JP2001150769A - Copying system and function expanding set for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying system which realizes a high speed copying and can be composed at low cost. SOLUTION: A copying system 10 is composed of a scanner 11, a copying operating panel 12 and a printer 13, to which both the scanner and the panel connect respectively so as to combine the printer 13 in order to control the scanner 11 in response to copying conditions set with the copying operating panel 12. In this case, the copying operating panel 12, which can perform a treatment for a user to set the copying conditions with no connection with the printer 13, is employed. As the printer 13, one, which can connect and control with both the scanner 11 and the copying operating panel 12 by installing an extension board, is employed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a copy system and a function expansion set for a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, most of recent copying apparatuses convert light reflected from a document into digital data once by an optical sensor and use the digital data (or data obtained by processing the digital data). And LED
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image on the document is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor by an array or a laser beam scanning mechanism.

In such a digital copying apparatus, a process performed to obtain digital data representing an image on a document is the same as a process performed by a scanner which is commercially available as a peripheral device of a computer. Things. Further, in a digital copying apparatus, processing for outputting a sheet on which a toner image is transferred based on digital data (that is, a copy of an original) is performed by a laser commercially available as a computer peripheral device. This is the same as the processing performed by the beam printer. In addition, the digital copier performs the same processing as a printer without a photoconductor such as an inkjet printer in that it outputs paper on which an image represented by digital data is formed. Become.

That is, if an apparatus having a function of integrally controlling a scanner and a printer is used, a system including the apparatus, the scanner and the printer can be operated as a copying apparatus. In fact, such a device, as schematically shown in FIG.
A copy server 83 having an operation panel 83a that can perform copying under the control of the printer 1 and the printer 82 is commercially available.

[0005]

The configuration of the copy system shown in FIG. 7 is limited only by the scanner 81 and the printer 82 having an interface capable of communicating with the copy server 83. However, when this configuration is adopted, the data transfer rate between the scanner 81 and the copy server 83 and the data transfer rate between the copy server 83 and the printer 82 are determined. Therefore, in order to build a copy system that can perform high-speed copying with this configuration, high-performance,
Therefore, it was necessary to use a high-priced copy server 83.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a copy system having a configuration that can be easily operated at high speed and that can be manufactured at low cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer function expansion set that can realize such a copy system.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a copy system comprises a printer, an operation panel and a scanner which are respectively connected to the printer by cables. At this time, the operation panel includes a display panel, information input means for inputting a plurality of types of information, and an operation for displaying an image on the display panel for allowing a user to set copy conditions using the information input means. A panel control means for holding a copy condition set by using the information input means and, when predetermined information is input by the information input means, executing a copy with the copy condition held at that time And a control panel control unit for transmitting a copy request for requesting a printer to a printer connected via a cable. Further, as the printer, a printing mechanism for printing on paper, a printing control means for controlling the printing mechanism so as to perform printing in response to a printing request from the host computer, and a printing mechanism in response to a copying request from the operation panel. And a copy control means for controlling the scanner and the printing mechanism so that the copying is performed.

That is, in the present invention, the copy system includes a scanner, an operation panel for allowing a user to set copy conditions, and a printer having a scanner control function (copy control means).

In order to be able to control the scanner,
The hardware that must be added to a typical printer is small. Further, since the operation panel is a device that executes a specific process of allowing a user to set copy conditions, it can be manufactured at extremely low cost. Therefore, the copy system of the present invention can be manufactured at a lower cost than a conventional copy system (see FIG. 7) including a scanner, a printer, and a sophisticated computer.

A conventional copy system uses a process (Centronics or SCSI) for transferring image data subjected to image processing to a printer 82 by a general communication procedure.
Communication system), the copy system of the present invention performs all processes for generating a copy of a document from image data of the document read by a scanner in a printer. Done. Since data transfer within one device (printer) can be performed much faster than data transfer between devices, the configuration of the copy system of the present invention can easily be increased in speed. It can be said that.

When a copy system is configured by a printer, a scanner, and an operation panel, the operation panel includes:
It is also conceivable to use a device including only a display panel and information input means (for example, a touch panel, a numeric keypad, and a start key), and to configure a printer so that actual control thereof can be performed. However, when such a configuration is adopted, the responsiveness to the operation of setting the copy conditions differs depending on whether or not printing is performed in the printer. Specifically, when the information input unit is operated while printing is being performed, a phenomenon occurs in which it takes time until the operation is reflected on the display content on the display panel. Since the copy system of the present invention includes the operation panel including the operation panel control unit, such a phenomenon does not occur.

In implementing the copy system of the present invention, an expansion board to which a scanner and an operation panel are connected via cables, respectively, as a printer, and a print control means and a copy control means to which the expansion board is mounted are provided. A control unit having a function and including a control unit having a function as a print control unit even when the extension board is not mounted can be adopted.

That is, the copy system may include a printer having only a function of performing printing when no extension board is mounted. A printer to which an expansion board can be mounted can be manufactured at a cost similar to a single-function printer (a printer to which an expansion board cannot be mounted). Further, a printer to which an expansion board can be mounted is a device that can be commonly sold to users who do not need a copy function and users who need a copy function,
That is, the apparatus can reduce the manufacturing cost by mass production. Therefore, if the above configuration is adopted, a cheaper copy system can be provided.

When such a configuration is adopted, an image processing circuit for converting image data generated by the scanner into image data suitable for printing can be mounted on an expansion board of the printer. . If an extension board equipped with an image processing circuit is used,
Since there is no need to cause the control unit of the printer to perform image processing, it is possible to realize a copy system that can perform high-speed copying without having to make the control unit of the printer sophisticated.

The function expansion set for a printer according to the present invention includes an expansion board mounted in an expansion slot provided in a control unit of the printer, and an operation panel connected to the expansion board by a cable. The operation panel includes a display panel,
An information input means for inputting a plurality of types of information, and an operation panel control means for displaying an image for allowing a user to set copy conditions using the information input means on a display panel, wherein the information input means is used. When the predetermined information is input by the information input means, a copy request for requesting execution of the copy under the currently held copy condition is connected via a cable when the predetermined information is input by the information input means. Operation panel control means for transmitting data to the expanded board. Also, the expansion board
A scanner connector, an operation panel connector, first interface means for coupling a scanner connected to the scanner connector via a cable to a control unit of the printer, and a first interface means connected to the operation panel connector via a cable. Second interface means for coupling the panel control means in the operation panel to the control unit of the printer.

That is, the printer function expansion set of the present invention includes a device (extension) capable of constructing the above-described system equivalent to the copy system of the present invention using a printer having a predetermined configuration and a general scanner. Board and operation panel). Therefore, by using the printer function extension set of the present invention, a system capable of performing high-speed copying can be realized at low cost. Further, it is possible to obtain a system in which the responsiveness to the operation of setting the copy conditions does not change whether printing is performed in the printer or not.

In order to construct a copy system using the printer function expansion set of the present invention, a printer control unit can control a scanner and a printing mechanism so that copying is performed in response to a copy request. Although necessary, this control function can be provided to the control unit in various ways.

For example, the control function may be provided in advance to the control unit of the printer, and a new program may be installed in the printer when the printer function expansion set is installed. Further, in the function expansion set for a printer according to the present invention, a ROM mounted on the control unit of the printer, the control unit having the expansion board mounted thereon may be copied in response to a copy request from the operation panel. R storing a program for functioning as copy control means for controlling a scanner and a printing mechanism
OM may be included.

In implementing the printer function expansion set of the present invention, the first interface means of the expansion board includes an image processing circuit for converting image data generated by the scanner into image data suitable for printing. It is desirable to keep it. If an extension board having such a configuration is employed, a copy system capable of high-speed copying can be obtained without having to make the control section of the printer sophisticated.

[0021]

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

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a copy system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the copy system 10 according to the embodiment includes a printer 13 and a scanner 11 and a copy operation panel 12 respectively connected to the printer 13 by cables. Book Copy System 10
Is usually used in a form in which the printer 13 is connected to a network.

The scanner 11 is a device which is generally sold as a peripheral device for a computer. The copy system 10 (printer 13)
It is configured so that a device having an SI interface can be used.

Copy operation panel 12 and printer 13
Are devices developed and manufactured for the copy system 10. Although details of each device will be described later, the copy operation panel 1
Reference numeral 2 includes a touch panel 51, a numeric keypad 52 including numeric keys, a start key, and the like, and several LEDs (not shown) indicating an operation state of the system. The printer 13 is a device having a function as a network printer and an extension board or the like attached thereto.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the copy system 10 will be specifically described. First, the configuration of the copy operation panel 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown, the copy operation panel 12
Are a CPU 41 and a RAM 4 interconnected by a bus 49
2, a ROM 43, an LCD control circuit 44, an input interface circuit (input I / F) 45, an LED drive circuit 46, and a communication control circuit 47. The copy operation panel 12
Is a liquid crystal panel (LC
And D) 54 and a touch screen 55. The liquid crystal panel 54 and the touch screen 55 are connected to an LCD control circuit 44 and an input interface circuit 45, respectively. Further, the copy operation panel 12 includes a numeric keypad 52 connected to the input interface circuit 45, a plurality of LEDs 53 connected to the LED drive circuit 46, and a connector 54 connected to the communication control circuit 47. The copy operation panel 12 is connected to the printer 13 via the connector 54.
Connected to.

The CPU 41 is a control circuit for integrally controlling each section in the copy operation panel 12. RAM42
Is a memory used by the CPU 41 to temporarily store various types of information. The ROM 43 includes a CPU 41
Is a memory in which a program that defines the operation procedure and data used by the CPU 41 are recorded. LCD control circuit 4
Reference numeral 4 denotes a circuit that causes the liquid crystal panel 54 to display an image having the content specified by the CPU 21. The input interface circuit 45 is a circuit for notifying the CPU 41 of the operation performed by the user on the touch screen 55 or the numeric keypad 52. The LED drive circuit 46 is a circuit that performs ON / OFF control of each LED 53 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 41. The communication control circuit 47 includes a CPU 41
This is a circuit used to exchange information with the printer 13.

Note that the copy operation panel 12 of the present embodiment is
In this embodiment, the touch screen 54 and the numeric keypad 52 function as information input means, and a portion including the CPU 41 and other components centering on the communication control circuit 47 functions as operation panel control means.

Next, the configuration of the printer 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown, the printer 13 includes a printing mechanism 18 including a print engine and a transport mechanism, a printer operation panel 19, and a control unit 20. The print engine is a mechanism that actually performs printing on paper. The transport mechanism includes a paper feeder, a mechanism for supplying paper set in the paper feeder to the print engine, a mechanism for discharging paper printed by the print engine out of the printer 13, and the like.

The printer operation panel 19 is an interface between the user and the printer 13 (control unit 20). The printer operation panel 19 includes several buttons for designating operating conditions of the printer 13 and the printer 1.
It is composed of several LEDs for displaying the state 3 and the like and a liquid crystal panel.

The control unit 20 is a unit that functions as print control means and copy control means. Control unit 20
Are a network interface unit (NW-I / F) 21, a CPU 22,
It includes a ROM 23, a ROM 24, a RAM 25, an interface circuit section 26, and an extension board 27. The electrical circuits in the transport mechanism included in the printer operation panel 19 and the printing mechanism 18 are connected to the interface circuit section 26, and the printing engine included in the printing mechanism 18 is connected to the bus 2
9 is connected.

The network interface unit 21 is a circuit for receiving a print request transmitted by a host computer included in a network to which the printer 13 is connected. The CPU 22 is a control circuit that integrally controls each unit in the control unit 20.

The RAM 25 is a memory used to store print data received by the network interface unit 21 and image data supplied to the print engine. The interface circuit unit 26 has a CP between the printer operation panel 19 and a transport mechanism in the printing mechanism 18.
U22 comprises several interface circuits for exchanging information.

The extension board 27 includes a scanner connector 31 to which the scanner 11 is connected via a cable, and a copy operation panel connector 35 to which the copy operation panel 12 is connected via a cable. The extension board 27 is connected to the SCS connected to the scanner connector 31.
I interface circuit (SCSI-I / F) 32, SC
Image processing circuit 33 connected to SI interface circuit
Is provided. The extension board 27 further includes an interface circuit 3 connected to the SCSI interface circuit 32, the image processing circuit 33, and the copy operation panel connector 35.
4 is provided.

The image processing circuit 33 mounted on the extension board 27 is a circuit capable of performing image processing such as gamma correction, moiré removal, edge enhancement, and color matching. The image processing circuit 33 performs processing of the type specified by the CPU 22 on image data from the scanner 11 provided via the SCSI interface circuit 32, and supplies image data subjected to various image processing to the bus 29. I do.

The extension board 27 is mounted on a board slot provided in the control unit 20 so that the interface circuit 34 is connected to the bus 29.

The ROMs 23 and 24 are memories in which various programs executed by the CPU 22 are stored. The ROM 23 mainly stores the CPU 22 in response to a print request received by the network interface unit 21.
Stores a program defining the processing contents to be executed. The copy operation panel 1 is stored in the ROM 24.
2 in response to a copy request (details will be described later)
Is recorded.

The ROM 24 can be removed from the control unit 20 like the extension board 27. When the power of the printer 13 is turned on, the CPU 24
2 is according to a program stored in the ROM 23,
It is checked whether the ROM 24 and the extension board 27 are mounted. Then, when the ROM 24 and the extension board 27 are not mounted, the CPU 22 thereafter performs only the operation according to the program in the ROM 23. On the other hand, when the ROM 24 and the extension board 27 are mounted, the CPU 22 thereafter sets the ROM 23 and the R
The operation according to the program in the OM 24 is performed.

That is, the control unit 20 whose components are controlled by the CPU 22 includes the ROM 24 and the extension board 2.
7 is mounted, operates as a unit capable of processing a print request and a copy request (a unit functioning as a print control unit and a copy control unit), and when one or both of the ROM 24 and the extension board 27 are not mounted. Operates as a unit that can process only a print request (a unit that functions as a print control unit).

Hereinafter, the overall operation of the copy system 10 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a CPU in the copy operation panel 12.
41 shows the overall operation procedure. As shown in the drawing, when the power is turned on, the CPU 41
By exchanging information with the U22, the state of the copy system 10 is checked, and an initialization process for displaying a screen indicating the progress of the check on the liquid crystal panel 54 is executed (step S101). More specifically, in step S101, the CPU 41 confirms that the copy operation panel 12 is connected to the printer 13, confirms that the scanner 11 is connected to the printer 13, 13 (whether the scanner 11 has the ADF or the printer 1
3 is capable of performing double-sided printing, etc.).

After completion of step S101, the CPU 41
The liquid crystal panel 54 is controlled by the LCD control circuit 44.
Display a basic screen (step S102).

The basic screen is a screen for allowing the user to set various copy conditions such as the number of copies and the copy magnification. As shown in FIG. 5, the basic screen includes a reduction ratio setting button 61, an enlargement ratio setting button 62, a paper type selection button 63, a document type setting button 64, a two-sided copy button 65, density adjustment buttons 66 and 67, a color tone. A correction button 68 and an application copy button 69 are provided. The basic screen also includes a magnification display area 71 indicating a copy magnification, a paper type, the number of copies, and a density level, a paper type display area 72, a copy number display area 73, and a density level display area 74. Step S10
When step 2 is executed for the first time, the CPU 41 displays on the liquid crystal panel 54 a basic screen (shown in FIG. 5) showing the copy conditions given as default values.

After displaying the basic screen, the CPU 41 waits for an instruction from the user (step S103 in FIG. 4). That is, the CPU 41 waits for an operation to be performed on the touch screen 55 or the numeric keypad unit 52. Then, the numeric keypad or the touch screen 55
If an operation has been performed (step S103; other), the process returns to step S102 after executing a process corresponding to the instruction implied by the operation (step S104).

The process performed in step S104 is a process for changing copy conditions such as the number of copies and the copy magnification to those in accordance with a user's instruction.

For example, when detecting that the numeric key is pressed, the CPU 41 determines in step S104
The fact that the number of copies has been changed to the one corresponding to the pressed numeric keypad is stored. Then, the step S104 ends, and in the step S102, the basic screen in which the changed number of copies is displayed in the copy number display area 73 is displayed.

When the CPU 41 detects that the reduction ratio setting button 51 has been pressed (the user touches the area of the touch panel 51 where the reduction ratio setting button 51 is displayed), the CPU 41 determines in advance in step S104 A screen for allowing the user to select a copy magnification from a plurality of types of prepared reduction magnifications is displayed. Then, when the user selects the copy magnification using the screen, the CP
U41 returns to step S102, and displays the basic screen in which the copy magnification selected by the user is displayed in the magnification display area 71.

When the density adjustment button 66 or 67 has been pressed, the CPU 22 determines in step SS104
The stored density level is decreased or increased by “1”. Then, the process returns to step S102, and displays a basic screen having a density level display area 74 indicating the changed density level.

When the CPU 41 detects that the document type setting button 64 has been pressed, in step S104, the CPU 41 displays a screen for allowing the user to select a document type from a plurality of document types (printed matter, photograph, etc.). indicate. Then, when the setting of the document type on the screen is completed, the CPU 41 returns to step S102,
A basic screen including a document type setting button 64 indicating the document type selected by the user is displayed.

When the other buttons are pressed, the processing executed by the CPU 41 in step S104 is the same, and a description of those processing will be omitted.

When the CPU 41 detects that the start key has been pressed (step S103; start),
The printer 13 sends a copy request including copy condition information indicating various copy conditions stored (held) at that time.
(Step S105).

Here, the operation of the CPU 22 in the printer 13 will be described.

The control unit 20 has the ROM 24 and the extension board 2
7 is mounted, the CPU 22 monitors the reception of the print request by the network interface unit 21 and the reception of the copy request by the extension board 17. When the network interface unit 21 recognizes that the print request has been received, the CPU 22
Based on the received print request, image data for each page to be printed is created and supplied to a print engine.

When the CPU 22 recognizes that the copy request has been received by the extension board 17, the CPU 22 executes the contents of the image processing to be executed by the image processing circuit 33 based on the copy condition information included in the copy request. Also, the operating conditions of the scanner 11 are recognized. Next, by executing control according to the recognition result on the image processing circuit 33 and the scanner 11, the image data on the document set on the scanner 11 from which moiré removal has been performed is output to the image processing circuit 33. . Then, the CPU 22 supplies the image data output from the image processing circuit 33 to the print engine after performing further soft image processing if necessary.

The CPU 22 performs such processing (control)
Is performed for each document to be copied. And
When processing for all originals is completed, a print request,
The state returns to a state of waiting for a copy request to be received (hereinafter, referred to as a standby state). That is, the scanner 11
If the start key of the copy operation panel 12 is pressed while the original is set on the ADF, the CPU 22 repeats the above processing until the original in the ADF runs out. , Take a standby state. If the scanner 11 does not have an ADF, the above-described process is performed once, and then the scanner 11 enters a standby state.

In addition to the processing described above, the CPU 22 periodically transmits progress information indicating the progress of reading by the scanner 11 and the progress of printing by the printer 13 to the copy operation panel 12. . Also, the CPU 22 transmits to the copy operation panel 12 end notification information indicating that copying has been completed immediately before shifting to the standby state (when processing for all originals is completed).

The CPU in the copy operation panel 12
Reference numeral 41 designates an area 77 indicating the progress of the reading process and an area 78 indicating the progress of the printing as shown in FIG. 6 based on the progress information periodically transmitted from the printer 13. The provided screen is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 54 (FIG. 4; step S106). Then, when the end notification information is transmitted, the CPU 41 proceeds to step S
106 ends, and the process returns to step S102.
That is, the CPU 41 displays the basic screen on the liquid crystal panel 54.

As described above, the copy system 10 according to the embodiment is capable of executing the scanner 11 and the copy operation that allows the user to set the copy conditions without using any resources in the printer 13. This is a combination of a panel 12 and a printer 13 having a function of controlling the scanner 11 to perform copying.
The printer 13 is equipped with the expansion board 17 on which the image processing circuit 33 is mounted and the ROM 24,
It has a configuration in which a function of performing copying is provided.

The printer 1 to which the extension board 17 and the like can be mounted
3 can be manufactured at the same cost as a single-function printer (a printer on which an expansion board cannot be mounted). Further, the printer 13 to which the extension board 17 and the like can be mounted, and the printer 13 to which these are not mounted can be provided (sold) to a user who does not need the copy function. That is, the printer 13 is an apparatus whose manufacturing cost can be reduced by mass production. Since the apparatus performs a specific process of allowing a user to set copy conditions, the copy operation panel 12 can also be manufactured at low cost. Therefore, the copy system 10
Is a system that can be manufactured at extremely low cost.

The conventional copy system shown in FIG. 7 is a system that needs to transfer image data subjected to image processing to the printer 82 in a communication procedure that can be received by the printer 82. In contrast, the copy system 10
Is a system in which image data output from the scanner 11 is processed in the printer 13 and copied. Data transfer within one device (printer 13) can be performed much faster than data transfer between devices, so if the configuration of the copy system 10 is adopted, high-speed copying can be performed. The system can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

Further, the copy operation panel 12 can execute a process for allowing the user to set copy conditions without using any resources in the printer 13.
While the print request is being processed in, the copy conditions can be set without being affected by the print request.

<Modifications> The copying system 10 according to the embodiment can perform various modifications. For example, R
The OM 24 can be provided on the extension board 17. Further, the printer 13 may be configured so that a program related to copy control can be installed from any recording medium.

Further, the printer 13 may be configured so that the image processing is performed by software without providing the image processing circuit 33. However, when such a configuration is adopted, the operation is slowed down (or a high-performance (high-priced) control unit 20 is required in order not to slow down the operation). It is desirable to adopt a configuration such as 13.

Further, it is natural that the scanner 11 does not have to have the SCSI interface, and the screen displayed on the copy operation panel 12 does not need to be the one shown in FIGS. .

[0067]

According to the present invention, an inexpensive copy system capable of high-speed copying can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a copy system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a printer included in the copy system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a copy operation panel included in the copy system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overall operation procedure of a copy operation panel.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a basic screen displayed on a liquid crystal panel of a copy operation panel.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on a liquid crystal panel of a copy operation panel.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional copy system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Copy system 11 Scanner 12 Copy operation panel 13 Printer 18 Printing mechanism 19 Printer operation panel 20 Control unit 21 Network interface unit 22, 41 CPU 23, 24, 43 ROM 25, 42 RAM 26 Interface circuit unit 27 Expansion board 33 Image processing circuit 44 LCD control circuit 45 input interface circuit 46 LED control circuit 47 communication control circuit 51 touch panel 52 numeric keypad 53 LED 54 liquid crystal panel 55 touch screen

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A copy system including a printer, an operation panel connected to the printer by a cable, and a scanner, wherein the operation panel includes a display panel and information input for inputting a plurality of types of information. Means, and an operation panel control means for displaying, on the display panel, an image for allowing a user to set copy conditions using the information input means, and holding the copy conditions set using the information input means. And when the predetermined information is input by the information input means, an operation panel control means for transmitting, to the printer, a copy request for requesting execution of a copy under the copy conditions held at that time. The printer comprises: a printing mechanism for printing on paper; and a printing mechanism for printing from a host computer. Print control means for controlling the printing mechanism so as to perform the same printing, and copy control means for controlling the scanner and the printing mechanism so as to perform a copy according to a copy request from the operation panel. A copy system, characterized in that: 2. The printer has an extension board to which the scanner and the operation panel are connected via cables, respectively, and has a function as the print control unit and the copy control unit with the extension board mounted. 2. The copy system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit having a function as the print control unit even when the extension board is not mounted. 3. The copy system according to claim 2, wherein the extension board of the printer includes an image processing circuit for converting the image data generated by the scanner into image data suitable for printing. 4. A printer function expansion set including an expansion board mounted in an expansion slot provided in a controller of the printer, and an operation panel connected to the expansion board by a cable, wherein the operation panel is A display panel; information input means for inputting a plurality of types of information; and operation panel control means for displaying an image for allowing a user to set copy conditions using the information input means on the display panel. The copy condition set by using the information input means is held, and when predetermined information is input by the information input means, a request is made to execute a copy with the copy condition held at that time. Operating panel control means for transmitting a copy request to the expansion board connected via the cable, A scanner connector, an operation panel connector, first interface means for coupling a scanner connected to the scanner connector via a cable to the control unit of the printer, and an operation panel connector. A function expansion set for a printer, comprising: a second interface unit for coupling the control panel control unit in the operation panel connected via a cable to the control unit of the printer. 5. A ROM mounted on the control unit of the printer, wherein the scanner mounted on the expansion board is mounted so that a copy is performed in response to a copy request from the operation panel. 5. The function expansion set for a printer according to claim 4, further comprising a ROM in which a program for functioning as copy control means for controlling said printing mechanism is recorded. 6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first interface means of said extension board includes an image processing circuit for converting image data generated by said scanner into image data suitable for printing. 6. The printer function expansion set according to 5.