JP2002354177A - Image forming device, method for controlling the image forming device, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that enhances the operability and the functionality at multiple copying without sacrificing the productivity and to provide a method for controlling the image forming device and an image forming system. SOLUTION: The size of paper sheets held in common in a paper feed stage 2905 provided in a printer 2 (remote printer) and the paper feed stages 2101 to 2104 provided in a printer 1 (local printer) is discriminated on the basis of acquired information on the paper feed stage 2905 of the printer 2, whether there exists sheets of paper of the size identical with the size of an original image calculated by automatic paper selection among the discriminated common paper sized is judged and multiple copying of the original image by the printers 1, 2 is controlled on the basis of the result of discrimination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image of an input image, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of networks in offices and the like, image forming apparatuses such as digital copiers and printers having a network connection function have been widely used. Further, image forming systems capable of performing printing and scanning via a network using this type of image forming apparatus have become widespread.

In such an image forming system, a document is scanned by a certain apparatus, and the scanned image is transmitted to a printer on a designated network and printed, thereby performing a copy operation, or the scanned image is transmitted to a plurality of printers. An operation such as a continuous copy in which copying is carried out by transmitting a message is enabled.

[0004] One of the operation modes of the digital copying machine is an operation mode for selecting an optimum paper size for performing copying, called an automatic paper selection mode. The operation of the digital copier in the automatic paper selection mode will be briefly described. First, in an image reading unit of a digital copying machine, a document size detection sensor installed in an auto feeder or a scanner unit detects a document size. Then, the image size is determined from the detected original size and the copy magnification. Further, by selecting the copy paper size most suitable for the image size from the copy paper sizes of the digital copying machine, the optimum paper size is selected. By selecting the optimum paper size using the automatic paper selection mode, the user can easily set the paper size and the like.

Here, the above-described image forming system is composed of a digital copying machine (local printer) capable of operating in the automatic paper selection mode and a plurality of printers (remote printers). It is assumed that multiple copies are performed by outputting images from a plurality of remote printers connected to a network.

Conventionally, when performing continuous copying in the automatic paper mode, the image reading unit of the local printer determines the image size from the detected original size and the copy magnification, and determines the image size from the copy paper size of the local printer. In this case, the optimum paper size is determined by selecting the most suitable copy paper size.

[0007]

However, a plurality of designated remote printers and local printers do not always have a paper cassette of an appropriate size. For example, a local printer has A4 paper, In a system in which the printer does not have A4 paper, if cascade copying is started using an A4 document, the local printer can start printing, but the remote printer is in an interrupted state because there is no A4 paper of the optimum paper size. It was like. For this reason, not only cannot the automatic paper selection function be achieved, but also the total output time is slowed down,
There is a problem in that the advantage of performing continuous copying, which is an improvement in productivity, is impaired. Further, in order to avoid the above-mentioned interrupted state, there is a problem that a complicated operation such as starting the cascade mode after operating the local printer or the like to check the state of the remote printer is required. .

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem. The present invention is provided with a sheet feeding stage of another image forming apparatus and its own apparatus based on information on a sheet feeding stage of another image forming apparatus. The sheet size to be commonly accommodated by the paper feed trays is determined, and among the determined common sheet sizes, it is determined whether or not there is one that matches the calculated image size of the input image. An image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus having improved operability and functionality during continuous copying without reducing productivity by controlling image formation of an input image in the image forming apparatus and the own apparatus, a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, It is an object to provide an image forming system.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with another image forming apparatus having a paper feed stage for forming an image via a communication medium. Image forming means for inputting an image, calculating means for calculating an image size of an image input by the image input means, and obtaining means for obtaining information on a sheet feed stage of the another image forming apparatus; A first determining unit configured to determine a sheet feeder of the another image forming apparatus and a sheet size commonly accommodated by a sheet feeder provided in the own apparatus based on the information acquired by the acquiring unit; Determining whether there is any of the common sheet sizes determined by the determining unit that matches the image size calculated by the calculating unit, and a determination result by the second determining unit. Based on the previous In the other image forming apparatus and the self apparatus, and having a control unit for controlling the image formation of the input image.

[0010] Further, according to the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a communication medium with another image forming apparatus having a paper feed stage for forming an image. A calculating step of calculating an image size of the input image, an obtaining step of obtaining information on a sheet feeding stage of the other image forming apparatus, and based on the information obtained by the obtaining step,
A first determining step of determining a sheet size commonly accommodated by a sheet feeding stage of the other image forming apparatus, a sheet feeding stage of the own apparatus, and a common sheet size determined by the first determining step. A second determining step of determining whether or not there is an image that matches the image size calculated by the calculating step; and the other image forming apparatus and the self-determining apparatus based on the determination result of the second determining step. And a control step of controlling the image formation of the input image in the apparatus.

The image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a communication medium with another image forming apparatus having a paper feed stage for forming an image. The image forming apparatus is an image input unit that inputs an image, a calculating unit that calculates an image size of the input image by the image input unit, and an obtaining unit that obtains information on a sheet feeding stage of the another image forming device, A first determination unit configured to determine, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, a sheet supply stage of the another image forming apparatus and a sheet size commonly accommodated by a sheet supply stage provided in the image forming apparatus; A second determination unit that determines whether or not there is a common sheet size determined by the determination unit that matches the image size calculated by the calculation unit; and a determination result by the second determination unit. Hazuki, in the other image forming apparatus and the self apparatus, and having a control unit for controlling the image formation of the input image.

[0012]

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

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a network of an image forming system according to the present embodiment.

A digital multifunction peripheral 1001 includes a scanner and a printer described later. The digital multifunction peripheral 1001 can transmit an image read from a scanner to a local area network 1010 (hereinafter, LAN 1010) or print out an image received from the LAN 1010 by a printer. Further, an image read from the scanner is transmitted to the PSTN or ISDN 1030 by a facsimile transmitting unit (not shown),
N or an image received from ISDN 1030 can be printed out by a printer.

Reference numeral 1002 denotes a database server which manages a binary image and a multi-valued image read by the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 as a database. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a database client of the database server 1002, which can perform browsing / searching of image data stored in the database 1002.

An electronic mail server 1004 can receive an image read by the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 as an electronic mail attachment. An e-mail client 1005 can receive and browse the e-mail received by the e-mail server 1004, and can transmit e-mail. 1006 converts the HTML document to L
A WWW server provided to the AN 1010, an H provided by the WWW server 1006 by the digital multifunction peripheral 1001.
Print out TML documents. DNS server 10
Reference numeral 07 manages a database describing the correspondence between host names and IP addresses, and makes it possible to refer to the IP address from the host name in response to a request from a client.

Reference numeral 1011 denotes a router for connecting the LAN 1010 to the Internet / intranet 1012. Devices similar to the aforementioned database server 1002, WWW server 1006, electronic mail server 1004, and digital multifunction peripheral 1001 are connected to the Internet / intranet as 1020, 1021, 1022, and 1023. On the other hand, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001
N or the fax device 103 via the ISDN 1030
1 can transmit and receive data. Also, LAN
A printer 1040 is also connected to the printer 1010 so that an image read by the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 can be printed out.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an overall hardware configuration diagram of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001. Controller unit 2
000 is connected to a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device, and is connected to a LAN 2011 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input and output image information and device information.

The CPU 2001 is a controller for controlling the entire system. RAM 2002 is CPU 2002
Is a system work memory for operation, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. ROM
A boot ROM 2003 stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data.

An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface with the operation unit 2012, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Further, information input by the user of the system from the operation unit 2012 is
It plays a role of communicating to the CPU 2001. Network 20
Reference numeral 10 is connected to the LAN 2011 to input and output information.
The modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs and outputs information. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

An image bus I / F 2005 is connected to a system bus 2007 and an image bus 20 for transferring image data at high speed.
08 is a bus bridge for converting the data structure. The image bus 2008 is a PCI bus or IEEE1
394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008. A RIP (raster image processor) 2060 develops a PDL code into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 2020 connects the controller 2000 to a scanner 2070 or a printer 2095, which is an image input / output device, and controls a synchronization system /
Perform asynchronous conversion.

The scanner image processing unit 2080 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data. The printer image processing unit performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 converts the multi-valued image data into JPEG, the binary image data into JBIG, M
The compression / expansion processing of MR and MH is performed.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an image input / output device constituting the digital multifunction peripheral 1001. A scanner unit 2070, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper serving as a document, and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert the image into raster image data 2071 into an electric signal. The original paper is in tray 2 of the original feeder 2072.
073, and when the apparatus user instructs reading and activation from the operation unit 2012, the controller CPU 2
001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2070, and the document feeder 2072 feeds the document paper one by one and performs a reading operation of the document image.

The document feeder 2072 is provided with a document size detection sensor (not shown) required to realize an automatic paper selection mode described later, and can detect the size of the set document. it can.

A printer unit 209 serving as an image output device
Reference numeral 5 denotes a part for converting raster image data 2096 into an image on paper, which is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and which directly discharges an image onto paper by discharging ink from a micro nozzle array. And the like, but any method may be used. The start of the printing operation is started by an instruction 2096 from the controller CPU 2001. The printer unit 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and includes paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103, and 2104 corresponding thereto.
The paper discharge tray 2111 receives the printed paper.

Next, the configuration of the operation unit 2012 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 2013 has a touch panel sheet affixed on the LCD, displays an operation screen of the system, and notifies the controller CPU 2001 of position information when a displayed key is pressed. A start key 2014 is used to start a document image reading operation. In the center of the start key 2014, two green and red
There is a color LED 2018, which indicates whether the start key 2014 is ready for use. A stop key 2015 functions to stop an operation in operation. ID
A key 2016 is used to input a user ID of a user. A reset key 2017 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

Next, the configuration of the scanner image processing section 2080 is shown in FIG. Image bus I / F controller 2081
Is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence, and the scanner image processing unit 2080
Generate control and timing for each device within. The filter processing unit 2082 performs a convolution operation using a spatial filter. The editing unit 2083 recognizes, for example, a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from the input image data,
The image data in the closed area is shaded, shaded,
Image processing such as negative / positive reversal is performed. Magnification processing unit 20
Numeral 84 performs enlargement and reduction by performing an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image when changing the resolution of the read image. Zooming in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). The table 2085 is a table conversion that is performed to convert image data that is read luminance data into density data. The binarization 2086 binarizes the multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing. The processed image data is again transferred to the image bus via the image bus controller 2081.

Next, the configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090 is shown in FIG. Image bus I / F controller 2091
Is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence, and the scanner image processing unit 2090
Generate control and timing for each device within. The resolution conversion unit 2092 converts image data received from the network 2011 or the public line 2051 into the printer 20.
A resolution conversion for converting to a resolution of 95 is performed. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs a process of smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary such as an oblique line) of the image data after the resolution conversion.

Next, the configuration of the image compression unit 2040 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2041 is connected to the image bus 2008 and controls the bus access sequence.
It performs timing control for exchanging data with the R.45 and control such as mode setting for the image compression unit 2043. The processing procedure of the image compression processing unit 2040 will be described below.

The CPU 200 via the image bus 2008
1 to the image bus I / F controller 2041 for setting for image compression control. With this setting, the image bus I /
The F controller 2041 sets the settings required for image compression (for example, MMR compression / JBIG
Elongation etc.). After making the necessary settings,
U2001 permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data. Subject to this permission,
The image bus I / F controller 2041 is a RAM 2002
Alternatively, transfer of image data from each device on the image bus 2008 is started. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043. At this time, the input buffer determines whether or not image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043.
Of image data from the image compression unit 2043
If it is not possible to write an image into the memory, control is performed not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as a handshake). The image compression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because when performing image compression, several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing to be performed.
This is because image compression cannot be performed unless image data for several lines is prepared before performing compression for the first line. The image data subjected to image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045. The output buffer 2045 performs handshaking with the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, and transfers image data to the image bus I / F controller 2041. The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred compressed (or decompressed) image data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from the image compression unit (for example, when an error occurs during compression and decompression). It is.

Next, the configuration of the image rotation unit 2030 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus sequence, controls the mode and the like in the image rotation unit 2032, and transfers the image data to the image rotation unit 2032. Perform control. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit will be described below.

The CPU 200 via the image bus 2008
1 to the image bus I / F controller 2031 to make settings for image rotation control. With this setting, the image bus I /
The F controller 2041 performs settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction, angle, and the like) for the image rotation unit 2032. After making the necessary settings,
U2001 permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data. Subject to this permission,
The image bus I / F controller 2031 is a RAM 2002
Alternatively, transfer of image data from each device on the image bus 2008 is started. Here, the size of the image to be rotated using 32 bits as its size is 32 × 32 (bit).
Further, it is assumed that image data is transferred in units of 32 bits when image data is transferred onto the image bus 2008 (the image to be handled is assumed to be binary).

As described above, in order to obtain a 32.times.32 (bit) image, the above-described unit data transfer needs to be performed 32 times as shown in FIG. 9, and image data is transferred from discontinuous addresses. Need to transfer.

The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written to the RAM 2033 so that the image data is rotated to a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, 90
If the rotation is counterclockwise, the first transmitted 32 bi
The image data of t is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. By reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.

Image rotation of 32 × 32 (bit) (RAM
After the completion of the writing to the image rotation unit 2033, the image rotation unit 20
The image bus I / F controller 203 reads out image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described readout method.
1 to transfer the image. The image bus I / F controller 2031 receiving the rotated image data transfers the data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008 by continuous addressing.

Such a series of processing is executed by the CPU 2001
This process is repeated until there is no more processing request from (when the required number of pages have been processed).

Next, the configuration of the device I / F unit 2020 is shown in FIG. Image bus I / F controller 2021
Is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus access sequence, and generates control and timing of each device in the device I / F unit 2020. Further, it generates control signals to the external scanner 2070 and printer 2095. The scan buffer 2022 is
The image data sent from the scanner 2070 is temporarily stored, and the image data is output in synchronization with the image bus 2008. Serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 202
Reference numeral 3 denotes an image bus 200 that arranges or decomposes image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order.
8 is converted to the data width of image data that can be transferred. The parallel / serial / serial / parallel converter 2024 decomposes or arranges the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 and converts the image data into a data width of image data that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 2008, and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer 2095.

Next, a processing procedure when the device I / F 2020 scans an image will be described below. First, the scanner 207
The image data sent from 0 is synchronized with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2070 and stored in the scan buffer 2022.

In the case where the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when the image data has entered 32 bits or more in the buffer, the image data is sent from the buffer to the serial / parallel / serial / serial converter 2023 in a first-in first-out manner for 32 bits. , And 32-bit image data, and transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2021. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the image data in the buffer is sent to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial converter 2023 from the buffer on a first-in first-out basis, is converted into serial image data, and is converted through the image bus I / F controller 2021. 2008.

Next, the processing procedure when the device I / F 2020 prints an image will be described below. Image bus 2008 is P
In the case of the CI bus, 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 202.
1 and sends it to a parallel / serial / serial / parallel converter 2024 to decompose it into image data of the number of input data bits of the printer 2095,
To save. The image bus 2008 is connected to the IEEE 139.
In the case of 4, serial image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller, sent to the parallel serial / serial / parallel converter 2024, and converted into image data of the number of input data bits of the printer 2095. The data is stored in the print buffer 2025. Then, in synchronization with a timing signal sent from the printer 2095, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 2095 on a first-in first-out basis.

Next, the overall configuration of software operating in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 will be described with reference to the software block diagram of FIG.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes a user interface (UI).
The operator controls various operations and operations of the MFP.
A module that mediates with devices when making settings.
The user interface 1501 transfers input information to various modules to be described later and requests processing or sets data according to the operation of the operator.

Reference numeral 1502 denotes an address book (Address-Boo).
k), which is a database module for managing data transmission destinations, communication destinations, and the like. The contents of the address book 1502 are added, deleted, and acquired by operation from the user interface 1501, and are used as data transmission / communication destination information to each module described later by operation of the operator.

Reference numeral 1503 denotes a web server module, which is used to notify management information of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 in response to a request from a web client (not shown). The management information is read through an API control unit (Control-API) 1518 described later, and is transmitted through an HTTP 1512, a TCP / IP 1516, and a network driver (Network-Driver) 1517 described later.
b The client is notified.

Reference numeral 1504 denotes a broadcast (Universal-Send), which is a module that manages data distribution, and distributes data specified by the operator through the user interface 1501 to a communication (output) destination similarly specified. Things. If the operator instructs to generate distribution data using the scanner function of this device,
The device is operated via an API control unit 1518 described below,
Generate data.

Reference numeral 1505 denotes a module which is executed when a printer is designated as an output destination in the broadcast 1504;
50.

Reference numeral 1506 denotes an e-mail module that is executed when an E-mail address is specified as a communication destination in the broadcast 1504.

Reference numeral 1507 denotes a module to be executed when a database is designated as an output destination in the broadcast 1504.
DB.

A DP 1508 is a module executed when a digital multifunction peripheral similar to the present apparatus is designated as an output destination in the broadcast 1504.

Reference numeral 1509 denotes a remote copy scan (Remo
te-Copy-Scan) module and the digital MFP 10
01 is a module that performs the same processing as the copy function realized by the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 by using the scanner function of No. 01 as an output destination of another digital multifunction peripheral connected via a network or the like.

Reference numeral 1510 denotes a remote copy print (Remo
te-Copy-Print) module.
001 is used as an input destination for another multifunction peripheral connected via a network or the like.
This is a module that performs processing equivalent to the copy function implemented in 1.

Reference numeral 1511 denotes a Web-Pull print.
-Print) module for reading and printing information of various homepages on the Internet or an intranet.

Reference numeral 1512 denotes an HT when the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 is an HT.
It is a module used when communicating by TP,
The communication is provided to the web server 1503 and the web pull print module 1511 by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.

Reference numeral 1513 denotes an lpr module which provides communication to a printer module 1505 in the above-mentioned broadcast distribution 1504 by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.

Reference numeral 1514 denotes an SMTP module which provides communication to an e-mail module 1506 in the above-described broadcast distribution 1504 by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.

Reference numeral 1515 denotes an SLM (Salutation-Manager).
This module provides communication to a database module 1517, a DP module 1518, a remote copy scan 1509 module, and a remote copy print 1510 module in the above-mentioned broadcast distribution 1504 by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.

Reference numeral 1516 denotes a TCP / IP communication module which provides network communication to the above-described various modules by using a network driver 1517 described later.

Reference numeral 1517 denotes a network driver.
It controls the part physically connected to the network.

Reference numeral 1518 denotes an API control unit which provides an interface to a downstream module such as a job manager (to be described later) 1519 or the like for an upstream module such as the broadcast 1504. This reduces dependencies between modules and enhances their diversion.

Reference numeral 1519 denotes a job manager (Job-Manage).
r), and the API control unit 1
It interprets the processing instructed via 518 and gives an instruction to each module described later. This module centrally manages hardware processes executed in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001.

Reference numeral 1520 denotes a codec manager (CODEC-
Manager), which manages and controls various types of compression / decompression of data in the processing instructed by the job manager 1519.

Reference numeral 1521 denotes an FBE encoder (FBE-Encode
r), which compresses data read by the scan processing executed by the job manager 1519 and the scan manager (Scan-Manager) 1524 in the FBE format.

Reference numeral 1522 denotes a JPEG codec (JPEG-COD).
EC), the JP of the data read in the scan processing executed by the job manager 1519 and the scan manager 1524 and the print processing executed by the print manager (Print-Manager) 1526.
It performs EG compression and JPEG expansion processing of print data.

Reference numeral 1523 denotes an MMR codec (MMR-CODE
C), in the scan processing executed by the job manager 1519 and the scan manager 1524, and the print processing executed by the print manager 1526, MMR compression of the read data and MMR decompression processing of the print data are performed. .

Reference numeral 1524 denotes a scan manager (Scan-Man).
ager), which manages and controls the scanning process specified by the job manager 1519.

Reference numeral 1525 denotes a SCSI driver which communicates between the scan manager 1524 and the scanner unit to which the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 is internally connected.

Reference numeral 1526 denotes a print manager (Print-Ma).
nager), which manages and controls the print processing instructed by the job manager 1519.

Reference numeral 1527 denotes an engine interface (En
gine-I / F) driver and print manager 1
It provides an I / F between the printing unit 526 and the printing unit.

Reference numeral 1528 denotes a parallel port driver, which provides an I / F when the web pull print 1511 outputs data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.

An embodiment of an embedded application according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 13 shows embedded application blocks relating to image distribution in the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 4050 denotes a block indicating a UI (User Interface) application of the operation unit according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 4100 is a block diagram showing the transmitting side of the remote copy application. 41
Reference numeral 50 is a block diagram showing a transmitting side of the broadcast (Universal Send). 4200 is a web pull print (We
b Pull Print) is a block diagram showing a module. 4
250 is a block diagram showing a web server module.

Reference numeral 4300 is a block diagram showing a remote copy receiving side (printing side). Reference numeral 4350 denotes a block diagram for receiving and printing an image transmitted by broadcast distribution using a general-purpose printer. Reference numeral 4400 is a block diagram showing a remote print receiving side (print side). Reference numeral 4450 is a block diagram for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution in a known Notes server.

Numeral 4500 is a block diagram for receiving and storing a binary image of the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution. Reference numeral 4550 is a block diagram for receiving and storing an image transmitted by broadcast distribution in a known mail server (Mail Server). Reference numeral 4600 denotes a block diagram for receiving and storing a multi-valued image transmitted from the broadcast. 4650 includes information content,
It is a figure showing a publicly known web server (Web Server). 4
Reference numeral 700 denotes a known web browser that accesses a web server or the like of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the application group will be described in detail with reference to each block.

First, the UI (User Interface) application 4050 will be described. The details of the UI shown in the block 4050 are as described above. Here, the address book (Address Book) 4051 will be described. The address book 4051 is stored in a nonvolatile storage device (such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk) in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001.
The features of the devices connected to the network are described. For example, those listed below are included. (A) Formal name or alias name of device (b) Network address of device (c) Network protocol that device can process (d) Document format that device can process (e) Compression type that device can process (f) Image resolution that can be processed by the device (g) Paper size and paper feed stage information that can be fed for printer devices (h) Folder name that can store documents for server (computer) devices Further, remote copy application 4100 The broadcast distribution application 4150, web server application 4250, and web pull print application 4200 can determine the characteristics of the distribution destination based on the information described in the address book 4051.
The address book 4051 can be edited and can be downloaded from a server computer or the like in a network and used, or can be directly referred to. Each of the above applications will be described in detail.

Remote copy application 4100
Determines the resolution information that can be processed by the device designated as the distribution destination from the address book 4051, and in accordance with the information, compresses the binary image read by the scanner using the well-known MMR compression, and compresses the binary image using the well-known TIFF. (Tagged Image
File Format), and transmits it to the printer device on the network through the SLM 4103. Although not described in detail, the SLM 4103 is a type of a network protocol including device control information called a known salutation manager, and is also called a smart link manager.

Unlike the remote copy application 4100, the broadcast application 4150 is capable of transmitting images to a plurality of distribution destinations by one image scan. The distribution destination is not limited to the printer device, and can be directly distributed to a so-called server computer. Hereinafter, description will be made in order according to the distribution destination.

When the destination device is an LPD (Line Printer Daemon) which is a known network printer protocol,
When it is determined from the address book 4051 that the known LIPS can be processed as a printer control command, the image is read according to the image resolution similarly determined from the address book 4051, and the image itself is, in this embodiment, a known FBE ( First, compression is performed using First Binari Encoding, and further LIPS-coded, and transmitted to the partner device using LPR, which is a known network printer protocol.

A device of a distribution destination can communicate with the SLM,
In the case of the server device, the server address and the designation of the folder in the server are determined from the address book 4051, and similarly to the remote copy application 4100, the binary image read by the scanner is compressed using the known MMR compression. To a known TIFF (Tagged Image Fil
e Format), and can be stored in a specific folder of the server device on the network through the SLM.

In the digital multifunction peripheral 1001, when the server serving as the partner device determines that the known JPEG-compressed multi-valued image can be processed, the multi-valued read image is read in the same manner as the binary image. Using JPEG compression of
It can also be converted into a well-known JFIF and stored in a specific folder of a server device on the network through the SLM.

When the destination device is a known E-mail server, the mail address described in the address book 4051 is determined, and the binary image read by the scanner is compressed using the known MMR compression. It is converted to a known Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) and transmitted to an E-mail server using a known Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) 4153. Subsequent distribution is performed according to mail server 4550.

Web pull print application 42
00 reads and prints information of various homepages on the Internet or an intranet.

The web server application 4250 notifies the web client of management information of its own device in response to a request from the web client.

Next, FIG. 14 shows an image forming system including the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 and performing the multiple copy which is also a feature of the present invention. The image forming system in FIG. 14 includes a printer 2902 and a printer 2903 in addition to the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 described above. The digital multifunction peripheral 1001 is connected via a local area network 1010 and can communicate.

The digital multifunction peripheral 1001 can set an automatic paper selection mode, which is an operation mode for selecting an optimum paper size in copying.

Here, the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral in the automatic paper selection mode will be briefly described. First, the scanner 20
At 70, the document size detection sensor installed on the auto feeder 2073 detects the document size. Then, the image size is determined from the detected original size and the copy magnification. Further, a sheet cassette stage 2 provided in the digital multifunction peripheral is provided.
By selecting a paper feed cassette from 101 to 2104 for storing copy paper of a size most suitable for the image size,
The optimal paper size is selected. By selecting the optimum paper size using the automatic paper selection mode, the user can easily set the paper size and the like.

Printer 2902 and Printer 2903
Are provided with paper feed cassette stages 2905 and 2906 for feeding paper for printing out images.

First, a method for acquiring information on a plurality of image input / output devices on a network will be described. When the power of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 is turned on, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 is connected to the network 1010 in an initial routine, and the CPU 2001 controls acquisition of device information. The acquired device information is stored in RAM
2002. FIG. 15 shows the acquired device information.

In FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a local printer 2095 (hereinafter referred to as printer 1), which is capable of monochrome and double-sided copying, and A4, A4, B4, and A3
This indicates that there is a paper cassette of a size, staples are present, and the performance is 60 pages / minute. Similarly, the first retrieved No. 2 remote printer 29
02 (hereinafter referred to as printer 2) is color, duplex printing is not possible,
The paper feed stages are A4, B4, 30 pages / minute, and No. The printer 2903 (hereinafter referred to as printer 3) of No. 3 indicates monochrome, double-sided printing is impossible, and the paper feed stages are A4, A3, staples, and 60 pages / min.

Next, a description will be given of an operation procedure in the case where the continuous copying with the automatic paper selection via the network is executed in the image forming system shown in FIG. 14, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 16 is performed by the CPU 2 of the printer 1 (digital multifunction peripheral 1001).
001.

First, a printer that performs multiple copying is selected from a plurality of printers on the network 1010 and a local printer. Here, it is assumed that the continuous copying is performed using the printer 1 and the printer 2 as an example. The user sets an A4 size original on the auto feeder 2073, and sets an automatic paper mode and a normal size mode from an operation unit on the scanner 2070. Then, in response to the start button being pressed by the operator, copying in the multiple copy mode and the automatic paper selection mode is started based on the input setting information (S1601).

When an instruction to start copying is given, a document is sent from the auto feeder, and the document size A4 is recognized. Next, the flow advances to step S2602 to calculate an optimum image size based on the recognized document size and the set mode. In this case, since the original is A4 and is in the same size mode, A4 is obtained (S1602).

Next, paper feed stage information of the printer 2 of the selected remote printer is obtained from the data obtained by obtaining the device information (S1603). Here, the paper feed stage information of each printer is as shown in FIG. Printer 1 (Printer 2)
905) include the A4 size, plain paper in the first stage, A4 size, colored paper in the second stage, B4 size in the third stage, plain paper in the fourth stage, A3 size in the fourth stage, and plain paper. Is housed. In the paper feed tray of the printer 2 (printer 2902),
A4 size plain paper is stored in the first tier, and B4 size plain paper is stored in the second tier. Printer 3 (Printer 2903)
A4 size, thick paper in the first stage, A in the second stage
Contains three sizes of plain paper. It can be determined that the selected printer 2 (printer 2902) has A4 size plain paper in the first row and B4 size plain paper in the second row.

Next, a paper size common to the printer 1 and the printer 2 is determined (S1604). In the printer 1,
Since there are A4, B4, and A3 sizes, the common paper sizes are A4 and B4.

Next, it is determined whether or not the common paper size obtained in step S1604 includes an optimum paper size for outputting a document having the optimum image size obtained in step S1602 (S1605). Here, since the common paper size is A4 and B4 and the optimal image size is A4, it is determined that there is an optimal paper size A4.

Then, the printer 1 and the printer 2 are instructed to print using the paper size A4, and the printing operation is started (S1606). In the printer 1, in consideration of the fact that the A4 paper of the printer 2 is plain paper, printing is performed by feeding the paper from the first cassette paper feeding stage, and at the same time, the A4 size image read into the printer 2 is read. Over the network. When the printer 2 receives the image, the image size is A4.
Printing is performed by selecting the first sheet feeding cassette.

Next, a description will be given of a case in which the original A3 is copied in the same size, automatic paper mode when performing the multiple continuous copy using the print 1 and the print 2. In this case, the optimum size is determined to be A3 in step S1602, and
At 04, the paper sizes common to the printers 1 and 2 are determined to be A4 and B4. Then, an optimum paper size candidate is determined from these.

Therefore, in step S1605, the printer 1 sets A3 to the optimum image size A3.
Although there is paper of the size, the printer 2 does not have paper of this size, so it is determined that there is no optimal paper size.

In this case, as shown in FIG.
That there is no A3, which is the optimal size, and that there is B4 size paper as the next candidate (S160)
7). The user confirms that A3 has been replenished to the printer 2 and restarts the operation. Alternatively, if the paper size can be B4, the user selects B4 on the touch panel. You may make it.

When the B4 size is selected and restarted, the local printer 1 feeds and prints the paper from the third cassette paper feed stage having the B4 size, and reads the B4 size into the printer 2 at the same time. An A3-size image is designated as a sheet B4 and transmitted via a network.
When the image is received, the printer 2 selects the second paper feed cassette and performs printing because the paper B4 is designated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the automatic paper selection mode is selected to perform the continuous copying, the paper feed tray of the remote printer is determined based on the acquired paper feed tray information of the remote printer. And the paper size commonly accommodated by the paper feed stages provided in the local printer, and determines whether any of the determined common paper sizes matches the image size determined by the automatic paper selection mode. Then, the cascade copy is controlled based on the determination result.

As a result, the image size and the paper size can be reliably and easily matched with each other, so that the operability and functionality when performing the continuous copying in the automatic paper selection mode can be improved.

If it is determined that none of the common sheet sizes matches the obtained image size, the fact is displayed on the operation unit, so that it is easy to cope with an error and the system Stop time can be reduced.

In addition, when an error occurs, the next candidate common paper size is displayed, and in accordance with an operation input to select the size, multiple consecutive copying is performed using paper of the next candidate common paper size. Therefore, even when an error occurs, an output result using a common paper size can be reliably obtained.

In this embodiment, an example is described in which a digital multifunction peripheral is used as a local printer and a printer alone is used as a remote printer as an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image forming apparatuses such as a facsimile apparatus may be used. Needless to say, the present invention can be implemented by various types of image forming apparatuses and their combinations.

It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where three or more copies are used instead of two copies.

[0107]

As described above, according to the present invention, based on the acquired information on the paper feed stage of another image forming apparatus, the paper feed stage of the other image forming apparatus and the paper feeder provided in the own apparatus are provided. The sheet size commonly accommodated by the columns is determined, and among the determined common sheet sizes, it is determined whether or not any of the determined common sheet sizes matches the calculated image size of the input image, and other image formation is performed based on the determination result. By controlling the image formation of the input image in the apparatus and the own apparatus, there is an effect that the operability and the functionality at the time of the continuous copying are improved without lowering the productivity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall hardware configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image input / output device included in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit 2012.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit 2080.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer image processing unit 2090.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image compression unit 2040.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image rotation unit 2030.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating data transfer related to image rotation.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating reading and writing of data related to image rotation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device I / F unit 2020.

FIG. 12 is a software block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of software.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an embedded application block related to image distribution.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system in which remote copy is executed in the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of acquired device information.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure in a case where a continuous copy with automatic sheet selection is executed.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of acquired paper feed stage information of each device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a display screen when an optimum paper size does not exist.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1001 Digital multifunction peripheral 1010 Local area network 2013 LCD display 2070 Scanner unit 2072 Document feeder 2073 Tray 2095 Printer unit 2902 Remote printer (Printer 1) 2903 Remote printer (Printer 2)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 378 G03G 21/00 378 386 386 396 396 G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 MF term (Reference) ) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AP07 BB10 HH03 HJ03 HK07 HK11 HL01 HN02 HN15 HN27 HP08 HV11 HV33 2H027 DB09 DC19 DE07 EC01 ED17 EJ15 FA04 FA05 FA06 FA30 FB13 GA20 GA23 GA47 GB05 GB16 5B021 AA02 AK04 AB06 A35 A38 AB05 BA04

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a communication medium with another image forming apparatus having a paper feed stage for image formation, comprising: an image input unit for inputting an image; Calculating means for calculating the image size of the input image; obtaining means for obtaining information on the paper feed stage of the other image forming apparatus; and feeding the other image forming apparatus based on the information obtained by the obtaining means. A step, first determining means for determining a sheet size to be commonly accommodated by a sheet feeder provided in the own apparatus, and a common sheet size determined by the first determining means, calculated by the calculating means. A second determination unit that determines whether there is an image that matches the image size; and, based on a determination result by the second determination unit, image formation of the input image in the other image forming apparatus and the own apparatus. To An image forming apparatus comprising: the Gosuru control means. A display unit for displaying information relating to image formation, wherein the second determination unit determines that none of the common sheet sizes matches the calculated image size. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the case, the control unit controls the display unit so as to display the fact. 3. The control means controls the display means to further display another common sheet size for outputting the input image, and receives an operation input for selecting the other common sheet size. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus controls the image forming of the input image in the other image forming apparatus and the apparatus using the sheet having the other common sheet size. 4. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a communication medium with another image forming apparatus having a paper feed stage for image forming, comprising: a calculating step of calculating an image size of an input image; An acquisition step of acquiring information on a paper feed stage of the other image forming apparatus; and a paper feed stage of the other image forming apparatus and a paper feed stage of the own apparatus based on the information acquired in the acquisition step. A first determination step of determining a sheet size to be commonly accommodated, and whether or not any of the common sheet sizes determined in the first determination step matches the image size calculated in the calculation step And a control step of controlling image formation of the input image in the other image forming apparatus and the own apparatus based on a result of the determination in the second determination step. Feature Control method. 5. When the second determination step determines that none of the common sheet sizes matches the calculated image size, the control step displays the fact on a display. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the control is performed. 6. The control step further includes: displaying another common sheet size for outputting the input image, and responding to an operation input to select the other common sheet size.
The control method according to claim 5, wherein image forming of the input image in the other image forming apparatus and the own apparatus is controlled using the sheet having the other common sheet size. 7. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a communication medium with another image forming apparatus having a paper feed stage for forming an image, wherein the image forming apparatus inputs an image. Image input means, calculating means for calculating an image size of an image input by the image input means, obtaining means for obtaining information on a paper feed stage of the other image forming apparatus, and information obtained by the obtaining means A first sheet determining unit that determines a sheet size commonly accommodated by a sheet feeding stage of the other image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding stage provided in the own apparatus; and a common sheet determined by the first determining unit. A second determining unit that determines whether or not there is a size that matches the image size calculated by the calculating unit; and the other image forming apparatus based on a determination result by the second determining unit. Passing Image forming system characterized in that it has in its own device, and control means for controlling the image formation of the input image. 8. The image forming apparatus further comprises a display unit for displaying information related to image formation, wherein the second determination unit matches one of the common sheet sizes with the calculated image size. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein when it is determined that there is no image, the control unit controls the display unit so as to display the fact. 9. The control means controls the display means so as to further display another common sheet size for outputting the input image, and receives an operation input for selecting the other common sheet size. 9. The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein the image forming of the input image in the other image forming apparatus and the own apparatus is controlled by using the sheet having the other common sheet size.