JPH08289053A - Interconnection device for digital copying machines - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To build up the copying system with high productivity by improving the operation and processing efficiency for the copy processing of many copy sheets/many kinds of originals. CONSTITUTION: The system is provided with plural digital copying machines A-D configured through combinations of scanners 301 302 reading optically contents of originals and providing an output of read image signals and printers 305-308 printing out the image signals from the scanners 301-302 and also a video bus interconnecting the plural digital copying machines A-D with signal lines through which image signals and video control signals are sent. The system has two modes comprising a 1st mode transferring an image signal from one scanner to the plural printers 305-308 via the video bus and a 2nd mode where image signals from the plural scanners 301-302 are transferred to one printer via the video bus and executes selectively the two modes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention enables a plurality of digital copying machines to be connected by a bus composed of image signal and video control signal lines and to be efficiently connected according to the copy processing conditions of a large number of copies / a large number of originals. The present invention relates to a coupling device for a digital copying machine that improves productivity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in copying and printing work at a copy center or the like, a plurality of copying machines (machines) are used to process a requested job separately for each of a large number of documents and an increase in the number of copies. There is. For example, when the number of originals is large and the copying work must be executed many times by one machine, the work is distributed to a plurality of machines for each original to perform the processing for the job. . If the job cannot be processed in one operation, first, the maximum number of copies is executed, the copy is temporarily stored, the original is changed, and the copy is executed again. I was working to combine the current copy and the previous copy and sort them manually.

Further, when the copying process is executed by making full use of a plurality of machines, if the recording paper sizes are the same, the machines are actively connected so that the jobs are executed in parallel. In this case, if the recording paper is interrupted or a jam occurs, the recovery process is executed and then the job assigned to the machine is executed again. Furthermore, when an interrupt job is requested while each job is being executed on the above-mentioned multiple machines, the job being executed on any of the machines is interrupted or the job to be executed is postponed, and the emergency interrupt is executed. The job was being processed.

[0004]

However, in the conventional copying processing work as described above, firstly,
If you cannot process by one operation when copying multiple copies / manuscripts using one machine,
Since at least two copy processing operations are required,
There was a problem that the operation efficiency was poor.

Secondly, in the case where a copying process is executed by using a plurality of machines, when the processes are performed in parallel, the states of the mutual machines cannot be recognized, so that inefficient allocation occurs. However, there is a problem that the processing efficiency is poor.

Thirdly, in a multi-copy / multi-document copy process, when one machine cannot handle one operation, a plurality of machines are used. When an abnormality occurs, the job assigned to the machine is restarted after the abnormality is cleared, so that the processing is delayed only for the machine, resulting in inefficiency and poor processing efficiency.

[0007] Fourth, when a plurality of machines receive emergency interrupt processing during a concatenated operation, it is unknown which machine is the most efficient in terms of work. There was a problem that interrupt processing was not possible and processing efficiency was poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is a first object of the present invention to improve the operation efficiency and the processing efficiency during the copying process of a large number of copies / a large number of originals, and to construct a highly productive copying system. The purpose of.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and a second object thereof is to eliminate a complicated operation of a user due to unnecessary connection.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and when an abnormality occurs during operation, another machine can be used and a job can be executed without waiting for recovery of the abnormality occurrence machine. The third objective is to improve efficiency and build a highly productive copying system.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and enables smooth handling of interrupt processing and improves the operability of connected machines.
The fourth objective is to improve productivity.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, in a digital copying machine connecting device according to a first aspect of the present invention, the contents of a document are optically read and the read image signal is output. A plurality of copying means, each of which is configured by combining an original reading means and an image output means for printing out an image signal from the original reading means, are provided, and the copying means is a signal including the image signal and the video control signal. It is equipped with a video bus that is connected and connected by a line.
A first mode in which image signals from one original reading means are transferred to the plurality of image output means via the video bus, and image signals from the plurality of original reading means are transferred via the video bus to the one mode. Second transfer to image output means
And the above two modes are selectively executed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling device for a digital copying machine, wherein among the plurality of copying means, an operator sets the first or second mode as a master machine, and the copying machine is a master machine. The master machine collects information of other copying means via the video bus to determine whether or not the connecting operation is possible and determine the number of connected machines.

Further, in the coupling device of the digital copying machine according to the third aspect, the first mode in the coupling operation via the video bus is such that if an abnormality occurs during the copying process, the copying is performed. The operation of the means is stopped, a warning is displayed for canceling the abnormality of the copying means in which the abnormality has occurred, the copying means in which the abnormality has occurred in the master machine and the details of the abnormality are displayed, and after a certain time has elapsed after the abnormality warning. If the error is not canceled even after the time elapses, the job of the copying device in which the error occurs is forcibly terminated, and the remaining job is distributed to the other copying devices connected.

Further, in the connecting device of the digital copying machine according to the fourth aspect, the interrupt function during the connecting operation via the video bus is prohibited to the copying means serving as a master machine, and the like. Manuscript 1 for copy means
It is a function of permitting interruption at the time of completion of output for a sheet, forcibly ending the job being executed at that time, and redistributing the remaining job to other copying means including the master machine.

[0016]

According to the digital copying machine connecting device (claim 1) of the present invention, a plurality of sets of digital copying machines (machines) each comprising a scanner and a printer are prepared, and a video comprising an image signal and a video control signal line is provided between these machines. By connecting and connecting each other with a bus, it is possible to send and receive each signal between machines,
Select the mode according to the copy contents. That is, when the number of copies is large and high-speed copying is desired, the first mode is selected and the image signal from one scanner is transferred to a plurality of printers, while the original to be copied is one. By selecting the second mode and transferring image signals from multiple scanners to a single printer when multiple originals that cannot be read by the scanner at one time, multiple copies /
Increase processing efficiency when copying multiple documents.

Further, in the digital copying machine coupling device of the present invention (claim 2), the digital copying machine of the plurality of digital copying machines in which the operator sets the first or second mode is set as a master machine. This master machine collects information from other digital copiers, that is, collects information such as usable status, recording paper status, and connectability via the video bus, and based on this information, determines whether the connecting operation is possible or not. Also, by determining the number of connected units, the user's complicated operation due to unnecessary connection is eliminated.

In the digital copying machine coupling device of the present invention (claim 3), in the first mode, the operation of the abnormality generator that has caused an abnormality during copy output is stopped and the abnormality of the abnormality generator is released. A warning message prompting the user is displayed, the name of the abnormal machine and the details of the abnormal situation are displayed on the master machine. Other normal digital copiers (machines) that are forcibly terminated and the remaining jobs are linked
By allocating to, the other machine can be used when an abnormality occurs during operation, and it is not necessary to wait for the recovery of the abnormality occurrence machine, so the efficiency is improved.

Further, the connecting device of the digital copying machine according to the present invention (claim 4) has an interruption function during the connecting operation, prohibits the interruption to the digital copying machine which is the master machine, and allows the other copying machines to do the same. On the other hand, by providing a function to allow interruption at the time of completion of output for one document, to forcibly terminate the job being executed at that time, and redistribute the remaining job to other digital copying machines including the master machine. ， Smoothly respond to interrupt processing.

[0020]

【Example】

(Structure of Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a digital copying machine including a laser printer and a document reading device (hereinafter referred to as a scanner) suitable for applying the present invention. In the figure, a contact glass 111 for placing a read document is illuminated by a light source 112,
The reflected light from the image surface of the read document is reflected by the mirrors 113, 11
An image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 117 via 4, 115 and the lens 116. Also, the light source 112
The mirror 113 is mounted on a traveling body (carriage) 118 that moves the lower surface of the contact glass 111 in parallel with the contact glass 111.

Main scanning is performed by solid-state scanning of the CCD image sensor 117. The original image is read one-dimensionally by the CCD image sensor 117, and the entire surface of the original is scanned by moving the optical system (sub scanning).
In this example, the density of the reading process is set to 16 pixels / mm (400 dpi) in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and the document can be read up to A3 size (297 mm × 420 mm) documents.

Next, a laser printer constituting the above digital copying machine will be described. In addition, when the scanner and the laser printer are integrally configured (this embodiment)
There is a case where the configuration is separate and only electrically connected, and the laser printer has a laser writing system, an image reproducing system,
Each system such as a paper feeding system is integrally configured. The electrical connection between the scanner and the laser printer will be described later with reference to FIG.

The laser writing system includes a laser output unit, an image forming lens group 120, and a mirror 121.
A laser diode LD1 which is a laser light source is provided inside the laser output unit, and a writing unit is provided with a polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a high speed and a constant speed by a motor. The laser light output from the laser writing system is used as the photoconductor drum 122 equipped in the image reproducing system.
Is irradiated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive drum 12
Around the circumference of 2, a charging charger 123 that uniformly charges the photoconductor drum 122, a developing unit 125 that visualizes the formed electrostatic latent image, and a transfer paper that has been conveyed to the photoconductor drum 122. Transfer charger 126 for transferring an image
A separation charger 127 and a separation claw 128 for separating the transfer paper from the photosensitive drum 122, a cleaning unit 129 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 after the transfer process, and the like are provided. A beam sensor (not shown) for generating a main scanning synchronization signal (PMSYNC) is arranged at a position near one end of the photosensitive drum 122 where the laser beam is emitted.

Further, 131 is a conveyor belt for conveying the recording paper after transfer / separation, 132 is a fixing unit for thermally fixing the toner image on the recording paper, 133 and 134 are paper feed cassettes for accommodating the recording paper, Numerals 135 and 136 are paper feed rollers for feeding the recording papers stored in the paper feed cassettes 133 and 134, and numeral 137 is a registration roller for carrying the recording papers so as to match the toner images on the photosensitive drum 122.

(Operation of Digital Copying Machine) The operation of the digital copying machine configured as described above will be described. The surface of the photoconductor drum 122 is uniformly charged to a high potential by the charging charger 123. When the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 is irradiated with the laser light, the potential of the irradiated portion is lowered. Laser light is ON / O according to black / white of recording pixel
FF control is performed, and laser light is emitted by pulse width modulation (PWM) or power modulation (PM). Then, a potential distribution corresponding to the recorded image, that is, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 according to the intensity of the laser irradiation energy.

When the portion on which the electrostatic latent image is formed passes through the developing unit 125, toner adheres according to the level of the potential, and a toner image is formed by visualizing the electrostatic latent image. Next, the recording paper is conveyed to the portion where the toner image is formed at a predetermined timing and overlaps the toner image. After the toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer charger 126, the recording paper is separated from the photoconductor drum 122 by the separation charger 127 and the separation claw 128. The separated recording paper is conveyed by the conveyor belt 131,
After being thermally fixed by a fixing unit 132 having a built-in heater, it is discharged to a paper discharge tray (not shown).

In the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1, the paper feeding system is composed of two systems, one paper feeding system is equipped with a paper feeding cassette 133, and the other paper feeding system is provided. The paper feeding system is equipped with a paper feeding cassette 134. The recording paper in the paper feed cassette 133 is fed by the paper feed roller 135. The recording paper in the paper feed cassette 134 is fed by the paper feed roller 136. The fed recording paper is temporarily stopped while being in contact with the registration roller 137, and is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 122 at a timing synchronized with the progress of the recording process. Although not shown, each paper feed system is equipped with a size detection sensor that detects the size of the recording paper in the cassette.

(Structure of Image Processing System) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the image processing system according to the present embodiment, showing the processing function blocks from image processing to laser output processing in the above-mentioned digital copying machine. Shows. . In the figure, 2
Reference numeral 01 is a sensor driver for driving and controlling the CCD image sensor 117, and 202 is an amplifier (AM) for amplifying a read signal (image signal) of the CCD image sensor 117.
P) and 203 represent the image signal after amplification by 2 n per pixel.
An A / D converter for converting to digital data of multiplicative gradation (256 gradations in this embodiment), 204 is distortion of the image signal after A / D conversion, that is, illuminance unevenness of the light source 112 and CCD image A shading correction circuit for correcting sensitivity variations among the elements of the sensor 117, 205 is MTF correction for improving resolution of characters and line drawing images, and signal noise is removed to improve reproducibility of photographic images. It is a spatial filter circuit that executes each correction process such as a smoothing process.

Reference numeral 206 denotes a main scanning magnification changing circuit for executing two-dimensional real-time magnification changing in the main scanning direction, 207 a γ correction circuit for correcting the γ characteristic according to the density setting function, 208
Is a gradation processing circuit that executes processing such as intermediate gradation processing according to the image quality setting function, 209 is a character generation unit that stores character information, and outputs predetermined character information as necessary, 210
Is a synthesizing unit for synthesizing a read image signal and character information, 2
Reference numeral 11 is an LD control circuit that modulates the laser diode in accordance with the image signal.

(Operation of Image Processing System) Next, the operation of the image processing system configured as described above will be described. CCD
The image sensor 117 outputs an image signal read at a sampling density of 16 pixels / mm. This image signal is processed by the LD control circuit 2 after each processing described below is executed.
Given to 11.

That is, the voltage is amplified to a predetermined voltage amplitude by the amplifier 202. The shading correction circuit 204 corrects the unevenness of the illuminance of the light source 112, the sensitivity variation among the respective elements of the CCD image sensor 117, and the like. Further, the spatial filter circuit 205 executes MTF correction for improving the resolution of characters and line images, smoothing processing for removing signal noise, and smoothing processing for improving reproducibility of photographic images. Execute the correction process. Further, the main-scanning scaling circuit 206 executes two-dimensional real-time scaling. After that, the γ correction circuit 207 executes γ correction according to the density setting, and further, the gradation processing circuit 208
Then, the halftone processing according to the image quality setting is executed, and the image signal is output to the LD control circuit 211. The LD control circuit 211 generates a lighting signal for the laser diode based on the image signal processed as described above, and drives the LD. As a result, laser light corresponding to the image signal is output from the LD.

(System Configuration of Embodiment) Next, the configuration of a system in which a plurality of digital copying machines described above are connected will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration in which four digital copying machines as copying means are connected. In the figure, reference numerals 301 to 304 denote scanners as document reading means having the above-mentioned scanner function, and 3
Reference numerals 05 to 308 are printers as image output means having the above-mentioned printer function. That is, the scanner 30
A digital copying machine A is configured by a combination of 1 and the printer 305. Similarly, the digital copying machine B comprises a scanner 302 and a printer 306, the digital copying machine C comprises a scanner 303 and a printer 307, and the digital copying machine D comprises a scanner 304 and a printer 308.

Further, the scanners 301 to 304 execute an IPU (image processing unit) 30 for executing the processes up to the composite output of the image signals shown in FIG.
9 to 312 are provided respectively. Further, the printers 305 to 308 are provided with MUXs (multiplexers) 313 to 316, respectively, and further, image memories 317 to 320 for temporarily storing image signals are provided therein.

Further, when the scanners 301 to 304 are used as video sources of image signals, one video bus is prepared for each video source and the printers 305 to 308 are provided.
The side is configured to be able to input the video bus for 4 units,
MUX 313-3 to select one out of four
Connect to 16. Therefore, with this video bus,
The digital copying machines A to D are connected to each other so that image signals and video control signals can be mutually communicated.

(System Operation of the Embodiment) As described above, the image signals from the scanners 301 to 304 are the signals after being processed by the gradation processing circuit 208, and the printers 305 to 308 receive this signal. And finally L
A D lighting signal is generated to drive an LD (laser diode).

The video bus, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described. The video bus is composed of two signal lines of an image signal and a video control signal. That is, the FG representing the image valid period of one page
ATE signal, LSYNC signal indicating synchronization for each line, LGATE signal indicating image effective range within one line,
And four signals of the image signal transfer clock CLK are video control signals. Also, the image signal depends on how many gradations the reproduction characteristics of the printers 305 to 308 have per pixel, but it is 8 bits for 1 pixel 256 gradations and 1 for 1 pixel binary (white or black). Is a bit. Note that the gist of the present invention does not change significantly depending on the bit width of the image signal.
In this embodiment, each pixel is described as one bit.

Therefore, the video bus has a total of five video control signals and four image signals. All of these signals are video sources (scanners 301 to 30).
4). That is, the transfer is unidirectional.

However, in one digital copying machine,
The scanner generates and transmits the video control signal, but the reference of the video control signal is the rotation of the polygon mirror 219a. In other words, it is necessary to match the laser scan (laser scan) by the rotation of the polygon mirror 219a with the scanner scan, the laser scan is detected by the synchronization sensor (not shown), and the main scanning synchronization signal PMSYNC is sent to the scanner. Supply. The scanner generates a video control signal based on the main scanning synchronization signal PMSYNC. That is, LSYN
The C signal and the LGATE signal are controlled so as to be synchronized with the PMSYNC signal.

In FIG. 3, the scanner 301 has the PMSYNC signal of the printer 305, and the scanner 302 has the PMSYNC signal of the printer 306, so that the pair of digital copying machines can be synchronized. Further, when the images are transferred between the digital copiers A to D which are not synchronized, the image signals must be transferred to the image memories 317 to 3 respectively.
It is temporarily stored in 20, and is output from the image memories 317 to 320 in synchronization with the PMSYNC signal to output the image.

If the digital copying machines A to D are not synchronized with each other, an image can be output without temporarily storing the transferred image signal in the image memories 317 to 320. It is also possible to execute print output while storing image signals in the image memories 317 to 320.

(Connecting Control Operation between Digital Copiers) One digital copier (hereinafter, also referred to as a machine) composed of one scanner and one printer has the same control system and operation as a normal copier. A panel is provided. That is, one machine operates as one copying machine, sets an operation mode according to an operator's operation, and controls a copying operation. Then, the connecting operation with another machine functions as a connecting device only when a mode requiring the connecting operation is set by an operator's operation.

Usually, a machine operated by an operator, that is, any one of the digital copying machines A to D becomes a master machine of the connecting device. Then, this master machine collects information such as the state of other machines (slave machines). In addition, the CPUs of the control units (not shown) of the respective machines are connected by serial communication, so that information such as status notifications can be exchanged between the machines.

Therefore, it is determined whether or not connection is possible, such as whether it is available or in use, what is the state of the recording paper or its size? Therefore, the master machine confirms the machines that can be connected, determines the required number of connected machines, determines the distribution of the executed jobs, and notifies the operator of the contents. Then, when the operator presses the print start key, the connecting operation is started.

(Connecting operation mode) The basic connecting function in this embodiment is executed in the following two modes. The selection operation of this mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the figure, first, it is determined whether the number of copies and the number of copies are larger than a predetermined value determined in advance (S401). If it is determined that the number of copies and the number of copies are large, the first mode (multi-copy high speed mode) is selected and executed (S402).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 401 that the number of copies and the number of copies are smaller than the predetermined value, the number of originals can be read at once by using the ADF of one scanner. It is determined whether or not the number of documents that can be obtained, that is, the number of originals is larger than the maximum number of read sheets (S403). Here, when it is determined that the number of originals is larger than the maximum number of read sheets, the second mode (multi-document distributed mode) is executed (S404), and when it is determined that the number of originals is smaller than the maximum number of read sheets. Executes the normal copy mode (S405).

That is, the above-mentioned two modes are as follows: (1) Multi-copy high-speed mode Copies having a large number of copies and a large number of copies are output by utilizing a plurality of printers 305 to 308. That is, this is the first mode. (2) Multiple original distribution mode When copying a number of originals that exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded in the automatic document feeder (ADF), multiple scanners 301 are used.
~ 304 are used to read and print out. That is, this is the second mode. The above modes will be described in detail below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

(1) First Mode (Multi-Copies High Speed Mode) Next, the first mode will be described separately for (Operation Example 1) and (Operation Example 2) with reference to FIG. (Operation Example 1) In FIG. 5, first, it is determined whether or not one original is large and the number of copies is larger than a predetermined value, that is, a large number (S501).
Here, when it is determined that one original is a large number of sheets, the originals are allocated and shared among the connected machines A to D (S50).
2). For example, if the number of originals to be copied is 1000 and the number of copies is 1000, the desired recording paper for the machines A to D,
That is, after confirming that the size, the number of sheets, and the type satisfy the copy condition and the copy is possible, 250 sheets of jobs are allocated to each of the machines A to D.

Next, by executing the above setting on the machine A, the machine A is set as the master machine. Therefore, the original is set on the scanner 301 (S50
3), the image signal is transferred from the scanner 301 to each of the machines A to D via the video bus (S504). In this case, the document reading operation is performed only once, and the read image signal is transferred only once using the video bus. Then, the image signal is printed out (S505).

That is, each of the machines A to D receives the image signal and, at the same time, receives the image signal from the image memories 317 to 320.
To be stored. At this time, as mentioned above, only machine A
The printer 3 while storing the image signal in the image memory 317
In 05, copy output can be executed.

Further, the machines B to D store the received image signals in the image memories 318 to 320, and then take out the image signals from the image memories 318 to 320 in synchronization with the PMSYNC signals of the printers 306 to 308, and output the LDs.
An image signal is sent to the control circuits 211b to 211d.

(Operation Example 2) Next, the above step S501.
When it is determined that the number of originals is not one and the number of sheets is large, it is further determined whether the number of originals is plural and the number of copies is large (S506). Here, when it is determined that there are a plurality of manuscripts and the number of copies is large, a small number of copies is allocated to each machine (S
507).

That is, when there are a plurality of originals to be copied and the number of copies is large, for example, if there are 10 originals,
When the number of copies is 100 and the machines A to D are connectable, 25 copies are allocated to each of the machines A to D. Further, since the machines A to D in the present embodiment are equipped with the image memories 317 to 320 in all the machines and have the electronic sort function, the operation in this case is performed by the scanner 301 when the master machine is the machine A. 1 to
Reads up to 10 (S508) and sends image signals to each machine A
To D (S509) and print out (S51).
0). If it is determined in step S506 that there are a plurality of documents and the number of copies is not large, a normal copying process is executed (S511).

Further, in the above, the machine A reads the original, stores the image signal in the image memory 317, and at the same time prints out. Further, while reading ten originals, the copy of the first copy is completed and the storage in the image memory 317 is completed. The other machines B to D simply store the image signals in the image memories 318 to 320 at the time of reading the original, and do not perform print output, but the image memories 318 to 318.
After the storage in 320 is completed, print output is executed one by one.

(Processing operation at the time of abnormality) Next, the processing operation at the time of occurrence of an abnormality in the first mode will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be explained. In the figure, first, it is determined whether or not an abnormality has occurred in any of the connected machines during the copying operation (S601). If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the name of the abnormal machine, the details of the abnormality, and the action guidance are displayed on the master machine (S602).

That is, when an abnormality such as a jam (paper jam, non-feeding) or paper end occurs in any of the machines A to D during copy output, the operation panel of the master machine (machine A) is displayed. Displays the name of the machine where the error occurred and the details of the error, and notifies you to clear the error. In addition, guidance is displayed on the operation panel of the machine in which the error occurred to explain the details of the error and clear the error.

Next, it is judged whether or not the abnormality of the machine in which the abnormality has occurred is resolved within a predetermined time (S603). Note that this error cancellation can be cleared based on the above guidance display. Also, after returning to the copy-enabled state of the machine in which the error occurred, pressing the print start key of the machine in which the error occurred restarts print output. It should be noted that normal machines other than the abnormal machine are proceeding normally.

Then, in step S603,
If it is determined that the abnormality has not been cleared within the specified time,
The remaining jobs on the abnormal machine are redistributed to other normal machines (S604), and copy processing is executed (S60).
5). At this time, the warning display on the operation panel of the master machine (Machine A) is terminated when the predetermined time is exceeded,
Only the warning display on the operation panel of the abnormal machine is continued (S606). When the output of all machines is completed, the number of output sheets of each machine is displayed on the operation panel of the master machine. In step S603, if the abnormality is canceled within the predetermined time, the remaining job in the abnormal machine is continued and restarted (S60).
7).

Further, in the operation example 2, the processing at the time of occurrence of an abnormality during the operation is performed for one original, that is, the operation example 1 described above.
This is the same as the abnormality processing operation in. However, 1 copy is 1
It consists of 0 sheets, and when 10 sheets are output, the copy will be completed, an error will occur in the middle of 1 copy, it will not be restored to normal after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the remaining jobs will be redistributed. At this time, the part up to this point does not exist at all (assuming that the copy up to the point is discarded).

By the way, the machines A to D in this embodiment are
Is capable of roughly detecting the remaining amount of recording paper set (for example, 50 sheets or less, 200 sheets or less, or more), and the result of the remaining amount detection is taken into consideration in the first job. It is supposed to decide the allocation. For example,
10 originals and 25 copies are not distributed to a machine with a remaining amount of 50 or less. That is, if the number of recording sheets is less than the number of copies, it is not distributed. further,
In an extreme example, if the number of recording papers is 50 or less, they cannot be connected and a warning that the remaining amount is insufficient is displayed.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the interrupt key is pressed on a machine other than the master machine (Machine A) during the linking operation, the job of the corresponding machine is terminated at the point when one copy of the interrupt key is completed. Open the machine to interrupt users. Then, of the jobs assigned to that machine, the remaining jobs are redistributed to other machines.
The interrupt operation to the master machine (Machine A)
Disable interrupts during linking operation.

As a connection method in the above embodiments, an example of a system in which four machines A to D are connected has been described. However, the connection itself is performed by four, and the connection operation is basically performed by two of them. Then, when the number of copies and the number of copies are large with respect to a predetermined threshold value and the machine usage conditions are met, the number of connected machines is basically increased to 3 or 4. Further, while the two machines are connected, the two machines can be connected to each other.

(2) Second Mode (Multi-Document Distributed Mode) The second mode will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, a case will be described as an example in which the maximum number of documents to be loaded in the automatic document reader (ADF) is 50. In the figure, first, the number of originals is the maximum number of sheets read in ADF (number of stacked sheets).
It is determined whether or not the number is larger than that (S701). If it is determined that the number of originals is larger than the maximum number of read sheets, the originals are allocated to a plurality of scanners (S702) and the connecting operation is started via the video bus (S703).

For example, when the number of originals desired by the operator is 100, the operator is required to use the scanner 30
1 sheet is set to 50 sheets and the scanner 302 is set to 50 sheets, and this mode is set on the operation panel of the machine on which printing is desired.

In this case, by making the above settings using the machine A, the machine A functions as a master machine. The master machine makes necessary settings for the number of copies, machine B on which the remaining originals are set, etc., and starts the linking operation with the print start key. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of copies = 1 (S704). If it is determined that the number of copies is 1, the image signal from the scanner 301 is first output from the printer 305 by the printer 305 without using the image memory (S705), and after the document reading by the scanner 301 is completed, The reading operation of 302 is started, the image signal is transferred to the printer 305,
Copy output is executed (S706).

When the document is read by the scanner 302, the LSYNC signal of the scanner 302 is transmitted to the printer 3
The polygon synchronizing signal 05, that is, the PMSYNC signal which is the main scanning synchronizing signal. It is also possible to execute this mode while the scanner 302 is in synchronization with the printer 305 without performing this synchronization control.
At this time, the image signal read by the scanner 302 is the printer 3
No. 05 is temporarily stored in the image memory 317 and output.

If it is determined in step S704 that the number of copies is plural, the image memory 3
The electronic sort function is executed using 17. First, the scanner 301 reads 50 originals, stores the image signal in the image memory 317, and outputs it from the printer 305. Next, the manuscript of the scanner 302 is read, and if the LSYNC signal is synchronized with the PMSYNC signal of the printer 301 at this time, the image signal is stored in the image memory 317 of the printer 305 and is printed out by the printer 305. Finish copying the copy. After that, the image signals stored in the image memory 317 are sequentially output and printed out to obtain the copy output of the second and subsequent copies (S707). If it is determined in step S701 that the number of originals is less than the maximum number of read sheets,
Normal copy processing is executed (S708).

If the LSYNC signal of the scanner 301 is not synchronized with the printer 305, the scanner 30
The read image signal of No. 2 is temporarily stored in the image memory 317, and all the originals of the scanner 302 are read and then printed out. Then, the first copy is completed together with the output of the scanner 301, and thereafter, the image signals of the scanner 301 and the scanner 302 stored in the image memory 317 are sequentially output to obtain the copy images of the second copy and thereafter.

Further, unlike the first mode (multi-copy high speed mode) described above, the abnormality processing in this mode is similar to the abnormality processing performed as a normal copying machine. That is, the operation is not restarted until the abnormal state is released and the state returns to the operable state.

By the way, the first mode (multi-copy high speed mode) and the second mode (multi-document distributed mode) are set by the operator on the operation panel when the connecting operation of the present embodiment is operated. Although it is a mode to be realized, there is also a mode for operating the coupling device without setting by the operator. In other words, this mode is a limitless paper feeding function that is used in normal copying machines, that is, when the recording paper in the cassette (or tray) that is being fed becomes empty, the recording paper set in another cassette. This is a mode in which the function of automatically switching to and feeding the paper is expanded and implemented among other plural machines.

Specifically, this mode is for machine A,
When the A4 recording sheet of the machine A runs out (paper end) during the copy operation for A4 originals and A4 recording sheets, the other connected machines B to D When the recording paper of A4 is set and the connection condition is further satisfied, the image signal is transferred to the corresponding machine and the copy being executed is continued. However, in this mode, the copy output destination is different from what the operator is aware of. Therefore, the user can set in advance whether or not this mode can be used.

(Effects of Embodiment) Next, the effects of this embodiment will be listed. First, by copying from a single scanner to multiple printers, the copy processing speed of each digital copier has
It is possible to process at a speed double that of the number of connected units, and a much faster copy process can be realized. Further, by allocating the originals to a plurality of scanners, the maximum number of originals that can be loaded in a normal copying machine, that is, the A
If the maximum number of sheets that can be processed in one DF is exceeded, the copies can be executed in one operation by distributing them to the scanners of other machines.

Secondly, by outputting the read image signal of one scanner to a plurality of printers, the abnormal state is canceled while the abnormal state occurs during the operation in the mode for improving the copy processing speed. Rather than letting the job continue, it completes faster by transferring all the jobs in operation to another printer, and high productivity can be maintained.

Thirdly, by selecting and setting an appropriate linking operation mode according to the contents of the given whole job and executing the set machine as a master machine while checking the states of other machines. ， Complicated operation of the user due to unnecessary connection can be eliminated.

Fourth, the interrupt function during the linking operation is prohibited for the master machine, and when the output for one set of originals is completed for the other machines, the interrupt is permitted and the job is executed at that time. Since it is forcibly terminated and the remaining jobs are redistributed to other machines including the master machine, the resources held can be used efficiently and high productivity can be maintained.

[0076]

As described above, according to the coupling device for a digital copying machine (claim 1) of the present invention, a plurality of sets of digital copying machines (machines) each including a scanner and a printer are prepared, and these machines are connected to each other. Are connected to each other via a video bus consisting of image signals and video control signal lines to enable transmission and reception of each signal between machines, and select the mode according to the copy content. That is, there are many copies, and
If you want to copy at high speed, select the first mode and transfer the image signal from one scanner to multiple printers.
On the other hand, when the document to be copied is a multi-document that cannot be read by one scanner at a time, the second mode is selected and the image signals from the plurality of scanners are transferred to one printer. The processing efficiency at the time of copying a large number of copies / a large number of originals is improved, and a highly productive copying system can be constructed.

According to the digital copying machine coupling device of the present invention (claim 2), among the plurality of digital copying machines,
The digital copying machine in which the operator operates the first or second mode is set as a master machine, and the master machine collects information from other digital copying machines, that is,
Information such as availability, recording sheet status, and connection availability is collected via the video bus, and based on this information,
Since it is determined whether or not the connection operation is possible and the number of connected devices is determined, it is possible to eliminate the user's complicated operation due to unnecessary connection.

Further, according to the digital copying machine coupling device of the present invention (claim 3), as the first mode, the operation of the anomaly generator in which an anomaly occurs during copy output is stopped, In addition to displaying a warning prompting you to clear the error,
Display the name and content of the error on the master machine,
If the abnormal condition is not recovered to normal after a lapse of a certain time after the abnormal warning, terminate the job of the abnormal machine,
Since the remaining jobs are distributed to other connected normal digital copiers (machines), other machines can be used when an error occurs during operation, without waiting for recovery from the error-causing machine. Since the efficiency is improved, a copying system with high productivity can be constructed.

Further, according to the coupling device of the digital copying machine of the present invention (Claim 4), as an interruption function during the coupling operation, interruption is prohibited to the digital copying machine which is the master machine, and another digital copying machine is used. Manuscript 1 for the machine
Interruption is permitted at the time of completion of output for one sheet, the job being executed is forcibly terminated at that time, and the remaining jobs are redistributed to other digital copiers including the master machine, so interrupt processing can be handled smoothly. It is possible to improve the productivity of the connected machines by increasing the operability of the connected machines.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a digital copying machine including a laser printer and a document reading apparatus suitable for applying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system (from image reading to laser output) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration in which four digital copying machines according to the present embodiment are connected.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a connecting operation mode according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operation examples 1 and 2 in a first mode according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when an abnormality occurs in the first mode according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second mode according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

A to D digital copying machines 301 to 30
4 Scanners 305-308 Printers 313-31
6 MUX 317-320 Image memory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of units configured by combining a document reading unit that optically reads the contents of a document and outputs the read image signal, and an image output unit that prints out the image signal from the document reading unit. A copying means is provided, and a video bus for connecting and connecting the copying means with a signal line consisting of the image signal and the video control signal is provided, and the image signal from the one original reading means is connected via the video bus to the plurality of units. First to transfer to the image output means
And a second mode in which image signals from the plurality of document reading means are transferred to the one image output means via the video bus, and the two modes are selectively executed. Characteristic digital copier connection device. 2. A copying machine in which the operator sets the first or second mode among the plurality of copying means is used as a master machine, and the master machine collects information of other copying means via the video bus. 2. The coupling device for a digital copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device is executed to determine whether the coupling operation is possible and the number of coupled devices is determined. 3. The first mode in the connection operation via the video bus stops the operation of the copying means when an abnormality occurs during the copying process, and causes the abnormality of the copying means to occur. In addition to displaying a warning for cancellation, the copying means in which the abnormality has occurred in the master machine and the details of the abnormality are displayed. If the abnormality is not canceled within a certain time after the abnormality warning, the copying in which the abnormality has occurred 2. The connecting device for a digital copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the mode is a mode in which the job of the means is forcibly terminated and the remaining job is distributed to the other copying means connected. 4. The interrupt function during the connecting operation via the video bus is prohibited to the copying means serving as a master machine, and to the other copying means at the time of completion of output of one original document, 2. The digital copying machine according to claim 1, which has a function of permitting interruption, forcibly ending the job being executed at that time, and redistributing the remaining job to other copying means including the master machine. Coupling device.