JP2002152438A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide image forming device which enables easily category management and tandem image formation. SOLUTION: Two digital copying machines 1 (one's own machine) and 51 (counter machine) which are tandem connected are provided with the control units in which category management data managing parts in which category management data are stored are installed. When a power source of the self machine is turned on (step S1), the control unit of its own machine discriminates whether the counter machine is subjected to tandem connection in an effective state (step S2). When the tandem connection is in the effective state, category management data of the counter machine are read, the contents are compared with the contents of category management data of its own machine, and the difference between them is discriminated (step S3). If matching is not obtained, different data are so interpolated that the newest data are reflected (step S4).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a technique for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of office automation equipment, offices and the like often have a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as copying machines. The plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to each other (tandem connection), and a series of image forming operations based on the image data stored in one image forming apparatus is distributed to the image forming apparatus and another image forming apparatus. Some have a tandem image forming function to be executed.

When this function is used, for example, when a large number of copies are made by a copying machine, two (or more) copying machines including the copying machine are used based on image data of an original read by one copying machine. It is possible to assign a copying operation to a copying machine. Thus, the desired number of copies can be completed in a short time. Further, if any trouble occurs in the image forming unit of the copying machine to be used, the image forming operation can be executed by another tandem-connected image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, there is also an image forming apparatus having a function of managing data such as the number of sheets used (department management data) for each department to which a user belongs. Department management data
To identify the department to which the user belongs, the information includes data such as a department code, a password for each department code, the maximum number of sheets of paper for each department code, and the current number of sheets for each department code. The current number of sheets used is updated each time an image forming operation is performed and the sheet is used. When the current number of sheets used reaches the maximum number of sheets of paper set by the administrator, the image forming operation can no longer be executed. Since data such as the number of sheets used can be managed for each department code, for example, even when one image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of departments, the number of sheets used can be managed for each department. .

[0005]

However, when department management and tandem image formation are performed simultaneously, the conventional image forming apparatus used for tandem image formation uses the department code of the department in the department management data of each device. If not, a tandem image could not be formed. For example, even if the department code of the department to which the user belongs is registered in the image forming apparatus to be used, if the department code is not registered in another tandem-connected image forming apparatus, tandem image formation can be performed. Did not. In such a case, the department management data such as the department code must be manually input to the image forming apparatus in which the required department code is not registered, and the setting is troublesome.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily performing department management and tandem image formation.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention According to the first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, department management data for managing the number of sheets used for each department to which a user belongs is stored. Section management data storage means and tandem control for controlling tandem image formation in which a series of image forming operations based on image data stored in one image forming apparatus are distributed to the image forming apparatus and another image forming apparatus and executed. Means, a tandem connection means for interconnecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses so as to enable tandem image formation to exchange information, and determine whether the tandem connection means exists in an effective state. Tandem connection determining means, department management data of an image forming apparatus to be used, and department management data of another image forming apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. And a section management data comparison means for comparing the same items with each other, and responding to the section management data comparison means determining that the department management data is different, and updating a predetermined item of the section management data to the latest content. And a department management data control unit that updates the image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, a plurality of tandem-connected image forming apparatuses automatically compare their respective department management data and update the contents of predetermined items of the department management data as necessary. be able to. Thus, when performing tandem image formation, it is possible to set a state where a department code required for an image forming apparatus to be used exists. That is, there is no need to manually correct the department management data. Therefore, such an image forming apparatus connected in tandem can easily perform department management and tandem image formation.

The department management data may be updated to the latest content so as to completely match the target image forming apparatuses, or only the department code is registered in a necessary image forming apparatus. There may be. These can be selected depending on whether or not the upper limit of the number of sheets used for each department is managed for each image forming apparatus. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the department management data comparison means compares department management data when power is turned on.
An image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the department management data comparing means compares department management data at the time of tandem image formation. The need to add a new department code to the department management data does not occur very often. Therefore, a configuration can be adopted in which the department management data is compared when the power is turned on, and a predetermined item of the department management data is updated as necessary. This allows
In many cases, when performing tandem image formation, it is possible to set a state where a department code required for an image forming apparatus to be used exists. Further, if the department management data is compared at the time of tandem image formation, the department management data can be updated with a minimum necessary frequency.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of digital copiers 1 and 51 which are image forming apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
This shows a state in which two digital copying machines 1 and 51 having the same function are connected in tandem. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the reference numerals indicating the parts of the digital copying machine are described in the order of the digital copying machine 1 and the digital copying machine 51.

The digital copying machines 1 and 51 are provided with scanner units 2 and 52 for reading a document. The scanner units 2 and 52 include a DF (automatic document feeder) 3 and 53 for automatically conveying the set document to the document reading unit when a document is set, and a platen for setting the document by manual operation. 4, 54, and image reading CCDs 5, 55 for reading a document. The scanner units 2 and 52 are controlled by the control units 6 and 56, and the image data read by the image reading CCDs 5 and 55 is given to the control units 6 and 56.

Operation units 7 and 57 are connected to the control units 6 and 56, respectively. The operation units 7 and 57 are disposed, for example, on the front upper surface of the digital copying machines 1 and 51 or the like. The operation units 7 and 57 include key input units 8 and 58 and liquid crystal display units 9 and 5.
9, LED display units 10, 60, etc. are provided. The user inputs various operation signals via the key input units 8 and 58, and the liquid crystal display units 9 and 59, the LED display unit 10,
The contents of the operation can be confirmed through 60. The key input units 8, 58 and the liquid crystal display units 9, 59 may be of a so-called touch panel type in which these are integrated.

The control units 6 and 56 include selectors 11 and 61
And image data from the scanner units 2 and 52 are given to the selectors 11 and 61. Selector 1
Image data is transferred to the memory copy unit via
2, 62 and written. Memory copy unit 1
2, 62 are bitmap memories 13, 63 and HD
D (hard disk drive) 14 and 64. The bitmap memories 13 and 63 are memories for expanding and storing image data for printing, and the second and subsequent input image data are compressed and stored in the HDDs 14 and 64. At the time of printing, the image data stored in the HDDs 14 and 64 are decompressed and stored in the bitmap memory 1.
3 and 63, and the developed image data is transmitted via the control units 6 and 56 to the LSUs (laser scanning units) 16 and 6 of the engine units 15 and 65 for image formation (printing).
6 is transferred.

The engine units 15 and 65 are mechanisms for forming an image by an electrophotographic system.
Photoreceptor drum for forming an electrostatic latent image by using the same, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, a transfer device for transferring the toner image to paper, and a paper transport mechanism for transporting the paper And a fixing device for fixing an image transferred to a sheet. Since the configurations of the engine units 15 and 65 are already known, a description thereof will be omitted.

The control units 6 and 56 include image management units 17 and 67.
, And the image management units 17 and 67
Memory copy units 12, 62 and engine units 15, 65
Is controlled, image data for printing is read out from the memory copy units 12 and 62 and transferred to the engine units 15 and 65. Printer controllers 18 and 68 are further connected to the control units 6 and 56. Printer controller 1
Numerals 8 and 68 are connected to an external personal computer or the like, and select image data given from the personal computer or the like.
1 and 61. The image data provided via the printer controllers 18 and 68 are also stored in the memory copy units 12 and 62, similarly to the image data read by the scanner units 2 and 52, and are stored in the memory copy unit 1 and 62.
2 and 62 and supplied to the engine units 15 and 65.

The control units 6 and 56 include department management data management units 19 and 69. Department management data management unit 19,
69 includes a department code for identifying the department (organization) to which the user belongs, a password for each department code, an upper limit on the number of sheets of paper for each department code, and a department including the current number of sheets of paper for each department code. Management data is stored. The current number of sheets used is updated each time an image forming operation is performed and the sheet is used. When the current number of sheets reaches the maximum number of sheets set by the administrator,
It is also possible to prevent the image forming operation from being executed any more. The department management data can be added, deleted, changed, etc. as necessary. Since data such as the number of sheets used can be managed for each department code, the number of sheets used for each department can be confirmed or limited. Whether or not to enter the department management mode (department management mode) can be designated from the key input units 8 and 58 provided in the operation units 7 and 57.

As shown in FIG. 1, two digital copying machines 1,
When the digital copying machine 51 is connected in tandem, the image reading CCDs 5 and 55 and the printer controllers 18 and 68 of one digital copying machine 1 and 51 and the digital copying machine 5
1, 1 selectors 61 and 11 are connected. Similarly, both control units 6 and 56 are also connected. As a result, the two digital copying machines 1 and 51 are in a state (tandem mode) where they can transfer image data to each other and control each other's operations.

It is also possible to set so that the tandem mode is not executed even if the tandem connection is established. Whether to execute the tandem mode can be set by operating the tandem keys of the key input units 8 and 58 provided in the operation units 7 and 57. FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a state in which two digital copying machines 1 and 51 are connected in tandem.

The two digital copiers 1 and 51 have tandem interface boards 20 and 70 respectively.
Through a tandem interface cable 71. One tandem interface cable 71 has a plurality of wirings related to the above-described interconnections therein. When the digital copying machines 1 and 51 connected in this manner are used, for example, when copying 100 sheets of the original set in the original reading unit of the digital copying machine 1, each of the digital copying machines 1 and 51 copies 50 sheets. Can be copied one by one. Therefore, the time required for copying can be reduced.

The above operation is achieved as follows. The image data generated by the image reading CCD 5 is
The data is sent not only to the selector 11 of the digital copying machine 1 but also to the selector 61 of the digital copying machine 51. The control unit 6 of the digital copying machine 1 determines the distribution of the number of copies, and controls the control unit 56 of the digital copying machine 51 so that both the digital copying machines 1 and 51 perform the specified number of copies.
Next, a method of managing the department management data at the time of the tandem connection will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of managing the department management data when the power is turned on in the digital copying machine 1 of FIG. When the power of the digital copying machine 1 (own machine) is turned on (step S1), the control unit 6 determines whether or not another digital copying machine 51 is tandem-connected in a valid state (step S2). If the tandem connection is performed in a valid state, the control unit 6 reads the department management data stored in the department management data management unit 69 of the digital copying machine 51 (the other machine), and reads the contents and the contents of the digital copying machine 1. The contents of the department management data stored in the department management data management unit 19 are compared to determine whether the two are different (Step S).
3).

If the two do not match, the control unit 6
Different data is complemented to reflect the latest data (step S4). For example, if a department code is stored in the department management data management unit 19 but not stored in the department management data management unit 69, the department code and the password associated with it are stored in the department management data management unit. It is copied to the unit 69. Set the maximum number of paper
For example, when it is desired to separately manage the digital copying machines 1 and 51, data such as the number of sheets used is not copied, and only the section code is copied to the section management data management section 69.

Thereafter, the digital copying machine 1 enters a standby state until the next processing is instructed (step S5). If it is determined in step S2 that the tandem connection is not established, or in step S3, both department management data management units 1
Also, when it is determined that the contents of the department management data possessed by the modules 9 and 69 match, the apparatus enters a standby state (step S5). FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing a method of managing department management data at the time of tandem image formation in the digital copying machine 1 of FIG.

In the following, it is assumed that the digital copying machine 1 and the digital copying machine 51 are connected in tandem, and that both of them are in the department management mode. When the department management mode is executed, the digital copiers 1 and 51 cannot perform operations such as copying unless a password is input from the key input units 8 and 58. A password is entered (step T
1) When it is confirmed that the corresponding department code exists, the number of sheets used in subsequent copying and the like is added to the data of the current number of sheets of paper corresponding to the department code. If no operation has been performed for a certain period of time or more, a password input screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display units 9 and 59, and operations such as copying cannot be performed unless a proper password is input. .

When the tandem key of the key input unit 8 is pressed to set the digital copying machine 1 to the tandem mode (step T2), the control unit 6 causes the digital copying machine 51 (the partner machine) connected in tandem to operate. It is determined whether or not the department management data stored in the department management data management unit 69 includes the department code currently used in the digital copying machine 1 (step T3). If the department code already exists, the tandem mode is set (step T
6). If the department code does not exist, the process waits for input of an instruction as to whether or not to add the currently used department code to the department management data stored in the department management data management unit 69 (step T4). This instruction is input from the key input unit 8 of the operation unit 7.

When an instruction to add a department code is input, the control unit 6 sends data to the control unit 56 and sends the data to the control unit 5.
6 is added to the department management data of the department management data management unit 69 of the partner machine to add the department code in use (step T5). If necessary, data associated with the section code such as the number of sheets used may be copied. After the division management data is updated as described above, the digital copying machines 1 and 51 are set to the tandem mode (step T6). Thus, when a tandem image is formed, the digital copier 51 also counts the number of sheets used in the department.

If an instruction not to add a department code is input in step T4, the tandem mode is not set and the apparatus enters a normal standby state (step T7). The digital copying machines 1 and 51 do not need to manually correct the department management data, so that department management and tandem image formation can be easily performed. In the above embodiment,
The case where two digital copying machines 1 and 51 as image forming apparatuses are connected in tandem is the same, but the same applies when three or more image forming apparatuses are connected. The confirmation of the department to which the user belongs may be performed by using a magnetic card as a medium instead of inputting a password through the key input units 8 and 58.

In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a state where two digital copying machines are connected in tandem;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for managing department management data when the power is turned on in the digital copying machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of managing department management data at the time of tandem image formation in the digital copying machine of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,51 Digital copier 6,56 Control unit 19,69 Department management data management unit 71 Tandem interface cable

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Koji Mizuguchi 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Kyocera Mita Corporation (reference) 2C061 AP04 HK15 HQ02 2H027 DA50 DE07 ED30 EE08 EE10 EF01 EF06 EJ03 EJ04 EJ06 EJ08 EJ13 EJ15 ZA07 ZA09 5C062 AA05 AB20 AB22 AB42 AB49 AC04 AC60 AE15 AF07 AF12 BA00

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A department management data storage unit for storing department management data for managing the number of sheets used for each department to which a user belongs, and a series of image formation based on image data stored in one image forming apparatus Tandem control means for controlling the tandem image formation to distribute and execute the operation to the image forming apparatus and other image forming apparatuses; and a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to each other so as to enable tandem image formation. Tandem connection means for exchanging, tandem connection determination means for determining whether or not the tandem connection means is present in a valid state, department management data of an image forming apparatus to be used and connected to the image forming apparatus A department management data comparing unit that compares the department management data of another image forming apparatus with the department management data and determines the difference between the department management data and the department management data. In response to the data comparison means it has determined to be different department management data, an image forming apparatus comprising: the department management data control means for updating the predetermined items of the sector management data to the latest contents, the. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said department management data comparison means compares department management data when power is turned on. 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said department management data comparison means compares department management data at the time of tandem image formation.