JPH10126537A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an excellent efficiency in the case of making lots of copies when a plurality of copying machines are integrated into a system. SOLUTION: In the case of copying 8 originals in a consolidated way through the setting of the 4 integrated copy mode repeatedly for 10 copies, an automatic draft feeder 1 is used to read all originals and image data and number of originals are stored in an image memory. In the 4 integrated copy mode, one transfer paper output image for four originals is generated and two kinds of transfer paper output images are generated. When the total copy number is less than a predetermined sheet number, since there is less advantage of sharing a copy output to a slave set, the consolidated mode is automatically released and the master set continues copying. In the case of making 300 both-side copies from two one side originals repetitively, one kind of transfer paper output image as to two originals is generated, and when the transfer paper output image is one kind, whether or not the consolidated copying is released is decided, and when the mode is not released, the number of total copies is discriminated and consolidated copying by the master set and the slave set is conducted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and relates to a linked copy operation in which a master machine that has performed a copy operation and a slave machine that is another linked device output a copy. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming system in which image forming apparatuses such as a printer for outputting a transfer paper (hard copy) in which image signals output from a plurality of types of image scanners, word processors, personal computers and the like are formed are networked. Used. For example, Tokuhei 2
As disclosed in JP-A-21190, a plurality of image signal output devices and a plurality of image forming devices are processed by coupling the recording, storage, communication, and the like of the image information, and the plurality of image signal output devices and the plurality of image 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus can be freely accessed.

As shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-304575, an image signal of one original read by a digital copying machine is copied by another unused digital copying machine, and a large number of copies are made. It is carried out.

In such an image forming system, the productivity is improved when the linked copy operation is not performed depending on the number of documents and the copy mode in consideration of the time until the transfer paper is integrated after the copy is completed. Sometimes. Also,
The type and number of transfer sheets to be copied and output are determined by the copy mode and the number of originals. In this case, the input operation of the number of documents is troublesome.

[0005] Further, when the master machine and the slave machine perform the copying operation by the linked copy operation, it is necessary to go to the place where the slave machine is installed to collect the transfer paper after the copy is completed. Then, the subsequent integration work with the transfer paper on the master machine side is required, which increases the work time and lowers the production efficiency. Further, when the same original is sorted and copied by the master machine and the slave machine in the linked copy operation, a slight difference in image quality may occur.

In this case, if the read copy paper output image of the original is of one type, when the linked copy operation is canceled, when the image quality is not a problem, the master machine and the slave machine perform large-volume copying separately. Can not be done. Advantages of the linked copy operation and productivity after copying are mainly when electronic sorting is performed and a plurality of copies are sorted and copied by a master machine and a slave machine.
In the case of a repeat copy without sorting, if pages are sorted by the master machine and the slave machines, the work of integrating the pages after the copy is completed is troublesome. In this case, when the stack mode in which the plurality of transfer paper output images read from the document are output without sorting is set, if an operation or a non-operation for automatically canceling the linked copy operation is selected, the user may not be able to perform the operation. Confusion may occur. In other words, for a user who is accustomed to the linked copy operation, if the automatic release of the linked copy operation is performed, the efficiency is rather deteriorated, which is inconvenient.

Further, in the linked copy operation, the copy end time of the master machine and the copy end time of the slave machine are not the same, and the inconvenience may be felt. For example, if the end of copying allocated to the master machine and the end of the slave machine are different from each other, and if the end time of one of them is considerably delayed, the advantage of the distribution cannot be obtained.

[0008]

As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when a large number of copies are made by the master unit and the slave unit, the advantages are often impaired, and from the viewpoint of higher efficiency. There is room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve such a problem in the prior art, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining superior efficiency when a large number of copies are made when a plurality of copying machines are systematized. With the goal.

[0010]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image reading unit that outputs image data obtained by reading an original; and an image reading unit that outputs the image data. An image output unit for outputting a transfer sheet on which data has been copied, and a stack mode for outputting at least a copy operation mode and a plurality of transfer sheet output images read from a document without sorting to the image reading unit and the image output unit. An operation instructing unit for instructing an operation, a storage unit for storing image data read by the image reading unit, and transmitting and receiving image data and operation state data read by the image reading unit to and from another copying machine. Transmitting and receiving means for performing the linked copying operation performed by the image reading means, and the number of originals detected by the image reading means and the copy operation mode instructed by the operation instructing means. There are, the connected printing operation instructed from the operation instructing means and automatic release, in which a control means for performing control to stop the copy output in other copiers.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image reading means detects the number of documents while reading the documents.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus, wherein the image reading means reads the original, detects the number of originals, and determines that the detected number of originals is less than a predetermined number. Automatically cancels the linked copy operation instructed by the operation instructing means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the control unit determines that the type of the transfer paper output image of the original read by the image reading unit is one type, the linked copy operation instructed by the operation instruction unit is automatically performed. To release.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the control means determines that the output image of the transfer paper of the original read by the image reading means is of one type, it automatically executes the linked copy operation instructed by the operation instructing means. It is provided with a selection means for selecting an operation or a non-operation to cancel.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the stack mode is set through the operation instructing means, the control means automatically cancels the linked copy operation instructed from the operation instructing means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, when the operation instructing means sets the stack mode, an operation or a non-operation of automatically canceling the linked copy operation instructed by the control means from the operation instructing means is performed. It is provided with selection means for selecting.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set by the operation instruction means and the transfer paper output image is an even number, the control means controls the copying machine and the other copy operation. The copier controls to output the same type and the same number of copies.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set by the operation instruction means and the transfer paper output image is an odd number, the control means operates the copier. Further, the same type and the same number of copy outputs are allocated in other copying machines, and the remaining one copy output is copied and output by the copying machine that has performed the copy operation.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, a selection unit is provided, and a stack mode and a linked copy operation are set by an operation instruction unit.
When the transfer paper output image is an odd number, the control means allocates the same type and the same number of copy outputs in the copying machine that has performed the copying operation and another copying machine, and outputs the remaining one copy output. One of the copying machine that has performed the copying operation or another copying machine is selected by the selection means and copied and output.

The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention performs a linked copy operation instructed by a copying machine (master machine) that performs copy output based on the detected number of originals and a designated copy operation mode. Control is performed to automatically cancel and stop copying output by another copying machine (slave machine). In other words, depending on the number of originals and the copy mode, not performing copying by the slave unit in the linked copy operation may improve productivity when considering the time until transfer paper integration work after copying is completed. Because there is. In other words, efficient copying is possible because copying is performed using the slave unit as needed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the number of originals is detected. Therefore, there is no need to determine the type and number of copy sheets for copy output based on the copy mode and the number of documents. That is, there is no need for the user to input the number of documents, which facilitates the operation.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the number of detected originals is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the linked copy operation is automatically canceled, so that the total copying operation time is reduced and the production efficiency is reduced. Is improved. In other words, when the copying is performed separately by the master unit and the slave unit in the linked copy operation, it is necessary to pick up the transfer paper copied and output by the slave unit after the copy is completed, and the subsequent page integration work with the copy on the master unit side is required. It becomes necessary, and the point that the integration work takes a long time is solved. In the case of a small amount of copy output, the trouble in performing the linked copy operation is solved.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the linked copy operation is automatically canceled when the read original image of the transfer paper of one type is read. As a result, a slight difference in image quality does not occur when the same original is sorted and copied together with the slave machine in the linked copy operation.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the operation of automatically canceling the linked copy operation or the non-operation when the transfer paper output image of the read original is determined to be of one type is selected. Deterioration is prevented, and the productivity of the large number of copies is prioritized. In other words, when the read copy paper output image of the original is one type, when the linked copy operation is canceled, the productivity of the large-volume copying performed separately with the slave machine does not deteriorate when the image quality is not a problem.

In the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, when the stack mode is set, the linked copy operation is automatically canceled, and confusion at the user is prevented. That is,
Advantages of the linked copy operation for productivity and after copying are as follows:
This is a case in which sorting is performed electronically, and a plurality of copies are distributed and copied between a master device and a slave device. In the case of repeat copying, if pages are sorted by the master machine and the slave machines, integration work after copying after copying is troublesome, but this is solved.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the stack mode is set, the operation of automatically canceling the linked copy operation or the non-operation is selected, so that the confusion of the user is further prevented. You. That is, for a user who is accustomed to the linked copy operation, the productivity is improved by selecting an operation for automatically canceling the copy operation or a non-operation.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set and the transfer paper output image is an even number, the same type and the same number of copies are output by the master unit and the slave unit. Control. Therefore, in the linked copy operation, the copy end time of the master machine and the copy end time of the slave machine become the same, and the convenience is improved without delaying one end time.

In the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set and the output image of the transfer paper is an odd number, the same type and the same number of the same number and the same number of masters and slaves are operated. A copy output is allocated, and control for copying and outputting the remaining one copy output by the master machine is performed. Therefore, when the copy operation is completed in the master machine, the copy operation in the slave machine is completed, and there is no need to wait for the transfer paper output in the slave machine when the copy output is completed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the same type and the same number of copy outputs are allocated to the master unit and the slave unit performing the operation according to the ninth aspect, and the remaining one copy output is used as a master. And one of the slave units is selected for copy output. Therefore, the convenience of use by a user accustomed to the operation is improved.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the operation unit in detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a copy mode setting screen of the liquid crystal touch panel in the operation unit, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device centering on a main controller. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit (IPU).

In FIG. 1, this image forming apparatus is a copying machine, and as will be described later, an automatic document feeder (AD)
F) A document is placed on a document table 2 provided in 1 with the image side up. When the copy (print) start key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed down, the original bundle is fed from the lowest original to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feed roller 3 and the feed belt 4. Is done. When the feeding of one document is completed, a counting operation for counting up the number of documents is performed.

The image data of the original on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50, and thereafter, the read original is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transfer motor 26 in FIG.

Transfer sheets of different sizes stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are passed through the first paper feeder 11, the second paper feeder 12, and the third paper feeder 13, respectively. The paper is fed and transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 15. Reading unit 5
The image data read at 0 is written to the photoconductor 15 through the laser from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and is discharged to the discharge tray 19 through the discharge unit 18.

When images are formed on both sides of the transfer sheet, the transfer sheets fed and imaged from the first tray 8, the second tray 9 and the third tray 10 are not guided to the discharge tray 19 side. Then, the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided paper input / conveyance path 113, and is switched back and reversed by the reversing unit 112 so that
To 11. The sheet sent to the double-sided conveyance unit 111 is again fed to the vertical conveyance unit 14, and after the image is printed on the back surface, is discharged.

When the transfer sheet is inverted and discharged, the sheet switched back by the reversing unit 112 is not sent to the double-sided unit but is sent to the inverted sheet discharge conveyance path 114 and discharged. Photoconductor 15, transport belt 16, fixing unit 1
7, the paper discharging unit 18 and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25 shown in FIG. Also, the first
Are driven by the main motor 25. This driving is performed by the paper feed clutches 22, 23, 24.
Conveyed by The vertical transport unit 14 is driven by a main motor 25, and this drive is
Conveyed in.

In FIG. 2, a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 3
3. Copy start key 34 and mode clear key 35
have. On the liquid crystal touch panel 31, function keys 37 including the setting of the stack mode are arranged, and a message indicating the number of copies and an operation state is displayed.

In FIG. 3, the copy mode setting screen includes a key for selecting a paper size, a key for selecting a sort mode, a double-sided mode, and the like, as well as a key for selecting a connection mode as in the conventional copy. Have been.

By pressing the "link" key shown in the figure, a link copy operation using a plurality of connected copiers (slaves) is selected. In this case, the own device that has performed the operation operates as a master device, and instructs a linked copy operation to slave devices other than the connected own device according to the following settings.

In FIG. 4, in the control device, a main controller 20 controls the entire copying machine (image forming apparatus) shown in FIG. The main controller 20 includes an operation unit 30 for performing display to an operator, input of function settings from the operator, control of a scanner, control of writing a document image in an image memory, control of image formation from an image memory, and the like. A unit (IPU) 49 and a distributed control device such as the automatic document feeder 1 are connected.

A connection interface (I / F) unit 4 connected to another slave unit for transmitting and receiving information on functions and operation control is connected to the main controller 20.
8 are connected. Main controller 20 is connected I
The information of the slave unit connected via the / F unit 48 is fetched to control the linked copy operation. Alternatively, the operation of the own device (master device) is controlled by receiving a request from the slave device.

The main controller 20 exchanges an operation state and an operation command with the slave unit as needed. A release switch (SW) 100 selects whether or not to automatically release the linked copy operation when the type of transfer paper is one, as described below.

A prohibition switch (SW) 101 prohibits the linked copy operation when the stack mode is selected. Further, the release SW 100 is described below.
When the type of transfer paper output image is an odd number when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set, the distribution control of the linked copy operation in the master machine and the slave machine is selected.

Next, a description will be given of a process from reading a document by the copying machine to writing an image. In FIG. 1, a reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed.
And an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. Exposure lamp 51
The first mirror 52 is fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown).

When reading an original image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically operated at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The original image is read by the CCD image sensor 54,
It is converted into an electric signal and processed.

The writing unit 57 includes the laser output unit 5
8, a polygon mirror (polygon mirror) which is constituted by an imaging lens 59 and a mirror 60, and which is rotated at a high speed at a high speed by a motor and a laser diode as a laser light source is provided inside the laser output unit 58.

The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. Although not shown, a beam sensor for generating a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position near one end of the photoconductor 15 where the laser beam is irradiated.

In FIG. 5, the image processing unit 49
The A / D converts the reflected light with respect to the irradiation light from the exposure lamp 51 in FIG.
The signal is converted into a digital signal by the converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to MTF correction and γ correction by the image processing unit 63 after the shading correction is performed by the shading correction unit 62.

In the scaling unit 72, the image signal is enlarged or reduced in accordance with the scaling ratio, and is input to the selector 64. In the selector 64, the image signal is written and the γ correction unit 71
Alternatively, switching to send to the memory controller 65 is performed. In the writing γ correction unit 71, the image signal is subjected to the writing γ correction in accordance with the image forming conditions and sent to the writing unit 57.

The memory controller 65 and the selector 64 are configured so that image signals can be input and output in both directions. Also, a CP for setting the memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57
U69 and ROM 69 for storing its control program
And a working RAM 70. further,
The CPU 68 controls writing or reading of data in the image memory 66 through the memory controller 65.

The connection I / F unit 48 is connected to a data path of the memory controller 65 for transmitting and receiving image information.
It is configured to be able to input and output data. Image information is transferred through the image memory 66 in accordance with the data transfer speed with another copying machine (slave machine). That is,
At the time of image output, the data is stored in the image memory 66 from the memory controller 65, then the data is sequentially read from the image memory 66 in accordance with the data transfer speed with the slave unit, and the data is transferred to the connection I / F unit 48. . At the time of image output, after the image data transferred from the connection I / F unit 48 is stored in the image memory 66, the image data is processed in the apparatus from the image memory 66 through the memory controller 65. With these configurations, a linked copy operation is performed.

The image data sent to the image memory controller 65 is sent to the image memory 66 after being compressed by an image compression device (not shown) provided in the image memory controller. The reason for compressing the image here is that if data of 256 gradations corresponding to the maximum image size is written in the image memory 66 as it is, an excessive storage area will be taken. Also, since a large amount of document image data is stored at one time, copying by the sorting function of outputting the stored transfer paper output images in page order becomes possible. in this case,
The data in the image memory 66 is output while being sequentially expanded by the expansion device in the memory controller 65. Such a function is generally called “electronic sorting”.

Further, by utilizing the function of the image memory, a plurality of document images can be sequentially stored by dividing the storage area of one transfer sheet in the image memory 66. For example, four original images are sequentially written into a storage area of the image memory 66, which is divided into four equal parts for one transfer sheet, so that the four originals are combined into one transfer sheet output image and aggregated. Copy output can be obtained.
Such a function is generally called “aggregated copy”.

The image data in the image memory 66 is stored in the ROM 6
9. Access is performed under the control of the RAM 70 and the CPU 68. Therefore, the contents of the image memory 66 can be processed, and for example, a thinning process of image data, a cutout process of image data, and the like can be performed. In this case, the processing is performed by writing data to the register of the memory controller 65. The processed image data is stored and held in the image memory 66 again.

The contents of the image memory 66 are stored in the CPU 68.
Is read out and image data 73 is output through the I / O port 67.
Can be transferred to the operation unit 30. In this case, since the screen display resolution of the operation unit 30 is low, the image data stored in the image memory 66 is thinned out and transmitted.

As the image memory 66, a hard disk may be used to store a large amount of image data. When this hard disk is used, an external power supply is unnecessary and image data can be stored for a long period of time.

Next, control after the copy operation is started will be described. Here, the following two modes (1) and (2) will be described as examples. (1) The eight originals are linked and copied in a ten-sheet repeat mode by setting the four-sheet aggregate copy mode. (2) Repeat two sheets of original 300 sheets on both sides. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in these two modes. 6, in the case of (1), a document is set on the automatic document feeder 1 and the copy start key 34 of the operation unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed. Automatic Document Feeder 1
Reads all originals and stores the image data in the image memory 66. The number of originals Norg in this case is also stored (steps S10 and S11). 4 in the 4-sheet aggregation mode
Since one transfer paper output image is created for one document, two types of transfer paper output images are created. Here, the number of repeats is 10, and the total number of copies Ncop
y is “2 × 10 = 20” (step S12).

There are two types of transfer paper output images. In order to automatically cancel the connection mode, the total number of copies Ncopy
And a predetermined number Nmin. If the total number of copies Ncopy is smaller than the number of copies Nmin, it is determined that there is no advantage in sharing the copy output to the slave machine, so that the connection mode is automatically canceled and copying on the master machine is continued (steps S13 and S14). , S15). If the number Nmin is 50, the linked copy operation is not performed.

In the case of the above (2), a document is set on the automatic document feeder 1 and the copy start key 34 of the operation unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 is depressed, and all the documents are read and stored in the image memory 66. In the single-sided to double-sided mode, one type of transfer paper output image is created for two documents, and in this example, one type of transfer paper output image is created. Here, the judgment whether to cancel the linked copy operation is released SW
100 from the on / off state (step S10,
S11, S12, S13, S16).

If the release switch 100 is off (OFF) (step S16: No), since the linked copy operation is not released even if the type of transfer paper is one, the processing shifts to the processing for determining the next total number of copies. In this example, the number of repeats is 300
And the linked copy operation is performed by both the master machine and the slave machine (steps S14 and S17).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of another example. In FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the linked copy mode is set when the stack mode is set by the function key 37 of the operation unit 30 (step S).
20, S21). If it has not been set here (step S21: No), the stack mode remains set (step S23). If the connection mode is set in step S21 (Yes), the operation state of the connection release SW 100 is checked (step S23). Release SW100
Is ON (step S23: Yes), the connection mode is released (step S24), but the release SW1 is released.
If 00 is OFF (OFF), the stack copy operation according to the stack mode and the connection mode according to the setting is performed.

Next, the operation when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set and the type of the transfer paper output image is an even number or an odd number will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the operation when the type of transfer paper output image is even or odd when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set. Here, the following two modes (3) and (4) will be described as examples. (3) The 16 originals are set to the 4-page aggregate copy mode, and linked copying is performed by repeating 10 pages. (4) Repeat copying of six originals from one side to both sides for 30 sheets.

In FIG. 8, in the case of the above (3), a document is set on the automatic document feeder 1 and the operation unit 30 shown in FIG.
Is pressed, and all the originals are read, and the image data is stored in the image memory 66.
The number of originals Norg in this case is also stored (step S3).
0, S31). In the 4-sheet consolidation mode, 1 per 4 documents
An output image of a sheet of transfer paper is created.

Here, the number of repeats is set to 10, and the total number of copies Ncopy is “4 × 10 = 40”.
"". Since there are four types of transfer paper output images and an even number of print images, the operation unit 3 controls the master unit to copy the first two types of transfer paper output images to ten sheets.
Specify from 0. The slave unit is instructed to send the output image of the last two sheets of paper and copy 20 sheets (steps S33 and S34).

In the case of (4), the original is set in the automatic document feeder 1 and the copy start key 34 of the operation unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, and all the originals are read and stored in the image memory 66. In the double-sided copy mode, one type of transfer paper output image is created for every two originals, so in this example, three types of transfer paper output images are created.

Since the transfer paper output image is an odd number, the operation unit 30 outputs 30 copies of the first transfer paper output image by the master machine and 30 copies of the last transfer paper output image by the slave machine. To instruct. Here, when the release SW 100 is off, 30 copies of the remaining transfer paper output image are output by the master machine. When the release switch 100 is ON (ON), the master unit and the slave unit perform copying for the same transfer sheet output image by 15 sheets each (steps S35 and S35).
36, S37).

[0066]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the copy output is performed based on the detected number of originals and the copy operation mode specified by the operation instruction means. The control for automatically canceling the linked copy operation instructed from the copying machine to be performed and stopping the copy output in another copying machine is performed. As a result, copying is performed using the slave unit as necessary, so that efficient copying can be performed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the number of originals is detected, it is not necessary to determine the type and number of copy sheets for copy output based on the copy mode and the number of originals. This eliminates the need for the user to input the number of copies, thereby facilitating the copying operation.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when the number of detected originals is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the linked copy operation is automatically canceled, so that the total copy work time is reduced. Production efficiency is improved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the linked copy operation is automatically canceled when the read copy paper output image of the original is of one type, the same original is copied together with the slave machine in the linked copy operation. It is possible to obtain a copy image of a certain quality without causing a slight difference in image quality when sorting and copying.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the operation of automatically canceling the linked copy operation or the non-operation when the read copy paper output image of the read original is determined to be one type is selected. If the image quality is not a problem, the productivity of large-volume copying performed separately with the slave machine does not deteriorate.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the stack mode is set, the linked copy operation is automatically canceled, the confusion by the user is prevented, and the repeat copy without sorting is performed. In the case of (1), if pages are sorted by the master machine and the slave machines, the work of integrating the pages after the copy is completed is troublesome, but this is solved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the stack mode is set, the operation for automatically canceling the linked copy operation or the non-operation is selected, so that the user is more confused. Is prevented. That is, in the case of a user who is accustomed to the linked copy operation, the productivity is improved by selecting the operation of automatically canceling the copy operation or setting the non-operation.

According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set and the output image of the transfer paper is an even number, the same type and the same number of copies are made by the master machine and the slave machine. Is output, the copy end time of the master unit and the slave unit at the same time during the linked copy operation become the same, and one end time is not delayed, and the convenience is improved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set and the transfer paper output image is an odd number, the same type and the same type are operated by the master machine and the slave machine which operate. Control is performed such that the number of copy outputs is allocated, and the remaining one copy output is copied and output by the master machine. As a result, the copying operation in the slave machine has been completed when the copying operation in the master machine has been completed, and there is no need to wait for the end of the transfer paper output in the slave machine at the end of the copy output.

According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect,
The same type and the same number of copy outputs are allocated by the master device and the slave device performing the operation according to claim 9, and one of the remaining copy outputs is copied and selected by selecting one of the master device and the slave device. Therefore, the convenience of use by a user accustomed to the operation is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an operation unit in detail in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a copy mode setting screen of the liquid crystal touch panel in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device mainly including a main controller in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in two modes according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of another example in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an operation when a stack mode and a linked copy operation are set and a transfer sheet output image type is an even number or an odd number in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Automatic document feeder 2 Document table 7 Document set detection unit 14 Vertical transport unit 15 Photoconductor 18 Discharge unit 20 Main controller 30 Operation unit 31 LCD touch panel 34 Copy start key 37 Function key 48 Connection interface unit 49 Image processing unit 50 Reading Unit 57 Writing unit 65 Memory controller 66 Image memory 68 CPU 100 Release SW 101 Prohibition SW

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Takahiko Uno 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Katsuhiko Sasaki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock Inside the company Ricoh

Claims (10)

[Claims] An image reading unit that outputs image data obtained by reading a document; an image output unit that outputs a transfer sheet on which the image data read by the image reading unit is copied; and an image reading unit that outputs the image data. On the other hand, operation instruction means for instructing at least a copy operation mode and a stack mode operation for outputting a plurality of transfer paper output images read from a document without sorting, and storing image data read by the image reading means. A transmitting / receiving means for performing a linked copy operation performed by transmitting / receiving image data and operation state data read by the image reading means to / from another copying machine; and Based on the number of originals and the copy operation mode instructed by the operation instructing means, the linked copy operation instructed by the operation instructing means is automatically performed. Release, and the image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a control means for performing control to stop the copy output in other copiers. 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image reading means detects the number of documents while reading the documents. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading means reads the original, detects the number of originals, and determines that the detected number of originals is less than a predetermined number. An image forming apparatus, wherein a control unit automatically cancels a linked copy operation instructed from the operation instruction unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit determines that the transfer paper output image of the original read by the image reading unit is of one type, the linked copy operation is instructed by the operation instruction unit. Image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus automatically cancels. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit determines that the output image of the transfer paper of the document read by the image reading unit is one type, the linked copy operation is instructed by the operation instruction unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a selection unit that selects an operation or a non-operation for automatically canceling the operation. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the stack mode is set through the operation instruction unit, the control unit automatically cancels the linked copy operation instructed from the operation instruction unit. Image forming apparatus. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the stack mode is set by the operation instructing unit, the control unit automatically cancels the linked copy operation instructed from the operation instructing unit. An image forming apparatus comprising a selection unit for selecting non-operation. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a stack mode and a linked copy operation are set by the operation instruction means, and the transfer paper output image is an even number.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the control means controls the copying machine and another copying machine to output the same type and the same number of copies. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation instruction means sets a stack mode and a linked copy operation, and the transfer paper output image is an odd number.
The control means allocates the same type and the same number of copy outputs to the copying machine that performs the operation and the other copying machines, and controls to copy and output the remaining one copy output to the copying machine that has performed the copying operation. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a selection unit, wherein when the stack mode and the linked copy operation are set by the operation instruction unit, and the transfer paper output image is an odd number, the control unit is provided. The same type and the same number of copy outputs are allocated to the copying machine that has performed the copying operation and another copying machine, and the remaining one copy output is assigned to one of the copying machine that performed the copying operation or another copying machine. An image forming apparatus for selecting and outputting a copy by the selection means.