JPH0911561A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an image processor capable of improving the operability by providing a control means for outputting the same page image based on image information obtained by developing by a developing means to a sheet from a sheet containing means. CONSTITUTION: A reader 1 converts an original to image data, and a printer 2 has a plurality of types of recording sheet cassettes, and outputs image data to the sheet as a visible image according to a print command. An external unit 3 is connected to the reader 1 via a cable, and controls a signal by a core unit 10. The unit 3 has a facsimile 4 for facsimile transmitting and receiving, a file unit 5 for converting various original information to an electric signal and storing it, a formatter 8 for developing code information from the computer 12 to image information, an interface unit 7 for interfacing with the computer 12, and an image memory 9 for storing the information from the reader 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for forming an image based on image information expressed in a page description language.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a page image created by a computer or the like is printed out on different sheets such as an OHP sheet and a sheet for storage, first of all, O is printed.
By designating the cassette stage in which the HP paper is stored, the host executes printing on the OHP paper from this cassette stage, then by designating the cassette stage in which the storage paper is stored, The printing was executed again from the host with respect to the paper for storage from this cassette stage.

[0003]

Thus, when the same page image is printed out on different papers (OHP paper and storage paper), the OHP paper and the storage paper are printed by the host. Each had to execute printing (execution twice), resulting in poor operability and wasted processing.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which can solve the above problems and can improve the operability.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

1) a plurality of sheet storage means for storing sheets, a developing means for developing image information expressed in a page description language, a designating means capable of designating a plurality of different sheets at once,
Based on the image information obtained by driving and controlling the paper storing means corresponding to the paper designated by the designating means out of the paper storing means and developing the paper from the paper storing means by the developing means. And a first control means for outputting a page image.

2) A plurality of sheet storing means for storing sheets, a developing means for developing image information which is image information expressed in a page description language and includes designation information for designating a sheet, and the designation information. From the image information and the paper storing means corresponding to the paper indicated by the designated information taken out by the taking-out means out of the paper storing means, and drivingly controlling the paper from the paper storing means.
A second control means for outputting the same page image based on the image information obtained by the development by the developing means.

3) In the above 1) or 2), further provided is a paper discharge control means for discharging the paper into a paper discharge bin corresponding to a paper storage means in which the paper on which the image is output is stored. Is characterized by.

4) In the above 1) or 2), an informing means for informing that the paper in the paper storing means is exhausted,
Designating means capable of designating whether or not to interrupt the process when the informing means gives notification, and interrupting the process if the process interrupting is designated by the specifying means, and continuing the process is designated. In the case where the sheet has run out, the sheet storing means other than the sheet storing means that has run out of paper is driven and controlled, and the same page image is output on the sheet from the sheet means based on the image information obtained by the developing by the developing means. And a third control means for controlling.

[0009]

1) The sheet storage means corresponding to the sheet designated by the designating means among the sheet storage means is driven and controlled by the first control means, and the sheet from the sheet storage means is developed by the developing means. The same page image is output based on the image information.

2) Among the paper storage means, the paper storage means corresponding to the paper indicated by the designation information taken out by the take-out means is drive-controlled by the second control means to expand the paper from the paper storage means by the expansion means. The same page image is output based on the obtained image information.

3) The paper is ejected by the paper ejection control means to a paper ejection bin that corresponds to the paper accommodating means that previously accommodated the paper on which the image was output.

4) When there is a notification from the notification means that there is no more paper in the paper storage means, and the processing interruption is specified by the specification means, the processing is interrupted by the third control means and the processing is continued. Is designated, the paper storage means other than the paper storage means that has run out of paper is driven and controlled by the third control means and the image information obtained by expanding the paper from the paper means by the expanding means is obtained. Based on this, the same page image is output.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a reader unit 1 converts a document into image data. A printer unit 2 has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, and outputs image data as a visible image on the recording paper in response to a print command. 12 is a computer, and the computer 12
A workstation (WS) or a personal computer (PC) is preferable. An external device 3 is electrically connected to the reader unit 1.

The functions of the above-mentioned parts will be described below.

(Description of Reader Unit 1) FIGS. 2 and 3 show the configuration of the reader unit 1. Referring to FIG. The originals stacked on the original feeding device 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the glass surface of the original table 102. When the document is conveyed, the lamp of the scanner unit 103 is turned on and the scanner unit 104 moves to illuminate the document. The light reflected from the original is guided to the lens 108 by the mirrors 105 to 107, and the light passing through the lens 108 is a CCD (charge-couple).
d device) 109.

Next, the image processing by the reader unit 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The optical image information input to the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 109 and converted into an electric signal. The color information from the CCD 109 is amplified by the amplifiers 110R, 110G and 110B according to the input signal level of the A / D converter 111. A /
The output signal from the D converter 111 is the shading circuit 1
With 12, the light unevenness and the sensitivity unevenness of the CCD 109 are corrected. The signals from the shading circuit 112 are the Y signal / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 119.
Is input to In the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113, from the signal from the shading circuit 112, the following expression, that is,

[0018]

## EQU1 ## The Y signal is generated by Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B. Further, it has a color detection circuit for separating the R, G, B signals into seven colors and outputting the signals for each color. An output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to a scaling / repeat circuit 114. The magnification in the sub-scanning direction is changed according to the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and the magnification change circuit 114 is changed in the main scanning direction. The contour / edge enhancement circuit 115 can output a plurality of identical images by the repeat circuit 114, and enhances the high frequency component of the signal from the scaling repeat circuit 114 to obtain edge enhancement and contour information. 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, generates contour information of the marker, and then forms the next pattern.
The thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 performs thickening masking or trimming based on this contour information, and patterning is performed by the color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. An output signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is input to a laser driver 118, and variously processed signals are converted into signals for driving a laser. Laser driver 11
The signal 8 is input to the printer unit 2 and a visible image is formed.

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

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

(Description of Printer Unit 2) The printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The signal input to the printer 2 is converted into an optical signal by the exposure control unit 201, and the optical signal irradiates the photoconductor 202 according to the image signal. A latent image is formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light, and the latent image is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer sheet is conveyed from the transfer sheet stacking section 204 or 205 at the same timing as the latent image, and the developed image is transferred by 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 unit 2
The transfer paper output from 08 is discharged to each bin when the sort function is working in the sorter 220, and is discharged to the highest bin of the sorter when the sort function is not working.

(Description of External Device 3) The external device 3 is connected to the reader 1 by a cable, and the core unit 10 in the external device 3 controls signals. The external device 3 includes a fax unit 4 for performing fax transmission / reception, a file unit 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the same, a formatter unit 8 for developing code information from the computer 12 into image information, and a computer 12. A computer interface section 7 for interfacing with each other, 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.
And a hard disk 11.

(Description of Core Unit 10) FIG. 4 shows the structure of the core unit 10. The connector 1001 of the core unit 10 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader unit 1 by a cable. There are four types of signals transmitted and received through the connector 1001, that is, signals 1057, 1055, 1051, 1052. The signal 1057 is an 8-bit multilevel video signal, the signal 1055 is a control signal for controlling the video signal, and the signal 1051 communicates with the CPU 122 in the reader 1,
The signal 1052 communicates with the sub CPU 123 in the reader 1.

The signals 1051 and 1052 are the communication I
Communication protocol processing is performed by the C1002, and communication information is transmitted to the CPU1003C via the CPU bus 1053. The signal 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line,
The core unit 10 receives information from the reader 1 and
It is possible to output information from the reader unit 1 to the reader unit 1.
Signal 1057 is buffered in buffer 1010, which separates bidirectional signals into unidirectional signals 1058 and 1070. Signal 1058
Is an 8-bit multivalued video signal from the reader 1 and is input to the LUT 1011 in the next stage. The LUT 1011 converts the 8-bit multivalued information from the reader 1 into a desired value by using a look-up table. The output signal 1059 from the LUT 1011 is the binarization circuit 1012 or the selector 10
13 is input.

The binary circuit 1012 has a multilevel signal 105.
Simple binarization function that binarizes 9 at a fixed slice level, binarization function by a variable slice level in which the slice level fluctuates from the values of pixels around the pixel of interest, and binarization function by an error diffusion method. Have. Binarized information is 0
Is converted to 00H, and converted to FFH multivalued signal when 1 and input to the selector 1013 in the next stage.

The selector 1013 selects the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012. Output signal 1060 from selector 1013
Is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 outputs the output video signals from the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8 and the image memory unit 9 to the connector 1 respectively.
The signal 1064 input to the core unit 10 via 005 to 1009 and the output signal 1060 of the selector 1013 are
It is selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003. Selector 101
The output signal 1061 of No. 4 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. Information output from the reader unit 1 is binarized circuit 101.
After being converted into a binary signal by 2, it is stored in the rotating circuit 1015. The information stored in the rotation circuit 1015 is C
It is rotated and read according to an instruction from the PU 1003. The selector 1016 outputs the output signal 1 of the rotation circuit 1015.
062 or the input signal 1061 of the rotation circuit 1015 is selected, and the selected signal is used as the signal 1063, and the connector 1005 of the fax unit 4 and the file unit 5 are selected.
Connector 1006, a computer interface connector 1007, a formatter 8 connector 1008, an image memory connector 1009,
Input to the selector 1017. The signal 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the core unit 10, the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9. Is. The signal 1064 includes a fax unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, and an image memory unit 9.
From the video control circuit 1004, it is the video control circuit 1004 that controls the synchronous bus of the signals 1063 and 1064, which is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information. Traffic light 1056
Control by. In addition, the signals 1054 are connected to the connectors 1005 to 1009, respectively. Signal 1
Reference numeral 054 denotes a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus, which asynchronously exchanges data commands. Fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9
Information can be transferred to and from the core unit 10 by the two video buses 1063 and 1064 and the CPU bus 1054. Fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8
Then, the signal 1064 from the image memory unit 9 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017.

The selector 1016 inputs the signal 1064 to the rotation circuit 1015 of the next stage according to the instruction of the CPU 1003. The selector 1017 outputs the signal 1063 or the signal 106.
4 is selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003. Selector 1
The output signal 1065 of 017 is input to the pattern matching circuit 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching circuit 1018 pattern-matches the input signal 1065 with a predetermined pattern, and when the patterns match, outputs a predetermined multi-valued signal to the signal line 1066. On the other hand, if the pattern matching fails, the pattern matching circuit 1018
Outputs signal 1066. Selector 1019 has signal 1
065 and the signal 1066 are selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003. Output signal 1067 from selector 1019
Is input to the LUT (look up table) 1020 of the next stage.

The LUT 1020 inputs the input signal 106 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting the image information to the printer 2.
7 is converted. The selector 1021 selects the output signal 1068 and the signal 1065 of the LUT 1020 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. Output signal 10 of selector 1021
69 is input to the enlarging circuit 1022 at the next stage. The enlarging circuit 1022 is in the X direction and the Y direction according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.
It is possible to set the enlargement ratio independently of the direction. The expansion method is a linear interpolation method of order l. The output signal 1070 of the expansion circuit 1022 is buffered in the buffer 1010. The signal 1070 of the buffer 1010 is sent to the CPU 1
According to the instruction of 003, it is sent to the printer 2 as a bidirectional signal 1057 through the connector 100l, and is printed out based on this signal.

Next, the signal flow of the core unit 10 and the computer interface unit 7, and the signal flow of the core unit 10 and the formatter unit 8 will be described.

(1) Computer interface section 7
The operation of the core unit 10 according to the information of 1. The computer interface unit 7 interfaces with the computer 12 connected to the external device 3. Computer interface section 7 is SCSI and RS
232C and Centronics, information from each interface is sent to the CPU 1003 via the connector 1007 and the data bus 1054. The CPU 1003 performs various controls based on the contents sent.

(2) Operation of the core unit 10 based on information from the 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. CPU 100
When it is determined that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1054 is data related to the formatter unit 8, the data No. 3 is transferred to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1008. The formatter unit 8 develops the transferred data in the memory as a visible image.

Next, a procedure for receiving information from the formatter unit 8 and forming an image on an output sheet will be described. The image information from the formatter unit 8 is the connector 100.
2 on the signal line 1064 via 8 (00
H, FFH) and is transmitted as a multilevel signal. The signal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. When the image is rotated and output to the printer 2 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1014 is rotated by the rotation circuit 1015. The output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is input to the pattern matching circuit 1018 via the selector 1016 and the selector 1017. The signal 1064 is output as the signal 1065 from the selector 1017.

In the case of outputting an image as it is to the printer 2 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the selector 101
The signal 1064 input to 7 is applied to the pattern matching circuit 1
018. The pattern matched signal is
It is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. The LUT 1020 is used for the printer 2 with the desired density of the image.
To output to the CPU1 table of LUT1020.
It can be changed in 003. The output signal 1068 of the LUT 1020 is sent to the expansion circuit 1 via the selector 1021.
022 is input. The expansion circuit 1022 has two values (0
An 8-bit multivalue having 0H, FFH) is enlarged 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 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. Reader 1
Inputs this signal to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via the connector 120. External I / F switching circuit 11
Inputs the signal from the formatter unit 8 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113
After being processed as described above, the output signal from is output to the printer 2 and an image is formed on the output paper.

(Description of Computer Interface Unit 7) FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the computer interface unit 7. FIG. 5 will be described. The connector 700 and the connector 701 are connectors for a SCSI interface. When connecting a device having a plurality of SCSI interfaces, the connectors 700 and 701 are connected in cascade. The connector 702 is a Centronics interface connector. Connector 70
3 is an RS232C interface connector. The connector 707 is a connector for connecting to the core unit 10.

In addition, the external device 3 and the computer 12 are
When connecting in a pair 1, the connector 700 and the computer 12 are connected by a cable, and the terminator is connected to the connector 701, or the connector 701 and the computer 1 are connected.
2 is connected by a cable, and a terminator is connected to the connector 700. Information input from the connector 700 or the connector 701 is transferred to the SCSI / I / I via the signal line 751.
Input to F 704 or SCSI I / F 708. SCSI / I /
The F 704 or SCSI I / F 708 outputs data to the connector 707 via the signal line 754 after performing the procedure according to the SCSI protocol. The connector 707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 (FIG. 4) of the core unit 10, and the CPU 1003 (FIG. 4) of the core unit 10 connects the CPU bus 1054 (FIG. 4) to the SCSI / I / F connector (connector 700). , The information input to the connector 701) is received. SCSI data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10
When outputting to the connectors (connector 700 and connector 701), the procedure reverse to the above is performed.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector 702 and input to the Centronics I / F 705 via the signal line 752. Centronics I /
The F 705 receives the data according to the procedure of the determined protocol and outputs the data to the connector 707 via the signal line 754. The connector 707 is the CPU bus 10 of the core unit 10.
54 (FIG. 4) connected to the CPU 100 of the core unit.
The CPU 3 receives from the CPU bus 1054 the information input to the connector 702 which is a Centronics I / F connector.

The RS232C interface has a connector 703.
Connected to the RS232C I / F 7 via signal line 753
It is input to 06. The RS232C / I / F 706 receives data according to the procedure of a predetermined protocol and outputs the data to the connector 707 via the signal line 754. Connector 7
07 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 (FIG. 4) of the core unit 10, and the core unit 10 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 (FIG. 4).
Receives only the information input from the connector 703, which is the RS232C I / F connector. CPU 100 of core unit 10
When outputting the data from 3 to the connector D703 which is a connector for RS232C / I / F, the procedure is the reverse of the above.

(Description of Formatter Section 8) FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the formatter section 8. FIG. 6 will be described. Data from the computer interface section 7 is transferred to the core section 10
Is determined. As a result of the determination, if the data is data related to the formatter unit 8, the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10
(FIG. 4) is a connector 1008 (FIG. 4) of the core portion 10.
And data from the computer 12 via the connector 800 of the formatter unit 9 to the dual port memory 8
Transfer to 03. The CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8
The code data sent to the computer 12 is received from the dual port memory 803. The CPU 809 sequentially develops the code data into image data, and transfers the image data to the memory 806 or the memory 807 via the memory controller 808. The memory 806 and the memory 807 each have a capacity of 1 Mbyte, and
3 in one memory (memory 806 or memory 807)
It can handle up to A4 size paper with a resolution of 00dpi. When supporting up to A3 size paper at a resolution of 300 dpi, the memory 806 and the memory 807 are cascade-connected to develop image data.

The above memory control is performed by the memory controller 808 according to an instruction from the CPU 809. Further, when it is necessary to rotate a character, a graphic, or the like when expanding the image data, the image data is rotated by the rotation circuit 804 and then transferred to the memory 806 or the memory 807. When the expansion of the image data in the memory 806 or the memory 807 is completed, the CPU 809 causes the memory controller 808 to
The data bus line 858 of the memory 806,
Alternatively, the data bus line 859 of the memory 807 is connected to the output line 855 of the memory controller 808. Next, the CPU 809 is a dual port memory 80.
3 to communicate with the CPU 1003 (FIG. 4) of the core unit 10 to set the mode in which the image information is output from the memory 806 or the memory 807.

The CPU 1003 (FIG. 4) of the core unit 10 is
The CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 is set to the print output mode via the communication IC 1002 (FIG. 4) in the core unit 10 by using the communication function built in the CPU 122. The CPU 1003 (FIG. 4) of the core unit 10 has a connector 1008.
(FIG. 4) and the timing generation circuit 802 is activated via the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8. The timing generation circuit 802 responds to the signal from the core unit 10 by
A timing signal for reading image information from the memory controller 806 or the memory 807 is generated. Image information from memory 806 or memory 807 is input to memory 808 via signal line 858. The output image information from the memory controller 808 is the signal line 8
58 and the connector 800 to the core unit 10.

Since the output from the core unit 10 to the printer 2 has been explained when the core unit 10 was explained, the duplicated explanation will be omitted.

Next, a page management method using the page management table by the formatter unit 8 will be described. When the data is received, a page management table is created for each page. An example of the page management table is shown below.

[0045]

[Table 1]

At this time, the management information is set in the page management table, and the information related to the output set by the operation unit 124 and the information related to the output acquired as a result of analyzing the PDL code are stored in the output information of the page management table. Set for each item. When the page management table for l pages is created, the page management table
Queue and start creating the page management table for the next page again.

The image image expansion routine monitors the state of the page management table registered in the page management table queue, and if there is a page management table waiting to be expanded, sequentially expands the page management table. When the expansion and closing are completed, the status of the page management table is set to the output waiting state. The output control routine also monitors the state of the page management table registered in the page management table queue. If there is a page management table waiting for output, the page management table is fetched and output with this page management table. , And makes an image output request to the core unit 10. When the image transfer start is instructed by the core unit 10, the data is read from the storage address of the image data in the page management table, and the image is transferred by the method described above. Then, upon receiving a notification from the core unit 10 that the output has been normally completed, this page management table is deleted from the queue and the process returns to the beginning.

Next, the OH set in the manual feed cassette
An example of a mode called an OHP insertion print mode in which the same page image is continuously printed on P paper and paper set in a normal cassette stage is taken as an example, and the flow of page management using the page management table at this time is centered. The operation will be explained. First, the user sets the OHP sheet in the manual feed cassette, sets the sheet for storage in the cassette stage, for example, cassette A, and then operates the operation unit 124 to specify the OHP middle insertion mode. Then, the host computer starts printing based on desired print data.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a page management table creation and registration procedure by the formatter unit 8. When data is received, page management table creation is started for each page. In step S902,
It is determined whether the middle insertion mode is designated by the operation unit 124. If the result of determination is that the middle insertion mode has not been specified, a page management table is normally created in step S903 and registered in the queue in step S904. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S902 is that the middle insertion mode has been designated, step S90
In 6 and S907, two page management tables are created for each 1 page. Then, it transfers to step S904. The paper feed stage information of the l-th page management table contains
As usual, cassette A, which is the paper feed tray specified by the user
Is set. The manual feed cassette is automatically set in the paper feed stage information of the second page management table.
For the output information and image information other than the paper feed tray, the same data as in the l-th page management table is set.

Then, after the creation of the page management table for the 1st page is completed, it is registered in the page management table queue in the normal manner in step S904, and in step S904.
At 905, it is determined whether the next page exists. If an affirmative decision is made, then the flow shifts to step S902, and the creation of the page management table for the next page is started again.
On the other hand, when a negative determination is made, the process ends.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of the page management table extraction and image output processing.
Here, as shown in FIG. 7, in the page management table queue, the first page management table of the first page (paper feeding from cassette A), the second page management table (paper feeding from manual feed), The first page management table for the second page (paper feed from cassette A), ... Is registered in this order.

When the page management table is registered in step S1001 and the output waiting state is entered in step S1002, the first page management table is taken out and the output information is taken out from this page management table in step S1003. The cassette A specified by the user is set in the paper feed stage information of this output information. Then, in step S1004, the formatter unit 8 makes an image output request to the core unit 10 together with the output information.

When the core unit 10 and the printer unit 2 are ready in step S1005 and the image transfer start is instructed from the core unit 10, in step S1006, the page image is transmitted via the core unit 10 by the above-described procedure. Printer section 2
Is forwarded to At this time, the core unit 10 has received an instruction from the formatter unit 8 to feed paper from the cassette A, and therefore instructs the printer unit 2 to feed paper from the cassette A. As a result, paper is fed from the cassette,
The sent image is transferred.

In step S1007, it is determined whether an error has occurred. If the result of determination is that an error has occurred, that is, if image output has not ended normally, error processing is performed in step S1010. When the error is recovered in step S1011, the process returns to step S1001. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1007, no error occurs,
When the core unit 10 notifies that the output is normally completed, the page management table is deleted from the queue in step S1009, and the process returns to step S1001.

Subsequently, the second page management table is taken out and the image is output in the same manner. Since the second page management table contains information indicating that paper is fed from the manual feed cassette, the printer unit 2 feeds paper from the manual feed cassette and outputs it.

After that, by repeating the above-mentioned procedure, the same page image is printed on both the cassette A and the paper fed from the manual feed cassette.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the paper feed from a plurality of cassettes is designated from the operation unit 124 has been described, but it is also possible to designate it by including it as PDL data transferred from the host by a printer driver or the like. is there.

If the designation is made from the operation unit 124, there is a possibility that the setting is valid even for print data that is not desired by another person. However, by designating the PDL data, the setting is valid only for the designated PDL data. And more appropriate processing can be performed.

Further, by setting paper discharge bins for output for each paper feed stage in advance, such as paper fed from cassette A to bin A, paper fed from the manual feed cassette to bin B, and so on. It is also possible to sort and output a plurality of designated paper feed sheets.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of the page management table extraction and image output processing. In FIG. 10, step S1001
From step S1009, the same steps as those shown in FIG. 9 are shown.

If an error occurs in step S1007, the process proceeds to step S2010, and step S20
At 10, it is determined whether the error notified from the core unit 10 is a paper out error. If the result of determination is that there is no paper error, in step S2013 the user is notified of the error, error processing is performed, and step S2014.
After waiting for error recovery, the process returns to step S1001.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S2010 is a paper out error, step S2011
At, it is determined whether or not the processing continuation mode is set. If the result of determination is that it is not in continue mode, error processing is performed in the same manner as a normal error in step S2013. On the other hand, if it is the continue mode, the error is canceled in step S2012, and then the process proceeds to step S1009.
In step S1009, the page management table is deleted from the queue.

Normally, until the image is normally output,
Although the page management table is not deleted, by deleting it and canceling the error, it becomes possible to continue the output operation from the paper feed tray with paper without interrupting the processing.

In the output operation, when it is impossible to output to one of the set output bins due to the number of stacked sheets, etc.,
The process can be interrupted or continued in the same manner as when there is no paper. This can be achieved by setting the determination condition to be a paper-out error or a paper ejection bin output error in the processing for determining a paper-out error in the flowchart of FIG. 10 (S2010). As a result, if it is selected to continue the process, the error can be continued without interrupting the process and only the output operation to the dischargeable bin is continued.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since it is configured as described above, the operability is further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing structures of a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2 shown in FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reader unit 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a core unit 10 shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer interface unit 7 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a formatter unit 8 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a page management table queue.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a page management table creation and registration procedure by the formatter unit 8.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of fetching a page management table and image output processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of fetching a page management table and image output processing in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 reader section 2 printer section 3 external device 4 fax section 5 file section 6 external storage device 7 computer interface section 8 formatter section 9 image memory section 10 core section 11 hard disk 12 computer 13 telephone line

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of sheet storing means for storing sheets, a developing means for developing image information expressed in a page description language, a designating means capable of designating a plurality of different sheets at one time, and the sheet. The same page image based on the image information obtained by developing the sheet storage means corresponding to the sheet designated by the designating means out of the storing means and developing the sheet from the sheet storage means by the developing means. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a first control unit that outputs 2. A plurality of paper storing means for storing paper, a developing means for expanding image information which is image information expressed in a page description language and includes specifying information for specifying a paper, and the specifying information. From the image information and the paper storing means corresponding to the paper indicated by the designated information taken out by the taking-out means out of the paper storing means, are driven to expand the paper from the paper storing means. An image processing apparatus, comprising: second control means for outputting the same page image based on the image information developed by the means. 3. The paper ejection control means according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a paper ejection control means for ejecting the paper to a paper ejection bin corresponding to a paper accommodating means in which a paper on which an image is output is stored. An image processing device characterized by: 4. The notification unit according to claim 1 or 2, for notifying that there is no more paper in the paper storage unit, and whether or not to interrupt the process when the notification unit notifies. Designating means that can be designated, and if the designation of processing interruption is designated, the processing is interrupted, and if the continuation of processing is designated, the sheet storage means other than the sheet storage means that runs out of paper is driven. An image processing apparatus comprising: a third control unit that controls and outputs the same page image on a sheet from the sheet unit based on image information obtained by the developing unit.