JP2006195723A - Control method for image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control method for an image forming system that can ensure optimum performance by switching image forming modes according to printing conditions when outputting PDL images in an image forming system having a plurality of image forming modes. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system comprises in combination an image control device and an image output device. The image control device and the image output device are connected by a communication means. The image output device has a plurality of image forming modes. A host computer has an image forming mode specification means, and in addition to creating PDL data, sends image forming mode specification information by the image forming mode specification means. The image control device has an image mode decision means for deciding an image forming mode according to the image forming mode specification information and output conditions. The image mode decision means switches the image forming modes to ensure optimum performance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for controlling an image forming system such as a copy, a printer, or a fax machine, and more particularly to a method for controlling an apparatus that is specific to an image forming apparatus capable of outputting a color image and requires operation switching according to conditions. is there.

There are many color image forming systems ranging from a high-end, high-speed four-drum printer to a one-drum printer with low-end cost reduction, each of which has different control for image formation. One of the characteristic features is a one-drum color printer. A one-drum color printer has a control for simultaneously forming two pages of images on a drum when the image size of one page is less than half of the outer periphery of the drum (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This control is called two-sheet pasting. By pasting two sheets, performance can be improved. Conventionally, when the size is such that two sheets can be pasted, the operation of two sheets has always been performed from the beginning.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-194390

  However, by controlling the pasting of two sheets, the first printout time becomes longer. Depending on the conditions, it may not be effective to apply two sheets from the beginning. An example will be described. FIGS. 8 and 9 show that when two sheets are output, one sheet is pasted at the time of outputting three sheets (the control for forming an image for one page on the drum is referred to as one sheet pasting for two sheets pasting), and two sheets are pasted. It is a figure which shows the condition which operate | moves by the combination of. In the color image forming system, the printing operation is started when the image transfer preparation is completed. In addition, since data for four colors is placed on both one and two sheets, the time required for each is the same. In the case of performing the two-sheet output shown in FIG. 8, the entire performance is improved by waiting for the completion of the second image transfer preparation and pasting the two sheets from the beginning as shown in (2). However, in the case of outputting three sheets as shown in FIG. 9, if two sheets are pasted in the order of one sheet as shown in (2), two sheets are prepared for image transfer in order to paste the first two sheets. Will have to wait for it to finish, the overall performance will drop, and even the first printout time will be longer.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described problems. When an image forming system having a plurality of image forming modes outputs a PDL image, the image forming mode is switched under each print condition. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling an image forming system capable of obtaining optimum performance.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image forming system configured by combining an image control device and an image output device, wherein the image control device and the image output device are connected by communication means. The image output apparatus has a plurality of image formation modes, the host computer has image formation mode designation means, and, together with the PDL data creation, transmits image formation mode designation information by the image formation mode designation means, The control device includes an image mode determination unit that determines an image formation mode from the image formation mode designation information and output conditions, and an optimum performance is obtained by switching the image formation mode by the image mode determination unit. And

  The driver software installed on the PC specifies that two sheets are to be pasted, and the control device 110 receives the notification and judges it together with other conditions. It is possible to switch the control for pasting. As a result, optimum performance can be obtained under each condition, and the first printout time is also optimized.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  First, the overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A reader unit (image input device) 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function for transporting document paper, and a scanner controller existing in the scanner unit performs control. . A printer unit (image output device) 300 conveys recording paper, prints image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper out of the device. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 360 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 310 having a function of transferring and fixing image data to the recording paper, and sorting and stapling the printed recording papers. A printer controller that has a function of outputting to the printer unit, and a printer controller existing in the marking unit performs these controls.

  The control device (controller) 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, and is further connected to host computers 401 and 402 via the network 400. The control device 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet to provide a copy function. Further, the image data read from the reader unit 200 is converted into code data and transmitted to the host computer via the network 400. The code data received from the host computer via the network 400 is converted into image data. A printer function for outputting to the printer unit 300 is provided.

  The operation unit 150 is another user setting input unit, is connected to the control device 110, is configured with a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image printing apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of a color 1 drum printer engine and a scanner engine. Reference numeral 801 denotes a document feeder for transporting a document to a portion for optically reading, and reference numeral 802 denotes an optical reader. Reference numeral 805 denotes a platen glass. The document feeder is driven in synchronism with the optical reading device. When the document image is transferred onto the platen glass by the feeding device 801, the optical reading device moves in the horizontal direction in the figure. The image is scanned, and reflected light to which appropriate optical processing is applied is sent to the photoelectric conversion unit 804. Reference numeral 803 denotes a printer main body.

  Next, details of the printer controlled by the printer controller will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a view of the printer as viewed from the front. Reference numeral 401 denotes a scanner that receives an image signal sent from the printer controller, converts the image signal into a laser beam, and irradiates the photosensitive member indicated by 402 to form an image on the photosensitive member. The photoconductor reaches the color developing unit 403 and the black developing unit 404 while rotating counterclockwise. Developers 403 and 404 function to place (develop) toner on the photoconductor in accordance with the electric charge charged on the photoconductor. When the image is black and white, only the developing unit 404 operates. When the image is color, both the developing units 403 and 404 are used. Next, the image generated on the photosensitive member is transferred to an intermediate transfer member 405 rotating clockwise. This intermediate transfer member completes image formation on the intermediate transfer member by one rotation for black and white and four rotations for color. When the page formation mode specified in the prior art is the one-page mode, one image is formed on the transfer body, and when the two-page mode is specified, two images are formed. Will be.

  On the other hand, the recording paper fed from the upper cassette of 408 or the lower cassette of 409 by the pickup roller of 411 or 412 is conveyed according to the feeding roller of 413 or 414, and further conveyed by the 415 conveyance roller to before registration. It will be done.

  The timing is controlled so as to be between the 405 intermediate transfer body and the 406 transfer belt at the timing when the image formation is completed on the intermediate transfer body described above. When the recording paper reaches here, the transfer belt comes into contact with the intermediate transfer member, and the toner is transferred to the recording paper. The image transferred to the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper by heat and pressure by a fixing roller 407.

  The recording sheet on which the image is fixed is conveyed to either a face-up discharge port indicated by 417 or a face-down discharge port indicated by 418, which has been designated in advance by the printer controller, and is discharged. Thus, the image information sent from the printer controller can be output.

<Description of control device>
The function of the control device 110 will be described based on the block diagram shown in FIG.

  The main controller 111 mainly includes a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F controller circuits.

  The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the overall operation of the control device 110. The CPU 112 operates based on a program read from the ROM 114 via the ROM I / F 115. The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from the host computer and developing it into raster image data is also described in this program and processed by software. The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from each I / F, and performs arbitration at the time of bus contention and control of DMA data transfer.

  The DRAM 116 is connected to the main controller 111 by a DRAM I / F 117, and is used as a work area for operating the CPU 112 and an area for storing image data.

  The Codec 118 compresses the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116 by a method such as MH / MR / MMR / JBIG / JPEG, and conversely decompresses the code data compressed and stored into raster image data. The SRAM 119 is used as a temporary work area of the Codec 118. The Codec 118 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 120, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred.

  The graphic processor 135 performs image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization on the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116. The SRAM 136 is used as a temporary work area for the graphic processor 135. The graphic processor 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 137, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA transfer.

  The network controller 121 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 122 and is connected to an external network via the connector 122. The network is generally Ethernet (registered trademark).

  An expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O control unit 126 are connected to the general-purpose high-speed bus 125. A general-purpose high-speed bus is a PCI bus. The I / O control unit 126 is equipped with two channels of an asynchronous serial communication controller 127 for transmitting and receiving control commands to and from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. F circuits 140 and 145 are connected.

  The panel I / F 132 is connected to the LCD controller 131 and includes an I / F for displaying on the liquid crystal screen on the operation unit 150 and a key input I / F 130 for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys. Is done.

  The operation unit 150 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached to the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input from the touch panel or hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 via the panel I / F 132 described above, and the liquid crystal display unit displays image data sent from the panel I / F 520. The liquid crystal display unit displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the image forming apparatus.

  The real time clock module 133 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 134.

  The E-IDE interface 161 is for connecting an external storage device. In this embodiment, the hard disk drive 160 is connected via this I / F, and image data is stored in the hard disk 162 or image data is read from the hard disk 162. The connectors 142 and 147 are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively, and are composed of a synchronized step-synchronized serial I / F (143, 148) and a video I / F (144, 149).

  The scanner I / F 140 is connected to the reader unit 200 via the connector 142 and is connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141 and has a function of performing a predetermined process on the image received from the reader unit 200. And a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 to the scanner bus 141. Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  The printer I / F 145 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147, and is connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146. The printer I / F 145 performs predetermined processing on the image data output from the main controller 111, and It has a function of outputting to the printer unit 300 and further has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 to the printer bus 146.

  The transfer of the raster image data developed on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA-transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149. The control method of the present invention relates to the exchange between the controller unit and the printer unit via this I / F.

  The SRAM 151 is a memory configured to retain stored contents even when the entire apparatus is powered off by the power supplied from the backup battery, and is connected to the I / O control unit via 150 buses. Yes. Similarly, the EEPROM 152 is a memory connected to the I / O control unit via 150 buses.

  Next, details of the control method exchanged by the printer I / F 145 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram 5 for a basic sequence for outputting an image of one page. When an image to be output can be prepared in the controller, the controller unit instructs the printer unit to start the printer as indicated by reference numeral 501. Upon receiving this, the printer unit starts preparations for shifting to the normal printing state, such as starting a motor for paper conveyance and rotating the drum. When this preparation is completed, the printer unit notifies the controller unit that the printer is ready for printing by a printer start start notification 502. Upon receiving this, the controller issues a paper feed instruction in 503. Upon receiving this, the printer unit starts the paper feeding operation by rotating the pickup rollers 411 and 412 in FIG. 4 from the designated paper feeding stage, and notifies the controller that the paper feeding operation has been performed normally. This is notified by a paper feed operation notification 504. Next, the controller issues an image transfer instruction 505 to the printer unit. Upon receiving this instruction, the printer unit irradiates the photosensitive drum with an image from the scanner unit 401 in FIG. 4 and starts image formation. In step 506, the controller notifies the controller that image transfer has started normally. Thereafter, when the paper on which the image has been formed passes through the paper conveyance path and is discharged outside the apparatus, in 507, the printer unit notifies the controller with a discharge completion notification. If this sheet is the last page, the controller issues a printer stop instruction 508, and the printer unit shifts from the normal printing state to the post-rotation state, and stops after the post-processing is completed.

  Next, a plurality of pages of image output will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. It is illustrated so that the exchange for each page becomes clear.

  The exchange events between the controller unit and the printer unit are basically as described above. FIG. 6 shows a sequence in which two pages are pasted on the first page and the second page and two pages are pasted on the third page and the fourth page with respect to the image output of four pages. Large arrows in the figure indicate that the image is actually transferred from the controller unit to the printer unit. In 701, an image transfer instruction for the first page is issued, and then an image transfer start notification (for yellow) of the first page is notified. The controller performs various settings for yellow, and the yellow image is actually transferred to the printer unit. Thereafter, an image transfer instruction for the second page is issued from the controller unit to the printer unit. In normal continuous operation, the image transfer instruction for the second page is not delayed inside the controller. Accordingly, since the printer unit satisfies the conditions for operating in the two-sheet pasting mode, the first and second pages operate in the two-sheet pasting mode.

  FIG. 7 shows a sequence in which one image is pasted on the first page and two pages are pasted on the second and third pages with respect to the image output of three pages.

  When the controller unit is ready for image transfer, it issues an image transfer instruction to the printer unit 801. Since the second page paper feed operation notification is also returned to the controller unit, if the controller is ready to transfer the second page image, the second page image transfer instruction is immediately sent to the printer unit. Although it can be issued, the image transfer instruction is delayed because the image transfer preparation for the second page is not in time immediately after the start of the copy output or PDL output.

  As for the image transfer instruction for the second page that is instructed with a slight delay, if the image transfer instruction for the third page is notified to the printer unit without delay, the second page and the third page operate as two sheets pasted.

  Next, a sequence during PDL image output will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for outputting a PDL image in this embodiment. Note that S3001 to S3010 in the figure indicate each step.

  When outputting a PDL image, in step S3001, the user performs print settings for the PDL image output job on the PC 401. The print setting contents are output page, number of copies, paper size, single side / double side, page output order, sort output, presence / absence of stapling, and the like.

  In S3002, the driver software installed on the PC 401 calculates the number of output sheets from the output page and the number of copies of the print setting parameters set in S3001, and sets whether to paste two sheets from the beginning. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the overall performance is better when two sheets are attached from the beginning when the number is even, and the first image transfer preparation is completed without the two sheets being attached from the beginning when the number is odd. As soon as possible, it is better to paste and output one sheet. Also, the first copy time can be shortened. If it is an even number, the setting of two sheets is set.

  In S3003, a print instruction is given on the PC 401, and the driver software installed on the PC 401 converts the code data on the PC 401 to be printed into so-called PDL data, and print setting parameters and settings set in S3001. Along with the two-sheet pasting determination performed in S3002, the PDL data is transferred to the control device 110 of the image input / output device via the network 400.

  In step S3004, the CPU 112 of the main controller 111 of the control device 110 expands (rasterizes) the PDL data transferred via the connector 122 and the network controller 121 into image data based on the print setting parameters. The development of the image data is performed on the DRAM 116. When the development of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to S3005.

  In step S <b> 3005, the main controller 111 transfers the image data expanded on the DRAM 116 to the graphic processor 135.

  In step S3006, the graphic processor 135 performs image processing independently of the print setting parameter. For example, when the paper size specified by the print setting parameter is A4 but the paper feed unit 360 of the printer unit 300 has only A4R paper, the graphic processor 135 rotates the image by 90 degrees. Therefore, it is possible to output an image that matches the output paper. When the image processing of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to S3007.

  In step S <b> 3007, the graphic processor 135 transfers the image data after image processing to the main controller 111. The main controller 111 stores the transferred image data on the DRAM 116.

  When the image processing is completed and the image transfer preparation is completed, the main controller 111 controls the printer unit 300 via the printer I / F 145 and the connector 147 by the control method described above, and transfers the image data on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit 300. However, the process of S3008 is performed before the transfer.

  In S3008, it is determined whether or not two sheets are pasted. Details will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining whether or not two sheets are pasted. S4001 to S4006 represent each step.

  In step S4001, the paper size is checked. If the paper size is a size that allows two sheets to be pasted, that is, if the size of one page with respect to the outer periphery of the drum is half or less (herein referred to as a small size), the process proceeds to S4002. If the size cannot be pasted (called a large size), the process advances to S4006. In S4002, a color mode check is performed. In the case of black-and-white printing, since there is one color, there is no need to paste two sheets. Therefore, it is determined that two sheets can be pasted at the time of color designation, and the process proceeds to S4003. If monochrome is designated, the process advances to step S4006. In step S4003, a check for notification of two sheets of PDL data set in step S3002 is performed. If two sheets are notified, the process proceeds to S4004, and if not, the process proceeds to S4005. In step S4004, since two sheets are pasted from the beginning, after the two image transfer preparations are completed, the printer unit 300 is instructed to feed paper. By performing such processing, the printer unit 300 performs the pasting of two sheets from the beginning. In step S4005, the printer unit 300 is instructed to feed paper every time one image transfer preparation is completed without being conscious of pasting two sheets. By performing such processing, the first sheet is pasted in S4005, and thereafter, the printer unit 300 pastes one sheet according to the interval of the image transfer preparation and the interval of the print time, and according to the interval of the paper feed instruction. Paste 2 sheets. In S4006, since two sheets are not pasted, output is performed by pasting all sheets.

  In S3009, the main controller 111 controls the printer unit 300 via the printer I / F 145 and the connector 147 with the control methods of S4004, S4005, and S4006, and the image data on the DRAM 116 is transferred to the printer unit at an appropriate timing. Forward to 300.

  In step S3010, the control device 110 controls the printer unit 300 to print out image data. When the transfer of the image data is completed, that is, when the PDL job is finished, the print output is finished.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of this system. It is an external view of the reader part and printer part of this apparatus. It is a block diagram of the control-apparatus part of this apparatus. 2 is a detailed diagram of a printer unit of the apparatus. It is a basic print sequence diagram. It is explanatory drawing of 1 sheet sticking / 2 sheet sticking switching. It is explanatory drawing of 1 sheet sticking / 2 sheet sticking switching. It is explanatory drawing of the output condition in 1 sheet sticking / 2 sheet sticking. It is explanatory drawing of the output condition in 1 sheet sticking / 2 sheet sticking. It is a flowchart at the time of PDL image output. It is a flowchart of 2 sheet sticking judgment.

Explanation of symbols

110 Controller (Controller)
150 Operation unit 160 CD-ROM
200 Reader unit 210 Scanner unit 250 Document feed unit 300 Printer unit 310 Marking unit 360 Paper feed unit 370 Paper discharge unit 400 Network 401 Host computer 402 Host computer

Claims (2)

  An image forming system configured by combining an image control device and an image output device, wherein the image control device and the image output device are connected by communication means, and the image output device has a plurality of image forming modes. And the host computer has image forming mode specifying means, transmits PDL data, and transmits image forming mode specifying information by the image forming mode specifying means, and the image control device includes the image forming mode specifying information and output conditions. A control method for an image forming system, comprising: an image mode determining unit that determines an image forming mode from the image mode; and switching an image forming mode by the image mode determining unit to obtain an optimum performance.   2. The image forming system control method according to claim 1, wherein the image output device is a one-drum color printer.