JP2007076006A - Image forming system and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system which can shorten an installation time by preventing the wrong installation and wrong setting of an apparatus constituting the image forming system so as to alleviate a load in installation, even if an apparatus installation person and an operator for the image forming system are not familiar with a system configuration. <P>SOLUTION: In this image forming system, identification information is acquired via a network 101 from a plurality of sheet processors which are brought into continuous contact with an engine 1; the arrangement order of the sheet processors corresponding to the acquired identification information is set; system configuration information is generated by combining the acquired identification information with information on the setting of the arrangement order; the system configuration information is collated with a system-configuration possible information table in which the arrangement order of the processors capable of being operated as the image forming system is combined with the identification information; and the processor automatically determines whether or not the set system-configuration information is proper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, a control method therefor, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for determining the configuration of an image forming system based on system configuration information that combines identification information of devices constituting an image forming system and setting information of arrangement order of devices corresponding to the identification information. .

  In recent years, as electrophotographic image forming apparatuses and ink jet printing apparatuses have become faster and higher in image quality, a business type called print-on-demand (POD) that can handle a large number of copies and jobs has attracted attention. In the POD, various sheet processing apparatuses such as a sheet feeding apparatus that supplies a recording sheet medium including a recording sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as “sheet”), a bookbinding function, and a post-processing apparatus having a cutting function are connected to the image forming apparatus. In the image forming system, printing processing and subsequent processing corresponding to the individual needs of the operator (operator) are performed.

  In a conventional image forming system to which POD is applied, the connection order and arrangement order (arrangement order) of apparatuses are defined by dedicated lines arranged between the apparatuses. Through communication via this dedicated line, data relating to the print job is transmitted and received between the apparatuses, and a series of print jobs including paper feeding, image formation, and post-processing is processed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, connection between devices such as an image forming apparatus and a post-processing device using a dedicated line is a fixed determination of the device configuration of the image forming system and the arrangement between the devices. For this reason, it is difficult to flexibly change the arrangement order of the devices constituting the image forming system or add a new device in accordance with the usage mode of the operator (for example, the printing format and post-processing content).

Therefore, in order to solve the problem, all devices are connected using a communication line using a common network interface, not by connection using a dedicated line, and device identification information (node ID) and its identification information (node ID) The operator sets in advance the system configuration information that is combined with the setting information of the arrangement order of the devices corresponding to (1). In recent years, there has been a method in which the arrangement order of apparatuses constituting the image forming system can be flexibly changed or a new apparatus can be freely added by determining the configuration of the image forming system according to the setting. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-219597 JP-A-11-232243

  However, in the above-described conventional image forming system, it is possible to easily realize equipment connection with a high degree of freedom by adopting a configuration in which the devices constituting the image forming system are connected to each other using a communication line using a common network interface. It was. On the other hand, it is possible to place and connect each device regardless of whether or not it can operate as a system, and the image forming system does not operate correctly because the device installer misplaces the device. A problem occurs. In addition, if the operator sets wrong system configuration information, there is a problem that the image forming system does not operate correctly.

  Furthermore, even when each apparatus is correctly arranged, it may not be possible depending on the type of image forming apparatus and the implementation status of the control firmware, resulting in a problem that the apparatus does not operate correctly.

  In addition, since a variety of operations are required as a series of print jobs including paper feeding, image formation, and post-processing, the number of devices that can be connected tends to increase. For this reason, the possibility of erroneous device installation or system configuration information setting is increased in proportion to this, which complicates the installation work and, as a result, prolongs the installation time. There is a risk that.

  The present invention prevents erroneous installation and setting of the devices constituting the image forming system and reduces the load during installation even if the device installer or operator of the image forming system is not familiar with the system configuration. An image forming system capable of shortening the installation time is provided. Furthermore, it aims at providing the control method and program of an image forming system.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to claim 1 includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses that can be connected to the image forming apparatus, and each has a common communication unit. In an image forming system capable of communicating with each other via a network, the image forming apparatus acquires identification information for identifying the sheet processing apparatus from the plurality of connected sheet processing apparatuses via the network. System configuration information by combining the acquired identification information, the system configuration setting means for setting the arrangement order of the sheet processing apparatuses corresponding to the acquired identification information, and the acquired identification information and the setting information of the arrangement order. Arrangement order of system configuration information generating means to be generated, image forming apparatus and sheet processing apparatus operable as image forming system A storage unit that pre-stores a combination of identification information as system configurable information, a determination unit that collates the system configuration information and the system configurable information, and determines whether the image forming system is operable; As a result of the determination, when the system is operable, the system configuration information registration means for registering the system configuration information is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to claim 2 includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses that can be connected to the image forming apparatus, each having a common communication unit. In an image forming system capable of communicating with each other via a network, the image forming apparatus acquires identification information for identifying the sheet processing apparatus from the plurality of connected sheet processing apparatuses via the network. Identification information acquisition means, storage means for storing in advance as a system configurable information a combination of the arrangement order of the image forming apparatus and sheet processing apparatus operable as an image forming system and identification information, the acquired identification information and the system At least one system configuration pattern that can be configured as an image forming system by collating with configurable information Display means configured to display, selection means for selecting an appropriate one of the displayed system configuration patterns, and system configuration registration means for registering system configuration information corresponding to the selected system configuration pattern It is characterized by providing.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system control method according to an eleventh aspect includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses that can be connected to the image forming apparatus, each having a common communication means. In the control method of an image forming system that can communicate with each other via a network, identification information for identifying the sheet processing apparatus is acquired from the plurality of connected sheet processing apparatuses via the network. System configuration information by combining the identification information acquisition step, the system configuration setting step for setting the arrangement order of the sheet processing apparatuses corresponding to the acquired identification information, and the acquired identification information and the setting information for the arrangement order. System configuration information generation step to be generated, and image forming apparatus and sheet processing apparatus that can operate as an image forming system A storage step of storing in advance the combination of the identification information as system configurable information, a determination step of collating the system configuration information with the system configurable information, and determining whether the image forming system is operable, As a result of the determination, the system configuration information registration step of registering the system configuration information when the system is operable is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a control method for an image forming system according to a twelfth aspect includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses that can be connected to the image forming apparatus. In the control method of an image forming system that can communicate with each other via a network, identification information for identifying the sheet processing apparatus is acquired from the plurality of connected sheet processing apparatuses via the network. An identification information acquisition step, a storage step of previously storing a combination of the arrangement order of the image forming apparatus and sheet processing apparatus operable as the image forming system and the identification information as system configurable information, the acquired identification information and the system At least one system configuration pattern that can be operated as an image forming system by collating with configurable information A display step for generating and displaying; a selection step for selecting an appropriate one from the displayed system configuration patterns; a system configuration registration step for registering system configuration information corresponding to the selected system configuration pattern; It is characterized by providing.

  According to invention of Claim 1 and 11, the identification information for identifying the said sheet processing apparatus is acquired via the network from the several sheet processing apparatus connected, The sheet processing apparatus corresponding to the acquired identification information The system configuration information is generated by combining the acquired identification information and the order setting information, and the system configuration information and the image forming apparatus and sheet processing apparatus operable as the image forming system are arranged. The system configuration information that combines the order and the identification information is collated, and when the image forming system is operable, the system configuration information is registered. Even if you are not familiar with it, you can prevent incorrect installation and setting of the devices that make up the image forming system, and It is possible to shorten the installation time to reduce the load.

  According to the invention described in claims 2 and 12, identification information for identifying the sheet processing apparatus is acquired from a plurality of connected sheet processing apparatuses via a network, and the acquired identification information and the image forming system are obtained. The system configuration information combining the arrangement order of the operable image forming apparatus and sheet processing apparatus and the identification information is collated, and at least one system configuration pattern operable as the image forming system is generated, displayed, and displayed. The system configuration information corresponding to the selected system configuration pattern is registered by selecting the appropriate one from the selected system configuration patterns, so that the installer and operator can construct an image forming system more easily It becomes.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the system configurable information can be changed in accordance with the increase or decrease of the system configuration pattern of the operable image forming system by changing the control program for controlling the image forming system. As a result, the function expandability of the image forming system can be improved.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, since the image forming apparatus further includes the display control means for displaying the determination result by the determination means on the display means, it is possible for the apparatus installer or the operator to properly configure the image forming system. it can.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the display control means displays that there is an error in the sheet processing apparatus constituting the image forming system or the specified arrangement order when it is determined that the determination means cannot operate. If an incorrect setting is made at the time of installation of the image forming system, the result is displayed and a warning is given to the apparatus installer or operator, so that the apparatus installer etc. It is possible to prevent this from happening.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the display control means determines that the determination means is operable, the display means displays a display for confirming registration of the system configuration information on the display means. An image forming system properly set by an installer or an operator can be more reliably registered as system configuration information.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a connection form of the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “sheet”) that forms an image on a recording sheet medium (hereinafter simply referred to as “sheet”) including a recording sheet. 1), a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses that can be connected to the engine 1, such as a sheet feeding apparatus that supplies sheets to the engine 1, a post-processing apparatus having a bookbinding function and a cutting function, and these apparatuses And a network 101 that connects each other.

  A sheet feeding deck 2a serving as a sheet feeding device that supplies sheets to the engine 1 is disposed upstream of the engine 1 in the sheet conveyance direction of the engine 1 (on the right side of the drawing with respect to the engine 1 in FIG. 1). , 2b, 2c are arranged. On the other hand, on the downstream side with respect to the sheet conveyance direction of the engine 1 (on the left side of the drawing with respect to the engine 1 in FIG. 1), an insert sheet such as a cover sheet or a slip sheet is inserted between the sheets on which the engine 1 has formed an image. Inserters 3a and 3b are disposed as post-processing devices.

  On the downstream side (left side) of the inserter 3b, a puncher 4 is disposed as a post-processing device that punches holes in a sheet conveyed from the engine 1 via the inserters 3a and 3b. Further, on the downstream side (left side) of the puncher 4, stackers 5 a and 5 b for stacking sheets with punch holes and a finisher 6 for performing post-processing such as stapling and sorting are arranged.

  The engine 1, the paper feed decks 2a to 2c, the inserters 3a and 3b, the puncher 4, the stackers 5a and 5b, and the finisher 6 that constitute the image forming system each have a common network interface. These can be connected to a network 101 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) via the network interface and communicate with each other. In the present embodiment, a plurality of types of sheet processing apparatuses connected to the network 101 such as the sheet feeding decks 2a and 2b and the finisher 6 with respect to the engine 1 are referred to as apparatuses on the network.

  A network ID (node ID), which is identification information for identifying the device on the network 101, is set for each device constituting the image forming system. For example, in the present embodiment, the node ID is ID1 for the engine 1, ID11, ID12, ID13 for the paper feed decks 2a to 2c, ID21, ID22 for the inserters 3a, 3b, ID31 for the puncher 4, and the stacker 5a. 5b, ID51 and ID52 are set, and finisher 6 is set to ID2.

  In addition, the devices constituting the image forming system can communicate with each other by a common communication method such as Arcnet (registered trademark). Only the upstream sheet processing apparatus (inserter 3a) and the downstream sheet processing apparatus (puncher 4) and the engine 1 can send and receive commands related to the image forming process. Also, node ID search, transmission of information related to status, etc. can be accepted regardless of the node ID of the transmission source (for example, engine 1).

  In the present embodiment, the above-described Arcnet (registered trademark) is adopted as a communication method between apparatuses. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is based on a communication protocol using another communication line. May be.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the apparatus constituting the image forming system of FIG. In the figure, only the configuration related to the present invention will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

  2, the engine 1 includes a CPU 201, an image memory unit 202, an operation unit 203, an input / output port 204, a RAM 205, a ROM 206, and a communication I / F (interface) 207 as control units.

  The CPU 201 performs basic control of the entire engine 1. The ROM 206 is a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a control program 250 and an application program 253 shown in FIG. A RAM 205 is a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area when the CPU 201 executes the control program 250 and the like. A part of the area in the RAM 205 is used as a backup RAM in which data is not erased even when the engine 1 is turned off.

  The CPU 1 is connected to an address bus and a data bus (not shown) via the input / output port 204, and to various load devices (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch in the engine 1 via the address bus and the data bus. Output a control signal. Further, the CPU 1 can input a sensor signal from a sensor or the like that detects the position of the sheet. The CPU 201 is connected to an image processing unit 208 that processes an image signal converted into an electrical signal, and an image memory unit 202 that stores the processed image.

  As described above, the CPU 201 can control various load devices such as a motor via the input / output port 204 based on the control program 250 stored in the ROM 206 and can also execute the image forming process. is there.

  The CPU 201 is connected to the operation unit 203, and performs display control of a display unit provided in the operation unit 203 and operation input (for example, key input) by a user (including a specific operator such as a serviceman). Control. The user can instruct the CPU 201 to switch the operation mode of the engine 1 and the display on the operation unit 203 through the operation input on the operation unit 203. On the other hand, the CPU 201 can perform display control on the display unit on the operation unit 203 so as to display the operation state of the engine 1 and the operation mode set by the operation input.

  A communication interface (I / F) 207 is a communication interface for the CPU 201 to communicate with CPUs provided in devices on a network, for example.

  As described above, the engine 1 is connected to the paper feed deck 2a, the finisher 6, and the inserter 3a via the network 101. The paper feed deck 2a, the finisher 6, and the inserter 3a each include a CPU 2201, a ROM 2202, a RAM 2203, a communication I / F 2204, and an input / output port 2205 as control units.

  In FIG. 2, the CPU 201 in the engine 1 is connected to the communication I / F 2204 in the paper feed deck 2 a via the network 101 from the communication I / F 207 and can communicate with the CPU 2201. When the CPU 201 sends a node ID acquisition request signal for acquiring a node ID to the CPU 2201, the CPU 2201 that has received this request receives the node ID stored in the ROM 2202 in the apparatus (for example, the paper feed deck 2a). In this case, ID11) is returned. Similarly, the CPU 201 can acquire all node IDs respectively set for the devices on the network by sending a node ID acquisition request signal to all the devices on the network.

  For example, the CPU 2201 in the paper feed deck 2a performs basic control of the entire apparatus. A ROM 2202 is a ROM that stores a control program and a node ID of the apparatus. A RAM 2203 is a RAM used as a work area when the CPU 2201 executes a control program.

  The CPU 2201 is connected to an address bus and a data bus (not shown) via an input / output port 2205, and controls various load devices (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch in the device via the address bus and the data bus. Output a signal. Further, the CPU 2201 can input a sensor signal from a sensor or the like that detects the position of the sheet. As described above, the CPU 2201 controls various load devices such as a motor via the input / output port 2205, thereby performing control corresponding to the command from the engine 1 (for example, punching in the case of the puncher 4 and finishing in the case of the finisher 6). Can perform control for executing predetermined post-processing and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of software stored in a memory in the engine 1 in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the software stored in the ROM 206 includes a control program 250 and an application program 253 that are read and executed by the CPU 201.

  The control program 250 includes a user interface control program 251 for controlling the display of the system configuration information on the operation unit 203 for managing the apparatus configuration of the image forming system, which will be described later, and the operation input from the operation unit 203, an engine A load control program 252 for controlling various load devices such as a motor and a clutch in 1 is included.

  The application program 253 includes a system configuration management application program 254 for executing processing relating to the type and arrangement order (arrangement order) of apparatuses constituting the image forming system, determination of the image forming system, and the like.

  The system configuration management application program 254 executes processing related to generation and transmission of a node ID acquisition request signal that the CPU 201 transmits to a device on the network, reception of a node ID transmitted from the device on the network, and management. It is a program to do. Further, the system configuration management application program 254, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, based on the node ID received from the device on the network, the system configuration management table 255 described later for the image forming system configured as an initial installation state. It is a program that can be registered with.

  In addition, the system configuration management application program 254 does not provide a special dedicated line or the like for defining the arrangement order of the devices constituting the image forming system, and when the device configuration of the image forming system is changed, the device This is a program that can determine whether the configuration can be operated as an image forming system and can change the registered contents of the system configuration management table. This makes it possible to flexibly change the arrangement order of the devices constituting the image forming system.

  In this embodiment, the system configuration management application program 254 is included in the application program 253. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, even if the system configuration management application program 254 is included in the control program 250 as software for realizing the function, the above-described effects can be obtained.

  The RAM 205 stores a system configuration management table 255 for registering and managing a plurality of node IDs received from devices on the network when the system configuration management application program 254 is executed. Registered in this system configuration management table 255 is system configuration information in which a node ID (identification information) for identifying a device on the network and setting information on the arrangement order of the devices corresponding to the node ID are combined. For example, information obtained by combining node IDs of the engine 1, finisher 6, paper feed decks 2 a to 2 c, and the like at the time of initial installation of the image forming system and setting information of the arrangement order of the devices corresponding to the node IDs in the initial installation state. It can be registered as system configuration information.

  The CPU 201 can change the setting information of the arrangement order of the devices in the system configuration information in accordance with the change in the arrangement of the devices connected to the network 101 by executing the system configuration management application program 254.

  When executed by the CPU 201, the user interface control program 251 accesses the system configuration management table 255 and displays system configuration information on the display unit on the operation unit 203. Further, the user interface control program 251 stores the change result of the apparatus configuration of the image forming system in the system configuration management table 255 in accordance with the operation input of the operator.

  In this embodiment, the system configuration management table 255 is stored in the RAM 205, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be stored in a non-volatile memory provided separately in the engine 1 or may be stored in a secondary storage device such as a hard disk drive.

As described above, the engine 1 communicates with a device on the network via the communication I / F 207 to determine an image forming system for performing a predetermined image forming process.
Therefore, the engine 1 includes a system configuration registration unit that stores in the RAM 205 system configuration information that is a combination of a node ID acquired from a device on the network and setting information on the arrangement order of devices corresponding to the node ID. Further, a system configurable information table serving as collation data for determining whether the stored system configuration information can be set as an image forming system is provided. Further, by comparing the system configuration information with the system configurable information table, a determination unit that determines whether the installed sheet processing apparatus can be used as an image forming system, and an image based on the determination result of the determination unit A determination unit for determining the forming system.

  The system configurable information table is stored in the ROM 206 as a part of the system configuration management application program 254 in the engine 1. The system configurable information table is unique information set for each image forming apparatus. Therefore, even if the system configuration is operable in a certain image forming apparatus, it is not always possible to operate in another image forming apparatus.

  The system configurable information table includes the following four pieces of information. [1] Device connection availability information for the sheet processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus (engine). [2] Connectability information of the sheet processing apparatus with respect to the sheet conveying direction (upstream or downstream) of the image forming apparatus (engine). [3] Availability information for a system configuration in which a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses are combined. [4] Availability information for the order of arrangement of the sheet processing apparatuses.

  The system configuration management application program 254 described above can function as a system configuration registration unit, a determination unit, and a determination unit under the control of the CPU 201.

  The engine 1 also includes a display control unit for displaying the determination result of the determination unit on a liquid crystal display unit 320 shown in FIG. The user interface control program 251 can function as a display control unit under the control of the CPU 201.

  The above-described software is stored in the ROM 206, but is not limited to this. For example, the software may be stored in a secondary storage device such as a non-volatile memory or a hard disk drive separately provided in the engine 1. Good.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the operation unit 203 in FIG.

  4, the operation unit 203 includes a start key 301 for starting an image forming operation, a stop key 302 for interrupting the image forming operation, a reset key 303 for returning display and settings to an initial state, and the like. Yes. The operation unit 203 is also provided with numeric keys 304 to 313 for performing numerical value setting, an ID key 314, a clear key 315, a user mode key 316, and the like.

  A liquid crystal display unit 320 on which a touch panel is formed is disposed above the operation unit 203, and a soft key can be provided on the liquid crystal display screen. A standard screen 321 is usually displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320. The user can perform operation settings related to image formation via such a screen.

  In this image forming system, the operation section is used for setting the number of prints, scaling, single-sided / double-sided mode, paper feed stage selection, non-sorting, sorting, stapling sorting (binding mode), and other application modes. This can be done by an input operation from 203. Based on the information input from the operation unit 203, the control program 250 described above is executed under the control of the CPU 201, and the engine 1 can be controlled.

  The system configuration information can also be set by an operation input from the operation unit 203. Note that this setting is not open to general users, and is preferably limited to be operated only by an operator such as a service person who maintains the engine 1 or the image forming system. In this case, the user interface control program 251 can authenticate the operator's operation input by the CPU 1 and permit the operator permitted to operate as a result of the authentication to set the system configuration information.

  Next, registration processing of the devices constituting the image forming system will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration display screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 of FIG.

  The system configuration display screen 500 shown in the figure is displayed on the liquid crystal display when the CPU 201 executes the user interface control program 251 when an image forming system is newly installed or when all registered system configuration information is deleted. 3 is an initial screen displayed on the section 320. In the system configuration display screen 500, as indicated by “Engine” in the column 501, only the engine 1 (ID1) that is the image forming apparatus is currently registered. In this state, the image forming system is displayed. Can only operate with the engine alone.

  When the operator presses the “→ setting screen” key 502 on the system configuration display screen 500, the CPU 201 executes the user interface control program 251 to switch to the system configuration setting screen 600 shown in FIG. On the system configuration setting screen 600, it is possible to set system configuration information related to the types and arrangement order of devices constituting the image forming system.

  In the illustrated system configuration setting screen 600, the node ID number display fields 601 and 602 include the image forming systems 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 32, 51, and 52 in FIG. 1 as node ID numbers. List is displayed.

  Next, system configuration information generation and registration processing in the image forming system will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of system configuration information generation and registration processing in the image forming system. This process is executed by the CPU 201 in the engine 1 reading the user interface control program 251 or the system configuration management application program 254 from the ROM 206. This process is executed when the “→ setting screen” key 502 is pressed on the system configuration display screen 500 of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, first, in step S1501, all devices existing on the network 101 (devices on the network) are searched, and node IDs are acquired from the searched devices. Here, the CPU 201 executes the system configuration management application program 254, communicates with a device on the network via the communication I / F 207, and acquires all node IDs set for each device. In step S1501, a certain timeout time may be provided in consideration of a delay in processing time from when the device on the network is turned on until the node ID is acquired. Then, it may be determined that the node ID of the device on the network is acquired when the timeout time is exceeded.

  Next, in step S1502, all the node IDs acquired in step S1501 are displayed as a list on the liquid crystal display unit 320 of the operation unit 203 as a system configuration setting screen 600.

  Next, in step S1503, the CPU 201 executes the user interface control program 251, and accepts designation of the arrangement order of devices corresponding to the acquired node ID from the operator on the system configuration setting screen 600. The system configuration setting screen 600 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 until the arrangement order is specified, and when the arrangement order is specified for all devices and the “OK” key 603 is pressed (YES in step S1503). ), And proceeds to step S1504, where the system configuration information is generated from the acquired note ID and the setting information of the arrangement order.

  By the way, there is no guarantee that the arrangement order designated by the operator is operable in the image forming system. Moreover, the apparatus installer who installed the sheet processing apparatus may mistakenly install it. In such a case, if the generated system configuration information is registered as it is, there is a possibility of causing an unexpected operation or abnormality as the image forming system, and there is a possibility that the apparatus installer or the operator may be disadvantaged.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to avoid such a situation, the processing after step S1505 is executed, and an incorrect system configuration information is set by referring to a previously stored system configurable information table. Check if it is not.

  In step S1505, reference is made to [1] apparatus connection availability information for the sheet processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus (engine) in the system configurable information table. Then, it is checked whether or not a sheet processing apparatus having identification information that cannot be connected to the engine 1 is connected to the network 101 (applicability of apparatus connection OK?). As a result, when a device that cannot be connected to the engine 1 is connected to the network 101 (NO in step S1505), the process proceeds to step S1509. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a pop-up screen 800 indicating that the device (connected device) cannot be recognized is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 on the operation unit 203 to give a notification (warning), and the process returns to step S1503. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1505 that all devices on the network can be connected to the engine 1 (YES in step S1505), the process advances to step S1506.

  In step S1506, reference is made to [2] connection possibility information of the sheet processing apparatus with respect to the sheet conveying direction (upstream or downstream) of the image forming apparatus (engine) in the system configurable information table. Then, it is checked which of the devices on the network can be connected to the upstream side (paper feed side) or the downstream side (paper discharge side) of the engine 1, and no incorrect connection is made to it. Is checked (OK?). For example, a paper discharge device such as a stacker can be connected only to the downstream side, but may be connected to the upstream side of the engine 1 due to an erroneous connection or incorrect installation of the device by the device installer.

  If it is determined in step S1506 that there is an erroneous connection to the upstream side or downstream side of the engine 1 among the devices on the network (NO in step S1506), the process proceeds to step S1510. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, a pop-up screen 900 indicating that there is an error in the connection on the upstream side or downstream side of the corresponding device is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 to perform notification (warning), and the process returns to step S1503. In addition, when connected upstream of the engine 1 like the paper feed decks 2a to 2c (ID11, ID12, ID13), it may function as a large capacity paper feed unit. When connected downstream, it may function as a large-capacity inserter unit. For this reason, it is not certain that all the sheet processing apparatuses are connected to the upstream side or the downstream side of the engine 1.

  As a result of the determination in step S1506, when there is no erroneous connection to the upstream side or downstream side of the engine 1 among the devices on the network (YES in step S1506), the process proceeds to step S1507.

  In step S1507, reference is made to [3] availability information for a system configuration in which a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses are combined in the system configurable information table. Then, it is checked whether or not the image forming system is operable with respect to a system configuration in which all devices on the network including the engine 1 are currently combined, and whether or not there is an error in the combination of devices (system configuration OK). ?). For example, the engine 1 can be connected to a maximum of two stackers, but more connections are not allowed in the system configuration.

  Therefore, when three or more stackers are connected to the network 101, it is determined that there is an error in the combination of devices (NO in step S1507), and the process proceeds to step S1511. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, a pop-up screen 1000 indicating that there is an error in the combination of devices (connected devices) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 to give a notification (warning), and the process returns to step S1503. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1507 is that there is no error in the combination of devices (YES in step S1507), the process proceeds to step S1508.

  In step S1508, reference is made to [4] availability information for the arrangement order of the sheet processing apparatuses in the system configurable information table. Then, it is checked whether or not the arrangement order designated on the system configuration setting screen 600 is operable as an image forming apparatus system for the apparatus on the network (system arrangement order availability OK?). For example, the finisher 6 does not have a path for transporting sheets downstream from the finisher 6, so the arrangement order is always specified at the most downstream side of the system.

  As a result of the determination in step S1508, if the specified arrangement order is not operable as the image forming system, for example, when the arrangement order of the finishers 6 is not designated as the most downstream (NO in step S1508), step S1512 is performed. Migrate to Then, as shown in FIG. 11, a pop-up screen 1100 indicating that there is an error in the designation of the finisher 6 arrangement order is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 to give a notification (warning), and the process returns to step S1503.

  Further, regarding the stacker and the puncher, it is considered that there is no problem as a sheet conveyance path regardless of which is arranged on the downstream side. However, it is always necessary to arrange the puncher upstream of the stacker. It is defined in the configuration. Therefore, as a result of the determination in step S1508, even when the stacker arrangement order is upstream of the punchers, the process proceeds to step S1512 and, as shown in FIG. 12, there is an error that the specified stacker and puncher arrangement order is incorrect. A pop-up screen 1200 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 to notify (warn), and the process returns to step S1503. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1508, if the designated arrangement order is operable as the image forming system, it is determined that the designation of the arrangement order is appropriate in the system configuration, and the process proceeds to step S1513.

  In step S1513, the CPU 201 executes the user interface control program 251, so that the newly configured system configuration information is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 as shown in FIG. It is displayed as a setting screen 1300, and it is determined whether or not registration of system configuration information has been completed.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration setting screen in which information about the arrangement order is added to the system configuration setting screen of FIG. 7. Information on the arrangement order of devices with respect to the node ID acquired in step S1501 of FIG. It is displayed.

  In the system configuration setting screen 1300, the arrangement order of the devices is displayed by a minus (−) numerical value for the devices upstream of the engine 1, and for the devices downstream of the engine 1. The order is displayed with a positive number.

  Since the engine 1 is the center of the image forming system, “0” is displayed in the “arrangement order” column of the system configuration setting screen 1300. Taking the case of the connection form in the image forming system of FIG. 1 as an example, the designation of the arrangement order of the paper feed decks 2a, 2b, 2c arranged on the upstream side of the engine 1 is "-1" and "-2", respectively. , “−3”. Similarly, the designations of the arrangement order of the stackers 5a and 5b and the finisher ID 2 arranged on the downstream side of the engine 1 are “4”, “5”, and “6”, respectively.

  When the “OK” key 1201 is pressed on the system configuration setting screen 1300, the CPU 201 executes the user interface control program 251 to display the system configuration information to be registered as shown in FIG. Switch to

  In the system configuration registration screen 1400, “Engine” is displayed in the column 1307 as the center of the image forming system, and “1” is displayed in the column 1308 as the node ID of the engine 1. In the column 1301 indicating the upstream side of the engine 1, a node ID column 1302 and a type column 1303 indicating the type of the corresponding device are displayed. In a column 1304 indicating the downstream side of the engine 1, a node ID column 1305 and a type column 1306 indicating the type of the corresponding device are displayed.

  When the “← setting screen” key 1311 is pressed on the system configuration registration screen 1400, the display is switched to the system configuration setting screen 600, and the operator can again specify the arrangement order of the apparatuses. While the arrangement order of the devices is being specified, the system configuration information registration process is in a standby state (NO in step S1513).

  On the other hand, when the “OK” key 1310 is pressed on the system configuration registration screen 1400, the CPU 201 executes the system configuration management application program 254. Then, the type and arrangement order of the designated devices are stored in the system configuration management table 255 as system configuration information (step S1514), and this processing is terminated.

  According to the first embodiment, identification information is acquired from a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses connected to the engine 1 via the network 101, and the arrangement order of the sheet processing apparatuses corresponding to the acquired identification information is set. . Then, system configuration information can be generated by combining the acquired identification information and arrangement order setting information, and the system configuration can be configured by combining the system configuration information, the arrangement order of devices operable as an image forming system, and identification information. Check the information table. Further, the apparatus automatically determines whether the set system configuration information is appropriate. As a result, even if the apparatus installer or operator of the image forming system is not well aware of the system configuration, it is possible to prevent erroneous installation or erroneous setting of the apparatus configuring the image forming system. Moreover, the load at the time of installation can be reduced and installation time can be shortened.

  By storing the system configurable information table in the image forming apparatus in advance, even if the apparatus installer or operator is not familiar with the system configuration that can be used by all image forming apparatuses, there is no incorrect installation or incorrect connection. An appropriate image forming system can be configured.

  In the first embodiment, the compatibility of the installed or set image forming system is confirmed by referring to the system configurable information table stored in the engine 1 in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not.

  For example, the system configurable information table may be updated according to the installed image forming system. Further, when a more appropriate combination of devices is possible by changing the control program in the engine 1, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, a system configurable information table according to the contents of the changed control program May be updated. Thereby, it becomes possible to cope with a new system configuration. Since the work necessary for these is only the change of the system configurable information table included in the control program, it is possible to realize that the image forming apparatus which is the engine 1 corresponds to the new system configuration without hardware change. .

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The image forming system according to the second embodiment has the same configuration (FIGS. 1 to 3) as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  The system configuration management application program 254 according to the second embodiment functions as the above-described system configuration registration unit, determination unit, and determination unit. Further, a system configuration pattern operable as an image forming system is stored in advance in a system configurable information table. Then, the system configuration pattern is collated with a system configuration pattern obtained by combining all devices existing on the network 101 (devices on the network). Further, a selection unit that automatically generates and displays a system configuration pattern that can be operated and set as an image forming system, and that allows the installer or operator to select a suitable one from the displayed system configuration patterns. Functions are added.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of system configuration information generation and registration processing of the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This process is executed by the CPU 201 in the engine 1 reading the user interface control program 251 or the system configuration management application program 254 from the ROM 206. This process is executed when the “→ setting screen” key 502 is pressed on the system configuration display screen 500 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 17, first, in step S1801, all devices existing on the network 101 (devices on the network) are searched, and node IDs are acquired from the searched devices. Here, the same processing as step S1501 in FIG. 6 is executed.

  Next, in step S1802, a system configuration pattern that can be taken when a device corresponding to the node ID is combined based on all the node IDs acquired in step S1801, and a system stored in advance in the system configurable information table Match the configuration pattern. Further, a system configuration pattern operable as an image forming system is automatically generated by combining the device corresponding to the acquired node ID and the engine 1, and is displayed under display control of a user interface control program 251 executed by the CPU 201. 18 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 on the operation unit 203 as a system configuration pattern display screen 1800 shown in FIG. The system configuration pattern automatically generated here is not limited to one, and all possible patterns are generated.

  On the other hand, when a device that cannot be connected to the engine 1 that is an image forming device is searched in step S1801, or in step S1802, the devices corresponding to all the node IDs acquired in step S1801 are combined with the engine 1. If there is no possible system configuration pattern, the pop-up screen 800 of FIG. 8 or the pop-up screen 1000 of FIG. 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 320 under display control of the user interface control program 251 executed by the CPU 201 (notification ( Warning).

  In step S1803, the apparatus installer or operator is currently installed (or set) from the plurality of system configuration patterns of the image forming system displayed as the system configuration pattern display screen 1800 on the liquid crystal display unit 320. The one that matches the system configuration of the existing image forming system is selected.

  When the A pattern 1801 on the system configuration pattern display screen 1800 is selected in step S1803 (YES in step S1803), the screen is switched to the system configuration pattern display screen 1700 shown in FIG. Subsequently, after the A pattern 1701 is selected on the displayed system configuration pattern display screen 1700, an “OK” key 1702 is pressed. In step S1804, the user interface control program 251 is executed under the control of the CPU 201, and the system configuration information of the image forming system is obtained from the setting information of the arrangement order of the devices in the selected system configuration pattern (A pattern here). Generate. Here, the same processing as step S1504 in FIG. 6 is executed.

  Subsequently, in steps S1805 and S1806, processing similar to that in steps S1513 and 1514 in FIG. 6 is executed. In other words, the CPU 201 executes the system configuration management application program 254 when the system configuration information registration process is completed and the “OK” key is pressed (YES in step S1805). The set system configuration information is stored in the system configuration management table 255 (step S1806), and this process ends.

  According to the second embodiment, identification information is acquired from a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses connected to the engine 1 via the network 101, and the arrangement order of the acquired identification information and an apparatus operable as an image forming system is obtained. And a system configurable information table in which identification information is combined. Then, a system configuration pattern operable as an image forming system is automatically generated and displayed. In addition, since an appropriate one of the displayed system configuration patterns is selected, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the apparatus installer and the operator can more easily construct an image forming system. Become.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus. This can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  The following can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD ± R, DVD-RAM, DVD ± RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory Card etc. The program code may be downloaded via the network 101.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. This includes the case where the OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. It is.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiment may be realized by the processing. included.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the printing method of the composite apparatus is an electrophotographic method has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, a static method, and the like. It can be applied to various printing methods such as an electric method and a discharge destruction method.

  The form of the program may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection form of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of an apparatus constituting the image forming system in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the software stored in the memory in the engine 1 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the operation part 203 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration display screen displayed on a liquid crystal display unit 320 in FIG. 4. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of system configuration information generation and registration processing in the image forming system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration setting screen for setting system configuration information related to the types and arrangement order of apparatuses constituting the image forming system. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displays that the apparatus connected to the engine 1 cannot be recognized in the process of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displays that there exists an error in the arrangement order of the apparatus designated in the process of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displays that the combination of the apparatus designated in the process of FIG. 6 is illegal. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displays that the arrangement | sequence order position of the apparatus designated in the process of FIG. 6 is an error. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displays that the relative positional relationship between apparatuses is an error regarding the arrangement | sequence order position of the apparatus designated in the process of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen to which the information regarding the arrangement order was added to the system configuration setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure display screen after completion | finish of designation | designated. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system in which system configuration information and a system configurable information table do not match. It is a schematic diagram showing that an operable image forming system can be easily realized by updating a system configurable information table. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of system configuration information generation and registration processing of an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the system configuration pattern display screen of the image forming system which can be comprised with the apparatus corresponding to acquired node ID. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen when the thing suitable for the present apparatus installation condition is selected from the system configuration pattern display screen of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Engine (image forming device)
2a, 2b, 2c Paper feed decks 3a, 3b Inserter 4 Punchers 5a, 5b Stacker 6 Finisher 101 Network 201, 201 CPU
206, 2202 ROM
205, 2203 RAM
207, 2204 Communication I / F
251 User interface control program 252 Load control program 254 System configuration management application program 255 System configuration management table

Claims (13)

In an image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses that can be connected to the image forming apparatus, each of which has a common communication unit and can communicate with each other via a network.
The image forming apparatus includes:
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying the sheet processing apparatus from the plurality of connected sheet processing apparatuses via a network;
System configuration setting means for setting the arrangement order of the sheet processing apparatuses corresponding to the acquired identification information;
System configuration information generating means for generating system configuration information by combining the acquired identification information and the setting information of the arrangement order;
A storage unit that stores in advance, as system configurable information, a combination of the order of arrangement of image forming apparatuses and sheet processing apparatuses operable as an image forming system and identification information;
A determination unit that collates the system configuration information with the system configurable information and determines whether the image forming system is operable;
As a result of the determination, an image forming system comprising: system configuration information registration means for registering the system configuration information when operable. In an image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses that can be connected to the image forming apparatus, each of which has a common communication unit and can communicate with each other via a network.
The image forming apparatus includes:
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying the sheet processing apparatus from the plurality of connected sheet processing apparatuses via a network;
A storage unit that stores in advance, as system configurable information, a combination of the order of arrangement of image forming apparatuses and sheet processing apparatuses operable as an image forming system and identification information;
Display means for collating the acquired identification information with the system configurable information and generating and displaying at least one system configuration pattern operable as an image forming system;
Selection means for selecting a suitable one from the displayed system configuration patterns;
An image forming system comprising: system configuration registration means for registering system configuration information corresponding to the selected system configuration pattern.   3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the system configurable information includes apparatus connection availability information for the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses of the image forming apparatus.   3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the system configurable information includes connection possibility information of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses with respect to a sheet conveyance direction of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the system configurable information includes availability information for a system configuration in which the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses are combined.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the system configurable information includes availability information with respect to an arrangement order of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses.   2. The system configurable information can be changed in accordance with an increase or decrease of a system configuration pattern of an operable image forming system by changing a control program for controlling the image forming system. 2. The image forming system according to 2.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a determination result by the determination unit.   When it is determined by the determination unit that the display control unit is not operable, the display control unit causes the display unit to display that there is an error in the sheet processing apparatus constituting the image forming system or the specified arrangement order. The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein:   9. The display control unit according to claim 8, wherein when the determination unit determines that the display unit is operable, the display unit displays a display for confirming registration of system configuration information by the registration unit. 9. The image forming system according to 9. Image forming system control method comprising an image forming apparatus and a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses connectable to the image forming apparatus, each of which has a common communication means and can communicate with each other via a network In
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring identification information for identifying the sheet processing apparatus from the plurality of connected sheet processing apparatuses via a network;
A system configuration setting step for setting the arrangement order of the sheet processing apparatuses corresponding to the acquired identification information;
A system configuration information generating step of generating system configuration information by combining the acquired identification information and the setting information of the arrangement order;
A storage step of storing in advance as a system configurable information a combination of the order of arrangement of image forming apparatuses and sheet processing apparatuses operable as an image forming system and identification information;
A determination step of collating the system configuration information with the system configurable information and determining whether the image forming system is operable;
As a result of the determination, a control method comprising: a system configuration information registration step of registering the system configuration information when operable. Image forming system control method comprising an image forming apparatus and a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses connectable to the image forming apparatus, each of which has a common communication means and can communicate with each other via a network In
An identification information acquisition step of acquiring identification information for identifying the sheet processing apparatus from the plurality of connected sheet processing apparatuses via a network;
A storage step of storing in advance as a system configurable information a combination of the order of arrangement of image forming apparatuses and sheet processing apparatuses operable as an image forming system and identification information;
A display step of collating the acquired identification information with the system configurable information and generating and displaying at least one system configuration pattern operable as an image forming system;
A selection step of selecting a suitable one from the displayed system configuration patterns;
A system configuration registration step of registering system configuration information corresponding to the selected system configuration pattern.   A computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute the image forming system control method according to claim 11.

Images