JP2001008008A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain efficient management of a storage device by detecting a state of use of a storage device of a slave set when no idle capacity is detected in a storage device of a master set receiving one or more image data and transferring image data to a storage device of the slave set when the presence of an idle capacity is detected from the storage device of the slave set. SOLUTION: Assuming that an image forming device 200 acts like a master set and an image forming device 300 acts like a slave set, and when storage devices 212, 216 of the master set are in use, whether or not a storage device 312 of the slave set is not in use is discriminated and when the storage device 312 of the slave set is not in use, image data of the master set are assigned to the storage device 312 of the slave set. When the storage device 312 of the slave set is in use, whether or not a storage device 316 is not in use is discriminated and the image data of the master set are assigned to the storage device 316 of the slave set when the storage device 316 is not in use. When the storage device 316 of the slave set is in use, the processing is terminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system having a function of storing a plurality of input image data in one or more storage devices, and selecting and outputting an output device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile has been used. When parallel processing is performed using these functions, a phenomenon occurs in which the amount of image data to be stored in the memory becomes enormous.

[0003] In an image forming apparatus having functions such as a copier, a printer, storage / printing of scanned image data, and facsimile, a memory management method when a memory as a shared resource is used simultaneously by a plurality of applications. Techniques include those disclosed in JP-A-10-74163, JP-A-7-175916, and JP-A-7-273957.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-74163, a plurality of applications such as a printer application and a facsimile application in addition to a copy application, and each part constituting a copying machine are managed as shared resources in functional units, and one shared resource is managed in a plurality. A digital copier having a system controller that performs arbitration when used simultaneously by an application, comprising a memory unit arranged as one of the shared resources and a memory controller performing input / output control on the memory unit,
By performing arbitration when the system controller uses the memory controller and the memory unit at the same time in a plurality of applications, the memory unit can be handled as a shared resource, thereby reducing the cost of the apparatus and effectively using the memory. A digital copier is disclosed.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-175916, in an image reading and forming apparatus having a combination of functions such as copying, facsimile, and printer, the memory capacity required for the function is compared with the current memory free space. An image reading and forming apparatus is disclosed in which, when the size is larger, an unused function file is temporarily saved in an external storage device so that each function can be executed in parallel without greatly increasing the memory capacity. I have.

[0006] In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-273957, F
In an image forming storage device having an AX transmission / reception function, a LAN transmission / reception function, an electronic sort copy function, an image storage / retrieval function, etc., the use status of a storage area for each function is stored, and the stored storage area for each function There is disclosed an image forming / storing device which can effectively use a page memory unit by changing the contents of storage capacity allocation for each function in accordance with the usage status of each function.

[0007]

However, there is no prior art that mentions allocation when there are a plurality of shared storage devices. Further, there is no prior art example of allocation when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has been made in connection with an image forming apparatus having a plurality of linked image forming apparatuses having functions such as a copier, a printer, storage / printing of scanned image data, and a facsimile. It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient storage device management method when a plurality of memory sharing resources are used by a plurality of applications and a plurality of image forming apparatuses at the same time.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system in which a master unit and at least one or more slave units are connected. When one or more image data are input to the master unit, a first detection unit for detecting a use state of the storage device of the master unit, and a result of the detection by the first detection unit, the storage unit of the master unit A second detecting means for detecting the use state of the storage device of the slave device when the unused capacity cannot be detected by the device; and an unused capacity stored in the storage device of the slave device as a result of the detection by the second detecting device. When the image data is detected, the image data is transferred to the storage device of the slave device and allocated, and the image in the storage device of the master device or the slave device allocated by the allocation device is allocated. The data is characterized by having a imaging means for visualized output from the master unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the image data is allocated to the storage device of the slave unit by the allocation unit, the result of the detection by the first detection unit is determined. Transfer means for transferring, when the unused capacity is detected in the storage device of the master device, to the storage device including the unused capacity of the master device in the storage device of the slave device, and transferring the image data to the storage device of the slave device. Switching means for switching the allocation to a storage device including the unused capacity of the master machine.

[0011] The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the invention described above, the slave unit does not perform allocation by the allocation unit to a slave unit that does not have two or more storage devices.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming means is performed by the master unit or the slave unit by an operator's selection. I have.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the master unit includes a control unit for controlling between image forming apparatuses connected to the image forming system; Transfer means for transferring a control signal formed by the control means to the slave device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image forming apparatus includes a primary storage unit for storing one or more image data and the primary storage unit.
It is characterized in that it includes one or more sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing image data input to the next storage unit.

[0015]

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

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 1
When the start key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed, the document bundle placed on the document table 2
From the lowermost document, the document is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. AD
F1 has a count-up function that counts up the number of documents when the feeding of one document is completed. The fed document is read by the reading unit 50 to read image data of the document on the contact glass 6, and the read document is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the feed roller 5. Further, when the document set detecting section 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. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transport motor 26.

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. ,
The sheet is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. And
While the transfer paper is being conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred to the transfer paper. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and the image is discharged to the paper discharge tray 19 by the paper discharge unit 18.

When an image is formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper is fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and the duplex paper feed unit 111 is used to transfer the formed toner screen.
, The branch pawl 112 for switching the path is set on the lower side, and guided to the discharge tray 19. As described above, when images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the duplex paper supply unit 11 is used.
1 is used.

The photoconductor 15, the conveyor belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18, and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25, and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 controls the driving of the main motor 25 by a paper feeding clutch 22. ~ 24
Conveyed by

Referring to FIG. 1, the process from reading a document to writing an image in the image forming apparatus will be described.

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. It is configured. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on the first carriage, and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are also fixed on the first carriage. When reading the 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. The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electric signal, and processed.

The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a polygon mirror that rotates at a high speed at a constant speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor. (Polygon mirror). The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. 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. 2 shows the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 has a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, and a mode clear key 35. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 has a function key 37, a number of copies, and a message indicating the status of the image forming apparatus. Are displayed.

FIG. 3 shows a liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30.
It is a figure showing the example of a display of. 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. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel 31 uses the dot display device, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time. Link key 40
Is a key effective when electrically connected to one or more image forming apparatuses. When this key is pressed, the pressed machine becomes the master machine, the connected image forming apparatus becomes the slave machine, and if the selected function is copy, the start function of the operation unit 30 of the master machine causes The read document image can also be output by the slave device.

FIG. 4 mainly shows the main controller 20.
It is a block diagram showing a control device. The main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 20 includes an operation unit 30 for performing display to an operator, input of function settings from the operator, control of a scanner, control of writing a document image in an image memory, control of image formation from an image memory, and the like. A decentralized control device such as a unit (hereinafter, IPU) 49 and ADF 1 is connected. Each decentralized control device and the main controller 20 exchange machine status and operation commands as needed. Further, a main motor 25 and various clutches 21 to 24 necessary for paper conveyance and the like are also connected.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of IPU 49. The reflection of the light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 is optically converted by a CCD image sensor 54, and A / D conversion is performed.
The signal is converted into a digital signal by the converter 61. The image signal converted into a digital signal is subjected to shading correction 62.
Are performed, MTF correction, γ correction 63 and the like are performed.
The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 72 is scaled according to the scaling factor, and flows to the selector 64. In the selector 64, the destination of the image signal is set to the write γ correction unit 71.
Alternatively, switching to the 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.

The memory controller 65 and the selector 64 are configured so that image signals can be input and output in both directions. The IPU 49 includes a plurality of input / output units for inputting / outputting a plurality of data so as to process not only image data input from the reading unit 50 but also image data supplied from outside (for example, data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer). Has the function of performing

A CP for setting the memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57
U68 and ROM 6 for storing its programs and data
9, a RAM 70 is provided. Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65. Consolidated I / F
Reference numeral 48 is connected to the data bus of the memory controller 65 for transmitting and receiving image data, 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 memory controller 6
5 stores the image data in the image memory 66, and sequentially stores the image data in the image memory 6 according to the data transfer speed between the image forming apparatuses.
6 is read out and transferred to the connection I / F 48. At the time of image input, 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 memory controller 65 inside the apparatus. According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize the connection operation without being restricted by the functions between the image forming apparatuses.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of each storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Image memory 6
Reference numeral 6 denotes a device connected to each storage device. Data input / output control unit (memory controller 65)
Are the input data selector 201, the image synthesis unit 202,
Next compression / expansion unit 203, output data selector 204,
A secondary compression / expansion unit 205 is provided. The setting of the control data in each section is performed by the CPU 68. The addresses and data in FIG. 5 are for image data.

The image memory 66 comprises primary and secondary storage devices 206 and 207. Primary storage device 206
Is designed so that writing of data to a specified area of a memory or reading of data from a specified area of a memory at the time of image output can be performed substantially in synchronization with a data transfer rate required at the time of input / output of image data. For example, a memory that can be accessed at high speed, such as a DRAM, is used. In addition, the primary storage device 206 has a function (an interface unit with the memory controller 65) that can simultaneously execute input and output of image data by dividing the image data into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed. .

The secondary storage device 207 is a large-capacity nonvolatile memory for synthesizing, sorting, and storing data of input images. If the primary storage device 206 has a sufficient capacity for processing image data and is non-volatile, writing / reading of data directly to / from the secondary storage device 207 is possible. In the above case, data processing can be performed without distinction between primary and secondary.

When data cannot be written / read in the secondary storage device 207 substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed required at the time of image input / output, for example, the secondary storage device 20
Even when a storage medium such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk is used for the storage device 7, the data transfer capability of the secondary storage device 207 is reduced by interposing the primary storage device 206 for inputting and outputting data to and from the secondary storage device 207. It is configured to be able to perform appropriate processing.

Next, a specific example of using the primary storage device 206 and the secondary storage device 207 in each application will be described.

(Example 1) Single copy in copy application In the case of single copy, first, image data from the scanner is input to the primary storage device 206. Then, the image data is output to the image forming apparatus at substantially the same timing.
The data is stored in 7. If imaging is completed normally, 2
The data stored in the secondary storage device 207 is deleted without being used, but in the case of a jam or the like, the secondary storage device 20 is deleted.
By reading the image data from 7, the need to read the image from the scanner after the occurrence of the jam is eliminated.

(Example 2) Sorting in Copy Application (Multiple Copy) In the case of two or more copies, first, image data from the scanner is input to the primary storage device 206. The copy of the first copy is output from the primary storage device 206 to the image forming device in the same manner as (Example 1), and at the same time, the data is also stored in the secondary storage device 207. The image data of the second copy and thereafter is transferred from the secondary storage device 207 to the primary storage device 206, the primary storage device 20.
6 to the image forming apparatus, reading from the scanner is unnecessary for the second copy and thereafter. When the necessary number of copies are completed, the image data stored in the secondary storage device 207 is deleted.

(Example 3) Image Storage from Scanner In this case, image data from the scanner is stored in the secondary storage device 207 via the primary storage device 206. In this case, the image data remains stored unless intentional erasure is performed.

(Example 4) Printing from an external input device (for example, a personal computer) In this case, the operation is almost the same as in (Example 1) and (Example 2), and the input source of the image data is not a scanner but an external input device. Becomes

(Example 5) Image storage from an external input device In this case, it is almost the same as in (Example 3), and the input source of the image data is not the scanner but the external input device.

(Example 6) Printing of Stored Images When printing the images stored in (Example 3) and (Example 5), printing is performed from the secondary storage device 207 to the primary storage device 206, and from the primary storage device 206. Printed by the imaging device.

Next, an example of the operation of the memory controller 65 will be described with reference to an example in which the secondary storage device 207 cannot write / read data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed required at the time of image input / output.

(Example 1) Image input (storage in image memory) The input data selector 201 selects one of a plurality of data
Image data to be written to the image memory (primary storage device 206) is selected. The image selected by the input data selector 201 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 202, and synthesizes as needed. The image data processed by the image synthesizing unit 202 is compressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 203, and the compressed data is written to the primary storage device 206. The data written in the primary storage device 206 is further compressed by the secondary compression / expansion unit 205 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage device 207.

(Example 2) Image output (read from image memory) At the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 206 is read. If the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 206, the primary compression /
The decompression unit 203 decompresses the image data in the primary storage device 206, and selects and outputs the decompressed data or the data obtained by performing the image synthesis of the decompressed data and the input data with the output data selector 204. . When a screen to be output is stored in the secondary storage device 207, the output target screen data stored in the secondary storage device 207 is expanded by the secondary compression / expansion unit 205, and After the data is written to the primary storage device 206, the above-described image output operation is performed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining an image data allocating process according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, two storage devices are described, but the number of storage devices can be increased to three or more. The input data selector 210 in FIG. 6 is included in the data input / output control unit (memory controller 65) because the data selected from the plurality of data is connected to one storage device. Since the input data selector 210 has two storage devices, it is also an allocation device having an allocation function for connecting to either storage device. Similarly,
The output data of the output data selector 211 is 2
Storage devices.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the image data allocating process according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, when the process is executed, it is determined whether there is a data input / output request to the storage device (step 101).
If there is no data input request (step 101 / N
O), skip the subsequent processing and end (step 1)
01 / NO). When there is a data input request (step 101 / YES), the requested parameters are analyzed to determine a storage device control method (step 102). The control method determines how to use the resources in the storage device based on the data size, mode, and necessity of storage in the parameters. When the control method of the storage device is determined in step 102, the use state of each storage device is checked based on the result (step 103).

It is determined whether both the storage device 212 and the storage device 216 are in use (step 104). If the storage device 212 and the storage device 216 are in use (step 104 / NO), the subsequent processing is skipped and the process ends. If there is an unused storage device (step 104 / YES), an allocation destination is determined for the unused storage device (step 105).

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the processing for determining the allocation destination of the storage device. First, it is determined whether the primary storage device 214 is unused (step 20).
1) When the primary storage device 214 is not used (step 201 / YES), it is allocated to the primary storage device 214 (step 204). When the primary storage device 214 is in use (step 201 / NO), it is determined whether or not the secondary storage device 215 is unused (step 202). When the secondary storage device 215 is not used (step 201). 201 / YE
S) Allocate to the secondary storage device 215 (step 20)
3). If the secondary storage device 215 is in use (step 201 / NO), the subsequent processing is skipped and the processing ends.

Returning to FIG. 8, when the storage device to be allocated is determined in step 105, the allocated storage device is obtained (step 106). By acquiring
The state of the allocated storage device is in use. When the storage device is acquired, parameters are set in the storage device as preprocessing for execution (step 107), and when all preparations are completed, a data input execution preparation completion notification is performed (step 108). After the completion of the data input execution preparation notification, the process waits for a data input execution request from the request source (step 109). When there is an execution request (step 109 /
If YES, execute a data input operation (step 11).
0). Next, the data input execution state is monitored (step 11).
1) When the data input operation is completed (step 111 /
(YES), the storage device is released as post-processing (step 112), and a data input completion notification is finally sent (step 113), and the process ends.

Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to block diagrams and flowcharts. In this embodiment, two image forming apparatuses in the connection system will be described for convenience, but the present invention can be extended to three or more image forming apparatuses.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining an image data allocating process according to the embodiment of the present invention. The storage device of each image forming apparatus has the configuration shown in FIG.
Here, a case will be described in which image forming apparatus 200 is a master machine and image forming apparatus 300 is a slave machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the image data allocating process according to the first embodiment. This corresponds to step 10 in FIG.
In FIG. 4, when both the storage device 212 and the storage device 216 are in use, the process is terminated, but a process of determining an allocation destination according to the use state of the storage device on the slave device side is added.

First, when the processing is executed, it is determined whether there is a data input / output request to the storage device (step 10).
1). If there is no data input request (step 101 /
NO), the subsequent processing is skipped, and the processing ends. When there is a data input request (step 101 / YES), the requested parameters are analyzed to determine a storage device control method (step 102). The control method determines how to use the resources in the storage device based on the data size, mode, and necessity of storage in the parameters. When the control method of the storage device is determined in step 102, the use state of each storage device is checked based on the result (step 103).

Storage device 212 and storage device 2 of the master machine
16 is determined to be in use (step 10).
4) If there is an unused storage device (step 104)
/ YES), the allocation destination is determined for the unused storage device (step 105). If in use (Step 10
4 / NO), the usage state of the storage device on the slave device side is checked (step 120), and it is determined whether or not the slave device has an unused storage device (step 121). If there is free space in the storage device (step 121 / YES), an allocation destination is determined for the storage device on the slave device side (step 122). If there is no free space in the storage device (step 12
(1 / NO), ends the process.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining a process of determining an allocation destination when allocating image data of the master device to the storage device of the slave device. First, it is determined whether or not the storage device 312 of the slave device is unused (step 301). If not (step 301 / YES), the image data of the master device is allocated to the storage device 312 of the slave device. (Step 30
4) If the storage device 312 of the slave device is in use (step 301 / NO), it is determined whether or not the storage device 316 is unused (step 302). YES), the image data of the master machine is allocated to the storage device 316 of the slave machine (step 303). If the storage device 316 of the slave device is also being used (step 302 / NO), the process ends.

Returning to FIG. 11, when the storage device to be allocated is determined in step 105, the allocated storage device is obtained (step 106). By acquiring the information, the state of the allocated storage device becomes “in use”. When the storage device is acquired, parameters are set in the storage device as preprocessing for execution (step 107), and when all preparations are completed, a data input execution preparation completion notification is performed (step 108). After the completion of the data input execution preparation notification, the process waits for a data input execution request from the request source (step 109). When there is an execution request (step 109
/ YES), execute a data input operation (step 11)
0). Next, the data input execution state is monitored (step 11).
1) When the data input operation is completed (step 111 /
(YES), the storage device is released as post-processing (step 112), and a data input completion notification is finally sent (step 113), and the process ends.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the image data allocation switching process according to the second embodiment. First, it is determined whether or not image data has been allocated to the storage device on the slave device side (step 401). If not (step 401 / NO), the process ends. If the job has been assigned (step 401 / YES), it is determined whether the assigned job has been completed (step 40).
2) If the job has been completed (step 40)
2 / YES), this control ends. If the job has not been completed yet (step 402 / NO), the use status of the storage device on the master device side is checked (step 403).
It is determined whether all the storage devices are in use (step 4).
04) If there is no unused storage device (step 40)
4 / NO), and execute the processing of step 402 and step 403 again. If there is an unused storage device (step 404 / YES), the image data of the job assigned to the storage device of the slave device is transferred to the unused storage device of the master device (step 405), and the image data of the job is transferred. The allocation destination is switched from the storage device on the slave device side to the unused storage device on the master device (step 406).

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining an image data allocating process according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration of the connection system of the image forming apparatuses is such that one device has one storage device, another device has two storage devices, and two storage devices. The case where the image forming apparatus to be used is the master machine will be described.

First, when the process is executed, it is determined whether there is a data input / output request to the storage device (step 10).
1). If there is no data input request (step 101 /
NO), the subsequent processing is skipped, and the processing ends. When there is a data input request (step 101 / YES), the requested parameters are analyzed to determine a storage device control method (step 102). The control method determines how to use the resources in the storage device based on the data size, mode, and necessity of storage in the parameters. When the control method of the storage device is determined in (Step 102), the use state of each storage device is checked based on the result (Step 103).

It is determined whether both the storage device 212 and the storage device 216 are in use (step 104), and if there is an unused storage device (step 104 / YES),
The allocation destination is determined for the unused storage device (step 105). If in use (step 104 / NO),
It is checked whether or not there are two or more storage devices of the slave unit (step 125). If there is only one storage device (step 125 / NO), the process ends. 2
If there is more than one (step 125 / YES), the usage status of the storage device on the slave device side is checked (step 1).
20) It is determined whether or not the slave device has an unused storage device (step 121). If there is free space in the storage device (step 121 / YES), an allocation destination is determined for the storage device on the slave device side (step 122). If there is no free space in the storage device (step 121 / NO), the process is terminated.

The process of allocating to the storage device of the slave unit is performed as follows, as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the storage device 312 of the slave unit is unused (step 301), and if it is not used (step 301 / Y).
ES), the storage device of the master device is allocated to the storage device 312 of the slave device (step 304). If the storage device 312 of the slave device is in use (step 30).
(1 / NO), it is determined whether or not the storage device 316 is unused (step 302).
02 / YES), the storage device allocation of the master device is allocated to the storage device 316 of the slave device (step 30).
3). If the storage device 316 of the slave device is in use (step 302 / NO), the process ends.

Returning to FIG. 14, when the storage device to be allocated is determined in step 105, the allocated storage device is obtained (step 106). By acquiring the information, the state of the allocated storage device becomes “in use”. When the storage device is acquired, parameters are set in the storage device as preprocessing for execution (step 107), and when all preparations are completed, a data input execution preparation completion notification is performed (step 108). After the completion of the data input execution preparation notification, the process waits for a data input execution request from the request source (step 109). When there is an execution request (step 109
/ YES), execute a data input operation (step 11)
0). Next, the data input execution state is monitored (step 11).
1) When the data input operation is completed (step 111 /
(YES), the storage device is released as post-processing (step 112), and a data input completion notification is finally sent (step 113), and the process ends.

[0061]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when all the storage devices of the master device are in use, the unused storage device of the slave device is used. In addition, since the storage device can be optimally allocated on the master device side, productivity can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, image data input and output from the master device can be stored in its own storage device, and unused storage devices can be stored in the slave device. When a job occurs on the slave device side, the job can be allocated to the storage device of its own device (slave device), and the distribution of image data can be prevented from being dispersed. Even when an abnormality occurs in the device, it is possible to prevent the influence on the own device beforehand.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the storage device of the slave device having only one storage device can always secure an unused state in the connection system. It is possible to prevent the distribution of image data from being scattered, so that, for example, even if an abnormality occurs in the image storage device at the connection destination, it is possible to prevent the device from being affected by the device itself. Becomes possible.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when the output terminal of the master unit forms a queue, printing can be performed from the output terminal of the slave unit by selecting the output terminal by the operator. It becomes possible.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the master device controls the allocation of image data, the connection operation can be realized without being restricted by the functions between the image forming apparatuses.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the image data can be efficiently stored by combining the high-speed accessible primary storage unit with the large-capacity secondary storage unit.
Also, by storing the data in the secondary storage unit,
It is not necessary to read a plurality of times even when copying a plurality of copies, and it is not necessary to read again even if a jam or the like occurs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal touch panel of an operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control device centering on a main controller according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the IPU according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing individual storage devices according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating image data allocation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of allocating image data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining an allocation destination of image data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating image data allocation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an image data allocating process according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining an allocation destination when allocating image data of a master device to a storage device of a slave device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an image data allocation switching process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an image data allocation process according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 30 operation unit 40 linked copy key 200 image forming device 201 input data selector 202 image synthesizing unit 203 primary compression / expansion unit 204 output data selector 205 secondary compression / expansion unit 206 primary storage device 207 secondary storage device 209 image formation Device 210 Input data selector 211 Output data selector 212 Storage device 213 Data input / output control unit 214 Primary storage device 215 Secondary storage device 216 Storage device 217 Data input / output control unit 218 Primary storage device 219 Secondary storage device 300 Image formation Device 310 Input data selector 311 Output data selector 312 Storage device 313 Data input / output control unit 314 Primary storage device 315 Secondary storage device 316 Storage device 317 Data input / output control unit 318 Primary storage device 319 Secondary storage device

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 12/02 530 G06F 12/02 530D 5B082 G06T 1/60 15/64 450D 5C073 (72) Inventor Osamu Kizaki Ota, Tokyo 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ward, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuki Yamazaki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Fterm in Ricoh Co., Ltd. 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HJ06 HJ08 HK11 HV09 2C087 AA03 AB08 AC08 BA03 BB03 BC02 BC05 BC06 BC18 BD07 BD40 BD41 CA13 CB10 DA09 5B021 AA05 AA19 DD12 5B047 CA21 CB25 EA01 EB02 EB15 5B060 AA09 AA12 AA14 AC13 5B082 CA02 CA04 CA17 5C073 AA04 BC02 BA02

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system in which a master machine and at least one slave machine are connected, wherein the master machine, when one or more image data is input to the master machine, First to detect the use state of the storage device
Detecting means for detecting when the unused capacity cannot be detected in the storage device of the master device as a result of the detection by the first detecting device, and detecting the use state of the storage device of the slave device; Assigning means for transferring the image data to the storage device of the slave unit and allocating the image data when the unused capacity is detected in the storage unit of the slave unit as a result of the detection by the second detection unit; And an image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image data in the storage device of the master device or the slave device allocated according to (1). 2. The master device, when the image data is allocated to the storage device of the slave device by the allocation device, as a result of the detection by the first detection device, the image data is not stored in the storage device of the master device. Transfer means for transferring the image data allocated by the allocating means in the storage device of the slave device to a storage device including an unused capacity of the master device when the used capacity is detected; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising: switching means for switching allocation of the image data to a storage device to a storage device including an unused capacity of the master device. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit does not assign the slave unit having no two or more storage devices by the assigning unit. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said image forming means is performed by said master machine or said slave machine according to an operator's selection. 5. The master unit includes: a control unit that controls between image forming apparatuses connected to the image forming system; and a transfer unit that transfers a control signal formed by the control unit to the slave unit. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising: 6. A storage comprising a primary storage unit for storing one or more image data and a secondary storage unit for storing the image data input to the primary storage unit. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system includes at least one set of apparatuses.