JP2002142050A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system that interconnects image forming devices and allows the device other than the device reading an original to make a trial copy. SOLUTION: The image forming system can select a master unit, a slave unit or the both as a device for trial copy. When the device for making a trial copy is confirmed, the system informs the slave unit about the information. Then reading of an original is repeated and the reading is repeated up to a final original, and when the reading is finished, the system informs the slave unit about it. When the reading is finished and the device making the trial copy is the master unit or the both, the master unit prints out a 1st print. When the device making a trial copy is the slave unit or the both, the system makes a request of 1st print to the slave unit and awaits its processing until the print is finished. When the print of the 1st copy is finished, the system displays a consecution confirming message and awaits its processing. When a consecution key is depressed, the system makes a request of 2nd and succeeding prints to the slave unit, and the master unit also pints out the 2nd and succeeding prints and terminates the processing.

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 plurality of interconnected image forming apparatuses and having a test printing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for various purposes, a plurality of image signal output means such as an image scanner, a word processor, a personal computer, etc. for outputting image signals, and a plurality of printers each forming an image by each of the image signals. There has been proposed a system in which an image forming unit such as the above is combined.

For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-21190, a plurality of image signal output devices and a plurality of image forming devices are organically coupled by respective functions such as recording, storage, and communication of image information. 2. Description of the Related Art There is an image forming system that allows free access from any place to another place. Also, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-304575, there is a linked copy system for connecting a digital copying machine to increase a copying operation speed. In recent years, copying apparatuses have become capable of performing multifunctional copying operations such as double-sided copying, front cover, chapter separation, interleaving, sorting, stapling, and punching.

In such a multi-function image forming apparatus, a large number of copies are often made with incorrect settings, which often results in large waste. Therefore, in order to eliminate such waste, when a large number of copies are to be made, only one copy is experimentally copied without performing the copy immediately, and the completed result of one copy is checked, and the desired quality is checked. Is known, a test copy function for copying only the remaining necessary amount when is obtained.

[0005]

When a test copy is performed by a connection system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected,
One copy of the test copy was performed by the operating device (master device) that read the document, and printing by the other devices was not performed unless printing of the second copy and thereafter was started. However, not only the finished state of one copy, but also the print image quality and the like may vary from device to device, and it was not possible to confirm the print quality of another device by simply printing with an operating device. Further, the printing productivity may be different for each device, and it may be more efficient to perform test printing with a device other than the operating device.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable a test copy to be performed by an apparatus other than an image forming apparatus that reads an original.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to perform test copy printing with an arbitrary device designated by an operator.

It is another object of the present invention to perform a test copy in all the apparatuses at the same time so that the print quality of all the apparatuses can be confirmed.

A fourth object of the present invention is to prevent printing of a required number of copies or more in addition to the object of the third embodiment.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image forming system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses according to the present invention comprises: means for reading a document; means for printing a read image; (1) linked copy means for transferring image information read by one image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus and printing the same, print number setting means for setting the number of prints, and copy number set by the print number setting means. Instead, it has a trial copy unit that prints only one copy and temporarily stops printing, and performs a trial copy print by an image forming apparatus other than the apparatus that has read the original during the linked copy.

In another image forming system according to the present invention, there is provided a means for reading a document, a means for printing a read image, and a method for converting image information read by any one image forming apparatus into different image forming apparatuses. Linked copy means for transferring and printing to a printer, print copy number setting means for setting the number of print copies, and trial copy means for printing only one copy and temporarily stopping printing regardless of the number of copies set by the print copy number setting means. In this case, it is possible to designate an image forming apparatus that performs test copy printing during linked copying.

Further, another image forming system according to the present invention comprises a means for reading a document, a means for printing a read image, and an image forming apparatus for differentiating image information read by any one image forming apparatus. Linked copy means for transferring and printing to a printer, print copy number setting means for setting the number of print copies, and trial copy means for printing only one copy and temporarily stopping printing regardless of the number of copies set by the print copy number setting means. The test copy printing is performed by all connected image forming apparatuses at the time of linked copying.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A document bundle placed on a document table 2 in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter ADF) 1 with the image side of the document facing up is pressed when a start key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed.
From the lowermost document, the document is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. After reading the image data of the document on the contact glass 6 by the reading unit 50, the document that has been read is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a motor.

The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeding device 11, the second sheet feeding device 12, and the third sheet feeding device 13, respectively. ,
It is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. And
The transfer paper transfers the toner image on the photoconductor 15 while being conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. After that, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17,
The finisher 10 of the post-processing device is controlled by the paper discharge unit 18.
Discharged to zero.

The finisher 100 of the post-processing device can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 19 of the main body toward the normal paper discharge roller 102 and the stapling section. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the normal discharge tray 104
Can be discharged to the side. In addition, by switching the switching plate 101 downward, the sheet can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper stacked on the staple table 108 is aligned with the jogger 109 for paper alignment every time one sheet is ejected and left, and is stapled by the stapler 106 when a part of the copy is completed. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stapled due to its own weight.
Is stored in.

On the other hand, a normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth. The paper discharge tray unit 104 that can be moved back and forth moves back and forth and sorts the discharged copy paper easily for each document or for each copy unit sorted by the image memory.

When an image is formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed and imaged from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is not guided to the discharge tray 104, but is branched for path switching. By setting the claws 112 on the upper side, the stock is temporarily stored in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper supply unit 111 is re-fed from the duplex paper supply unit 111 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 again, and the branch claws 11 for switching the path.
2 is set on the lower side, and guided to the paper discharge tray 104. In this way, the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is used when forming images on both sides of the transfer paper.

The photoreceptor 15, the transport belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18, and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25, and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 controls the driving of the main motor 25 by a paper feeding clutch 22. ~ 24
The transmission is driven. The vertical transport unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor 25 by the intermediate clutch 21.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32,
There are a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a mode clear key 35, and a trial copy key 38. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 displays a function key 37, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows a liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the above. When the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. If the details of the function need to be specified (for example, if the magnification is a variable magnification, etc.), touching a key displays a detailed function setting screen. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses the dot display, the optimal display at that time can be graphically performed.

In FIG. 3, the upper left is a message area for displaying a message such as "Ready to copy" or "Please wait", and the right is a copy number display section for displaying the set number of sheets, and the image density below it is automatically displayed. Key for automatic adjustment, automatic paper selection key for automatic selection of transfer paper, sort key for specifying the process of aligning copies one by one in the page order, stack key for specifying the process of sorting copies by page, sort Staple key to specify the processing to bind the processed parts one by one, same-size key to set the magnification to the same size, variable-size key to set the enlargement / reduction magnification, double-sided key to set the duplex mode, binding margin mode, etc. Key, and a linking module that divides and prints out a large number of print operations through a digital copier network. Is Doki. The selected mode is shaded with keys.

The input of the number of copies is performed by using the ten keys 32. The numerical value input here is displayed as "set xx" on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, so that the operator can confirm the value. The input number of copies is used as the number of copies in the sort mode.

With reference to FIG. 1, the image reading means and the operation up to the formation of a latent image on a recording surface according to the present invention will be described. A latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating the image on the photoreceptor surface. The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. I have. Exposure lamp 5
The first and first mirrors 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown).

When reading an original image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electric signal, and processed. By moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, the image magnification changes. That is, the positions of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction are set corresponding to the designated magnification.

The writing unit 57 comprises a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a rotating polygon mirror which rotates at a high speed at a constant speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor. (Polygon mirror). The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is polarized by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 59, and
The light is turned back by the mirror 60 and forms a focused image on the surface of the photoconductor.

The polarized laser light is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the direction in which the photosensitive member rotates, and performs recording in units of lines of an image signal output from a selector 64 of an image processing unit described later. . An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the photoconductor surface by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photoconductor.

As described above, the laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. Although not shown, a beam sensor that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position near one end of the photoconductor 15 where the laser beam is irradiated. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting and outputting an image signal described later are performed.

The configuration of the image processing section (image reading section and image writing section) in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 irradiates the document surface, and the reflected light from the document surface is imaged and received by an image forming lens (not shown) by the CCD image sensor 54 and photoelectrically converted. The signal is converted into a digital signal by the D converter 61. The image signal converted to a digital signal is
After the shading correction 62 is performed, the image processing unit 63
, MTF correction, γ correction, and the like are performed.

In the selector 64, the destination of the image signal is
Switching to the scaling unit 71 or the image memory controller 65 is performed. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 71 is scaled according to the scaling factor, and sent to the writing unit 57. The image memory controller 65 and the selector 64 are configured to be able to bidirectionally input and output image signals. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 8, the image processing unit (IP
U), input and output of a plurality of data so as to process image data supplied from outside (for example, data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer) in addition to image data input from the reading unit 50. Has the function of selecting

CPU for setting the image memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57
ROM 6 for storing the program and data
9, a RAM 70 is provided. Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65.

Here, an image signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to FIG. / FG
ATE represents an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. / LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is / LGATE.
These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and data of one pixel is sent for one cycle of VCLK. The image processing unit (IPU) 49 separates / FGATE, / LSYNC, /
Since it has a LGATE and VCLK generation mechanism, various combinations of image input / output can be realized.

The details of the memory controller and the image memory in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. The memory controller 65 has blocks of an input data selector 901, an image composition 902, a primary compression / decompression 903, an output data selector 904, and a secondary compression / decompression 905. The setting of control data in each block is performed by the CPU 68. The addresses and data in FIG. 8 indicate image data, and the data and addresses connected to the CPU 68 are not shown.

The image memory 66 comprises primary and secondary storage devices (906, 907). Primary storage device 906
For example, a DRAM is used so that data can be written to a memory substantially in synchronization with the transfer speed of input image data, or data can be read from a memory at the time of image output at a high speed.
Use a memory that can be accessed at high speed. Also,
The primary storage device 906 has a configuration (an interface unit with a memory controller) that can be divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed and simultaneously execute input / output of image data. In order to enable the input and output of image data to be executed in parallel in each divided area, two sets of read / write address / data lines are connected to the interface with the memory controller. Thus, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to the area 1 becomes possible.

The secondary storage unit 907 is a large-capacity memory for storing data for synthesizing and sorting input images. For both the primary and secondary storage devices, if elements that can be accessed at high speed are used, data processing can be performed without distinction between primary and secondary storage, and control is relatively simple.
Since elements such as DRAMs are expensive, the access speed to the secondary storage device is not so fast. However, a configuration is used in which an inexpensive, large-capacity recording medium is used and input / output data processing is performed via the primary storage device. Has become.

By adopting the configuration of the image memory as described above, an image forming apparatus capable of inputting / outputting, storing, and processing a large amount of image data can be realized with an inexpensive and relatively simple configuration. Becomes possible.

Next, an outline of the operation of the image memory controller 65 will be described. <1> Image Input (Save to Image Memory) The input data selector 901 selects image data to be written to the image memory (primary storage device 906) from among a plurality of data. The image data selected by the input data selector 901 is supplied to an image synthesizing unit 902, and synthesizes with the data already stored in the image memory. The image data processed by the image synthesis 902 is compressed by primary compression / decompression 903, and the compressed data is written to the primary storage device 906. The data written to the primary storage device 906 is further compressed by a secondary compression / decompression 905 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage device 907.

<2> Image Output (Read from Image Memory) At the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 906 is read. When the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 906, the primary compression /
The decompression 903 decompresses the image data in the primary storage device 906, and selects and outputs the decompressed data or the data obtained by performing the image synthesis of the decompressed data and the input data with the output data selector 904. .

The image combining 902 combines the data in the primary storage device 906 with the input data (has a function of adjusting the phase of the image data), and selects the output destination of the combined data (image output, primary storage device). (Write back to 906 and simultaneous output to both output destinations are also possible). If the image to be output is not stored in the primary storage device 906, the image data to be output stored in the secondary storage device 907 is expanded by secondary compression / expansion 905, and the data after expansion is expanded. Is written to the primary storage device 906, and then the above-described image output operation is performed.

In order to share work, it is necessary to transmit and receive image data and commands to and from another digital copying machine.
The CS interface uses a serial communication line for transmitting and receiving commands. The memory controller of FIG. 8 realizes this via the SCSI driver 80.

The operation reservation described in the present embodiment means that the copying operation cannot be started when the fixing machine is being heated in the copying machine or the like, but the mode setting and the setting of the document are completed and the reservation is made. This function automatically starts the copying operation when the copying operation is enabled after the fixing heating is completed. In the present embodiment, the operation reservation can be made during the fixing heating. However, any object that becomes operable with the lapse of time is eligible for the object. It is considered that the LCT tray rise time, the polygon motor rotation stabilization time, the toner supply operation, etc.

4A and 4B, the system is composed of an image reading unit, an image writing unit, a system controller, a memory unit, a user restriction device, a human body detection sensor, a remote diagnosis device (CSS), and a clock. However, the memory unit is necessary only when a memory function is realized, and is not necessary only when a normal copy function is realized. Furthermore, a clock is only needed to implement a weekly timer function, such as booting or shutting down the machine at a certain time. In addition, the human body detection is necessary only when a function of automatically canceling the preheating mode when a user approaches the machine in the preheating mode is realized.
S is a function for remote diagnosis, that is, a function for automatically notifying a service center when a machine error occurs, and for monitoring the execution state / use state of the machine from a remote place. It only needs to be mounted in this case.

The DRAM block in the memory unit in FIG. 4 is for storing the image signal read from the image reading unit, and stores the image data stored in the image writing unit in response to a request from the system controller. Can be transferred. Also, the compressed blocks are MH, M
It has a compression function such as the R or MMR method, and can compress an image once read to improve the use efficiency of a memory (DRAM). In addition, the rotation of the image is realized by changing the address read from the image writing unit and its direction.

In the "hardware configuration example-I" of FIG.
Image reading unit, image writing unit, memory unit, C
The SS is controlled by only one CPU of the system controller. On the other hand, FIG.
In the “II”, the system reading device, the image writing unit, and the memory unit each have a CPU, and the system hardware configuration can be freely configured such that commands from the system controller to each controller are transmitted through control signal lines.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a network copy system when the present invention is implemented. In the figure, 8
Although the digital copies are networked, there is no need to limit the number of connected copies.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration for realizing this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the hardware configuration of one digital PPC is almost the same as that shown in “Hardware configuration example-I” in FIG. 4, but the read image is stored in the memory unit. To transfer image data from an external network or to store image data from the network in a DRAM block portion in a memory unit, a SCSI as a network means is used.
(Small Computer System Interface) and SCSI
Using a controller. As a matter of course, network communication means include, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark).
Is used as a physical means, and OSI (Open Sys
temInterface) Various means such as using TCP / IP communication of the reference model are conceivable.

Control commands and setting commands such as an in-machine status notification of each machine existing on the network and a remote output command described later are exchanged via a serial communication line. In this serial communication line, a start-stop synchronous communication system is adopted, and detection of a communication error is performed by a general parity bit.

Next, the operation of transferring an image read by "Digital PPC-I" to an image writing unit of "Digital PPC-II" (hereinafter, remote output) will be described.
(See FIGS. 6 and 7). Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram of the software.
The “copy application” shown in the figure is an application that executes a copy sequence for executing a copy operation, the “input / output control” is a layer (device driver) that performs logical / physical conversion of data, and the operation unit controller is an MM.
Layer (LC) that executes I (Man Machine Interface)
D display, LED on / off, key input scan, etc. at logical level)
Is a layer for controlling a peripheral device mounted on a PPC such as an automatic double-sided unit, a sorter, and an ADF at a logical level. The "image forming device controller", "image reading device controller", and "memory unit" It is on the street.

When a print request is requested from another machine on the network, the "daemon process" reads out image data stored in the memory unit and transfers the image data to the "image forming apparatus". It exists as an application that performs the role. Of course, before a "daemon process" can read an image from a memory unit and perform a print operation, the image transfer from another machine on the network must be completed.

Here, an operation unit, a peripheral device, an image forming apparatus,
Image reading device and memory unit are each PPC
Is treated as a resource (resource) owned by. In the case where the “digital PPC-I” in the figure performs a copy operation using its own resources (when the print start key is pressed), the “image forming apparatus” and the “image” It requests each resource of the "reading device" or, if necessary, the "peripheral device" and the "memory unit" to the "system control" section. The “system control” unit arbitrates the right to use the resource in response to the request from the “copy application”, and notifies the “copy application” of the arbitration result (usability). When the “digital PPC-I” is used in a stand-alone mode (in a state where no network connection is made), the “copy application” can occupy all the resources held by the system, so that the copying operation is immediately executed.

On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, a resource is assigned to a “system controller” of a remote digital PPC that executes a print operation using resources of another machine (hereinafter, remote digital PPC) existing on the network. Request the right to use. The system controller of the remote digital PPC arbitrates the resources according to the request and notifies the result to the application of the requesting machine. When the right to use is granted, the application executes image reading, and when the image storage in its own memory unit is completed, the application of the remote output destination machine is connected via an external interface (SCSI in this embodiment). Image transfer to the memory unit.

When the image transfer is completed, after transmitting various conditions (printing port, discharge port, number of prints, etc.) for performing printing to the "daemon process" of the remote output destination machine, "print start" is started. Send command.
Upon receiving the "print start" command, the "daemon process" at the remote output destination requests the "system controller" of itself (the machine that executes the remote output) to start printing, and the remote output is executed by the system controller. .

When the “digital PPC-II” uses a “digital PPC-II” memory unit, the “digital PPC-II” memory unit becomes “digital PPC-II” (or FIG. 5). When a plurality of digital PPCs are connected on the network as shown in the figure, the use of applications of digital PPCs other than “digital PPC-I” is disabled.

[Explanation and Definition of Terms] Hereinafter, explanations and definitions of terms commonly used in the description of the present embodiment will be given.

[Image Reading Apparatus] [Image Reading Unit] The "image reading apparatus" used in the digital PPC irradiates a light source to an original and reflects the reflected light on a "solid image forming element = CC".
D), an apparatus having a function of converting the signal into an electric signal and performing “necessary image processing” is used.

Here, "necessary image processing" means quantization: conversion of analog data converted into an electric signal by a CCD into binary or multi-valued data. Shading correction: Corrects irradiation unevenness of a light source for irradiating a document and sensitivity variation of a CCD. MTF correction: Corrects blur caused by the optical system. Magnification processing: The image reading density is changed, and data interpolation is performed using the read image data. And so on.

[Image Forming Apparatus] [Image Writing Section] The "image forming apparatus" or "image writing section" used in the digital PPC converts an image sent by an electric signal into an electrophotographic, heat-sensitive, thermal transfer, ink jet, or the like. This is an apparatus for forming on plain paper, thermal paper, etc. by means.

[Video signal] [Image data] Synchronization with the electric signal of the image converted by the above-mentioned "image reading device", the electric signal of the image inputted to the "image forming device", and the electric signal of the image. The signals to be taken are collectively expressed as "video signal" or "image data".

[Control Signal] [Command] In order to exchange the “video signal” between the “image reading device”, the “image forming device”, and the “application”, it is necessary to transmit information between the devices. This means is referred to as "control signal" or "command" issuance.

[Extended Function] [Application (abbreviated as "application")] [Memory Function] [Memory Unit] A major feature of the digital PPC is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by the image forming apparatus.

By providing means for changing and transmitting the read electric signal in various ways, it is possible to apply the present invention to fields other than the conventional analog PPC. In addition to realizing functions such as FAX, page printer, scanner, and file system, recently, even when executing the PPC function, the read image data is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a DRAM, and the image data is stored as needed. By reading the data, a function of executing a plurality of prints in one scan at the time of a plurality of copies, or a function of printing a plurality of documents on one transfer sheet (= memory function) is realized.

Functions that can be realized by these digital PPC systems are expressed as “extended functions” or “apps”. In this embodiment, the memory unit is also used as a buffer for transferring image data between machines on a network.

[System Controller] [System] In carrying out the copy mode, in order to form an image in the image writing unit, a paper transport process, an electrophotographic process process, an abnormal state and a sheet cassette state (paper presence / absence, etc.) And the like, and a controller that controls the scanner operation and ON / OFF of the light source for reading an image by the image reading unit are collectively expressed as a “system controller”.

Furthermore, recent digital PPCs have been equipped not only with one extended function but also with a plurality of applications at the same time. As described above, a digital PPC sharing one resource may be referred to as a “system”, and a controller that controls this system may be referred to as a “system controller”.

[Resources] [Resources] Functional unit units shared by a plurality of applications are expressed as “resources” and “resources”. The above-mentioned “system controller” controls the system in resource units. The resources managed by the digital PPC of this embodiment are “image reading device”, “image forming device”, “operation unit”, “memory”, “peripheral device (= ADF, sorter,
Automatic duplex unit).

[User Restriction] In particular, there is a case where the user does not want to permit unlimited use of the PPC using the electrophotographic process because of the large consumption. At this time, in order to identify, limit, and manage the "user", "user restricted equipment" such as "coin rack", "key counter", "key card", "prepaid card", etc. Use etc.

[User Setting] When the system becomes complicated,
Individual correspondence is required for each user. Since it is impossible to satisfy all of these measures at the time of factory shipment, measures in the market are indispensable. Therefore, usually, non-volatile RAM
The system can be set according to the customer's request by installing the function, but this function is expressed as "user setting".

[Idle State] A state in which no operation is performed by the user for a certain period of time is referred to as an “idle state”, and other states are referred to as a “busy state”.
The time until the transition from the “busy state” to the “idle state” can be set by the user. For example, not only during the copying operation but also after the copying operation is completed, the state does not transit to the “idle state” unless the user has not operated for a certain period of time.

[Weekly timer] Turns on / off the power according to the ON / OFF time set for each day of the week
Function to do. For this function, an operation for adjusting the time of the clock module and an operation for setting the ON / OFF time for each day of the week are required.

[Preheating] The fixing temperature is set to a certain temperature (for example, 1
0 ° C.) to reduce power consumption by lowering the control and turning off the display on the operation unit. The settings for this mode are
Depending on the key input on the operation unit or the machine setting, the operation and the operation are automatically set after a certain period of time after the operation and operation are stopped. This mode is released when a human body detection sensor detects that a person stands in front of the machine by key input on the operation unit or machine setting.

[Reloading] The state where the fixing temperature reaches the fixing-possible temperature and copying is possible is called reloading.

[Interrupt Mode] This mode is for temporarily interrupting the copying operation during the copying operation and during the operation to perform the copying. By setting this mode, the previous copy mode and, if the copying is in progress, information on the progress of the copying are stored in the nonvolatile RAM, the mode is shifted to the interrupt mode, and the mode is initialized. When the interrupt mode is released after the execution of the copy operation, the mode and information stored in the nonvolatile RAM are returned to restore the state before the interrupt mode was set, and the mode before the interrupt can be continued by restarting. The setting / cancellation of this mode can be performed using keys on the operation unit.

[CSS] (or [Remote Diagnosis System], [Image Forming Apparatus Management System]) FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus managing system. A management device installed at a service base and a device such as a PPC installed at a user are connected via a public network. On the user side, a communication control device for controlling communication with the management device is installed.
C is connected to this communication control device.

A telephone or a facsimile can be connected to the communication control device, and can be installed by inserting it into a user's existing line. A plurality of PPCs can be connected to the communication control device, but of course there may be a single PPC. These PPCs need not be of the same type and may be different models.
Devices other than C may be used. Here, for convenience of explanation,
It is assumed that a maximum of five PPCs can be connected to one communication control device.

The communication control device and the plurality of PPCs are R
Multidrop connection is performed according to the S-485 standard.
Communication control between the communication control device and each PPC is performed by a basic type data transmission control procedure. By establishing a data link by a polling / selecting method of centralized control using a communication control device as a control station, communication with an arbitrary PPC is possible. Each PPC can be set to a unique value by an address setting switch, thereby determining a polling address and a selecting address of each PPC.

FIG. 12 shows an outline of an operation in an electronic sort mode (a function of storing images in a memory) in a connecting operation when two copying machines are connected. Manuscript 3
The figure shows a case where a six-copy operation is performed by sorting sheets, using an operating device and another machine. The copying operation is performed between the operation device (master device: master device) and one slave device (slave device) for copying the original.

The operating device normally operates the original reading operation and the printing operation of the master device during operation. In the actual operation, the scanner image is printed as it is while the image is written in the memory in parallel. 1
After the print operation of the set is completed, the image of the second copy is read out from the memory and printed, and then the print operation of the third copy is performed. The slave device stores the image sent from the operation device in the memory. After the end of the memory storage operation, a print operation is executed. After the printing of the first copy is completed, the second copy and the third copy are processed. Also, as shown here, the designated number of copies is printed in half, but this allocation can be set freely, and it is easy to change the number of copies per copy even if either machine is interrupted. it can. It is also possible to allocate the number of remaining copies during suspension.

An example of a hardware configuration around a serial communication line will be described with reference to FIG. UART with built-in MCU
The transmission data output terminal and the reception data input terminal are connected to each other in a cross state so that commands can be exchanged. In addition to the two serial communication lines, two signal lines are provided for checking whether the power of the partner device is turned on. This signal line is connected to V
cc and pulled down on the own device side, so that the input port P10
Is H, and L is L when the other device is off. As a result, each device can determine whether or not the power of the partner device is turned on by reading the input signal level of P10.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the processing of the master unit when a test copy is performed during the connection operation. This process is performed when the test copy key is pressed, and a process of designating a printing device for the test copy is first performed (described later). Here, “Master” is specified as the designation of the printing device that performs the test copy.
"Slave" or "both" can be selected. When the printing apparatus for the test copy is determined, the information is notified to the slave unit. Thereafter, the reading of the original is repeated, and the reading is repeated until the final original. When scanning of the original is completed,
The completion of document reading is notified to the slave unit.

When the reading of the original is completed, if the printing device for the test copy is not the “child device” (that is, “the master device” or “both”), the first copy is printed by the master device. Next, if the printing device of the test copy is not the “master device” (that is, “slave device” or “both”), a first copy print request is issued to the slave device, and the process waits until the printing is completed. I do. The printing process of the master unit and the slave unit may be performed in parallel.

When the printing of the first copy is completed, FIG.
Display the continuation confirmation message as shown in and wait until the [Continue] key or [Pause] key is pressed. If the [Continue] key is pressed here, the continuation confirmation message shown in FIG. 17A is deleted, a print request for the second copy and thereafter is issued to the child device, and printing of the second copy and thereafter is performed by the master device. The processing is completed.

On the other hand, when the [Interrupt] key is pressed,
The setting of the copy mode can be changed by deleting the continuation confirmation message of (a). Here, the operator corrects the copy mode and restarts the copy process with the start key or the trial copy key. When restarting with the start key, a print request is issued from the first copy to the slave unit, and printing is also performed from the first copy by the master unit, and the process is terminated. When restarting with the trial copy key, the process of printing a trial copy is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the processing of the slave unit when the test copy is performed during the connection operation. Waiting for the completion of reading of the original by the master unit, and thereafter, if there is a print request for the second copy and thereafter from the master unit, the second and subsequent copies are printed and the process is terminated. If there is a print request from the first copy from the parent machine, printing is performed from the first copy and the process is terminated. If there is a print request for the first copy from the master machine, the first copy is printed, and a further request is awaited.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the process for designating the test copy printing apparatus described above. A test copy printing device designation screen shown in FIG. 17B is displayed, and waits for any key to be pressed. If the [both] key is selected here, the number of sets (the number of copies) is compared with the total number of connected units ("2" in this example because two units are connected). If the number of sets is smaller than the total number of connected units, a warning indicating that the number of copies has exceeded that shown in FIG. 17C is displayed, and the system waits for the operator to press the [confirm] key. Pressing the [Confirm] key deletes the copy over warning shown in FIG. 17C, and waits for designation of a trial copy printing device again. If the number of sets is larger than the total number of connected units, “both” is set as the test copy printing device, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the [parent device] key or the [child device] key is operated in the designation of the test copy printing device, the designated device is set as the test copy printing device, and the process is terminated.

In this embodiment, the printing apparatus for the test copy is specified after the test copy key is pressed. However, it is also possible to set the printing apparatus before pressing the test copy key. Also, here, an example in which two copying machines are connected has been described, but the same processing can be performed when three or more copying machines are connected and operated.

[0085]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since a test copy can be performed by another image forming apparatus, the result of printing a document by a device other than the image forming apparatus that has read the original is checked. The second and subsequent copies can be printed.
Further, when the print productivity of another image forming apparatus is higher than that of the image forming apparatus that has read a document, efficient test copy printing can be performed by utilizing the productivity.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operator can specify the image forming apparatus on which the test copy is to be printed.
A print result of an arbitrary device can be confirmed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, print results of a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be checked simultaneously.

According to the invention set forth in claim 4, in addition to the function and effect of claim 3, unnecessary printing can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a display example of a liquid crystal touch panel.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network copy system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a network copy system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of software of a network copy system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing unit (an image reading unit and an image writing unit).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a memory controller and an image memory.

10 is a timing chart showing image data for one page and various signals in the selector of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing an operation in an electronic sort mode when two copying machines are connected.

FIG. 13 is a peripheral hardware configuration diagram of a serial communication line.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a parent device when a test copy is performed during a connection operation.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a slave unit when a test copy is performed during a connection operation.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a process of designating test copy printing.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram illustrating a display example of a liquid crystal touch panel in the processing of FIGS. 14 and 15;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 automatic document feeder (ADF) 2 document table 3 feed roller 4 feed belt 5 discharge roller 6 contact glass 7 document set detection 8 first tray 9 second tray 10 third tray 11 first paper feed unit 12th 2 paper feed unit 13 third paper feed unit 14 vertical transport unit 15 photoconductor 16 transport belt 17 fixing unit 18 paper discharge unit 30 operation unit 31 liquid crystal touch panel 38 trial copy key 50 reading unit 51 exposure lamp 52 first mirror 53 lens 54 CCD image sensor 55 second mirror 56 third mirror 57 writing unit 58 laser output unit 59 imaging lens 60 mirror 64 selector 65 memory controller 66 image memory 68 CPU 80 SCSI driver 100 finisher 101 switching 102 paper discharge rollers 103, 105, 107 conveying rollers 104 discharge tray 106 stapler 108 staples base 109 jogger 110 stapled paper ejection tray 111 duplex paper feed unit 112 branch claw

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a means for reading a document, a means for printing a read image, and a method for converting image information read by any one image forming apparatus into different images. Linked copy means for transferring and printing to the forming apparatus, print number setting means for setting the number of print copies, and trial copy for printing only one copy and temporarily stopping printing regardless of the number of copies set by the print number setting means Means,
An image forming system in which a test copy print is performed by an image forming apparatus other than the apparatus that has read the original during the linked copy. 2. An image forming system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein: means for reading a document; means for printing the read image; and image information read by any one image forming apparatus. Linked copy means for transferring and printing to the forming apparatus, print number setting means for setting the number of print copies, and trial copy for printing only one copy and temporarily stopping printing regardless of the number of copies set by the print number setting means An image forming system having means for designating an image forming apparatus that performs test copy printing during linked copying. 3. An image forming system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein: means for reading a document; means for printing a read image; and image information read by any one image forming apparatus. Linked copy means for transferring and printing to the forming apparatus, print number setting means for setting the number of print copies, and trial copy for printing only one copy and temporarily stopping printing regardless of the number of copies set by the print number setting means Means for performing test copy printing in all linked image forming apparatuses during linked copying. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein test copy printing is not performed when the number of connected image forming apparatuses is larger than the number set by the print copy number setting unit.