JP2003215871A - Image forming device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which is easily compatible with the communication means of an accessory and to provide an image forming system including the image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device is provided with the communication means that enables several types of communication methods. When the accessory is connected to the device, the device identifies the communication method of the communication means of the accessory, thereby setting a compatible communication means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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 to which an image forming apparatus including a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, a complex machine of these and the like and an accessory device are connected.
In particular, it relates to a connection technique between an image forming apparatus and an auxiliary device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an image forming apparatus is constructed so that auxiliary devices such as a post-processing device, an image reading device, an automatic document feeder, and a paper feeding device can be connected, and the function is expanded by combining these auxiliary devices. An image forming system is configured.

Conventionally, a product form of an image forming system has been built around an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system in which any of the above-mentioned accessory devices is combined is provided to a user as an option according to a user's needs. But
For the image forming device of a specific model, the attached devices are such as one kind of post-processing device, one kind of image reading device, one kind of automatic document feeder and one kind of paper feeding device. , Only one set of accessories is available.

In the form of such an image forming system,
The communication method between the image forming apparatus and the auxiliary apparatus will be determined according to the configuration of the image forming apparatus, and the auxiliary apparatus is designed to have a communication means suitable for the image forming apparatus.

[0005]

In recent years, there is a tendency to meet user needs in detail, so that a plurality of types of auxiliary devices having a specific function are connected to a specific model of image forming apparatus. It is hoped that it will be possible. In addition, the producers of the image forming device and the accessory device often differ, and moreover, the producers often differ depending on the type of the accessory device, and a plurality of types of post-processing devices are selected for a specific model image forming device. There are not a few cases where they are connected physically.

In such a situation, it may be necessary to match the image forming apparatus to the communication means possessed by the auxiliary device regarding the communication method. In such a case, in the conventional image forming system, it is necessary to change the structure or function of the image forming apparatus in order to match the communication means of the image forming apparatus with the communication means of the auxiliary device, which improves the performance of the image forming system. It was a problem in doing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to solving such a problem in connection between an image forming apparatus and an auxiliary device, and an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can be easily adapted to communication means provided in the auxiliary device. It is an object to provide an image forming system including the same.

[0008]

The above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by the following invention.

1. Connection means for connecting an accessory device, detection means for detecting that the accessory device is connected, communication means for communicating with the accessory device, recognition means for recognizing the connected accessory device, and between the accessory device And a selecting means for selecting the communication method. When the accessory device is connected, the detecting means detects the connection and the recognizing means detects the accessory device. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a type is recognized, the communication method is discriminated by the discrimination means, and the selection means selects the communication method based on the discrimination of the discrimination means.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1, wherein the determining unit determines the communication method regarding transfer speed.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2 above, wherein the determining unit determines the communication method regarding a communication data format.

4. The above-mentioned discrimination means discriminates between a clock synchronous type and a clock asynchronous type.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3.

5. Connection means for connecting an accessory device, detection means for detecting that the accessory device is connected, communication means for communicating with the accessory device, which communication method can be changed, and the accessory connected Recognition means for recognizing the device, and selection means for selecting the communication method,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the selecting means selects the communication method of the communication means based on the recognition of the recognition means.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to 5, wherein the selection unit selects the communication method regarding transfer speed.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to 5 or 6, wherein the selecting unit selects the communication method regarding a communication data format.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 5 to 7 above, wherein the selecting unit selects a clock synchronization type communication method or a clock asynchronous type communication method.

9. 9. An image forming system, comprising: the image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 8; and an accessory device that is connected to the image forming apparatus and that communicates with the image forming apparatus.

10. 10. The image forming system as described in 9 above, wherein the auxiliary device includes a post-processing device that post-processes a recording sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming apparatus.

11. 11. The image forming system as described in 9 or 10 above, wherein the attached device includes an image reading device that reads an image and transmits image data to the image forming device.

12. 12. The image forming system according to any one of 9 to 11, wherein the attached device includes an automatic document feeder.

13. 13. The image forming system according to any one of 9 to 12, wherein the accessory device includes a paper feeding device that supplies recording paper to the image forming device.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, A is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic method,
B is an image reading device that reads an image of a document and outputs image data, C is an automatic document feeder that conveys the document to a reading position, and D is a sorter or a stapler for the recording paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus A. A post-processing device that performs post-processing such as ring and punching, and E is a large-capacity paper feeding device that stores the recording paper P to be supplied to the image forming apparatus A.

The image forming apparatus A has a photoconductor 11, and the photoconductor 11 is formed by known charging means, exposing means, developing means and the like.
Image forming means 12 for forming a toner image thereon, photoconductor 11
Transfer means 19 for transferring the above toner image onto recording paper, and paper feed units 13, 14, 1 for accommodating recording paper P on which an image is formed.
5, a recording paper reversal conveyance unit 17 for double-sided image formation, and a fixing device 40 for fixing the toner image formed on the recording paper P. Reference numeral 18 is a registration roller.

The toner image formed on the photoconductor 11 by charging, exposing and developing is transferred onto the recording paper P by the transfer means 19 and fixed by the fixing device 40.

The fixing device 40 has a heating roller and a pressure roller which rotates while being in pressure contact with the heating roller.
Further, the surface temperature of the heating roller is detected by the temperature detecting means, and the heating source built in the heating roller is on / off controlled via a control unit (not shown) based on the detected information. , Is kept within a predetermined range.

The paper feed section 13 has a paper feed means 131 which is activated by a paper feed start signal and separates and feeds the recording papers P stored in the cassette 132 one by one. Paper feed unit 14, 1
Similarly, 5 has a sheet feeding means 141 and a cassette 142, and a sheet feeding means 151 and a cassette 152, respectively. The large-capacity paper feeding device E includes a large-capacity recording paper storage unit 162,
The recording paper P is fed one by one from the top by the paper feeding means 161.

The image reading apparatus B has an image sensor 24 for receiving image light and converting it into an image signal, and a platen glass 25 on which an original is placed, and the original or platen glass 25 conveyed by the automatic original conveying apparatus C. The document placed on the top is read to generate image data.

The automatic document feeder C conveys the document placed on the document feed table 21 from the platen roller 22 to the sheet discharge table 23, and the image reading is performed below the platen roller 22.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus and the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus A includes a control means 50 and a ROM.
51, RAM 52, non-volatile memory 53, connector 55,
58, communication means 56, 59, detection means 60, recognition means 6
1 and a selector 62.

The control means 50 is composed of a CPU and controls the above-mentioned image formation and controls the communication with the accessory device and the connection control with the accessory device. Reference numeral 51 is a read-only memory storing a control program, reference numeral 52 is a readable / writable memory used as a work memory or the like used when the control means 50 performs data processing,
Reference numeral 53 is a non-volatile memory that stores data necessary for controlling the image forming system.

Reference numerals 54 and 57 are auxiliary devices, for example, 5
A post-processing device 4 is connected to the image forming device 4, and a plurality of auxiliary devices 54 and 57 having different functions, such as an image reading device, are connected to the image forming device A. In the present embodiment, as the accessory device 54,
For example, auxiliary devices of the same type and different types, such as a plurality of types of post-processing devices, are selectively connected. The attached devices to be connected include the image reading device B, the automatic document feeder C, the post-processing device D, and the large-capacity paper feeding device E in FIG. These accessory devices are connectors 5 as connecting means.
The image forming apparatus A is connected via 5, 58 and a cable. Reference numerals 56 and 59 are communication means of the image forming apparatus. The communication unit 56 includes a plurality of communication units like the communication units 56A, 56B and 56C.

These communication means 56A, 56B, 56C
Corresponds to the type of communication means included in the auxiliary device connectable to the image forming apparatus A. The communication means 59 also includes a plurality of communication means 59A, 59B, 59C.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a detection means for detecting that the auxiliary device 54 or 57 is connected to the image forming apparatus A, and is composed of a CPU constituting the control means 50.

Reference numeral 61 is a recognition means for recognizing the type of the attached accessory device. The recognition means 61 is configured by a program in software, electrically or mechanically. The recognition means 61 configured by a program is configured to recognize four types of post-processing devices 1 to 4 by a 2-bit signal, for example. The electrical configuration recognizing means 61 is, for example, as shown in Table 1, H of inputs of two ports.
Four types of post-processing devices (FNS1 to FNS4) are recognized by the combination of (high) and L (low). The mechanical configuration recognition unit 61 recognizes the types of the accessory devices 54 and 57 by opening and closing a plurality of switches provided in the image forming apparatus with actuators provided in the accessory devices 54 and 57.

[0037]

[Table 1]

The communication means 56A has a transfer rate a, a communication data format a, clock synchronization, and a communication means 56B has
Transfer rate b, communication data format b, clock asynchronous, ..., Communication means 56A to 56C, 59A
59C corresponds to a communication method of an auxiliary device that may be connected to the image forming apparatus A. In the control means 50 as the determination means, the attached devices 54 and 57 connected based on the recognition of the recognition means 61 are the communication means 56A to 56C and 59.
The selector 62 serving as a selection unit determines which of the A to 59C corresponds, and the selector 62 as a selection unit selects a communication unit suitable for the auxiliary devices 54 and 57 connected from the communication units 56A to 56C and 59A to 59C. select.

The transfer rate is, for example, 9600 bp.
There are types such as s and 19200 bps, and communication data formats include, for example, those shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example of a motor drive command.
In FIG. 3A, one command is composed of a 5-byte signal consisting of a synchronization code signal d1, command signals d2 and data signals 1 to 3 shown by d3 to d5. In FIG. 3B, one command is a command signal d1. And a 4-byte signal composed of data signals d1 to d4 indicated by d2 to d4. In FIG. 3C, one command is a sync code signal d.
1, transfer byte number signal d2, command signals d3 and d4
Is composed of a 6-byte signal composed of data signals 1 to 3 indicated by d6.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of connection control when connecting the accessory devices 54 and 57 to the image forming apparatus A.

When the accessory device 54 or 57 is connected, the connection of the detecting means 60 is detected (F1). Next, the recognition unit 61 performs option recognition, that is, recognition of the type of the auxiliary device 54 or 57 to which the control unit 50 is connected (F2). Next, in F3, whether the clock is synchronous or asynchronous and the communication data format are determined, and in F4, the transfer rate is determined.

In the process of determining the communication method in F3 and F4, the control means 50 as the discrimination means discriminates each element such as the transfer speed, the communication data format, and the transfer form based on the recognition result of the recognition means 61. The control means 50 individually determines each of the elements of the communication method, and one of the communication means 56A, 56B, 56C is selected as a result of the selector 62 as the selection means selecting the communication method. As another communication method determining method, as the communication means 56A, 56B or 56C, a communication method such as a transfer speed, a transfer form, a transfer data format, etc. is prepared in advance, and the selector 62 is determined based on the recognition of the recognition means 61. There is also a method of selecting.

After determining the communication method in F3 and F4,
Auxiliary device 54 in the F5 option initialization step
Alternatively, 57 is initialized, and initial communication is performed in F6. Data necessary for the operation of the auxiliary device is stored in the image forming apparatus A, and such data is transferred from the image forming apparatus to the auxiliary device 54 or 57 in the initial communication of F6.

[0044]

According to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of types of auxiliary devices can be connected to one image forming apparatus, for example, one type can be selected from several types of post-processing devices. Since it is possible to select and connect one type from among them without changing the structure or function of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to configure an image forming system having various functions based on one image forming apparatus. This makes it possible to meet a variety of user needs, and allows different producers to connect different types of accessory devices to one image forming apparatus, thereby streamlining the production process.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram block diagram of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a communication data format.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of connection control when connecting an accessory device to an image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

50 control means 51 ROM 52 RAM 53 non-volatile memory 54, 57 auxiliary device 55, 58 connector 56, 56A, 56B, 56C, 59, 59A, 59
B, 59C communication means 60 detection means 61 recognition means 62 selector

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04L 29/06 H04N 1/00 C 5C062 H04N 1/00 H04L 13/00 305C 5K034 (72) Inventor Eiji Anzai 2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo Konica Stock Company F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ06 AR03 HJ08 HK08 2H027 DA28 DE07 ED06 ED12 ED29 EE10 FA21 FA22 FA30 ZA09 2H071 AA22 BA20 DA02 DA18 DA24 DA34 2H072 A01 FC02 A01 BD07 CB07 LA01 LA14 LB01 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB21 AB29 AB40 AC48 AE13 AF00 AF14 BA00 5K034 AA20 FF02 HH63 LL01 MM08

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A connection unit for connecting an accessory device, a detection unit for detecting that the accessory device is connected, a communication unit for communicating with the accessory device, a recognition unit for recognizing the connected accessory device, A determining means for determining a communication method with an accessory device, and a selecting means for selecting the communication method, and when the accessory device is connected, the connection is detected by the detecting means, and the recognizing means. By recognizing the type of the accessory device, by the determination means to determine the communication method,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the selecting means selects the communication method based on the judgment of the judging means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the communication method relating to a transfer rate. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the communication method regarding a communication data format. 4. The discrimination means discriminates between a clock synchronous type and a clock asynchronous type.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. A connection means for connecting an accessory device, a detection means for detecting that the accessory device is connected, a communication means for communicating with the accessory device, and a communication means capable of changing a communication method, A recognition means for recognizing the attached auxiliary device and a selection means for selecting the communication method, wherein the selection means selects the communication method of the communication means based on the recognition of the recognition means. Image forming apparatus. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the selection unit selects the communication method relating to a transfer rate. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the selecting unit selects the communication method regarding a communication data format. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the selection unit selects a clock synchronization type communication method or a clock asynchronous type communication method. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, and an accessory device that is connected to the image forming apparatus and that communicates with the image forming apparatus. Image forming system. 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary device includes a post-processing device that post-processes a recording sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming device. 11. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary device includes an image reading device that reads an image and transmits image data to the image forming device. 12. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the accessory device includes an automatic document feeder. 13. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary device includes a paper feeding device that supplies recording paper to the image forming device.