JP2000069217A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by setting a link mode where its own device is used for a master set, only when the link mode with other image forming device set as the master set is not set and executing linking of one optional set among plural image forming devices that are objects of linking through operation. SOLUTION: One of two image forming devices P, P' which are connected through a link interface 122 acts as a master set, and the other is used for a slave set by the link mode setting processing. When an operator depresses print key on an operation section G(G') in the devices, the devices, the presence of setting of the link mode where its own device is used for a master set is checked. When the link made using its own device for the master set is not set (however, the link mode where the other image forming device is used for the master set is not set either), the conventional single operation is conducted. Only when the link mode using the other image forming device for the master set is not set, is the link mode set where its own device is used as the master set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to various image forming apparatuses having a copy function, such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer is frequently used, and some of them are connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network. In some of such image forming apparatus network systems, a connection operation can be performed by a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0003] The linking operation means, for example, that a single original is
When copying 0 sheets, the given image forming apparatus exchanges information with another image forming apparatus, and the two image forming apparatuses perform printing such as printing 50 sheets per unit. This is a function that shortens the working time.

[0004]

However, the image forming apparatus capable of performing the connecting operation does not always perform the connecting operation, but performs the connecting operation as needed, or operates the apparatus alone (normal single operation). Operation).
In addition, when using another image forming apparatus to perform the connecting operation, it is very difficult for the operator to perform the connecting operation unless a predetermined operation is performed on a predetermined image forming apparatus. Inconvenient.

In view of such a problem, the present invention makes it possible to execute a connection operation by operating an arbitrary one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses to be connected,
The purpose is to improve operability.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a document reading means for reading a document, an image printing means for printing an image read by the means, and a communication means for communicating with the outside through a network or a public line. In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus having the following features.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided another image forming apparatus which is communicably connected to another image forming apparatus to be connected using a communication unit, and reads image data read by a document reading unit as a slave unit. When a request is made to set a connection mode in which the image forming apparatus itself is used as a master unit so as to be able to execute a connection operation for transferring printing to the apparatus, the connection mode in which the other image forming apparatus is used as a master unit is set. Only when there is no connection mode, there is provided a connection mode setting means for setting a connection mode in which the own device is a master device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, it is requested that the connection mode be canceled while the connection mode in which the own apparatus or another image forming apparatus is used as a parent apparatus is set. At this time, a connection mode releasing means for releasing the connection mode is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, when the setting of the connection mode in which the own apparatus is used as a master is requested, the connection using the other image forming apparatus as the master is requested. If the mode has been set, a warning display means for displaying a warning message is provided.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a copier system which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus constituting an image forming apparatus network system according to the present invention. In this copying machine system, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as "ADF") 2 is mounted on an upper portion of a copying machine main body 1, and a finisher 100 as a post-processing device is connected to a side portion. An operation display unit 30 shown in FIG.
It has.

First, a normal copying operation by the copying machine system will be described. When a print key (start key) 34 on the operation display unit 30 is pressed, the lowermost document is placed on the feed roller 3 when the print key (start key) 34 on the operation display unit 30 is pressed. Is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding belt 4.

After the image data of the original on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50, the original that has been read is discharged onto the upper surface of the ADF 2 by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection sensor 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 20, the next document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as described above. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a common motor (not shown).

The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 in the copying machine body 1
Paper is fed by the paper feeding unit 11, the second paper feeding unit 12, and the third paper feeding unit 13, and is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it comes into contact with the photoconductor 15.

The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photosensitive member 15 by the laser beam 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 being conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. After that, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and the finisher 10 of the post-processing device is
Discharged to zero.

The finisher 100 can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 19 of the copying machine body 1 in the direction of the normal paper discharge roller 102 and the direction of the stapling section. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the sheet can be transported to the staple table 108 via the transport rollers 105 and 107. Staple table 108
Each time one sheet of paper is discharged, the jogger 109 for paper alignment aligns the transfer paper, and the stapler 106 binds the transfer paper together with the completion of copying.
The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 falls onto the stapling completed paper discharge tray 110 by its own weight and is stored there.

On the other hand, a normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can be moved in the front-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2), and can be moved back and forth for each document or for each copy unit sorted by the image memory. Move to the discharge roller 10
3 simply sorts out the copy paper discharged.

When an image is formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and formed on one side is not guided to the discharge tray 104, but the path is switched. Is set on the upper side to temporarily stock the double-sided sheet feeding unit 111.

Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 to transfer the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 15 again. Is transferred. At this time, the branch claw 112 is set on the lower side, and the transfer paper having the image formed on both sides is guided to the paper discharge tray 104. When an image is created on both sides of a transfer sheet as described above, the duplex sheet feeding unit 111 is used.

The photoreceptor 15, the transport belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18, and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor (not shown).
Drives 1 to 13 are driven by the driving force of the main motor being transmitted by a paper feed clutch. The vertical transport unit 14
The driving force of the main motor is transmitted through the intermediate clutch and driven.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a layout of the operation display section 30 provided in the copying machine main body 1 of the copying machine system. The operation display unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 3
1, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a mode clear key 35, and an initial setting key 36. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 has various function keys, the number of copies, and a message indicating the state of the copying machine system. Is displayed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation display unit 30. When the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function (mode) is inverted to black. If the details of the function need to be specified (for example, a variable magnification value in the case of variable magnification), touching the key displays a detailed function setting screen. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel 31 uses the dot display device, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

In the display example shown in FIG. 4, a message area for displaying a message such as "Ready to copy" or "Please wait" is provided at the upper left, and the number of copies for displaying the set number is displayed on the right. An automatic density key for automatically adjusting the image density, an automatic paper selection key for automatically selecting the transfer paper, and a same-size key for designating the same magnification are displayed side by side below the display unit.

Further, from the right in the second row from the bottom, a sort key for designating a process for arranging copies one by one in a page order, a stack key for designating a process for sorting copies by page, and Staple keys for specifying the binding process are displayed side by side.

Then, at the bottom, a scaling key for setting the enlargement / reduction ratio from the right side, a double-sided / split key for setting a duplex mode or a split mode, an aggregate key for setting an aggregated copy mode, a stamp, a date, A print key for setting printing of a page or the like is displayed. The key of the selected mode is shaded.

Referring now to FIG. 2 again, the operation of the copying machine system for reading an image of a document and forming an image on the surface of the photoreceptor will be described. A latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating the image on the photoreceptor surface.

The 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 and a first mirror 5.
2, a second mirror 55, a third mirror 56, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown).

When reading an original image, the first carriage and the second carriage are moved in two directions so that the optical path length does not change.
It is mechanically scanned at a relative speed of one to one. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electric signal, and processed. By moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction, the image magnification changes. That is, the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 5 correspond to the designated magnification.
4 are set in the left-right direction.

The writing unit 57 comprises a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a rotating polygon mirror which rotates at a high speed and constant speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor. (Polygon mirror). The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is deflected by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 59, and
The light is turned back by the mirror 60 and condensed and focused on the surface of the photoconductor 15.

The deflected laser light is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photoconductor 15 rotates, and the image signal output from a selector 64 of an image processing unit shown in FIG. Perform recording in line units. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 15 by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photoconductor 15.

As described above, the laser beam output from the laser output unit 58 of the writing unit 57 is applied to the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. At a position near one end of the photoconductor 15 where the laser beam is irradiated, a beam sensor (not shown) that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is arranged. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal generated by the beam sensor, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting / outputting an image signal described later are performed.

Next, the configuration of the image processing section (image reading section and image writing section) in the copying machine system will be described with reference to FIG. Exposure lamp 5 shown in FIG.
1 irradiates the original surface, forms reflected light from the original surface by a lens 53, receives light by a CCD image sensor 54, performs photoelectric conversion, and converts the light into an A / D converter 6.
1 converts the signal into a binary or multi-valued digital signal,
Quantize. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction by a shading correction unit 62 and then image correction such as MTF correction and γ correction by an MTF / γ correction unit 63.

The shading correction is to correct the unevenness of the irradiation of the light source for irradiating the original and the variation of the sensitivity of the CCD image sensor. The MTF correction is to correct blur caused by the optical system, and the γ correction is to correct nonlinearity of the sensitivity of the CCD image sensor.

The selector 64 switches the destination of the image signal to the scaling unit 71 or the memory controller 65. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 71 is scaled according to the scaling factor, 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.

The image processing unit (IPU) includes, in addition to the image data input from the reading unit 50 shown in FIG. 2, image data supplied from outside (for example, output from a data processing device such as a personal computer). Are provided so that the print data generated by the print image data generator (print unit) 74 can be processed based on the print data.

The image processing unit further includes a CPU 68 for setting the memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57, a ROM 69 for storing programs and data, and a RAM 7
0, an I / O port 75 serving as an interface for external data and addresses, and a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) driver 76. The CPU 68 includes a memory controller 65
The writing and reading of data in the image memory 66 can be performed via the.

Although not shown, the copying machine system also includes a communication control circuit which is an external communication means for communicating with the outside by connecting to a public line or the like.

Here, referring to FIG. 6, the selector 64 shown in FIG.
The image signal for one page will be described. FIG.
, The frame gate signal / FGATE indicates the effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning synchronizing signal / LSYNC is a main scanning synchronizing signal for each line, and an image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal falls. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is a line gate signal /
LGATE.

These signals correspond to the pixel clock signal VCL
Synchronous with K, data of one pixel is sent for one cycle of VCLK. This image processing unit has a separate frame gate signal / FGA for each of image input and output.
It has means for generating the TE, the main scanning synchronization signal / LSYNC, the line gate signal / LGATE, and the pixel clock signal VCLK, so that various combinations of image input / output can be realized.

The details of the memory controller 65 and the image memory 66 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The memory controller 65 has an input data selector 81, an image synthesizing unit 82, a primary compression / expansion unit 83, an output data selector 84, and a secondary compression / expansion unit 85. The setting of the control data in these units is performed by the CPU 68 shown in FIG. The addresses and data in FIG. 7 indicate image data, and the addresses of data connected to the CPU 68 are not shown.

The image memory 66 comprises primary and secondary storage devices 86 and 87. The primary storage device 86 allows high-speed access to, for example, a DRAM or the like so that data can be written to the memory substantially in synchronization with the transfer speed of the input image data or data can be read from the memory at the time of image output at a high speed. Use the right memory.

The primary storage device 86 is divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed, and has a configuration (an interface unit with a memory controller) capable of simultaneously executing input / output of image data. ing. In order to enable the input and output of image data to be performed in parallel in each divided area, two sets of addresses and addresses for reading and writing are provided in the interface with the memory controller 65.
Data line is connected. As a result, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from another area while inputting (writing) the image to one area becomes possible.

The secondary storage device 87 is a large-capacity memory for storing data for synthesizing and sorting input images. For both the primary storage device 86 and the secondary storage device 87, if a memory element that can be accessed at high speed is used, data processing can be performed without distinction between primary and secondary.
Although the control is relatively easy, the access speed of the secondary storage device 87 is not so high because elements such as the DRAM are expensive, but a cheap and large-capacity recording medium is used, and the processing of input / output data is performed. Is performed via a primary storage device.

By employing the configuration of the image memory as described above, an image forming apparatus capable of inputting / outputting, storing, and processing a large amount of image data can be realized at a low cost and with a relatively simple configuration. It becomes possible.

Next, an outline of the operation of the memory controller 65 will be described. First, image input (storage in the image memory) will be described. The input data selector 81 selects the primary storage device 86 of the image memory 66 from the plurality of data.
The image data to be written into the memory is selected.

The image data selected by the input data selector 81 is supplied to an image synthesizing section 82 and is synthesized with data already stored in the image memory 66. The image data processed by the image synthesis unit 82 is
The data is compressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 83, and the compressed data is written to the primary storage device 86. The data written in the primary storage device 86 is further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression section 85 as necessary, and then the secondary storage device 8
7 is stored.

At the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 86 is read. When the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 86, the image data read from the primary storage device 86 is decompressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 83, and the decompressed image data
Alternatively, the output data selector 84 selects and outputs image data after image synthesis of the decompressed image data and the input image data.

The image synthesizing section 82 synthesizes the image data read from the primary storage device 86 with the input image data (has a function of adjusting the phase of the image data), and selects the output destination of the synthesized image data ( Processing such as image output, write-back to the primary storage device 86, and simultaneous output to both output destinations is performed.

If the image data to be output is not stored in the primary storage device 86, the image data to be output stored in the secondary storage device 87 is read out, and the secondary compression / decompression unit 85 After the image data is decompressed and the decompressed image data is written in the primary storage device 86, the same image output operation as described above is performed.

In this system, "operation reservation" means
In the case of a PPC (plain paper copier), the copying operation cannot be started when the fixing unit shown in FIG. 2 is being heated, but by fixing the mode setting and the document setting, the fixing unit is heated. Later, it is a function to automatically start the copy operation when the copy operation becomes possible.

In this embodiment, the operation reservation can be made during the heating of the fixing unit. However, other objects that become operable over time can be made. The time required for the paper feed tray to rise in the large-volume paper feeder, the time required for the rotation of the polygon motor in the writing device to stabilize, and the operation of supplying toner to the developing unit are considered.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are hardware configuration diagrams of another image forming apparatus embodying the present invention. These image forming apparatuses include an image reading unit A, an image writing unit B, a system controller C, a memory unit D, a user restriction device E, a human body detection sensor F, and an operation unit (the same as the operation display unit).
G, a remote diagnosis device (CSS) H, and a clock I. However, the memory unit D is necessary only when realizing a memory function, and is not necessary only when realizing a normal copy function.

Further, the clock I is necessary only when a weekly timer function for booting or shutting down the apparatus at a specific time is realized. In addition, the human body detection sensor F is necessary only when a function of automatically canceling the preheating mode when a user approaches the device in the preheating mode is provided. Since this function is a function of remote diagnosis, that is, a function of monitoring from a remote place, it is sufficient to mount the function only when such a function is required. However, even without this,
A communication control circuit for communicating with the outside needs to be provided.

In executing the copy mode, the system controller C performs a paper transport process, an electrophotographic process process, an abnormal state and a sheet cassette state (detection of the presence or absence of a sheet, etc.) in order to form an image in the image writing section B. ) Is a general term for a controller that controls a scanner operation, ON / OFF of a light source, and the like so that the image reading unit A monitors an original image.

A major feature of a digital PPC (plain paper copying machine) is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by an image writing section (also referred to as an image forming apparatus). At this time, by providing means for changing and transmitting the electric signal of the read image in various ways, it has become possible to apply to a field which cannot be realized by the conventional analog PPC.

For example, functions such as a FAX, a page printer, a scanner, and a file system can be realized. Recently, even when the PPC function is executed, read image data is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a DRAM, and if necessary, read. By reading out the pixel data, a plurality of prints can be executed in one scan, or images of a plurality of originals can be printed on one transfer paper. Functions that can be realized by these digital PPC systems are referred to as “extended functions” or “apps”.

Further, in recent digital PPCs, not only one extended function but also a plurality of applications have been installed simultaneously. As described above, a digital PPC sharing one resource is expressed as a “system”, and a controller that controls this system is also called a “system controller”.

The preheating means that the fixing temperature is set to a certain temperature (for example, 1
(0 ° C.) to reduce power consumption by turning off the display of the operation unit G. The setting of this mode is automatically performed after a lapse of a certain time after the operation or the operation is stopped depending on the key input on the operation unit G or the setting. This mode is released when a key input on the operation unit G or, depending on settings, a human body detection sensor F detects that a person stands in front of the apparatus.

The DRAM block in the memory unit D in FIGS. 8 and 9 is for storing the image signal read by the image reading unit A, and in response to a request from the system controller C, the image writing unit B. Can be transferred.

The compression block in the memory unit D is M
It has compression functions such as H, MR, MMR, etc.
It is provided to compress the image once read and improve the use efficiency of the memory (DRAM). Further, by changing the read address from the image writing unit B and its direction, rotation of the image can be realized.

In the user restriction device E, since the PPC using the electrophotographic process consumes a large amount of consumables, the user is specified or limited, and the use of the transfer paper for each user or each use department is performed. It is provided to manage the number of copies, and includes a type using a "coin rack", a "key counter", a "key card", a "prepaid card", and a type using a password.

In the hardware configuration of FIG. 8, the control of the image reading unit A, the image writing unit B, the memory unit D, and the remote diagnostic device H is controlled by the CP in the system controller C.
Only in U. On the other hand, in the hardware configuration of FIG.
The image reading unit A, the image writing unit B, and the memory unit D each have a CPU, and commands from the system controller C to the CPU of each unit are transmitted through control signal lines. As described above, the hardware configuration of the image forming system embodying the present invention can be freely set.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus management system using a remote diagnosis apparatus (CSS). A management apparatus Q installed at a service base and a network system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses P such as PPCs installed at the user are connected via a public network N. A communication control device R for controlling communication with the management device Q is installed on the user side, and each image forming device P of the user is connected to the communication control device R.

The communication control device R includes a telephone TE
L and facsimile machine FAX can be connected,
Installation is possible by inserting into the existing line of the user. Although a plurality of image forming apparatuses P can be connected to the communication control apparatus R, there may of course be a single apparatus. These image forming apparatuses P need not be of the same type, and may be different models. Further, other than PPC may be used.

Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five image forming apparatuses P can be connected to one communication control apparatus R. The communication control device R and the plurality of image forming devices P are connected in a multi-drop manner according to the RS-485 standard.

Communication control between the communication control device R and each image forming apparatus P is performed by basic data transmission control means. By establishing a data link by a polling / selecting method of centralized control using the communication control device R as a control station, communication with an arbitrary image forming apparatus is enabled. Each image forming apparatus P can set a unique identification value by an address setting switch, and thereby the polling address and the selecting address of each image forming apparatus P are determined.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a system configuration of a network copy which is an example of a network system of an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention. In the figure, eight digital copiers are connected by a network interface to form a network, but it is not necessary to limit the number of copiers to be connected. This network can be connected to a public line network via a communication control device as in the case of the image forming apparatus management system shown in FIG.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration for implementing the present invention will be further described with reference to FIG. The hardware configuration of each digital PPC-I, II shown in FIG.
The configuration is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 8, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the respective parts in FIG. 8, and the description thereof will be omitted. However,
In the memory unit D of each digital PPC, a read image is transferred to an external network, or image data from the network is transferred to a DR in the memory unit.
In order to store the data in the AM block unit, a SCSI controller is provided for each of them, and the SCSI controller is used as a network
Connected by CSI.

As a matter of course, the network communication means uses, for example, Ethernet as a physical means, and uses the OSI (Open System Interface) reference model T
Various means are conceivable, such as using CP / IP communication. Further, by using the configuration as shown in FIG. 12, not only the transfer of image data as described above, but also the notification of the in-machine state of each PPC existing on the network, or a control command such as a remote output command described later. And transfer of setting commands.

Next, the image read by the image reading section A of the digital PPC-I shown in FIG.
The connection operation (remote output) to be transferred to the image writing unit B of -II will be described. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of the software. A “copy application” illustrated in FIG. 13 is an application that executes a copy sequence for executing a copy operation, and an “input / output control” is a layer (device driver) that performs logical / physical conversion of data.

The operation unit controller is an MMI (Man Machi
layer (LCD display or LED) to execute ne interface
The "peripheral device controller" is a layer that executes the control of peripheral devices mounted on the PPC, such as the automatic duplex unit, sorter, and ADF, at the logical level. is there. “Image forming apparatus controller”, “image reading apparatus controller”, and “memory unit” are as described above.

The "daemon process" reads out image data stored in the memory unit and transfers the image data to the "image forming apparatus" when a print request is requested from another apparatus on the network. It exists as an application that performs the role of As a matter of course, before the "daemon process" reads image data from the memory unit and executes a print operation, image transfer from another device on the network must be completed.

Here, the operation unit, peripheral equipment, image forming apparatus,
The image reading device and the memory unit are handled as resources held by the respective PPCs. When the “digital PPC-I” of FIG. 12 executes a copying operation using its own resources (when the print start key is pressed), the “system controller” that executes system control
Requesting the resources of the "image forming apparatus", the "image reading apparatus", or the "peripheral device" and the "memory unit" as necessary.

The "system controller" arbitrates the right to use resources in response to a request from the "copy application", and notifies the "copy application" of the arbitration result (usability or non-usability). When the “digital PPC-I” is used in a stand-alone state (in a state where the network is not connected), all the resources held by the system are in a state where the “copy application” can occupy all the resources. Be executed.

On the other hand, when a print operation is performed using resources of another digital PPC (hereinafter referred to as “remote digital PPC”) existing on the network as in this embodiment, the “system” of the remote digital PPC is used. Request the right to use the resource to the "control unit".

The “system controller” of the remote digital PPC performs resource arbitration according to the request, and notifies the result to the “copy application” of the digital PPC of the request source. The "copy application" executes image reading when the right to use is permitted, and, when image storage in its own memory unit is completed, remote output via an external interface (SCSI in this embodiment). The image is transferred to the memory unit of the digital PPC.

When the image transfer is completed, after transmitting various conditions (printing port, paper discharging port, number of prints, etc.) for performing printing to the “daemon process” of the digital PPC of the remote output destination, Send a "print start" command. Upon receiving the "print start" command, the remote output destination "daemon process" requests the "system controller" of itself (digital PPC that executes remote output) to start printing, and the remote output is sent by the "system controller". Be executed.

When the “digital PPC-II” uses a “digital PPC-II” memory unit, the “digital PPC-II” memory unit is “digital PPC-II” (or as shown in FIG. 11). As described above, when a plurality of digital PPCs are connected on the network, the use of applications of digital PPCs other than “digital PPC-I” is disabled.

FIG. 14 shows an outline of an electronic sorting process (a function of storing and sorting image data in a memory) at the time of a connecting operation in the image forming apparatus network system described above. In this example, three originals are printed in the electronic sort mode.
The figure shows a case where an image forming apparatus (master unit) as an operating device and another image forming device (slave unit) perform a copy operation, and the copying operation is shared between the master and slave units. I do it. However, it is assumed that at least the ADF is mounted on the master machine.

The master unit normally reads an original document which is sequentially set on the contact glass by automatic feeding of the ADF (operation of reading the original document and storing the image data in an image memory) and printing operation (image data). (Operation of printing an image on a transfer sheet based on the above). Actually, an operation of transferring the image data to its own image memory (for example, the secondary storage device 87) while writing the read image data of the document as it is (printing an image on a transfer paper based on the image data), and writing the image data And the transfer operation of transferring the data to the slave device for transfer.

After the printing operation of the first copy is completed, the same image data as that of the first copy is sequentially read out from the image memory, and the printing operation of the second copy is performed. The same image data as described above is sequentially read from the image memory, and the printing operation of the third copy is performed.

On the other hand, the slave unit stores the image data sent from the master unit in the image memory. At this time,
Whether the image data can be printed in parallel depends on the performance of the memory unit. Here, the printing operation for the first copy is executed after the writing operation to the image memory is completed. Then, after the printing operation is completed, the printing operation of the second copy and the third copy is sequentially performed.

Here, the master unit is set to the set number (6
The print operation of the copy unit is divided and shared between the own device and the slave device in half, but this allocation can be set arbitrarily, and even if one of the machines is interrupted, the share (distribution) of the copy unit It is also possible to easily change the number of copies. You can assign the number of remaining copies during suspension.

In this case, six copies of three originals are copied in the electronic sort mode.
Must be installed, but if a plurality of copies of one document are to be made in the electronic sort mode, the ADF need not be installed in the master machine.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the flow of mode change information between the two image forming apparatuses constituting the image forming apparatus network system. Image forming apparatus P,
At P ', the operation units G and G' are connected to the system controllers C and C 'via the operation unit interfaces 121 and 121'. In the image forming apparatuses P and P ', operation unit interfaces 121 and 121' with the operation units G and G '.
Also, a connection interface (network interface) 122 with another image forming apparatus is controlled by the system controllers C and C ′.

In the image forming apparatus P, input information such as a connection mode setting request command and a connection mode release request command input by a key operation on the operation unit G is transmitted to the system controller C via the operation unit interface 121. Reportedly. Similarly, the image forming apparatus P 'also receives input information such as a connection mode setting request command and a connection mode release request command input by a key operation on the operation unit G' via the operation unit interface 121 '. Conveyed to.

Further, the system controller C of the image forming apparatus P obtains input information of the operation section G 'of the image forming apparatus P' via the connection interface 122 and instructs display on the operation section G '. it can. Similarly, the system controller C ′ of the image forming apparatus P ′ can obtain input information of the operation unit G of the image forming apparatus P via the connection interface 122 or instruct display on the operation unit G.

Here, the connection mode setting request command is:
Each of the image forming apparatuses P and P ′ is communicably connected to another image forming apparatus to be connected using the connection interface 122 (communication means), and reads the image data of the read original document into the slave unit (slave unit). ) Is information requesting the setting of a connection mode in which the own device is set as a master device (master device) which is capable of executing a connection operation for transferring printing to another image forming apparatus. The connection mode release request command is information for requesting release of the connection mode using the own device as a master device.

Although this example shows a case where a network system is formed by two image forming apparatuses, the number of image forming apparatuses is not limited to two.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 1 and 16 to 19, in each of the above-described image forming apparatuses, the connection mode setting means, the connection mode canceling means, and the warning display means, The features of the present invention will be described.

These functions are shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 1.
2, the system controller shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 or the system controller (system controller) shown in FIG. 13 and the network interface shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 15. Also,
Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus network system shown in FIG. 15 is used.

FIG. 16 shows the image forming apparatuses P and P 'of FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing an example of general processing in. Two image forming apparatuses P connected through a connection interface (network interface) 122,
P 'is a peer-to-peer relationship, and in the initial state after power-on, it is not determined which will become the master unit (master unit), but the connection mode setting process according to the present invention during the mode setting process Thus, one image forming apparatus becomes a master unit and the other image forming apparatus becomes a slave unit (slave unit).

Each of the image forming apparatuses P and P 'performs a slave process described later. Further, when the print key (copy start key) on the operation units G and G 'is pressed by the operator (operator), it is checked whether or not the connection mode has been set with the own device as the master, and the own device is set as the master. If the connection mode of the image forming apparatus is not set (however, the connection mode of the other image forming apparatus as the master apparatus is not set), a normal single operation (single copy operation) is performed.
If the connection mode in which the own device is the master device is set, the above-described connection operation (connection copy operation) is performed. Since the normal independent operation is a known technique, the description is omitted.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the slave process of FIG. Each of the image forming apparatuses P and P 'checks whether or not any request has been issued from another image forming apparatus. If the request has arrived, the partner machine is the parent machine and the own machine is the child machine.
Performs the process requested (requested) by the parent machine.

That is, when a print request command transferred from the master unit is received (there is a print request), the print request command is transferred from the master unit together with the print request command in accordance with the image forming mode specified by the parameter accompanying the command. A printing operation (operation for printing an image on transfer paper) is performed based on the incoming image data. At this time, the process of accumulating the image data transferred from the master machine in the image memory is also performed in parallel, and the printing operation for the second copy and thereafter is performed based on the image data in the image memory.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the connection mode setting process which is a part of the mode setting process of FIG. Each of the image forming apparatuses P and P 'first checks whether or not a connection mode setting request command has been issued by a key operation on its own operation unit G or G', and issues a connection mode setting request command. When there is a connection mode setting request, it is checked whether or not a connection mode in which another image forming apparatus to be connected is set as a master unit is set.

If the connection mode in which another image forming apparatus is set as the master unit is set, this processing is terminated. If not, the connection mode in which the own apparatus is set as the master unit is set. The connection operation is performed by communicatively connecting to another image forming apparatus using the connection interface 122 and transferring the image data read by the reading unit of the own apparatus to the other image forming apparatus as a slave and sharing printing. Make it possible. This makes it impossible for all the image forming apparatuses to execute the normal independent operation.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the connection mode release processing which is a part of the mode setting processing of FIG. Each of the image forming apparatuses P and P 'first checks whether a connection mode release request command has been issued by a key operation on the operation units G and G' of its own device, and issues a connection mode release request command ( If there is a connection mode release request), and if the connection mode in which the own device or another image forming apparatus is used as a master device is set, the connection mode is released. As a result, a normal single operation can be executed in all the image forming apparatuses.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing another example of the subroutine of the connection mode setting process which is a part of the mode setting process of FIG. Each of the image forming apparatuses P and P 'first checks whether or not a connection mode setting request command has been issued by a key operation on its own operation unit G or G', and issues a connection mode setting request command. When,
It is checked whether or not a connection mode in which another image forming apparatus to be connected is set as a master unit is set.

When the connection mode in which another image forming apparatus is used as a master unit is set, a warning message such as "The connection operation cannot be performed. Another machine (image forming apparatus) is in use." Is displayed, but if not, the connection mode with the own device as a master device is set, and the connection interface 1
22 so as to be communicably connected to another image forming apparatus, and to transfer image data read by the reading unit of the own apparatus to another image forming apparatus as a slave unit to execute a linking operation for sharing printing. I do.

As described above, each of the image forming apparatuses constituting the image forming apparatus network system issues a connection mode setting request command (when a connection mode setting with its own apparatus as a master is requested). Only when the connection mode using another image forming apparatus as a master unit is not set, the connection mode using the own apparatus as the master unit is set. The connection mode can be set to enable execution of the connection operation, and the operability is improved.

Further, each of the above image forming apparatuses is
When a connection mode release request command is issued in a state where the connection mode in which the own device or another image forming apparatus is set as a parent device is set (when release of the connection mode is requested),
Since the connection mode is released, the connection mode using the image forming apparatus or another image forming apparatus as a master unit can be released by an operation on an arbitrary image forming apparatus so that a single operation can be executed, thereby further improving operability. .

Further, when each of the image forming apparatuses issues a connection mode setting request command (when a connection mode setting with its own apparatus as a master is requested), each of the other image forming apparatuses is set as a master. If the consolidation mode is set, a warning message can be displayed,
The user (operator) can know the reason why the connection mode in which the image forming apparatus to be used is set as the parent machine cannot be set, and the operability is further improved.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus network system, a connecting mode is set by operating an arbitrary image forming apparatus by using the apparatus as a master unit. Since it can be made executable, operability is improved. Further, according to the invention of claims 2 and 3,
The following effects can also be obtained.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to release the connection mode in which an image forming apparatus or another image forming apparatus is used as a master unit by performing an operation on an arbitrary image forming apparatus, and to execute an independent operation. The operability is further improved. Claim 3
According to the invention, since the user is not confused, the operability is further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a connection mode setting process which is a part of the mode setting process of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a copying machine system showing an example of an image forming apparatus constituting an image forming apparatus network system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a layout of an operation display unit provided in the copying machine main body 1 of the copying machine system shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation display unit 30 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit (an image reading unit and an image writing unit) in the copying machine system illustrated in FIG. 2;

6 is a waveform diagram of an image signal for one page in the selector 64 shown in FIG.

7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a memory controller 65 and an image memory 66 of the image processing unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of another image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of still another image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus management system that can be used to carry out the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram of a network copy in which the present invention can be implemented.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a system in which two digital PPCs embodying the present invention are connected.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of the software.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an electronic sort process at the time of a connecting operation in the image forming apparatus network system according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a flow of mode change information between two image forming apparatuses constituting the image forming apparatus network system according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of general processing in the image forming apparatuses P and P ′ of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subroutine of the slave process of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a connection mode release process which is a part of the mode setting process of FIG.

19 is a flowchart showing another example of the subroutine of the connection mode setting process which is a part of the mode setting process of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Copier body 2: Automatic document feeder 3: Paper feed roller 4: Feed belt 5: Discharge roller 6: Contact glass 8: First tray 9: Second tray 10: Third tray 11: First feed Paper unit 12: Second paper supply unit 13: Third paper supply unit 14: Vertical transport unit 15: Photoconductor 16: Transport belt 17: Fixing unit 18: Discharge unit 20: Document table 30: Operation display unit 31: Liquid crystal Touch panel 32: Numeric keys 33: Clear / Stop key 34: Print key 35: Mode clear key 36: Initial setting key 50: Reading unit 57: Writing unit 100: Finisher 65: Memory controller 66: Image memory 68: CPU 69: ROM 70 : RAM 76: SCSI driver 87: Secondary storage device 121, 121 ′: Operation unit Interface 122: Connection interface A: Image reading unit B: Image writing unit C, C ': System controller D: Memory unit E: User restriction device F: Human body detection sensor G, G': Operation unit (operation display unit) H : Remote diagnosis device (CSS) I: Clock P, P ': Image forming device (PPC) Q: Management device R: Communication control device N: Public line network

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takahiko Uno 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. 5B021 AA05 AA19 BB00 CC01 NN16 QQ04 5C062 AA05 AA35 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB23 AB38 AC43 AE13 AF15 BA00

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An original reading means for reading an original, an image printing means for printing an image read by the means,
In an image forming apparatus having communication means for communicating with the outside through a network or a public line, the image forming apparatus is communicably connected to another image forming apparatus to be connected using the communication means, and read by the document reading means. When a setting of a connection mode in which the own device is set as a master device is requested to transfer image data to the other image forming apparatus as a slave device and enable execution of a link operation for sharing printing, the other image forming device An image forming apparatus comprising: a connection mode setting unit configured to set a connection mode in which the apparatus is a master only when a connection mode in which the apparatus is the master is not set. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A connection mode release unit for releasing the connection mode when a release of the connection mode is requested in a state in which the connection mode in which the own apparatus or another image forming apparatus is set as a parent apparatus is provided. Image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a setting of a connection mode using the own apparatus as a master is requested, the connection mode using the other image forming apparatus as a master is set. An image forming apparatus, further comprising a warning display unit for displaying a warning message.