transmission section in the own printer to operate and then transferring processing description specification information indicating the next date and time to cause the printer state information transmission section to operate to another printer, and if the own printer is processing print job data, transferring the received processing description specification information to another printer.  
         [0017]     According to the invention, there is provided a printer including: 
        a printer state information return section for returning printer state information representing the own state at the point in time, to an apparatus transmitting predetermined request information;     a printer state management information transmission section for acquiring the printer state information from each of other printers by transmitting the predetermined request information to each printer including printer state information return section, and transmitting printer state management information responsive to the acquired printer state information and printer state information concerning the own printer, to a printer management computer connected to a network; and     an operation control section for performing control to start operation of the printer state information transmission section,     wherein the operation control section circulates processing description specification information indicating the date and time to cause the printer state information transmission section to operate among the operation control section in other printers connected to the network, determines whether or not the own printer is processing print job data at the date and time indicated by the received processing description specification information, if the own printer is not processing print job data, causes the printer state information transmission section in the own printer to operate and then transfers processing description specification information indicating the next date and time to cause the printer state information transmission section to operate to another printer, and if the own printer is processing print job data, transfers the received processing description specification information to another printer.        
 
         [0022]     Therefore, if the several printers are connected to the network, a system equivalent to the network print system according to the second aspect of the invention can be implemented. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [heading-0023]     In the Accompanying Drawings:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a drawing to show the configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a report transmission condition set page that the printer according to the first embodiment of the invention causes a computer to display;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a managed printer set page that the printer according to the first embodiment of the invention causes a computer to display;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of report transmission processing executed in the printer according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of report transmission processing executed in the printer according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of report transmission processing executed in the printer according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0030]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are schematic representations of a network print system that can be constructed using the printer according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of a network print system that can be constructed using the printer according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is a drawing to show the configuration of a printer according to a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0033]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are schematic representations of a network print system that can be constructed using the printer according to the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of an information collection ticket transmitted and received between the printers according to the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of master report transmission processing executed in the printer according to the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart of ticket issuance processing executed in the printer according to the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart of master ticket transfer processing executed in the printer according to the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart of slave report transmission processing executed in the printer according to the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart of slave ticket transfer processing executed in the printer according to the second embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0040]      FIG. 17  is a schematic representation of a network print system that can be constructed using the printers according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
       [0041]     In the drawings, the reference numerals refers to followings: 
         10 ,  50  Printer;      11 ,  51  Control section;      12 ,  52  Operation panel; and      13 ,  53  Print mechanism section.        
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0046]     Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there are shown preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [heading-0047]     &lt;First Embodiment&gt; 
         [0048]     A printer  10  according to a first embodiment of the invention includes a control section  11  made up of a CPU, ROM, RAM, NVS (nonvolatile storage: HDD, RAM with battery backup, or the like), an NW I/F (network interface circuit), an RTC (real-time clock), etc., an operation panel  12  made up of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plurality of pushbutton switches (SWs), a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc., and a print mechanism section  13  made up of a paper feeder, a print engine, a paper ejection unit, etc., as schematically shown in  FIG. 1 . The printer  10  also includes a unit for concurrently executing print control processing, abnormal phenomenon occurrence monitor processing, status information management processing, job information management processing, report transmission condition information setting processing, report transmission processing, etc., as the control section  11 .  
         [0049]     In the embodiment, the printer  10  corresponds to a first-kind printer contained in a network print system as claimed in claims  1  to  4 , a selectable printer (described later) corresponds to a second-kind printer, the NVS corresponds to an information storage section, the portion of the control section  11  for performing report transmission processing corresponds to a printer state management information transmission section, and several reports of the same kind transmitted at the same timing by the report transmission processing correspond to printer state management information.  
         [0050]     The print control processing executed by the control section  11  is processing of monitoring reception of print job data and causing the print mechanism section  13  to generate printed matter specified in the received print job data. The abnormal phenomenon occurrence monitor processing is processing of monitoring occurrence of an abnormal phenomenon in the printer  10  and if an abnormal phenomenon occurs, displaying a message indicating occurrence of the abnormal phenomenon on the operation panel  12  (LCD), etc. The status information management processing is processing of managing the remaining amounts of the consumables in the printer  10 , the number of times the periodical replacement parts have been used, the user-setup values concerning various operation condition items, and the like (status information).  
         [0051]     The job information management processing includes processing of storing (recording) job information concerning print job data processed by the print control processing (information made up of various pieces of item information such as the transmission source computer name, the number of print sheets, and the print date and time) in the NVS (nonvolatile storage) in the control section  11  and processing for making a response to a job information output request issued by a different apparatus.  
         [0052]     The report transmission condition setting processing is processing of changing error report transmission condition information, status report transmission condition information, job report transmission condition information, and managed printer information stored in the NVS to those as specified by the manager of the printer  10 .  
         [0053]     Specifically, the control section  11  executing the report transmission condition setting processing usually monitors reception of a set page request, report transmission condition specification information, a managed printer selection page request, and managed printer specification information.  
         [0054]     The set page request whose reception is monitored by the control section  11  is an HTTP request of a predetermined description. Upon reception of the set page request, the control section  11  causes the computer transmitting the set page request to display a report transmission condition set page in the format shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0055]     The report transmission condition set page is a Web page where the initial values of select boxes  21 ,  22 ,  24 ,  25 ,  27   a  to  27   e ,  28 ,  29 , and  31   a  to  31   e  and text boxes  23   a  to  23   d ,  26   a  to  26   d , and  30   a  to  30   d  are those responsive to the error report transmission condition information, the status report transmission condition information, and the job report transmission condition information stored in the NVS. The report transmission condition set page is a Web page where the information received by the control section  11  containing the current values in the items (containing the values set by the manager of the printer  10 ) is transmitted to the network when the user presses a TRANSMIT button  32 .  
         [0056]     The information transmitted as the TRANSMIT button  32  is pressed is the report transmission condition specification information. Upon reception of the report transmission condition specification information, the control section  11  changes the error report transmission condition information, the status report transmission condition information, and the job report transmission condition information stored in the NVS to those responsive to the report transmission condition specification information.  
         [0057]     The transmission condition information rewritten by performing the processing will be discussed instead of describing the processing in detail.  
         [0058]     The error report transmission condition information is information containing error report level information, error report transmission protocol specification information, error report destination specification information, and error report authentication information.  
         [0059]     The error report level information contained in the error report transmission condition information is information specifying the condition to transmit an error report (a file retaining information indicating what error/warning occurred in the printer  10  (described later in detail)) according to the type of abnormal phenomenon (error/warning). The error report level information is information corresponding to the setup value in the select box  21  and can take a value specifying transmission of an error report when an error or a warning occurs, a value specifying transmission of an error report only when an error occurs (suppressing transmission of an error report when a warning occurs), or a value specifying transmission of no error report (non-transmission indication value).  
         [0060]     The error report transmission protocol specification information is information specifying the protocol to be used to transmit an error report. The error report transmission protocol specification information is information corresponding to the setup value in the select box  22  and takes any of a value indicating transmission of an error report using FTP (File Transfer Protocol), a value indicating transmission of an error report using CIFS (Common Internet File System), or a value indicating transmission of an error report using SMTP (Simple Main Transfer Protocol).  
         [0061]     The error report destination specification information is information specifying the destination of an error report. The error report destination specification information is information corresponding to the setup values in the text boxes  23   a  and  23   d . The error report authentication information is information required for the receiving party at the destination to receive the error report and may be information containing no significant information. The error report authentication information is information corresponding to the setup values in the text boxes  23   b  and  23   c.    
         [0062]     On the other hand, the status report transmission condition information is information containing status report level information, status report transmission protocol specification information, status report destination specification information, status report authentication information, and status report schedule specification information.  
         [0063]     The status report level information contained in the status report transmission condition information is information specifying the type of status information (information managed in the status information management processing) to be contained in a status report to be transmitted (a file containing various pieces of status information indicating the state of the printer  10  (described later in detail)). The status report level information is information corresponding to the setup value in the select box  24  and can take a non-transmission indication value specifying transmission of no status report like the error report level information.  
         [0064]     The status report transmission protocol specification information is information specifying the protocol to be used to transmit a status report. The status report transmission protocol specification information is information corresponding to the setup value in the select box  25  and takes any of a value indicating transmission of a status report using FTP, a value indicating transmission of a status report using CIFS, or a value indicating transmission of a status report using SMTP like the error report transmission protocol specification information.  
         [0065]     The status report destination specification information is information specifying the destination of a status report. The status report destination specification information is information corresponding to the setup values in the text boxes  26   a  and  26   d . The status report authentication information is information required for the receiving party at the destination to receive the status report and may be information containing no significant information. The status report authentication information is information corresponding to the setup values in the text boxes  26   b  and  26   c . The status report schedule specification information is information to specify the transmission schedule of a status report. The status report schedule specification information is information corresponding to the setup values in the select boxes  27   a  to  27   e.    
         [0066]     The job report transmission condition information is information containing job report level information, job report transmission protocol specification information, job report destination specification information, job report authentication information, and job report schedule specification information.  
         [0067]     The job report level information contained in the job report transmission condition information is information corresponding to the setup value in the select box  28  to specify what item information of job information to be transmitted as a job report (a file containing job information recorded by performing the job information management processing (described later in detail)). The job report level information can take a non-transmission indication value specifying transmission of no job report like the error report level information and the status report level information.  
         [0068]     The job report transmission protocol specification information is information corresponding to the setup value in the select box  29  to specify the protocol to be used to transmit a job report. The job report transmission protocol specification information also takes any of a value indicating transmission of a job report using FTP, a value indicating transmission of a job report using CIFS, or a value indicating transmission of a job report using SMTP like any other transmission protocol specification information.  
         [0069]     The job report destination specification information is information corresponding to the setup values in the text boxes  30   a  and  30   d  to specify the destination of a job report. The job report authentication information is information required for the receiving party at the destination to receive the job report and may be information containing no significant information. The job report authentication information is information corresponding to the setup values in the text boxes  30   b  and  30   c . The job report schedule specification information is information corresponding to the setup values in the select boxes  31   a  to  31   e  to specify the transmission schedule of a job report.  
         [0070]     On the other hand, the managed printer selection page request whose reception is monitored by the control section  11  performing report transmission condition setting processing is an HTTP request of a predetermined description different from the set page request.  
         [0071]     Upon reception of the managed printer selection page request, the control section  11  first performs processing of examining the model name, the MAC address, the IP address, etc., of each printer (selectable printer) manufactured by the same manufacturer as the own printer  10 , existing on the same LAN (broadcast domain) as the own printer  10 . Every selectable printer is an apparatus which supports the SNTP and can transmit a trap notification when a warning occurs and a trap notification when an error occurs. Some selectable printers (selectable printers of specific models) have a function of recording job information and responding to various requests concerning job information (mainly, job information output request) from a different apparatus.  
         [0072]     The control section  11  examining the model name, the MAC address, the IP address, etc., of each selectable printer performs managed printer set page providing processing for providing a managed printer set page for the computer transmitting a set page request, which will be hereinafter referred to as communicating computer.  
         [0073]     More particularly, the control section  11  creates source data (HTML data) responsive to the examination information and the managed printer specification information stored in the NVS and transmits the source data to the communicating computer as the managed printer set page providing processing.  
         [0074]     The managed printer specification information referenced at the time of the managed printer set page providing processing is information containing information made up of the model name, the MAC address, and the IP address, which will be hereinafter referred to as managed printer determination information, for each of one or more managed printers (printers selected by the manager from among the selectable printers (described later in detail)).  
         [0075]     On the other hand, the managed printer set page provided by performing the managed printer set page providing processing is a Web page displaying a SET button  42  and is also a Web page displaying the model name, the MAC address, a check box  41 , etc., for each selectable printer, as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0076]     Each check box  41  displayed on the managed printer set page is an item to select the selectable printer corresponding to the check box as the managed printer. In the managed printer set page providing processing, the managed printer specification information is referenced and the initial value of each check box  41  is determined.  
         [0077]     The SET button  42  on the managed printer set page is an item for the communicating computer (Web browser) to transmit information containing the current value of each check box  41  (information indicating whether or not the check box is checked) and received by the control section  11  to the network as the user presses the SET button  42 .  
         [0078]     The information transmitted as the user presses the SET button  42  is managed printer set indication information. Upon reception of the managed printer set indication information, the control section  11  changes the managed printer set specification information stored in the NVS to that responsive to the managed printer set indication information.  
         [0079]     On the other hand, the report transmission processing executed by the control section  11  is processing of transmitting an error report, a status report, a job report in the conditions indicated by the error report transmission condition information, the status report transmission condition information, the job report transmission condition information as described above and is also processing again executed if the error, status, or job report transmission condition information is changed.  
         [0080]     FIGS.  4  to  6  are flowcharts to show the report transmission processing executed by the control section  11 .  
         [0081]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the control section  11  starting the report transmission processing first reads the error report transmission condition information, the status report transmission condition information, and the job report transmission condition information stored in the NVS into the RAM and keeps track of the type of abnormal phenomenon (error or warning) to transmit an error report, the date and time to transmit a status report (status report transmission date and time), and the date and time to transmit a job report (job report transmission date and time) (step S 101 ). More particularly, the control section  11  performs the following processing at step S 101 :  
         [0082]     First, the control section  11  reads the error report transmission condition information, the status report transmission condition information, and the job report transmission condition information stored in the NVS into the RAM. Then, the control section  11  performs processing of determining and storing the type of abnormal phenomenon to transmit an error report based on error report level information (element information of the error report transmission condition information) read into the RAM, processing of determining the next transmission date and time of a status report (the transmission date and time of the first status report to be transmitted after execution of step S 101 ) based on status report transmission schedule specification information (element information of the status report schedule specification information) read into the RAM and the current date and time (output of the RTC) and storing the transmission date and time as the status report transmission date and time, and processing of determining the next transmission date and time of a job report (the transmission date and time of the first job report to be transmitted after execution of step S 101 ) based on job report transmission schedule specification information (element information of the job report schedule specification information) read into the RAM and the current date and time (output of the RTC) and storing the transmission date and time as the job report transmission date and time.  
         [0083]     The control section  11  performing the processing at step S 101  reads the managed printer specification information into the RAM and sets SNMP trap in response to the error report level information for the managed printer determined by the managed printer determination information for each piece of managed printer determination information contained in the managed printer specification information (step S 102 ).  
         [0084]     That is, if the error report level information is to specify transmission of an error report when an error or a warning occurs, at step S 102 , the control section  11  makes setting to cause each managed printer to transmit a trap notification representing occurrence of an error or a trap notification representing occurrence of a warning to the own printer  10 . If the error report level information is to specify transmission of an error report when an error occurs, the control section  11  makes setting to cause each managed printer to transmit a trap notification representing occurrence of an error to the own printer  10 . If the error report level information is to specify transmission of no error report, the control section  11  makes setting to cause each managed printer not to transmit a trap notification representing occurrence of an error or a warning to the own printer  10 .  
         [0085]     Upon completion of the processing at step S 102 , the control section  11  starts monitor processing of reception of a trap notification, detection of an abnormal phenomenon (error/warning) to transmit an error report in abnormal phenomenon occurrence monitor processing, and the current date and time matching the status report date and time or the job report date and time (loop process made up of steps S 103  to S 106 ). Although not shown in the flowchart, the control section  11  also determines whether or not the level information concerning each report takes the non-transmission indication value at step S 101 . If a report whose level information takes the non-transmission indication value exists, the control section  11  executes the loop process at steps S 103  to S 106  while skipping the determination as to the report whose level information takes the non-transmission indication value.  
         [0086]     Upon detection of reception of a trap notification in the loop process made up of steps S 103  to S 106  (YES at step S 103 ), the control section  11  performs the following processing at step S 107 :  
         [0087]     First, the control section  11  acquires information indicating what the abnormal phenomenon occurring in the managed printer is from the managed printer transmitting the trap notification. The control section  11  acquires the information by SNMP. Next, the control section  11  creates a text file containing the printer determination information and the name of the abnormal phenomenon that occurred and having the file name listing a predetermined character string (a character string to indicate that the file is an error report from the file name), the model name, the IP address, and the current date and time based on the acquired information, the managed printer determination information of the managed printer (model name, MAC address, IP address), and the current date and time. If the protocol specified by the error report transmission protocol specification information is FTP or CIFS, the control section  11  transmits the created error report (text file) to the destination specified by the error report destination specification information (if necessary, using the error report authentication information). On the other hand, if the protocol specified by the error report transmission protocol specification information is SMTP, the control section  11  transmits electronic mail with information equivalent to the above-mentioned file name set as “subject” to which the created error report (text file) is attached to the destination specified by the error report destination specification information using the error report authentication information.  
         [0088]     The control section  11  performing the processing at step S 107  starts processing at step S 103  and again enters the state of monitoring occurrence of various events.  
         [0089]     Upon detection of occurrence of an abnormal phenomenon to transmit an error report in the own printer  10  (YES at step S 104 ), the control section  11  performs almost the same processing as that at step S 107  (processing using the information managed in the own printer (control section) rather than the information obtained from a different printer) at step S 108  and then again starts the loop process at steps S 103  to S 106 .  
         [0090]     If the current date and time matches the status report transmission date and time (YES at step S 105 ), the control section  11  first acquires status information of the type specified by the status report level information by SNTP from each managed printer (step S 109 ) as shown in  FIG. 5 . Next, for each managed printer, the control section  11  creates a status report from the status information acquired from the managed printer, the managed printer determination information of the managed printer, and the like and transmits the status report to the specified destination and for the own printer, the control section  11  creates a status report from the status information retained (managed) by the control section (own printer), the printer determination information of the own printer, and the like and transmits the status report to the specified destination (step S 110 ).  
         [0091]     At step S 110 , created as a status report is a text file containing printer determination information (information made up of the model name, the MAC address, and the IP address) on the first row (rows are information units separated by line feed) and text information status information of the types specified by the status report level information together with the names, such as “total number of print sheets: xxxxx” and “toner remaining amount: −yy%,” on the second and later rows and having the file name listing a predetermined character string (a character string to indicate that the file is a status report from the file name), the model name, the IP address, and the current date and time. At step S 110 , as at step S 107  or S 108  (processing for error report transmission), if the protocol specified by the status report transmission protocol specification information is FTP or CIFS, the created status report (text file) is transmitted to the specified destination; if the protocol specified by the status report transmission protocol specification information is SMTP, electronic mail with information equivalent to the above-mentioned file name set as “subject” to which the created status report (text file) is attached is transmitted to the specified destination.  
         [0092]     Upon completion of transmission of the status report (at step S 106 ), the control section  11  changes the status report transmission date and time to the transmission date and time of the next status report based on the status report transmission schedule information (step S 111 ) and then again starts processing at step S 103  ( FIG. 4 ).  
         [0093]     If the current date and time matches the job report transmission date and time (YES at step S 106 ), the control section  11  first acquires job information stored in the managed printer from each managed printer having a function of managing job information (step S 112 ) as shown in  FIG. 6 . At step S 112 , whether or not each managed printer has the function of managing job information is determined from the model name of the printer and job information is not left in each managed printer.  
         [0094]     Next, at step S 113 , for each managed printer, the control section  11  creates a job report from the job information acquired from the managed printer, the managed printer determination information of the managed printer, and the like and transmits the job report to the specified destination and for the own printer, the control section  11  creates a job report from the job information retained (managed) by the control section (own printer) (job information stored in the NVS by performing job information management processing), the printer determination information of the managed printer, and the like and transmits the job report to the specified destination.  
         [0095]     At step S 113 , created as a job report is a text file in CSV (Comma Separated Value) format containing printer determination information on the first row, job information (containing only item information responsive to the job report level information) on the third and later rows, and the names of the item information of the job information contained on the third and later rows on the second row and having the file name listing a predetermined character string (a character string to indicate that the file is a job report from the file name), the model name, the IP address, and the current date and time. At step S 113 , as at step S 107 , S 108 , or S 110 , if the protocol specified by the job report transmission protocol specification information is FTP or CIFS, the created status report (text file) is transmitted to the specified destination; if the protocol specified by the job report transmission protocol specification information is SMTP, electronic mail with information equivalent to the above-mentioned file name set as “subject” to which the created job report (text file) is attached is transmitted to the specified destination.  
         [0096]     Upon completion of the processing at step S 113 , the control section  11  deletes the job information stored in the NVS (step S 114 ) and changes the job report transmission date and time to the transmission date and time of the next job report based on the job report transmission schedule information and the current date and time (step S 115 ) and then again starts processing at step S 103 .  
         [0097]     As described above, the printer  10  according to the first embodiment is an apparatus that can autonomously transmit the three types of reports containing the information concerning the state of the apparatus and the state of each different printer (managed printer) to the specified apparatus according to the error, status, and job report destination specification information and also enables the user to select the transmission protocol of each report from among FTP, CIFS, and SMTP. Further, the printer  10  is an apparatus for transmitting as each report a text file not requiring any special program to view the contents of the report.  
         [0098]     Therefore, as the printer  10  is used, a system wherein error reports, status reports, and job reports to enable the user to keep track of the state of the printer  10  and the state of each managed printer are retained (a system wherein several printers  10  and several selectable printers can be managed using a printer management computer  100 ) can be constructed in the printer management computer  100  with a usual computer (a computer that can receive information using any of FTP, CIFS, or FTP) used intact as the printer management computer  100  (without installing an information collection program), as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B .  
         [0099]     The printer  10  is an apparatus for enabling the user to specify the report destination for each type of report. As the printer  10  is used, a system as schematically shown in  FIG. 8 , namely, a system wherein error reports and status reports concerning the printer  10  and each managed printer are retained in a printer management computer  100   a  and job reports concerning the printer  10  and each managed printer are retained in a printer management computer  100   b , so that management for causing the printer  10  to operate in the normal state can be conducted using the printer management computer  100   b  and charging management can be conducted using the printer management computer  100   a  can also be constructed with usual computers used intact as the printer management computers  100   a  and  100   b.    
         [heading-0100]     &lt;Second Embodiment&gt; 
         [0101]     A printer  50  according to a second embodiment of the invention is outlined with  FIGS. 9 and 10 .  
         [0102]     The printer  50  according to the second embodiment of the invention includes a control section  51  made up of a CPU, ROM, RAM, NVS (nonvolatile storage: HDD, RAM with battery backup, or the like), an NW I/F (network interface circuit), an RTC (real-time clock), etc., an operation panel  52  made up of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plurality of pushbutton switches (SWs), a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc., and a print mechanism section  53  made up of a paper feeder, a print engine, a paper ejection unit, etc., as schematically shown in  FIG. 9 . The printer  50  also includes a unit for concurrently executing print control processing, abnormal phenomenon occurrence monitor processing, status information management processing, job information management processing, report transmission condition information setting processing, report transmission processing, etc., as the control section  51 .  
         [0103]     The printers  50  make it possible to construct a network print system as schematically shown in  FIGS. 10A, 10B . That is, the printers  50  make it possible to construct a network print system wherein error, status, and job reports concerning a plurality of printers  50  (similar to those transmitted by the printer  10  according to the first embodiment) are collected in one printer management computer  100  and status and job reports are transmitted from the printer  50  in a standby state to the printer management computer  100 .  
         [0104]     In the embodiment, the printer  50  corresponds to a printer contained in a network print system as claimed in claims  5  to  9  and a printer as claimed in claim  10 ,  11 , the portions of the control section  51  for performing abnormal phenomenon occurrence monitor processing, status information management processing, and job information management processing correspond to a printer state information return section, the portion of the control section  51  for performing report transmission processing corresponds to a printer state management information transmission section and an operation control section, and an information collection ticket described later corresponds to processing description specification information.  
         [0105]     Based on the description, the configuration and the operation of the printer  50  according to the second embodiment will be discussed furthermore specifically.  
         [0106]     The print control processing, abnormal phenomenon occurrence monitor processing, status information management processing, and job information management processing executed by the control section  51  (see  FIG. 9 ) in the printer  50  are the same as those executed by the control section  11 .  
         [0107]     The report transmission condition setting processing executed by the control section  51  is also the same as that executed by the control section  11  except that it may be unused to set status report transmission condition information, managed printer information, etc., (described later in detail).  
         [0108]     The report transmission processing executed by the control section  51  is processing started when power of the printer  50  is turned on or when status report transmission condition information, etc., is changed. The different type of report transmission processing is executed depending on whether or not status report transmission condition information, managed printer information, etc., is stored in the NVS (setting of status report transmission condition information, managed printer information, etc., using the report transmission condition setting processing is performed).  
         [0109]     Specifically, the control section  51  starting report transmission processing when the power is turned on, etc., first determines whether or not status report transmission condition information, etc., is stored in the NVS of the control section  51 . If status report transmission condition information, etc., is stored in the NVS, the control section  51  starts master report transmission processing shown in FIGS.  12  to  14 ; if status report transmission condition information, etc., is not stored in the NVS, the control section  51  starts slave report transmission processing shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 .  
         [0110]     The structure of an information collection ticket, information generated by the control section  51  executing master report transmission processing and then circulated between the control sections  51  executing slave report transmission processing or master report transmission processing will be discussed with  FIG. 11  before the master report transmission processing and the slave report transmission processing are described in detail.  
         [0111]     In the description that follows, the printer  50  wherein the control section  51  executes the master report transmission processing is denoted as the master printer  50 , and the printer  50  with printer determination information (information made up of model name, MAC address, and IP address; see the description of the managed printer set page providing processing according to the first embodiment) contained in managed printer information set for the master printer  50  is denoted as the slave printer  50 .  
         [0112]     The information collection ticket is information containing collection type information, collection status information, master printer identification information, collection source printer identification information, destination specification information, transmission date and time specification information, collection period specification information, and intra-group printer specification information, as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0113]     The collection type information, the master printer identification information, the collection source printer identification information, the destination specification information, the collection period specification information, and the intra-group printer specification information contained in the information collection ticket are information not rewritten while the information collection ticket is circulated; the collection status information, the collection source printer identification information, and the transmission date and time specification information are information which may be rewritten while the information collection ticket is circulated.  
         [0114]     The collection type information is information indicating which of status and job reports the own information collection ticket concerns. A network print system constructed using the printers  50  according to the embodiment is a system wherein one information collection ticket for a status report (information collection ticket containing the collection type information indicating that the own information collection ticket concerns a status report) and one information collection ticket for a job report (information collection ticket containing the collection type information indicating that the own information collection ticket concerns a job report) are circulated (described later in detail).  
         [0115]     The master printer identification information is printer identification information of the master printer  50  (information based on which communications with one printer can be conducted; in the embodiment, the IP address). The master printer identification information is information contained in the information collection ticket to make each slave printer  50  understand which printer  50  the master printer  50  is.  
         [0116]     The intra-group printer specification information is information listing the printer determination information of the master printer  50  and the printer determination information of each slave printer  50 . The intra-group printer specification information is information used for the control section  51  in each printer  50  to determine the destination of the information collection ticket and create a status report, a job report.  
         [0117]     The transmission condition specification information is information corresponding to status report transmission condition information from which status report schedule specification information is excluded or job report transmission condition information from which job report schedule specification information is excluded. That is, the transmission condition specification information is information to provide the slave printer  50  in which status report transmission condition information, job report transmission condition information, etc., is not set with information specifying the type of information contained in the status report, the job report, information specifying the destination of the status report, the job report, and information required for the receiving party at the destination to actually receive the status report, the job report.  
         [0118]     The collection period specification information is information indicating the status report, job report transmission period determined by the status report schedule specification information, job report schedule specification information. The transmission date and time specification information is information indicating the date and time at which status report, job report is to be transmitted. The transmission date and time specification information is information whose initial value is set by the master printer  50  (the control section  51  performing the master report transmission processing) based on the status report schedule specification information, job report schedule specification information. The printer  50  actually transmitting a status report or a job report (the control section  51  performing the slave report transmission processing or the master report transmission processing) rewrites the information by referencing the collection period specification information (adds the time indicated by the collection period specification information).  
         [0119]     The collection status information is information in which the printer  50  actually transmitting a status report or a job report (the control section  51  performing the slave report transmission processing or the master report transmission processing) sets OK (change/overwrite) or the printer  50  not transmitting a status report or a job report because of printing (the control section  51  performing the slave report transmission processing or the master report transmission processing) sets NG (change/overwrite). The collection status information is information based on which the printer  50  (control section  51 ) receiving the information collection ticket determines whether or not the information collection ticket is to be processed at once (as described later in detail).  
         [0120]     The collection source printer identification information is information rewritten by the printer  50  (control section  51 ) transmitting a status report or a job report (report of the type responsive to the collection type information) to the printer identification information of the printer  50  as a rule. The collection source printer identification information is information to prevent the information collection ticket from being repeatedly circulated between the printers  50  without transmitting a status report, a job report.  
         [0121]     The report transmission processing (master report transmission processing and slave report transmission processing) executed by the control section  51  will be discussed in detail with flowcharts of FIGS.  12  to  16 .  
         [0122]     As previously described, the report transmission processing executed by the control section  51  is processing started when power of the printer  50  is turned on or when the status report transmission condition information, etc., is changed. If the status report transmission condition information, managed printer information, etc., is stored in the NVS (setting of the status report transmission condition information, managed printer information, etc., using the report transmission condition setting processing is performed), the master report transmission processing is started; otherwise, the slave report transmission processing is started.  
         [0123]     The control section  51  starting the master report transmission processing operates according to the procedure shown in  FIG. 11 . The actual master report transmission processing is processing according to the procedure shown in  FIG. 11  plus processing for transmitting an error report. However, the processing for transmitting an error report performed in the master report transmission processing is the same as that performed by the control section  11  in the printer  10  according to the first embodiment and therefore will not be discussed again. In the description that follows, the report of the type to be processed by the control section  51  (status report or job report) is denoted as the attention report for convenience of the description.  
         [0124]     That is, the control section  51  starting the master report transmission processing first keeps track of (determines and stores) the status report transmission date and time of the transmission date and time of the next status report and the job report transmission date and time of the transmission date and time of the next job report from the setup status report transmission condition information and job report transmission condition information and the current date and time (step S 201 ). At step S 201 , the control section  51  also reads managed printer information (several pieces of printer determination information) into RAM.  
         [0125]     Next, the control section  51  transmits a command to the printers  50  determined by the group determination information read into the RAM (namely, the slave printers  50 ) to discard the information collection ticket received and not yet transferred (step S 202 ).  
         [0126]     The control section  51  starts to monitor occurrence of an issuance date and time event, a ticket reception event, a transmission success event, a transmission failure event, and a determination date and time event for each of status and job reports (step S 203 ).  
         [0127]     The issuance date and time event for a status report is an event that “the status report transmission date and time and the current date and time match in a state in which the information collection ticket for a status report (information collection ticket setting the collection information type indicating the information to be collected is status information) is unissued.” The issuance date and time event for a job report is an event that “the job report transmission date and time and the current date and time match in a state in which the information collection ticket for a job report (information collection ticket setting the collection information type indicating the information to be collected is job information) is unissued.” 
         [0128]     The transmission success event for a status report, a job report is an event that “a report transmission completion notification (information indicating the type of transmitted report (described later in detail)) transmitted by the slave printer  50  (control section  51 ) completing transmission of a status report, a job report to the master printer  50  has been received before the date and time resulting from adding a predetermined time to the status report transmission date and time, the job report transmission date and time (hereinafter, denoted as the completion notification reception scheduled date and time for a status report, a job report).” The transmission failure event for a status report, a job report is an event that “a report transmission completion notification for a status report, a job report has not been received before the completion notification reception scheduled date and time for a status report, a job report.” 
         [0129]     The ticket reception event for a status report, a job report is an event that “the information collection ticket for a status report, a job report, transmitted by a different printer  50  has been received.” The determination date and time event for a status report, a job report is an event that “the transmission determination date and time for a status report, a job report and the current date and time match in a state in which significant information is stored as the transmission determination date and time for a status report, a job report (described later in detail).” 
         [0130]     Upon detection of occurrence of any of the events, the control section  51  exits step S 203  and performs processing responsive to the detected event at steps S 204  to S 210 .  
         [0131]     Specifically, upon detection of occurrence of an issuance date and time event (steps S 203  and S 204 ; issuance date and time), the control section  51  performs ticket issuance processing at step S 206 .  
         [0132]     As shown in  FIG. 13 , at the time of the ticket issuance processing, the control section  51  first determines whether or not the printer is printing (performs print control processing for processing print job data) (step S 221 ). If the printer is not printing (NO at step S 221 ), the control section  51  performs attention report transmission processing (step S 222 ). If the attention report is a status report (the ticket issuance processing is started because of occurrence of an event for a status report), the same processing as at steps S 109  to S 111  ( FIG. 5 ) is performed as the attention report transmission processing; if the attention report is a job report (the ticket issuance processing is started because of occurrence of an event for a job report), the same processing as at steps S 112  to S 115  ( FIG. 6 ) is performed as the attention report transmission processing.  
         [0133]     Upon completion of the attention report transmission processing, the control section  51  changes the transmission date and time stored concerning the attention report (status report transmission date and time or job report transmission date and time) to the next status or job report transmission date and time and then creates an information collection ticket containing the collection information type and “OK” responsive to the attention report as the collection information type and collection status information, the printer identification information of the own printer  50  (in the embodiment, the IP address) as the collection source printer identification information, and information indicating the transmission date and time at the point in time for the attention report (in this case, the status or job report transmission date and time updated at step S 223 ) as the transmission date and time specification information (any other information is as previously described with reference to  FIG. 13 ) and transmits the information collection ticket to the next printer (step S 224 ).  
         [0134]     The “next printer” to which the information collection ticket is to be transmitted at step S 224  and the “next printer” mentioned in the description to follow are used to mean the first printer  50  that can communicate with the own printer  50  in attempting to communicate with the own printer  50  in the order of the printer identification information contained in the intra-group printer specification information [the first printer  50  attempting to communicate with the own printer  50  is the printer  50  identified according to the printer identification information following the printer identification information of the own printer  50  (if the printer identification information of the own printer  50  is the end printer identification information, the printer  50  identified according to the top printer identification information)].  
         [0135]     Although not shown in the flowchart, if the processing at step S 224  resulted in failure in the master report transmission processing (if the created information collection ticket cannot be transmitted to a different printer  50 ), the created information collection ticket is handled as an information collection ticket received from a different printer  50  (as if a ticket reception event occurred).  
         [0136]     Thus, if the printer is not printing at the start time of the ticket issuance processing, the processing section  51  transmits a status report or a job report to the specified destination and then terminates the ticket issuance processing.  
         [0137]     In contrast, if the printer is printing at the start time of the ticket issuance processing (YES at step S 221 ), the control section  51  performs only processing of creating an information collection ticket containing the collection information type and “NG” responsive to the attention report as the collection information type and collection status information, the printer identification information of the own printer  50  as the collection source printer identification information, and information indicating the transmission date and time for the attention report (information unchanged after determined at step S 201 ) as the transmission date and time specification information and transmits the information collection ticket to the next printer (step S 225 ) and then terminates the attention report transmission processing.  
         [0138]     Slave report transmission processing will be discussed before the remaining description of the master report transmission processing is given.  
         [0139]     The control section  51  starting the slave report transmission processing monitors occurrence of a ticket reception event, a determination date and time event for a status report, a job report (step S 301 ), as shown in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0140]     The ticket reception event and determination date and time event monitored at step S 301  are the same as those monitored at step S 203 .  
         [0141]     Upon detection of occurrence of a ticket reception event (steps S 301  and  302 ; ticket reception), the control section  51  determines whether the collection status information in the received information collection ticket is “NG” or “OK” (step S 303 ). If the collection status information is “OK” (OK at step S 303 ), the control section  51  stores the date and time indicated by the transmission date and time specification information in the received information collection ticket as the transmission determination date and time for the attention report (report of the type indicated by the information collection type in the received information collection ticket) (step S 305 ) and then again starts processing at step S 301 .  
         [0142]     On the other hand, if the collection status information in the received information collection ticket is “NG” (NG at step S 303 ), the control section  51  performs slave ticket transfer processing at step S 304 . If the control section  51  detects occurrence of a determination date and time event, the control section  51  also performs slave ticket transfer processing at step S 304 . Although not shown in the figure, upon detection of a determination date and time event (determination date and time at step S 302 ), the control section  51  clears the transmission determination date and time for the determination date and time event so as to prevent occurrence of the same determination date and time event from being monitored in the later processing at step S 203  and then performs the master ticket transfer processing.  
         [0143]     As shown in  FIG. 16 , at the time of the slave ticket transfer processing, the control section  51  first determines whether or not the printer is printing (step S 311 ). If the printer is not printing (NO at step S 311 ), the control section  51  performs attention report transmission processing (step S 312 ). The attention report transmission processing is the same as that executed at step S 222  ( FIG. 13 ).  
         [0144]     Upon completion of the attention report transmission processing, the control section  51  transmits completion notification information containing information indicating the type of transmitted report to the master printer  50  (the printer  50  identified according to master printer identification information in the received information collection ticket) (step S 313 ), changes the collection status information and the collection source printer identification information to “OK” and the printer identification information of the own printer  50 , and changes the transmission date and time specification information to that indicating the date and time elapsed by the time indicated by the collection period specification information and then transfers the information collection ticket to the next printer (step S 314 ) before terminating the slave ticket transfer processing. As seen from the fact that the slave ticket transfer processing is processing performed regardless of what the collection status information and the collection source printer identification information are, the processing at step S 314  is processing wherein the collection status information and the collection source printer identification information may be unchanged (each information may be changed to the same information as the original).  
         [0145]     On the other hand, if the printer is printing at the start time of the slave ticket transfer processing (YES at step S 311 ), the control section  51  determines whether or not the collection source printer identification information in the received information collection ticket matches the identification information of the own printer (step S 315 ). If they match (YES at step S 315 ), the control section  51  transmits the information collection ticket with the collection status information and the collection source printer identification information changed to “NG” and the master printer identification information to the master printer  50  (step S 316 ) and then terminates the slave ticket transfer processing. If the collection source printer identification information does not match the identification information of the own printer (NO at step S 315 ), the control section  51  transmits the information collection ticket with the collection status information changed to “NG” to the next printer (step S 317 ) and then terminates the slave ticket transfer processing. The processing at step S 316 , S 317  is processing wherein the collection status information may be unchanged (the information may be changed to the same information as the original).  
         [0146]     Upon completion of the slave ticket transfer processing, the control section  51  again starts the processing at step S 301  ( FIG. 15 ).  
         [0147]     In short, if the printer is not printing (NO at step S 311 ) upon reception of the information collection ticket with the collection status information set to “NG” (ticket reception at step S 302  in  FIG. 15  and NG at S 303 ), immediately the control section  51  in the slave printer transmits an attention report (step S 312  in  FIG. 16 ) and notifies the master printer  50  that transmission of the attention report is complete (step S 313 ). In this case, it is not necessary to cause a different printer  50  to immediately start transmission of the attention report and therefore the control section  51  transfers the information collection ticket with the collection status information set to “OK” and the transmission date and time specification information indicating the next attention report transmission date and time to the next printer.  
         [0148]     On the other hand, if the printer is printing (YES at step S 311 ) upon reception of the information collection ticket with the collection status information set to “NG” (ticket reception at step S 302  and NG at S 303 ) or if the printer is printing (YES at step S 311 ) when the date and time become those indicated by the transmission date and time specification information in the information collection ticket (determination date and time at step S 302 ) after reception of the information collection ticket with the collection status information set to “OK,” it is necessary to cause a different printer  50  to immediately transmit the attention report and therefore the control section  51  in the slave printer transmits the information collection ticket with the collection status information set to “NG” (information collection ticket with the unchanged transmission date and time specification information) to the next printer (steps S 315  to S 317 ). At the time, the fact that the collection source printer identification information matches the printer identification information of the own printer means that the information collection ticket transferred to the next printer is returned to the own printer without report transmission by a different printer  50  (if report transmission is executed by a different printer  50 , the collection source printer identification information is rewritten) and therefore the process is caused to branch to S 316  through S 315  for causing the master printer to perform report transmission (described later in detail).  
         [0149]     Referring again to  FIG. 12 , the description of the master report transmission processing is continued.  
         [0150]     Upon detection of occurrence of a ticket reception event (ticket reception at steps S 203  and S 204 ), the control section  51  executing the master report transmission processing determines whether the collection status information in the received information collection ticket is “NG” or “OK” (step S 208 ). If the collection status information is “OK” (OK at step S 208 ), the control section  51  stores the date and time indicated by the transmission date and time specification information in the received information collection ticket as the transmission determination date and time for the attention report (report of the type indicated by the information collection type in the received information collection ticket) (step S 210 ). The control section  51  again starts processing at step S 203 .  
         [0151]     On the other hand, if the collection status information in the received information collection ticket is “NG” (NG at step S 208 ), the control section  51  performs master ticket transfer processing at step S 209 . If the control section  51  detects occurrence of a determination date and time event (determination date and time at steps S 203  and S 204 ), the control section  51  also performs master ticket transfer processing at step S 209 . Although not shown in the figure, upon detection of a determination date and time event (determination date and time at steps S 203  and  204 ), the control section  51  clears the transmission determination date and time for the determination date and time event and then performs the master ticket transfer processing.  
         [0152]     As shown in  FIG. 14 , at the time of the master ticket transfer processing, the control section  51  first determines whether or not the printer is printing (step S 231 ). If the printer is not printing (NO at step S 231 ), the control section  51  performs attention report transmission processing (step S 232 ). The attention report transmission processing is the same as that executed at step S 222 , step S 312 .  
         [0153]     Upon completion of the attention report transmission processing, the control section  51  changes the transmission date and time specification information for the attention report stored in the own printer to the next transmission date and time specification information (step S 233 ) and transmits the information collection ticket with the collection status information and the collection source printer identification information changed to “OK” and the identification information of the own printer  50  (=master printer identification information) and the transmission date and time specification information changed to that for the attention report after change to the next printer (step S 234 ) and then terminates the slave ticket transfer processing.  
         [0154]     On the other hand, if the printer is printing at the start time of the master ticket transfer processing (YES at step S 231 ), the control section  51  determines whether or not the collection source printer identification information in the received information collection ticket matches the identification information of the own printer  50  (step S 235 ). If they match (YES at step S 235 ), the control section  51  executes steps S 232  to S 234  as in the case where the printer is not printing, and then terminates the master ticket transfer processing.  
         [0155]     In contrast, if the collection source printer identification information in the information collection ticket does not match the identification information of the own printer (NO at step S 235 ), the control section  51  transmits the information collection ticket with the collection status information changed to “NG” to the next printer (step S 236 ) and then terminates the master ticket transfer processing.  
         [0156]     In short, the master ticket transfer processing results from modifying the slave ticket transfer processing so as to change the transmission date and time for the attention report (the transmission date and time information is not required in the slave ticket transfer processing in which occurrence of a transmission success event and a transmission failure event is not monitored) without transmitting transmission completion notification and so as to start report transmission processing even if the printer is printing upon reception of the information collection ticket transmitted at step S 316  ( FIG. 16 ).  
         [0157]     Upon completion of the master ticket transfer processing, the control section  51  again starts the processing at step S 203  ( FIG. 12 ).  
         [0158]     Upon detection of occurrence of a transmission success event (event of reception of transmission completion notification) (transmission success at steps S 203  and S 204 ), the control section  51  changes the transmission date and time (information managed by the control section  51 ) for the report of the type indicated in the transmission completion notification (in the figure, attention report) to the next report transmission date and time (step S 207 ) and then again starts the processing at step S 203 . Upon detection of occurrence of a transmission failure event (event of reception of no transmission completion notification within the specified time) (transmission failure at steps S 203  and S 204 ), the control section  51  transmits a command to discard the information collection ticket for the report whose transmission failure event occurred (in the figure, attention report) to each intra-group printer (step S 208 ) and then starts ticket issuance processing (step S 206 ). The processing at step S 207  is performed to prevent a plurality of information collection tickets from being circulated between the printers  50  if a transmission failure event occurs as a result of occurrence of any other phenomenon than a phenomenon in which power of the printer  50  receiving the information collection ticket with the collection status information set to “OK” is turned off before report transmission is executed (report transmission processing is not started or terminated for some reason).  
         [0159]     The printer  50  according to the second embodiment is an apparatus which operates as described above. Thus, as the printer  50  is used, a network print system as previously described with reference to  FIGS. 10A and 10B  (as report transmission processing is performed, print job data processing is not delayed) can be constructed using a usual computer (a computer that can receive information using any of FTP, CIFS, or FTP) used intact as a printer management computer  100  (without installing an information collection program).  
         [0160]     Like the printer  10 , the printer  50  is also an apparatus for enabling the user to specify the report destination for each type of report. As the printer  50  is used, a system as schematically shown in  FIG. 17 , namely, a system wherein management for causing the printer  50  to operate in the normal state can be conducted using a printer management computer  100   a  and charging management can be conducted using a printer management computer  100   b  can also be constructed with usual computers used intact as the printer management computers  100   a  and  100   b.    
         [heading-0161]     &lt;Modifications&gt; 
         [0162]     The printer  10 ,  50  of the embodiment can be modified in various manners. For example, the status report transmitted by the printer  10 ,  50  of the embodiment contains information concerning consumables and information concerning any other than consumables, but the printer  10 ,  50  can be modified so as to transmit a status report containing information only concerning consumables and a status report containing information concerning any other than consumables. The printer  10 ,  50  may be modified so as to enable the user to specify only one report destination. However, if the printer  10 ,  50  is thus modified, it is made impossible to construct the system as shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 17  and therefore it is desirable that the above-described configuration should be adopted.  
         [0163]     The printer  10 ,  50  does not enable the user to specify the contents of an error report (the types of information contained in an error report), but may be modified so as to enable the user to specify the contents of an error report. To thus modify the printer  10 ,  50 , the report transmission condition set page ( FIG. 2 ) may be provided with several check boxes for the user to specify whether or not specific information, such as information concerning the toner remaining amount or information concerning a jam that occurred, is to be contained in an error report (or a select box  21  providing a larger number of selectable values).  
         [0164]     The printer  10 ,  50  may be modified to an apparatus which does not enable the user to specify a protocol (an apparatus for transmitting a report using the FTP or CIFS). However, if the printer  10 ,  50  is thus modified, the specifications of the computer for receiving reports are limited and therefore it is desirable that the printer  10 ,  50  should be as described above.  
         [0165]     The printer  10 ,  50  transmits a report concerning a different printer and a report concerning the own printer  10 ,  50 , but may be modified so as to transmit one report (file) concerning a different printer and the own printer  10 ,  50 . The printer  10 ,  50  may be modified so as to enable the user to specify the format of the report to be transmitted (for example, plain text, CSV format text, or XML).  
         [0166]     The report transmission condition information setting processing executed by the own printer  10 ,  50  is processing for prompting the user to set various pieces of information by providing the report transmission condition set page and the managed printer selection page, but may be modified to processing of accepting specification of information indicating the location of the file containing the error report transmission condition information (for example, computer name and full path file name, printer name and file name) and reading the contents of the file specified by the information.  
         [0167]     The master printer  50  can also be modified to an apparatus for searching for a slave printer  50  not printing and instructing the found slave printer  50  to perform report transmission processing if the master printer  50  is printing when the report transmission date and time is reached.  
         [0168]     The printer  50  may be modified so that transfer of an information collection ticket is continued until any printer  50  enters a non-printing state. Further, the printer  50  may be modified so that information having a structure different from that described above is circulated as an information collection ticket. That is, the information collection ticket may be any if it informs the printer  50  receiving the information collection ticket of the date and time to transmit a report. Thus, for example, the information collection ticket may contain the intra-group printer specification information, the master printer identification information, the transmission date and time specification information, and the collection period specification information and the printer  50  may be modified so as to transfer the information collection ticket to the next printer if the printer  50  is printing when receiving the information collection ticket; if the printer  50  is not printing, so as to continue to hold the information collection ticket after transmitting a report, and perform the same operation as at the reception time at the next report transmission time (the date and time are found from the transmission date and time specification information and the collection period specification information).  
         [0169]     The printer  10 ,  50  has the RTC, but may be modified to an apparatus for adjusting the time by communicating with another apparatus keeping track of the accurate date and time (an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server, a computer having an RTC, a computer adjusting the time at regular time intervals using an NTP server, or the like) without having the RTC.