JP3486453B2 - Digital copying apparatus and print processing method in the apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital copying machine which can be connected to, for example, a facsimile machine or a computer to input / output image data, and a print processing method in the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a digital copying machine compatible with multimedia, which is connected to a facsimile machine or a computer device and is capable of transmitting / receiving image data to / from these devices to print an image or input an image. It has been known. In such a copying machine, a main board and a plurality of option boards are provided, and print data sent from a computer device is processed and printed by the printer section of the copying machine. During such printing, print data is input and a bitmap image for one page is expanded in the expansion memory on the option board. Then, after the printing is completed, the bitmap image on the expansion memory is erased, and the operation of expanding and printing the bitmap image for the next one page is repeated,
I was printing images across multiple pages.

[0003]

Normally, an option board equipped with a function of expanding the above-mentioned print data into a bit map image has a bit of a memory capacity corresponding to the maximum printable paper size (for example, A3). A map memory is installed as an image data expansion area. However, since the printing operation as described above is repeatedly performed to print the images of a plurality of pages, for example, when printing an A4 size image of a plurality of pages, printing is performed by using only half of the bitmap memory. ing. Therefore, when considering the combination of the functions of the main board and multiple option boards to operate, for example, when the print data output instruction is a printout instruction to both sides of the paper, the first page (front surface) ), The print data of the second page (back side) is received, the image data is developed and printed, and the printer unit prints until the printing of two pages is completed. Occupied out. If such a printing process is continuously performed, it takes a long time for another option board to perform printing using the printer unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and can receive print data from a plurality of computer devices , efficiently develop it into image data, and print it .
It can, even if the printing operation of a plurality of computer equipment is run in duplicate, and an object thereof is to provide a printing processing method in other digital copying apparatus and the device apparatus is shorten the time a print wait .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital copying apparatus and a print processing method in the apparatus in which the waiting time of the user is reduced.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the print processing method in the digital copying apparatus of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, multiple computer machines
A print processing method for printing by inputting print data in units of jobs from each device.
Exhibition that expands the print data input from the computer to image data
An opening step, a storage step of storing the image data of a plurality of pages expanded in the expanding step in a memory over a plurality of jobs, and a continuous reading of the image data stored in the memory. , to print output to the printer unit
And a control step of controlling, in the control step ,
The printing operation of multiple pages across multiple jobs
It is characterized in that it is controlled so as to be continuously performed by the input section .

In order to achieve the above object, the digital copying apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, multiple
Print data for each job from each computer device
A digital copying apparatus for inputting and printing data input by a printer, expanding means for expanding print data input from the computer device into image data, and memory means for storing the image data expanded by the expanding means. After storing the image data of a plurality of pages expanded by the expanding unit in the memory unit across a plurality of jobs, the image data stored in the memory unit is continuously read and output to the printer unit of the copying apparatus. and a control means for controlling to print, the control unit
Prints multiple pages across multiple jobs.
It is characterized in that it is controlled so as to be continuously performed by the printer unit .

[0008]

[Function] With the above configuration, it is possible to use a plurality of computer devices.
Multiple pages input from the image data and expanded into image data
After storing the image data of over multiple jobs,
Continuously read the stored image data
Multiple jobs by controlling output to the printer and printing.
The printing operation of multiple pages across
Works like you do.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of the image forming system of this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a reader unit 1 reads a document image, converts it into an image signal, and outputs it. A printer unit 2 has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes and outputs image data as a visible image on the recording paper according to a print command. An external device 3 is electrically connected to the reader unit 1,
It has various functions. The external device 3 is a computer interface unit that controls a fax unit 4, a file unit 5, an external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5, and an interface with the computer 12 as a circuit that executes various functions. 7. The formatter unit 8 for converting the information from the computer 12 into a visible image, the information from the reader unit 1, and the computer 1
2, an image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing the information sent from 2, and a core unit 10 for controlling the above-mentioned functions.
Is equipped with. Further, 11 is a hard disk, 12 is a workstation (WS), a personal computer (P
The computer 13 has a function as C), and 13 is a telephone line.

The function of each of the above units will be described below.

[Description of Reader Unit 1] The reader unit 1 is shown in FIG.
And FIG. 3 will be described in detail.

In FIG. 2, the originals stacked on the original feeding device 101 are sequentially fed one by one to the original glass platen surface 102.
Transported on. When the document is conveyed, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 moves to illuminate the document placed on the glass surface 102 from below. The reflected light of the emitted light from the original is passed through the mirrors 105, 106 and 107 to the lens 10
After passing through 8, the image is input to the CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter referred to as CCD).

Next, the image processing in the reader unit 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The reflected light input to the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here and converted into an electric signal. CCD109
Each of the RGB color information from
The signals are amplified by 10R, 110G, and 110B according to the input signal level of the A / D converter 111. A / D converter 1
The output signal from 11 is input to the shading circuit 112, where the uneven light distribution of the lamp 103 and the CCD 109.
The sensitivity unevenness of is corrected. Shading circuit 11
The signal from 2 is the Y signal / color detection circuit 113 and the external I
It is input to the / F switching circuit 119.

The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 converts the signal from the shading circuit 112 into Y = 0.3R + 0.
The Y signal is obtained by the calculation of 6G + 0.1B. Furthermore, Y
The signal generation / color detection circuit 113 has a color detection circuit that separates each of the R, G, and B signals into seven colors and outputs a signal for each color. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to the scaling / repeat circuit 114. Magnification in the sub-scanning direction is changed according to the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and the variable-magnification repeat circuit 114
The magnification is changed in the main scanning direction by. Further, the scaling repeat circuit 114 can repeatedly output a plurality of identical images. The contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 obtains edge emphasis and contour information by emphasizing a high frequency component of the signal from the scaling / repeat circuit 114. The signal from the contour / edge enhancement circuit 115 is used for marker area determination /
It is input to the contour generation circuit 116 and the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117.

Marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116
Reads the portion of the manuscript written with a marker pen of a specified color to generate the contour information of the marker, and then the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 thickens the contour information. Mask and trim. Further, patterning is performed by the color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

An output signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is input to a laser driver circuit 118, and various processed signals are converted into signals for driving a laser. The output signal of the laser driver 118 is input to the printer 2 and image-formed as a visible image.

Next, an external I for performing I / F with the external device 3
The / F switching circuit 119 will be described. External I / F
The switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 to the connector 1 when outputting the image information from the reader unit 1 to the external device 3.
Output to 20. Further, when the image information from the external device 3 is input to the reader unit 1, the external I / F switching circuit 11
9 outputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

The above-mentioned image processing is performed according to the instruction of the CPU 122, and the area signal generating circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the image processing from the value set by the CPU 122. The CPU 122
Communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the. The sub CPU 123 controls the operation unit 124 and communicates with the external device 3 by using the communication function built in the sub CPU 123.

[Explanation of Printer Unit 2] The signal output from the laser driver 118 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the exposure control unit 2 shown in FIG.
The photoconductor 2 is converted into an optical signal at 01 and according to the image signal.
02 scan over. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer paper stacking section 204 or 205 at the same timing as the formation of the latent image, and the developed image is transferred onto the recording paper in the transfer section 206. The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207, and then discharged from the paper output unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus.
The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is discharged to each bin when the sorter function is working in the sorter 220, or to the highest bin of the sorter when the sorter function is not working.

Next, a method of outputting images to be sequentially written on both sides of one output sheet will be described.

After the recording sheet fixed on the recording sheet by the fixing section 207 is once transferred to the sheet discharging section 208, the conveying direction of the sheet is reversed, and the sheet is re-transferred for transfer through the conveying direction switching member 209. The paper is conveyed to the paper stacking unit 210. When the next original is prepared, the original is read in the same manner as the above process. However, as for the transfer paper, the reversed recording paper is fed from the re-feeding transfer target paper stacking section 210, so that in the end, Two original images can be printed on the front and back sides of the same recording paper.

[Description of External Device 3] The external device 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 by a cable, and the core unit 10 in the external device 3 is connected.
Controls signals and controls each function. The external device 3 includes a fax unit 4 for transmitting and receiving a fax, a file unit 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the same, a formatter unit 8 for developing code information from the computer 12 into image information, and a computer 12. A computer interface section 7 for controlling the interface with
The information from the reader unit 1 is accumulated and the computer 12
It has an image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing the information sent from, and a core unit 10 for controlling each of the above functions.

The function of each unit will be described in detail below.

[Description of Core Unit 10] Next, the configuration of the core unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Connector 1 of core part 10
001 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader unit 1 via a cable. The connector 1001 includes signal lines for transmitting four types of signals.
Contains an 8-bit multivalued video signal. Signal line 10
Reference numeral 55 is a signal line for a control signal for controlling a video signal. The signal line 1051 transmits a signal for communicating with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1, and the signal line 1052 transmits a signal for communicating with the sub CPU 123 of the reader unit 1. The signals on the signal lines 1051 and 1052 are the communication IC 1
The communication protocol is processed in 002, and the CPU bus 1053
The communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the.

The signal line 1057 transmits a bidirectional video signal, the core unit 10 receives information from the reader unit 1 via the signal line 1057, and the information from the core unit 10 is output to the reader unit 1. It is possible to Signal line 1
057 is connected to the buffer 1010, where signal lines 1058 and 10 for transmitting a unidirectional signal from a bidirectional signal.
And 70.

The signal line 1058 transmits the 8-bit multivalued video signal from the reader unit 1 and is input to the LUT (look-up table) 1011 in the next stage. LUT1011
Then, the image information from the reader unit 1 is converted into a desired value by referring to the table. The output signal line 1059 from the LUT 1011 is a binarization circuit 1012 or a selector 1013.
Entered in. The binarization circuit 1012 includes a signal line 1
Simple binarization function for binarizing the 059 multi-valued signal at a fixed slice level, binarization function with a variable slice level in which the slice level varies according to the values of pixels around the pixel of interest, and error diffusion method It has a binarization function. The information binarized by the binarization circuit 1012 is converted into a multivalued signal of "00H" when it is "0" and "FFH" when it is "1", and is input to the selector 1013 in the next stage. Here, “H” represents a hexadecimal number.

The selector 1013 inputs the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 and selects either of them. The output signal line 1060 from the selector 1013 is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 includes a fax unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8,
Output video signals from the image memory unit 9 are
Connectors 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1
Either the signal on the signal line 1064 input to the core unit 10 via 009 or the signal on the output signal line 1060 of the selector 1013 is selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003.

The signal thus selected by the selector 1014 is output to the signal line 1061 and input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. Rotating circuit 1015
Displays the input image signal at +90 degrees, -90 degrees, +180 degrees.
It has a function to rotate every time. This rotating circuit 1015
Indicates that the information output from the reader unit 1 is the binarization circuit 101.
After being converted into a binary signal in 2, it is stored as a signal from the reader unit 1. Next, according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates and reads the stored information.

The selector 1016 selects either the output signal of the rotating circuit 1015 or the input signal of the rotating circuit 1015 and outputs it to the signal line 1063. This signal line 1
063 is input to the connector 1005 with the fax unit 4, the connector 1006 with the file unit 5, the connector 1007 with the computer interface unit, the connector 1008 with the formatter unit 8, the connector 1009 with the image memory unit 9, and the selector 1017. To be done. The signal line 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the core unit 10 to the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. Is. The signal line 1064 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus that transfers image information from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9.

The video control circuit 10 controls the synchronous bus of the signal line 1063 and the signal line 1064.
04, and these buses are controlled by the output signal line 1056 from the video control circuit 1004. In addition to the CPU 100
The signal lines 1054 from 03 are respectively connected. The signal line 1054 is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus, and asynchronously exchanges data commands via the signal line 1054. Fax section 4, file section 5,
Information transfer between the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10 is performed by using the two signal lines 1063 and 1064 and the C
This is performed by the PU bus 1054.

The signal line 1064 from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 is connected to the selector 101.
4 and selector 1017. Selector 10
16 is a signal line 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.
Is input to the rotation circuit 1015 at the next stage.

The selector 1017 selects one of the signal on the signal line 1063 and the signal on the signal line 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. Output signal line 10 of selector 1017
65 is a pattern matching 1018 and a selector 101
9, 1021. Pattern matching 1
Reference numeral 018 pattern-matches the signal on the signal line 1065 with a predetermined pattern, and outputs a predetermined multilevel signal to the signal line 1066 when the patterns match. On the other hand, if they do not match in the pattern matching, the signal on the signal line 1065 is directly input to the signal line 1066.
Output to.

The selector 1019 selects either the signal of the signal line 1065 or the signal line 1066 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003. Output signal line 10 of selector 1019
67 is input to the LUT 1020 at the next stage. LUT1
When outputting image information to the printer unit 2, the reference numeral 020 converts the signal on the signal line 1067 according to the characteristics of the printer unit. The selector 1021 outputs the output signal line 1068 of the LUT 1020 and the signal line 1 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.
One of the signals 065 is selected.

The output signal of the selector 1021 is input to the enlarging circuit 1022 at the next stage. The expansion circuit 1022 is a CP
By the instruction from U1003, the enlargement ratio can be set independently in the X direction and the Y direction. This expansion method is a first-order linear interpolation method. The output signal line 1070 of the expansion circuit 1022 is input to the buffer 1010. The signal on the signal line 1070 input to the buffer 1010 is a bidirectional signal line 1057 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.
Signal from the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001.
Sent to and printed out.

The signal flow of the core section and each section will be described below.

[Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Fax Unit 4] Next, a case of outputting information to the fax unit 4 will be described. The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002, and issues a scan command to scan and read a document. In response to the scan command, the reader unit 1 scans and reads the document by the scanner unit 104, and outputs the read image information to the connector 120. Reader unit 1 and external device 3
Are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is input to the buffer 1010 through the multilevel 8-bit signal line 1057. The buffer circuit 1010 inputs the signal of the bidirectional signal line 1057 as a one-way signal to the LUT 1011 via the signal line 1058 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.

The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table. By this conversion, it is possible to perform processing such as removing the background of the document. Output signal line 1 of LUT 1011
059 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage. Two
The binarization circuit 1012 converts the signal on the 8-bit multilevel signal line 1059 into a binarized signal. The binarization circuit 1012 uses 2
When the binarized signal is "0", it is converted into two multilevel signals such as "00H" and when it is "1", it is "FFH". The output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 is the selector 1
013, the rotation circuit 1015 via the selector 1014
Alternatively, it is input to the selector 1016. Rotating circuit 1015
The output signal line 1062 of is also input to the selector 1016,
The selector 1016 has a signal line 1061 or a signal line 1062.
Select one of the signals. This signal is selected by CP
It is determined by the U1003 communicating with the fax unit 4 via the CPU bus 1054. Selector 101
The signal on the output signal line 1063 from the connector 6
It is sent to the fax unit 4 via 5.

Next, the case of receiving information from the fax unit 4 will be described.

The image information from the fax unit 4 is the connector 1
It is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via 005. Signal line 1
064 is input to the selectors 1014 and 1017. When the image at the time of fax reception is rotated and output to the printer unit 2 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the signal of the signal line 1064 input to the selector 1014 is rotated by the rotation circuit 1015. Rotating circuit 101
The output signals from 5 are the selector 1016 and the selector 10
It is input to the pattern matching 1018 via 17.

According to the instruction from the CPU 1003, when the image at the time of fax reception is output to the printer unit 2 as it is, the signal of the signal line 1064 input to the selector 1017 is selected and input to the pattern matching circuit 1018. The pattern matching circuit 1018 has a function of smoothing rattling of an image when received by fax.
The signal thus pattern-matched is sent to the selector 1
It is input to the LUT 1020 via 019. LUT1
020, the table of the LUT 1020 can be changed by the CPU 1003 in order to output the image received by fax to the printer unit 2 at a desired density. LUT10
The output signal of 20 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021.

The enlargement circuit 1022 has two values (00H,
FFH) 8-bit multi-valued data is enlarged by a linear interpolation method of the first order. The 8-bit multilevel signal output from the expansion circuit 1022 is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. Reader unit 1
Inputs this signal to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via the connector 120. External I / F switching circuit 1
19 inputs the signal from the fax unit 4 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113
After being subjected to the above-mentioned processing, the output signal from is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on the output paper.

[Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of File Unit 5] Next, a case of outputting information to the file unit 5 will be described.

The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and issues a document scan command to the reader unit 1. The reader unit 1 outputs the image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans the document according to this command. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is
The signal is output to the signal line 1058 in one direction by the buffer 1010. The multi-level 8-bit signal on the signal line 1058 is L
It is converted into a desired signal by the UT 1011. LU
The output signal of T1011 is sent to the connector 1006 via the selector 1013, the selector 1014, and the selector 1016.
Entered in. That is, without using the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015, the 8-bit multi-value data is transferred to the file unit 5 as it is. CPU bus 10 of CPU 1003
When filing the binarized signal by communicating with the file unit 5 via 54, the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015 are used. The binarization process and the rotation process are the same as the case of the above-mentioned fax, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the case of receiving information from the file section 5 will be described.

The image information from the file section 5 is the connector 1
And the selector 10 as a signal on the signal line 1064 via
14 or the selector 1017. In the case of 8-bit multi-value filing, go to the selector 1017.
Selector 1014 or 1 for value filing
017 can be input. In the case of binary filing, the description is omitted because it is the same processing as the data exchange with the fax unit described above.

In the case of multi-value filing, the signal on the output signal line 1065 from the selector 1017 is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. LUT1
In 020, the CPU is adjusted according to the desired print density.
A lookup table is created according to the instruction of 1003. The output signal from the LUT 1020 is the selector 102.
It is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via 1. Then, the 8-bit multi-level signal expanded by the expansion circuit 1022 at a desired expansion ratio is output to the buffer 1010 and the connector 1.
It is sent to the reader unit 1 via 001. The file section information sent to the reader section 1 is output to the printer section 2 in the same manner as the data exchange with the fax section 4 described above.
An image is formed on the output paper.

[Operation of Core Unit 10 According to Information of Computer Interface Unit 7] The computer interface unit 7 interfaces with a computer connected to the external device 3. The computer interface includes SCSI, RS232C, Centronics and the like. The computer interface unit 7 has, for example, these three types of interfaces, and the information from each interface is the connector 1
It is sent to the CPU 1003 via 007 and the data bus 1054. The CPU 1003 performs various controls based on the sent contents.

[Core part 1 based on information from the formatter part 8]
Operation of 0] The formatter unit 8 has a function of expanding command data such as a document file sent from the computer interface unit 7 described above into image data. When the CPU 1003 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1054 is data regarding the formatter unit 8, the CPU 1003 transfers the data to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1008. The formatter unit 8 develops in the memory as a visible image (characters or figures) based on the transferred data.

Next, a procedure for receiving information from the formatter unit 8 and forming an image on an output sheet will be described.

The image information from the formatter unit 8 is sent to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1008 as two values (00
H, FFH) and is transmitted as a multilevel signal. The signals on the signal line 1064 are output to the selector 1014 and the selector 10
17 is input. The selectors 1014 and 1017 are controlled by the instruction of the CPU 103. Since the operation thereafter is similar to the operation of the fax unit 4 described above, the description thereof is omitted.

[Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information in Image Memory Unit 9] Next, a case where information is output to the image memory unit 9 will be described.

The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 causes the scanner unit 104 to scan the document according to this command,
The image information is output to the connector 120. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is stored in the buffer 101 as a multilevel 8-bit signal on the signal line 1057.
Sent to LUT 1011 via 0. LUT1011
Output signal (on the signal line 1059) of the selector 101
It is transferred as multi-valued image information to the image memory unit 9 via 3,1014,1016 and the connector 1009. The image information stored in the image memory unit 9 in this way is transferred to C via the CPU bus 1054 of the connector 1009.
It is sent to the PU 1003. The CPU 1003 transfers the data sent from the image memory unit 9 to the computer interface unit 7 described above. The computer interface unit 7 transfers to the computer 12 using a desired interface among the above-mentioned three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS232C, Centronics).

Next, the case of receiving information from the image memory unit 9 will be described.

First, the computer interface section 7
Image information is sent from the computer 12 to the core unit 10 via the. When the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the CPU bus 1054 is the data related to the image memory unit 9, the CPU 1003 transfers the data to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. Next, the image memory unit 9 outputs an 8-bit multi-valued signal via the connector 1009.
Selector 1014, selector 1 via signal line 1064
It is transmitted to 017. Selector 1014 or Selector 1
The output signal from 017 is output to the printer 2 and the image is formed on the output paper in the same manner as the above-mentioned fax according to the instruction of the CPU 1003.

[Description of Fax Unit 4] Next, the fax unit 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The fax unit 4 is connected to the core unit 10 by the connector 400 and exchanges various signals. Core part 1
When the binary information from 0 is stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, the signal from the connector 40 is input to the memory controller 404 via the signal line 453, and the memory A is controlled under the control of the memory controller 404.
405, memory B406, memory C407, memory D4
No. 08 or two sets of memories connected in cascade.

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41.
According to the instruction No. 2, a mode for exchanging data with the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, the memory D 408 and the CPU bus 462, and a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 463 of the CODEC 411 having an encoding / decoding function. , Memory A 405, memory B 406, memory C 407, and memory D 408 under the control of the DMA controller 402.
3 in which data is exchanged with the bus 454, a mode in which binary video input data 454 is stored in one of the memories A405 to D408 under the control of the timing generation circuit 409, and a mode in which the memories A405 to D408 are stored. Read the memory contents from either signal line 4
It has five functions of outputting to 52.

Each of the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408 has a memory capacity of 2 Mbytes, and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi. The timing generation circuit 409 is connected to the connector 400 by a signal line 459, and controls signals (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, VE) from the core unit 10.
N), it generates signals to accomplish the following two functions:

The first function is to store the image signal from the core unit 10 in any one of the memories A405 to D408, or two memories, and the second function is to store the memories A405 to D405. Any one of D408
One of the functions is to read out the data and transmit it to the signal line 452.

The dual port memory 410 includes the signal line 4
61 via the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10, the signal line 46
The CPU 412 of the fax unit 4 is connected via the line 2. Each CPU uses this dual port memory 410
Exchange commands via.

The SCSI controller 413 interfaces with the hard disk 11 connected to the fax unit 4 of FIG. It stores the data when sending a fax and when receiving a fax. The CODEC 411 reads the image information stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, encodes the image information in a desired method of MH, MR, and MMR, and then encodes it in any of the memories A405 to D408. Store as information.
In addition, after the encoded information stored in the memories A405 to D408 is read and decoded by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, the decoded information in any of the memories A405 to D408, that is, Store as image information.

The MODEM (modem) 414 is a CODE
A function of modulating the coded information from the hard disk 11 connected to the C411 or SCSI controller 413 for transmission on the telephone line, and demodulation of the information sent from the NCU 415 to convert it into coded information.
The encoded information is transferred to the hard disk 11 connected to the DEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413. The NCU 415 is linearly connected to a telephone line and exchanges information with an exchange installed in a telephone office or the like according to a predetermined procedure.

Next, an embodiment of fax transmission will be described.

The binary image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 400 and reaches the memory controller 404 via the signal line 453. The signal on the signal line 453 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. The timing to be stored in the memory A 405 is generated by the timing generation circuit 409 based on the timing signal of the signal line 459 from the reader unit 1. CPU412
Connects the memory A 405 and the memory B 406 of the memory controller 404 to the bus line 463 of the CODEC 411. The CODEC 411 reads the image information from the memory A 405, encodes it by the MR method, and writes the encoded information in the memory B 406.

Image information of A4 size is converted to CODEC4
When 11 is encoded, the CPU 412 connects the memory B 406 of the memory controller 404 to the CPU bus 462. The CPU 412 stores the encoded information in the memory B4.
The data is sequentially read from 06 and transferred to the MODEM 414.
The MODEM 414 modulates the encoded information and NCU
Send fax information over the telephone line via.

Next, an embodiment of fax reception will be described.

The information sent from the telephone line is NCU.
It is input to 415 and the NCU 415 connects to the telephone line by a predetermined procedure. Information from NCU415 is MODEM4
14 is entered and demodulated. The CPU 412 is the CPU bus 4
Information from the MODEM 414 via the memory C4
It is stored in 07. Thus, the information of one screen is stored in the memory C40.
Stored in memory 7, the CPU 412 controls the memory controller 404 to connect the data line 457 of the memory C407 to the line 463 of the CODEC 411. The CODEC 411 sequentially reads the encoded information in the memory C407 and decodes it, that is, develops it into image information and stores it in the memory D408.

The CPU 412 is the dual port memory 4
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 communicates with the printer unit 2 via the memory D 408 through the core unit 10.
Make settings to print out the image. When the setting is completed, the CPU 412 activates the timing generation circuit 409 and outputs a predetermined timing signal to the memory controller 404 via the signal line 460. The memory controller 404 reads the image information from the memory D 408, transmits it to the signal line 452, and outputs it to the connector 400 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 409. The description up to the output from the connector 400 to the printer unit 3 will be omitted because it has been described in the core unit 10.

[Explanation of File Unit 5] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the file unit 5 of this embodiment. The structure and operation of the file unit 5 will be described below with reference to this figure.

The file portion 5 is the connector 500 and the core portion 1
It is connected to 0 to exchange various signals. Signal line 55
The multi-valued input signal of 1 is input to the compression circuit 503, where multi-valued image information is converted into compression information and output to the memory controller 510. The signal on the output signal line 552 of the compression circuit 503 is under control of the memory controller 510, and is stored in the memory A 506, the memory B 507, and the memory C 50.
8 or the memory D509, or one in which two sets of memories are cascade-connected. The memory controller 510 is instructed by the CPU 516 to execute the memory A5 operation.
06, memory B507, memory C508, memory D50
9 and a mode for exchanging data between the CPU bus 560 and the CODE of the CODEC 517 for encoding / decoding.
A mode of exchanging data with the C bus 570 and a mode of exchanging data of the contents of the memory A 506, the memory B 507, the memory C 508, and the memory D 509 from the scaling circuit 511 via the bus 562 under the control of the DMA controller 518. , A mode in which the signal of the signal line 553 is stored in any of the memories A506 to D509 under the control of the timing generation circuit 514, and the memory A50
It has five functions of a mode in which the memory contents are read from any one of 6 to the memory D509 and output to the signal line 556.

The memory A 506, the memory B 507, the memory C 508, and the memory D 509 each have a capacity of 2 Mbytes and store an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi. The timing generation circuit 514 is connected to the connector 500 by a signal line 553, and is activated by a control signal (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, VEN) from the core unit 10 to generate a signal for achieving the following two functions. To do. One is to store the information from the core unit 10 in the memory A5.
06-a function of storing in any one of the memories D509 or two memories, the second is the memory A50
6 to the memory D 509, and has a function of reading the image information and transmitting it to the signal line 556. The dual port memory 515 includes a CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via a signal line 554 and a file unit 5 via a signal line 560.
Is connected to the CPU 516. As a result, the core part 1
The CPU of 0 and the CPU of the file unit 5 can exchange commands via the dual port memory 515. The SCSI controller 519 interfaces with the external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5 in FIG. The external storage device 6 is specifically composed of a magneto-optical disk, and stores data such as image information. The CODEC 517 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A506 to D509, encodes the image information by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then encodes the encoded information in any of the memories A506 to D509. Memorize as. In addition, the memory A506
-Memory A506 to memory D509 after reading the encoded information stored in the memory D509 and performing decoding by a method corresponding to encoding such as MH, MR, MMR method
In any of the above, the decoded information, that is, the image information is stored.

An embodiment of accumulating file information in the external storage device 6 will be described.

The 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 500 and is input to the compression circuit 503 through the signal line 551. The signal on the signal line 551 is input to the compression circuit 503, where it is compressed and signal line 552 is compressed.
Is output as compressed information to. This compression information is input to the memory controller 510. A timing signal is generated in the timing generation circuit 559 by the signal of the signal line 553 from the core unit 10 and output to the signal line 559.
The memory controller 510 stores the compressed signal on the signal line 552 in the memory A 506 according to this timing signal.

Next, the CPU 516 is the memory controller 5
10, the memory A 506 and the memory B 507 are
Connect to the bus line 570 of the DEC 517. In this way, the CODEC 517 reads the compressed information from the memory A 506, encodes it by the MR method, and writes the encoded information in the memory B 507. When the CODEC 517 finishes the encoding, the CPU 516 causes the memory controller 51
The memory B 507 is connected to the CPU bus 560 via 0. The CPU 516 sequentially reads the encoded and stored information from the memory B 507 and transfers it to the SCSI controller 519. The SCSI controller 519 is
The encoded information from the memory B is stored in the external storage device 6 via the signal line 572.

Next, an embodiment for extracting information from the external storage device 6 and outputting it to the printer unit 2 will be described.

Retrieval of Information-Upon receiving a printer command, the CPU 516 receives the encoded information from the external storage device 6 via the SCSI controller 519 and transfers the encoded information to the memory C508. At this time, the memory controller 510 sets the CPU bus 560 to the bus 566 of the memory C508 according to an instruction from the CPU 516.
To store data in the memory C. Memory C50
When the transfer of the encoded information to 8 is completed, the CPU 516
By controlling the memory controller 510,
The memory C508 and the memory D509 are connected to the bus 570 of the CODEC 517. CODEC 517 is memory C5
After receiving the coded information read from 08 and sequentially decoding it, the coded information is transferred to the memory D509. Here, when scaling such as enlargement / reduction is necessary when outputting to the printer unit 2, the memory D509 is connected to the bus 562 of the scaling circuit 511 and the memory D5 is controlled under the control of the DMA controller 518.
The contents of 09 are scaled. The CPU 516 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 515, and makes settings for printing out an image from the memory D509 to the printer unit 2 via the core unit 10.

When the setting for the printer unit 2 is completed,
The CPU 516 activates the timing generation circuit 514 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the signal line 559 to the memory controller 510. Memory controller 51
0 reads the decoding information from the memory D509 and transmits it to the signal line 556 in synchronization with the timing signal from the timing generation circuit 514. The signal line 556 is input to the expansion circuit 504, and the information is expanded here. The output signal of the expansion circuit 504 is the signal line 555 and the connector 500.
Is output to the core unit 10 via. In addition, until the output from the connector 500 to the printer unit 2, the core unit 10
The explanation is omitted here.

[Description of Computer Interface Unit 7] Next, the computer interface unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

The connectors 700 and 701 are S
It is a connector for the CSI interface. The connector 702 is a Centronics interface connector. The connector 703 is an RS232C interface connector. The connector 707 has a core 10
It is a connector for connecting with.

Information input from the connector 700 or the connector 701 is sent to the SCSI I through the signal line 751.
/ F704 or SCSI I / F708. SCSI I / F704 or SCSI I / F70
8, after performing the procedure by the SCSI protocol,
The data is output to the connector 707 via the signal line 754. The connector 707 is the CPU bus 105 of the core unit 10.
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is connected to
Information input to the SCSI / I / F connectors (connector 700, connector 701) is received from the CPU bus 1054. Data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is transferred to the SCSI connector (connector 700, connector 70
When outputting to 1), the procedure is reversed.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector 702 and input to the Centronics I / F 705 via the signal line 752. Centronics I
The / F 705 receives data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and outputs it to the connector 707 via the signal line 754. The connector 707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10, and the CPU 100 of the core unit 10 is connected to the connector 707.
3 is the Centronics I / F from the CPU bus 1054.
The information input to the connector (connector 702) is received.

The RS232C interface is connected to the connector 703, and the received signal is R through the signal line 753.
It is input to the S232C I / F 706. RS232C
The I / F 706 receives data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and the connector 70 is received through the signal line 754.
Output to 7. The connector 707 is the CPU of the core unit 10.
The CPU 1 of the core unit 10 connected to the bus 1054
003 is the RS232C / I from the CPU bus 1054.
The information input to the / F connector (connector 703) is received. When the data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is output to the RS232C / I / F connector (connector 703), the procedure is reversed to the above.

[Description of Formatter Unit 8] Next, the formatter unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

The data from the computer interface unit 7 described above is discriminated by the core unit 10. If the data is the data relating to the formatter unit 8, the core unit 1
The CPU 1003 of 0 has a connector 1008 of the core unit 10.
Also, data from the computer is transferred to the dual port memory 803 via the connector 800 of the formatter unit 9. The CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 receives the code data sent from the computer 12 via the dual port memory 803. The CPU 809 sequentially develops this code data into image data and transfers it to the memory 806 or the memory 807 via the memory controller 808.

The memory 806 and the memory 807 are 1M each.
With a memory capacity of bytes, one memory (memory 80
6 or memory 807) and A4 at a resolution of 300 dpi
Paper sizes up to In the case of supporting up to A3 size paper at a resolution of 300 dpi, the memory 806 and the memory 807 are connected in cascade to develop image data. The memory control described above is performed by the memory controller 808 according to an instruction from the CPU 809.
In addition, when it is necessary to rotate characters or figures when developing the image data, after rotating by the rotation circuit 804,
The data is transferred to the memory 806 or the memory 807.

Thus, the memory 806 or the memory 807
When the development of the image data is completed, the CPU 809 controls the memory controller 808 to connect the data bus line 858 of the memory 806 or the data bus line 859 of the memory 807 to the output line 855 of the memory controller 808. Next, the CPU 809 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 803, and sets a mode in which image information is output from the memory 806 or the memory 807. CPU of core unit 10
The CPU 1003 sets the CPU 122 in the print output mode using the communication function built in the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication circuit 1002 in the core unit 10.

When the print output mode is set, the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 activates the timing generation circuit 802 via the connector 1008 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8. Timing generation circuit 8
Reference numeral 02 generates a timing signal for reading image information from the memory 806 or the memory 807 to the memory controller 808 according to the signal from the core unit 10. Image information from the memory 806 or the memory 807 is input to the memory controller 808 through a signal line 858. The output image information from the memory controller 808 is
It is transferred to the core unit 10 via the signal line 851 and the connector 800. The output from the core unit 10 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the core unit 10 and will not be described.

[Description of Image Memory Unit 9] Next, the configuration and operation of the image memory unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

The image memory unit 9 is connected to the core unit 10 by the connector 900 and exchanges various signals. The multilevel input signal of the signal line 954 is stored in the memory 904 under the control of the memory controller 905. The memory controller 905 is instructed by the CPU 906 to execute the memory 904.
Between the CPU bus 957 and the CPU bus 957, a mode in which the signal of the signal line 954 is stored in the memory 904 under the control of the timing generation circuit 902, and a stored content is read from the memory 904. It has three functions of a mode for outputting the signal to the signal line 955.

The memory 904 has a memory capacity of 32 Mbytes, for example, and can store an image corresponding to A3 with a resolution of 400 dpi and 256 gradations. The timing generation circuit 902 includes a connector 900 and a signal line 9
52, and the control signal (H
SYNC, HEN, VSYNC, VEN) to generate signals for accomplishing the following two functions. One is a function of storing information from the core unit 10 in the memory 904, and the second is a function of reading image information from the memory 904 and transmitting it to the signal line 955. The dual port memory 903 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 953 and the connector 900, and also to the signal line 95.
It is connected to the CPU 906 of the image memory unit 9 via 7. As a result, these CPUs 1003, 906
Exchange commands via the dual port memory 903.

Image information is stored in the image memory unit 9,
An example of transferring this information to the computer 12 will be described.

The 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader unit 1 is input via the connector 900 and input to the memory controller 905 via the signal line 954. The memory controller 905 generates a timing signal in the timing generation circuit 902 according to the signal on the signal line 952 from the core unit 10 and outputs the timing signal to the signal line 956. The data on the signal line 954 is stored in the memory 904 in accordance with this timing signal. The CPU 906 is the memory controller 905.
The memory 904 connected to the CPU bus 957 is connected to the CPU bus 957. The CPU 906 sequentially reads the image information from the memory 904 and transfers it to the dual port memory 903. The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 reads the image information of the dual port memory 903 of the image memory unit 9 via the signal line 953 and the connector 900, and transfers this read information to the computer interface unit 7. Transfer of information from the computer interface unit 7 to the computer 12 is omitted because it has already been described.

Next, an embodiment for outputting the image information sent from the computer 12 to the printer unit 2 will be described.

The image information sent from the computer 12 is sent to the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7. CPU 1003 of core unit 10
Transfers image information to the dual port memory 903 of the image memory unit 9 via the CPU bus 1054 and the connector 1009. At this time, the CPU 906 controls the memory controller 905 to connect the CPU bus 957 to the bus of the memory 904. The CPU 906 transfers the image information from the dual port memory 903 to the memory 904 via the memory controller 905. When the image information has been transferred to the memory 904 in this way, C
The PU 906 controls the memory controller 905 to
The data on the data line of the memory 904 is transferred to the signal line 955.
Output to. CPU 906 is a dual port memory 90
To communicate with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via
Settings for printing out an image from the memory 904 to the printer unit 2 through the core unit 10 are performed. When this setting is completed, the CPU 906 activates the timing generation circuit 902 and outputs a predetermined timing signal to the memory controller 905 via the signal line 956. The memory controller 905 reads the image information from the memory 904 and outputs it to the connector 900 via the signal line 955 in synchronization with the timing signal from the timing generation circuit 902. The operation of outputting from the connector 900 to the printer unit 2 has already been described in the core unit 10, so the description thereof will be omitted.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 10 shows an example of a conventional printing operation for comparison, and FIG. 11 shows details of the operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 10, consider a case where two pages of original images are printed out on both sides of A4 size paper.

First, at 600, input of print data from the computer 12 is started, and this print data is input to the external device 3 via the computer interface section 7.

Next, in step 601, when the data expansion of the first page is started by the formatter unit 8 and the data expansion of the first page is completed, the expanded image data is the maximum memory area of the expansion memory of the formatter unit 8. In 1
As shown in 001, it exists in about half the area. When the expansion of the image data of the first page of the formatter unit 8 is completed, the printing operation of the data of the first page is started from 602.

Then, at 603, the expansion of the image data of the second page is started by the formatter unit 8, and when the expansion of the image data of the second page is completed, the image data is stored in the maximum memory area of the expansion memory of the formatter unit 8. So 10
As shown in 02, it exists in about half the area. When the expansion of the image data of the second page by the formatter unit 8 is completed in this way, the printing operation of the image data of the second page is started from 604. When the print output normally ends at 605, the print processing ends. During this period, the printer 2 section is reserved by the formatter section 8 for a time corresponding to 602 to 605, and the printing operation from another option board is kept waiting.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment when printing is performed under the same conditions.

First, at 610, input of print data is started from the computer 12, and this print data is input to the external device 3 from the computer interface section 7.

Next, the expansion of the image data of the first page from 611 is started by the formatter unit 8, and when the expansion of the image data of the first page is completed, the expanded image data of the first page is returned to the formatter unit 8. In the maximum memory area of the expansion memory of, the area is stored in about half of the memory area as indicated by 1101. After that, the formatter unit 8 continuously performs the expansion operation of the image data of the second page. When the expansion of the image data of the second page is completed, the expanded image data is stored in the latter half of the expansion memory of the formatter unit 8, and as a result, as shown by 1102, one page is stored in one image memory. Both the image data of the second page and the image data of the second page are stored.

When the expansion of the image data of the second page by the formatter unit 8 is completed, the printing operation of the first page is started from 612, and then the image data of the second page is printed from 613. When the print output normally ends in 614, the print processing ends. During this period, the printer 2 unit is operated by the formatter unit 8 to generate 612.
From 614 to 614 for a corresponding amount of time,
Holds the print operation from another option board.

In comparison between FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the time during which the printer section 2 is reserved is as shown in FIG. 11, that is, in the present embodiment, the time required for developing the image data of the second page (see FIG. 10). It can be seen that it is shortened by the amount corresponding to (between 603 and 604).

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the formatter unit 8 of this embodiment. The control program for executing this processing is stored in the memory 805, and the CPU 80
9 is executed.

First, in step S1, print data is input through the dual port memory 803, and then step S2
Then, the print data is developed into image data.
Then, the developed image data is stored in the memory A or B under the control of the memory controller 808 (step S3). Next, in step S4, it is checked whether or not there is print data for the next page. If there is print data for the next page, the process proceeds to step S5. If necessary, the memories A and B are connected to form one memory. And Then, the process returns to step S1, the print data for the next page and subsequent pages that have been input is input, the image data is developed in step S2, and stored in the memory in step S3. As a result, a plurality of pages of image data are stored in the memories A and B, as indicated by 1102 in FIG. 11, for example.

When the expansion of the image data is completed in this way, a print request is issued to the core unit 10, and then the process proceeds to step S7, where the memory controller 808 reads the image data from the memory A and / or the memory B and the core unit 10 Output to 10. As a result, the image data is output to the printer unit 2 via the core unit 10 and the reader unit 1 for printing.

As a result, after the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 are connected, the printer unit 2 does not have to wait for developing the print data into image data.
This has the effect of shortening the time required for printing as a whole.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, print data when the computer 12 and the external device 3 are connected via a network will be described. Prior to the description of the second embodiment, a part of the external device 3 described in the first embodiment that corresponds to the network will be described.

FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 1 described above,
In the example of FIG. 13, a network interface unit 13 is provided instead of the computer interface unit 7. Since the other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted.

This network interface unit 1
3 will be described with reference to FIG.

The connector 1400 is an Ethernet interface connector for 10BASE5. The connector 1401 is an Ethernet for 10BASE2.
Interface connector. Connector 1402
Is an Ethernet interface connector for 10BASE-T. 1 of the above 3 connectors
Select one connector to make a physical connection with Ethernet. Further, the CPU 1403 controls the Ethernet I / F (LAN) controller 1404 while performing communication by referring to a volatile or non-volatile memory included in the memory 1405. The connector 1407 is connected to the core unit 10, and the CPU 1403 is a dual port memory 1
Communication is performed with the core unit 10 via 406.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the external device 3 is connected to the network cable 1404 via the network interface section 13. Terminal devices such as a computer are connected to the network cable 1404 by terminal 1, terminal 2, and terminal 3 (1401, 140, respectively).
2, 1403). Thus, when a plurality of terminals are connected via the cable 1404,
First, the terminal 1 issues a print operation request for 5 pages as job 1, and then the terminal 2 issues a print operation request for 1 page as job 2. next,
When a request for a print operation for two pages is issued as the job 3 from the terminal 3, print data that spans a plurality of print jobs is displayed in the maximum expansion area 1405 of the formatter unit 8 as shown by 1405, for example. Be expanded.

When there is no area corresponding to newly expanding the print data in this expansion area, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the printing operation of plural pages of plural jobs is continuously performed. , Control the printing operation.

Since the processing by the formatter unit 8 in this case is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, its flowchart and description will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the Centronics and RS232C are used as the I / F by way of example.
Also in combination with or other I / F, it can be easily realized according to the above embodiment.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. The present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the external processing device of the digital copying machine including the main board and the plurality of option boards, the print data input from the computer equipment is expanded on the bitmap memory. In this case, the print data for multiple pages can be expanded in the bitmap memory and the print data for multiple pages can be printed continuously, so that the printing operation can be performed efficiently and the waiting of other users regarding printing can be performed. You can save time.

[0123]

As described above, according to the present invention, the multiple
It is possible to receive print data from several computer devices, efficiently develop it into image data and print it, and even if the print operations from multiple computer devices are duplicated, other devices wait for printing. This has the effect of shortening the time that becomes.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multimedia-compatible digital copying apparatus in which the waiting time of the user is reduced and a print processing method in the apparatus.

[0125]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system in this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a structural side view for explaining an outline of a reader unit and a printer unit in the image forming system of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image processing unit of a reader unit according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a core unit and a connection with each unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a fax unit according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a file unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer interface unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a formatter unit of this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image memory unit of this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a conventional printing process.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a printing process according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process performed by the formatter unit according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network interface unit in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing print data from a plurality of terminals connected to the network according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Reader section 2 Printer section 3 External device 4 Fax department 7 Computer interface section 8 Formatter section 10 core part 12 computers 13 Network interface section 404,510,808 memory controller 409, 802 Timing generation circuit 803 dual port memory 805 memory 809 Formatter CPU 1003 Core CPU

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-136934 (JP, A) JP-A-4-158065 (JP, A) JP-A 61-131119 (JP, A) JP-A 63- 254516 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 B41J 5/00-5/52

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. From each of a plurality of computer equipment
A digital copying apparatus for printing by inputting print data on a job-by-job basis, which stores expansion means for expanding print data input from the computer device into image data, and image data expanded by the expansion means. A memory means, and image data for a plurality of pages expanded by the expanding means are stored in the memory means over a plurality of jobs, and then the image data stored in the memory means is continuously read out ; and control means for controlling to print and output to the printer unit, the control means, a plurality of pages across the plurality of jobs
It is controlled so that the printing operation is continuously performed by the printer section.
Digital copier, characterized in that the control. 2. The digital copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is described in a page description language. 3. The digital copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory size of the memory means is a size corresponding to the maximum paper size printable by the printer unit. 4. Each of the plurality of computer devices
Is connected to the digital copying device via a network.
Digital copying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that they are. 5. From each of a plurality of computer equipment
A printing method for printing by inputting the print data in units of jobs, development process and an image for a plurality of pages that are deployed in the deployment process of developing the print data inputted from the computer equipment to the image data A storage process of storing data in a memory over a plurality of jobs, and a control for continuously reading the image data stored in the memory , outputting the image data to a printer unit, and printing the image data.
Control step, and in the control step, a plurality of pages spanning the plurality of jobs
The printing operation to be performed continuously by the printer unit
A print processing method characterized by controlling . 6. The print processing method according to claim 5, wherein the print data is described in a page description language. 7. The print processing method according to claim 5, wherein the memory size of the memory is a size corresponding to the maximum paper size printable by the printer unit.