JP2000127572A - Image outputting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably always output information regarding a time function by providing a means for counting time information and a means for holding initial set information to the counting means, and further providing a means for holding counting starting state information for power supplying only by a back-up power source. SOLUTION: A clock controller 30 has a clock 31 and a memory 32 for the clock. The clock 31 counts a present time, and the memory 32 for the clock sequentially holds a present time. The controller 30 is driven by a special purpose back-up power source. Initial set information indicating whether the clock 31 is initialized or not is written in a nonvolatile memory 65 included in a control unit 50. According to this constitution, whether an error is generated in the clock 31 or not is detected based on information held by the memory 65 and the memory 32, and a type of the generated error can be specified. Accordingly, at the time of the error of the clock, annotation information at each error cause can be output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine,
Electrophotographic printers (eg, LED printers, lasers,
The present invention relates to an image output device that outputs image information, such as a beam printer and a facsimile, and more particularly to an image output device that has a clock function and outputs annotation information such as time together with regular image information.

More specifically, according to the present invention, an access error occurs in a clock controller, a set time disappears due to a time backup battery being exhausted, or the time is not properly initialized in the first place. For this reason, the present invention relates to an image output apparatus that preferably outputs time-related information even when a malfunction occurs in a clock function. Further, the present invention relates to an image output device capable of notifying an operator of error information and correcting time.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art With the advance of technology in recent years, various information processing devices and information output devices have been actively developed and manufactured, and are widely used in offices such as companies and research institutions. For example, electronically process and process information on information processing devices such as workstations and personal computers.
It can edit and output edited data on an information output device such as a display or a printer. Also, using a copier or facsimile, etc., optically read the information recorded on the paper document, after performing a predetermined process on the digitized image information, or to copy on other paper, And transfer them to remote locations.

In recent years, many of such information processing apparatuses and information output apparatuses have a built-in clock function. For example, in the case of a computer system, a clock function is used to synchronize data accumulated with an external device connected to a network. Or,
Information output devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines
In the case of an image forming apparatus, the clock function is used to print a print execution time, a copy execution time, a facsimile reception time, and the like as annotation information together with a regular image.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 5-128997 discloses that at the time of printing, current time information is received from a clock controller, converted into character information, and automatically printed at a designated place in an output image. A possible printer is disclosed.

[0006] In an information output apparatus and an image forming apparatus of the type for displaying annotation information, in many cases, in addition to the time information, comment information and page information are printed in addition to the annotation information. Many. In the device that prints annotation information other than the time, when the initial time is not set for the clock, or when the accurate current time is not held due to the backup battery of the clock controller being exhausted, etc. Even in some cases, it may be necessary to print annotation information other than the time.

[0007] In many conventional devices equipped with a clock function, if the time is not accurate, the default time is processed and printed as if it had been set at that time. However, it is difficult for an operator who has referred only to the print information to be informed of the fact that an abnormal time has been printed, and the reason why the time has been replaced with the default time remains unknown. Also,
There is a very high risk that an operator may overlook a malfunction or failure that has occurred with respect to the clock controller.

On the other hand, in a recent image output apparatus, a facsimile kit, a facsimile kit,
A type has been developed in which a printer kit or the like can be connected as needed to upgrade the apparatus configuration as a multifunction peripheral. In such an upgraded device configuration, a clock controller is mounted for each kit, and the entire image forming apparatus may be equipped with a plurality of clock controllers. In such a case, the clock controller for the facsimile operates normally, but the clock controller for the copier may have an error such as running out of battery. Therefore, a normal time is printed for FAX reception, but an incorrect time is printed during a copy operation, that is, there is a problem that various time information is printed on the same apparatus.

As a relatively easy solution for avoiding the printing of various time information, it can be mentioned that only one of a plurality of clock controllers existing in the same device is operated. However, when an access error or battery exhaustion occurs in the selected timepiece controller, only the error processing can be performed even though the other timepiece controllers are operating normally, so that it is hardly efficient.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent image output apparatus having a clock function and outputting annotation information such as time together with regular image information.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an access error in the timepiece controller or to cause the set time to disappear due to the exhaustion of the time backup battery.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an excellent image output device that preferably outputs time-related information even when a malfunction occurs in the time function, such as when the time is not properly initialized in the first place.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent image output apparatus capable of notifying an operator of error information relating to a time function and correcting the time.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is a type which can output annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information. (A) a main power supply for supplying power to the image output device, (b) a clock unit for clocking time information, and (c) an image for supplying power to the clock unit. A backup power supply provided in addition to the main power supply of the output device; (d) first holding means for holding initial setting information indicating whether or not initial setting has been performed on the timing means; A second holding unit that is supplied with power only from the backup power supply and holds (f) each of the first and second holding units; Based on information An image output apparatus characterized by comprising detecting means for detecting the status of the clock means.

In the image output apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the detecting means determines that the time keeping means is in a normal state when the second holding means holds the time keeping start state information, When the second holding means does not hold the time-measurement start state information and the first holding means does not hold the initial setting information, it is determined that an error state has occurred in which the initialization of the time-measuring means has not been performed. When the second holding means does not hold the timekeeping start state information and the first holding means holds the initial setting information, the backup power supply may be determined to be in an error state.

Further, the image output device according to the first aspect,
Further, the image processing apparatus may further include means for outputting annotation information corresponding to the type of error detected by the detection means as an image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information. Clocking means; (b) detecting means for detecting the occurrence of an error and the type of error occurred in the clocking means; and (c) responding to the detection of the error, displaying annotation information corresponding to the type of the generated error. And an output unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information. Timer means; (b) detecting means for detecting that an error has occurred in the clock means; and (c) means for removing the time information from the annotation information and outputting an image in response to the detection of the error. An image output apparatus characterized in that:

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information. A plurality of time-measuring means, (b) a priority order setting means for setting a priority order for each of the plurality of time-measuring means, and (c) in response to a request for outputting time information as annotation information, Means for selecting the time information held by the timekeeping means having a higher priority order for the annotation information.

In the image output apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the selecting means (c), when an error has occurred in the selected clock means, the time held by the clock means having the next highest priority. Information may be selected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information. A plurality of time-measuring means, (b) detecting means for detecting whether an error has occurred in each time-measuring means, and (c) responding to a request for outputting time information as annotation information, Means for randomly selecting time information held by one of the time measuring means in which no error has occurred for annotation information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information. A plurality of time-measuring means, (b) detecting means for detecting whether an error has occurred in each time-measuring means, and (c) responding to a request for outputting time information as annotation information, Means for adopting an average value of the time information of each of the time keeping means in which no error has occurred for the annotation information.

The above-described fourth, fifth, or sixth embodiment of the present invention
The image output device according to the aspect of the present invention may further include time adjusting means for adjusting the time of the plurality of time measuring means. The time adjusting means sets the time information for the annotation information as a set time, executes the time adjustment when the image output apparatus is powered on, when returning from the power saving mode, or when printing the annotation information. Is also good.

[0023]

The present invention relates to an image output apparatus of the type which outputs annotation information such as the current time superimposed on regular image information. Image output here means, for example, printing image information on recording paper. This type of image output device includes a clock unit for measuring the current time.

The image output apparatus is supplied with power by a main power supply, while the time-measuring means is supplied with power by a backup power supply provided in addition to the main power supply.

The image output apparatus holds first setting information indicating whether or not initial setting has been performed on the timekeeping means.
Holding means. The first holding means is EEPR
OM (Electrically Erasable)
and Programmable Read Onl
y Memory) is preferable. Further, the timekeeping means is provided with a second holding means which holds timekeeping start state information indicating whether or not the timekeeping is in a start state and is supplied with power only from the backup power supply.

Based on the information held by each of the first and second holding means, it is possible to detect whether or not an error has occurred in the timekeeping means, and to specify the type of error that has occurred.

When the second holding means indicates that the timekeeping has been started, it can be determined that the timekeeping means is in the normal state. When the second holding unit does not indicate that the timekeeping is in the start state and the first holding unit does not hold the initial setting information, an error state in which the initialization of the timekeeping unit has not been performed, that is, the “initial state”, No setting "can be determined. Further, when the first holding unit holds the initial setting information but does not indicate that the second holding unit is in the clocking start state, an error state in which the backup power is turned off, that is, “ It can be determined that the battery is dead.

When an error occurs in the clock means, the image output apparatus may remove the time information from the annotation information and perform printing. Alternatively, a character string corresponding to the type of the detected error may be replaced with time information and printed. In this case, the operator can specify an error that has occurred in the clock function of the image output device based on the character string included in the annotation print, and immediately perform an error canceling process that matches the error.

Recently, there has emerged an image output apparatus of a type in which a plurality of print control kits can be detachably attached to a single print engine and can be appropriately upgraded. In such a device configuration, usually, a clock controller, that is, a clock unit is mounted for each control kit that can be replaced. For this reason, there are cases where the entire image output device includes a plurality of time measuring means.

Therefore, in the image output apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, priorities are set in advance for each of the plurality of time-measuring means, and the time-measuring means having a higher priority is used when annotating the time information. The held time information is selectively used. When an error has occurred in the selected clock means, the time information of the clock means having the next highest priority may be selected.

Further, in the image output apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when annotating the time information, the time information possessed by one clock means in which no error has occurred is randomly selected.

Further, in the image output apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the time information is printed by annotation, an average value of the time information of each of the time measuring means in which no error has occurred is used for the annotation information. I made it.

In short, when the image output device includes a plurality of time measuring means, one time measuring means is selected at random or according to a predetermined priority and the time information is used, or each time measuring means is used. By using the average value of the held time information as the time information of the entire apparatus, each of the time measuring means complements each other.

As a result, the time information for each image output operation such as facsimile or copy is printed by annotation, or the time controller for the facsimile is received even if the clock controller of another control kit is operating normally. The problem that information is not printed by annotation is solved.

Further, the image output device may further include time adjusting means for adjusting the time of the plurality of time measuring means. This time adjusting means uses the time information for the annotation information as the set time, and executes the time adjustment at the time of turning on the power of the image output device, at the time of returning from the power saving mode, or at the time of the printing operation of the annotation information. Good.

Therefore, when the print control kit is detached and replaced, the initial setting is automatically made for the added time measuring means. There is no need for the operator in charge to adjust the time sequentially, and the maintainability is improved.

Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are:
It will become apparent from the following more detailed description based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

[0038]

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

FIG. 1 schematically shows a hardware configuration of an image output apparatus 100 used in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image output device 100 includes an image input unit 11 for taking in image information from the outside and a print engine 12 for printing the image information.
It includes a user interface unit 20, a clock controller 30, and a control unit 50. Hereinafter, each unit will be described.

The image input section 11 is a unit for taking in image information electronically. Image output device 100
If the is a copier, a platen not shown (not shown)
Image information is obtained by optically scanning the surface of the original placed thereon and electronically reading the density of the surface of the original.

The print engine 12 is a unit that performs a printing process. For example, when printing is performed by an electrophotographic process, the electrophotographic process is realized by repeating charging, developing, and cleaning processes on an electrophotographic photosensitive member. That is, after the surface of a drum photoreceptor (not shown) is uniformly charged by a primary charger (not shown), the drum surface is exposed according to image information of a document to form an electrostatic latent image. Developing unit (not shown)
After the electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image, the toner image is transferred onto a conveyed sheet (not shown). afterwards,
The toner image is fixed on the sheet by an action such as heat melting and pressure bonding, and the sheet on which the fixed image is formed is discharged out of the apparatus 100.

The user interface unit 20 is a unit for realizing interactive input and output with an operator, and is generally constituted by a touch panel type liquid crystal display. On this display, various menu buttons corresponding to input operations permitted by the operator are displayed, and notifications and operation messages relating to errors and troubles occurring during the operation of the apparatus are displayed as appropriate. The user interface unit 20 is interconnected with the control unit 50 via the UI interface unit 51.

The clock controller 30 includes a clock 31 and a clock memory 32. The clock 31 keeps track of the current time, and the clock memory 32 stores the current time that changes every moment. The clock controller 30 is interconnected with the control unit 50 via a clock interface 54.

The clock controller 30 has an input / output register (not shown) for performing an input / output operation with the control unit 50. The input / output register includes a Ready / Busy port (described later) indicating the state of the clock controller 30 and a flag for writing a count start bit (described later) indicating whether or not the clock 31 is currently performing a count process. I have.

While all other modules in the image output device 100 such as the control unit 50 are driven by the main power supply 90, the clock controller 30 is driven by the dedicated backup power supply 40. Therefore, the clock controller 30 can keep measuring the current time even while the main power supply 90 is turned off.

The control section 50 is a module for totally controlling the printing process by the print engine 11. The control unit 50 is provided, for example, in the form of a printed wiring board on which various IC controller chips are mounted.
The control unit 50 of the present embodiment includes a UI interface unit 51
, A program ROM 52, a font ROM 53,
A clock interface unit 54, a printer interface unit 55, a CPU 56, a RAM 57, a page memory 58, an engine interface 59,
FAX transmission / reception interface unit 60 is included.

CPU (Central Process)
The ing Unit 56 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the overall operation of the image output apparatus 100, and is connected to each unit in the control unit 50 via a bus 61.

The CPU 56 executes a predetermined process according to the micro code stored in the program ROM 52, and uses a predetermined area in the RAM 57 as a work area. The error display function and the time correction function of the clock controller 30 according to the present embodiment
Executes a predetermined program code in the program ROM 52. However,
Details will be described later.

The font ROM 53 is a read-only memory that stores fonts such as characters to be printed in the input image. For example, a font related to annotation data such as time is also stored in the font ROM 53.

The page memory 58 is a memory for temporarily storing at least one page of image information that has been bit-mapped. The image information for one page in the page memory 58 is stored in an engine interface unit 59.
Is output to the print engine 12 via the.

The control unit 50 has an EEPROM (Elect
Ricky Erasable and Progr
amble Read Only Memory)
The nonvolatile memory 65 as shown in FIG. EEPRO
In M65, important information that should not be lost even during power-off, such as a serial number and configuration information of the device 100, is written. In this embodiment, initial setting information (described later) indicating whether or not the clock 31 has already been initialized is also stored in the EEPROM 65.
Is written to.

The image output device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is of a type that mainly functions as a copy machine. However, the image output device 100 includes a printer interface unit 55 and a FAX transmission / reception interface unit 60 for interconnecting with an external device such as a printer or a facsimile (neither of which is shown). The function of the image output apparatus 100 can be upgraded by attaching an external device. In such a case, the image output device 10
0 indicates printing / printing with a connected printer or fax.
The engine 12 will be shared.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image output device 100 has only one timepiece, that is, only a clock controller. On the other hand, each interface unit 5
When a printer or facsimile is connected to 5, 60 to upgrade the function (or share a print engine), each device individually holds a clock controller, and as a result, a plurality of clocks are used in the entire image output device 100. It will have a controller. However, the point that the image output device 100 is upgraded will be described later in detail.

To configure the image output device 100,
Many hardware components other than those shown in FIG. 1 are required. However, since these are well known to those skilled in the art and do not constitute the gist of the present invention, they are omitted in this specification. Also, it should be noted that only some of the connections between the hardware blocks in the drawings are shown in order to avoid complication of the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an example of annotation print output at the time of FAX reception or copy operation. In the example shown in the drawing, the annotation information is printed in a form in which time information, comment information, and page information are overwritten along the upper edge of the regular image image in order from the left on the paper.

The presence / absence of printout of these annotation information can usually be set for each item. Conventionally, when the print output setting of the time information is set to "Yes",
If an error related to the clock function occurs, "1/1
/ 1998 00:00 "and a default time different from the current time was printed (described above). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when an error relating to the clock function occurs, a different character string is printed as time information according to the type of the error. Thus, the operator can easily specify not only the occurrence of an error relating to the clock but also the type of the error. Further, the print job can be continued without stopping as an error.

FIG. 3 shows an example of printing annotation information for each error factor when an error relating to a clock occurs. That is, when the initial time is not set in the clock controller 30, “00” is printed instead of the time information as shown in FIG. Also,
If the backup power is off, “??” is printed as shown in FIG. In addition, access to the watch
In the case of an error, “xx” is printed as shown in FIG. Also, when there is no printing at the time of error, FIG.
“” (Space) is displayed as shown in FIG.

The setting of no printing at the time of error is operator programmable. When there is no printing, the user
A message indicating that an error has occurred may be displayed on a display device such as the interface unit 20 and the print job may be continued.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a clock-related error check routine executed when the main power supply 90 of the image output apparatus 100 is turned on. The processing routine can be implemented, for example, in a form in which the CPU 56 in the image output device 100 executes a predetermined program code stored in the program ROM 52. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

When the main power supply 90 is turned on, first, an error check process such as whether the clock controller 31 is mounted and whether the clock controller 31 can be accessed is executed (step 101). . The check is performed by, for example, the Ready of the clock controller 30.
/ Busy port is accessed.

As a result of the check, if an error is detected, the check is tried again (step S102). If an error is detected continuously for a predetermined number of times (three times in this embodiment), it is processed as an access error. That is, the process proceeds to step S103, where an access error flag is set. The access error flag is secured at a predetermined address in the RAM 57, for example.

On the other hand, if the result of the access error check is normal, the flow advances to step S104 to check the count start bit (described above) during input / output of the clock controller 30. If the bit indicates that counting is starting, the time for the clock 31 has been set.
In this case, all error flags are cleared (step S105), and this processing routine ends. Each error flag is secured at a predetermined address in the RAM 57, for example.

If the count start bit indicates that the counting is stopped, then it is checked whether the clock 31 has been initialized (step S10).
6). For this check, the image output device 100 has an EEPROM (E
Electrically Erasable and
Programmable Read Only Me
memory) 65 is provided (described above).

If there is no initial setting, an initial setting no flag in the RAM 57 is set (step S1).
07), an error flag (described above) is set (S10).
9), end this processing routine.

On the other hand, if there is an initial setting, it is determined that the backup battery 40 has run out. When the initial setting of the clock 31 is performed, the
The information to that effect is written in 65. On the other hand, when the backup battery 40 runs out, the count start bit in the timepiece controller 30 shifts to the stop state. Therefore, E
The mechanism of the determination block S106 is that the battery exhaustion can be determined by referring to both the EPROM 65 and the count start bit. If battery runs out, RAM 57
The battery running out flag is set (step S1).
08), an error flag (described above) is set (step S109), and this processing routine ends.

When the processing routine shown in FIG. 4 ends,
Enter the annotation operation waiting state.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a clock-related processing routine in the case where annotation information is printed at the time of FAX reception or copy operation. The processing routine is executed, for example, when the CPU 56 in the image output apparatus 100 executes a predetermined program stored in the program ROM 52.
It can be implemented in the form of executing code.
Hereinafter, each step will be described.

First, it is checked whether or not an error has already occurred in the clock controller 30 (step S201).

If there is no error, it is next checked whether or not access to the clock controller 31 is possible (step 202). The check is realized, for example, by accessing a Ready / Busy port of the clock controller 30. Validation of access errors
Access may be attempted a predetermined number of times (three times in this embodiment).

If no error is detected in steps S201 and S202, the clock 31 is accessed via the clock interface unit 54 to obtain current time information (step S203). Next, the obtained time information is written in the time information field in the annotation information to be printed out (step S204). Then, the annotation information is written over the regular image information stored in the page memory 58 (step S21).
0).

On the other hand, step S201 or step S2
If an error is detected in any one of 02, the printing presence / absence information at the time of occurrence of the error is checked. That is, if the operator has specified that there is no printing at the time of an error, the process skips the branch “NO” of the decision block S205 and enters a space in the time information field in the annotation information.

If the operator has designated that printing is to be performed at the time of an error, the process goes to the branch "Yes" in decision block S205, and writes information corresponding to the type of error that has occurred in the image information field. The type of error that has occurred can be specified by referring to each error flag in the RAM 57, such as an access error flag, a battery exhaustion flag, and a no initialization flag.

If it is an access error (step S2
06), the character string “xx” is written in the time information. If the backup battery is exhausted (step S207), a character string "??" is written in the time information field. If there is no initial setting, a character string "00" is written in the time information field (step S208). However, the character string used when each error occurs is not limited to this example.

Then, the annotation information including the character string specifying the error is overwritten on the regular image information stored in the page memory 58 (step S210).

When an error occurs, information indicating the error may be displayed on the user interface unit 20 (step S209) to notify or warn the operator. For example, a message such as "Time information could not be printed accurately" may be displayed.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the hardware configuration of an upgraded image output apparatus 100 ′. As shown in the figure, an image output apparatus 100 ′ has a printer control unit 150 mounted on a printer interface unit 55 of a copy control unit 50 having a print engine 12, and a FAX control The part 250 is mounted.

The configuration shown in FIG. 6 in which a plurality of print control units are detachably mounted on a single print engine 12 allows a variation in model selection by an operator. Although FIG. 3 shows an example in which three control units are connected, the operation and effect of the present invention to be described later can be similarly obtained even if the number of units is less than three or four or more.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an individual clock controller 30, 130, 230 and an individual backup power supply 40, 140, 240 are provided for each control unit 50, 150, 250. I have. This is to increase the independence of each control unit and to maintain interchangeability between different print engines. Each control unit 50, 1
In steps 50 and 250, the print engine 12 can print the time information created independently on the regular image information.

Conventionally, each independent clock controller 3
0, 130, and 230 did not have complementary characteristics. That is, each of the clock controllers 30, 130,
After the initial time is set to the same time at the time of setting up the image output device 100, there is no mechanism for using the current time recorded by another clock controller even if an access error occurs in any one of the clock controllers. Was. In addition, each clock 31 and 13 according to the elapsed time
Due to the influence of an error between the FAX reception and the FAX reception, a problem may occur that the time information of the copy / print executed after the FAX reception printing indicates the time before the FAX reception. Further, if the setting is such that only one selected one of the plurality of clock controllers 30, 130, 230 is used, even if the backup power of the selected clock controller is cut off,
There was no other way but to handle the error, and it was meaningless to use another clock controller that was still active.

On the other hand, the image output device 100 according to the present embodiment has an operation characteristic that the time information is complemented among the control units 50, 150, and 250. As complementary methods, three types of “random selection”, “average time selection”, and “priority selection” described below are proposed.

(1) The random selection is, in short, a method of randomly selecting and using one of the normally operating clock controllers. Each clock controller 30,
130 and 230 are collectively managed by a main control unit. That is, error information such as an access error, backup power (battery) cutoff, and no initial setting, which are notified from the respective clock controllers 30, 130, and 230 when the power is turned on and when the time is set, are collected by the main control unit. The unit 50 keeps track of a normally operating clock controller. When a print request for the annotation information is generated, the main control unit randomly selects one of the normal clock controllers, issues a time notification request to the control unit corresponding to the clock controller, and issues the time information request. And transfers the time information to the control unit that performs the printing process. Random selection can be easily implemented.

(2) Average time selection is, in short, a method of using an average value of time information individually recorded by a plurality of clocks. As in the case of the random selection, a specific control unit serves as a main control unit and collectively manages error information on all clock controllers. When a print request for the annotation information is issued, the main control unit issues a time notification request to all control units corresponding to the normal clock controller, and acquires time information from each of them. Next, of all the acquired time information, only the time within a certain error (or deviation) is determined to be valid.
Then, an average value of valid times is calculated, and the calculated average value is transmitted to a control unit that performs a printing process as time information to be printed. According to the average time selection, the error can be minimized by taking the average value. However, this involves a trade-off in that time information must be sequentially obtained from all clock controllers.

(3) Prioritization selection is a method of prioritizing a plurality of clocks and employing time information according to the priorities. Priorities are assigned to all the clock controllers in the image output apparatus 100 in advance. When the power is turned on, EnergySt
When returning from power off by ar ^{/ * /} , and
When printing the annotation information, the time of the clock controller with the higher priority is used. Error detection is performed sequentially from the controller with the highest priority. When an error has occurred in the clock controller having a higher priority, the time information of the clock controller having the next priority is used.
Also, by setting the normal time information notified from the host to its own clock controller, it is possible to set the same time (the above-described random selection and average time selection also use the selected time information. The time can be set by setting another clock controller.) According to the prioritization selection, there is no need for a specific control unit to collectively manage all clock controllers. In addition, it is free from the problem of communication errors caused by the collective management.

In the following, a process of complementing time information according to the selection of priorities will be described in detail. FIG. 7 shows, in the form of a flowchart, a processing routine in the control unit 50 assigned the highest priority. The processing routine is executed by, for example, the CPU in the main control unit 50.
56 is implemented in such a manner that a predetermined program code stored in the program ROM 52 is executed. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

When the power is turned on, when returning from the power saving mode of EnergyStar, or when annotation printing is started, an access error check is performed on the timepiece controller 30 owned by itself (step S301).

If the access to the clock controller 30 is normal, the time information is obtained from the clock controller 30 (step S302), and the other control units are notified of this and the time is adjusted (step S3).
03).

If the processing routine has been started for annotation printing, an annotation printing process using the acquired time information is performed. Otherwise, the process proceeds to a subsequent start-up process (step S1). S30
5).

On the other hand, if the access to the clock controller 30 is not normal, the controller notifies other control units that an error has occurred (step S306).

If this processing routine has not been started for annotation printing, the flow advances to the subsequent start-up processing (step S307). If it is time to print an annotation, it waits for reception of time information from the control unit having the lower priority (step S308), and then performs an annotation printing process using the obtained time information.

FIG. 8 shows, in the form of a flowchart, a processing routine in the control unit 50 which is given the second highest priority when selecting the priority. As in the case of FIG. 7, the processing routine is executed by the CPU 56 in the control unit 50 having the second priority.
Is implemented in a form of executing a predetermined program code stored in the. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

When the power is turned on, when returning from the power saving mode of EnergyStar, or when starting the annotation printing, the control unit 30 having the lower priority is waiting for receiving the time information from the higher control unit (step S401).

There are two types of information received from the higher-level control unit: normal time information and error notification based on step S306 described above. In step S402, it is determined which of the received information means.

When the normal time information is received, the time of its own clock controller 30 is adjusted based on the received time information (step S403), and thereafter, it is used as its own time information (step S404).

If the processing routine has been started for annotation printing, an annotation printing process using the acquired time information is performed. Otherwise, the process proceeds to a subsequent start-up process (step S1). S40
5).

On the other hand, when the information received from the host is an error notification, first, the watch controller 3
An access error check is performed on 0 (steps S406 and S407).

If the access to the clock controller 30 is normal, the time information is obtained from the clock controller 30 (step S408), and the other control units are notified of the time information to adjust the time (step S4).
09). Then, the user's own time information is adopted as the annotation information (step S410).

If this processing routine is activated for annotation printing, an annotation printing process using the acquired time information is performed; otherwise, the process proceeds to the subsequent start-up process (step S405). .

On the other hand, if it is determined in decision block S407 that the access to the clock controller 30 is not normal, an error is notified to other control units (step S411).

Next, if this processing routine is not for annotation printing, the process proceeds to the subsequent start-up processing (step S412). If it is time to print the annotation, it waits for reception of time information from the control unit having the lower priority (step S413), and uses the received time information as its own time information (step S414). afterwards,
An annotation printing process is performed using the acquired time information.

[Supplement] The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the image output apparatus 100 of the type which performs the FAX reception and the copy operation of the original has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, CRT (Cat
A device that outputs images to a display device such as a hand-ray tube (display) will provide the same effect.

In short, the present invention has been disclosed by way of example, and should not be construed as limiting.
In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims described at the beginning should be considered.

<< Notes >> *: EnergyStar is the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EP
It is a voluntary regulation on power saving for information processing related devices proposed by A). The regulation requires that the power consumption of devices in the standby state be below a certain standard.

[0104]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
An excellent image output device having a clock function and outputting annotation information such as time together with regular image information can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, the set time disappears due to an access error in the clock controller, the consumption of the time backup battery, or the like.
An excellent image output apparatus capable of appropriately outputting time-related information even when a malfunction occurs in the time function, such as when the time is not properly initialized in the first place.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excellent image output apparatus capable of notifying an operator of the occurrence of an error relating to the time function and the type of the error and correcting the time.

The image output apparatus of the present invention does not interrupt an error even if an error occurs during a job and outputs the annotation information by replacing the information with information that can specify the cause of the error. As a result, the operator can accurately judge the content of the error and can quickly perform appropriate processing.

Recently, an image output apparatus of a type in which a single print engine is shared by a plurality of print control units has appeared. Each print control unit is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, and individually mounts a clock controller. For this reason, a situation may occur in which a plurality of clock controllers exist in the image output device. According to the present invention, one clock controller is selected at random or according to a predetermined priority and its time information is used, or the average value of the time information held by each clock controller is used as the time information of the entire apparatus. I have to. As a result, the time information for each image output operation, such as facsimile or copy, is annotated or printed. Problems such as no printing are eliminated.

In addition, the maintainability of the apparatus is improved by including a time adjusting means for adjusting the time of a plurality of time measuring means in the image output apparatus. The time adjusting means sets the time information for the annotation information as a set time, when the image output apparatus is powered on, when returning from the power saving mode,
Alternatively, the time may be adjusted at the time of the annotation information printing operation. As a result, when the print control kit is attached to and detached from the image output device and replaced, the added timekeeping means is automatically initialized, so that the operator in charge does not have to successively adjust the time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image output apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the hardware configuration of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an output example of annotation printing at the time of FAX reception or copy operation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of annotation information that is inserted according to the type of each error when an error relating to a clock occurs.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a clock-related error check routine executed when the main power supply 90 of the image output apparatus 100 is turned on.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a clock-related processing routine in a case where annotation information is printed during a FAX reception or a copy operation.

FIG. 6 shows an upgraded image output device 100 ′.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the printer control unit 150 of the copy control unit 50 including the print engine 12. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram when a FAX control unit 250 is mounted on the unit 60.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a time information complementing process according to the priority ordering selection, and more specifically,
It is the flowchart which showed the processing routine in the control part with the highest priority.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a complementation process of time information according to a priority ordering selection, and more specifically,
9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing routine in a control unit assigned the second highest priority.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 image input unit, 12 print engine, 2
0: User interface unit, 30: Clock controller, 31: Clock, 32: Clock memory, 40: Backup power supply, 50: Control unit, 51: UI interface unit, 52: Program ROM, 53: Font RO
M, 54: clock interface unit, 55: printer
Interface unit, 56: CPU, 57: RAM5
7, 58: page memory, 59: engine interface, 60: FAX transmission / reception interface unit, 6
1: Bus, 65: EEPROM, 90: Main power supply, 1
00 ... image output device.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/00 G03G 21/00 382

Claims (10)

[Claims] An image output apparatus capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information, comprising: (a) a main power supply for supplying power to the image output apparatus; and (b) time information. A timing means for timing
(C) a backup power supply provided to the image output device other than the main power supply for supplying power to the timing means;
(D) first holding means for holding initial setting information indicating whether or not initial setting has been performed on the timing means;
(E) second holding means, which is supplied with power only from the backup power supply, and holds time start state information indicating whether or not the timekeeping means is in a time start state; and (f) the first and second times.
And a detecting means for detecting a state of the clocking means based on information held by each of the holding means. 2. The timer according to claim 1, wherein said second holding means determines that said time keeping means is in a normal state when said second holding means holds said time keeping start state information. If the time is not held and the first holding means does not hold the initial setting information, it is determined that an error state has occurred in which the initialization of the timekeeping means has not been performed. 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first holding unit holds the initial setting information, it is determined that the backup power supply is turned off. 3. The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said image output apparatus further includes means for outputting an image of annotation information corresponding to the type of error detected by said detection means. 4. An image output device capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information, comprising: (a) time-measuring means for measuring time information;
(B) detecting means for detecting the occurrence of an error and the type of error that has occurred in the timing means; and (c) means for outputting, in response to the detection of the error, annotation information corresponding to the type of the generated error as an image. And an image output device. 5. An image output apparatus of a type capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information, comprising: (a) a clock means for clocking time information;
(B) detecting means for detecting that an error has occurred in the time measuring means, and (c) means for removing the time information from the annotation information and outputting an image in response to the detection of the error. Image output device. 6. An image output apparatus of a type capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information, comprising: (a) a plurality of time-measuring means for measuring time information; ) Priority setting means for setting a priority to each of the plurality of time-measuring means, and (c) time-measuring means having a higher priority in response to a request for outputting time information as annotation information. Means for selecting time information for annotation information. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said selecting means (c) selects, when an error has occurred in the selected time-measuring means, the time information of the time-measuring means having the next highest priority. 2. The image output device according to 1. 8. An image output apparatus of a type capable of outputting annotation information such as time information in addition to regular image information, comprising: (a) a plurality of time-measuring means for measuring time information; A) detecting means for detecting whether or not an error has occurred in each time measuring means; and (c) one time measuring means in which no error has occurred in response to a request for outputting time information as annotation information. Means for randomly selecting time information of the means for annotation information. 9. An image output apparatus of a type capable of outputting annotation information such as time information together with regular image information, comprising: (a) a plurality of time-measuring means for measuring time information; A) detecting means for detecting whether or not an error has occurred in each time-measuring means; and (c) each time-measuring means having no error in response to a request for outputting time information as annotation information. Means for using an average value of the time information of the annotations for annotation information. 10. A time adjusting means for adjusting the time of said plurality of time measuring means, wherein said time adjusting means sets the time information for annotation information according to claim 6 to a set time. 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein time adjustment is performed when turning on the power of the image output apparatus, when returning from the power saving mode, or when printing the annotation information. Image output device.