JPH0888706A - Composite image input/output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To process image data corresponding to each additional function properly and flexibly by discriminating whether or not image data are able to be printed out by a development agent quantity remained in a printer section and applying recovery processing different from each additional function processing to the data. CONSTITUTION: A CPU 1003 calculates a black picture element density to predict a toner consumption quantity and compares and discriminates the predicted quantity with a development agent residual quantity detected by a toner residual quantity detector 12-3. When the print of data is discriminated to be disable, the CPU 1003 applies proper recovery control to image data transferred to a printer section 2 different from each transfer source processing function of image data transferred to a printer section 2. That is, when a transfer source is a facsimile communication section 4, the received image data are stored in an external storage device and the fact of storage is displayed, or the image data are reduced and transferred to the printer section 2, in which the data are printed out to the utmost. When a transfer source is a computer interface section, a fact of print disable state is sent to a prescribed computer system to inform it to the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite image input / output device capable of arbitrarily adding a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a printer formatter function and an electronic file function using a digital copying machine. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a scanner section of a digital copying machine,
There has been proposed a composite image input / output device capable of performing facsimile communication by using a printer section, or by using a printer section of a digital copying machine to expand code data from a computer into bitmap data and print it out. There is.

A composite image input / output device of this type has three functions such as a copying function, a facsimile function, a printer formatting function, an image electronic file function, an image memory function and the like.
The device is configured with one or more functions as one unit.

[0004]

When the remaining amount of the developer (toner) is detected in the printer section of the composite image input / output device, when it is detected that the remaining amount of the developer is less than or equal to the set amount, the operation panel is displayed. Controls such as displaying a warning on or prohibiting image output are performed.

However, as the conventional post-detection processing after the remaining amount, that is, when the remaining amount becomes less than a set value, a warning is displayed and the image output is performed as usual, or the image output is forcibly performed. Since it is just prohibited, there is a problem that the remaining developer cannot be effectively utilized.

Further, in the printer section or the like shared by a large number of various types of devices, only the unique prohibition process when the remaining amount is lowered results in imposing an improper request on the user, resulting in output efficiency in the composite input / output device. There were also problems such as lowering the value.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to fifth inventions of the present invention is to transfer a plurality of additional function processing from an external device to a printer section. When the image data to be printed is printed, it is determined whether the image data can be printed with the amount of developer remaining in the printer unit, and a recovery process different for each additional function process is performed based on the determination result. The object of the present invention is to provide a composite image input / output device capable of appropriately and flexibly processing image data corresponding to each additional function process.

[0008]

A first aspect of the present invention is a reader section for reading a document image and outputting image data, and a recording sheet fed from a plurality of accommodating sections based on input image data. For a digital copying apparatus having a printer unit for printing a visible image on a material, a facsimile communication processing function for performing facsimile communication by being connected to a communication line, a computer interface function for communicating with a predetermined computer system, and an input code One or more of a format processing function of expanding information into a bitmap to generate image data and a file processing function of saving the image information in an external storage medium and searching the saved image information are added. An external device for performing complex image processing by inputting and outputting image data respectively is connected to the external device and the digital device. In a composite image input / output device capable of mutual data communication with a copying device, the detecting device is used to detect the remaining amount of developer in the printer unit, and is used based on image data transferred from the external device to the printer unit. Calculating means for predicting and calculating the consumption amount of the developer, and comparing the consumption amount calculated by the calculating means with the remaining amount of the developer detected by the detecting means to determine whether or not printing is possible. The determination unit and the recovery control unit that performs different recovery control for each transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer unit when the determination unit determines that printing is not possible are provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section is a computer interface function, the recovery control means sets the print disable state of the printer section to a predetermined computer system. It is configured to send to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section is a facsimile communication processing function, the recovery control means stores the image data in an external storage device. It is configured as follows.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the recovery control means is configured to display the state in which the image data is stored in the external storage device on the operation section.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the determination means determines that printing is impossible, the recovery control means reduces the image data input from the external device and transfers it to the printer section. It is a thing.

[0013]

In the first aspect of the present invention, the recovery control means is provided when the determining means compares the consumption amount calculated by the calculating means with the developer remaining amount detected by the detecting means and determines that printing is impossible. Different recovery control is performed for each transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer unit, and individual and appropriate recovery processing is performed for the image data print request accompanying the execution of each processing function requested to the printer unit. It is possible.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section is the computer interface function, the recovery control means sends the unprintable state of the printer section to a predetermined computer system. Thus, it is possible to notify the user of the print disabled state of the printer unit.

In the third invention, when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section is a facsimile communication processing function, the recovery control means stores the image data in an external storage device and receives it. The stored image data can be printed by managing the stored image data without disappearing until the printer unit becomes ready for printing.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, the recovery control means displays the state in which the image data is stored in the external storage device on the operation unit, and notifies the user of the state in which the unprinted image data is stored. It is possible.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, when the determination means determines that printing is not possible, the recovery control means reduces the image data input from the external device, transfers it to the printer section, and the printer section cannot print. Even if the determination is made, it is possible to print as quickly as possible with the remaining amount of the developer.

[0018]

1 is a block diagram for explaining the structure of a composite image input / output device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is an image input device for converting a document into image data (hereinafter referred to as a reader unit), 2 is a recording paper cassette having a plurality of types, and image data is recorded on the recording paper by a print command. An image output device (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit) for outputting a visible image, 3 is the reader unit 1
It is an external device electrically connected to and has various functions. The external device 3 has a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a man-machine interface unit 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. A formatter unit 8 for storing information from the reader unit 1, an image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing information sent from a computer, and a core for controlling the functions 1 to 9 above. It is provided with a section 10 and the like.

The functions of the respective units 1 to 9 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the construction of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. The configuration 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 is turned on and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate 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).

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 photosensitive drum (photoconductor) 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer paper stacking unit 204 or the transfer paper stacking unit 205 at the same timing as the development, and the developed toner image is transferred to the transfer unit 206. The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207, and then discharged from the paper output unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is
When the sort function is effectively operating in the sorter 220, the sheets are discharged to each bin. Further, when the sort function of the sorter 220 is not operating normally (at the time of jamming), the sorter 220 is discharged to the top bin of the sorter 220.

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

After the output paper sheet fixed by the fixing section 207 is once conveyed to the paper discharge section 208, the direction of the paper sheet is reversed and a re-feeding transfer sheet stacking section is provided via a conveyance direction switching member (flapper) 209. It is conveyed to 210. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above-mentioned program, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section (intermediate tray) 210. Original images can be output on the front and back of paper.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a printer controller section, which is a CP.
U211a, ROM211b, RAM211c is provided,
The image forming process is controlled based on the control program stored in the ROM 211b.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing a signal processing configuration of the reader unit 1 shown in FIG. 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 the lamp 1
The light distribution unevenness of No. 03 and the sensitivity unevenness of the CCD 109 are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 11
9 is input. The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 calculates the signal from the shading circuit 112 based on the following equation (1) to obtain the Y signal.

Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B (1) 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. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed according to the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and the scaling / repeat circuit 114 performs scaling in the main scanning direction. Further, the scaling / repeat circuit 114 can output a plurality of identical images. The contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 obtains edge emphasis and contour information by emphasizing a high frequency component of the signal from the scaling / repeat circuit 114. The signal from the contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 is input to the marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 and the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117. The marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 reads a portion of a document written with a marker pen of a designated color to generate contour information of the marker, and the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 uses this contour. Thicken, mask and trim from the information. Further, patterning is performed by the color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. Patterning / Thickening / Masking / Trimming circuit 117
The output signal from the device is input to the laser driver circuit 118 and variously processed signals are converted into signals for driving the laser. The signal of the laser driver circuit 118 is input to the printer unit 2 and image formation is performed as a visible image.

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

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 is output from the reader unit 1 to the external device 3. . When the reader unit 1 inputs image information from the external device 3, the external I
The / F switching circuit 119 inputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

The above image information is stored in the CPU circuit section 122.
The area generation circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the image processing based on the value set by the CPU circuit unit 122 according to the instruction. Also, C
Communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the PU circuit unit 122. 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.

The configuration and operation of the printer unit 2 will be described below 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. The transfer sheet is conveyed from the transfer sheet stacking section 204 or the transfer sheet stacking section 205 at the same timing as the latent image, and the developed image is transferred at the transfer section 206. The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207 and then discharged from the paper output unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. Paper output section 2
The transfer paper output from 08 is discharged to each bin when the sort function is working in the sorter 220, or to the highest bin of the sorter 220 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. Fixing unit 20
The output paper sheet fixed at 7 is once conveyed to the paper discharge unit 208, then the conveyance direction of the paper sheet is reversed, and is conveyed to the re-transferred transfer paper stacking unit 210 via the conveyance direction switching member 209. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, so that the same sheet is eventually placed on the front surface and the back surface. Two original images can be output.

The system configuration operation of the external device 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.

The external device 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 by a cable, and the core unit 10 in the external device 3 controls signals and functions. In the external device 3, there are provided an interface between the computer and a facsimile unit 4 for performing facsimile transmission / reception, a file unit 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the same, and a formatter unit 8 for developing code information from the computer into image information. Computer
It comprises an interface section 7, an image memory section 9 for accumulating information from the reader section 1 and temporarily accumulating information sent from a computer, and a core section 10 for controlling the above-mentioned functions.

The structure 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.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the core section 10 shown in FIG.

The connector 1001 of the core section 10 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader section 1 by a cable. The connector 1001 contains four types of signals, and the signal 1057 is an 8-bit multilevel video signal. Signal 1
Reference numeral 055 is a control signal for controlling the video signal. The signal 1051 communicates with the CPU 122 in the reader unit 1. The signal 1051 and the signal 1052 are the communication IC 1002.
Then, the communication protocol processing is performed and the communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1053.

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. The signal 1057 is the buffer 101.
0, where bidirectional to unidirectional signal 1
058 and signal 1070 are separated. The signal 1058 is
It is an 8-bit multivalued video signal from the reader unit 1 and is input to the LUT 1011 in the next stage. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table (LUT).

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, a binarization function for a variable slice level in which the slice level varies from pixels around a target pixel, and It has a binarization function by the error diffusion method. The binarized information is converted into a multivalued signal of "00H" when it is "0" and "FFH" when it is "1", and is input to the selector 1013 at the next stage. The selector 1013 selects the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012. Selector 10
The output signal 1060 from 13 is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 outputs the output video signals from the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9 to the connectors 1005, 1006, 1007, 1 respectively.
Signal 1 input to the core unit 10 via 008, 1009
064 and the output signal 1060 of the selector 1013 are C
It is selected by the instruction of the PU 1003. Selector 1014
The output signal 1061 of 1 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. 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 stores the information output from the reader unit 1 in the rotation circuit 1015 as information from the reader unit 1 after being converted into a binary signal by the binarization circuit 1012. Next, according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates and reads the stored information.
The selector 1016 controls the output signal 10 of the rotation circuit 1015.
62 or the input signal 1061 of the rotating circuit 1015 is selected, and as the signal 1063, the connector 100 with the facsimile unit 4 and the connector 100 with the file unit 5 are selected.
6, a connector 10 to the computer interface unit 7
07, a connector 1008 with the formatter unit 8, a connector 1009 with the image memory unit 9 and a selector 1017
Output to.

The signal 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the core unit 10 to the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. The signal 1064 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. Signal 106
It is the video control circuit 1004 that controls the synchronous bus of the signal 3 and the signal 1064.
The control is performed by the output signal 1056 from the No. 4.

Further, the connectors 1005 to 1009 are provided with
Other signals 1054 are connected respectively. Signal 1054
Is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus for exchanging data commands asynchronously. Facsimile section 4, file section 5, computer interface section 7,
Information transfer between the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10 can be performed by the two signals 1063 and 1064 and the CPU bus 1054.

The signal 1064 from the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 is sent to the selector 1014.
Is input to the selector 1017. Selector 1016
Inputs the signal 1064 to the rotation circuit 1015 at the next stage according to the instruction from 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 unit 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching unit 1018 performs pattern matching with the pattern of the input signal 1065 in advance, and when the patterns match, outputs a predetermined multilevel signal to the signal line 1066. Pattern matching 1018
If they do not match in the pattern matching process, the input signal 1065 is used as the output signal 1066 and the selector 10
It outputs to 19.

The selector 1019 selects the signal signal 1065 and the output signal 1066 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal 1067 of the selector 1019 is the L signal of the next stage.
It is input to the UT 1020. The LUT 1020 converts the input signal 1067 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting the image information to the printer unit 2.

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. Enlargement circuit 1022
In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, the enlargement ratio can be set independently in the X and Y directions. 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 1070 input to the buffer 1010 is output to the CPU 1
In response to the instruction of 003, it becomes a bidirectional signal 1057 and is sent to the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001 and printed out.

The signal flow of the core section 10 and each section will be described below. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Facsimile Unit 4] A case of outputting information to the facsimile unit 4 will be described. The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans a document according to this document scan command. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is stored in the connector 1001 of the core unit 10.
Is input to Further, the image information input to the connector 1001 is input to the buffer 1010 through the multi-level 8-bit signal line 1057. Buffer 1010 is C
The unidirectional signal 1058 based on the bidirectional signal 1057 is input to the LUT 1011 according to an instruction from the PU 1003. LU
At T1011 the image information from the h reader unit 1 is converted into a desired value using a look-up table (LUT).

For example, the background of the original can be skipped. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage. The binarization circuit 1012 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal 1059 into a binarized signal. The binarization circuit 1012 converts “00H” when the binarized signal is “0” and “FFH” when the binarized signal is “1” into two multilevel signals. The output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 is
It 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 input to the selector 1016, and the selector 1016 selects either the signal 1061 or the signal 1062. The signal selection is determined by the CPU 1003 communicating with the facsimile unit 4 via the CPU 1054. The output signal 1063 from the selector 1016 is the connector 100
The data is sent to the facsimile section 4 via 5.

Next, the case of receiving information from the facsimile section 4 will be described.

The image information from the facsimile section 4 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1005. The signal 1064 is generated by the selector 1014 and the selector 10
17 is input. When the image at the time of facsimile reception of the printer unit 2 is rotated and output according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates the signal 1064 input to the selector 1014. The output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is the selector 1016 and the selector 10.
It is input to the pattern matching 1018 via 17.

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

The pattern matching unit 1018 has a function (smoothing function) for smoothing the jaggedness of an image when received by facsimile. The pattern-matched signal is sent to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019.
Is input to The LUT 1020 can change the table of the LUT 1020 by the CPU 1003 in order to output the image received by facsimile to the printer unit 2 at a desired density.

The output signal 1068 of the LUT 1020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The expansion circuit 1022 has two values (“00H”, “F”).
The 8-bit multi-value data having FH ") is subjected to expansion processing by a linear interpolation method of the first order. An 8-bit multi-valued signal having many values from the expansion circuit 1022 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 switching circuit 11
Reference numeral 9 inputs the signal from the facsimile section 4 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. Y signal generation / color detection circuit 11
The output signal from 3 is processed as described above,
The image is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on the output paper. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from 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 sends 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
The external device 3 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the reader unit 1
Information is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is converted into a desired signal by the LUT 1011 from the signal 1058 which is a multi-valued 8-bit signal which becomes a unidirectional signal 1058 by the buffer 1010. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is output to the selectors 1013, 1014, 10
It is input to the connector 1006 via 16.

That is, without using the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015, the 8-bit multivalue data is transferred to the file unit 5 as it is. CPU bus 1054 of CPU 1003
When filing the binarized signal by communicating with the file unit 5 via the, the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015 are used. The binarization process and the rotation process are the same as in the case of the facsimile unit 4 described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

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

The image information from the file section 5 is the connector 1
A signal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 via 006. For 8-bit multi-valued filing, to selector 1017; for binary filing, selector 1014 or selector 101
It is possible to input in 7. In the case of binary filing, since the processing is the same as that of the facsimile unit 4, description thereof will be omitted.

In the case of multi-value filing, the selector 10
The output signal 1065 from 17 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. LUT1020
The output signal 1068 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. 8-bit multilevel signal 10 expanded to a desired expansion ratio by the expansion circuit 1022
70 is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. The information of the file unit 5 sent to the reader unit 1 is output to the printer unit 2 and the image formation is performed on the output paper, similarly to the operation of the facsimile unit 4 described above. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Computer Interface Unit 7] The computer interface unit 7
It interfaces with a computer connected to the external device 3. The computer interface unit 7 is an SCS.
I, RS232C, and a plurality of interfaces for communicating with Centronics system. The computer interface unit 7 has three types of interfaces as described above, and information from each interface is stored in the connector 10
01 and the data bus 1053 to the CPU 1003. The CPU 1003 performs various controls based on the contents sent. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Formatter Unit 8] The formatter unit 8 has a function of expanding command data such as a document file sent from the computer interface unit 7 into image data. C
When the PU 1003 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1053 is data regarding the formatter unit 8, the PU 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 characters and figures.

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 section 8 is transmitted as a multi-valued signal having two values (“00H”, “FFH”) on the signal line 1064 via the connector 1008. The signal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. The selector 1014 and the selector 1017 are controlled by the instruction of the CPU 1003.
Subsequent operations are similar to those of the facsimile unit 4, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from 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 to issue a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs the image information to the connector 120 when the document scanner unit 104 scans according to this command. 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 by the selectors 1013, 1014, 101.
6. Transfer multivalued image information to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. The image information stored in the image memory unit 9 is stored in the CPU bus 1054 of the connector 1009.
Is sent to the CPU 1003 via. 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 (workstation 790 in this embodiment) by a desired interface among the above-mentioned three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS232C, Centronics).

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

First, image information is sent from the computer to the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7. When the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1053 is data related to the image memory unit 9, the CPU 1003 transfers the data to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. Next, the image memory unit 9 transmits the 8-bit multilevel signal 1064 to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017 via the connector 1009. The output signal from the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 is
In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, similarly to the above-described facsimile unit 4, the image is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on the output paper.

The configuration of the facsimile section 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the facsimile section 4 shown in FIG.

The facsimile section 4 is connected to the core section 10 by the connector 400 and exchanges various signals. The binary information from the core unit 10 is stored in the memory A405 to the memory D408.
In the case of storing in any of the above, the signal 453 from the connector 400 is input to the memory controller 404, and under the control of the memory controller 404, any one of the memory A405, the memory B406, the memory C407, and the memory D408, or two sets. It is stored in the memory of cascade connection.

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41
According to the instruction No. 2, a mode for exchanging data with the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, the memory D 408 and the CPU bus 462, and a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 463 of the CODEC 411 having an encoding / decoding function. , Memory 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
Under the control of the timing generation circuit 409, a mode in which binary video input data is stored in any one of the memories A405 to D408, and a memory content is read from one of the memories A405 to D408, and a signal line 452 is read.
It has the functions of 5 modes in total.

Each of the memories A405 to D408 has a capacity of 2 Mbytes and stores an image of A4 size with a resolution of 400 DPI. The timing generation circuit 409 is connected to the connector 400 by a signal line 459, and controls signals (HSYNC, HSYNC) from the core unit 10.
EN, VSYNC, VEN)
Generate signals to accomplish one function. One is that the image signal from the core unit 10 is sent to the memories A405 to D4.
08, the function of storing in any one memory or two memories, the second is the memory A405 to memory D40
The image signal is read out from any one of
It is a function to transmit to 52.

The dual port memory 410 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 461 and the CP of the facsimile unit 4 via the signal line 462.
U412 is connected. The CPUs exchange commands via the dual port memory 410. The SCSI controller 413 is a hard disk (HD) connected to the facsimile unit 4 shown in FIG.
Interface with. It stores the data when sending and receiving a facsimile. CODEC4
Reference numeral 11 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A405 to D408 and outputs MH, MR, and M.
After encoding by the desired method of the MR method, the memory A
405 to memory D 408 and stores as encoded information.

Further, the coded information stored in the memories A405 to D408 is read out, and MH, MR, and M are read.
After decoding by the desired MR method, the memory A
405 to memory D 408, and stored as decryption information, that is, image information. MODEM414
Is a CODEC 411 or SCSI controller 41
A function for modulating coded information from a hard disk (HD) connected to the mobile phone 3 for transmission on a telephone line;
It has a function of demodulating the information sent from the NCU 415, converting it into decoding information, and transferring the coding information to a hard disk (HD) connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413. The NCU 415 is directly connected to a telephone line via a connector 416 and exchanges information with an exchange installed in a telephone office or the like according to a predetermined procedure.

The facsimile transmission processing operation will be described.

The binarized signal from the reader unit 1 is sent to the connector 4
The signal 453 input from the signal 00 through the signal line 453 and reaching the memory controller 404 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. The timing stored in the memory A 405 is generated by the timing generation circuit 409 by 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 A405,
Encoding is performed by the method and the encoded information is written in the memory B406.

Image information of A4 size is converted to CODEC4
When 11 is encoded, the CPU 412 connects the memory C407 of the memory controller 404 to the CPU bus 462. The CPU 412 stores the encoded information in the memory B4.
The data is sequentially read from 06 and transferred to the MODEM 414.
The MODEM 414 modulates the coded information and the NC
Send facsimile information over the telephone line via U415.

Next, the facsimile transmission processing operation will be described.

The information sent from the telephone line is NCU.
It is input to the facsimile unit 4 in a predetermined procedure by the NCU 415. Information from NCU 415 is M
It enters the ODEM 414 and is demodulated. CPU 412 is C
The information from the MODEM 414 is stored in the memory C407 via the PU bus 462. Information on one screen is memory C4
When stored in 07, the CPU 412 controls the memory controller 404 to change the data line 457 of the memory C407 to the bus line 46 of the CODEC 411.
Connect to 3. The CODEC 411 sequentially reads the encoded information in the memory C407 and decodes it, that is, stores it in the memory D408 as image information.

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

The detailed configuration and operation of the file unit 5 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the file unit 5 shown in 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 it is converted from multi-valued image information into compressed information and output to the memory controller 510. Output signal 552 of compression circuit 503
Is a memory A50 under the control of the memory controller 510.
It is stored in any one of 6 to the memory D 509, or one in which two sets of memories are cascade-connected. The memory controller 510 is instructed by the CPU 516 to execute the memory A50.
6-Mode for exchanging data between the memory D509 and the CPU bus 560, and CODEC for encoding / decoding
Data exchange mode with the CODEC bus 570 of 517 and DMA of the contents of the memory A506 to the memory D509.
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.
506 to a mode stored in any one of the memories D509,
5 of the mode in which the memory contents are read from any of the memory A506 to the memory D509 and output to the signal line 558
Has two functions.

Each of the memories A506 to D509 has a capacity of 2 Mbytes and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 DPI. Timing generation circuit 514
Are connected to the connector 500 by a signal line 553, and control signals (HSYNC, VSYNC) are sent from the core unit 10.
C, HEN, VEN) to generate signals to achieve the following two functions. One is the core part 1
The function of storing the information from 0 in any one of the memories A506 to D509 or two memories, and the second is to read the image information from any one of the memories A506 to D509 and read the signal line 556. It is a function to transmit to.

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. SCSI
The controller 519 interfaces with the external storage device 520 connected to the file unit 5 of FIG.
The external storage device 520 in this embodiment uses a magneto-optical disk (MO) as a storage medium and stores data such as large-capacity 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 one of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then stores it in one of the memories A506 to D509. Is stored as encoded information. Also, memory A
The encoded information stored in the memory 506 to the memory D509 is read and decoded by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, and then the encoded information, that is, image information, is stored in any of the memory A506 to the memory D509. Memorize as.

The operation of storing file information in the external storage device 520 will be described below.

The 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 500, passes through the signal line 551, and is input to the compression circuit 503. The signal on the signal line 551 is input to the compression circuit 503, where it is converted into a compressed signal 552. The compressed signal 552 is input to the memory controller 510. Memory controller 51
In the case of 0, the timing generation circuit 514 generates the timing signal 559 by the signal 553 from the core unit 10, and the compressed signal 552 is stored in the memory A 506 according to this signal. The CPU 516 connects the memory A 506 and the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 to the bus line 570 of the CODEC 517. The CODEC 517 reads the compressed information from the memory A 506, encodes it by the MR method, and writes the encoded information in the memory B 507. When the CODEC 517 finishes encoding, the CPU
516 is the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510.
To the CPU bus 560. The CPU 516 sequentially reads the encoded information from the memory B 507,
Transfer to the SI controller 519. The SCSI controller 519 stores the encoded information in the external storage device 520.
To memorize.

Next, the processing operation for fetching information from the external storage device 520 and outputting it to the printer unit 2 will be described.

Upon receiving the information retrieval / printing command, the CPU 516 receives the encoded information from the external storage device 520 via the SCSI controller 519 and transfers the encoded information to the memory C508. At this time, the memory controller 510 changes the CPU bus 560 to the bus 5 of the memory C508 according to an instruction from the CPU 516.
Connect to 66. When the transfer of the encoded information to the memory C508 is completed, the CPU 516 causes the memory controller 5
By controlling memory C508 and memory D
509 to bus 570 of CODEC 517. C
The ODEC 517 reads the encoded information from the memory C 508, sequentially encodes the encoded information, and then transfers the encoded information to the memory D 509.

If a scaling such as enlarging / reducing is required when outputting to the printer unit 2, the memory D509 is used for the scaling circuit 5.
11 connected to the bus 562 and the DMA controller 518
The contents of the memory D509 are scaled under the control of. CPU5
16 is the core unit 1 via the dual port memory 515.
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 1003 of No. 0, passes through the core unit 10 from the memory D509, and performs setting for printing out an image to the printer unit 2. When setting is completed, CPU51
6 activates the timing generation circuit 514 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the timing signal 559 to the memory controller 510. Memory controller 510
Is synchronized with the signal from the timing generation circuit 514,
The decoded information is read from the memory D509 and transmitted to the signal line 556. The signal line 556 is used for the expansion circuit 50.
4 and expand the information here. The output signal 555 of the expansion circuit 504 is sent to the core unit 10 via the connector 500.
Output to. The operation up to outputting from the connector 500 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the processing of the core unit 10 and will be omitted.

The configuration and display processing operation of the computer interface unit 7 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the computer interface section 7 shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, an example of a process of receiving image information from the file unit 5 and displaying it on the display will be described.

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

The SCSI interface has two connectors (connector A700, connector B701). When connecting a device having a plurality of SCSI interfaces, the connector A700 and connector B701 are used for cascade connection. When the external device 3 and the computer are connected one-to-one, the connector A700 and the computer are connected with a cable, and the connector B701 is connected with a terminator, or the connector B701 and the computer are connected with a cable and the connector A700 is connected. Connect the terminator. Connector A700 or Connector B70
The information input from the S1 is S via the signal line 751.
It is input to the CSI interface A 704 or the SCSI interface B 708. SCSI interface A 704 or SCSI interface B 708 is S
After performing the procedure according to the CSI protocol, the data is output to the connector F707 via the signal line 754.

The connector E707 is the CPU of the core unit 10.
The CPU 1 of the core unit 10 connected to the bus 1054
003 is a SCSI interface connector (connector A700, connector B70) from the CPU bus 1054.
Receive the information entered in 1). CPU of core unit 10
When the data from 1003 is output to the SCSI interface connector (connector A700, connector B701), the procedure is reversed.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector C 702 and input to the Centronics interface 705 via the signal line 752. The Centronics interface 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. Connector E707
Is the CPU bus 1054 of the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10.
Is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10.
The information input to the Centronics interface connector (connector C702) is received from the CPU bus 1054.

The RS232C interface is connected to connector D703 and is connected to RS2 via signal line 753.
It is input to the 32C interface 706. RS232
The C interface 706 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 connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10, and the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 connects the CPU bus 1054 to the R bus.
S232C interface connector (connector D70
3) CPU 1 of core unit 10 that receives the information input
When the data from 003 is output to the RS232C interface connector (connector D703), the procedure is reversed.

The configuration and operation of the formatter unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the formatter unit 8 shown in FIG.

Computer interface section 7 described above
Is determined by the core unit 10, and if the data is related to the formatter unit 8, the CP of the core unit 10
The U 1003 transfers data from the computer to the dual port memory 803 via the connector 1008 of the core unit 10 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8.
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. The memory A 806 and the memory B 807 each have a memory capacity of 1 Mbyte, and one memory (memory A 806 and memory B 807) has three memory capacity.
A resolution of 00DPI can be applied to A4 size paper. In the case of supporting up to A3 size paper at a resolution of 300 DPI, the memory A806 and the memory B807 are connected in cascade to develop image data.

The memory control is performed by the memory controller 808 according to an instruction from the CPU 809.
In addition, when it is necessary to rotate characters or figures when developing image data, the memory 805 is used to rotate the circuit 8.
After rotating at 04, memory A806 or memory B8
Transfer to 07. Memory A806 or memory B807
When the development of the image data is completed, the CPU 809
Controls the memory controller 808, and the memory A80
6 data bus line 858 or memory B 807 data bus line 859 is connected to the output line 851 of the memory controller 808. Next, the CPU 809 sends the CPU of the core unit 10 through the dual port memory 803.
1003 communicates with memory A806 or memory B
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 which sets the mode for outputting image information from the 807 is the communication IC 10 in the core unit 10.
The print output mode is set in the CPU 122 via the communication function built in the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via 02.

When the print mode is set, the core unit 1
The CPU 1003 of 0 activates the timing generation circuit 802 via the connector 1008 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8. The timing generation circuit 802
The memory controller 80 according to the signal from the core unit 10
8 generates a timing signal for reading image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807. Memory A
The image information from 806 or the memory B 807 is input to the memory controller 808 via the data bus line 858. The output image information from the memory controller 808 is transferred to the core unit 10 via the signal line 851 and the connector 800. From the core unit 10 to the printer unit 2
Since the output of the above has been described in the core unit 10, the description thereof will be omitted.

The structure and operation of the image memory unit 9 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows the image memory section 9 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of FIG.

The image memory section 9 is connected to the core section 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 9
05 is a memory 904 and C according to the instruction of the CPU 906.
It has three functions: a mode for exchanging data with the PU bus 957, a mode for storing the signal 954 in the memory 904 under the control of the timing generation circuit 902, and a mode for outputting the memory content from the memory 904 to the signal line 955. Have.

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. The timing generation circuit 902 is connected to the connector 900 by a signal line 952, and controls signals (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC) from the core unit 10.
C, VEN) to generate signals to achieve the following two functions. One is a function of storing information from the core unit 10 in the memory 904, and the second is a function of transmitting image information from the memory 904 to the signal line 955. The dual port memory 903 has a signal line 9
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is connected via 53, and the CPU 906 of the image memory unit 9 is connected via a signal line 957. Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 903.

The operation of accumulating image information in the image memory unit 9 and transferring the accumulated information to the computer will be described below.

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. The memory controller 905 causes the timing generation circuit 902 to receive the timing signal 956 in response to the signal 952 from the core unit 10.
And the signal 954 is stored in the memory 904 according to this signal.
To memorize. The CPU 906 is a memory controller 90.
No. 5 memory 904 is connected to the CPU bus 957.

The CPU 906 sequentially reads the image information from the memory 904 and transfers it to the dual port memory 903. The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 reads the image information of the dual port memory 903 of the image memory unit 9 via the signal line 953 and the connector 900, and transfers this information to the computer interface unit 7. The process of transferring information from the computer interface unit 7 to the computer has already been described in detail and will be omitted.

Next, the operation of outputting the image information sent from the computer to the printer section 2 will be described.

The image information sent from the computer is sent to the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7. The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is a CPU
Image information is transferred to the dual port memory 903 of the image memory unit 9 via the bus 1054 and the connector 1009. At this time, the CPU 9006 controls the memory controller 905 and sets the CPU bus 957 to the memory 9.
04 bus. The CPU 906 transfers the image information from the dual port memory 903 to the memory 904 via the memory controller 905. Memory 904
After transferring the image information to the CPU 906, 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 an image on the printer unit 2 from the memory 904 through the core unit 10. When the setting is completed, C
The PU 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. Until the output from the connector 900 to the printer unit 2, the core unit 1
The output from 0 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the core unit 10 and will not be described.

Hereinafter, the recovery processing operation of the printer unit 2 and the external device 3 when the remaining amount of developer is low will be described with reference to FIG. [First Recovery Process] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a first data communication process configuration between the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 and the external device 3, and FIGS. The same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

As shown in this figure, the file unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, and the formatter unit 8 respectively have corresponding connectors 1005 to 100.
8 is connected to the external device 3 and the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the communication device 8 and transmits image data and control signals
An image forming unit composed of a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2 and the like and a communication IC 12-1 are controlled via 1002.

The CPU 122 on the image forming unit side controls the image forming unit comprehensively, and the sub CPU 123 controls the display on the display unit 12-2 of the operating unit and the core unit 10.
The CPU 1003 is also communicable.

The printer unit 2 prints based on the control command of the CPU 122. Toner remaining amount detector 12
-3 detects the remaining toner amount in two stages, and the detected data is detected by the CPU 1003 via the communication ICs 1002, 12-1.
Transfer to

In this embodiment, the toner remaining amount detector 12
The first step detected by -3 corresponds to the step of determining whether the toner remaining amount is below a predetermined printable limit, and the printable limit is the print amount without worrying about the toner remaining amount. Is a limit for distinguishing between the amount that can be performed and the amount that needs to be compared and determined with the black pixel density of image data described later.

The second step of detection corresponds to the step of determining whether or not the remaining toner amount is below a predetermined minimum toner remaining amount limit, and the minimum toner remaining amount limit is the print amount. Means the minimum amount of toner required to do so.

The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 judges that printing is possible by judging whether printing is possible, calculating the black pixel density of the image data based on the detection data received from the image forming unit side, and comparing the detection result with the calculation result. In that case, the image data is transferred to the image forming unit and printed by the printer unit 2.

On the other hand, when it is determined that printing is impossible, the CPU 1003 performs different recovery processing, which will be described later, so as to perform appropriate recovery according to the external device that is performing the processing. In particular, when the print request destination is the computer interface unit 7, a message to that effect is notified to the sender.

Correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the first to fifth inventions and their functions will be described below with reference to FIG.

The first invention is a reader unit for reading a document image and outputting image data; a printer for printing a visible image on a recording material fed from a plurality of accommodating units based on input image data. A digital copying apparatus having a section 2 and a facsimile communication processing function (by processing of the facsimile section 4) connected to a communication line to perform facsimile communication, and a computer interface function (computer interface section 7) for communicating with a predetermined computer system. Processing), a format processing function of expanding the input code information into a bitmap to generate image data (by the processing of the formatter unit 8), saving the image information in an external storage medium, and saving the saved image information. One of the file processing functions to be searched (by the processing of the file section 5) Is connected to an external device 3 for performing composite image processing by arbitrarily adding a plurality of image data and inputting / outputting the image data, and the external device 3 and the digital copying device can mutually perform data communication (communication ICs 1002, 12-1). Image data transmitted from the external device to the printer unit, and a detection unit (toner remaining amount detector 12-3) that detects the remaining amount of the developer in the printer unit 2 in the composite image input / output device. A calculation means (by the functional processing of the CPU 1003) for predicting calculation of the consumption amount of the developer used based on the data, the consumption amount calculated by this calculation means, and the remaining amount of the developer detected by the detection means. And a determination means (C
(By the functional processing of the CPU 1003) and (by the functional processing of the CPU 1003) that performs different recovery control for each transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer unit when the determination unit determines that printing is not possible. When the CPU 1003 compares the calculated consumption amount with the developer remaining amount detected by the toner remaining amount detector 12-3 and determines that printing is impossible, the image data transferred to the printer unit 2 Recovery control (following the procedure shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 11, 13, and 15) is performed for each transfer source processing function of the transfer source processing function of It makes it possible to perform appropriate and appropriate recovery processing.

The second aspect of the present invention is the recovery control means (CPU 1) when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section 2 is a computer interface function.
003) sends the print-disabled state of the printer unit 2 to a predetermined computer system so that the user can be notified of the print-disabled state of the printer unit 2.

A third aspect of the invention is a recovery control means (CPU 1003) when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section 2 is a facsimile communication processing function.
) Stores the image data in an external storage device,
The received image data is managed without disappearing until the printer unit becomes ready for printing, and the saved image data can be printed.

The fourth invention is the recovery control means (CP
U1003) makes it possible to display the state in which the image data is stored in the external storage device on the operation unit and notify the user of the state in which the unprinted image data is stored.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a determination means (CPU 1003).
If it is determined that printing is not possible, the recovery control unit reduces the image data input from the external device and transfers the reduced image data to the printer unit 2. It enables printing as quickly as possible in quantity.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the first recovery processing procedure in the composite image input / output apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, the image data to be printed out to the computer interface section 7 shown in FIG. 10 is received (1). Next, since the CPU 1003 determines the remaining toner amount limit of the printer unit 2 detected by the remaining toner amount detector 12-3 in two stages, first, in step (2), is the remaining toner amount sufficient? , It is determined whether the remaining amount is less than the first limit, and if the toner remaining amount is sufficient, it is not necessary to limit the printing according to the number of black pixels of the image data, and thus the step is directly performed. Proceeding to (9), the image data received by the printer unit 2 is printed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner is below the first limit in the determination in step (2), it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner is below the second limit for determining whether printing is possible or not. (3) If NO, it is determined that printing is impossible and the computer interface unit 7
Through (7), the message is transmitted to the sender's terminal (8), and the process ends without executing the print process.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (3) that the limit is not exceeded, the CPU 1003 calculates the black pixel density of the image data received by the computer interface unit 7 (4), and the calculated value is calculated. The black pixel density and the remaining toner amount are compared (5), and it is determined whether printing is possible based on a predetermined threshold value (6). If YES, the process proceeds to step (9), and if NO, the printing is performed. When it is determined that it is impossible, the message is sent to the caller's terminal through the computer interface unit (7) (8), and the process ends without executing the print process. [Second Recovery Processing] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a second data communication processing configuration between the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 and the external device 3, and FIGS. The same parts as those in FIG. 10 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 13-1 is a selector, which switches the transfer to either the input image data or image forming section or the memory 13-2 based on an instruction from the CPU 1003.

The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 judges that printing is possible by judging whether or not printing is possible, calculating the black pixel density of the image data, and comparing the detection result with the calculation result based on the detection data received from the image forming unit side. In that case, the image data is transferred to the image forming unit and printed by the printer unit 2.

On the other hand, when it is determined that printing is impossible, the CPU 1003 performs different recovery processing, which will be described later, so as to perform proper recovery according to the external device performing the processing. In particular, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that printing is impossible, the selector 13-1 switches the image data path to the memory 13-2 and stores it in the memory 13-2, and the CPU 1003 causes the communication ICs 1002, 12-.
1 communicates with the sub CPU 123 through the display unit 1 and notifies the effect (that image data is stored in the memory 13-2) to the display unit 1.
It is displayed as a message on 2-2.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the second recovery processing procedure in the composite image input / output apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, when the facsimile unit 4 shown in FIG. 10 receives facsimile data (1), the CPU 100
3 is the printer unit 2 detected by the remaining toner amount detector 12-3
In order to judge the toner remaining amount limit in two steps, first, in step (2), it is judged whether the toner remaining amount is lower than the first limit, which is for judging whether the toner remaining amount is sufficient or the remaining amount is small. However, if the remaining amount of toner is sufficient, there is no need to limit printing according to the number of black pixels in the image data, so the process proceeds directly to step (9),
The image data received by the printer unit 2 is printed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the remaining amount of toner is below the first limit, it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner is below the second limit for determining whether printing is possible or not. If the determination is (3), NO is determined to be unprintable, the sub CPU 123 notifies the display unit 12-2 of the operation unit by a message that printing is not possible (8), and the process ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (3) that the limit is not exceeded, the CPU 1003 calculates the black pixel density of the image data received by the computer interface section 7 (4), and the calculated value is calculated. The black pixel density and the remaining toner amount are compared (5), and it is determined whether printing is possible based on a predetermined threshold value (6). If YES, the process proceeds to step (9), and if NO, the printing is performed. When it is determined that it is impossible, the received facsimile data is transferred to the memory 13 through the selector 13-1.
-Switch to -2 side and save to 13-2 in memory (7),
A message stating that the received data has been saved in the main memory (information about the currently stored image data (recipient ID,
(Reception date, number of received sheets, etc.)
The sub CPU 123 communicates with the sub CPU 123 to display it on the display unit 12-2 (8), and the process ends without executing the print process. [Third Recovery Process] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a third data communication process configuration between the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 and the external device 3, and FIGS. The same parts as those in FIG. 10 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 12-4 is a reduction means, which is a CP.
The print data obtained by reducing the image data received by the control command from U122 by digital processing is output to the printer unit 2.

Specifically, the CPU 1003 calculates the black pixel density when the image data is reduced to an arbitrary size, determines whether printing is possible according to a control procedure described later, and if printing is possible, reduces it. After the reduction processing is performed by the means 12-4, the printer unit 2 prints based on the reduced print data, and when it is determined that printing is impossible, the data transfer is not performed.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of the third recovery processing procedure in the composite image input / output apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

First, when the facsimile section 4 shown in FIG. 10 receives facsimile data (1), the CPU 100
3 is the printer unit 2 detected by the remaining toner amount detector 12-3
In order to judge the toner remaining amount limit in two steps, first, in step (2), it is judged whether the toner remaining amount is lower than the first limit, which is for judging whether the toner remaining amount is sufficient or the remaining amount is small. However, if the remaining amount of toner is sufficient, there is no need to limit printing according to the number of black pixels in the image data, so the process proceeds to step (10) and the image data received by the printer unit 2 is printed. The process ends.

On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner is below the first limit in the determination in step (2), it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner is below the second limit for determining whether printing is possible or not and whether or not to shoot. The determination is made (3), and in the case of N, it is determined that printing is not possible, and the received facsimile data is not transferred to the image forming unit side (8), and the process is ended.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (3) that the limit is not exceeded, the CPU 1003 calculates the black pixel density of the image data received by the computer interface unit 7 (4), and the calculated value is calculated. The black pixel density and the remaining amount of toner are compared (5), and it is determined whether equal size printing is possible based on a predetermined threshold value (6). If YES, the process proceeds to step (10), and if NO. For example, the CPU 1003 reduces the image data, calculates the black pixel density at that time, and determines whether or not printing is possible (7). If YES, the received facsimile data is transferred to the reducing means 12-4 and digitally processed. The facsimile data is reduced (9) and output to the printer unit 2 for printing (10).

[0144]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, when the judgment means compares the consumption amount calculated by the calculation means with the developer remaining amount detected by the detection means and determines that printing is impossible, the recovery control means transfers it to the printer section. Since different recovery control is performed for each transfer source processing function of the image data to be processed, it is possible to perform an individual and appropriate recovery process for the print request of the image data accompanying the execution of each processing function requested to the printer unit. .

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section is the computer interface function, the recovery control means sends the unprintable state of the printer section to a predetermined computer system. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of the unprintable state of the printer unit.

According to the third invention, when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section is the facsimile communication processing function, the recovery control means stores the image data in the external storage device. The stored image data can be printed by managing the received image data without disappearing until the printer unit becomes ready for printing.

According to the fourth invention, since the recovery control means displays the state in which the image data is stored in the external storage device on the operation unit, the user is notified of the state in which the unprinted image data is stored. can do.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the determination means determines that printing is impossible, the recovery control means reduces the image data input from the external device and transfers it to the printer section. Even if it is determined to be impossible, printing can be performed as quickly as possible with the remaining amount of the developer.

Therefore, there is an effect that the image data can be appropriately and flexibly processed corresponding to each additional function processing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite image input / output device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit shown in FIG.

3 is a circuit block diagram showing a signal processing configuration of a reader unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a core section shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a facsimile unit illustrated in FIG.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a file unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the computer interface unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a formatter unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image memory unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

10 is a block diagram illustrating a first data communication processing configuration between the reader unit and the printer unit illustrated in FIG. 1 and an external device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a first recovery processing procedure in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a second data communication processing configuration between the reader unit and the printer unit illustrated in FIG. 1 and an external device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a second recovery processing procedure in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a third data communication processing configuration between the reader unit and the printer unit illustrated in FIG. 1 and an external device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a third recovery processing procedure in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Printer unit 201 Exposure control unit 202 Photosensitive drum 203 Developing device 204 Transferred paper stacking unit 205 Transferred paper stacking unit 206 Transfer unit 207 Fixing unit 208 Paper discharge unit 209 Conveying direction switching member 210 Refeed transfered paper stacking unit 211 Printer controller

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A digital device having a reader unit for reading a document image and outputting image data, and a printer unit for printing a visible image on a recording material fed from a plurality of storage units based on the input image data. Facsimile communication processing function for performing facsimile communication by being connected to a communication line to a copying machine, computer interface function for communicating with a predetermined computer system, and a format for expanding input code information into a bit map to generate image data Save processing functions and image information to external storage media,
From the file processing function of searching the stored image information, one or more arbitrary ones are added, and an external device for performing composite image processing by inputting and outputting image data respectively is connected,
In a composite image input / output device in which the external device and the digital copying device can perform data communication with each other, detection means for detecting the remaining amount of developer in the printer section, and an image transferred from the external apparatus to the printer section It is possible to print by comparing the consumption amount calculated by this calculation unit with the calculation unit for predicting the consumption amount of the developer used based on the data and the remaining amount of the developer detected by the detection unit. And a recovery control means for performing different recovery control for each transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section when the determination means determines that printing is impossible. A composite image input / output device characterized by. 2. The recovery control means, when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section is a computer interface function, transmits the print-disabled state of the printer section to a predetermined computer system. The composite image input / output device according to claim 1. 3. The recovery control means stores the image data in an external storage device when the transfer source processing function of the image data transferred to the printer section is a facsimile communication processing function. The described composite image input / output device. 4. The composite image input / output device according to claim 3, wherein the recovery control means displays a state in which the image data is stored in the external storage device on the operation unit. 5. When the determination means determines that printing is impossible,
2. The composite image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the recovery control unit reduces the image data input from the external device and transfers the reduced image data to the printer unit.