JPH08237403A - Job controller in image forming network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To process a read image as a consecutive image even when reading of plural originals is restarted after interruption or the operation of original reading is conducted twice or over in a system network interconnecting a scanner and a printer or the like. CONSTITUTION: The network system employs a scanner, a printer, a copying machine and a system controller managing them. The system controller 5 is made up of a scanner operation control section 6 controlling/monitoring the operation of the scanner, an image data reception section 7, a printer operation control section 8, an image data transmission section 9, an image data storage section 10 managing and storing image data for each job, and a system job management control section 11 controlling generation, revision, abort, execution of each job. Even when the reading of an original is restarted after interruption, the system job management control section 11 treats the job to be a consecutive job, then an objective output result is obtained even when an original is added or removed to/from an original draft or original pages are read separately.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network system such as a scanner device, a printer device, an image data storage device, and the like, and particularly to reading a plurality of originals continuously by the scanner device and outputting the read image data to the printer device. The present invention relates to a work control device for controlling a series of jobs in an image forming network system capable of printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sorter function and double-sided printing provided in a copying machine on an image forming network in which a scanner device, a printer device, an image data storage device, etc. are connected by a specific path or network. To realize the function, scan the original with the scanner device,
The image data obtained in this way is generally stored in a storage device and then printed by a printer device.
When a document conveying device is used, a series of work units in such an image forming network system is from the first conveyed document to the last conveyed document in the scanner device. When all the originals on the original conveyance table have been conveyed, the accumulated image data will be printed in a form that matches the sorter designation or double-sided designation, and if stapling is designated at the end, the stapling will be applied for each work unit, If the job is processed on only one side even if it is specified on both sides, it is ejected as it is.

In a system having such an environment, a document is set on a document transport table, and after the reading of the document is started, the document transport is performed by inserting and removing the document so as not to cause a document jam (jam). If another document is set and read after the completion of conveyance, each document is treated as a different job, and there is a problem that a printed matter as a result of one job cannot be clearly obtained.

Further, in such a system, in order to obtain image data obtained from a series of double-sided originals in the order of pages as a printed matter, it is easy to use an automatic original document feeder for double-sided printing, but it is easier to use than the single-sided original feeding apparatus. Since a complicated paper conveyance mechanism is required, there is a limitation that paper conveyance abnormality is likely to occur and high-speed conveyance is difficult. If the document feeder is single-sided, the operator can reload the documents one by one on the reading table and read them, but this will take a lot of time and effort for the operator. There is a problem that the order of is likely to be wrong.

Further, in a system in which a plurality of input / output devices are connected by a network, when an operator uses one scanner input device and has to give up the device for another work, Had to stop his work and start over with another device.

Further, since the original document feeder can handle only originals having the same paper width at the feeding port in one continuous process, there is a problem that originals including different original sizes cannot be continuously read. .

By the way, in the interrupt copy in the system as described above, it is necessary that the reading of the original and the printing of the paper are sequentially performed in synchronization with each other. The functions that can be used are limited so as not to disturb them, but in the case of network work, print output data is stored in one work unit. Even if the interrupt function is not provided, the job can be temporarily suspended, other copy jobs can be performed during that time, and the interrupted copy can be operated at full specifications by restarting the previously interrupted job.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and includes a scanner device for reading an image of an original, a printer device for printing image data, a storage device for recording the image data read by the scanner device, and the like. In a system connected by a specific path or network, even if multiple document readings are resumed after being interrupted or at least two document reading operations are performed, those scanned images can be treated as continuous images. An object is to provide a work control device in an image forming network system.

Further, according to the present invention, in the case of a double-sided original, only the table,
A job in an image forming network system that allows the scanned images to be alternately linked and handled as a continuous image even if the document is automatically conveyed and scanned in two separate processes, such as only the back side. An object is to provide a control device.

Further, according to the present invention, when the scanner reading is performed twice or more, even if the reading is performed by a device different from the previous reading device, those read images can be treated as continuous images. It is an object of the present invention to provide a work control device in a mobile network system.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a work control device in an image forming network system according to the present invention is a scanner device for reading an image of a document, a printer device for printing image data, and the scanner device. A storage device for recording the image data read in is connected via a specific path or network, the scanner device automatically conveys multiple originals and reads them continuously, and the read image data is output to the printer device. A device for controlling the above-mentioned work in an image forming network system capable of defining a series of works such as printing, which has already been read as unfinished when the original reading by the scanner device is interrupted. A means for accumulating and holding the image data, and a means for reading from the scanner device after holding the data Has a management control means for additionally holding the image data of the other image data in the image data holding means as a part of the previous work which has been held as the unfinished work, and making the image data accumulated in the image data holding means continuous. It has a configuration in which one performed job can be divided and performed under the same setting conditions.

Further, in the work control device in the image forming network system according to the present invention, the scanner device can automatically convey a single-sided original, and when handling a plurality of double-sided originals, the management control means causes the single-sided original of the double-sided original. When the other side of the double-sided document is continuously read after that, the image data is continuously stored in the image data holding means as one unit to form one work unit. Can be

Further, in the work control device in the image forming network system according to the present invention, the management control means is provided when the images of a plurality of originals are read by different scanners by two or more scanners. Two
The image data obtained by each of the above scanner devices may be stored in the image data holding means as a series of continuous images to form one work unit.

[0014]

1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming network system for carrying out the present invention. This system includes two scanner devices 1 and 2 having an automatic document feeding function, a printer device 3, a multi-function copying machine 4 operable as a scanner or a printer, and an ORB for integrated management of these operations. It is composed of a so-called system control device 5 and is networked by a cable or the like as shown in the drawing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system controller 5 shown in FIG. This system control device 5
A scanner operation control unit 6 that controls and monitors the operations of the scanner devices 1 and 2, an image data receiving unit 7 that receives image data read from the scanner devices 1 and 2, and a printer device 3.
Image data storage for managing and storing the image data from the printer operation control unit 8 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the printer, the image data transmitting unit 9 for sending the image data for printing to the printer device 3, and the image data receiving unit 7 for each job. It comprises a unit 10 and a work management control unit 11 of the system that controls the generation, update, destruction, and execution of each work.

FIG. 3 shows a processing flow from the reading of a document using the automatic document feeding function of the scanner device 1 (or 2) to the printing of the printer device 3. This flow is
After the operator gives an instruction to start the work, which is determined by setting an original on the original table of the scanner device 1 (or 2) and then setting the edit mode for the printer device 3 or image, It is a thing.

If the operator does not specify a work ID before the work start operation, the work management control unit 11 of the system creates a new work information with a unique work ID. Work i
If D is specified, the job IDs of the respective job information managed at that time are compared, and if there is a match, the job information is used as a future update reference (step 1). here,
The work information generated by the work management control unit 11 of the system is shown in Table 1 below.

[Table 1] The operation information section of the job information in Table 1 above shows the operation content of the job, and the page information section shows detailed information about each page image. The image data pointer in Table 1 refers to the actual image data storage area that is recorded and accumulated, and the actual image data storage destination may be on-memory or a file.

If the document table of the scanner device 1 (or 2) is not empty, the scanner operation control section 6 conveys and reads one document from the document conveyance table (step 2). The image data receiving unit 7 receives the image data read at that time, and the image data storage unit 10 stores the image data as one-page image data and updates the page information of the work information (step 3). At this time, if the manuscripts are being sequentially accumulated, the page information of the job information is added and updated later, and if the second face of the two-sided manuscript is being collectively accumulated, the page information of the job information is inserted and updated between each page information. To do.

After reading one document, the input information is judged to judge whether an interruption operation has been performed or not, and to judge whether the operation can be continued by recognizing the scanner operation or the system state (steps 4 and 5).

If the operation is interrupted for the time being as the judgment at step 5, three judgments are made at steps 6 and 7. First, the scanner device 1 (or 2) normally operates
When it is determined that the series of document reading by the above is completed, the scanner operation control is ended and the printer operation control based on the work information is started (step 8). Secondly, when it is judged that the interruption instruction is made to switch to another scanner device or to give priority to another job, the scanner operation control is ended (step 9). At this time, the “work operation status” of the work information is the incomplete state of the page information, the work information is held as it is, and the printer operation control is not started. When the job ID is designated by the operator's instruction later and the document reading is started, the image is stored and the job information is updated as a continuation of this job. Thirdly, when it is determined that the temporary stop of the scanner operation is instructed to insert or remove the document on the platen, the current work is always ready and the document setting is waited (step 10). If it is determined that the document is set according to the instruction or the system state, the scanner operation control is started.

[0021]

In the work control device in the image forming network system according to the first aspect, even if the original reading is resumed after being interrupted, they can be treated as continuous ones. There is an effect that the desired output result can be obtained even if the above is performed.

In the work control apparatus in the image forming network system according to the second aspect, even if the scanner apparatus has only the one-sided original document conveying function, the front and back sides are continuously read separately in two times. Since the originals can be treated as being continuous in the order of the originals, there is an effect that stable and high-speed continuous reading becomes possible as compared with the double-sided original conveying mechanism.

In the work control device in the image forming network system according to the third aspect, since the objects read by the different scanner devices can be handled as one work target, the device error at the time of reading a series of manuscripts, the current device, and so on. There is an effect that a desired output result can be obtained even when the continuation of the current work is performed by another device, compared to the case of giving up on the use of. Further, if the scanner device is selectively used for each document size and the order of each document is taken into consideration, there is an effect that continuous document reading can be performed even if the document size is different.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming network system embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system control device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow by the system control device of FIG. 1 from reading an original by using the automatic original feeding function of the scanner device to printing by the printer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 Scanner device 3 Printer device 4 Copier 5 System control device 6 Scanner operation control unit 7 Image data receiving unit 8 Printer operation control unit 9 Image data transmitting unit 10 Image data storage unit 11 System work management control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A scanner device for reading an image of a document, a printer device for printing image data, a storage device for recording image data read by the scanner device, etc. are connected through a specific path or network, and a plurality of the scanner devices are connected. For controlling the above-mentioned work in an image forming network system capable of prescribing a series of works such as automatically transporting the original document and continuously reading it, outputting the read image data to the printer device and printing And a means for accumulating and holding the image data that has already been read as the job is incomplete when the document reading of the scanner device is interrupted, and the remaining image data read from the scanner device after the data is held is not completed. As a part of the previous work held as In an image forming network system, which has a management control means for making the image data accumulated in the data holding means continuous so that one defined work can be divided and performed under the same setting condition. Work control device. 2. The work control device in the image forming network system according to claim 1, wherein the scanner device is capable of automatically transporting a single-sided original, and the management control means controls the double-sided original when handling a plurality of double-sided originals. When one side is continuously read and then the other side of the double-sided original is continuously read, the image data is continuously stored in the image data holding means as one work unit. A work control device in an image forming network system characterized by the above. 3. The work control device in the image forming network system according to claim 1, wherein the management control means is provided when the images of a plurality of originals are read by different scanners by two or more scanners. Two
A work control device in an image forming network system, characterized in that the image data obtained by each of the above scanner devices is accumulated in the image data holding means as a series of continuous images to form one work unit.