JP2000206836A - Digital copying machine network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoide the occurrence of an erroneous copying due to alloted and parallel printing caused by the combination of the different kinds of record ing paper before executing connection copying operation, and also to improve the operability by simplifying the work such as the confirmation of paper kind at connection copying. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a control part 201 having a key to select a connection mode in which plural image forming devices are connected so as to be communicable in two ways and connection operation is executed, a key to display information such as a recording paper size, a paper kind and a remaining quantity for each paper feeding stage and to respectively make specification and a function displaying the state of a device, and an arbitrary device which is a master machine 1400 reads the original of a copying object, and supplies original information to the other device that is a slave machine 1410, and specified processing is executed by alloting and in parallel base on a specified information from the control part 201. In this case, in the case where a connection mode is selected and the size and the paper kind of the recording paper specified mutually coincide between the image forming devices of a connection operation object, the connection operation is started.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital copier network system connected to a network such as a LAN, and more particularly to a digital copier network system having a function of designating a connection mode in which a plurality of devices are connected by a selection key. ,
When an arbitrary image forming apparatus reads an original to be copied, supplies original information to other image forming apparatuses, and performs predetermined processing in parallel and in parallel based on a designated mode,
The present invention relates to a digital copying machine network system that checks the recording paper size and paper type of a device to be connected, checks the remaining amount, and controls the start of a connected copy operation based on the check result.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as a digital copying machine are connected via a communication network such as a LAN or a SCSI interface, and a connection mode is selected on an operation machine (master machine (master machine)) side. One job is shared by the master unit and its slave units (slave units),
2. Description of the Related Art There is known an apparatus (system) capable of performing a so-called linked copy operation for performing parallel copying. In other words, in a case where 100 sheets are copied from one document, for example, 50 sheets are respectively assigned to the linked operation copy, and parallel / printing is performed using the linked devices.

[0003]

However, in the prior art as described above, when the linked copy operation is performed using a plurality of linked digital copying machines, the size of the recording paper and the size of the paper are reduced. The instruction operation such as the seed and paper feeding direction and the response (confirmation) are not exchanged as accurate information between the master unit and the slave unit.
Even if the paper size is the same, the paper type is different, or the copying operation is started regardless of whether the connected apparatus is at the paper end or near end, and a miscopy is caused as an output result. For this reason, work such as checking the paper type or the like for each device each time a linked copy is performed has occurred, and the operability has been reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to avoid occurrence of erroneous copying due to a combination of different types of recording paper before performing a concatenated copying operation, and to check a paper type at the time of concatenated copying. A first object is to simplify work and improve operability.

[0005] Further, before the start of the linking copy operation, the remaining amount of recording paper in the linking machine is checked, and the start of the linking operation is controlled based on the result of the check, thereby avoiding copying interruption after the start of the linking operation, and Enables quick supply of recording paper,
A second object is to improve the productivity of the copying operation.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, in a digital copying machine network system according to the present invention, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected. A key for selecting a connection mode for connecting the image forming apparatuses, a key for displaying information such as a recording paper size, a paper type, and a remaining amount for each paper feed stage, and a key for specifying each, and a function for displaying a state of the apparatus. An operation / display unit having the following functions: an arbitrary image forming apparatus serving as a master machine reads a document to be copied, and supplies document information to another image forming apparatus serving as a slave machine;
In a digital copying machine network system in which predetermined processing is shared and performed in parallel based on specified information specified via a display means, the connection mode is selected, and recording specified between the image forming apparatuses to be connected is performed. The connection operation starts when the paper size and paper type match.

Further, in the digital copying machine network system according to the present invention, when the same recording paper size and the same paper type do not exist in the apparatuses to be connected, the selection key of the corresponding operation / display means is pressed. Input is disabled and displayed.

In the digital copying machine network system according to the third aspect, if the same recording paper size and the same paper type are not present in the apparatus to be connected, the corresponding operation / display means selection key is pressed. The input is disabled, and the selection disabled state of the selection key for which the input is disabled is always or constantly displayed.

Further, in the digital copying machine network system according to the present invention, the remaining amount of the recording paper to be used is checked for all the devices for which image formation is shared in the connection mode, and all the devices are checked. When one of the devices is in the paper end state, the start of the connection operation is prohibited.

Further, in the digital copying machine network system according to the present invention, the remaining amount of recording paper to be used is checked for all the devices for which image formation is shared in the connection mode, and all of the devices are checked. When one of the devices is in the near-end state, the start of the connection operation is prohibited.

Further, in the digital copying machine network system according to the present invention, the remaining amount of recording paper to be used is checked for all the apparatuses for which image formation is shared in the connection mode, and all of the apparatuses are checked. When the desired recording paper is loaded on one of the apparatuses, the connecting operation is started.

Further, in the digital copying machine network system according to the present invention, the prohibition control of the connection operation start in the paper end state and the near end state can be switched.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a digital copying machine network system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Control system of image forming apparatus (first configuration example), (second configuration example)], [configuration of image processing unit of image forming apparatus], [configuration of copier network system], [configuration of network copier] Hardware configuration], [Example of linked copy mode operation],
Explanation will be given in the order of [Explanation / Definition of terms].

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. AD
A document bundle (not shown) placed on a document table 102 of an F (automatic document feeder) 101 with a document image surface facing upward is moved to a lowermost position when a print key 202 on an operation unit 201 described below is pressed. A paper document is fed to a predetermined document reading position on a contact glass 105 by a feeding roller 103 and a feeding belt 104.

The document fed on the contact glass 105 is read by a reading unit 106 to read a document image, and then fed by a feed belt 104 and a discharge roller 107.
Is discharged by. Further, a document set detection sensor 1
If it is detected at 08 that the next document is present on the document table 102, a series of operations are performed on the next document by repeating the same operation as the previous document. The feeding roller 10
3. The feed belt 104 and the discharge roller 107 are driven by a transport motor (not shown).

The first tray 109 and the second tray 11
The recording papers stacked on the first and third trays 111 and 111 are respectively supplied to the first paper supply unit 112, the second paper supply unit 113, and the third paper supply unit 113.
The paper is fed by the paper feeding unit 114 and the vertical transport unit 115
To the registration roller, and the photosensitive drum 116
Is transported to a position immediately before contact with the sheet. At the same time, the original image read by the reading unit 106 is written as image data on the photosensitive drum 116 by the laser beam output from the writing unit 117, and further, the visible image is formed as a toner image by the developing unit 118. Be transformed into

Next, the recording paper is further conveyed by the conveyance belt 119 at the same speed as the rotation of the photosensitive drum 116 by restarting at a timing such that the registration roller is at a predetermined position with respect to the toner image. Thus, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 116 is transferred. The toner image transferred to the recording paper is heat-fixed by the fixing unit 120. Subsequently, the recording paper on which the image has been fixed (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming) is discharged by a paper discharge unit 121 to a finisher 122 which is a post-processing device.

The finisher 122 of the post-processing apparatus can guide the recording paper conveyed by the paper discharge unit 121 of the apparatus body toward the paper discharge tray 126 and the staple processing section (lower left in the drawing). The guidance at this time is performed using the switching plate 124. Switching plate 124
Is switched to the upper position, the sheet can be discharged to the normal sheet discharge tray 126 via the sheet discharge roller 123 and the transport roller unit 132. Switching plate 1
24, the transport rollers 125,
The paper can be conveyed to the staple table 128 via the printer 127.

The recording paper stacked on the staple table 128 is aligned by a paper aligning jogger 129 every time one sheet is discharged, and is stapled by the stapler 130 when a part of the copy is completed. The recording paper group bound by the stapler 130 is stored in the stapling completion paper discharge tray 131 by its own weight.

On the other hand, a normal paper discharge tray 126 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth. The paper discharge tray 126 that can be moved back and forth is provided for each document or for an image memory
01, the copy paper that moves back and forth for each part of the copy sorted by 01 and is simply discharged.

When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the first tray 109, the second tray 110, and the third tray 1
The recording paper fed and image-formed from the paper tray
By setting the branching claw 133 for path switching to the upper side without guiding to the side,
Stock at 4.

Thereafter, the recording paper stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 134 is fed again from the double-sided paper feeding unit 134, and after the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 116 is transferred, the recording paper is switched for path switching. By setting the branch claw 133 on the lower side, it is guided to the paper discharge tray 126. As described above, the double-sided paper feeding unit 134 is used when forming an image on both sides of the recording paper.

The photosensitive drum 116, the conveyor belt 119,
The fixing unit 120, the paper discharge unit 121, and the developing unit 118 are driven by a main motor (not shown), and the first paper supply unit 112, the second paper supply unit 113, and the third paper supply unit 114 The drive is transmitted by transmitting the drive by a first paper feed clutch (not shown), a second paper feed clutch (not shown), and a third paper feed clutch (not shown), respectively. Vertical transport unit 115
Is driven by transmitting the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch (not shown).

Next, an image reading operation in the image reading unit 106 and a writing unit 117
Will be described, that is, the operation up to the formation of a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 116. Here, the latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating the image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 116.

First, the reading unit 106 includes a contact glass 105 on which a document is placed, and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 135, a first
Mirror 136, lens 137, CCD image sensor 1
38, a second mirror 139, a third mirror 140, and the like. Exposure lamp 135 and first mirror 13
6 is fixed on a first carriage (not shown),
The mirror 139 and the third mirror 140 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).

The original image is read by the CCD image sensor 138, and converted and processed into an electric signal. The lens 137 and the CCD image sensor 1
By moving 38 in the left-right direction (in FIG. 1), the image magnification changes. That is, the lens 137 and the CCD image sensor 138 correspond to the designated magnification.
Is set in the left-right direction (image formation relationship).

The writing unit 117 comprises a laser output unit 141, an imaging lens 142 and a mirror 143. Inside the laser output unit 141, a laser diode (not shown) having a predetermined wavelength as a laser light source is provided. And a rotating polygon mirror (hereinafter, referred to as a polygon mirror, not shown) that is rotated at a high speed at a high speed by a polygon motor (not shown).

The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 141 is optically scanned by a polygon mirror rotating at a constant speed and a high speed, passes through an imaging lens 142, is turned back by a mirror 143, and is collected on the surface of the photosensitive drum 116. It shines and forms an image.

The optically scanned laser beam is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photosensitive drum 116 rotates, and the image signal output from a selector of the image processing unit 402, which will be described later, is line-by-line. Record. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 116 by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photosensitive drum 116.

As described above, the laser beam output from the writing unit 117 is applied to the photosensitive drum 116. A beam sensor (not shown) that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position near one end of the photosensitive drum 116 where the laser beam is irradiated. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting and outputting an image signal described later are performed.

[Configuration of Operation Unit] Next, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an operation unit 201 as an operation / display means for performing display to the user and input control of function setting from the user.
Will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation unit 201. As shown in FIG. 2, a print key 202 as a start key, a clear / stop key 203, a numeric keypad 204, a liquid crystal touch panel 205,
There are an initial setting key 207 and a mode clear key 208. Note that the liquid crystal touch panel 205 is
6. Used to display various messages indicating the number of copies and the state of the digital copier, and to input various information.

In this embodiment, a dot display is used as the liquid crystal touch panel 205, so that an optimal display at that time can be graphically performed. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal touch panel 20
5 uses a dot display, but is not particularly limited to this.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 205 of the operation unit 201. When the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 205, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. If the details of the function need to be specified (for example, if the magnification is a variable value, the setting screen of the detailed function is displayed by touching the key).

In FIG. 3, the upper left of the screen is a message area for displaying a message such as "Ready to copy" or "Please wait", and the right side is a copy number display area for displaying the number of sheets set. Automatic density key for automatically adjusting the image density, automatic paper selection key for automatically selecting the recording paper, sort mode key 304 for specifying the process of arranging the copies one by one in the page order, and sorting the copies for each page A stack mode key 303 for designating a process, a staple mode key 302 for designating a process for binding the sorted items one by one, a one-to-one key for setting the magnification to the same magnification, a scaling key for setting the magnification / reduction magnification, These are a double-sided key for setting a double-sided mode, and an erase / move key for setting a binding margin mode and the like. In this embodiment, a connection mode key 301 is provided, which is used when a large number of print operations are divided into a plurality of printouts via a network and printed out, as described later. In the drawing, the selected mode is indicated by hatching keys.

As shown in FIG. 3, a key for manually setting a paper feed tray is displayed for each paper feed tray as information on a paper feed tray corresponding to the number of paper feed trays. The size (including information on the length / width direction) of each paper feed tray, the remaining amount of the tray, the type of paper, and the like are displayed. Regarding the tray remaining amount, the down arrow indicates the paper end state, and one horizontal bar indicates the near end state. The selected mode is highlighted.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen when the connection mode is set by pressing the connection mode key 301. This screen is switched to a connection mode setting screen as shown in FIG. 4 by pressing the connection mode key 301 from the state of FIG. The connection mode setting screen is displayed on the connection device selection key 40 of each copy machine connected as shown in FIG.
Selection is made by pressing 0 (8 in this example). After that, when the user presses the setting end key 410, FIG.
Is switched to the screen shown in FIG. To cancel the connection mode, press the connection mode key 3 again.
By pressing 01, the screen is released and the screen returns to the screen of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen in a state where the recording paper is selected by a manual operation (not automatic selection by paper detection). Here, for example, the manual paper selection key 6
01 has manually selected the A4 landscape with “1”. Here, as the manual paper selection key 601, a selection key of special paper (tracing paper, OHP sheet, label paper, etc.) A4 length, recycled paper A3 length, B5 landscape is prepared.

FIG. 7 is an example of a screen on which a paper feed stage that cannot be selected is displayed with half brightness. When the user presses a key displayed at the half-brightness and attempts to select it, a warning display such as "cannot be used because there is no same tray" is displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows that, when the connection operation is started, if there is a device (slave device) other than the operation device (master device) that requires replenishment of the recording paper, the operation is interrupted and a warning of recording paper replenishment is given. For example, this example shows a display indicating that "please replenish paper to another machine". FIG.
0 is an example of a setting screen for switching the operation at the paper end. Here, a check level of the remaining amount of recording paper is set at the start of the operation. That is, the setting of whether the remaining amount is to be confirmed or the remaining amount is not confirmed, and whether the end (no recording paper) or the near end is set as the confirmation level at the time of the remaining amount confirmation. To switch to this screen, press the Initial Setting key 2
It becomes possible by pressing 07.

[Control System of Image Forming Apparatus] Next, the control system of the digital copying machine will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(First Configuration Example) FIG. 11 shows a control system of the above-described digital copying machine. As shown in FIG. 11, various components are arranged around a main controller 401 for controlling the entire digital copying machine. The system controller 401 includes an image reading unit 402, an image writing unit 403, a memory unit 404, a CSS 407,
The clock 408 is connected and the system controller 4
01, the user restriction device 405, the human body detection sensor 406, and the operation unit 201 are directly connected. The image reading unit 402, the image writing unit 403, and the memory unit 404 are connected to each other by an image data bus.

The memory unit 404 includes a compression block, a DRAM block, and a DMA block. A DRAM block in the memory unit 404 is for storing an image signal read from the image reading unit 402, and transfers image data stored in the image writing unit 403 in response to a request from the system controller 401. be able to. The compression blocks are MH, MR, and MM, which are commonly used data compression.
It has a compression function such as the R method, and compresses an image once read to improve the use efficiency of a memory (DRAM). The rotation of the image is realized by changing the address read from the image writing unit 403 and its direction. Note that this memory unit 404 is not necessary only to realize a normal copy function.

The clock 404 is necessary only when a weekly timer function is realized such that the machine is booted or shut down when a specific time (set time) has been reached. In addition, the human body detection sensor 406 is necessary only when a function of automatically canceling the preheating mode when a user approaches the machine in the preheating mode is realized. The CSS 407 has a remote diagnosis function, that is, a function of automatically notifying a service center when a machine error occurs, and monitoring the execution state / use state of the machine from a remote place. These may be mounted only when the above functions are required.

(Second Configuration Example) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the control system of the image forming apparatus. In the above-described first configuration example (FIG. 11), the CPU of the system controller 401 includes the image reading unit 402 and the image writing unit 40.
3, a central control method for controlling the memory unit 404 and the CSS 407, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the image reading unit 402, the image writing unit 403, and the memory unit 404
May have a distributed control system in which each has a CPU and transmits commands from the system controller to each controller via a control signal line. The configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus is not limited to the above configuration examples 1 and 2, but may be another configuration.

[Configuration of Image Processing Unit (IPU) of Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit (image reading unit 402 and image writing unit 403) according to the embodiment of the present invention. . Hereinafter, the configuration of the image processing unit will be described with reference to FIG. First, the irradiation light from the exposure lamp irradiates the original surface, and is imaged on the CCD image sensor 138 of the reading unit 106 by an imaging lens (not shown). The CCD image sensor 138 of the reading unit 106 photoelectrically converts the received document image to generate image data (analog electric signal).
After being converted into a digital signal by the / D converter 503 and subjected to shading correction by the shading correction circuit 504, the MTFγ correction circuit 505
TF correction and γ correction processing are performed.

The selector 502 has an MTFγ correction circuit 50
5 through the first print synthesizing unit 506 and the scaling circuit 508 through the second print synthesizing unit 507.
Or to the memory controller 510 by switching. The image data that has passed through the scaling circuit 508 is enlarged / reduced according to the scaling factor and sent to the writing unit 117.

On the other hand, between the memory controller 510 and the selector 502, image data can be bidirectionally input / output. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 16,
The image processing unit (IPU) includes image data supplied from outside via the I / O port 514 and the SCSI driver 515 in addition to the image data input from the reading unit 106, for example, a data processing device such as a personal computer. It has a function of selecting input / output of a plurality of data so that data input from a PC can be processed.

The image processing unit includes a CPU 511 for setting various information (commands) to the memory controller 510 and the like and controlling the reading unit 106 and the writing unit 117, and a ROM 512 storing programs and data of the CPU 511. And a RAM 513. Further, the CPU 511 is configured to be able to write or read data in the image memory 501 via the memory controller 510.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described in detail. FIG. 18 is a timing chart of image data for one page. Frame gate signal (hereinafter, / FGAT)
E) represents an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning synchronization signal (hereinafter, / L
SYNC) for each line, and / LSYNC
Image data becomes valid at a predetermined clock after C rises.

A signal indicating that image data in the main scanning direction is valid is a line gate signal (hereinafter, / LGATE).
Abbreviated). These / FGATE, / LSYNC
And / LGATE are a pixel synchronization signal (hereinafter, VCLK)
Abbreviation), and 1 cycle of VCLK
Pixel data is sent.

Although detailed description is omitted, the IPU
Is a separate / F for each of image input and image output.
GATE, / LSYNC, / LGATE and VCLK
, And various combinations of image input / output can be realized by performing phase adjustment or the like in the case of directly outputting a read document image (image data).

Next, the memory controller 510 and the image memory 501 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the memory controller 510 and the image memory 501. The memory controller 510 controls the input data selector 70
1, an image synthesizing unit 702, a primary compression / expansion unit 703, an output data selector 704, and a secondary compression / expansion unit 705. The setting of the control data in each section is performed by the CPU 51
1 is performed. The address shown in FIG.
Data indicates the address and data of image data, and the data and address of control data connected to the CPU 511 are omitted.

The image memory 501 includes a primary storage device 706
And a secondary storage device 707. The primary storage device 706 is, for example, a DRAM or the like so that writing to the image memory 501 or reading from the image memory 501 at the time of image output can be performed at high speed substantially in synchronization with the transfer speed of the input image data. Use one that allows high-speed access. Further, the primary storage device 706 has a configuration capable of simultaneously executing input / output of image data by dividing the image data into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed (not shown, but an interface unit with the memory controller 510). ).

The interface with the memory controller 510 is connected to the interface with the memory controller 510 by two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing so that input and output of image data can be executed in parallel in each divided area. Thus, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to the area 1 becomes possible.

The secondary storage device 707 is a large-capacity memory for storing data for synthesizing and electronically sorting input images. If elements that can be accessed at high speed are used for both the primary storage device 706 and the secondary storage device 707, data processing can be performed without distinction between the primary storage device 706 and the secondary storage device 707, and the control of the memory controller 510 is also performed. Although relatively simple, elements such as the DRAM are expensive, so that the access speed of the primary storage device 706 is set to be high to process input / output data. It goes without saying that a high-speed device such as a DRAM may be used for the secondary storage device 707 as well as the primary storage device 706.

By configuring the image memory 501 with the primary storage device 706 and the secondary storage device 707 as described above, an image forming apparatus capable of inputting / outputting, storing, and processing a large amount of image data can be manufactured at a low cost. In addition, it can be realized with a relatively simple configuration. Note that the aggregated image in the aggregated copy function is stored in the primary storage device 706 in a format in which a plurality of document images are written on one sheet of recording paper.

Next, an outline of the operation of the memory controller 510 will be described. First, image input (image memory 501)
Will be described).

The input data selector 701 selects image data to be written into the image memory (primary storage device 706) from a plurality of data. The image data selected by the input data selector 701 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 702, and is synthesized with the data already stored in the image memory 501 by the image synthesizing unit 702. The image data processed by the image synthesizing unit 702 is subjected to data compression by a primary compression / decompression unit 703, and the compressed data is written to a primary storage device 706. The data written in the primary storage device 706 is further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 705 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage device 707.

Next, image output (reading of image data from the image memory 501) will be described. First, at the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 706 is read. Even when the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 706, the primary compression / decompression unit 703 decompresses the image data in the primary storage device 706 and outputs the decompressed data or the decompressed data. The output data selector 704 selects and outputs the data after the image synthesis of the input data and the input data.

The image synthesizing unit 702 includes a primary storage device 706
With the input data (having the function of adjusting the phase of the image data), selecting the output destination of the synthesized data (image output, write-back to the primary storage device 706, simultaneous output to both output destinations) Output is also possible).

The image to be output is the primary storage device 706
If the image data is not stored in the secondary storage device 707, the output target image data stored in the secondary storage device 707 is
05, and the expanded data is stored in the primary storage device 70.
After writing the data in No. 6, the above-described image output operation is performed.

In order to share work, it is necessary to transmit and receive image data and commands to and from another digital copying machine.
The SI interface uses a serial communication line for transmitting and receiving commands. In this case, the memory controller 510 in FIG. 16 is realized via the SCSI driver 515.

[Structure of Copying Machine Network System] FIG. 13 shows a copying machine network system in which a plurality of digital copying machines according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected. Machine is referred to as a "network copy machine"). As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of digital copiers are connected to each other via a network interface. FIG. 1 shows an example in which eight digital copiers are networked, but the number of digital copiers to be connected is not limited to this, and any number of digital copiers may be connected. Different models may be used as long as mutual communication is possible.

[Hardware Configuration of Network Copying Machine] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the network copying machine. In particular, FIG. 14 shows two network copying machines (“Digital PPC-I” and “Digital PPC-II”). ) Is connected. Here, “digital PPC-I” is referred to as a master device 1400,
“Digital PPC-II” is referred to as a slave device 1410. As shown in the figure, the hardware configuration of one digital copying machine is almost the same as the hardware configuration example of FIG. 11, but the read image is transferred to an external network or In order to save the image data in the DRAM block in the memory unit, a SCSI (Small Computer
System Interface) and a SCSI controller. Note that, as described above, the master device 1400 and the slave device 1410 have an equal (peer-to-peer) relationship. For example, when designated on the display screen of FIG. 4, the operating device corresponds to the master device, and the other designated devices (copier 1, copying machine 4, and copying machine 7) are slave machines. The setting in the case of FIG. 14 is for convenience.

As the network communication means, for example, Ethernet is used as physical means, and OSI is used for data communication.
(Open System Interface) TCP / IP of reference model
(Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol
Various means are conceivable, such as using communication. In addition, by using the configuration as shown in the figure, not only image data transfer as described above, but also control commands such as an in-machine status notification of each machine existing on the network and a remote output command to be described later, setting It also transfers commands.

Next, an operation of transferring an image read by "digital PPC-I" to an image writing unit of "digital PPC-II" (hereinafter, referred to as "remote output") is shown in FIG.
4 and FIG. FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of software of “digital PPC-I” and “digital PPC-II”.

In FIG. 15, “copy application” is an application that executes a copy sequence for executing a copy operation, “input / output control” is a layer (device driver) that performs logical / physical conversion of data, and an operation unit controller is Layers that execute MMI (Man Machine Interface) (layers that perform LCD display, LED on / off, key input scan, etc. at a logical level), and “peripheral controller” are automatic duplex units, sorters, and PDS such as ADFs.
A layer that executes a control of a peripheral device attached to the PC at a logical level is shown, and “image forming unit controller”
The "image reading device controller" and the "memory unit" are as described above.

When a print request is requested from another machine on the network, the "daemon process" reads out the image data stored in the memory unit and transfers the image data to the "image forming unit". It exists as an application that performs the role of Of course, before a "daemon process" can read an image from a memory unit and perform a print operation, the image transfer from another machine on the network must be completed.

The operation unit, the peripheral device, the image forming unit, the image reading device, and the memory unit are treated as resources held by the respective PPCs. In the case where the “digital PPC-I” in the figure executes a copy operation using its own resources (when the print start key is pressed), the “image forming apparatus”, “ It requests each resource of the "image reading device" or, if necessary, the "peripheral device" and the "memory unit" from the "system control" unit.

The “system control” section includes a “copy application”
Arbitrates for the right to use resources in response to requests from
Notify the "copy application" of the arbitration result (usability). When the “digital PPC-I” is used in a stand-alone mode (in a state where no network connection is made), the “copy application” can occupy all the resources held by the system, so that the copying operation is immediately executed.
On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, the right to use a resource is given to a “system controller” of a remote digital PPC that executes a print operation using a resource of another machine (hereinafter, remote digital PPC) existing on the network. Request.

The system controller of the remote digital PPC arbitrates the resources according to the request, and notifies the result to the application of the requesting machine. When the right to use is granted, the application reads the image, stores the image in its own memory unit, and, when the storage is completed, via an external interface (SCSI in this embodiment). The image is transferred to the memory unit of the remote output destination machine. When the image transfer ends, the "daemon process" on the remote output destination machine
Then, after transmitting the conditions for executing the print (paper feed port, paper discharge port, number of prints, etc.), a "print start" command is transmitted. When the "daemon process" of the remote output destination receives the "print start" command,
The self (the machine that executes the remote output) requests the “system controller” to start printing, and the remote output is executed by the system controller.

When a “digital PPC-II” uses a “digital PPC-II” memory unit, the “digital PPC-II” memory unit
“Digital PPC-II” (or a digital PPC other than “Digital PPC-I” when a plurality of digital PPCs are connected on a network as shown in FIG. 9)
The use of the application is disabled.

[Operation Example of Linked Copy Mode] Next, a description will be given, with reference to a flowchart, of an operation example which is a feature of the present invention in the digital copying machine configured as described above and its network system. Here, description will be made using, for example, a network example based on the configuration of FIG. 14 and the software of FIG. 15 described above.

(Tray Display Processing Example) FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the state display of the sheet feeding tray and a half-brightness display for notifying whether the key can be pressed or not according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, the set size display shows the recording paper size and its transport direction (length / width) (S200).
1). Further, as the remaining amount display, the presence of paper, the air end, and the paper end state are displayed (S2002). Further, the paper type is displayed (S2003).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the connection mode is set by pressing the connection mode key 301 (S2).
004). Here, when it is determined that the connection mode is set, it is further determined whether or not another device (slave unit) set to be connected has the same size and the same paper type (search). (S2005). here,
If the same size and the same paper type do not exist in all of the linked devices, a half-brightness display is performed (S2006). on the other hand,
If the connection mode is not set in step S2004, or if the same size and the same paper type are present in all the devices that perform the connection operation, normal key display is performed (S200).
7). Note that these tray display processes are performed for every paper feed tray. The tray display process is executed when the state of the apparatus changes.

(Example of Manual Paper Selection) FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of manual paper selection according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, it is determined whether the manual paper selection key 601 has been pressed (S2101). Here, if it is determined that the manual paper selection key 601 has been pressed, it is further determined whether or not the connection mode has been set by pressing the connection mode key 301 (S2102). If the connection mode is not set, the key of the pressed sheet is highlighted (S2103), and the other inverted display is non-inverted (S2104).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2102 that the mode is not the connection mode, it is further determined whether or not the display is a half-brightness display (S2105). If the display is not half-brightness display, the process proceeds to step S2103. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2105 that the half-brightness display is to be performed (in the connection mode), the selection of the half-brightness display key is disabled for a predetermined period of time, and a warning that the selection is not possible is displayed. (S2106).

(Remaining Paper Check Process) FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the remaining paper check process according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, start key (Print key 2
02) is turned on (S2201), and if it is judged that the start key is turned on, the remaining amount of the selected paper of each apparatus sharing the linked copy operation is further searched, and the recording paper is searched. It is determined whether or not there is (S220)
2). Here, when it is determined that the recording paper is present in all the apparatuses to be linked and copied, the copying operation is started (S2).
203).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2205 that there is no recording paper in all of the linked copy target apparatuses,
Further, it is determined whether or not the operation setting is the remaining confirmation set state and the confirmation target level is paper end (S2204). If it is determined that the operation setting is in the residual confirmation set state and the confirmation target level is paper end, it is further determined whether there is at least one paper end state in each of the apparatuses to be connected. (S2205). If there is at least one paper end device, a paper supply message such as "Please supply paper to another machine" is displayed (see FIG. 9), and the operation is not started (S2206). At this time,
The near-end state is out of scope.

If it is determined in step S2204 that the operation setting is in the residual confirmation set state and the confirmation target level is not the paper end, the operation setting is further in the residual confirmation set state and the confirmation target level is near end. It is determined whether or not there is (S2207). Here, if it is determined that the remaining amount is in the set state and the check target level is near end, it is further determined whether at least one of the apparatuses subjected to the linked copy operation is near end (S2208). If it is determined that the current time is near end, the process advances to step S2506. On the other hand, if it is determined that the apparatus is not near-end, it is further determined whether at least one of the apparatuses subjected to the linked copy operation is paper-end (S2209). If it is determined, the operation starts.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2207 that the operation setting is in the residual confirmation set state and that the confirmation target level is not near end, it is further determined whether or not all the apparatuses subjected to the link copy operation are in paper end. Then (S2210), if it is paper end, the process proceeds to step S2506, and if it is determined that it is not paper end, the operation is started.

In this embodiment, the remaining amount is checked by detecting the height of the paper loaded on the paper feed tray (cassette) by a known means, and the level of the remaining paper is determined as the level of the recording paper. It is in a near-end state (in the display keys in FIG. 3 and the like, the horizontal key is displayed). The near end state is set when the number of stacked sheets is equal to or less than a certain number (10% or less of the total).

[Explanation and Definition of Terms] Next, terms used in this specification and terms related to the digital copying machine will be described.

[Image reading device (image reading unit)]: As an "image reading device" used in the digital PPC, a light source is irradiated on a document, and the reflected light is converted into an electric signal by a "solid-state image pickup device = CCD". In addition, an apparatus having a function of performing "necessary image processing" is used. Here, the “necessary image processing” includes quantization (conversion of analog data converted into an electric signal by a CCD into binary or multi-valued data), shading correction (irradiation unevenness of a light source for irradiating a document, and so on). MTF correction (to correct blur caused by the optical system.)
Magnification processing (shows processing such as changing the image reading density and performing data interpolation using the read image data)
Etc.

[Image forming unit]: The "image forming unit" used in the digital PPC forms an image image transmitted by an electric signal on plain paper, thermal paper, or the like by means of electrophotography, heat transfer, thermal transfer, ink jet, or the like. It is a device to do.

[Video signal], [Image data]: Electric signals of an image converted by the above-mentioned "image reading device",
An electric signal of an image input to the “image forming unit”, and
Signals for synchronizing with the electric signal of the image are collectively expressed as "video signal" or "image data".

[Control Signal], [Command]: In order to exchange a “video signal” between an “image reading device”, an “image forming unit”, and an “application”, it is necessary to transmit information between the devices. is there. This means is referred to as "control signal" or "command" issuance.

[Extended Function], [Application (abbreviated as application)], [Memory Function], [Memory Unit]:
A major feature of digital PPC is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by the image forming apparatus. At this time, by having means for changing (image processing) and transmitting the read electrical signal in various ways, it becomes possible to apply the present invention to fields other than the conventional analog PPC. In addition to realizing functions such as FAX, page printer, scanner, and file system, recently, even when executing the PPC function, the read image data is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a DRAM, and the image data is stored as needed. By reading the data, a function of executing a plurality of prints in one scan at the time of a plurality of copies, or a function of printing a plurality of documents on one sheet of recording paper (= memory function) is realized. Functions that can be realized by these digital PPC systems are referred to as “extended functions” or “apps”. The memory unit is also used as a buffer for transferring image data between machines on a network.

[System Controller], [System]: In carrying out the copy mode, in order to form an image in the image writing section, a paper transport process, an electrophotographic process process, an abnormal state and a paper cassette state (paper presence / absence state) And the like, and a controller that controls the scanner operation and the ON / OFF of the light source in order to monitor the inside of the device and read an image by the image reading unit are collectively referred to as a “system controller”. Furthermore, in recent digital PPCs, not only one extended function but also a plurality of applications have been installed simultaneously. As described above, a digital PPC sharing one resource may be referred to as a “system”, and a controller that controls this system may be referred to as a “system controller”.

[Resource], [Resource]: A unit of a functional unit shared by a plurality of applications is expressed as “resource” and “resource”. The aforementioned “system controller”
System control is performed for each resource. The resources managed by the digital PPC of this case are “image reading device”, “image forming unit”, “operation unit”, “memory”, “peripheral device (= ADF, sorter, automatic duplex unit, stapler 130, finisher 122) Etc.).

[User Restriction]: In particular, there is a case where the user does not want to permit use of the PPC using the electrophotographic process without restriction because the consumption is large. At this time, "user"
"Coin rack" to identify, limit, and manage
Use "user restricted device" such as "key counter", "key card", "prepaid card", "password" and the like.

[User setting]: When the system becomes complicated, it is necessary to individually deal with each user. Since it is impossible to satisfy all of these measures at the time of factory shipment, measures in the market are indispensable. Therefore, normally, a non-volatile RAM is provided to enable system setting according to the customer's request, but this function is expressed as "user setting".

[Idle state]: A state in which no operation is performed by the user for a certain period of time is expressed as an "idle state", and other states are expressed as a "busy state".
The time until the transition from the "busy state" to the "idle state" is user-configurable. For example, during a copying operation, as well as after the copying operation is completed, a transition to the “idle state” will not be made unless a non-operation state by the user is continued for a certain period of time.

[Weekly timer]: Turns ON / OFF the power according to the ON / OFF time set for each day of the week.
F function.

[Preheating]: By controlling the fixing temperature by lowering it by a certain temperature (for example, 10 ° C.) and turning off the display of the operation section,
This mode saves power consumption. The setting of this mode is automatically set after a certain period of time from when there is no operation or operation depending on key input on the operation unit or machine setting. This mode is released when a human body detection sensor detects that a person stands in front of the machine by key input on the operation unit or machine setting.

[Reload]: A state in which the fixing temperature reaches a preset fixing temperature and copying is possible is called reloading.

[Interrupt mode]: This mode is for temporarily interrupting the copying operation during the copying operation and during the operation to perform copying. By setting this mode, the previous copy mode and, if the copying is in progress, information on the progress of the copying are stored in the nonvolatile RAM, the mode is shifted to the interrupt mode, and the mode is initialized. When the interrupt mode is released after the execution of the copy operation, the mode and information stored in the nonvolatile RAM are returned to restore the state before the interrupt mode was set, and the mode before the interrupt can be continued by restarting. The setting / cancellation of this mode can be performed using the keys of the operation unit 201.

[Reservation mode]: A plurality of copy applications are activated, and resource management is performed by the system controller. If a certain copy application is in an image forming operation and the operation unit and the image reading device are open, use of another copy application is permitted, and setting operation and document reading are performed.

[CSS] (or [Remote Diagnosis System], [Image Forming Apparatus Management System]): FIG. 19 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus managing system. A management device 1003 installed at a service base and a device such as a PPC 1000 installed at a user are connected via a public network 1002. On the user side, a communication control device 1001 for controlling communication with the management device 1003 is installed.
0 is connected to the communication control device 1001. A telephone or a facsimile can be connected to the communication control device 1001, and can be installed by inserting it into a user's existing line. A plurality of PPCs can be connected to the communication control device 1001, but there may of course be a single PPC.

These PPCs need not be of the same type, but may be of different models, and may be devices other than the PPC. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five PPCs can be connected to one communication control device. Communication control device and multiple PPCs are RS-48
Multidrop connection is performed according to five standards. Communication control between the communication control device and each PPC is performed by a basic type data transmission control procedure. By establishing a data link by a polling / selecting method of centralized control using a communication control device as a control station,
Communication with any PPC is possible. Each PPC can be set to a unique value by an address setting switch, thereby determining a polling address and a selecting address of each PPC.

[Reserved copy] starts a plurality of copy applications, and operates independently.
The operation unit, peripheral devices, image writing unit, image reading device, and memory, which are shared resources, are arbitrated by the system controller. The plurality of copy applications can write respective operation screen information on a virtual screen provided by the operation unit. The operation unit develops the screen information of the virtual screen of the operation unit owner application specified by the system controller on the real screen.

[Operation Reservation]: In the operation reservation stage, the copying operation cannot be started during the heating of the fixing in the copying machine or the like. This function automatically starts the copy operation when the copy operation is enabled. In this embodiment, the operation reservation can be made during fixing heating. However, other objects that become operable with the passage of time are eligible for the reservation. LC
It can be considered that the T-tray rise time, the polygon motor rotation stabilization time, the toner supply operation, etc.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0104]

As described above, according to the digital copying machine network system according to the present invention, the connection mode is selected, and the recording paper specified between the image forming apparatuses to be connected is operated. By starting the linking operation when the size and paper type match, it is possible to prevent recording papers of different types from being mixed when sharing by the linking operation, thereby reducing the occurrence of miscopying.

Further, according to the digital copying machine network system of the present invention (claim 2), if the same recording paper size and the same paper type do not exist in the apparatuses to be connected, the corresponding operation / display means is selected. By disabling key input and displaying it, it is not possible to select it when selecting a paper feed stage.This reduces the occurrence of erroneous copying, and also indicates that selection is not possible before the operation, eliminating unnecessary operations. ,
The operability is improved.

According to the digital copying machine network system of the present invention, when the same recording paper size and the same paper type do not exist in the apparatuses to be connected, the corresponding operation / display means is selected. By disabling the key input and displaying the non-selectable state of the selection key that cannot be input constantly or for a certain period of time, the state can be known before the operation, so that useless operation is eliminated and the operability is improved.

According to the digital copying machine network system of the present invention (claim 4), the remaining amount of recording paper to be used is checked for all devices for which image formation is shared in the connection mode. If one of the devices is in the paper-end state, prohibiting the start of the connection operation allows all the devices to be shared to be able to move reliably. , The response can be encouraged, and the overall productivity is improved.

Further, according to the digital copying machine network system of the present invention, the remaining amount of the recording paper to be used is confirmed for all the apparatuses for which image formation is shared in the connection mode. If one of the devices is in the near-end state, by prohibiting the start of the linking operation, it is possible to minimize the number of devices that stop during the operation, and leave the device in the paper-end state. , The response can be encouraged, and the overall productivity is improved.

Further, according to the digital copying machine network system of the present invention, the remaining amount of the recording paper to be used is confirmed for all the apparatuses for which image formation is shared in the connection mode. When a desired recording paper is loaded on one of the above-mentioned apparatuses, by starting the connecting operation, it becomes possible to replenish the recording paper after the operation is started, so that the degree of freedom of the apparatus operation is improved. Therefore, it is possible to respond to a wide range of requests from the user, and the operability at the time of the connecting operation is generally improved.

Further, according to the digital copying machine network system of the present invention (claim 7), at the time of connecting operation,
By making the prohibition control of the connection operation start in the paper end state and the near end state switchable,
Since it is possible to select an operation that conflicts with the user, the operability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit.

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

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen when a connection mode is set and a connection device is selected on the operation unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen after setting of the coupling device in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when a manual sheet of recording paper is selected on the operation unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for displaying a paper feed stage that cannot be selected at the time of manual paper selection at half brightness.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a warning display screen indicating that the sheet cannot be used when a paper feed stage that cannot be selected at the time of manual paper selection is selected.

FIG. 9 is an operation device (master device) at the start of a linked copy operation.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a warning screen displayed when a sheet is selected by another device and operation is interrupted.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting screen for operation switching at the paper end.

11 is a block diagram showing a control system (configuration example 1) of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a control system (configuration example 2) of the digital copying machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a copier network system.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a network copier.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of software of a network copier.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image processing unit in FIG. 4;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a memory controller and an image memory.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing image signals for one page.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of a half-brightness display for notifying whether a state of a sheet feeding tray and a key can be pressed according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of manual sheet selection according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of remaining paper amount checking processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 122 Finisher 130 Stapler 201 Operation unit 205 Liquid crystal touch panel 301 Connection mode key 302 Staple key 400 Connection device selection key 410 Setting end key 401 System controller 601 Manual paper selection key 1400 Master machine 1410 Slave machine

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hisashi Ishiguro F-term (reference) 2H027 DA38 DC18 EH06 EJ15 GA01 GA36 GA37 GA56 GB03 GB04 GB05 GB09 GB19 ZA07 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB20 AB23 AB38 AB53 AC68 AF07 AF10 BA04 9A001 BB04 CC08 HZ24 JJ05 JJ35 KK31

Claims (7)

[Claims] A key for selecting a connection mode for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses so as to be capable of two-way communication and for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a recording paper size, a paper type, and a residual for each paper feed stage. Displaying information such as the amount, including keys that can be specified, and operation / display means having a function of displaying the state of the apparatus, an arbitrary image forming apparatus serving as a master machine reads a document to be copied, The document information is supplied to another image forming apparatus serving as a slave machine, and the operation /
In a digital copying machine network system that performs predetermined processing in parallel and in parallel based on designation information designated via a display unit, the connection mode is selected, and recording specified between the image forming apparatuses to be connected is performed. A digital copying machine network system for starting a linking operation when the paper size and paper type match. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the same recording paper size and the same paper type do not exist in the apparatuses to be connected, input of a selection key of the corresponding operation / display means is disabled and displayed. 2. A digital copier network system according to item 1. 3. When the same recording paper size and the same paper type do not exist in the apparatuses to be connected, the selection keys of the corresponding operation / display means cannot be input, and the selection keys which cannot be input cannot be selected. 2. The digital copier network system according to claim 1, wherein the status is displayed constantly or for a predetermined time. 4. Checking the remaining amount of recording paper to be used for all the apparatuses for which image formation is shared by the connection mode, and when one of all the apparatuses is in the paper end state, the connection operation is performed. 2. The digital copying machine network system according to claim 1, wherein starting is prohibited. 5. Checking the remaining amount of recording paper to be used for all the apparatuses for which image formation is shared in the connection mode, and starting a connection operation when one of all the apparatuses is in a near-end state. 2. The digital copier network system according to claim 1, wherein the digital copier network is prohibited. 6. Checking the remaining amount of recording paper to be used for all the apparatuses for which image formation is shared in the connection mode, and a desired recording paper is loaded on one of all the apparatuses. 2. The digital copying machine network system according to claim 1, wherein the connecting operation is started in the case. 7. The digital copying machine network system according to claim 4, wherein the control of prohibiting the start of the connection operation in the paper end state and the near end state can be switched.