JP2006195888A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system facilitating operation on an actual machine, capable of heightening operation efficiency by reducing a time wherein the actual machine is occupied, and performing printing without waiting completion of a job during the job not using a printer of a FAX, a scanner or the like. <P>SOLUTION: In an MFP performing authentication by an IC card and capable of simultaneously operating functions not competing with each other, a virtual operation panel is prepared on a PC having an IC card reader, and operation is made to be stored in the IC card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system connected to a digital copying machine.

  In recent years, various digital copying machines have become widespread, and a system has been developed in which various interface devices are connected to the digital copying machine and image data can be output from a host computer.

Further, the image data processed by the image processing system is stored in a data storage area (hereinafter referred to as BOX) of the digital copying machine, and predetermined authentication information (password or the like) is input by an operation on the panel. A system (hereinafter referred to as secure print) for outputting data stored in the file has also been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-187317 A

  Conventionally, in order to output a print job submitted to a BOX from a host computer, it has been necessary to select a BOX and an output job from the operation panel of the digital copying machine, and to improve the security, the contents of the BOX must be selected. It was necessary to enter a password to refer to it.

  However, when the digital copying machine is used for a job that does not use a printer (for example, FAX transmission, scanning, etc.), the operation panel cannot be used and the printing operation cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. A digital copier capable of performing secure printing in accordance with an instruction from a host computer connected via a network and capable of operating at the same time has an IC card reader. A virtual operation panel is prepared on the PC, and the operation is stored in the IC card. While allowing the user to execute the stored job without operating the operation panel of the digital copying machine by holding the IC card over the IC card reader of the digital copying machine, the operation on the actual machine is simplified, An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that can increase the operation efficiency by shortening the time for occupying the actual machine.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
In a printing system that outputs in response to instructions from a host computer on the network,
External communication means connected to the image forming apparatus;
Input means for inputting image data from the external device;
Expanding means for expanding the image data input from the input means;
Storage means for storing the image data developed by the development means;
Instruction means for instructing output of the expanded image data stored in the storage means;
Have
When the output of the developed image data is instructed from the instruction means, if the printer can be used even if the image forming apparatus is in an operation state other than print output, the currently operating job is The print output is performed without interruption.

  As described above, according to the present invention, secure printing is performed in accordance with an instruction from a host computer connected via a network, and a non-conflicting function is virtually executed on a PC having an IC card reader in a digital copier capable of simultaneous operation. Prepare an operation panel and store the operation in the IC card. While allowing the user to execute the stored job without operating the operation panel of the digital copying machine by holding the IC card over the IC card reader of the digital copying machine, the operation on the actual machine is simplified, It is possible to provide a printing system that can increase the operation efficiency by shortening the time for occupying the actual machine.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  First, the image processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes an image processing apparatus which forms the center of the present invention, and shows an internal schematic configuration diagram thereof. Reference numeral 2 denotes a host computer, which is connected to the image processing apparatus 1 via an external I / F 4 by an interface cable 3. The image forming apparatus 21 is connected to the image processing apparatus 1 via the engine interface 19 by the interface cable 20. In this figure, the image forming apparatus is connected to the outside of the image processing apparatus, but the same applies to the case where the image forming apparatus is built in the same housing.

  The first CPU 8 controls I / O other than the image forming apparatus connected to the outside. The first CPU bus 5 is connected to an external I / F 4 serving as an interface with the host computer 2, a program memory 9, an I / O bus controller 10 that controls the I / O bus 11, and the like. A bus controller 7 is also connected so that it can be coupled to the second CPU bus 6 of the second CPU 16. The second CPU 16 will be described later. The I / O bus controller 10 controls general purpose I / O such as a floppy disk drive 12, a hard disk drive 13, an LCD controller 14 and an operation unit (not shown) connected to the I / O bus 11. ing.

  The second CPU 16 controls the image forming apparatus 21 connected thereto, and further develops image data stored in the frame memory 15. The second memory 17 is a program memory, and a control program is loaded from the hard disk drive 13 via the bus controller 7 when the power is turned on. The memory 17 is also used for communication with the first CPU 8. An engine interface 19 is connected to the second CPU bus 6 and controls the image forming apparatus 20 while making various settings. The video bus 18 is a dedicated bus for images, and the image data developed by the second CPU 16 and stored in the frame memory 15 is sent to the engine interface 19 through the video bus 18 and further to the image forming apparatus 21. Sent.

  Next, an image forming apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. An engine interface 22 is connected to the image processing apparatus 1 via an interface cable 20. Image data sent from the image forming apparatus 1 is latently formed on the photosensitive drum 24, and an image is formed by the developing unit 23. In response to an instruction from the image processing apparatus 1, the paper feed control unit 26 feeds paper from the paper feed unit 29 or the intermediate paper discharge tray 28 and mounts paper on the transfer drum 25.

  Thereafter, the image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto a sheet mounted on the transfer drum 25, and the image is fixed by the fixing device 27. After the image is fixed, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 30 or stored in the intermediate paper discharge tray 28 in accordance with an instruction from the image processing apparatus. The image data read by the scanner 31 is processed by the control unit 32, and printing is performed in the same manner as the image data sent from the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, an outline of processing for recording authentication information and operations on an IC card and instructing the digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, a job to be registered in the BOX is transmitted from the host computer, and information on the BOX print job is registered in the IC card. The user instructs the printing of the BOX print job by holding the IC card storing the information of the BOX print job over the IC card reader of the digital copying machine holding the BOX print job. At this time, if the digital copier is occupied by a job that uses a printer such as a copy, the output of the BOX print job is awaited, but is occupied by a job that does not use a printer such as a FAX or a scanner. In this case, printing can be performed without waiting.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of information recorded on the IC card. The IC card records user authentication information for the BOX that holds the job, and information on the BOX that holds the print job, information on the print job that is held in the BOX, and the output time of the print job The settings (finishing process, number of copies, etc.) are recorded. The digital copying machine reads the setting contents and outputs them with the designated settings.

  Next, the flow of processing when issuing an instruction to print a BOX print job to a digital copying machine using an IC card will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process when an IC card is used to instruct the digital copying machine to print a BOX print job. First, the information registered in the IC card is read in S501. Subsequently, in step S502, the user authentication information is confirmed. If the authentication is not possible, a message indicating that printing cannot be performed is output in step S505, and the process ends. If authentication is possible in S502, it is checked in S503 whether the printer is currently available. If the printer is available, the BOX print job is output in S504, and the process ends. If the printer is not available, the BOX print job instructed in S506 is added to the queue, and the use status of the printer is monitored until the print job can be output in S507. If the printer becomes available, the BOX print job is output in S504, and the process ends.

  In the first embodiment, the process of issuing a print instruction from the IC card to the digital copier registered with the BOX print job has been described. However, for the digital copier different from the digital copier registered with the BOX print job. One of the embodiments of the present proposal is to perform appropriate printing even when a printing instruction is issued. Here, only the difference from the first embodiment is shown.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of processing for registering a BOX print job from the host computer and outputting from a digital copier different from the digital copier registered with the job. The user registers a BOX print job in the digital copying machine A, and registers information on the BOX print job in the IC card. When a user gives a print instruction to a digital copier (digital copier B) that is different from the BOX print job registered by using an IC card in which information related to the BOX print job is registered, the digital copier B recognizes that the BOX print job is registered in the BOX of the digital copying machine A based on the read IC card information, and acquires the BOX print job from the digital copying machine A and performs printing.

  Next, a flow of processing for outputting from a digital copier different from that in which the BOX print job is registered will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing for outputting from a digital copier different from that in which the BOX print job is registered. First, the information registered in the IC card in S701 is read. Subsequently, in step S702, the user authentication information is confirmed. If the authentication is impossible, a message indicating that printing cannot be performed is output in step S707, and the process is terminated. If authentication is possible in S702, it is checked in S703 if the digital copying machine holds the designated BOX and print data.

  If the print data is not held, the print data is acquired from the digital copying machine holding the print data in S704 and the process is continued. If the print data is held in the digital copying machine in S703, or if the print data is acquired from the digital holding the print data in S704, whether or not the printer is currently available in S705 Confirm. If the printer is available, the BOX print job is output in S706, and the process ends.

  If the printer is not available, the BOX print job instructed in S708 is added to the queue, and the use status of the printer is monitored until the print job can be output in S709. When the printer becomes available, the BOX print job is output in S706 and the process is terminated.

  Although not shown, in order to register a BOX print job from the host computer to the digital copying machine and output the BOX print job to another digital copying machine, the IC card reader of the digital copying machine transfers the IC card to the IC card. On the other hand, it is also one embodiment of the present invention to store information of a BOX print job and output it with a different digital copying machine using the IC card.

Block diagram of image processing device Block diagram of image forming apparatus Overview of processing to instruct a digital copier using an IC card Summary of information registered in IC card Flowchart of processing for instructing a digital copying machine using an IC card Overview of processing to instruct a digital copier different from the digital copier that stores the print data Flowchart of processing for instructing a digital copier different from the digital copier storing the print data

Explanation of symbols

1 Image Processing Device 20 Interface Cable 22 Engine Interface 23 Developer 24 Photosensitive Drum

Claims (13)

In a printing system that outputs in response to instructions from a host computer on the network,
External communication means connected to the image forming apparatus;
Input means for inputting image data from the external device;
Expanding means for expanding the image data input from the input means;
Storage means for storing the image data developed by the development means;
Instruction means for instructing output of the expanded image data stored in the storage means;
Have
When the output of the developed image data is instructed from the instruction means, if the printer can be used even if the image forming apparatus is in an operation state other than print output, the currently operating job is A printing system that performs print output without interruption.   2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein when the image data is not held in the image processing apparatus, the image data held in another image processing apparatus is acquired based on the information of the instruction means, and the print output is performed. A printing system characterized by performing.   2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a digital color copying machine.   2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a host computer.   2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the external communication means is an engine interface.   2. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein said developing means is a CPU (Central Processing Unit).   2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is a frame memory.   2. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile memory.   2. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is divided into a plurality of areas and can be accessed independently.   2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image data stored in the storage means is deleted after being output by the image forming apparatus.   2. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein said instruction means is an IC card.   2. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein said instruction means is an operation panel.

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