JP2000203126A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for displaying the operating conditions of a counterpart imaging apparatus on an imaging apparatus under operation so that a user can maker a decision whether the counterpart imaging apparatus can be used or not. SOLUTION: After initialization, a key input or generation of an event from an imaging apparatus engine is waited (S11). If any key operation is present, it is notified as a key input event from an operating section. Similarly, if any variation of imaging engine is present, variation of a document set detection signal is notified as an engine event. Upon occurrence of a key or engine event, a decision is made whether it is a key input event or an engine event of its own apparatus or other apparatus (S12). If it is an event of its own apparatus engine event process of its own apparatus is invoked (S13), key input event process of its own apparatus is invoked in case of key input (S14), event process of counterpart apparatus is invoked in case of counterpart apparatus event (S15) and event is waited again. In case of counterpart apparatus event process, event information of that apparatus is stored.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which can be used by connecting a plurality of apparatuses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various systems have been proposed in which a plurality of copying machines are connected to obtain a large number of copies in a short time.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-83023 discloses a system in which a plurality of copying machines are connected in a network, and a detecting means is provided for detecting a limit of the number of discharged sheets of each copying machine. A technique is disclosed in which a management apparatus causes another copying machine to execute the same processing when a limit is reached. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-181802 discloses a system for connecting a plurality of copying machines and performing a large amount of copying.
A technique is disclosed in which the number of prints and image data are transmitted from a master device, while the status of each device is requested, and the status of each device is grasped by the master device. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-220
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 945 discloses that when an abnormality occurs in a certain digital copying machine while a plurality of digital copying machines share work, an operator is notified that the job is stopped, and the other copying machines are notified. There is disclosed a system that allows subsequent work to be performed quickly by sharing work.

[0003]

By the way, the connecting operation in a plurality of image forming apparatuses means, for example, that one original is
When two sheets are shared by two image forming apparatuses when copying 00 sheets, this function is capable of copying in half the time of one sheet because 50 sheets are printed per sheet. In order to increase such productivity, in a system in which a plurality of devices are connected,
If the opposing machine to be connected is performing printing, the work is interrupted, so that the connecting operation is not performed. However, the user cannot accurately determine the substantial state of whether or not printing is to be started from that point in time by simply displaying “printing”.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an image display apparatus for displaying the operation status of an opposing device on a display unit of an operating image forming apparatus so that a user can determine whether the opposing device to be connected can be used or not. It is to provide a forming device. A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to easily check and understand the status of a counterpart device on a graphical screen using graphics and symbols. .

A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of discriminating whether or not a user of an opposite device is setting a document based on information of a document sensor. A fourth object of the present invention is to make it possible to determine whether or not a user is present in front of a counterpart device based on information from a human body detection sensor, and to determine whether a user has left the counterpart device in a document setting state (forgot to remove). An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of determining whether or not it is possible. A fifth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of determining whether or not an opposing device is in use based on key operation information.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in order for the image forming apparatus to share work with one or more other image forming apparatuses, connecting means for transmitting and receiving various data is provided. Receiving means for receiving information on a user operation of another image forming apparatus via the connecting means;
The first object is achieved by providing a display unit for displaying information on a user operation of another image forming apparatus received by the receiving unit. In the invention described in claim 2, in the invention described in claim 1, the second object is achieved by the display means displaying information relating to a user operation as graphical information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the receiving means receives information on a user operation from a document detection sensor provided in another image forming apparatus. Thereby, the third object is achieved. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the receiving unit receives information related to a user's operation from a human body detection sensor provided in another image forming apparatus. Achieve the fourth objective. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the receiving unit receives information on a user operation from a key input of an operation unit provided in another image forming apparatus. The fifth object is achieved.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. When a start key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed, a document bundle placed on a document table 2 provided in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter ADF) 1 is pressed to a lowermost position. The original is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the paper feed roller 3 and the paper feed belt 4.
The ADF 1 has a counting function that counts up the number of originals upon completion of feeding one original.

The document fed by the ADF 1 is read by the reading unit 50 to read the image data of the document on the contact glass 6. The document on which the reading operation has been completed is discharged out of the apparatus by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. Feed roller 3,
The feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transport motor 26 (see FIG. 4). The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeding device 11, the second sheet feeding device 12, and the third sheet feeding device 13, respectively, and are vertically conveyed. The photoconductor 15 by the unit 14
Conveyed to a position where it comes into contact with. Reading unit 50
The image data read by the
Is written on the photoreceptor 15 by the laser beam from the developing unit 27 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image.

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 speed of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 19 by the discharge unit 18. When forming images on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed and imaged from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is conveyed to the double-sided paper conveyance path 113 without being guided to the discharge tray 19 side. The switchback is reversed by the reversing unit 112 and sent to the double-sided transport unit 111.

Thereafter, the sheet sent to the two-sided conveyance unit 111 is sent to the vertical conveyance unit 14 again, where the image is printed on the back surface, and then discharged. When the transfer sheet is inverted and discharged, the sheet switched back by the reversing unit 112 is not sent to the duplex conveying unit 111, and
The sheet is sent out to the reverse sheet discharging conveyance path 114 and discharged. Photoconductor 1
5, the conveyor belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18 and the developing unit 27 are driven by the main motor 25. The paper feeders 11 to 13 are transmitted and driven by the main motor 25 by paper feed clutches 22 to 24, respectively. The vertical transport unit 14 includes a main motor 25
Is transmitted by the intermediate clutch 21 (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 is provided with a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, and a preheat key 35. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 indicates function keys, the number of copies, and the state of the image forming apparatus. A message is displayed. The LED indicator 38 displays the application switching key and the selected application. By selecting this application switching key, the screen of the selected application is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31.

By pressing the initial setting key 39, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. It is possible to arbitrarily set the size that is set when the paper size stored in the machine is set or the mode clear key of the copy function is pressed. Also, select the application etc. that is preferentially selected when there is no operation for a certain period of time, set the transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star plan, and set the time to transition to auto-off / sleep mode You can do it. When the preheating key 35 is pressed, the machine shifts from the standby state to the power reduction state, lowers the fixing temperature, and turns off the display of the operation unit 30. Here, the preheating state means a low power state referred to in the International Energy Star Program. To release the preheating state, the off state / sleep state, and shift to the standby state, the preheating key 35 is pressed again.

FIG. 3 shows the liquid crystal touch panel 3 of the operation unit 30.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of No. 1; When the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. When the details of the function need to be specified (for example, in the case of scaling, a scaling value or the like), a key is touched to display a setting screen of the detailed function. Thus, the liquid crystal touch panel 3
1 uses a dot display, so that the optimal display at that time can be graphically performed.
The connection key 40 is an effective key when it is electrically connected to one or more other image forming apparatuses. When the link key 40 is pressed, the pressed machine becomes the master machine, and the connected image forming apparatus becomes the slave machine.
If the selected function is copy, a document image read by the master machine can be output by the slave machine in response to a start instruction of the operation unit of the master machine. The status icon 41 is an icon for displaying the status of the image forming apparatus serving as the opposite device. The display of this icon is updated based on the event information sent from the other device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control device centering on the main controller. The main controller 20 has a function of controlling the entire image forming apparatus. The operation unit 30 performs display for an operator, input control of function setting from the operator, control of a scanner, control of writing a document image in an image memory, image control. A distributed control device such as an image processing unit (IPU) 49 for controlling image formation from a memory and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 is connected.

Further, the main controller 20 is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses and has information on the configuration and function of the apparatuses.
Connection I / F for transmitting and receiving information related to operation control
(Interface) 48 is connected. The main controller 20 controls the connection operation by acquiring information on the image forming apparatus connected via the connection I / F 48 and setting the operation. Alternatively, it acquires a request from another connected image forming apparatus and controls the operation of its own apparatus.
Each distributed control device and the main controller 20 exchange machine status and operation commands as needed. Further, a main motor 25 necessary for paper conveyance and the like, various clutches 21 to 24, and a human body detection sensor 29 for detecting the presence of a person are provided.
Is also connected.

Returning to FIG. 1, a description will be given of a processing procedure from reading of an original by the image forming apparatus to writing of an image. 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, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. I have. Exposure lamp 5
The first and first mirrors 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically operated at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electric signal, and processed.

The writing unit 57 comprises a laser output unit 58, an image forming lens 59 and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a polygon which rotates at a high speed at a high speed by a laser diode and a motor as a laser light source. A mirror (polygon mirror) is provided. The laser light output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. Although not shown, a beam sensor that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position near one end of the photoconductor 15 where the laser beam is irradiated.

FIG. 5 shows an image processing unit (IPU) 49.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the device. Exposure lamp 51
The reflection of the light emitted from the CCD image sensor 54
A / D (analog / digital) converter 61 converts the signal into a digital signal. The image signal converted to the digital signal is subjected to shading correction 62.
Is performed, the image processing unit 63 performs MTF correction, γ correction, and the like. Then, the image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 72 is scaled up or down in accordance with the scaling factor, and flows to the selector 64. In this selector 64, the destination of the image signal is
Switching to the writing γ correction unit 71 or the image memory controller 65 is performed. The image signal that has passed through the writing γ correction unit 71 has its writing γ corrected in accordance with the image forming conditions, and is sent to the writing unit 57.

Image memory controller 65 and selector 6
Between the four, the image signal can be input and output bidirectionally. Also, a CP for setting the image memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57
U (central processing unit) 68 and ROM (read only memory) 69, R for storing its program and data
An AM (random access memory) 70 is provided. Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the image memory controller 65.

The connection I / F 48 is connected to a data bus of the image memory controller 65 for transmitting and receiving image information, and is configured to be able to input and output data. The image information is transferred via the image memory 66 according to the data transfer speed between the image forming apparatuses. That is, at the time of image output, the image data is stored in the pixel memory 66 from the image memory controller 65, then the data is sequentially read from the image memory 66 in accordance with the data transfer speed between the image forming apparatuses, and the data is transferred to the connection I / F 48. I do. At the time of image output, after the image data transferred from the connection I / F 48 is stored in the image memory 66, the image data is processed from the image memory 66 through the image memory controller 65 inside the apparatus. With the configuration described above, the connection operation can be realized without being restricted by the functions of the image forming apparatus.

The original image sent to the image memory controller 65 is sent to the image memory 66 after the image data is compressed by an image compression device in the image memory controller 65. The reason for image compression here is that it is possible to write data of 256 gradations of the maximum image size into the image memory 66 as it is, but the image memory 66 is used very much for one document image. Therefore,
By performing image compression, the limited capacity of the image memory 66 can be effectively used.

Since a large amount of document image data can be stored at one time, the stored document image data can be output in page order as a sorting function. In this case, when outputting the image, the data is output while sequentially expanding the data of the image memory 66 by the expansion device in the image memory controller 65. Such a function is generally called “electronic sorting”. Further, the image memory 6
Using the function of No. 6, it is also possible to sequentially read a plurality of document images into an area obtained by dividing the area of one transfer sheet in the image memory 66. For example, if four original images are
By sequentially writing data into four equally divided areas of one transfer sheet in the image memory 66, it is possible to obtain a copy output in which four originals are combined into one transfer sheet image. Such a function is generally called “aggregated copy”.

The image stored in the image memory 66 can be accessed from the CPU 68. Therefore, the contents of the image memory 66 can be processed, and for example, an image thinning process, an image cutout process, and the like can be performed. For the processing, the processing of the image memory 66 can be performed by writing data to the register of the image memory controller 65. The processed image is stored in the image memory 66 again.
Is held. The contents of the image memory 66 are stored in the CPU 6.
8 reads out the image data 7 via the I / O port 67.
The configuration 3 allows the transfer to the operation unit 30.

Generally, since the screen display resolution of the operation unit 30 is low, the original image in the image memory 66 is thinned out and sent to the operation unit 30. A hard disk may be used as the image memory 66 to store a large amount of image data. By using a hard disk, there is also a feature that an external power supply is unnecessary and an image can be held permanently. In order to read and hold a plurality of fixed originals (format originals) with a scanner, the hard disk is generally used.

Here, an image signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to FIG. / FG
An ATE (frame synchronization signal) indicates an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. / LSYNC
Is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and an image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is / LGATE (line gate signal). These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK,
Data of 8 bits per pixel (256 gradations) is sent for one period of LK. In this example, the writing density on the transfer paper is 400 dpi, the maximum number of pixels is 4800 pixels in the main scan,
Sub-scanning is 6,800 pixels. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the image formed on the transfer paper and the signals / FGATE and / LGATE.
It is shown in In this example, the closer the image data is to 255, the whiter the image becomes.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the power is turned on, an initialization process is performed (step 10). The main contents of the initialization include resetting various flags, clearing various counters, clearing the image memory, resetting the image forming mode (magnification, division, etc.). After completion of the initialization, the flow waits for a key input or an event (a change factor) from the image forming apparatus engine (step 1).
1). When the user performs any key operation, the operation unit 3
It is notified from 0 as a key input event. Similarly, when an image forming engine changes, for example, a document is set on the ADF 1, a signal change of the document set detection 7 is notified as an engine event. When any key or engine event occurs (step 11;
Y), it is determined whether the generated event is a key input, the own engine event, or the other engine event (step 12).

If the result of this determination is that the own engine event has occurred, the own engine event processing (step 1)
3) In the case of a key input, the own device key input event process (step 14) is called, and in the case of the opposite device event, the opposite device event process (step 15) is called, and the event waits in step 11 again. Also, in the opposite device event processing (step 15), event information of the machine is stored and held.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the key input event process (step 14) of FIG. First, at step 20, a key press event of the print start key is checked. If it is a print start key (Step 20; Y), a copy process is executed (Step 25). In step 21, it is checked whether or not a ten-key input has been made. If the key event is a numeric key (step 21; Y), numeric key processing is performed (step 26). In step 22, a press event of the clear stop key is checked. If it is a clear stop key event (step 22; Y),
A clear stop process (step 27) is executed.

In step 23, a connection key event is determined. When this link key is pressed (step 2
3; Y), a connection setting process is executed (step 2)
8). In the connection process, after pressing the connection key, it is determined whether or not the opposing device can be used as a slave device. If not, a warning is displayed on the operation unit and the connection function is released. If it can be used as a slave device, the device itself becomes the master device, and control is started with the connected image forming apparatus as the slave device. Step 24 includes steps 20 to 2
It is determined whether a key event other than 3 has occurred. If there are other key events (step 24; Y), other key processing is executed (step 29). When each key event process is executed, the process ends.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of status icon processing. Human body detection sensor 29
If no person is detected in step (step 40; N), only the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed (step 44). If a human is being detected by the human body detection sensor 29 (Step 40; Y) and the operation section key event occurs within a predetermined time (Step 41; Y), a display during operation of the operation section as shown in FIG. Is performed (step 45). When a human is being detected by the human body detection sensor 29 and the information of the document set detection sensor 7 indicates that there is paper (step 42; Y), a document operation display as shown in FIG. 9 is performed (step 46). If a human being is being detected, the operation unit key event has not occurred for a predetermined period of time, and if there is no original, a display of only humans is performed as shown in FIG. 10 (step 43).

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by displaying information on the operation of the user of another image forming apparatus on the display means, it is possible to determine whether the image forming apparatus to which the user is connected can be used or not. become. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the status of the connected image forming apparatuses can be easily confirmed and understood on a graphical screen using graphics and symbols.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the user of the connected image forming apparatus is setting a document based on information of the document sensor of the connected image forming apparatus. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not a user is present in front of the connected image forming apparatus based on information of the human body detection sensor of the image forming apparatus. Further, it is possible to determine whether or not the user has left the apparatus in the document setting state (forgetting to be removed). According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the connected image forming apparatus is in use based on the information on the key operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a liquid crystal touch panel of an operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram mainly showing a main controller and a control device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image processing unit (IPU).

FIG. 6 shows an image formed on transfer paper and / FGAT.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between signals of E and / LGATE.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example when no human is detected by the human body detection sensor.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example within a predetermined time after a key event is generated while a person is being detected.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example in a case where a person is being detected and the information of the document set detection sensor indicates that there is paper.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example in a case where a person is being detected, there is no operation unit key event for a predetermined time, and there is no original.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a key input event process in detail.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of processing a status icon.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 automatic document feeder (ADF) 2 document table 3 paper feed roller 4 paper feed belt 6 contact glass 7 document set detection 29 human body detection sensor 30 operation unit 31 liquid crystal touch panel 40 connection key 50 reading unit 57 writing unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/00 106 B41J 29/00 TF term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 HH01 HJ07 HK06 HK11 HL01 HN04 HN05 HN15 HN19 HP02 HQ02 2H027 DA29 DA36 EC20 EE07 EE10 EF06 EJ15 GA03 GA32 GB13 ZA08 5C062 AA05 AA27 AB02 AB20 AB25 AB30 AB32 AC04 AC05 AC64 AC66 AE15 AF06 BA00

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Linking means for transmitting and receiving various data in order to share work with one or more other image forming apparatuses, and information relating to user operations of other image forming apparatuses via the connecting means An image forming apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives information from a user; and a display unit that displays information related to a user operation of another image forming apparatus that is received by the receiving unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays information related to a user operation as graphic information. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives information related to a user operation from a document detection sensor provided in another image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives information related to a user operation from a human body detection sensor provided in another image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives information related to a user operation from a key input of an operation unit provided in another image forming apparatus.