JP2001352419A - Image-forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-forming system with which image data can be printed by another device even if an image forming device, such as a copying machine, is used by other party, damaged or the like. SOLUTION: A digital copying machine which is an image-forming device is provided with a network interface section 7, that makes communication with an external host device (a personal computer or work station 11), a memory that stores image data received from the section 7, and a printer section 2. The printer section 2 prints out image data read with a reader section 1, also receives image data from other digital copying machine and the printer section 2 prints out the image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming system having an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine having a network communication function and an electronic sorting function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image is read by reading images of all originals to be copied, temporarily storing the image data in a memory such as a hard disk, and repeatedly reading out image data of an arbitrary original from the memory and printing out. 2. Description of the Related Art Digital copiers having a sorting function are known. In such a copying machine, it is possible to discharge copy sheets in a sorted state without having a sorting device having a plurality of bins.

Further, a digital copying machine receives data of an application PDL (page description language) of a host computer through a network, develops the data from the PDL into a bitmap image, and similarly stores the data in a memory such as a hard disk. 2. Description of the Related Art An electronic sorting function for PDL images, which repeatedly reads an arbitrary image from a memory, prints and sorts the image, is known.

Further, the hard disk of the digital copying machine is divided into individual areas, and the PDL from the host device is
Is stored in the user's own area (personal box) once the bitmap is expanded into a bitmap, and when printing the image from the personal box, the user enters a password to access the user's area from the operation unit of the copier and prints. It is known to Such a system is effective when printing PDL images that are not desired to be seen by others.

[0005]

In the above system, for example, when a user sends an application PDL such as a host computer to a personal box of a digital copying machine and then prints it from an operation unit of the copying machine, another person may use the printing device. If you were doing a copy operation on that copier,
There is a problem that printing cannot be performed until the copying operation is completed. In addition, when the copier is out of toner or the printer is out of paper or the printer cannot be used for other reasons, there is a problem that printing cannot be performed until the fault condition is corrected.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. Even if an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine is used by another person or a failure or the like occurs, another apparatus can be used. Image data can be pulled out and printed,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system with improved productivity.

[0007]

An image forming system according to the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) A system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein each image forming apparatus communicates with another image forming apparatus, and stores image data received via the communicating means. Means, and a printing means for printing out image data, to a desired image forming apparatus,
A data acquisition unit for acquiring image data stored in another image forming apparatus via the communication unit, and a control unit for printing out the acquired image data by the printing unit are provided.

(2) In the configuration of (1), the communication means is a network communication means for performing network communication with the host device.

(3) In the configuration of the above (1) or (2), after printing the acquired image data, the control means may read from the storage means of another image forming apparatus in which the acquired image data is stored. The data was deleted.

[0011]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine having a network communication function and an electronic sorting function.

The reader section 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to a printer section (printing means) 2 and an image input / output control section 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1, and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network interface unit (network communication unit) 7, and LI which is a kind of PDL.
It comprises a formatter section 8 of PS, a formatter section 9 of PostScript (registered trademark), which is also a kind of PDL, a core section 10 and the like. The formatters 8 and 9 are expansion means for expanding the received code data into image data.

A facsimile unit (data acquisition means) 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and
The image data transferred from 0 is compressed, and the compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line. File part 5
Is connected to the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6. The file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10, and sets the optical data set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 together with a keyword for searching the image data. It is stored on a magnetic disk. The file unit 5 searches for compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses it, and The image data is transferred to the core unit 10.

The network interface unit 7 includes a personal computer or workstation (hereinafter, referred to as PC / WS) 11 as a host device and a core unit 10.
The interface between. The network interface unit 7 also serves as an interface between the core unit 10 and another digital copying machine 13 similarly connected to the network. Then, when receiving a PDL image from the host device according to the present embodiment or reading a document image or the like from the hard disk of another digital copying machine, the operation is performed via the network interface unit 7.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a network server, which is the center of network control. Formatter parts 8 and 9 are P
The PDL data transferred from the C / WS 11 is developed into image data recordable by the printer unit 2. As will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, network interface unit 7, and formatter units 8 and 9.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration. Reference numeral 100 denotes an apparatus main body of a digital copying machine, and 189 denotes a circulating automatic document feeder (RDF). The reader unit 1 shown in FIG.
The upper part of the main body, the printer section 2 is shown at 110 to 16 in FIG.
3 corresponds to the portion inside the main body.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a platen glass as a document placing table, and 102 denotes a scanner, which includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like. Then, the scanner 102 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), so that the reflected light 107 of the document passes through the lens 108 via the scanning mirrors 104 to 106 and forms an image on the CCD 109 as an image sensor.

Reference numeral 120 denotes an exposure control unit composed of a laser, a polygon scanner, etc., which is converted into an electric signal by the CCD image sensor 109 and modulated based on an image signal subjected to predetermined image processing described later. 129 is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 110.

Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a developing device 121, a transfer charger 118, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided. In the image forming unit 126, the photosensitive drum 110 is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, and is charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112. Is irradiated, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. This photosensitive drum 11
The electrostatic latent image formed on 0 is developed by the developing device 121 and is visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the upper part in the main body by the paper feed rollers 135 and 136, and is fed to the transfer belt by the registration rollers 137. Then, the visualized toner image is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer charger 118. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 110 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning device 116, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 114.

The transfer paper after the transfer is transferred to a transfer belt 130.
The toner image is recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, sent to the fixing device 141, fixed by pressure and heat, and discharged out of the main body 100 by the discharge roller 142.

Reference numeral 119 denotes an attraction charger for attracting the transfer paper sent from the registration roller 137 to the transfer belt 130. The attraction charger 119 is used to rotate the transfer belt 130 and is paired with the attraction charger 119 at the same time. Is provided with a transfer belt roller (not shown) for adsorbing and charging the transfer paper.

The main body 100 is equipped with a deck 150 capable of storing, for example, 4000 transfer papers. The lifter 151 of the deck 150 rises according to the amount of the transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 152.
In addition, a multi-bypass tray 15 capable of storing 100 sheets of transfer paper.
3 are equipped.

Further, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 154 denotes a paper discharge flapper, which switches the path between the double-side recording side or the multiple recording side and the paper discharge side. The transfer paper fed from the paper discharge roller 142 is switched by the paper discharge flapper 154 to a double-sided recording side or a multiple recording side. Reference numeral 157 denotes a multiplex flapper for switching the path between double-sided recording and multiplexed recording.
By inverting this to the left in the drawing, the transfer paper can be directly guided to the lower transport path 158 without passing through the reversing path 155.

Reference numeral 159 denotes a paper feed roller for feeding the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 110 through the path 160. 161
Reference numeral denotes a discharge roller which is disposed near the discharge flapper 154 and discharges the transfer sheet switched to the discharge side by the discharge flapper 154 to the outside of the apparatus.

At the time of double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right. Then, the sheet is stored in the re-feed tray 156 in a reversed state via the transport path 158. At the time of multiplex recording (multiple copying), the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiplex flapper 157 is tilted to the left, and the copied transfer sheet is stored in the refeed tray 156 after passing through the transport path 158. The transfer paper stored in the re-feed tray 156 is guided to the registration roller 137 of the main body 100 via the path 160 by the paper feed roller 159 one by one from below.

When the transfer paper is to be inverted from the main body 100 and discharged (backside discharge), the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the flapper 157 is tilted rightward, and the copied transfer paper is transferred to the transport path 155 side. After the rear end of the transfer sheet passes through the first feed roller 162, the transfer sheet is conveyed to the second feed roller 162a side by the reversing roller 163, and the transfer sheet is turned over by the discharge roller 161 and discharged out of the apparatus. I do.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reader unit 1. As shown in FIG. The image data output from the CCD 209 is A
The analog / digital conversion is performed in the / D · SH unit 210, and shading correction is performed. This A /
The image data processed by the D / SH unit 210 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 211 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface (I / F) unit 213. Transferred to

The CPU 214 controls the image processing unit 21 in accordance with the setting contents set by the operation unit 500 of the main body 100 in FIG.
1 and the interface unit 213. For example,
When the copy mode in which the trimming process is performed by the operation unit 500 to perform copying is set, the image processing unit 211 performs the trimming process and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 500, the core unit 1 transmits image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode from the interface unit 213.
0. Such a control program of the CPU 214 is stored in the memory 216, and the CPU 214 performs control while referring to the memory 216. The memory 216 is also used as a work area of the CPU 214.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the core unit 10. As shown in FIG. The image data from the reader unit 1 is sent to the data processing unit 3
21 and the control command from the reader unit 1
Transferred to U323. The data processing unit 321 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 321 responds to a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. Facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, network interface unit 7 via interface unit 320
Transferred to

The network interface unit 7
Is transmitted to the data processing unit 321 to determine whether the PDL is LIPS or PostScript,
The data is transferred to the appropriate formatter unit 8 or 9 and is developed into image data. This image data is sent to the data processing unit 3
21, the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2
Transferred to

The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 321 and then to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the network interface unit 7. The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2, the facsimile unit 4, and the network interface unit 7.

The CPU 323 performs such control according to a control program stored in the memory 324 and a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 324 is also used as a work area of the CPU 323.
MIB (Man)
(Agement Information Base)
A database called a database is constructed, and the printer unit 2 can be managed by communicating with a computer on a network via the SNMP protocol.

In the personal box printing, the communication unit communicates with the network interface unit 7 of another digital copying machine using, for example, the TCP / IP protocol, and passes through the core unit 10 of the other digital copying machine to the reader unit 1 of the other digital copying machine. The original in the personal box in the hard disk 257 of the image storage unit 255 of FIG. 5 in the image processing unit 211 of FIG.
0, The original image is received by the TCP / IP protocol via the network interface unit 7.

The original image received from the other digital copying machine is received from the network interface unit 7 and passes through the core unit 10 and the reader unit 1 to the printer unit 2.
And print it out.

As described above, it is possible to perform processing combining functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission and reception of an image, storage of an image, and input / output of data from / to a computer centering on the core unit 10. It has become.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image processing section 211.

The image subjected to A / D conversion and shading correction by the A / D / SH unit 210 is input as black luminance data, and sent to the log conversion unit 250. The log conversion unit 250 stores an LUT for converting the input luminance data into density data, and converts the luminance data into density data by outputting a table value corresponding to the input data.

Thereafter, the density data is sent to the binarizing section 251. The binarization unit 251 binarizes the multi-valued density data, and the density value becomes “0” or “255”. Since the binarized 8-bit image data is converted into 1-bit image data of “0” or “1”, the amount of image data stored in the memory is reduced.

However, when the image is binarized as described above, the number of gradations of the image is changed from 256 gradations to 2 gradations.
Generally, image data such as photographic images having a large number of halftones is significantly deteriorated by binarization. Therefore, it is necessary to perform pseudo halftone expression using binary data. For example, 2
An error diffusion method is used as a method for pseudo-halftone expression using value data. According to this method, if the density of a certain image is larger than a certain threshold value, it is determined that the density data is “255”, and if the density of the image is equal to or less than a certain threshold value, it is determined that the data is “0”. In this method, the difference between the actual density data and the binarized data is distributed to surrounding pixels as an error signal. The distribution of the error is performed by multiplying the weighting coefficient on the matrix prepared in advance by the error generated by the binarization, and adding the result to surrounding pixels. As a result, the density average value of the entire image is stored, and the halftone can be represented in a pseudo binary manner.

The binarized image data is supplied to the control unit 2
52. Also, bitmap image data obtained by expanding the PDL from the computer is input from the core unit 10, and this data is
Since the image data is developed as binary image data by the formatter unit 8 or the PS formatter unit 9, it is sent to the control unit 252 as it is.

In accordance with a command from the main body 100, the control unit 252 uses a document read from the RDF and the platen glass to execute an image passed through the A / D / SH unit 210 and a bit map obtained by expanding the PDL from the interface unit 213. Is stored in the image storage unit 255 or the image storage unit 2
The image data is sequentially read from 55 and output.

The image storage unit 255 has a SCSI controller 256 and a hard disk (memory) 257.
The image data is written to the hard disk 257 according to a command from the CSI controller 256. Then, the plurality of image data stored in the hard disk 257 are printed in an order corresponding to the editing mode specified by the operation unit 500. For example, PDL sent from the first page
When images are printed in reverse order and electronically sorted, the PDL bitmap images of all pages sent from the host device are temporarily stored in the hard disk 257,
Images are read from the hard disk 257 in order from the last page to the first page and printed. This operation is repeated for the number of copies requested by the host device, thereby realizing electronic sorting.

The image data called from the image storage unit 255 and the image data not stored in the image storage unit 255 are sent to the smoothing unit 253. The smoothing unit 253 first converts the 1-bit data into 8-bit data, and sets the image data signal to “0” or “255”.

The converted image data is replaced with a weighted average value obtained by summing up a coefficient on a predetermined matrix and a density value of a neighboring pixel. As a result, the binary data is converted into multi-valued data in accordance with the density value of the neighboring pixels, and an image quality closer to the read image can be reproduced.
The smoothed image data is input to the gamma correction unit 254. The γ correction unit 254 performs conversion using an LUT in consideration of the characteristics of the printer when outputting density data.
The output is adjusted according to the density value set by the operation unit 500. As a result, the processed image is transferred to the printer unit 2 and printout is executed.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic screen of the liquid crystal display panel of the operation unit 500.

This screen is a touch panel, and the function is executed by touching the frame of each displayed function.

An extended function key 501 is used to extend functions, and by pressing this key 501, page continuous copying, double-sided copying, multiple copying, moving, binding margin setting,
Enter a setting mode such as frame erasing. When the image mode key 502 is pressed, a setting mode for shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking the copied image is entered. A user mode key 503 is used to set user use environment, for example, to set buzzer ON / OFF, ON / OFF of cassette auto selection.
This is for setting OFF, setting the automatic density adjustment method, and the like. When the advanced zoom key 504 is depressed, a mode for independently changing the magnification in the X and Y directions of the document and a mode for a zoom program for calculating the magnification from the document size and the copy size are entered.

The M1 key 505, the M2 key 506, and the M3 key 507 are keys to be pressed when calling the registered mode memories. A registration key 508 is a key pressed to register the current copy mode in each mode memory.

An option key 509 is a key for setting optional functions such as a film projector for directly copying from a film. Further, this key 509 is also pressed when setting a favorite key.

A sorter key 510 is a key for setting whether to use a mechanical sorter or an electronic sorter, sorting the sorters, and setting modes such as groups. The mixed original key 511 is a key that is pressed when an A4 size and an A3 size, or a B5 size and a B4 size original are set together in the original feeder.

The same-size key 512 is a key to be pressed when setting the copy magnification to 100%. Reduction key 514, enlargement key 5
Reference numeral 15 denotes a key to be pressed when performing a standard reduction or enlargement.
The zoom key 516 is a key for setting a magnification, for example, between 25% and 800%. The paper selection key 513 is
This key is pressed to select a copy sheet. Density key 5
18 and 520 are darkly copied each time the key 518 is pressed.
Each time the key 520 is pressed, a thin copy is made. Density display section 51
The display 7 changes the display right and left when the density keys 518 and 520 are pressed. An AE key 519 is a key to be pressed when an original with a dark background such as a newspaper is subjected to automatic density adjustment copying.

The HiFi key 521 is a key to be pressed when copying a document having a high halftone density such as a photo document.
The character emphasis key 522 is a key to be pressed when characters are to be emphasized in copying a character document.

The guide key 523 is a key to be pressed when the function of a certain key is not known, and a description of the key is displayed.

The copy key 524 is a key to be pressed when performing a copying operation. When the key 524 is pressed,
The basic screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

The fax key 55 is a key to be pressed when performing a fax. The file key 526 is a key pressed when outputting file data is desired. A printer key 427 is a key to be pressed when the user wants to change the print density or refer to the print output result of the PDL image from the remote host device.

A form registration key 540 is used to set a document set in the RDF as a form image as a form image on the hard disk 25.
7 is a key to be pressed when storing in the form area.

A form synthesizing key 541 is a key which is pressed when a plurality of form images stored in the form area of the hard disk 257 are selected, ORed with a document set in the RDF, and printed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen of the operation unit 500 when another image forming apparatus is selected in order to execute means for reading a document image in a personal box of a hard disk of another image forming apparatus via a network. .
When the image forming apparatus is installed and used for the first time, the administrator of the user sets another image forming apparatus from which the personal box document image can be read from the screen of the operation unit 500.

In this case, after an administrator key (not shown) is pressed, an administrator password (not shown) is entered using a numeric keypad, and matches the administrator password registered in the memory 216 of the image forming apparatus in advance. Then, although not shown, an administrator screen is displayed, and when the “group device acquisition key” is pressed, the screen shifts to the screen of FIG.

Reference numeral 640 denotes an address designation key, which is pressed to invert the key display, and then, using a ten-key (not shown), inputs the IP address of a network device of another image forming apparatus to which original images should be transmitted / received. For example,
The IP address of another image forming apparatus on the network is 1
In the case of 50.61.65.9, after inputting the numerical value,
Press the OK button 645 to communicate with another image forming apparatus
/ Starts communication using the IP protocol. At that time, first, a command for asking whether the other party is the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the IP address. If the other party is the image forming apparatus, the other party's image forming apparatus has its own name, model name, remaining capacity of the hard disk, Since information such as whether copying is in progress is returned as a response, such information is received.

Reference numeral 641 denotes a search range designation key, which is depressed to reverse the key display, and then, using a ten-key (not shown), an IP address for searching for another image forming apparatus on the network to transmit and receive the original image. Specify the range. This is because when the IP address of another image forming apparatus is not directly known, or when there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses within the range of the IP address, the user should transmit / receive the original image from among them. This is effective when it is desired to select the image forming apparatus.

Reference numeral 643 denotes a search range start point address display field, from which a start point of an IP address for starting to search for another image forming apparatus on the network is designated. 644
Denotes a search range end point address display column, and a display column 643
From the starting IP address specified in step 6
Search for another image forming apparatus on the network up to the end point IP address specified in 44.

For example, the start point of the search for the IP address of another image forming apparatus on the network which wants to transmit and receive the original image is 150.6.65.000, and the end point is 150.
In the case of 61.65.255, after inputting those numerical values with ten keys, the OK button 645 is pressed, and 150.
A command for asking whether the other party is an image forming apparatus is communicated by the TCP / IP protocol using an IP address of 61.65.000.

If there is no response from the other party or if there is no response for a certain period of time,
The process proceeds to 1.65.001 and 150.6.65.002, and a search is performed up to the end point of 150.61.65.255. For each of these IP addresses, if the other party is an image forming apparatus, the other party's image forming apparatus has its own name,
Since information such as the model name, the remaining capacity of the hard disk, and whether copying is in progress is returned as a response, such information is received.

Reference numeral 646 denotes a cancel key which is depressed when the search for another image forming apparatus connectable to the network is stopped.

FIG. 8 shows an operation section 500 showing a list of connection destinations.
Screen after pressing the OK key 645 in FIG.
According to the P / IP protocol, the communication partner is an image forming apparatus, and the result of returning the name, model name, and remaining capacity information of the hard disk as a response is shown.

Reference numeral 650 denotes a name display field, which is specified by an address on the screen shown in FIG. 8, communicates by TCP / IP, or is registered by the user in the RAM of the partner image forming apparatus obtained by specifying an address search range. The displayed name is displayed. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, as a result of specifying a search range and performing a search, it is possible to communicate with two copiers having model names of Sales 1 Section GP and Sales 2 Section GP.

Reference numeral 651 denotes a model name display field, in which the product name of the model registered in the ROM of each partner image forming apparatus is displayed. In the case of FIG. 8, the sales section GP is G
The model P215 and the sales section 2 GP indicate the model name of the copying machine GP30.

Reference numeral 656 denotes a hard disk information display field, which displays the remaining capacity of the hard disk of each copying machine. For example, the remaining capacity of the hard disk of the copying machine of the first section GP is 80 MB, and the remaining capacity of the hard disk of the second section GP is 80 MB. Since there is a remaining capacity, "OK" is displayed.

Reference numeral 654 denotes a down scroll key, which is pressed to display a screen next to a list of names and model names. 655
Is an up scroll key, which is pressed to display a screen before the list of names and models.

Reference numeral 653 denotes a delete key, which is depressed when selecting and deleting a device to which transmission / reception of a document image is not desired among connected devices. For example, if you do not want to send / receive a document image to / from the copying machine of the Sales Section 1 GP, touch the line displaying that device to highlight it, and press the delete key 653 to display the list of connection destinations. At the same time, the display is removed, and the image is excluded from the devices that transmit and receive the original image.

Reference numeral 652 denotes an OK key which, when pressed, permits the copying machine displayed in the connection destination list, in the case of FIG. Make sure you do. For example, if the user tries to print the print data stored in the personal box of the digital copier called the general affairs GP, which is his own copier, by an instruction from the operation unit 500, if another person uses the print data and cannot print, Sales Copier 1
From the operation section of the section GP or the section 2 GP, the image of the personal box in the hard disk of the general affairs GP in use is pulled out via the network, and the control for printing with the copying machine of the section 1 GP or the section 2 GP is executed. I do.

Next, the personal box of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 257 denotes a hard disk of an image storage unit of the electronic sorter, which temporarily stores image data for performing an electronic sort and deletes the image data after the job is completed; The image data obtained by developing the PDL image received from the PC / WS11, which is an apparatus, by an external I / F (interface) processing unit is stored in the personal box area of the hard disk corresponding to the personal box number designated by the PC / WS11. The user enters the PD in the personal box of his / her personal box number with the operation unit 500
It is divided into a personal box area 601 which is an area for printing an image developed from the L image.

For example, in the case of a 1 GB hard disk,
300 MB is used separately from the temporary area, and 700 MB is used separately from the personal box area. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the number of personal boxes is 10, 700
The MB area is divided into 70 MB and used.

Each personal box has a number, for example, boxes 602, 603, 604, 6
05 is box numbers 0, 1, 2, and 9, respectively.
For example, in the case of the example of FIG. 9, the box for Tanaka is 1
If a user named Tanaka wants to put a PDL document in his / her box from PC / WS 11, PC / W
In step S11, box number 1 is specified.

Also, a user named Tanaka has a PC / W
If the user wants to put his / her own PDL document in a box of another person, for example, a user named Kato from S11, the PC / WS11 specifies the box number of the box to be sent to, ie, 9 in this case. This makes it possible to mail one's own PDL document to another person's box.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of a window when printing document data or designating a personal box on application software in PC / WS11.

Reference numeral 701 denotes a print window on the application software, which is displayed when printing is designated by a menu of the application. 702
Is the name of the currently set printer, for example, in the case of the present embodiment, the name of the digital copying machine connected to the network.
A print range setting field 703 is used to set whether all pages of the document are to be printed or put in a personal box or how many pages of a document are to be printed or put in a personal box. To specify whether to specify all pages or a page range, click the mouse on the corresponding □ mark and select the check mark.

Reference numeral 705 denotes a setting column for the number of copies, in which the number of copies to be printed or the number of copies to be printed when a document to be put in the personal box is to be printed later is set. Reference numeral 710 denotes a personal box designation field. When the check mark is entered by clicking the mouse on the □ mark, the document data is put into the personal box according to the contents set in the personal box window described later, instead of printing the document data. When a check mark is entered by clicking the mouse on this square mark, normal printing is performed.

A personal box setting button 706 is used to specify a personal box number, which will be described later. Reference numeral 709 denotes a detail button for setting, for example, a printing resolution. An OK button 707 completes the setting, starts printing, or starts transferring a document to a designated personal box number. Reference numeral 708 denotes a cancel button, which is pressed when the print or personal box setting is invalidated and the print window 701 is closed.

FIG. 11 shows a personal window setting button 70 in the print window 701 for printing document data on the application software in the PC / WS 11 or specifying a personal box.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a personal box window that opens when 6 is pressed.

Reference numeral 720 denotes a window of the above-described personal box. The window of the personal box is used to store the document data of the application software in the personal box on the hard disk of the electronic sorter of the digital copying machine. A copy mode setting for how to print the document data before is performed.

Reference numeral 721 denotes a storage box number designation field. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, when a user named Tanaka wants to store application document data in his / her own box, the user designates 1 as his / her box number. If the user named Tanaka wants to pass the document data of the application to the user named Kato, the user specifies the box number 9 of the user named Kato. In this case, the user does not need to enter a password as in the case of ordinary e-mail.

Reference numeral 723 denotes a single-sided print setting column. When the user clicks the □ mark with a mouse to place a check mark,
When printing a job of the document data stored in the personal box later, one-sided printing is set. 724
Is a double-sided print setting field. When a check mark is entered by clicking the mark with the mouse, setting is made so that double-sided printing will be performed when a job of document data stored in the personal box is printed later.

Reference numeral 725 denotes a non-sort setting field. When a check mark is entered by clicking the square mark with a mouse, a setting is made so that non-sort printing is performed when a job of document data stored in the personal box is printed later. Reference numeral 726 denotes a sort setting field. When a check mark is entered by clicking the mark with a mouse, electronic sort printing is performed when a job of document data stored in the personal box is printed later. Reference numeral 727 denotes a sort setting field, which is set so that group printing is performed when a job of document data stored in the personal box is printed later.

Reference numeral 728 denotes a paper setting field for setting the size of paper to be used when printing a job of document data stored in the personal box later. For example, if you click the right triangle mark with a mouse, A4, A5, B4
And other paper size options are displayed and can be selected. A paper feed stage setting field 729 sets a cassette stage to be used when a job of document data stored in the personal box is printed later. For example, when the right triangle mark is clicked with a mouse, options such as an upper row and a lower row are displayed and can be selected. In the case of "auto" as shown in the figure, a cassette stage storing copy paper of a designated paper size is automatically fed.

Reference numeral 732 denotes a detailed setting button.
When performing a reduced layout such as in1 or 4in1, this button 732 is pressed. Reference numeral 530 denotes an OK button, which is pressed when the settings relating to the personal box are completed and the settings are made valid. After the button is pressed, the screen returns to the window 701 in FIG. 10, and when the OK button 707 is pressed, the transfer of the application document to the personal box of the designated number of the digital copying machine is started. Reference numeral 731 denotes a cancel button, which is depressed to invalidate the settings relating to the personal box and return to the window 701.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a main screen of the personal box of the operation unit 500.

Reference numeral 801 denotes a main screen of the personal box of the operation unit 500 of the digital copying machine,
It opens when a key is pressed. As shown in the figure, ten personal boxes are prepared with numbers from 00 to 09, and PDL data from the host device is stored in the personal box on the hard disk in a form developed into a raster image by an electronic sorter for each individual. Have been.

Although not shown, a name is given to the number of each personal box on the screen of the operation unit 500. For example, in the case of the box number 01, the name "box of Tanaka" is given, and it can be clearly indicated that the box is used by a person named Tanaka. Also,
The percentage displayed at the far right of each box column indicates a ratio used by the box with respect to the hard disk capacity of the entire personal box area. For example, box number 01 indicates that if the hard disk capacity of the personal box area is 700 MB, 2% of the hard disk capacity uses about 14 MB.

Reference numeral 802 denotes a button for viewing a job stored in box number 00. Similarly, 803,
A button 804 is used to view the jobs stored in the box numbers 01 and 02. For example, FIGS.
As described in the above, when a person named Tanaka in the host device transfers the document data of the application to his / her box number 1 so as to save it, the personal box main screen 801 of the operation unit 500 will be displayed later. , Press the button 803 of your box number 01,
Printing of the document is started.

Reference numerals 806 and 807 denote up and down scroll keys. By pressing these keys, the screen can be scrolled.
The names and used capacities of the box numbers 00 to 09 can be viewed. A close key 808 allows the user to return to the main screen of FIG. 6 by pressing this key. Reference numeral 809 denotes a fax status key. By pressing this key, the status of fax transmission / reception can be confirmed.

Reference numeral 805 denotes another device key. For example, when a copying machine, for example, a general affairs section GP in which PDL data is input from a host device to a personal box is used by another person, another copying machine, for example, a sales section 1 GP is used. Of the personal box in the general affairs department GP in use by pressing this key 805 from the operating unit 500 of the user, pulls out the original image data in the personal box, and
You can print at the section GP. After pressing this key 805, the screen transits to a screen shown in FIG.

In addition, both the General Affairs Division GP and the Sales Division GP
As described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, it is assumed that communication is set to be possible with each other as a connection destination.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a password input screen of the operation unit 500.

Reference numeral 810 denotes a personal box password input screen. This screen 801 is displayed when box numbers 802 to 804 corresponding to the personal box are pressed on the screen shown in FIG. Then, in order to print the document data of the personal box, the user inputs his / her password, for example, a six-digit numerical value. In order to prevent the input numerical value from being seen by others, the digit input in the password column 811 is indicated by * mark, and the uninput digit is indicated by * mark.

For example, when a person named Tanaka in the host device transfers the document data of the application to his / her own box number 1 so as to store the document data, the user later enters his / her personal computer input screen 801 of the operation unit 500. After pressing the button 803 of the box number 01, the user can start printing the document by inputting his / her password on this screen 801.

As a result, the PDL that one does not want others to see
The document can be printed later when the user stands in front of the operation unit 500, and security can be ensured. At the same time, as described above, an e-mail is transmitted in which the PDL document created by the user is sent to another person's personal box, and the PDL document can be printed by another person with the password of another person. .

Reference numeral 812 denotes an OK key which is depressed to start collation of the entered password. Reference numeral 813 denotes a cancel key, which is pressed to cancel the input of the password and return to the input screen 801.

As a method for obtaining authentication as the owner of the personal box, instead of inputting a password, a code of a magnetic card possessed by each individual read from a card reader (not shown) of the copying machine is input. You may do it.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a display screen of a job stored in one personal box.

Reference numeral 815 denotes a button for viewing the contents of the box number 01, and reference numeral 830 denotes a display screen of a job stored in a personal box of a certain individual. When the OK key 812 is pressed on the screen of FIG. Will be displayed if For example, a person named Tanaka, who is the owner of box number 01, enters a password known only to him / her and collates it, so that this display screen 830 can be viewed.

Reference numerals 823 and 824 denote display columns indicating a job in which a PDL document is entered by designating the personal box number from the host device. For example, in the display column 823, 3
At 11:30 on March 8, it is shown that a document “Plan A” was put into this box from the host device.
In this column 823, “printed” on the rightmost side indicates that the document has been printed one or more times after being placed in the personal box. Others, such as "NG", may indicate that the hard disk is full and the document could not be properly boxed.

Further, in the display column 824, 2
At 1:14, it is indicated that the document "B meeting material" was put into this box from the host device. In this column, the rightmost "printable" means that this document has not been printed since it was placed in the personal box,
Indicates that printing is possible. Then, by touching this line, the line display of this job is inverted as shown in the figure.

Reference numeral 816 denotes a detailed information key for displaying the details of the job on the inverted line. When this key 816 is pressed, information set in the print window of the application of the host apparatus, for example, job information such as "copy three copies on one side using A4 paper" is displayed in detail. On the display screen 830, job information can be changed, for example, the number of copies is changed from three to five, depending on the user's convenience. Also, a page range is specified, for example, 1 to P. 6 was copied at the same magnification. 7-P. 10 to 4i
The job can be changed for each page, such as n1 copy.

Reference numeral 817 denotes a print key, which is used to transfer print data stored as a raster image of a reversed line job from the host device to the personal box, and to set print job settings (FIG. 10 and FIG. 11). Printing is started according to the detailed information key 816). Reference numeral 818 denotes an erase key, which is pressed when erasing a job on a reversed line. 819 and 820 are above,
A down scroll key for scrolling the screen when displaying a large number of jobs that cannot be displayed on one screen.
Reference numeral 822 denotes a fax status key. By pressing this key, the status of fax transmission / reception can be confirmed.
A close key 821 is pressed to return to the personal box main screen 801 in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a setting screen for pressing the other device key 805 on the main screen 801 of FIG. 12, then looking at the contents of the personal box of the other device, and printing the original image data therefrom. Yes, the user put the PDL data into the personal box of the general affairs section GP from the host device, but the general affairs section GP is in use by another person and cannot be printed from the operation section 500, and the general affairs section GP receives the PDL data from the sales section 1 GP via the network. The operation unit of the sales department 1 GP when looking into the personal box and trying to print on the printer of the sales department 1 GP is shown.

Reference numeral 950 denotes a name display field, which is designated by an address on the screen of FIG. 8 to perform TCP / IP communication, or designated by an address search range and registered in the RAM of the partner image forming apparatus obtained in advance by the user. The displayed name is displayed. The example of FIG. 8 is a result of searching for others in the general affairs section GP, and a result of searching for others from the sales section GP is a general affairs section GP and a sales section GP. Therefore, in the screen of FIG. 15, the general affairs section GP
And the sales section 2 GP are displayed.

Reference numeral 951 denotes a model name display field, which displays the product name of the model registered in the ROM of each partner image forming apparatus. In the screen of FIG.
Indicates that the model name is GP40, and the sales section 2 GP is the model name of the copying machine GP30. Reference numeral 954 denotes a down scroll key, which is pressed to display a screen next to a list of names and model names. An upper scroll key 955 is pressed to display the screen before the list of names and models.

Reference numeral 952 denotes an OK key. When this key is pressed, the copier displayed in the connection destination list, in the case of FIG. 15, the general affairs section GP is instructed to look into the contents of the personal box via the network. determine. For example,
When trying to print the print data stored in the personal box of the digital copier called the General Affairs Division GP in accordance with the instruction from the operation unit 500, if another person uses the print data and cannot print it, the other copier, Sales Division 1 An image of the personal box in the hard disk of the general affairs section GP in use is pulled out from the operation section 500 of the GP via the network, and control for printing by the copying machine of the sales section 1 GP is executed.

FIG. 16 shows a screen shown in FIG. 15, in which the OK key 952 is depressed and the general affairs section GP, which is another copying machine via the network,
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display screen when a personal box is viewed.

Reference numeral 901 denotes a main screen when the personal box of the general affairs section GP, which is another copying machine, is viewed via the network, and opens when an OK key 952 in FIG. 15 is pressed. In the case of General Affairs Division GP, two personal boxes with numbers 00 and 01 are prepared, and PDL data from the host device is stored in the personal box on the hard disk in a form developed into a raster image by an electronic sorter for each individual. Have been.

Although not shown, a name is given to each personal box number on the screen of the operation unit 500. For example, in the case of the box number 00, the name "Box of Kato" is given, and it is specified that the box is used by a person named Kato.

The percentage displayed at the far right of each box column indicates the percentage of the hard disk capacity of the entire personal box area used by that box. For example, box number 0
0 indicates that when the hard disk capacity of the personal box area is 700 MB, 5% of the hard disk capacity uses about 35 MB.

Reference numeral 902 denotes a button for viewing the job stored in the box number 00. Similarly, a button 903 is for viewing the job stored in the box number 01. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a person named Kato in the host device transfers the document data of the application to the box number 0 of the general affairs section GP so as to store the application document data. Operation unit 5
If another person is using the printer when printing from 00, the user presses another device key 805 on the main screen 801 of the personal box of the operation unit 500 in the sales department 1 GP, which is another copying machine, and presses another device key 805 in FIG. Select the section GP, press the OK key 952, and enter your own box number 0 in FIG.
The user presses the 0 button 902 to start printing the document.

Reference numerals 906 and 907 denote up and down scroll keys. By pressing these keys, the screen can be scrolled. Reference numeral 908 denotes a close key. By pressing this key, the user can return to the main screen 801 in FIG. Reference numeral 909 denotes a fax status key. By pressing this key, the status of fax transmission / reception can be confirmed.

After the box is selected, the operation flow described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 is executed. The PDL expanded data input from the host device to the personal box of the general affairs section GP is transferred to the sales section 1 GP. When the print key 817 is pressed from the operation unit 500, the user can pull out the print key 817 and print it out with the printer of the first section of business GP.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 17, the operation of referring to a personal box of another device and extracting an image according to the present embodiment will be described. The control process shown in this flowchart is executed by the CPU 323 of the core unit 10 according to a program stored in the memory 324 in advance.

Here, the user sends a PDL from the host device.
After putting the data on both sides of the personal box of the general affairs section GP, the other person was using the copier in the general affairs section GP. Peep, pull out the PDL expanded image data stored in it,
An example in which a double-sided printing is to be performed by a printer without a double-sided unit of P will be described.

At S101, the operation unit 50 of the sales section 1 GP
It is determined whether the other device key 805 in FIG. 12 has been pressed on the screen 0. If not pressed, S102
Then, it is determined whether the close key 808 has been pressed. If the close key 808 has been pressed, the process exits the personal box mode. If the button has not been pressed, a box is designated on the screen of FIG. 12 in S103. For example, when the box of Tanaka is designated, in S104, a password for the person is queried as shown in FIG. If the passwords do not match in S105, S104 is repeated, and if they match, the process proceeds to S106.

If the box in Tanaka in FIG. 12 is selected in S106, the screen in FIG. 14 is displayed, and a document is selected. For example, when the B conference material is selected and the print key 817 is pressed in S107, the image data of the B conference material stored in the hard disk 275 of the personal box is read in S108, and the control unit 252, the smoothing unit 253, The printout is performed by the printer unit 2 via the γ correction unit 254.

In S109, it is determined whether or not the close key 821 has been pressed, and if not, the process from the document selection in S106 is repeated. When the button is pressed, the process jumps to S102 and shifts to the box selection screen of FIG.

S110 is the other device key 8 in FIG.
When the user presses 05, the processing shifts to the processing of the screen in FIG. Then, for example, the general affairs section GP is selected as the device name on the screen of FIG. 15, and the process proceeds to S111. In S111, the process loops until connection to the GP is completed. This connection communicates between the network interface units 7 using a protocol such as TCP / IP, for example.

After the communication is established, the contents of another device, that is, the personal box of the general affairs section GP in this example are displayed in S112 as shown in FIG. This means that data is read from the hard disk 257 storing the image information of the personal box of the general affairs section GP, and the control unit 252, the interface unit 213, the interface unit 322, the data processing unit 321, the interface unit 320, and the network interface unit 7 are read. Via
Through the network, the operation section of the sales section 1 GP is routed through the network interface section 7, interface section 320, data processing section 321, interface section 322, interface section 213, image processing section 211, CPU 214, and operation section 500 of the sales section 1 GP. 500
Will be displayed. Then, in S113, a box for another device is selected.

In FIG. 16, after selecting the box of the general affairs section GP, the same steps as in S102 are followed. However, the box selection screen in S103 is the screen shown in FIG. 16, in which the contents of the personal box of the general affairs section GP are viewed from the operation unit 500 of the sales section 1 GP via the network. In the case of printing in S108, the image data is read from the hard disk 257 storing the image data of the personal box of the general affairs section GP, and the control unit 252, the interface unit 213, the interface unit 322, the data processing unit 321 and the interface unit 320, the network interface unit 7, the interface unit 32 of the sales section 1 GP via the network via the network interface unit 7
0, data processing unit 321, interface unit 322,
On the route of the interface unit 213, the image processing unit 211, and the printer unit 2, the printing is performed by the printer of the sales department 1 GP according to the contents of the change automatically changed in S 114.

Further, as another embodiment, the first sales section G
In P, if the printout is completed normally, the CPU 214 of the sales department 1 GP judges this, and through the image processing unit 211, the interface unit 213, the interface 322, the CPU 323, the interface unit 320, and the network interface unit 7, the general affairs section. GP
, The interface unit 320, the CPU 323, the interface unit 322, the interface unit 213, and the image processing unit 21.
1, via the control unit 252, instructs the image storage unit 255 to delete the document image data that has been printed out, and deletes the corresponding document image data on the hard disk 257 via the SCSI controller 256.

[0130]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a user externally submits a PDL print job to, for example, a personal box of a digital copying machine, and tries to print a PDL rasterized original image stored in the personal box using the operation unit of the digital copying machine, another Even while the copying machine is in use, the original image data in the personal box of the used digital copying machine can be pulled out from the operation unit of another digital copying machine capable of communicating with the digital copying machine and printed.
Also, even if the digital copier to be printed is out of toner, out of paper, or the printer is out of order, the digital copier that is in a printer abnormal state is similarly operated from the operation unit of another digital copier that can communicate with the digital copier. The original image data in the personal box can be pulled out and printed.

As a result, there is no need for another person to finish using the digital copying machine or to wait until the abnormal state of the digital copying machine is corrected, thereby improving the productivity.

Also, after the original image data is pulled out from another digital copying machine and printed out, the original image data in the personal box corresponding to the other digital copying machine is automatically deleted. There is no need to wait until the copying machine has been used, thereby improving productivity and improving convenience.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reader unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a core unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic screen of a liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen when selecting another image forming apparatus of the operation unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a connection destination list display screen of the operation unit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a personal box.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a window for designating a personal box.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a personal box window.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a main screen of the personal box.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a password input screen of the operation unit.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a job display screen.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen for printing document image data of another device.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen when looking into a personal box of another device.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part (printing means) 4 Facsimile part (data acquisition means) 5 File part 7 Network interface part (network communication means) 8 LIPS formatter part (development means) 9 PS formatter part (development means) 11 Personal computer or Workstation (host device) 13 Digital copier 100 Main unit 211 Image processing unit 216 Memory 255 Image storage unit 256 SCSI controller 257 Hard disk 321 Data processing unit 323 CPU (Control unit) 324 Memory (Storage unit) 500 Operation unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AB06 AB08 BC04 BD41 2H027 EE10 EJ10 EJ11 EJ13 EJ15 FD08 ZA07 ZA09 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB04 CC05 EE04 5C062 AA05 AA13 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB23 AB38 AB42 AB53 AC23 AF23

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein each image forming apparatus communicates with another image forming apparatus, and storage means stores image data received via the communication means. And a printing unit that prints out image data, a data obtaining unit that obtains image data stored in another image forming device via the communication unit in a desired image forming apparatus, and a obtained image. An image forming system comprising a control unit for printing out data by the printing unit. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is a network communication unit that performs network communication with a host device. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein after printing the acquired image data, the control device deletes the acquired image data from a storage device of another image forming apparatus in which the acquired image data is stored. Or the image forming system according to 2.