JP2001100956A - Image forming device connection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the efficiency of the use of storage devices of respective image forming devices by at least one image forming device in an image forming device connection system. SOLUTION: At the start of a job, at least one digital copying machine (image forming device) detects the use state of its storage devices and assigns one of its storage devices as a storage device to be used for the job through a 1st storage device assigning process when the storage device is usable. When it is recognized that there is unusable storage device, the use state of storage devices of other digital copying machines is detected and when it is recognized that there is a usable storage device, the usable storage device is assigned as a storage device to be used for the job through a 2nd storage device assigning process.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multifunction machine having a function of storing a plurality of input image data and selectively outputting them. The present invention relates to a system for connecting image forming apparatuses connected to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of input image data are stored,
A sort function that outputs a plurality of sets of the image data to a printer (printer engine that actually prints) in an order different from the input order and prints the image on each transfer paper, and a plurality of image data are output to the printer only once. In an image forming apparatus having an aggregation function of outputting and printing a plurality of images on one transfer sheet, the storage capacity required of an image storage unit (storage device) for storing image data is determined by an image to be processed. Increases with the amount of data.

In an image forming apparatus (composite machine) having a composite function of image input / output such as a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a printer function, and a scanner function, an image is output by the facsimile function while outputting image data to a printer. Parallel operations such as simultaneous input and output of a plurality of image data, such as simultaneous transmission (output) of data, are also required. Conventionally, the above-described parallel operation is often achieved by providing an image storage unit in a unit that controls input / output of a plurality of image data (input / output control unit).

However, in the case where the image storage means is provided in the input / output control means, if the storage capacity required for the image storage means increases as described above, the control of the image storage means accompanies the increase in the storage capacity. Becomes complicated. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which a plurality of image data can be input / output to / from a single image storage unit, the control of the image storage unit is unified and the input of image data by the composite function (a plurality of applications) is performed. It is essential to output.

Therefore, image input means for inputting image data, a primary storage unit for storing the image data input by the means, and a secondary storage unit for storing the image data stored in the primary storage unit. An image storage unit having a storage device including a next storage unit, and image data input by the image input unit or stored or stored in a primary storage unit or a secondary storage unit of a storage device in the image storage unit. An image forming apparatus including an image output unit for outputting image data has also been developed.

On the other hand, regarding a memory management method when a memory shared resource (single image storage means) is used simultaneously by a plurality of applications (hereinafter simply referred to as “apps”), for example, the following (1) to (3) Have already been proposed.

(1) In addition to a copy application (copy function), a plurality of applications such as a printer application (printer function) and a facsimile application (fax function), and each part constituting a copying machine are managed as shared resources in functional units. In a digital copying machine having a system controller that arbitrates when one shared resource is used simultaneously by a plurality of applications, input / output to / from a memory unit (single image storage means) arranged as one of the shared resources A memory controller that performs control is provided, and arbitration is performed when the system controller uses the memory controller and the memory unit simultaneously in a plurality of applications. As a result, the memory unit can be handled as a shared resource, so that the device cost can be reduced and the expensive memory unit can be effectively used (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-74163).

(2) In an apparatus having multiple functions such as copying, facsimile, and printer, each function can be executed in parallel without significantly increasing the memory capacity. Specifically, the memory capacity required for the function is compared with the current free memory space, and if the former is larger, the function can be executed by temporarily saving the unused function files to the external storage device. Each function can be executed in parallel without greatly increasing the memory capacity (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-175916).

(3) FAX transmission / reception function, LAN transmission / reception function, electronic sort copying function, image registration / retrieval function, and use of a storage area in which the storage capacity of the page memory unit is allocated for each of the functions. In the above, the usage status of the storage area for each function is stored, and the content of the storage capacity allocation for each function is changed according to the stored usage status of the storage area for each function (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-273957). Gazette). Accordingly, when the page memory unit is shared for various functions, the use area of the page memory unit can be changed according to the use status of each function, and the page memory can be used effectively. it can.

[0010]

However, a primary storage unit for storing the image data input by the image input means and a secondary storage unit for storing the image data stored in the primary storage unit. In an image forming apparatus connection system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected (electrically connected) each including an image storage unit having a storage device composed of A storage device (memory sharing resource) of one image forming apparatus cannot be efficiently used (operated) by a plurality of applications or each of the image forming apparatuses.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in the above-described image forming apparatus connection system,
An object of the present invention is to improve the use efficiency of a storage device of each image forming apparatus by at least one image forming apparatus. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to avoid contention between storage devices to be used beforehand and to enable efficient use of each storage device.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image input means for inputting image data, a primary storage unit for storing the image data input by the means, and a primary storage unit for storing the image data. Image storage means having a storage device including a secondary storage unit for storing image data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image output unit that outputs image data input by the image input unit or image data stored or stored in a primary storage unit or a secondary storage unit of a storage device in the image storage unit. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in an image forming apparatus connection system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected, the following is performed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses has a storage device use state detecting means for detecting a use state of a storage device of each image forming apparatus, At the start of the job of the own device, if it is recognized from the detection result by the use state detecting means that there is at least a storage device that can be used by the own device, the storage device is stored only in another image forming apparatus. A storage device allocating means for allocating each of the storage devices as a storage device to be used for the job when it is recognized that there is a device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus connection system of the first aspect, the storage device of the at least one image forming device is detachable, and the storage device use state detecting means of the image forming device includes: Means for detecting the presence or absence of a storage device, wherein the storage device allocating device of the image forming apparatus recognizes that the storage device of its own device has been removed from the result of detection by the storage device use state detection means, and When it is recognized that there is a storage device that can be used in the image forming apparatus, the storage device is provided with a unit that allocates the storage device as a storage device used for the job.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a mechanical section of a digital copying machine constituting the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention.

This digital copying machine has an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as "ADF") 1 mounted on the upper part of a copying machine main body constituting a scanner (reading unit) and a printer. The operation unit 30 shown in FIG. In this digital copying machine, the document table 2 of the ADF 1
When the print key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed, the document bundle placed on the contact glass 6 is sequentially moved by the feed roller 3 and the feed belt 4 from the lowermost document. It is fed to a predetermined position and stops. Note that AD
F1 has a counting function that counts up (+1) the number of originals each time the feeding of one original is completed.

Thereafter, the image of the document fed onto the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50, and after the reading is completed, the document is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection sensor 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 common transport motor (not shown).

The transfer paper (paper) stacked on the first paper feed tray 8, the second paper feed tray 9, and the third paper feed tray 10 are respectively supplied to the first paper feed device 11, the second paper feed device 12, The paper is fed by a three-sheet feeder 13, and is conveyed by a vertical conveyance unit 14 to a position where it comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 15. In practice, any one of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is used.
One is selected, and the transfer paper is fed from there.

On the other hand, the image data read (input) by the reading unit 50 is sent to a writing unit 57 in the printer 80 as it is or after temporarily stored in the image memory group 66 of FIG. The laser beam is written as a laser beam by the unit 57 on the pre-charged surface of the photoconductor drum 15 (charged by a charger (not shown)), and that portion is developed.
7, a toner image is formed there.

The transfer paper fed from the selected paper feed tray is conveyed by a conveyor belt (transfer belt) 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photosensitive drum 15, and is transferred onto one surface of the photosensitive drum 15. Is transferred. Further, the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and the discharge unit 18 outside the apparatus is fixed by the discharge unit 18.
Is discharged to

At this time, for example, when the transfer paper on which the toner image is printed (formed) on one surface is to be inverted for face-down discharge (the image surface is turned downward to align the transfer paper in the page order), The transfer paper is delivered to the paper ejection unit 18.
The sheet is conveyed to the double-sided sheet conveyance path 113, is switched back by the reversing unit 112, and is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 19 through the reverse sheet discharge conveyance path 114.

When a toner image is printed on both sides of a transfer sheet, the transfer sheet having the toner image printed on one side is conveyed to a two-sided input conveyance path 113 by a sheet discharge unit 18 and is turned over by a reversing unit 112. , And is sent to the double-sided conveyance unit 111.

The transfer paper sent to the two-sided conveyance unit 111 is re-fed from the two-sided conveyance unit 111 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 15 again. Drum 15
After the toner image is transferred to the position where the toner image contacts the sheet, the toner image is transferred to the other surface, the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 19 by the sheet discharge unit 18.

The photosensitive drum 15 and the conveyor belt 1
6, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18, and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25 shown in FIG. 5, and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 is driven by the main motor 25 by a paper feeding clutch 22 to 24 shown in FIG. It is transmitted and driven. The vertical transport unit 14 is driven by the drive of the main motor 25 being transmitted by the intermediate clutch 21 in FIG. Each unit for image forming processing including the above-described writing unit 57 constitutes the printer 80 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram showing a configuration example of the operation unit of the digital copying machine. The operation unit 30 includes:
There are 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 displays various function keys, the number of copies, and a message indicating the state of the digital copying machine. You.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 31. When the operator (user) touches one of the function keys displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the function displayed in the frame of the function key is selected, and the monochrome display is inverted. If the details of the function need to be specified (for example, a variable magnification value in the case of variable magnification), a detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the function key. Since the liquid crystal touch panel 31 uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

In the display screen shown in FIG. 4, reference numeral 40 denotes a connection key which is effective when electrically connected (connected) to one or more other digital copying machines (other image forming apparatuses may be used). Key. When the link key 40 is depressed, the digital copying machine operated by the key sets the link mode and becomes the master machine (master machine), and the other digital copying machine electrically connected to the master machine. The device becomes a slave device (child device).

In the digital copying machine as a master machine, when the selected function is a copy function (copy application), the print key 34 on the operation unit 30 of the machine itself is used.
When a start instruction is issued by pressing, the image data read from the document is output to its own printer 80 to be printed (copied), and the image data is sent to a printer of another digital copying machine as a slave machine. Also executes a print distribution process (linking operation) for outputting (transferring) the data to perform printing.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the digital copying machine. Main controller 20
Controls the entire digital copying machine. The main controller 20 includes an operation unit control unit 3 that controls display to the operator and key input by the operator.
8, an image processing unit (IPU) 49 for controlling the driving unit of the reading unit 50 and controlling reading and writing of image data from and to the image memory group 66 in FIG. 6, and a distributed control device such as an ADF 1 for feeding and discharging the original. It is connected.

Each of the distributed control devices and the main controller 20 exchange information indicating the state of the machine and operation commands as necessary. The main controller 20 is also connected with various clutches 21 to 24 and a main motor 25 necessary for paper conveyance and the like.

Next, referring to FIG.
An operation from reading an image of a document to forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 will be described. The electrostatic latent image is a photosensitive drum 1
5 is a potential distribution generated by writing image data with a laser beam on the surface 5 (the surface charged by the charger).

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,
It comprises a second mirror 55, a third mirror 56, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54 and the like. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 5 are fixed.
6 is fixed on a second carriage (not shown).

When reading an image on a document, 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. The optical scanning system is driven by a drive unit such as a scanner drive motor (not shown).

The reading unit 50 optically reads an image of a document and converts it into image data (electric signals). That is, the image surface of the document is illuminated by the exposure lamp 51 of the optical scanning system, and the reflected light image from the image surface is converted to the first image.
An image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 54 via the mirror 52, the second mirror 55, the third mirror 56, and the lens 53, and the CCD image sensor 54 converts the image into image data. At this time, the image magnification is changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the horizontal direction in FIG. That is, the positions of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction are set corresponding to the designated copy magnification.

The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, a mirror 60, and the like.
Inside the laser output unit 58, there is provided a laser diode as a laser light source and a polygon mirror (rotating polygon mirror) which rotates at a constant high speed by a motor. The laser beam emitted from the laser output unit 58 is
The imaging lens 5 is deflected by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed.
9 and is turned back by the mirror 60 and the photosensitive drum 15
Is focused and imaged.

That is, the deflected laser beam is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photosensitive drum 15 rotates, and an image output from the image processing unit 49 (image processing apparatus) in FIG. Data is written in line units. By repeating the main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed of the photoconductor drum 15 and the scanning density (recording density), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged surface of the photoconductor drum 15.

The laser beam immediately before scanning on the photosensitive drum 15 is detected by a not-shown synchronization detection sensor (beam sensor). Then, a laser writing control unit (not shown) uses the main scanning synchronization signal output from the synchronization detection sensor to generate a control signal for turning on the laser diode and inputting / outputting image data every scanning. .

FIG. 6 shows an image processing unit (IPU) 49.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of FIG. The reflected light image (image) from the original surface by the illumination of the exposure lamp 51 is converted into image data by the CCD image sensor 54,
The analog value is converted into a digital value by the D converter 61. The image data converted into the digital value is subjected to MTF correction and γ by the image processing unit 63 after being subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 62.
Image processing such as correction is performed.

The image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 63 passes through a scaling unit 72, where it is enlarged or reduced in accordance with a copy scaling ratio specified in advance.
It is output to the selector 64.

The selector 64 switches the destination of the image data. That is, the writing γ correction unit 71 or the memory controller 65 is set as the destination of the image data. Image data that has passed through the writing γ correction unit 71 is formed (image formation)
The writing γ is corrected according to the conditions, and sent to the writing unit 57 of the printer 80. Between the memory controller 65 and the selector 64, image data can be input and output in both directions.

The I / O port 67 controls transmission and reception of various data such as image data to and from the operation unit 30. CPU
A central processing unit 68 writes and reads image data to and from the image memory group 66 via the memory controller 65, and controls the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57.

The ROM 69 is a read-only memory and stores various fixed data including a control program for operating the CPU 68. The RAM 70 is a readable and writable memory, and temporarily stores various data. A connection interface (hereinafter, “interface” is referred to as “I / F”) 48 is connected to a data bus of the memory controller 65 for transmitting and receiving image data (image information), and is configured to be capable of inputting and outputting image data. ing.

Here, the CPU 6 in the digital copying machine is used.
The connection I / F 48 can control the transfer (transmission / reception) of image data between the digital I / F 48 and the other digital copying machine (image forming apparatus) in accordance with the data transfer speed.

That is, at the time of outputting image data, the image data from the reading unit 50 is stored or stored in the image memory group 66 via the memory controller 65, and then sequentially stored in accordance with the data transfer speed.
, And can be transferred (output) to another digital copying machine by the connection I / F 48.

At the time of inputting image data, the image data transferred from another digital copying machine is connected to the connection I / F.
After receiving the image data and storing or storing the image data in the image memory group 66, the image data can be processed via the memory controller 65. With the above-described configuration, the above-described print distribution processing can be realized without being restricted by the functions of the digital copying machine.

Note that the memory controller 65 and the image memory group 66 constitute an image storage means. Further, in addition to the image data input from the reading unit 50, a plurality of image data is input to the image processing unit 49 so that image data sent from an external device such as a personal computer or a facsimile machine can be processed. A function (image input means) is also provided. Further, a function (image output means) for outputting the input image data or the image data stored or stored in the image memory group 66 to the printer 80 or an external device is provided.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of a part of the memory controller 65 and the image memory group 66 (a part constituting one storage device). Note that the CPU 6
The illustration of the address bus 8 is omitted.

The memory controller 65 shown in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of data input / output control units 201 and 202. Each of the data input / output control units 201 and 202 includes an input data selector 211, an image synthesizing unit 212, and a primary compression unit. / Decompression section 213, output data selector 214, secondary compression / decompression section 215, and the like. Setting of control data to them is C
Performed by PU68.

The image memory group 66 shown in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of image memories 203 and 204.
Reference numeral 204 denotes a primary storage unit 216 and a secondary storage unit 2
Seventeen. The primary storage unit 216 is requested to write data to a specified area of the memory when inputting image data or read data from a specified area of the memory when outputting image data when inputting or outputting image data. For example, a memory that can be accessed at high speed, such as a DRAM, is used so that the data transfer can be performed substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed.

The primary storage unit 216 includes a circuit (an interface unit with the memory controller 65) capable of simultaneously inputting and outputting image data by dividing the image data into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data to be processed. Have. 2
The secondary storage unit 217 converts the image data stored in the primary storage unit 216 (input from the reading unit 50 or an external device) into a plurality of pieces of image data in order to perform processing such as synthesis, sorting, and rearrangement. This is a large-capacity nonvolatile memory for storing (accumulating).

If primary storage unit 216 has a sufficient capacity for processing image data and is non-volatile, it is necessary to input and output image data to and from secondary storage unit 217. There is no. If the secondary storage unit 217 can write / read the image data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer rate required at the time of input / output of the image data, the input / output image data is directly stored in the secondary storage unit. Part 217
And can be read from the secondary storage unit 217. In the above case, the primary storage unit 21
6, it is possible to perform the processing of the image data without distinction of the secondary storage unit 217.

When the secondary storage unit 217 cannot write / read the image data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed required when inputting / outputting the image data,
For example, a hard disk (HDD) in the secondary storage unit 217,
Even when a storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk or a CD-RW is used, input / output of image data to / from the secondary storage unit 217 is performed by interposing the primary storage unit 216 with the data in the secondary storage unit 217. Processing according to the transfer capability becomes possible.

With this configuration, the storage unit (memory) can be selected according to the image data processing speed of the digital copying machine, and the compression ratio and expansion ratio differ depending on the image data (data access to the memory depends on the type of data). (Speeds are different), it is possible to respond. If the compression rate and the decompression rate are variable, the capacity of the storage unit may be saved.

Here, a specific use example of the primary storage unit 216 and the secondary storage unit 217 by each application will be described. <Example 1> One copy by copy application In this digital copying machine, in the case of one copy, first, image data from the reading unit 50 (scanner) is
Output (input) to the next storage unit 216.

The image data is output to the printer 80 (image forming apparatus) at substantially the same timing for printing, but is also output to the secondary storage unit 217 and stored at the same time.
When the printing is completed normally, the image data stored in the secondary storage unit 217 is deleted without using the image data. However, when an error such as a jam occurs, the image data is read from the secondary storage unit 217. This eliminates the need to read an image by the reading unit 50 after the occurrence of an abnormality.

<Example 2> Sorting by copy application (multiple copy) In the case of two or more copies, first, the reading unit 50
Is output to the primary storage unit 216. The copy of the first copy is performed in the same manner as in <Example 1> above.
The image data is output from the next storage unit 216 to the printer 80, and at the same time, the image data is also output and stored in the secondary storage unit 217.

The image data of the second copy and thereafter are stored in the secondary storage unit 21.
By repeatedly outputting the necessary number of copies (set number) in the order of 7 → primary storage unit 216 → printer 80, the reading unit 50 does not need to read an image for the second and subsequent copies. When the required number of copies have been completed, the image data stored in the secondary storage unit 217 is deleted.

<Example 3> Image Storage from Reading Unit 50 In this case, the image data from reading unit 50 is output to secondary storage unit 217 via primary storage unit 216 and stored. In this case, the image data remains stored unless intentional erasure is performed. <Example 4> Printing from an external 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 the reading unit 50 but the external device.

<Example 5> Image Storage from External Device In this case, the operation is substantially the same as in <Example 3>, and the input source of the image data is not the reading unit 50 but the external device. <Example 6> Printing of Stored Image <Example 3> When performing printing using image data stored (stored) in the secondary storage unit 217 in <Example 5>, the image data is selectively stored in the secondary storage unit 217. → Primary storage unit 216 →
Printing is performed by repeatedly outputting the required number of copies in the order of the printer 80.

Next, an example of a part of the operation of the memory controller 65 will be described. Here, an example is shown in which the secondary storage unit 217 cannot write / read image data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed required when inputting / outputting image data.

<1> Input of image data (image memory 20
3 or 204) The input data selector 211 of the data input / output control unit 201 or 202 includes the image memory 203 or the image memory 203 of the image data input from the reading unit 50 or the external device via each unit of the image processing unit 49. The selection of the image data to be written into the primary storage unit 216 or the secondary storage unit 217 of 204 is performed.

The image data selected by the input data selector 211 is transmitted to the data input / output control unit 201 or 202.
The image data is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 212, where the image data is synthesized with the image data already stored or stored in the primary storage unit 216 or the secondary storage unit 217 of the image memory 203 or 204 as necessary. The compression (variable length compression) process is performed by the / decompression unit 213, and the data is written and stored in the primary storage unit 216. The image data stored in the primary storage unit 216 is further subjected to a compression process by a secondary compression / decompression unit 215 as necessary, and then the secondary storage unit 217 is used.
Is written and saved.

<2> Output of image data (image memory 20
3 or 204) When image data designated as output target image data is stored in the primary storage unit 216 of the image memory 203 or 204, after the image data is read, data input / output is performed. Primary compression / decompression unit 2 of control unit 201 or 202
The decompression process is performed by the image data selector 13 and the decompressed image data or the image data obtained by performing the synthesizing process of the image data and the image data input from the reading unit 50 or the external device side is output to the output data selector 2.
14 and output.

The image data designated as the output target image data is stored in the primary storage unit 21 of the image memory 203 or 204.
In the case where the image data is read (stored) in the secondary storage unit 217 instead of the secondary storage unit 6, the secondary compression / decompression unit 215 of the data input / output control unit 201 or 202 is read out after the image data is read out.
The decompression process is performed, and the decompressed image data is temporarily written in the primary storage unit 216, and thereafter the same output operation as described above is performed.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of another part of the memory controller 65 and the image memory group 66. In this embodiment, the primary storage unit 2 that forms the data input / output control unit 201 and the image memory 203 described above.
The secondary storage unit 217 constitutes the storage device 221, and the data input / output control unit 202 and the image memory 204 constitute the storage device 221.
The secondary storage unit 216 and the secondary storage unit 217 configure the storage device 222, respectively, and configure an image storage unit.

The memory controller 65 includes an input data selector 231 and an output data selector 232 in addition to the plurality of data input / output controllers 201 and 202 described above. The input data selector 231 selectively inputs image data from the reading unit 50, an external device, or another digital copying machine, and stores the image data in the storage device 221 or 222.
Selective output to The output data selector 232 selectively outputs image data from the storage device 221 or image data from the storage device 222.

Next, normal processing when image data is input by the CPU 68 and the memory controller 65 of the digital copying machine will be described. In this embodiment, since two storage devices 221 and 222 are provided,
The processing corresponding to that case will be described. However, even when three or more storage devices are provided, it is of course possible to perform the processing corresponding to that case.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a normal process when image data is input by the CPU 68 and the memory controller 65, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the storage device allocating process. CPU
At the start of a job (data input processing in this example), the processing 68 starts the processing shown in FIG. 9 using the memory controller 65, and firstly, it is determined whether or not there is a data input request to the image storage means (storage means). A determination is made (step S1).

When there is no data input request,
The subsequent processing is skipped and the processing in FIG. 9 ends. If there is a data input request, the requested parameters are analyzed and the control method of the image storage means is determined based on the result (S2). As a control method, how to use resources in the storage device is determined based on data size, mode, necessity of storage, and the like in the parameters.

When the control method of the image storage means is determined in step S2, each of the storage devices 221 and 222 is determined based on the result.
Is detected (checked) (step S3), and when it is recognized that the storage devices 221 and 222 are both in use and cannot be used together (there is no usable storage device), the following processing is performed. The processing is skipped and the processing in FIG. 9 ends (step S4). When it is recognized that there is a usable storage device (unused storage device), a storage device allocation process is performed (step S5).

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, first, it is determined whether or not the secondary storage unit 217 of the storage device 221 is usable (step S21). If the secondary storage unit 217 is not used, the storage device is determined. 221 is assigned (determined) as a storage device used for the current job (step S2).
4). If the secondary storage unit 217 of the storage device 221 is being used, it is determined whether the secondary storage unit 217 of the storage device 222 is usable (step S22), and if the secondary storage unit 217 is unused. If there is, the storage device 222 is allocated as a storage device used for the current job (step S2).
3).

When one of the storage devices is allocated as a storage device to be used for the current job, the allocated storage device is obtained (step S6). As a result, the use state of the obtained storage device (the storage device allocated as the storage device to be used for the current job) becomes “in use”.

Thereafter, as preprocessing for executing a job (data input processing) for the acquired storage device, parameters are set in the storage device (step S7), and when all preparations are completed, data input execution preparation is completed. A notification is made (step S8). After the notification of the completion of the data input execution preparation, it waits for a data input execution request from the image data input request source (step S9).

When there is a data input execution request, a data input process (a process of inputting and storing the image data input from the reading unit 50 or the external device into the acquired storage device) is executed (step S1). S1
0). Next, the status of the data input process is monitored (step S11). When the data input process is completed, the storage device acquired as post-processing is released (step S12).
Finally, a data input completion notification is performed (step S1).
3), the process of FIG. 9 ends.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are block diagrams showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. Here, for convenience of explanation, the image forming apparatus connection system is configured by two digital copying machines, but may be configured by three or more digital copying machines.

The two digital copiers 301 and 302 constituting this image forming apparatus connection system are connected to a connection I / F 4.
8 (FIG. 6). The hardware and software configurations of each of the digital copying machines 301 and 302 are substantially the same as those described above. The difference is that the input data selector 23 on the digital copying machine 301 side
1, the output data selector 232 and each of the storage devices 221,
22 is provided with a failure determination circuit 311.

The failure determination circuit 311 is provided for each storage device 22.
It is possible to judge (detect) the presence or absence of the failures 1, 222, respectively. When the link key 40 on the display screen shown in FIG. 4 is pressed, the digital copying machine 301 sets the link mode and becomes the master machine, and the other digital copying machine 302 electrically connected to its own machine sets the slave mode. Machine.

As a result, C of the digital copying machine 301 is
The PU 68 and the memory controller 65 can perform the processing according to the present invention shown in FIGS. Therefore, the CPU 68 and the memory controller 65 of the digital copying machine 301 function as a storage device use state detecting unit and a storage device allocating unit according to the first and second aspects.

FIG. 1 shows the CPU 68 of the digital copying machine 301.
And a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the present invention when image data is input by the memory controller 65;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the second storage device allocation processing. The subroutine of the first storage device allocation process is the same as that shown in FIG.

At the start of a job (data input processing), the CPU 68 of the digital copying machine 301 starts the processing shown in FIG. 1 using the memory controller 65. First, a data input request to the image storage means (storage means) is received. It is determined whether or not there is (step S31). If there is no data input request, the subsequent processing is skipped, and the processing in FIG. 1 ends. If there is a data input request, the requested parameters are analyzed, and the control method of the image storage means is determined based on the result (S32). As a control method, how to use resources in the storage device is determined based on data size, mode, necessity of storage, and the like in the parameters.

When the control method of the image storage means is determined in step S32, each storage device 22 of its own device is determined based on the result.
The usage status of the devices 122 and 222 is detected (checked) (step S33). Here, the failure determination circuit 311 can determine whether each of the storage devices 221 and 222 has a failure. Then, when it is recognized that there is a usable storage device, the respective processes (steps S34 to S43) including the first storage device allocation process are executed. Since it is the same as the processing of S13,
Description is omitted.

There is no usable storage device (each of the storage devices 221 and 222 is in use or has failed).
If it is recognized, the use state of each of the storage devices 221 and 222 of the other digital copying machine 302 as the slave machine is detected (checked) (step S44), and the storage device usable by the other digital copying machine 302 is checked. If there is no storage device (each of the storage devices 221 and 222 is in use or has a failure), a message indicating that none of the storage devices of the other digital copying machine 302 can be used or a failure has occurred. Unusable processing such as displaying on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30 is performed (steps S45 and S45).
47).

If there is a storage device that can be used in another digital copying machine 302, a second storage device allocation process is performed (step S46). That is, as shown in FIG. 13, first, another digital copying machine 302 (slave machine)
It is determined whether the secondary storage unit 217 of the storage device 221 is usable (step S51). If the secondary storage unit 217 is unused, the storage device 2 of another digital copying machine 302 is determined.
21 is allocated as a storage device used for the current job (step S54).

When the secondary storage unit 217 of the storage device 221 of another digital copying machine 302 is used,
It is determined whether the secondary storage unit 217 of the storage device 222 of another digital copying machine 302 is usable (step S5).
2) If the secondary storage unit 217 is unused, the storage device 222 of the other digital copying machine 302 is allocated as a storage device used for the current job (step S53).

It is to be noted that the storage devices 221 and 222 of the own machine (digital copying machine 301) are removable, respectively.
Even if it is recognized from the detection result of step 33 that the storage devices 221 and 222 of the own machine have been removed (unusable) in step 34, the processing after step 44 is performed and another digital copier is executed. If the storage device 221 or 222 of the storage device 302 can be used, the storage device (however, the storage device 221 is given priority) can be allocated as a storage device used for the current job.

Note that the digital copying machine 302 may be the master machine and perform the processing shown in FIG. Each of the digital copying machines 301 and 302 has two storage devices.
One or more storage devices may be provided, and in such a case, substantially the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 1 can be performed.

For example, each of the digital copying machines 301 and 302
If one digital copier recognizes at least that there is an available storage device at the start of its own job, the other digital copier replaces that storage device with another digital copier. If it is recognized that there is a storage device that can be used only in the device, the storage device is allocated as a storage device to be used for the job.

Although the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus connecting system in which two digital copying machines are connected has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more digital copying machines are connected. The present invention is applicable to an image forming apparatus connection system or an image forming apparatus connection system in which a plurality of other image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a facsimile apparatus, and a multifunction machine are connected. The present invention can also be applied to a connection system in which a plurality of image input devices such as a reading unit are connected.

[0089]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus connection system of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is connected to the storage device of each image forming apparatus. A storage device use state detection means for detecting the use state is provided.
From the detection result by the use state detecting means, when it is recognized that there is at least a storage device that can be used in the own device, the storage device is recognized that there is a storage device that can be used only by another image forming apparatus. Assigns each of the storage devices as a storage device to be used for the job, so that even when the storage device of the own device cannot be used, the job can be executed as it is.

Therefore, the use efficiency of the storage device of each image forming apparatus by at least one image forming apparatus can be improved. That is, it is possible to avoid contention between storage devices to be used beforehand and to use each storage device efficiently. In addition, the productivity is not reduced.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage device of the at least one image forming apparatus is removable, and the storage device use state detecting means of the image forming device is
The presence or absence of the storage device can be detected, and the image forming device recognizes that the storage device of its own device has been removed from the detection result by the storage device use state detecting means, and uses it for another image forming device. When it is recognized that there is a possible storage device, the storage device can be allocated as a storage device used for the job. For example, even if a failed storage device is removed for repair, Can be executed as it is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the present invention when image data is input by a CPU and a memory controller of a digital copying machine 301 in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a mechanical unit of a digital copying machine that forms the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit of the digital copying machine illustrated in FIG. 2;

4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the digital copying machine illustrated in FIG. 2;

6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing unit (IPU) 49 of FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of a part of the memory controller 65 and the image memory group 66 of FIG. 6 (a part constituting one storage device).

8 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed example of another part of the memory controller 65 and the image memory group 66 in FIG. 6;

9 is a diagram showing a CPU 68 and a memory controller 6 shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a normal process when image data is input by No. 5;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subroutine of a storage device allocation process in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a main part of one digital copying machine constituting an image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the other digital copying machine.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a storage device allocation process in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 20: Main controller 30: Operation unit 31: Liquid crystal touch panel 34: Print key 40: Connection key 48: Connection I / F 49: Image processing unit 50: Reading unit 65: Memory controller 66: Image memory group 68: CPU 69: ROM 70: RAM 80: Printer 201, 202: Data input / output control unit 203, 204: Image memory 211, 231: Input data selector 212: Image synthesis unit 213: Primary compression / decompression unit 214, 232: Output data selector 215: Secondary compression / decompression unit 216: Primary storage unit 217: Secondary storage unit 221, 222: Storage device 301, 302: Digital copying machine 311: Failure determination circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/21 G06F 15/64 450A (72) Inventor Junji Inukawa 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 6 Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Norio Michiya 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Yasuhiro Hattori 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock Company Ricoh F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ06 AR03 HK11 HN15 HQ13 5B021 AA01 AA05 AA19 DD05 DD06 EE02 5B047 AA01 AB02 BA01 BB02 BC05 BC21 CB25 EA05 EB03 EB06 EB15 5C062 AA05 AC22 AB02 AB02ACA CE04

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image input means for inputting image data,
Image storage means having a storage device including a primary storage unit for storing image data input by the means and a secondary storage unit for storing image data stored in the primary storage unit And image output means for outputting image data input by the image input means or image data stored or stored in a primary storage unit or a secondary storage unit of a storage device in the image storage means. In an image forming apparatus connection system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected, at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses detects a use state of a storage device of each of the image forming apparatuses. At the start of the job of the own device, the storage device use state detecting means recognizes that at least a storage device that can be used by the own device exists from the detection result by the use state detecting means. Storage device allocating means for allocating the storage device as a storage device to be used for the job when the storage device is recognized as having a storage device that can be used only for another image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus connection system, comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus connection system according to claim 1, wherein the storage device of the at least one image forming device is detachable, and the storage device use state detection unit of the image forming device includes a storage device. A storage device allocating unit of the image forming apparatus, wherein the storage device allocating unit of the image forming apparatus recognizes that the storage device of the image forming apparatus has been removed from the detection result of the storage device use state detection unit, and If the image forming apparatus recognizes that there is a usable storage device, the image forming apparatus connection system includes means for allocating the storage device as a storage device used for the job.