JP2000141823A - Imaging method, paint engine, imaging apparatus and imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer engine which can notify the conditions of imaging process to the controller side, and an imaging apparatus and an imaging system including it. SOLUTION: When print is started at S601, a command 707 for notifying start of imaging operation is issued to a print controller 3 and the control steps to under print state S602. In the under print state S602, a command 709 notifying occurrence of print error is issued upon occurrence of an error, e.g. jam, during print operation of a relevant print job before the control steps to print interruption state,S606 or a command 711 notifying the end of print operation is issued upon ending print operation. In the print interruption state S606, a command 710 notifying restart of print operation is issued if error is released after occurrence of print error of the relevant print job.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printer engine having an image memory such as an AM, an image forming apparatus including a controller for transmitting image data stored in the image memory of the printer engine, and an image forming system including a personal computer and a workstation. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral having a copy function and the like is provided with an image memory such as a hard disk or a RAM for storing image data in a printer engine. Functions and image file functions.

When printing an image created by a computer or the like or an original image read by a scanner or the like by such a printer engine having an image memory, a page description language sent from the computer or the like is used as a controller. After developing the image data into image data, the image data is temporarily stored in an image memory in a printer engine, and the stored data is printed.

[0004]

However, when printing an image input from a computer or the like in such an image forming apparatus, the image data is stored in the image memory of the printer engine. Of image data is not performed simultaneously with image formation.

For this reason, the controller side cannot take a method of recognizing the status of the image forming process from the transfer status of the image data, and the controller side cannot grasp the status of the image forming process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer engine capable of notifying a controller of the status of image forming processing, and an image forming apparatus including the same. An apparatus and an image forming system are provided.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in an image forming method according to the present invention, there is provided an image input step of inputting image data, and an image storing the image data input in the image input step. A storing step, an image forming step of forming an image corresponding to the image data stored in the image storing step on a recording material, and a state of image formation when forming an image on the recording material in the image forming step And an information output step of outputting information including the following.

Here, in the information output step, it is preferable that the information is output to an input source that has input the image in the image input step.

Further, in the print engine according to the present invention, image input means for inputting image data, image storage means for storing image data input by the image input means, and image data stored in the image storage means. Image forming means for forming an image corresponding to the image data on the recording material,
When the image forming unit forms an image on a recording material, the image forming unit includes a status data output unit that outputs data including a status of the image formation.

Here, it is preferable that the data output means outputs the data to an input source to which an image has been input by the image input means.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising: image data generating means for generating image data; and image data outputting means for outputting image data generated by the image data generating means. A controller, image input means for inputting image data output from the print controller, image storage means for storing image data input by the image input means, and image data stored in the image storage means. Image forming means for forming an image on a recording material, and situation data output means for outputting data including a situation of image formation to the controller when the image forming means forms an image on the recording material. And a print engine.

Here, it is preferable that the image data generating means is means for developing image information expressed in a page description language.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises image reading means for reading an image on the document, and the image storage means stores the image data read by the image reading means.

Further, the image forming system according to the present invention comprises:
A print controller having image data generating means for generating image data, image data output means for outputting image data generated by the image data generating means, and an image for inputting image data output from the print controller Input means, image storage means for storing image data input by the image input means, image forming means for forming an image corresponding to the image data stored in the image storage means on a recording material, When the means forms an image on a recording material, a situation data output means for outputting data including the situation of image formation to the controller, and a computer terminal, comprising: a print terminal, the print controller, Information indicating the state of image formation input from the print engine is stored in the computer. Characterized in that it has an information output means for outputting to the terminal.

On the other hand, a computer readable memory according to the present invention is a computer readable memory storing a control program for a print engine for forming an image after storing input image data in an image storage means. Image forming program code for forming an image corresponding to the image data stored in the recording material on a recording material, and a condition for outputting data including a condition of image formation when an image is formed on the recording material by the image forming program And a data output program code.

[0016]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the relative arrangement of components described in this embodiment, formulas, numerical values, etc., unless otherwise specified,
It is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The scanner unit 1 reads an image on a document and converts it into image data. The print engine 2 includes a control unit 21 that controls the entire print engine, and an image forming unit 22 centering on the photosensitive drum. The print engine 2 stores image data input from the scanner unit 1 and the print controller 3 in an image memory inside the control unit 21. Then, the image data stored in the image memory is output to the image forming unit 22. The image forming unit 22 records an image corresponding to the image data on a recording sheet. The print controller 3 receives a document or an image which is handled by a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS) 4 expressed in a page description language, develops it into image data, and sends it to the scanner unit 1 by predetermined communication. I do. Alternatively, the scanner unit 1 and the image forming unit 2 are connected to the PC / WS4.
Notify the situation.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the scanner unit 1 and the print engine 2. Document feeder 101 of scanner unit 1
Is the platen glass 102 one by one from the last page
The document is fed upward, and after the document reading operation is completed, the document on the platen glass 102 is discharged. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and lens 108.
CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 1
09. The image of the scanned document is read by the CCD 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing, stored in an image memory, and then transferred to the image forming unit 22.

The image forming section 22 includes a laser driver (not shown) and drives the laser emitting section 201. As a result, the laser emitting unit 201 emits a laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the scanner unit 1. The laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the cassettes 204 and 205, is conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. I do.
The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by a discharge roller 208.
The sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each pin.

When no sorting is set, the sorter 220 stores recording paper in the uppermost bin. When double-sided recording is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209. When multiple recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the above-described timing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner unit 1 and the control unit 22 in the print engine 2. CC
The image data output from D109 is the A / D SH unit 1
At 10, analog / digital conversion is performed and shading correction is performed. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is input to the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 and stored in the image memory 117 via the image processing unit 111. Alternatively, the image data sent from the print controller 3 is transmitted to the image memory 1 via the interface unit 113 and the image processing unit 111.
17 is stored. On the other hand, when forming an image, the image data stored in the image memory 117 is transferred to the image processing unit 111.
Is transferred to the image forming unit 22 via the. The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 according to the settings set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode in which a copy is performed by performing a trimming process with the operation unit 115 is set, the image processing unit 111
To cause the image forming unit 22 to perform a trimming process. Alternatively, the image memory 11 is operated by the operation unit 115.
When an instruction to print the image stored in 7 is given, the image data specified from the image memory 117 is transferred to the image forming unit 22 via the image processing unit 111 and printed. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. Also, the memory 116
Is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the print controller 3. The print controller 3 is connected to the PC / WS 4 via a cable such as a network, and communicates with the PC / WS 4 such as notifying the status of the printer via the interface 401. Alternatively, PC /
The page description language sent from WS4 is stored in memory 403 via interface 401 and data processing unit 402.
To accumulate. The accumulated page description language is the CPU 40
4, the image data is expanded on the memory 403 into image data.
The expanded image data is transferred to the print engine 2 via the interface unit 405 according to the setting of the PC / WS 4 or the operation unit 304 of the print engine 2.
The CPU 404 performs such control according to a control program stored in the memory 403 and a control command transferred from the print engine 2. Also, the memory 4
03 is also used as a work area of the CPU 404.

As described above, it is possible to perform processing combining functions of reading a document image, printing an image, saving an image, and inputting / outputting data from / to the PC / WS 4, mainly by the print engine 2. is there. The image data handled by this printer system, such as copying a document image on a platen and printing an image or document created by the PC / WS4, is not directly used for image formation, but is stored in the image memory of the print engine 2. Since the data is stored in the memory 117, the image transfer from the print controller 3 can be sequentially performed even during a jam.

Next, the communication between the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 and the print controller 3 when notifying the image formation status and the result when printing a document or an image created by the computer of this embodiment will be described. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 7.

In step S501, the print controller 3 converts a document or image expressed in a page description language into a PC /
Received from WS7 and print job (1 page or
When a series of print instructions composed of a plurality of pages are generated, the print controller 3
A command 701 for notifying the occurrence of a print job is issued to the control unit 21 via the interface 405. The command 701 also includes information for printing (single-sided / double-sided, printing order (normal / reverse order), etc.).

In step S502, the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 issues a command 702 to the print controller 3 to notify the permission of the print job.
To the command 702, a job number indicating a print job is added in a subsequent image data transfer or a status notification at the time of image formation.

In step S503, when one page or a plurality of pages of image data are developed in the memory 502 from the page description language in the print controller 3, the controller 21 of the print engine 2 is requested to transfer the image data. Command 703 is issued for this purpose.

In step S504, the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 prepares to store the image data sent from the controller in the image memory 117, and then sends the image data developed from the print controller 3 to the image memory 117. It is stored in the memory 117. After transferring / accumulating the image data of the designated page, the print controller 3
Command 704 for notifying the end of transfer / accumulation of image data
Issue

Further, in S505, if at least one image can be printed with the stored image, and if printing has not been started in S506, the memory 1 of the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 is printed.
16 is started (S
507), printing is started.

Steps S503 to S507 are performed until the transfer of image data of all pages of the print job is completed in step S508.

In step S508, when the transfer of the image data of all the pages of the print job is completed, the print controller 3 notifies that the transfer of the image data of all the pages in the print job is completed.
Command 705 is issued.

Then, in step S509, the print engine 2
The control unit 21 issues to the print controller 3 a command 706 for notifying that the end of image data transfer for all pages in the print job has been recognized.

Further, if printing has not been started in S510 because the image of all pages is required for printing, such as reverse printing, the printing is started in S511. To
The print program stored in the memory 117 of the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 is started.

Further, after S508 or S511, the image input / output unit 1 notifies the print controller 3 of the print status of the print job using the job number determined by the command 702.

Subsequently, the communication between the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 and the print controller 3 for notifying the status of printing when the print program is started in S507 or S511 and the printing of the print job is started. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 6, and 7.

In step S601, when printing of the print job is started, the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 issues a command 7 to notify the print controller 3 of the start of image formation via the interface 113.
Issue 07.

If it is determined in step S602 that the images necessary for printing one sheet of paper have been stored, the processing proceeds to step S602.
At 603, printing is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S602 that the images required to print one sheet of paper have not been stored, the process waits until the required images are stored.

In step S604, when the printing is normally performed, the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 issues a command 708 indicating that one print is completed to the print controller 3.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S604 that printing cannot be performed normally and an error such as a jam occurs, the process proceeds to step S605.
Then, the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 issues a command 709 for notifying the print controller 3 that a print error has occurred, and waits for the error to be cleared in S606.

If the error has been cleared in S606, the control unit 21 of the print engine 2 proceeds to S607.
A command 710 for notifying the print restart is issued to the print controller 3, and in step S <b> 602, the process waits for accumulation of an image necessary for printing one sheet.

Steps S602 to S607 are repeated until the printing of all the images of the relevant job is completed in S608. If the printing of all the images of the relevant job is completed in S608, the print engine is switched in S609. 2
When the printing is completed, the control unit 21 of the command 71 notifies the print controller 3 of the end.
Issue 1.

As described above, the command is issued to the print controller 3 in accordance with the print status, and the print status is notified to notify the print controller 3.
Can recognize the print status of each print job.

Further, in the print controller 3,
By notifying the PC / WS 4 of the recognized status of the print via a network or the like, the execution status of the print job can be recognized on the PC / WS 4 as well.

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the controller, the PC / WS and the printer are independent of each other. However, a system in which the controller is incorporated in the PC / WS, and a controller including the controller are included. The present invention can be applied to various systems and printers, such as a printer of a type, a system in which a controller, a PC / WS, and a printer are all integrated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts. An image forming program for forming an image corresponding to the stored image data on a recording material ", and" a condition for outputting data including a state of image formation when an image is formed on a recording material by the image forming program " What is necessary is just to store the program code of each module of the "data output program" in the storage medium.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The controller can be notified of the status of the image forming process.
A printer engine, an image forming apparatus including the same, and an image forming system can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a scanner unit and a print engine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a scanner unit and a control unit of a print engine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a print controller.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart and a command issuing process when image data developed by a print controller is transferred to a print engine and stored in an image memory.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart and a command issuing process when printing image data stored in an image memory in the print engine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a command communicated in FIGS. 5 and 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner part 2 Print engine 3 Print controller 4 PC / WS

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image input step of inputting image data; an image storage step of storing the image data input in the image input step; and an image corresponding to the image data stored in the image storage step on a recording material. An image forming method, comprising: an image forming step of forming an image on a recording material in the image forming step; 2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein in the information output step, the information is output to an input source that has input an image in the image input step. 3. An image input unit for inputting image data, an image storage unit for storing the image data input by the image input unit, and an image corresponding to the image data stored in the image storage unit on a recording material. And a status data output unit that outputs data including a status of image formation when the image forming unit forms an image on a recording material. 4. The print engine according to claim 3, wherein said data output means outputs said data to an input source to which an image is input by said image input means. 5. A print controller comprising: image data generation means for generating image data; image data output means for outputting image data generated by the image data generation means; and an image output from the print controller. Image input means for inputting data; image storage means for storing image data input by the image input means; image forming means for forming an image corresponding to the image data stored in the image storage means on a recording material And a status data output unit that outputs data including a status of image formation to the controller when the image forming unit forms an image on a recording material, and a print engine comprising: Image forming device. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said image data generating means is means for developing image information expressed in a page description language. 7. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising image reading means for reading an image on a document, wherein said image storage means stores image data read by said image reading means. Image forming apparatus. 8. A print controller comprising: image data generation means for generating image data; image data output means for outputting image data generated by the image data generation means; and an image output from the print controller. Image input means for inputting data; image storage means for storing image data input by the image input means; image forming means for forming an image corresponding to the image data stored in the image storage means on a recording material When the image forming unit forms an image on a recording material, a status data output unit that outputs data including the status of image formation to the controller, a print engine having: The print controller includes information indicating a state of image formation input from the print engine. Image forming system characterized by having an information output means for outputting to the computer terminal. 9. A computer readable memory storing a control program of a print engine for forming an image after storing input image data in an image storage means, the storage medium corresponding to the image data stored in the image storage means. An image forming program code for forming an image on a recording material, and a situation data output program code for outputting data including the state of image formation when the image is formed on the recording material by the image forming program. A computer readable memory characterized by the following.