JP2002036679A - Imaging system and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain significant output results without sacrifice of convenience of automatic error skip by selecting an imaging medium having a size close to a size designated by a user. SOLUTION: Presence of a designated sheet is checked S901 and setting of error skip is checked if the sheet is not present S902. If error skip is set, setting of alternative output of that sheet is checked S903. If that sheet can be outputted alternatively, size of each sheet mounted on an imaging apparatus 21 is checked S904. If a selected alternative sheet can be outputted Y: S905, the output sheet is altered S906 and a desired print out is performed S908 before ending the processing. If an alternative sheet can not be outputted, an end of sheet error is indicated S907.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system including a print information supply device and an image forming control device connected to the image forming device via a communication medium and capable of controlling image formation of the image forming device. The present invention relates to an image forming method, for example, to an image forming system and an image forming method suitable for an image processing system connected to a digital copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital copying machines have become widespread, and a system has been developed in which various interface devices are connected to the digital copying machine and image data can be output from a host computer.

Conventionally, when an operator call without a designated paper size occurs due to a certain print job, a print job that can output the print job after a certain period of time is avoided in order to prevent all subsequent print jobs from being output. There was a mechanism to force output.

[0004]

However, since the required paper size is not taken into account when selecting the paper that can be output, the output result becomes meaningless when the paper sizes are significantly different. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. For example, in an image forming system for forming an image in accordance with an instruction from an image forming information supply device such as a host computer on a network,
When automatically performing error skipping of image forming medium replacement, a replaceable size is set for each image forming medium size, and no alternative image formation is performed for other sizes, so that a user-specified image forming medium size is set. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system and an image forming method capable of obtaining an image forming result having a size close to the size of the image.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention has the following arrangement, for example.

That is, an image forming system including a print information supply device and an image forming control device connected to the image forming device via a communication medium, the image forming control device being capable of controlling image formation of the image forming device. Input means for inputting print information transmitted from the print information supply device via the communication medium to the control device; developing means for expanding the print information input from the input means into raster image data; Storage means for storing the print image expanded by the means, communication means for outputting the print image expanded to the storage means to the image forming apparatus, and each image forming medium size for forming an image on the image forming apparatus Setting means for setting an alternative medium size for each image, and an alternative supply device capable of supplying an image forming medium of the alternative medium size set by the setting means to the image forming apparatus. And selection means for selecting the means,
When there is no image forming medium of the size requested by the user, the selection unit selects the alternative supply unit based on the alternative medium size set by the setting unit, and continues the image forming output of the image forming apparatus. It is characterized in that it is possible.

[0008] For example, the setting means is capable of prohibiting the alternative supply of all image forming media from the alternative supply means. Alternatively, the setting means includes:
The alternative supply of an image forming medium of an arbitrary size from the alternative supply unit can be prohibited.

Further, for example, the setting means can set the alternative supply to the image forming medium of all paper sizes from the alternative supply means. Alternatively, the setting unit is capable of setting a plurality of alternative size image forming media.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment of the Invention] First, an outline of an embodiment of the invention according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming control device (image processing device) which is the center of this embodiment, and 2 denotes a host which supplies print information (image forming information) via a communication medium 3 such as a network. A computer 3 is an interface cable which is a communication medium for connecting between the image forming control device (image processing device) 1 and the host computer 2;
Is an image forming apparatus that receives print information from the image forming control apparatus (image processing apparatus) 1 via the interface cable 20 and forms an image on an image forming medium.

In the image forming control device (image processing device) 1, reference numeral 4 denotes an external I / F for controlling an interface with the host computer 2 via an interface cable. An engine interface 19 controls an interface with the image forming apparatus 21 via the interface cable 20.

In the example of FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 21 is completely separate from the image processing apparatus 1, but the case where the image forming apparatus 21 is incorporated in the same case is also included in the scope of the present embodiment. The same is true.

In the image processing apparatus 1, the first CPU 8
Controls the entire image processing apparatus other than the image forming apparatus 21 connected to the outside.

An external I / F 4 serving as an interface with the host computer 2, a memory 9 storing a control program for the first CPU 8, and an I / O bus are connected to the bus 5 to which the first CPU 8 is connected. An I / O bus controller 10 and the like that control the interface 11 and have an interface function are connected.

The bus 5 mainly includes an image forming apparatus 21.
A bus controller 7 is also connected so that it can be connected to a second CPU bus 6 to which a second CPU 16 that controls the interface with the second CPU 16 is connected. The details of the second CPU 16 will be described later.

The I / O bus controller 10 includes a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FDD) 12 and a hard disk drive (HD) connected to the I / O bus 11.
D) 13, an LCD controller 14 is connected.
An operation unit 25 having a display unit is connected to the I / O bus 11, and other general-purpose I / Os (not shown).
The first CPU 8 also controls each I / O connected to the I / O bus 11 via the I / O bus controller 10.

The second CPU 16 controls the connected image forming apparatus 21 and also controls the development of image data (print information) stored in the frame memory 15.
The second memory 17 is a memory for storing a control program for the second CPU 16, and the control program is loaded from the hard disk drive 13 via the bus controller 7 when the power is turned on.

The memory 17 also mediates the exchange of information with the first CPU 8. An engine interface 19 is connected to the second CPU bus 6, and controls the image forming apparatus 20 while performing various settings.

The video bus 18 is a bus dedicated to images,
The image data developed by the second CPU 16 and stored in the frame memory 15 is sent to the engine interface 19 through the video bus 18, and is further transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2.
Sent to 1.

Next, an image forming apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 22 denotes an engine interface for controlling an interface with the image processing apparatus 1, which is connected to the image processing apparatus 1 via an interface cable 20 as a communication medium.

The print information (image data) sent from the image forming apparatus 1 is taken in via the engine interface 22, is latently formed on the photosensitive drum 24, and is
An image is formed. The paper feed control unit 26 feeds paper from the paper feed unit 29 or the intermediate discharge tray 28 according to an instruction from the image processing apparatus 1, and mounts paper on the transfer drum 25.

Thereafter, the image formed on the photosensitive drum 24 is transferred onto an image forming medium (an image forming medium on a sheet such as paper) mounted on the transfer drum 25 (hereinafter referred to as "paper"). An image is fixed by the fixing device 27. After the image is fixed, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 30 or stored in the intermediate discharge tray 28 according to an instruction from the image processing apparatus 1.

Next, an overview of the operation unit 25 when setting an alternative paper feed stage when a paper exchange error occurs from the operation unit 25 of the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an initial screen of a menu for performing various settings of the image forming apparatus (printer) in the present embodiment.

By selecting [Error Skip] on the guidance screen shown in FIG. 3 and pressing [OK], a screen for setting an alternative paper size can be entered.

FIG. 4 shows a screen for setting the output paper size of the image forming apparatus (printer) in this embodiment. Here, whether or not to perform alternative output for each paper size is set.

Here, if [No] is selected and [OK] is pressed, the output using the substitute paper is not performed at all. Therefore, the image formation is interrupted when the paper runs out.

When "Yes" is selected and "OK" is pressed, alternative output is performed based on the settings of each paper size. Here, the button for each paper size is selected and [O
When [K] is pressed, the screen moves to the screen shown in FIG. 5, and an alternative output paper size for the paper size can be set.

FIG. 5 shows a screen for setting an alternative sheet size of the image forming apparatus (printer) in the present embodiment. Here, an alternative paper size for the paper size selected in FIG. 4 is set. Here, select [No] and select [O
When the user presses [K], even if [Yes] is selected in FIG. 4, the output using the substitute paper is not performed for the paper size. If [NO LIMIT] is selected and [OK] is pressed here, if [YES] is selected in FIG. 4 for the paper size, all paper sizes are set as alternative paper feed candidates. Can be. If a specific paper size is selected and [OK] is pressed, alternative paper feeding is performed only when the selected paper size is present.

Next, the processing of the present embodiment when the alternative sheet feeding is set will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of the processing of FIGS. FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts of a process for explaining a process when the image forming apparatus (printer) performs alternative paper output in the present embodiment.

In the flow chart of the processing shown in FIG.
tter) When there is no paper of the size from the beginning or when the paper of this size is selected and an image is formed, when the paper of this size runs out, the paper is replaced with A4 size paper, and the legal (Legal) size is used. If there is no paper of the size from the beginning or if the paper of this size is selected and an image is formed, and the paper of this size runs out, it is replaced with A3 paper and automatically replaced with the paper of the substitute size. The settings are made so that an image is formed. That is, when an A4-size or A3-size paper feed stage is set as the alternative supply unit, the selection unit is provided for selecting the set paper feed stage.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the A4 paper and the A3 paper are set in the image forming apparatus 21 as alternative supply means in this setting state, the host computer 2
This is a process in the case where an instruction (selection by the selection unit) has been made to output to a letter-size sheet via the image processing apparatus 1 from.

The host computer 2 sends a letter (Lett
er) Although output on paper is instructed, for example, when letter paper is not set in the image forming apparatus (printer) 21, conversion is performed based on a substitute paper for letter paper. Try to go. Here, for the image forming apparatus 21, since the setting is made so that the Letter paper is converted to A4 paper, the output is performed on A4 paper.

In the flowchart of the processing shown in FIG.
tter) This is an example in which the setting is made so that the paper is converted to an arbitrary paper. In this case, for example, the image forming apparatus 2
This processing is performed when the host computer 2 instructs output of letter paper when the first paper feed mechanism (A3 paper is set in the first row and A4 paper is set in the second row).

The host computer 2 instructs output on letter paper, but since no letter paper is set in the image forming apparatus 21, conversion is to be performed based on letter paper alternative paper. Here, in the image forming apparatus 21, since the letter paper is set so that it can be converted to an arbitrary paper, the paper is fed from the first stage regardless of the paper size, so that the output is performed on A3 paper.

In FIG. 8, settings are made to convert B5 paper to A4 paper and B4 paper to A3 paper. “Letter paper is not converted” is set, and A4
This processing is performed when the host computer 2 instructs output on letter paper while paper and A3 paper are set.

The host computer 2 instructs output on letter paper. However, since no letter paper is set in the image forming apparatus 21, conversion is to be performed based on letter paper alternative paper. Here, in the image forming apparatus 21, since the setting is made so that the letter paper is not converted to another paper size, a paper-out error occurs.

Next, the flow of processing when a paper-out condition occurs will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining how the processing is switched according to whether or not there is an output sheet and whether or not the output sheet can be replaced after the output instruction in the above-described embodiment.

First, in step S901, it is checked whether or not a sheet whose output has been instructed exists. If there is a sheet, the process advances to step S908 to form an image using the designated sheet, print out, and end the process.

On the other hand, if the designated sheet does not exist in step S901, the flow advances to step S902 to check whether or not error skipping is possible. If error skip is not set, the process advances to step S907 to display an "out of paper" error and end the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S902 that error skipping is possible, step S90
Proceeding to step 3, it is checked whether the sheet is set to be capable of alternative output. If it is set that the alternative output is not allowed, the process advances to step S907 to display an "out of paper" error and end the process.

On the other hand, if the alternative output has been set in step S903, the flow advances to step S904 to check the size of each sheet mounted on the image forming apparatus 21. Subsequently, it is checked in step S905 whether the sheet selected as the substitute sheet can be output. If it is not possible to output a substitute sheet, the process advances to step S907 to display an "out of sheet" error and end the process.

On the other hand, if alternative paper can be output in step S905, the flow advances to step S906, the output paper is changed, and the flow advances to step S908, where the desired print output is performed, and the process ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a print system that performs output in accordance with an instruction from a host computer on a network, when a paper exchange error skip is automatically performed, a replacement is performed for each paper size. By setting the possible paper size and not outputting on other papers, a paper close to the paper size specified by the user is selected, meaningful output results without impairing the simplicity due to automatic error skipping Can be provided.

[Second Embodiment] In the above-described first embodiment, one type of paper size can be selected as a substitute paper. However, the present invention is limited to the above example. Instead, a plurality of alternative paper sizes may be set for one output paper size.

A second embodiment according to the present invention in which a plurality of alternative paper sizes can be set for one output paper size will be described below. Also in the second embodiment, the basic configuration is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment. Therefore, the following description will mainly omit descriptions of parts common to the first embodiment. Parts different from the first embodiment will be described. The difference from the first embodiment is only the user interface part.

An overview of the operation unit when setting a plurality of alternative paper feed trays in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. FIG. 10 shows an initial screen for selecting an alternative paper size according to the second embodiment.

Basically, the screen is the same as the screen displayed after selecting the output paper size in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, the “no limit” button, A "multiple selection" button is additionally displayed to enable input.

Here, one paper size is selected and [O
When [K] is pressed, one alternative paper size is set for one output paper size as in the first embodiment. To set multiple alternative paper sizes, press [Select Multiple] on the screen to highlight the button, then select multiple paper sizes and press [OK] to change to one paper size. On the other hand, a plurality of alternative paper sizes can be set.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which a plurality of paper sizes are selected after pressing [select multiple]. When [OK] is pressed in this state, the selected paper size is set as the substitute paper size.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same operation and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved, and a plurality of alternative sizes can be designated.
When paper of a certain alternative size runs out, it can be replaced by another size, and interruption of image formation (printing) can be prevented more reliably. For example, if a size larger than the original size is specified, a desired print result can be obtained with certainty.

[Other Embodiments of the Invention] Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), one device may be used. (For example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.).

Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. Or a CPU or MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium,
Needless to say, this is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
The operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. , The CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts and flowcharts described above.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when image formation is performed in response to an instruction from a print information supply device connected via a communication medium, error skipping of image formation medium exchange can be performed. When performing automatically, it is possible to set a size that can be substituted for each image forming medium size, and control not to perform output on image forming media of other sizes, and it is close to the size specified by the user. Since an image forming medium having a size is selected, a meaningful output result can be obtained without impairing the simplicity due to automatic error skipping.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an initial screen of a menu for performing various settings of the image forming apparatus (printer) according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen of an operation unit when setting an alternative sheet size of the image forming apparatus (printer) according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen of an operation unit when setting an alternative sheet size of the image forming apparatus (printer) according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for explaining a process when the image forming apparatus (printer) outputs a substitute sheet according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for explaining a process when the image forming apparatus (printer) outputs a substitute sheet according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for explaining a process when the image forming apparatus (printer) outputs a substitute sheet according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining how the process is switched according to whether or not there is an output sheet and whether or not it can be replaced after an output instruction in the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen of an operation unit when setting a plurality of alternative paper sizes of an image forming apparatus (printer) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen of an operation unit when setting a plurality of alternative paper sizes of an image forming apparatus (printer) according to the second embodiment.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ06 AS02 HK07 HL01 HN17 HV11 HV51 2C087 AA03 AA09 AB05 AC08 BA03 BC05 CA03 2H027 DC18 DC19 DE07 ED17 FB13 ZA07 5B021 AA01 KK03

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system, comprising: a print information supply device via a communication medium; and an image forming control device connected to the image forming device, the image forming control device being capable of controlling image formation of the image forming device. An input unit for inputting print information transmitted from the print information supply device via the communication medium to the control device; an expansion unit for expanding the print information input from the input unit into raster image data; Storage means for storing the print image expanded by the means, communication means for outputting the print image expanded to the storage means to the image forming apparatus, and each image forming medium size for forming an image on the image forming apparatus Setting means for setting an alternative medium size for each image, and an alternative supply device capable of supplying an image forming medium of the alternative medium size set by the setting means to the image forming apparatus. And selecting means for selecting the alternative supply means by the selection means based on the alternative medium size set by the setting means when there is no image forming medium of the size requested by the user. An image forming system capable of continuing image forming output of the image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit can prohibit the alternative supply of all image forming media from the alternative supply unit. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit can prohibit an alternative supply of an image forming medium of an arbitrary size from the alternative supply unit. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit can set the alternative supply to the image forming medium of all paper sizes from the alternative supply unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit is capable of setting a plurality of alternative size image forming media.
The image forming system as described in the above. 6. An image forming method in an image forming system, comprising: a print information supply device via a communication medium; and an image forming control device connected to the image forming device and capable of controlling image formation of the image forming device. The image forming control device receives print information transmitted from the print information supply device via the communication medium, expands the received print information into raster image data, and forms the expanded print image into an image. Output to the image forming apparatus, and set in advance an alternative medium size for each image forming medium size for forming an image on the image forming apparatus, and when the image forming medium of the size requested by the user does not exist, set the alternative medium size. An image forming method, wherein an image forming medium having a medium size is supplied into the image forming apparatus so that image forming output can be continued. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the image forming medium of the alternative medium size is supplied into the image forming apparatus, the alternative supply of all the image forming media can be prohibited. The image forming method as described in the above. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image forming medium having the alternative medium size is supplied into the image forming apparatus, the alternative supply of the image forming medium having an arbitrary size can be prohibited. Item 7. The image forming method according to Item 6. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the image forming medium of the alternative medium size is supplied into the image forming apparatus, the alternative supply to the image forming medium of all paper sizes can be set. Image forming method. 10. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of alternative size image forming media can be set when the alternative media size image forming medium is supplied into the image forming apparatus. . 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a code for performing the image forming process according to claim 6. Description: 12. A computer program sequence for realizing the function according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 13. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for realizing the functions according to claim 1. Description: