JPH06152854A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the sorting of recording paper in the system where plural users print out a picture by using a common printer. CONSTITUTION:An exposure control section 201, a photosensing body 202 and a developer 203 form an image on paper based on picture information inputted from a computer 11. The paper sheets on which the image is formed are carried to a sorter 220 and contained in a bin selected based on the user information entered from the computer 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of storage parts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a sorter for selecting a plurality of information from an image generating means for generating image information, forming an image on a sheet of this information as a visible image, and sorting the image-formed sheets. The image forming apparatus is configured to sort each information unit.

[0003]

Therefore, the outputs from various image generating means, which should be classified as documents originally output by the same user, are separately classified, or
There was a problem that the sheets that were originally classified and should be output are output in the same place.

[0004]

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an image generating means for generating image information, and an input means for inputting identification information in association with the image information generated by the image generating means. An image information generating device, comprising: an output device that outputs image information from the image generating device and identification information from the input device to a device that forms an image on a recording medium. Input means for inputting the image information and identification information of the image information from an apparatus for generating image information, and image forming means for forming an image based on the image information from the input means on a recording medium. A selection for selecting a plurality of storage means for storing the recording medium from the image forming means and a storage means for storing the recording medium from the image forming means based on the identification information from the input means An image forming apparatus comprising: a step, and an image generating unit for generating image information, and inputting identification information in association with the image information generated by the image generating unit. An input unit, an image forming unit that forms an image based on image information from the image generating unit on a recording medium, a plurality of storing units that stores the recording medium from the image forming unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: a selection unit that selects a storage unit that stores a recording medium from the image forming unit based on identification information.

[0005]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an image input device for converting an original into image data (hereinafter referred to as a reader unit), 2 is a plurality of recording paper cassettes, and image data is visible on the recording paper by a print command. An image output device (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 3 for outputting as an image is an external device electrically connected to the reader unit 1 and has various functions.
The external device 3 includes a fax unit 4, a file unit 5, an external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7 for connecting to a computer, and information from the computer as a visible image. An image memory unit 9 for storing the information from the reader unit of the formatter unit 8 and 1 for temporarily storing the information sent from the computer, and a core unit 10 for controlling the above-mentioned functions. I have it.

The functions of each unit 1-9 will be described in detail below.

Description of Reader Unit 1 FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The structure and operation will be described below.

The originals stacked on the original feeding device 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the original table glass surface 102. When the document is conveyed, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit lights up and the scanner unit 104 moves to illuminate the document. The reflected light of the document is reflected by the mirrors 105, 106, 1
After passing through the lens 108, the light is input to the CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter referred to as CCD).

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing the signal processing configuration of the reader unit 1 described above, and the configuration and operation will be described below.

The image information input to the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here and converted into an electric signal. CCD109
The color information from the following amplifiers 110R, 110G,
At 110B, the signal is amplified according to the input signal level of the A / D converter 111. The output signal from the A / D converter 111 is input to the shading circuit 112, where uneven light distribution of the lamp 103 and uneven sensitivity of the CCD are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is the Y signal
It is input to the color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 119.

The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 calculates the signal from the shading circuit 112 by the following equation to obtain a Y signal.

Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B Further, it has a color detection circuit for separating the R, G, B signals into seven colors and outputting the signals for the respective colors. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to the scaling / repeat circuit 114. Scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed according to the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and scaling in the main scanning direction is performed by the scaling circuit / repeat circuit 114. Further, the scaling / repeat circuit 114 can output a plurality of identical images. Contour / edge enhancement circuit 115
Obtains edge emphasis and contour information by emphasizing high frequency components of the signal from the scaling / repeat circuit 114. The signal from the contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 is input to the marker area determination / 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 contour information of the marker, and the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 thickens, masks or trims the contour information. I do.
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 the laser driver circuit 118 and variously 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 formation is performed as a visible image.

Next, an external I / F for performing I / F with an external device
The F switching circuit 119 will be described.

When outputting the image information from the reader unit 1 to the external device 3, the external I / F switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 to the connector 120. When the image information from the external device 3 is input to the reader unit 1, the external switching circuit 119 inputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

Each of the above-mentioned image processings is performed according to the instruction of the CPU 122, and the area generation circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the above-mentioned image processing according to the value set by the CPU 122. Further 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. Reference numeral 129 is a user recognition device that distinguishes and recognizes a plurality of users of the image forming apparatus for each user or for each user group, and collects the usage status of each user who uses the image forming apparatus or each group. While possible,
It is possible to sort and output the output destinations for image output for each user or group to be used.

Description of Printer Unit 2 The configuration and operation of the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The signal input to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal by the exposure control unit 201 and illuminates the photoconductor 202 according to the image signal. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. At the same time as the development, the transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer paper stacking section 204 or 205, and the developed image is transferred at the transfer section 206. The transferred image is fixed on the transfer target paper by the fixing unit 207, and then the paper output unit 208.
Is discharged to the outside of the device. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is discharged to each bin when the sort function is working in the sorter 220 or to the highest bin of the sorter when the sort function is not working. .

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

After the output sheet fixed by the fixing section 207 is once conveyed to the sheet discharge section 208, the conveying direction of the sheet is reversed and the transfer sheet switching section 209 for re-feeding the sheet through the conveying direction switching member 209. Transport to. When the next manuscript is prepared,
The original image is read in the same way as the above process,
Since the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, it is possible to output two original images on the front surface and the back surface of the same output paper.

Description of External Device 3 The external device 3 is connected to the reader 1 by a cable, and the core of the external device 3 controls signals and controls each function. In the external device 3, a fax unit 4 that performs fax transmission / reception,
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 a computer into image information, a computer interface unit 7 for interfacing with the computer, and storing information from the reader unit 1. In addition, the image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing the information sent from the computer, and the core unit 10 for controlling each of the above functions.

The configuration and operation of the core section 10 of the external device 3 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

Description of Core Unit 10 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the core unit 10 described above.

The connector 1001 of the core unit 10 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader unit 1 by a cable. The connector 1001 contains four types of signals.
057 is an 8-bit multivalued video signal. Signal 10
Reference numeral 55 is a control signal for controlling the video signal. Signal 1
051 communicates with the CPU 122 in the reader 1. The signal 1052 communicates with the SUB / CPU 123 in the reader 1. The signals 1051 and 1052 are communication ICs.
Communication protocol processing is performed by 1002 and CPU bus 1053
The communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the.

The signal 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line, and it is possible for the core unit 10 to receive information from the reader unit 1 and to output information from the core unit 10 to the reader unit 1.

Signal 1057 is connected to buffer 1010, where bidirectional to unidirectional signals 1058 and 1
070. The signal 1058 is an 8-bit multi-valued video signal from the reader unit 1, and is the LUT 101 of the next stage.
Input to 1. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table. The output signal 1059 from the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 or the selector 1013. The binarization circuit 1012 has a simple binarization function for binarizing a multi-valued signal 1059 at a fixed slice level, and binarization by a variable slice level in which the slice level changes from the values of pixels around the pixel of interest. It has a function and a binarization function by the error diffusion method. The binarized information is converted into a multilevel signal of 00H at 0 and FFH at 1 and input to the selector 1013 at the next stage. The selector 1013 is
Signal from LUT 1011 or binarization circuit 101
2 output signal is selected. The output signal 1060 from the selector 1013 is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 outputs video signals from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 to connectors 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 100, respectively.
The signal 1064 input to the core unit 10 via the CPU 9 and the output signal 1060 of the selector 1013 are output to the CPU 1003.
Select according to the instructions. Output signal 1 of selector 1014
Reference numeral 061 denotes a rotating circuit 1015 or a selector 1016.
Entered in. The rotation circuit 1015 has a function of rotating the input image signal by +90 degrees, -90 degrees, and +180 degrees. The rotation circuit 1015 converts the information output from the reader unit 1 into a binary signal by the binarization circuit 1012, and then stores it in the rotation circuit 1015 as information from the reader unit 1. Next, the rotation circuit 10 is instructed by the CPU 1003.
Reference numeral 15 rotates and reads the stored information. Selector 1
Reference numeral 016 selects either the output signal 1062 of the rotating circuit 1015 or the input signal 1061 of the rotating circuit 1015, and outputs the signal 1063 as a connector 1 to the fax unit 4.
005, a connector 1006 to the file unit 5, a connector 1007 to the computer interface unit, a connector 1008 to the formatter unit 8, a connector 1009 to the image memory unit and a selector 1017.

The signal 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. The signal 1064 includes a fax unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8,
Synchronous system 8 for transferring image information from the image memory unit 9
It is a bit unidirectional video bus. Signal 1063 above
The video control circuit 1004 controls the synchronous bus of the signal 1064 and the video control circuit 1004.
Control is performed by the output signal 1056 from. In addition to the signals 1054 to the connectors 1005 to 1009,
Are connected respectively. The signal 1054 is bidirectional 16
It is a bit CPU bus, and exchanges data commands asynchronously. Fax section 4, file section 5,
To transfer information between the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10, the above two video buses 1063 and 1064 and the CP are connected.
This is possible with the U bus 1054.

The signal 1064 from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. The selector 1016 is
The signal 1064 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 of the next stage according to the instruction of the CPU 1003.

The selector 1017 selects the signal 1063 and the signal 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal 1065 of the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching 1018 pattern-matches the input signal 1065 with a predetermined pattern. When the patterns match, a predetermined multi-valued signal is output to the signal line 1.
Output to 066. If they do not match in the pattern matching, the input signal 1065 is output as the signal 1066.

The selector 1019 outputs the signals 1065 and 1
066 is selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003. The output signal 1067 of the selector 1019 is the LUT 102 of the next stage.
Input to 0.

The LUT 1020 uses the input signal 1 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting image information to the printer unit 2.
Convert 067.

The selector 1021 selects the output signal 1068 and the signal 1065 of the LUT 1020 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal of the selector 1021 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 at the next stage.

The enlarging circuit 1022 can set the enlarging magnification independently in the X and Y directions according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The expansion method is a first-order linear interpolation method. The output signal 1070 of the expansion circuit 1022 is input to the buffer 1010.

The signal 107 input to the buffer 1010
0 indicates a bidirectional signal 1057 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.
Next, it is sent to the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001 and printed out.

The signal flow between the core section 10 and each section will be described below.

(Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Fax Unit 4) A case of outputting information to the fax unit 4 will be described. The CPU 1003, via the communication IC 1002,
It communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader 1 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs the image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans the document according to this command. Reader unit 1 and 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. Further, the image information input to the connector 1001 is multi-valued 8
Buffer 1010 through signal line 1057 of bit
Entered in. The buffer circuit 1010 inputs the bidirectional signal 1057 as a unidirectional signal to the LUT 1011 via the signal line 1058 according to an instruction from the CPU. LUT1
At 011 the image information from the reader unit 1 is converted into a desired value using a look-up table. For example, it is possible to remove the background of the original. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage. The binarization circuit 1012 is an 8-bit multilevel signal 1059.
Is converted into a binary signal. The binarization circuit 1012 converts the binarized signal into two multi-level signals such as 00H when it is 0 and FFH when it is 1. The output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016 via the selectors 1013 and 1014.
The output signal 1062 of the rotating circuit 1015 is also the selector 101.
6 is input to the selector 1016.
Either of the signals 1062 is selected. Signal selection is C
It is determined by the PU 1003 communicating with the fax unit 4 via the CPU bus 1054. Selector 1016
The output signal 1063 from the printer is sent to the fax unit 4 via the connector 1005.

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. The signal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. When the image upon fax reception is rotated and output to the printer unit 2 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1014 is output to the rotation circuit 10.
The rotation process is performed at 15. The output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is input to the pattern matching 1018 via the selectors 1016 and 1017.

When the image at the time of fax reception is directly output to the printer 2 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018.

The pattern matching 1018 has a function of smoothing the rattling of the image when the fax is received. The pattern-matched signal is sent to the selector 101.
It is input to the LUT 1020 via 9. LUT102
0 indicates that the image of the fax received is output to the printer unit 2 at a desired density, and therefore the table of the LUT 1020 is C
It can be changed on the PU 1003. LUT1020
Output signal 1068 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The enlarging circuit 1022 performs an enlarging process on an 8-bit multivalue having two values (00H, FFH) by a linear interpolation method of the first order. Enlargement circuit 1022
The 8-bit multi-valued signal having many values from is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. The reader unit 1 inputs this signal to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via the connector 120. External I / F
The switching circuit 119 inputs the signal from the fax unit 4 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is processed as described above and then output to the printer unit 2 to form an image on an output sheet.

(Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of File Unit 5) 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. 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 becomes a unidirectional signal 1058 by the buffer 1010. The signal 1058 which is a multi-valued 8-bit signal is converted into a desired signal by the LUT 1011. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is the selector 1013 and the selector 101.
4, input to the connector 1006 via the selector 1016.

That is, the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1
The 8-bit multi-value data is transferred to the file unit 5 without using the function of 015. When filing a binarized signal by communicating with the file unit 5 via the CPU bus 1054 of the CPU 1003, the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015 are used. The binarization process and the rotation process are omitted because they are the same as the case of the above-mentioned fax.

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

The image information from the file section 5 is the connector 1
The signal 1064 is input to either the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 via 006. It is possible to input to the selector 1017 in the case of 8-bit multi-valued filing and to the selector 1014 or 1017 in the case of binary filing. In the case of binary filing, the description is omitted because it is the same processing as fax.

Selector 101 for multi-value filing
The output signal 1065 from 7 is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. In the LUT 1020, a look-up table is created according to an instruction from the CPU 1003 in accordance with a desired print density. The output signal 1068 from the LUT 1020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. 8-bit multilevel signal 1070 expanded to a desired expansion ratio by the expansion circuit 1022.
Are sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. The information in the file section sent to the reader section 1 is output to the printer section 2 and image formation is performed on the output sheet, as in the above-mentioned fax.

(Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Computer Interface Unit 7) The computer interface unit 7 interfaces with a computer connected to the external device 3. The computer interface unit 7 has a plurality of interfaces for communicating with SCSI, RS232C, and Centronics. The computer interface unit 7 has the above-mentioned three types of interfaces, and information from each interface is stored in the connector 1007 and the data bus 1054.
Is sent to the CPU 1003 via. CPU 1003
Various controls are performed based on the contents sent.

(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 the data related to the formatter unit 8, the CPU 1003 transfers the data to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1008. The formatter unit 8 develops the transferred data in the memory as a meaningful image such as a character or a figure.

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 the connector 1008.
To the signal line 1064 via two values (00H, F
FH) is transmitted as a multilevel signal. Signal 106
4 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. The selectors 1014 and 1017 are controlled by the instruction of the CPU 1003. Hereafter, the description is omitted because it is similar to the case of the above-mentioned fax.

(Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Image Memory Unit 9) A case of outputting information 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 multivalued 8
It is sent to the LUT 1011 via the bit signal line 1057 and the buffer 1010. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is output to the selectors 1013, 1014, 101.
6, to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009,
Transfer multi-valued image information. The image information stored in the image memory unit 9 is stored in the CPU bus 105 of the connector 1009.
4 to the CPU 1003. CPU1003
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 by a desired interface among the above 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 to the core unit 10 via the. The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is a computer
When it is determined that the data sent from the interface unit 7 via the CPU bus 1054 is the data related to the image memory unit 9, it is transferred to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. Next, the image memory unit 9
Is an 8-bit multilevel signal 106 via the connector 1009.
4 is transmitted to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017.
An output signal from the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 is output to the printer unit 2 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, similarly to the above-mentioned fax, and an image is formed on an output sheet.

Description of Fax Unit 4 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the fax unit 4.

The fax unit 4 is connected to the core unit 10 by the connector 400 and exchanges various signals. Core part 10
When storing the binary information from the memory A405 to the memory D408, the signal 453 from the connector 400 is input to the memory controller 404, and the memory A405 and the memory B4 are controlled under the control of the memory controller.
06, the memory C407, or the memory D408, or one in which two sets of memories are connected in cascade.

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41.
According to the instruction of 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 A405, memory B406, memory C407, memory D408 contents D
The scaling circuit 403 is controlled by the MA controller 402.
Mode for exchanging data with the bus 454 from
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 D4 are stored.
08 to read the memory contents from any of the signal lines 4
It has five functions of outputting to 52.

The memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408 each have 2 Mbytes.
And has an image storage capacity of 400 dpi and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi. The timing generation circuit 409 uses the connector 4
00 and the signal line 459, the core unit 10
Control signals from (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, V
EN) to generate signals for performing the following two functions. One is a function of storing the image signal from the core unit 10 in any one of the memories A405 to D408, or two memories, and the second is an image from any one of the memories A405 to D408. It is a function of reading out a signal and transmitting it to the signal line 452. The dual port memory 410 has a signal line 4
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is connected via 61, and the CPU 412 of the fax unit 4 is connected via a signal line 462. Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 410. SCS
The I controller 413 interfaces with the hard disk connected to the fax unit 4 of FIG.
Stores data such as fax transmission and fax reception data. The CODEC 411 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, encodes it according to a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then encodes it into any of the memories A405 to D408. Store as information. Also, the memory A405
-The encoded information stored in the memory D408 is read and decoded by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then stored as decoded information, that is, image information in any of the memories A405 to D408. . MO
The DEM 414 has a function of modulating the coded information from the hard disk connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413 in order to transfer it to the telephone line, and demodulates the information sent from the NCU 415 to convert it into coded information. , CODEC 411 or a hard disk connected to the SCSI controller 413 to transfer the encoded information. The NCU 415 exchanges information according to a predetermined procedure with an exchange that is directly connected to a telephone line and installed in a telephone office or the like.

An example of fax transmission will be described. The binary image signal from the reader unit 1 is sent to the connector 40
It is input from 0 and reaches the memory controller 404 through the signal line 453. The signal 453 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. Memory A
The timing stored in 405 is generated by the timing generation circuit 409 according to the timing signal 459 from the reader unit 1. The CPU 412 is the memory controller 40.
4 memory A405 and memory B406 to CODEC4
11 bus line 463. CODEC411
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. When the CODEC 411 encodes A4 size image information, the CPU 412 causes the memory controller 4
04 memory B 406 is connected to the CPU bus 462.
The CPU 412 sequentially reads the coded information from the memory B 406 and transfers it to the MODEM 414. MODE
The M414 modulates the coded information and sends the fax information over the telephone line via the NCU.

Next, an embodiment of fax reception will be described. The information sent from the telephone line is NCU41
5 and is connected to the fax unit 4 by the NUC 415 in a predetermined procedure. Information from NCU 415 is MODE
M414 is entered and demodulated. The CPU 412 stores the information from the MODEM 414 in the memory C407 via the CPU bus 462. When the information of one screen is stored in the memory C407, the CPU 412 causes the memory controller 40
4 controls 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 C 407 and decodes it, that is, the memory D as image information.
It is stored in 408. The CPU 412 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 410 and passes from the memory D 408 through the core unit to the printer unit 2.
Make settings to print out the image. When the setting is completed, the CPU 412 causes the timing generation circuit 409 to
And a predetermined timing signal is output from the signal line 460 to the memory controller. The memory controller 404 reads the image information from the memory D408 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 409,
The signal is transmitted to the signal line 452 and output to the connector 400. Since the output from the connector 400 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the core unit, it is omitted.

Description of File Unit 5 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the file unit 5. The configuration and operation will be described with reference to FIG.

The file section 5 is connected to the core section 10 by the connector 500 and exchanges various signals. The multi-valued input signal 551 is input to the compression circuit 503, where multi-valued image information is converted into compressed information and the memory controller 51.
It is output to 0. The output signal 552 of the compression circuit 503 is
The memory A 506 under the control of the memory controller 510,
It is stored in any one of the memory B 507, the memory C 508, and the memory D 509, or one in which two sets of memories are cascade-connected. The memory controller 510 is the CPU 5
16 instructions, memory A506, memory B507,
A mode for exchanging data with the memory C508, the memory D509 and the CPU bus 560, a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 570 of the CODEC 517 for encoding / decoding, a memory A506 and a memory B5.
07, memory C508, memory D509 contents are DMA
The signal 563 is sent to the memory A under the control of the timing generation circuit 514 in a mode in which data is exchanged with the bus 562 from the scaling circuit 511 under the control of the controller 518.
It has five functions: a mode of storing in any of 506 to memory D509 and a mode of reading out memory contents from any of memory A506 to memory D509 and outputting to the signal line 558.

The memory A 506, the memory B 507, the memory C 508, and the memory D 509 each have 2 Mbytes.
And has an image storage capacity of 400 dpi and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi. The timing generation circuit 514 uses the connector 5
00 and the signal line 553, and the core unit 10
Control signals from (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, V
EN) to generate signals for performing the following two functions. One is a function of storing information from the core unit 10 in any one of the memories A506 to D509, or two memories, and the second is an image upward from any one of the memories A506 to 509. Is read out and transmitted to the signal line 556.
The dual port memory 515 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 554 and the CPU 516 of the file unit 5 via the signal line 560.
Each CPU exchanges 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. External storage device 6
Is 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 it according to a desired method of MH, MR, and MMR, and then encodes it into any of the memories A506 to D509. Store as information. In addition, after the encoded information stored in the memories A506 to D509 is read out and decoded by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, the memory A506 to the memory D506.
Stored in any of 509 as decoding information, that is, image information.

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 the signal line 55
It is input to the compression circuit 503 through 1. The signal 551 is
It is input to the compression circuit 503 and converted into compression information 552 here. The compression information 552 is stored in the memory controller 51.
Input to 0. The memory controller 510 uses the signal 553 from the core unit 10 to generate the timing generation circuit 55.
At 9, the timing signal 559 is generated, and the compressed signal 552 is stored in the memory A 506 according to this signal. CPU5
16 is the memory A 506 and the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 and the bus line 57 of the CODEC 517.
Connect to 0. 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. CODEC 5
When 17 finishes the encoding, the CPU 516 transfers the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 to the CPU bus 560.
Connect to. The CPU 516 sequentially reads the encoded information from the memory B 507 and the SCSI controller 51
Transfer to 9. The SCSI controller 519 stores the encoded information 572 in the external storage device 6.

Next, an embodiment in which information is taken out from the external storage device 6 and output to the printer unit 2 will be described. Upon receiving the information retrieval / print 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 instructs the CPU bus 560 according to the instruction from the CPU 516.
Is connected to the bus 566 of the memory C508. Memory C5
When the transfer of the encoded information to 08 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 a memory C
After reading the encoded information from 508 and sequentially decoding,
Transfer to memory D509. If scaling such as enlargement / reduction is required when outputting to the printer unit 2, the memory D509
Is connected to the bus 562 of the scaling circuit 511 to scale the contents of the memory D509 under the control of the DMA controller 518. 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 through the core unit 10. When the setting 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 5
10 reads the decoding information from the memory D509 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 514 and transmits it to the signal line 556. The signal line 556 is the expansion circuit 5
04, where the information is decompressed. Expansion circuit 504
Output signal 555 of the core unit 10 via the connector 500.
Output to. The description up to the output from the connector 500 to the printer unit 2 will be omitted because it has been described in the core unit 10.

Description of Computer Interface Unit 7 The computer interface unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

Connector A700 and connector B701
Is a connector for a SCSI interface. The connector C702 is a Centronics interface connector. The connector D703 is an RS232C interface connector. Connector E707
Is a connector for connecting to the core unit 10.

The SCSI interface has two connectors (connector A700, connector B701),
When connecting devices having a plurality of SCSI interfaces, connectors A700 and B701 are used to make a cascade connection. When the external device 3 and the computer are connected one-to-one, the connector A700 and the computer are connected by a cable, and the connector B701 is connected by a terminator, or the connector B701 and the computer are connected by a cable and the connector A700 is connected. Connect the terminator to. Information input from the connector A700 or the connector B701 is transmitted via the signal line 751 to the SCSI I / F-A704 or the SCSI I.
/ F-B 708 is input. SCSI I / F-A7
04 or SCSI I / F-B708 is SCSI
Then, the data is output to the connector 707E via the signal line 754. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10, and the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is the CPU
From the bus 1054, the information input to the SCSI I / F connector (connector A700, connector B701) is received. Data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is transferred to the SCSI connector (connector A700, connector B7
When outputting to 01), the procedure is the reverse of the above.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector C702 and input to the Centronics I / F 705 via the signal line 752. The Centronics I / F 705 receives the data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and outputs the data to the connector E707 via the signal line 754. The connector E707 is the core unit 1
0 is connected to the CPU bus 1054, and the core unit 10
The CPU 1003 receives the information input to the Centronics I / F connector (connector C702) from the CPU bus 1054.

The RS232C interface is connected to the connector D703 and is connected to the RS via the signal line 753.
It is input to the 232C I / F 706. RS232C
The I / F 706 receives data according to the procedure of a predetermined protocol, and the connector E is connected via the signal line 754.
Output to 707. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10, and the C of the core unit 10 is connected.
From the CPU bus 1054 to the PU 1003, the RS 232
The information input to the C / I / F connector (connector D703) is received. Data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is transferred to the RS232C / I / F connector (connector D
When outputting to 703), the procedure is reversed.

Description of Formatter Unit 8 FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the formatter unit 8. The configuration and operation of the formatter 8 will be described with reference to this figure.

The data from the computer interface section 7 described above is discriminated by the core section 10. If the data is related to the formatter section 8, the core section 1
The CPU 1003 of 0 has a connector 1008 of the core unit 10.
And the 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 via the dual port memory 803. The CPU 809 sequentially develops the code data into image data and transfers the image data to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 via the memory controller 808. Memory A80
6 and the memory B807 each have a capacity of 1 Mbytes and one memory (memory A806 or memory B8).
In 07), it is possible to support up to A4 paper size with a resolution of 300 dpi. In the case of supporting up to A3 size paper at a resolution of 300 dpi, the memory A806 and the memory B807 are cascade-connected to develop image data. The memory control described above is performed by the memory controller 808 according to an instruction from the CPU 809. Further, when it is necessary to rotate a character or a graphic when developing the image data, the memory A 806 is rotated after being rotated by the rotation circuit 804.
Alternatively, it is transferred to the memory B807. When the expansion of the image data in the memory A806 or the memory B is completed, C
The PU 809 controls the memory controller 808 to control the data bus line 858 of the memory A 806 or the memory B.
The data bus line 859 of 807 is connected to the output line 855 of the memory controller 808. Next CPU80
9 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 A 806 or the memory B 807. The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 sets the print output mode in the CPU 122 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 80
2 generates a timing signal for reading image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 to the memory controller 808 according to the signal from the core unit 10. The image information from the memory A806 or the memory B807 is
It is input to the memory controller 808 via the signal line 858. Output image information from the memory controller 808 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 has been described in the core unit 10 and will not be described.

Description of Image Memory Unit 9 The configuration and operation of the image memory unit 9 will be described with reference to the configuration block diagram (FIG. 9).

The image memory unit 9 is connected to the core unit 10 by the connector 900 and exchanges various signals. The multi-valued input signal 954 is stored in the memory 904 under the control of the memory controller 905. Memory controller 90
5 is a memory 904 and CP according to the instruction of the CPU 906.
A signal 954 is stored in the memory 9 under the control of the timing generation circuit 902 in a mode for exchanging data with the U bus 957.
It has three functions: a mode for storing in memory 04 and a mode for reading out the memory contents from the memory 904 and outputting to the signal line 955. The memory 904 has a capacity of 32 Mbytes and stores an image corresponding to A3 with a resolution of 400 dpi and 256 gradations. Timing generation circuit 902
Are connected to the connector 900 by a signal line 952, and control signals (HSYNC, HEN,
VSYNC, VEN) to generate signals to accomplish the following two functions: One is the core part 1
The function of storing the information from 0 in the memory 904, and the second is to read the image information from the memory 904 and to output the signal line 9
It is a function to transmit to 55. Dual port memory 90
3 is the CPU 1 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 953.
003 and the image memory unit 9 via the signal line 957.
CPU 906 of is connected. Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 903.

Image information is stored in the image memory unit 9,
An example of transferring this information to a computer will be described. The 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 900 and input to the memory controller 905 via the signal line 954. Memory controller 9
In 05, the timing generation circuit 902 generates the timing signal 956 by the signal 952 from the core unit 10, and the signal 954 is stored in the memory 904 in accordance with this signal.
The CPU 906 is the memory 9 of the memory controller 905.
04 is connected to the CPU bus 957. CPU 906
Image information is sequentially read from the memory 904 and transferred to the dual port memory 903. CPU 1 of core unit 10
Reference numeral 003 denotes the image information of the dual port memory 903 of the image memory unit 9 in the signal line 953 and the connector 9
00, and transfers this information to the computer interface section 7. Transferring information from the computer interface unit 7 to a computer is
It is omitted because it has been explained above.

Next, an embodiment for outputting the image information sent from the computer to the printer section 2 will be described. The image information sent from the computer is transferred to the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7.
Sent to. The CPU 1003 of the 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. After transferring the image information to the memory 904, the CPU 906 controls the memory controller 905 to connect the data line of the memory 904 to the signal 955. The CPU 906 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 903, and makes settings for printing out an image from the memory 904 through the core unit 10 to the printer unit 2. When the setting is completed, the CPU 906 activates the timing generation circuit 902 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the signal line 956 to the memory controller 905. The memory controller 905 reads the image information from the memory 904 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 902, transmits it to the signal line 955, and outputs it to the connector 900. Since the output from the connector 900 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the core unit 10, the description thereof will be omitted.

Using the functions described above, the external device 3
Is a SCSI interface through the connector A700 by the computer interface unit 7, or
A Centronics interface through a connector C702 and an RS232C interface through a connector D703 can be connected to a plurality of personal computers or workstations (hereinafter abbreviated as host computers), and a plurality of users can use this image forming system. Further, each of the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9 which constitute the image forming system can be controlled by the host computer using the above-mentioned interface, and the host computer and the core can be controlled. Information transmission between the units 10 is performed according to a predetermined protocol, and information about a board to which a command or data is sent from the host computer to the core unit 10, information on a classification instruction when outputting from each board to paper, It is possible to send a command for controlling each board together with designation information regarding the number of copies when outputting a plurality of output images and information regarding a user who has sent a command or data from the host computer.

An example in which data is transmitted from the host computer to the formatter board 8 via the Centronics interface via the connector C702 to form an image will be described below.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the movement of the core section when the user sends data to the external device 3 from the host computer. FIG. 11 is a table used in the operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. 11 shows a board / user table for registering a user who is using the board, and FIG. 11 shows that the formatter board is assigned to the user 1. 12 is a flowchart of the operation performed by the core unit in response to an image output request from the board, and FIG. 13 is a table showing allocation of output sorting destinations to the user referred to at that time. The table shown in FIG. 13 shows a state in which the sorting destination for the user is registered in advance by a command from the operation unit 124 or the host computer. The core unit 10 first waits for data or a command from the host computer according to the flowchart shown in FIG. If there is data or command, determine the user who requests image output,
When the user specifies the sorting destination, the output table for each user is registered in FIG. Next, after registering the information about the user who sent this and the board to which the data or command is sent in FIG. 11, the command or data sent from the host computer is sent to the board requesting image output. On the other hand, the board to which the command or data is sent issues an image output request to the core unit 10 when it is ready for image output. Then, the core unit refers to the table shown in FIG. 13 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, sets the sorter unit 220 so that the image output from the board can be output to the registered sorting destination, and then the image from the board is set. Output the data to the set sorting destination.

The case has been described above in which the bin is designated for each user and output is performed using the formatter unit as an example.
Even when image output is performed using another file unit, image memory unit, or fax unit, it is possible to similarly specify an output bin for each user, and a description thereof will be omitted.

When the present image forming apparatus is used by using the operation section, the user recognizing device 129 shown in FIG. 3 can distinguish and recognize the user or group who uses the present image forming apparatus. It is needless to say that the output images can be sorted by distinguishing the users as in the above-described embodiment.

[0085]

As described above, the outputs from various image generating means, which should be classified as the documents originally output by the same user, are separately classified, or the papers to be originally classified and output are the same. It is effective in eliminating problems such as being output to the location.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing unit in the reader unit 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a core unit 10.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a fax unit 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a file unit 5.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computer interface unit 7.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a formatter unit 8.

9 is a block diagram of an image memory unit 9. FIG.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the core unit 10.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a correspondence table.

FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart of the core unit 10.

FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart of the core unit 10.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Ken Kuroda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image generating unit for generating image information, an input unit for inputting identification information in association with image information generated by the image generating unit, and image information from the image generating unit and the input unit. And an output unit that outputs the identification information of 1. to an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium. 2. An input unit for inputting the image information and identification information of the image information from an apparatus for generating image information, and image formation for forming an image based on the image information from the input unit on a recording medium. Means, a plurality of housing means for housing the recording medium from the image forming means, and a selecting means for selecting a housing means for housing the recording medium from the image forming means based on identification information from the input means, An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. An image generating unit for generating image information, an input unit for inputting identification information in association with the image information generated by the image generating unit, and an image based on the image information from the image generating unit. An image forming unit formed on a recording medium, a plurality of storing units for storing the recording medium from the image forming unit, and a storing unit for storing the recording medium from the image forming unit based on identification information from the input unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a selecting unit that selects a unit.