JP2004185039A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that has no double-face printing function as a standard item and can contribute to energy saving (resource saving) by automatically switching to select a double-face printing function with priority, in the case where the double-face printing function is added as an extended function to the image forming apparatus after the apparatus is put on the market. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with a reading unit for reading a document, a writing unit for writing the read document to a photoreceptor, an image forming unit for visualizing a written image and forming it on transfer paper as an image, and a double-face printing unit for printing on both sides of transfer paper. The apparatus is further provided with a detecting means which detects the connection or non-connection of a double-face printing means for printing on both sides of transfer paper. When the detecting means detects that the double-face printing means is added to the apparatus as the extended function, the image forming apparatus concurrently selects, with priority, the function for performing double-face printing from a single-sided document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an energy-saving image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus characterized by an energy-saving operation corresponding to use of a double-sided printing function.

  Energy saving means resource saving by adapting to the International Energy Star and reducing power consumption when the machine is not used for a certain period of time or by printing single-sided originals on both sides to reduce transfer paper consumption. Function that promotes

  The printing functions are roughly classified into two types, a main function and a sub function. Usually, the sub functions can be combined, but the main functions cannot be combined. The definition of master-slave may change depending on the function of interest. Here, the function regarding the copy surface will be described. For example, the one-sided printing function and the two-sided printing function are relationships between the main functions, and it is easy to understand if the density setting and the like are considered to be subordinate functions. On the other hand, the consolidation function is a function of converting (or reducing) a plurality of originals into one transfer image, and the one-sided original → double-sided printing is a transfer in which images are formed on both sides by performing double-sided printing from a single-sided original. These are the functions for obtaining paper, and these are the relationships between the main functions.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, one-sided document → one-sided printing is basically used. For example, if one-sided document → two-sided printing is selected, one-sided document → two-sided printing is performed unless one of the functions is mistakenly canceled. Certain aggregation functions are prohibited from selection. Prohibiting the selection of the aggregation function is one of the important controls for preventing erroneous operations.

  On the other hand, there are many image forming apparatuses that are not equipped with a double-sided printing function as standard. It is necessary to recommend such an image forming apparatus to additionally use a double-sided printing apparatus in order to promote the above-mentioned energy saving. Then, when a double-sided printing apparatus is attached or introduced, it is set so that double-sided printing is automatically selected with priority, so that the energy saving effect of the double-sided printing function is obtained.

As a related technique, for example, a printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known.
JP-A-7-336490

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus having the double-sided printing function capable of saving energy as described above, since the equivalent main function cannot be set unless the single-sided document → the double-sided printing function is canceled, it is possible to surely prevent malfunction. Yes, but very poor operability. However, if the settings for all the main functions are made effective in the same manner as the case of the sub-functions, there is a problem that settings contrary to energy saving (resource saving) such as double-sided document → single-sided printing can be easily performed.

  In addition, when a double-sided printing unit is attached or introduced as described above, double-sided printing may not be suitable depending on the user's intended use. In such a case, the operability may be extremely poor.

  Furthermore, in an image forming apparatus that is set to preferentially select the duplex printing function, if the duplex printing function fails, the image forming apparatus cannot be operated unless the duplex printing function is canceled each time. Inconvenience also occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a case where an image forming apparatus not equipped with a duplex printing function as a standard is added as an extended function after being shipped to the market. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of promoting energy saving (resource saving) by automatically switching to select a double-sided printing function with priority.

  The second object is that when a new double-sided printing function is added, switching is performed so that the double-sided printing function is preferentially selected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the operability by making it possible to perform an operation according to the user's intention without giving priority to the double-sided printing function.

  A third object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of automatically setting priority on the one-sided printing function when an abnormality in the double-sided printing function is detected and improving operability in the event of an abnormality. It is in.

  A fourth object is to improve the operability when the abnormality of the double-sided printing function is restored, by returning to the setting before the occurrence of the abnormality to prevent the setting from being unintended by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the first object, the first means is an image forming apparatus including a reading means for reading an original, and a printing means for forming a read image on a transfer paper, wherein the printing is performed on both sides of the transfer paper. Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of connection of the two-sided printing means, and a two-sided means for preferentially selecting a function for performing two-sided printing from a one-sided document when the detecting means detects that the two-sided printing means is added by an extended function. Print selection means.

  In order to achieve the second object, in the image forming apparatus based on the same premise as the first means, the second means comprises a detecting means for detecting whether or not a double-sided printing means for printing on both sides of the transfer paper is connected. When the detecting means detects that the double-sided printing means is newly connected, a switching means for preferentially switching to a function of performing double-sided printing from a single-sided document is provided.

  In order to achieve the third object, a third means includes an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the double-sided printing means in the first or second means, and an abnormality of the double-sided printing means detected by the abnormality detecting means. In this case, a single-sided printing selecting means for preferentially selecting a single-sided printing function for performing single-sided printing is further provided.

  In order to achieve the fourth object, the fourth means gives priority to the third means, an abnormality recovery detecting means for detecting the recovery of an abnormality of the double-sided printing means, and one of a one-sided printing function and a two-sided printing function. Priority printing switching means for switching between the two, and when the abnormality repair detection means detects that the abnormality of the double-sided printing means has been repaired, printing by the priority printing function selected by the priority printing switching means before the abnormality detection. Control means for returning to the state is further provided.

  The present invention provides a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of connection of a duplex printing means for printing on both sides of a transfer sheet, and, when detecting that the duplex printing means has been added by an extended function, detects a duplex printing from a single-sided original. And a double-sided printing selection unit that preferentially selects the function that performs the printing, so that if an image forming apparatus that is not equipped with the double-sided printing function as standard equipment is added to the market and then added as an extended function, By switching to select the double-sided printing function first, energy saving (resource saving) can be promoted.

  According to the present invention, detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of connection of a double-sided printing means for printing on both sides of a transfer sheet, and detecting that a double-sided printing means is newly connected by the detecting means, the one-sided original is converted to a two-sided original. Since there is provided switching means for preferentially switching to a function for performing printing, it is possible to perform an operation that meets the user's intention, thereby improving operability.

  According to the present invention, an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the double-sided printing means, and a single-sided printing selection for preferentially selecting a single-sided printing function for performing one-sided printing when the abnormality detecting means detects an abnormality of the double-sided printing means. Means are additionally provided, so when a new double-sided printing function is added, switching is performed so that the double-sided printing function is preferentially selected, and when the user dares to set again to give priority to single-sided printing, In addition, operability can be improved by not giving priority to the double-sided printing function and enabling an operation that matches the user's intention.

According to the present invention, the abnormality repair detecting means for detecting the repair of the abnormality of the double-sided printing means, the priority print switching means for switching between the one-sided printing function and the two-sided printing function, and the abnormality repair detecting means, Control means for returning to the printing state by the priority printing function selected by the priority printing switching means before the abnormality is detected, when it is detected that the abnormality of the two-sided printing means has been repaired. When the abnormality has been recovered, the setting before the occurrence of the abnormality is restored to prevent the setting from being unintended by the user, thereby improving the operability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a bundle of documents placed on a document table 2 provided in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as an ADF) 1 with the image side of the document facing up is pressed when the start key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed. The document is fed from the lowermost document to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. After reading the image data of the document on the contact glass 6 by the reading unit 50, the read document is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection sensor 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a motor.

  The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeding device 11, the second sheet feeding device 12, and the third sheet feeding device 13, respectively, and are vertically conveyed. The sheet is transported by the unit 14 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and the image is discharged to the finisher 100 of the post-processing device by the sheet discharging unit 18.

  The finisher 100 of the post-processing device can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 19 of the main body toward the normal paper discharge roller 102 and the staple processing unit. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal sheet discharge tray 104 via the transport roller 103. By switching the switching plate 101 downward, the sheet can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper stacked on the staple table 108 is aligned with the jogger 109 for paper alignment every time one sheet is discharged, and is stapled by the stapler 106 when a part of the copy is completed. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the stapling completion paper discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

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

  When forming an image on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed and imaged from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is not guided to the paper discharge tray 104 side, and the branch claw 112 for path switching is set. By setting it on the upper side, it is once stocked in the duplex sheet feeding unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper supply unit 111 is re-fed from the duplex paper supply unit 111 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 again, and the branch claws 112 for switching the path. Is set on the lower side, and guided to the discharge tray 104. The double-sided paper supply unit 111 is used when an image is formed on both sides of the transfer paper in this manner.

  The photoconductor 15, the transport belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18, and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor (not shown), and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 is driven by transmitting the driving of the main motor by a paper feeding clutch. You. The vertical transport unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch.

2. Operation Unit FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the operation unit (operation panel) 30.

  The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a mode clear key 35, an initial setting key 38, and the like. A message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a display on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30.

  When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. If the details of the function need to be specified (for example, a variable magnification value in the case of variable magnification), a key is touched to display a detailed function setting screen. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses the dot display, the optimal display at that time can be graphically performed. In the upper left of FIG. 3, a message area for displaying a message such as "Ready to copy" or "Please wait" is displayed. On the right is a copy number display area for displaying the set number of sheets. Automatic density key, automatic paper selection key to automatically select the transfer paper, sort key to specify the process of aligning copies one by one in the page order, stack key to specify the process of sorting copies by page, A staple key for specifying the binding process for each part, a 1x key for setting the magnification to 1x, a scaling key for setting the enlargement / reduction ratio, a 2x key for setting the duplex mode, a binding margin mode, etc. An erase / move key and a print key for setting printing of a stamp, a date, a page, and the like. The selected mode is shaded with keys.

3. Operation up to latent image formation of image read by image reading unit The operation of the image reading unit and the operation up to the formation of a latent image on a recording surface in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. .

  A latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating the image on the photoreceptor surface. The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. . The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electric signal, and processed. By moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, the image magnification changes. That is, the positions of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction are set corresponding to the designated magnification.

  The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a high speed at a constant speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor. ) Is provided. The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is deflected by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 59, is turned back by a mirror 60, and condenses and forms an image on the photoconductor surface. The deflected laser light is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photoconductor 15 rotates, and performs recording in units of lines of an image signal output from a selector 64 of an image processing unit described later. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the photoconductor surface by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed of the photoconductor 15 and the recording density.

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

4. Configuration of Image Processing Unit The configuration of the image processing unit (image reading unit and image writing unit) in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 illuminates the original surface, and the reflected light from the original surface is imaged and received by an imaging lens (not shown) by the CCD image sensor 54, and photoelectrically converted. The digital signal is converted by the D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to MTF correction, γ correction, and the like in the image processing unit 63 after being subjected to shading correction 62. The selector 64 switches the destination of the image signal to one of the scaling unit 71 and the image memory controller 65. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 71 is scaled according to the scaling factor, and sent to the writing unit 57. The image memory controller 65 and the selector 64 are configured so that image signals can be input and output in both directions. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 8, the image processing unit (IPU) includes image data supplied from the outside in addition to the image data input from the reading unit 50 (for example, output from a data processing device such as a personal computer). Data to be processed), and a function of selecting input / output of a plurality of data.

  The CPU 68 includes a CPU 68 for setting the image memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57, and a ROM 69 and a RAM 70 for storing the programs and data. Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65.

  When functioning as a printer, print synthesizing units (1), (2) 72, 73 perform print synthesis according to the print image output from the print image data generator 74, and the synthesized print image Is stored in the image memory 66, and printing is executed by the writing unit 57.

4.1 Image Signal Here, an image signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to FIG.

  / FGATE indicates the effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. / LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is / LGATE. These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and data of one pixel is sent for one cycle of VCLK. The image processing unit (IPU) 49 has a separate / FGATE, / LSYNC, / LGATE, and VCLK generation mechanism for each of image input and output, and various image input / output combinations can be realized. .

4.2 Memory Controller and Image Memory Next, the memory controller and the image memory in FIG. 8 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The memory controller 65 has blocks of an input data selector 101, an image synthesizing unit 102, a primary compression / expansion unit 103, an output data selector 104, and a secondary compression / expansion unit 105. The setting of the control data in each block is performed by the CPU 68. The addresses and data in FIG. 8 indicate image data, and the data and addresses connected to the CPU 68 are not shown.

  The image memory 66 includes primary and secondary storage devices 106 and 107. The primary storage device 106 can perform high-speed access to, for example, a DRAM or the like so that data can be written to the memory substantially in synchronization with the transfer speed of the input image data, or data can be read from the memory at the time of image output at a high speed. Use memory. In addition, the primary storage device 106 has a configuration (an interface unit with a memory controller) that can be divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed and can simultaneously execute input and output of image data. In order to enable the input and output of image data to be executed in parallel in each divided area, an interface with a memory controller is connected by two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing. Thus, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to the area 1 becomes possible.

  The secondary storage device 107 is a large-capacity memory for storing data for synthesizing and sorting input images. If an element that can be accessed at high speed is used for both the primary and secondary storage devices, data processing can be performed without distinction between primary and secondary storage, and control is relatively simple. However, since the elements such as the DRAM are expensive, the access speed to the secondary storage device is not so high. However, an inexpensive, large-capacity recording medium is used, and the processing of input / output data is performed via the primary storage device. Configuration.

  By employing the configuration of the image memory as described above, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of input / output, storage, processing, and the like of a large amount of image data with a low-cost and relatively simple configuration. Become.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the memory controller 65 will be described.

<1> Image input (Save to image memory)
The input data selector 101 selects image data to be written into the image memory (primary storage device 106) from a plurality of data. The image data selected by the input data selector 101 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 102, and synthesizes with the data already stored in the image memory.

  The image data processed by the image synthesis unit 102 is compressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 103, and the compressed data is written to the primary storage device 106. The data written in the primary storage device 106 is further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 105 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage device 107.

<2> Image output (read from image memory)
At the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 106 is read. When the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 106, the image data in the primary storage device 106 is decompressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 103, and the decompressed data or the decompressed data is decompressed. The data after the image synthesis of the data and the input data is selected by the output data selector 104 and output.

  The image synthesizing unit 102 synthesizes the data of the primary storage device 106 with the input data (has a function of adjusting the phase of the image data), and selects the output destination of the synthesized data (image output to the primary storage device 106). Write-back, and simultaneous output to both output destinations).

  If the image to be output is not stored in the primary storage device 106, the image data to be output stored in the secondary storage device 107 is decompressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 105, and After the data is written to the primary storage device 106, the above-described image output operation is performed.

  The operation reservation described in this embodiment means that the copying operation cannot be started during the heating of the fixing in the copying machine or the like. Later, it is a function to automatically start the copy operation when the copy operation is enabled. In the present embodiment, the operation reservation can be made during fixing heating. However, other objects that become operable with the passage of time are eligible for the reservation. It is considered that the LCT tray rise time, the polygon motor rotation stabilization time, the toner supply operation, etc.

  In the hardware configuration diagram of FIG. 4, the system is composed of an image reading unit 401, an image writing unit 402, a system controller 403, a memory unit 404, a user restriction device 405, a human body detection sensor 406, a remote diagnosis device (CSS) 407, a clock 408, and an operation. Although it is composed of the unit 409, the memory unit 404 is necessary only when realizing a memory function, and is not necessary only when realizing a normal copy function. Further, the clock 408 is necessary only for implementing a weekly timer function such as booting or shutting down the machine at a specific time. Further, the human body detection sensor 406 is necessary only when realizing a function of automatically canceling the preheating mode when a user approaches the machine in the preheating mode, and the CSS 407 performs remote diagnosis, that is, when a machine error occurs. If such a function occurs, it is a function to automatically notify the service center or monitor the execution state / use state of the machine from a remote place. Therefore, it is sufficient to mount the function only when such a function is required.

  A DRAM block 404a in the memory unit 404 in FIG. 4 stores an image signal read from the image reading unit 401, and stores an image stored in the image writing unit 402 in response to a request from the system controller 403. Data can be transferred. Further, the compression block 404b has a compression function such as MH, MR, or MMR, and can compress an image once read, thereby improving the use efficiency of a memory (DRAM). The rotation of the image is realized by changing the address read from the image writing unit 402 and its direction. 404c is a DMA block.

  4A, the image reading unit 401, the image writing unit 402, the memory unit 404, and the CSS 407 are controlled only by the CPU 403a of the system controller 403.

  On the other hand, in the “hardware configuration example-B” of FIG. 4B, the image reading unit 401, the image writing unit 402, and the memory unit 404 each have a CPU, and a command from the system controller 403 to each controller is transmitted to a control signal line. As described above, the system hardware configuration can be freely set.

5. Network System FIG. 5 shows an example of a network copy system when the present invention is implemented. In the figure, eight digital copies are networked, but it is needless to say that the number of connected copies is not limited.

5.1 Hardware Configuration of Network Next, an example of a hardware configuration for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the hardware configuration of one digital PPC is almost the same as that shown in “Hardware configuration example-A” in FIG. Is transferred to an external network, or image data from the network is stored in the DRAM block unit 404a in the memory unit, and a SCSI (Small Computer) is used as a network means.
A System Interface 410 and a SCSI controller 411 are used. Naturally, various means are conceivable as the network communication means, for example, using Ethernet (registered trademark) as physical means, and using TCP / IP communication of an OSI (Open System Interface) reference model for data communication. In addition, by using the configuration as shown in the figure, not only image data transfer as described above, but also control commands such as an in-machine status notification of each machine existing on the network and a remote output command to be described later, setting It also transfers commands.

  Next, an operation (hereinafter, remote output) of transferring an image read by “digital PPC-A” to the image writing unit 402 of “digital PPC-B” will be described (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of the software. A “copy application” shown in FIG. 7 is an application that executes a copy sequence for executing a copy operation, and an “input / output control” is a layer (device) that performs logical / physical conversion of data. The operation unit controller is a layer for executing MMI (Man Machine Interface) (a layer for performing LCD display, LED on / off, key input scan, etc. at a logical level), and the “peripheral device controller” is an automatic controller. This is a layer that controls peripheral devices attached to the PPC such as a duplex unit, sorter, and ADF at a logical level. The “image forming device controller”, “image reading device controller”, and “memory unit” are as described above. is there. Further, when a print request is requested from another machine on the network, the "daemon process" reads out image data stored in the memory unit and transfers the image data to the "image forming apparatus". Exists as an application. Of course, before a "daemon process" can read an image from a memory unit and perform a print operation, image transfer from another machine on the network must be completed.

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

  On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, the right to use the resources is given to the “system controller” of the remote digital PPC that executes the print operation using the resources of another machine (hereinafter, remote digital PPC) existing on the network. Request.

  The system controller of the remote digital PPC arbitrates the resources according to the request and notifies the result to the application of the requesting machine. When the right to use is granted, the application reads the image, and when the image storage in its own memory unit is completed, the application via the external interface (SCSI in the present embodiment) executes the operation of the remote output destination machine. Image transfer to the memory unit. When the image transfer is completed, the print start command is sent to the remote output destination machine's "daemon process" after sending the various conditions (printing port, paper output port, number of prints, etc.) for printing. Send. When receiving the "print start" command, the remote output destination "daemon process" requests the "system controller" of the "machine that executes remote output" to start printing, and the remote output is executed by the system controller. .

  When the “digital PPC-A” uses the “digital PPC-B” memory unit, the “digital PPC-B” memory unit is designated as “digital PPC-B” (or as shown in FIG. 5). When a plurality of digital PPCs are connected on a network, use of an application of digital PPC other than “digital PPC-I” is disabled.

6. Data flow of input / output information of the external communication device in the linked copy system Here, a data flow of input / output information of the external communication device in the linked copy system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of a linked copy system particularly composed of two units. In a first PPC (1) denoted by reference numeral 1101, an external communication device 1102 is connected to a system controller 1103 via an external communication device interface 1104, and information input from the communication control device 1105 to the external communication device 1106 is transmitted to the system. The information is transmitted to the controller 1103. Further, the system controller 1103 sends information to the external communication device 1102 via the external communication interface 1104.

  Similarly, also in the second PPC (2) 1106, the system controller 1107 and the external communication local area 1108 are connected via the external communication interface 1109, and exchange input / output information. External communication devices 1102 and 1108 are connected to communication control device 1105 via serial interfaces 1110 and 1111, and further connected to service center 1113 via public line 1112.

  The first and second PPCs (1) (2) 1101 and 1106 are connected by a connection interface 1114. The system controller 1103 of the first PPC (1) 1101 obtains the input information of the external communication device 1108 of the second PPC (2) 1106 via the interface 1114, and obtains the input information of the second PPC (2) 1106. The transmission can be instructed to the external communication device 1108. Similarly, the system controller 1107 of the second PPC (2) 1106 obtains input information of the external communication device 1102 of the first PPC (1) 1101 via the connection interface 1114, and the first PPC (1) An instruction to send information to the external communication device 1103 at 1101 can be given.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copy system connected as described above, and FIG. 13 shows the display state of the operation panel when this operation is performed.

  Here, before describing the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the functions indicated by the terms “aggregation” and “division” will be described.

  As described above, the “consolidation” is a function of reducing a plurality of document images and printing (image formation) on one side or both sides of one transfer sheet. Such a function is selected by the icon shown in FIG. “Division” is a function of printing one double-sided original on two single-sided transfer papers.

  Therefore, in the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, first, at step 1201, it is checked whether or not the aggregation function is set. The setting of the aggregation function is determined based on whether the aggregation key 1301 is pressed on the operation panel shown in FIG. If it is determined that the consolidation key 1301 has been pressed, in step 1202, an operation of performing “double-sided printing from a single-sided document by a double-sided printing function”, ie, “single-sided document → double-sided printing” which is one function of the energy saving (energy star) specification. Is set, and if set, it is checked in step 1203 whether this image forming apparatus is a machine that supports energy saving. If it is determined in this check that the machine does not support energy saving, a function of performing single-sided printing from a single-sided document, which is a main function, as in the conventional image forming apparatus in step 1204, a “single-sided document → double-sided printing” function Since the "combination" function of reducing the plurality of document images and printing (image formation) on one or both sides of one transfer sheet is incompatible, the setting of "combination" is rejected.

  If it is determined in step 1203 that the machine is compatible with energy saving, the function of “single-sided document → double-sided printing” is canceled in step 1205. Then, in step 1206, it is checked whether the 2in1 single-sided function and the 4in1 double-sided function can be selected in the aggregation function. If so, the 4in1 double-sided function is preferentially selected in step 1207; Use to select 2in1 single-sided function. Thereby, printing with higher energy saving effect can be performed. That is, in this processing procedure, when priority is given to the function at the time of setting the aggregation function, since the 4in1 double-sided function has a higher energy saving (resource saving) effect between the 2in1 single-sided function and the 4in1 double-sided function, a function having a higher energy saving effect is provided. Is given priority. Similarly, if the “single-sided document → double-sided printing” function is not set in the step 1202, the processing is the same as when the function is canceled in the step 1205, and the processing after the step 1206 is executed.

  On the other hand, if the setting of the aggregation function is not set in step 1201, it is checked whether or not the setting of the division function is set in step 1209. If the setting of the division function is not set, the process shifts to another key processing not described here in step 1210. On the other hand, if the division function is set, it is checked in step 1211 whether the “single-sided document → double-sided printing” function has been set. If the function has been set, the operation is against energy saving. Is rejected, and if the "single-sided document → double-sided printing" function has not been set, the division function is set in step 1213.

7. The description so far has described the configuration and operation of an energy-saving machine for an image forming apparatus in which the double-sided printing apparatus is pre-installed, but after shipping the image forming apparatus to the market, Energy-saving operation is possible when a double-sided printing device for printing on both sides can be used for function expansion or when a new double-sided printing device can be connected and used. It is necessary to set as follows. For this purpose, it is necessary to consider processing according to the presence / absence of the connection of the two-sided printing apparatus, the processing when the two-sided printing apparatus is abnormal, the presence / absence of the setting of the “single-sided document → two-sided printing” function, and the like.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of this processing. As can be seen from this flowchart, roughly three processing groups are set corresponding to the above-described processing as operations related to retrofitting of the duplex printing apparatus. The processing group 1 relates to the processing for performing the energy saving control in accordance with the presence or absence of the connection of the two-sided printing apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as “two-sided unit”) and the presence or absence of the connection. In this process, first, in step 1401, it is checked whether or not a duplex unit is connected. If so, it is checked in step 1402 whether the duplex unit has already been connected or has been newly connected. In this check, when the function of the duplex unit is newly expanded, it is determined that the duplex unit is newly connected, the fact that the duplex unit is connected is stored in step 1403, and one of the above-described energy saving functions is stored in step 1404. The "single-sided document → double-sided printing" function is stored as a priority.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1401 that the duplex unit is not connected, it is checked in step 1405 whether the duplex unit was previously connected. Although it is extremely rare, if the duplex unit was previously connected by this determination, but is not connected at this time, the fact that the duplex unit is not connected is stored in step 1406, and duplex printing cannot be performed. Therefore, in step 1407, it is stored that priority is given to the function of performing one-sided printing from one-sided original. Then, the process jumps to the process of step 1414 described later. Similarly, when it is determined in step 1405 that the duplex unit has not been connected before, the process similarly jumps to step 1414.

Here, the setting of giving priority to the “single-sided document → single-sided printing (printing)” function or the “single-sided document → double-sided printing (printing)” function is performed by the user selecting from the operation unit 30. Since such an operation has been conventionally performed, it will not be specifically described here.

In the processing of the processing group 1, the change of the connection of the duplex unit is determined, and when the duplex unit is newly connected, the "single-sided document → double-sided printing (printing)" function is automatically stored. However, when there is no change in the connection status of the duplex unit, the setting of the user is not affected.
The detection of the connection of the duplex unit includes a method of physically detecting the presence of the unit and a method of detecting the presence / absence of communication with an independent control means, for example, a CPU installed in the duplex unit. In particular, in the case of detecting by the presence or absence of the latter communication, if communication with the connected duplex unit is not established once, it is more natural to determine that a failure has occurred than to determine that the unit has been removed. In this case, the operation of storing the priority of “single-sided document → single-sided printing (printing)” is an example of the operation of the processing group 2 described later.

  Processing group 2 relates to the normal and abnormal operations of the duplex unit. After step 1402 or step 1404, it is determined in step 1408 whether the duplex unit is normal. If it is normal this time, the fact that the duplex unit is normal is stored in step 1410, and the fact that the “single-sided document → double-sided printing (printing)” function is prioritized is stored in step 1411. If the previous time is normal, the process proceeds to the next step (step 1414) without performing any processing, and does not affect the user setting. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1408 that the duplex unit is abnormal, the fact that the duplex unit is abnormal is stored in step 1412, and duplex printing cannot be performed. "The function is prioritized, and the process proceeds to the next step.

  The processing group 3 determines whether the stored “single-sided document → double-sided printing (printing)” function is prioritized or the “single-sided document → single-sided printing (printing)” function and sets the energy saving operation. In step 1414, it is determined whether or not the “single-sided document → double-sided printing (printing)” function has priority. If the “single-sided document → double-sided printing (printing)” function has priority, the process proceeds to step 1415. The “double-sided printing (printing)” function is set, and if the “single-sided document → double-sided printing (printing)” function is not prioritized in step 1414, the “single-sided document → single-sided printing (printing)” function is set in step 1416. Thereby, when the energy saving operation using the duplex unit is possible, the printing is automatically executed by the “single-sided document → double-sided printing” function.

8. Explanation and definition of terms Here, explanations of terms commonly used in each embodiment will be added, and definitions of these terms will be clarified.

・ [Image reading device] [Image reading unit]
The "image reading device" used in digital PPC has a function of irradiating a light source to a document, converting the reflected light into an electric signal by a "solid-state imaging device = CCD", and performing "necessary image processing". Is used.

Here, “necessary image processing” means
Quantization: A process of converting analog data converted into an electric signal by a CCD into binary or multi-valued data.

  Shading correction: A process for correcting unevenness in irradiation of a light source that irradiates a document and variation in sensitivity of a CCD.

  MTF correction: a process of correcting blur caused by the optical system.

  Magnification processing: A process in which the reading density of an image is changed and data interpolation is performed using the read image data.

And so on.

. [Image forming apparatus] [Image writing unit]
An "image forming apparatus" or "image writing unit" used in digital PPC is an apparatus that forms an image sent by an electric signal on plain paper, thermal paper, or the like by means of electrophotography, thermal transfer, thermal transfer, inkjet, or the like. is there.

·〔image data〕
The image signal converted by the above-described “image reading device”, the image electric signal input to the “image forming device”, and the signal for synchronizing with the image electric signal are collectively referred to as “image data”. Is expressed as

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

・ [Extended function]
・ [Application (abbreviated as application)]
・ [Memory function] [Memory unit]
An important feature of digital PPC is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by the image forming apparatus. By providing means for changing and transmitting the electric signal read at this time, it can be applied to fields other than the conventional analog PPC. In addition to realizing functions such as FAX, page printer, scanner, and file system, recently, even when executing the PPC function, the read image data is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a DRAM, and the image data is stored as needed. By reading the data, a function of executing a plurality of prints in one scan at the time of a plurality of copies, or a function of printing a plurality of documents on one transfer sheet (hereinafter, a memory function) is realized. Functions that can be realized by these digital PPC systems are referred to as “extended functions” or “apps”.

  In the present invention, the memory unit is also used as a buffer for transferring image data between machines on a network.

・ [System controller] "System"
In executing the copy mode, in order to form an image in the image writing unit, paper transport processing, electrophotographic process processing, in-machine monitoring of an abnormal state and the state of a paper cassette (such as presence or absence of paper), and an image reading unit. Controllers that control the scanner operation, the ON / OFF of the light source, and the like in order to read an image are collectively expressed as a “system controller”.

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

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

・ [User restrictions]
In particular, PPC using an electrophotographic process consumes a large amount of power, so that it may not be desired to permit use without restriction. At this time, in order to identify, limit, and manage "users", "user restricted devices" such as "coin rack", "key counter", "key card", "prepaid card", etc. Use etc.

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

・ [Preheating]
In this mode, the fixing temperature is controlled by lowering the fixed temperature (for example, 10 ° C.), and the operation unit display is turned off to save power consumption. The setting of this mode is automatically set after a certain period of time from when there is no operation or operation depending on key input on the operation unit or machine setting. This mode release is released when a human body detection sensor detects that a person stands in front of the machine by key input on the operation unit or machine setting.

・ [CSS] (or [remote diagnosis system], [image forming apparatus management system])
FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus management system. A management device 1501 installed at a service base and devices 1502 to 1506 such as PPC installed at a user are connected via a public network 1507. Communication control devices 1508 and 1509 for controlling communication with the management device are installed on the user side, and the PPCs 1502 to 1506 of the user origin are connected to the communication control devices 1508 and 1509. A telephone 1510 and a facsimile 1511 can be connected to the communication control devices 1508 and 1509, and can be installed by inserting them into a user's existing line. Although a plurality of PPCs can be connected to the communication control devices 1508 and 1509, there may of course be a single PPC. These PPCs need not be of the same type, but may be different models, and may be devices other than the PPC.

  Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five PPCs can be connected to one communication control device. The communication control device and the plurality of PPCs are connected in multi-drop according to the RS-485 standard. Communication control between the communication control device and each PPC is performed by a basic type data transmission control procedure. By establishing a data link by a polling / selecting method of centralized control using a communication control device as a control station, communication with an arbitrary PPC is possible. Each PPC can be set to a unique value by an address setting switch, whereby the polling address and the selecting address of each PPC are determined.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a liquid crystal touch panel of an operation unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a system of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration of a network copy. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a network. It is a conceptual diagram of software. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a memory controller and an image memory in FIG. 8. 6 is a time chart showing an image signal for one page in a selector. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a linked copy system. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the setting of an aggregation function and a distribution function. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when performing an aggregate copy. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure according to whether or not a duplex unit is connected and whether the duplex unit connected is normal or abnormal. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the image forming apparatus management system.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
8, 9, 10 Tray 11, 12, 13 Paper feeder 14 Vertical transport unit 15 Photoconductor 16 Transport belt 17 Fixing unit 18 Discharge unit 20 Image forming unit 30 Operation unit 50 Reading unit 54 CCD
57 Write unit 64 Selector 65 Memory controller 66 Image memory 67 I / O port 68 CPU
69 ROM
70 RAM
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 finisher 101 input data selector 102 image synthesizing unit 103 primary compression / expansion unit 104 output data selector 105 secondary compression / expansion unit 106 primary storage device 107 secondary storage device 111 double-sided paper feed unit 112 branching claw 401 image reading unit 402 Image writing unit 403 System controller 404 Memory unit

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus including a reading unit that reads a document and a printing unit that forms a read image on transfer paper,
Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of connection of a duplex printing means for printing on both sides of the transfer paper;
A duplex printing selection unit that preferentially selects a function of performing duplex printing from a single-sided document when the detection unit detects that the duplex printing unit has been added by the extended function;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus including a reading unit that reads a document and a printing unit that forms a read image on transfer paper,
Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of connection of a duplex printing means for printing on both sides of the transfer paper;
Switching means for preferentially switching to a function for performing double-sided printing from a single-sided document when the detection means detects that a double-sided printing means is newly connected;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality of the double-sided printing means,
A single-sided printing selecting unit that preferentially selects a single-sided printing function for performing single-sided printing when the abnormality detecting unit detects an abnormality of the double-sided printing unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Abnormality repair detection means for detecting the repair of the abnormality of the double-sided printing means,
Priority print switching means for switching between the one-sided printing function and the two-sided printing function,
Control means for returning to the printing state by the priority printing function selected by the priority printing switching means before the abnormality is detected, when the abnormality repair detecting means detects that the abnormality of the double-sided printing means has been repaired,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

Images