JP2007183502A - Image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image recording system constituted so that a recording medium with an image recorded thereon by a first image recording device on an upstream side may be ejected to the outside of the device via a part of a second image recording device arranged on a downstream side, wherein the recording medium with the image recorded thereon by the first image recording device is ejected to the outside of the device via a part of the second image recording device even if the control of the conveying path of the second image recording device becomes abnormal. <P>SOLUTION: If the driving control of a bypass conveying device 5 by a color image recording device 1 becomes abnormal when forming an image by a monochrome image recording device 2, the bypass conveying device 5 arranged to get over the upper part of the color image recording device 1 is driven by the monochrome image recording device 2, and recording paper with an image recorded thereon by the monochrome image recording device 2 is ejected to a final processing device 3 via the bypass conveying device 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, a plurality of image recording apparatuses are arranged in parallel, and a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the first image recording apparatus is discharged outside the apparatus through a part of the second image recording apparatus. The present invention relates to a configured image recording system.

  In recent years, there has been proposed an image recording system (color printing apparatus) that continuously outputs a large amount of recording paper and outputs it at high speed with the pages arranged in order (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this image recording system, two image recording apparatuses each connected to a multi-sheet feeding apparatus and a common sorter are integrated in a gantry, and further, image signals are distributed to the image recording apparatuses and processes of the image recording apparatuses are performed. And control means for controlling the operation sequence of the sorter. The control means outputs an image signal to each image recording apparatus and causes each image recording apparatus to output recording sheets corresponding to the page order alternately, thereby aligning the page order on each bin of the sorter. The recording paper is discharged. In other words, the conventional image recording system operates two image recording apparatuses simultaneously in order to increase the processing speed.

In such an image recording system, two image recording apparatuses can be combined with, for example, a color image recording apparatus and a monochrome image recording apparatus. When a job recording process in which a monochrome image and a color image are mixed using this combination of image recording systems, the monochrome image is a monochrome image in order to increase the processing speed. The image is recorded by the processing device, and the color image is recorded by the color image processing device. Then, when discharging onto the storage tray, the recording material on which the color image is formed and the recording material on which the monochrome image is formed are sequentially discharged.
JP-A-8-305221

  The image recording system of Patent Document 1 has a structure in which two image recording devices are integrally incorporated, but the two image recording devices and the recording medium accommodating means are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction, A recording medium on which an image has been recorded by the first image recording apparatus on the upstream side is discharged to a recording medium accommodating means disposed further downstream via a part of the second image recording apparatus disposed on the downstream side. Even in the configuration, the same function can be realized.

  However, with such a configuration, even when image formation is performed without using the second image recording apparatus and using only the upstream first image recording apparatus, the first image recording apparatus performs image recording. Since it is necessary to pass the recorded recording medium through a part of the second image recording apparatus, it is necessary to drive and control the transport path of the second image recording apparatus by the second image recording apparatus. In this case, when an abnormality occurs in the drive control of the conveyance path by the second image recording apparatus, the recording operation must be stopped even though the first image recording apparatus is operating normally. Such a problem occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to arrange two image recording apparatuses and a recording medium accommodating means in a line in the front-rear direction, and to perform an image on the upstream first image recording apparatus. In the image recording system configured to discharge the recorded recording medium to a recording medium accommodating unit disposed further downstream via a part of the second image recording apparatus disposed downstream, the second image Even when an abnormality occurs in the control of the conveyance path of the recording apparatus, the recording medium on which the image is recorded by the first image reproducing apparatus is discharged to the outside of the apparatus via a part of the second image recording apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in the image recording system of the present invention, a plurality of image recording apparatuses are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction, and a recording medium accommodation unit is arranged on the downstream side of the line, and the first image An image recording system for discharging a recording medium on which an image has been recorded by a recording apparatus to the recording medium accommodating means via a part of a second image recording apparatus disposed downstream, wherein the second image recording The apparatus is provided with bypass conveying means. When an image is formed by the first image recording apparatus, if there is an abnormality in the drive control of the bypass conveying means by the second image recording apparatus, the first image recording apparatus performs the bypass. The conveyance unit is driven, and the recording medium is discharged to the recording medium accommodation unit via the bypass conveyance unit. As described above, when there is an abnormality in the drive control of the bypass conveying means by the second image recording apparatus, the bypass conveying means mounted on the second image recording apparatus is directly driven from the first image recording apparatus. By controlling, the recording sheet on which the image has been recorded by the first image recording apparatus can be surely discharged to the recording medium accommodating means via the bypass conveying means. In this case, it is preferable that the power supply of the second image recording apparatus can be turned off from the first image recording apparatus. As a result, it is possible to prevent a malfunction when driving and controlling the bypass conveying means in the first image recording apparatus thereafter.

  Here, one of the two image recording apparatuses can be a color image recording apparatus and the other can be a monochrome image recording apparatus.

  The bypass conveying means is disposed so as to exceed the upper part of the second image recording apparatus. Thereby, the conveyance path of the recording medium on which the image is recorded by the second image recording apparatus and the conveyance path of the recording medium on which the image is recorded by the first image recording apparatus can be separated. Therefore, it becomes easy to control the conveyance of the color image recording medium.

  Further, the recording medium discharged to the recording medium accommodation unit via the bypass conveyance unit is configured to be discharged to a recording medium accommodation unit having substantially the same height as the bypass conveyance unit. Specifically, the recording medium is configured to be discharged to the uppermost stage of the recording medium accommodation unit. Thereby, the conveyance distance from the first image recording apparatus to the recording medium accommodating means can be shortened, and the conveyance time can be shortened.

  According to the image recording system of the present invention, when only the first image recording apparatus is used, the power supply of the second image recording apparatus is turned off and the bypass conveyance mounted in the second image recording apparatus is performed. Since the means is configured to directly drive and control from the first image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent waste of power consumption when only the first image recording apparatus is used.

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

  The image recording system according to the present embodiment is a kind of complex system having a copying function, a printer function, a network printer function, a network facsimile function, and the like. As an image recording apparatus, a color image recording apparatus and a monochrome image recording apparatus are used. Two image recording devices are used.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are an external view and a schematic sectional view showing a basic arrangement configuration of such an image recording system.

  The image recording system according to the present embodiment includes a color image recording apparatus 1 disposed in the center, a bypass conveying apparatus 5 and a final processing apparatus 3 disposed on the left side of the color image recording apparatus 1, and the color image recording apparatus 1. And a monochrome image recording apparatus 2 disposed on the right side of the image forming apparatus, and a color image reading apparatus (color scanner) 4 mounted on the monochrome image recording apparatus 2. In the present embodiment, the recording paper (recording material) is conveyed from the right side to the left side in FIGS. Therefore, in the following, the left side in the drawing is referred to as the upstream side according to the recording sheet conveyance direction, and the right side is referred to as the downstream side.

  The bypass conveyance path device 5 is formed in a housing shape having an inverted L shape when viewed from the side, and covers the color image recording device 1 from the downstream end to the upper portion of the color image recording device 1 (that is, covering the color image recording device 1). The color image recording apparatus 1 is arranged so as to extend over the upper part). The casing-shaped transport path connecting device 6 is disposed between the monochrome image recording device 2 and the color image recording device 1. The downstream end of the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 is connected to the upstream end of the color image recording apparatus 1 via the transport path connecting device 6, and the downstream end of the color image recording apparatus 2 is the bypass transport path apparatus. 5 is connected to the upstream end of the final processing device 3.

  That is, the image recording system according to the present embodiment includes a monochrome image recording apparatus 2, a conveyance path connecting apparatus 6, a color image recording apparatus 1, a bypass conveyance path apparatus 5, and a final processing apparatus 3 from the upstream side toward the downstream side. It is the structure connected in order. A bypass conveyance path device 5 is disposed above the color image recording apparatus 1, and a color scanner 4 is disposed above the monochrome image recording apparatus 2. A monochrome operation panel 202 is disposed on the upper front side of the monochrome image recording apparatus 2, and a color side operation panel 201 is disposed on the upper front side of the color image recording apparatus 1.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each of these devices will be briefly described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the color image recording apparatus 1 includes four sets of image forming units 10BK, 10C, 10M, and 10Y, an intermediate transfer unit 10, a transfer fixing unit 30, a first recording paper storage tray 41, and a second recording paper. Storage tray 42, third recording paper storage tray 43, fourth recording paper storage tray 44, horizontal supply transport path 51, horizontal discharge transport path 52, first vertical transport path 53, second vertical transport path 54, third vertical transport A path 55, a horizontal return conveyance path 56, and a discharge storage tray 57 are configured. The discharge storage tray 57 is a tray for storing recording sheets of monochrome images that have been subjected to image processing by the upstream monochrome image recording apparatus 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 includes a monochrome image forming unit 60, a fixing unit 63, a first recording paper storage tray 141, a second recording paper storage tray 142, a third recording paper storage tray 143, and a fourth recording paper. The recording paper storage tray 144, the horizontal supply conveyance path 151, the horizontal discharge conveyance path 152, the first vertical conveyance path 153, the second vertical conveyance path 154, the third vertical conveyance path 155, the horizontal return conveyance path 156, and the image processed A discharge storage tray 157 is provided for storing monochrome image recording paper.

  The conveyance path connecting device 6 conveys the recording paper P conveyed and discharged by the horizontal discharge conveyance path 152 of the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 in a curved shape in a substantially S shape by the first extended vertical conveyance path 71, thereby bypass conveyance. It is delivered to the road device 5. Therefore, although not shown in the drawing, the first extended vertical conveyance path 71 is provided with rollers and guides that are driven by driving means.

  The bypass conveyance path device 5 conveys the recording paper P passed from the first extended vertical conveyance path 71 of the conveyance path connection device 6 to the final processing device 3 or the discharge storage tray 57. In addition, the recording paper P discharged and delivered from the horizontal discharge conveyance path 52 of the color image recording apparatus 1 is conveyed to the final processing apparatus 3. Therefore, the bypass transport path device 5 includes a second extended horizontal transport path 72, a third extended vertical transport path 73, a fourth extended horizontal transport path 74, and a branched transport path branched from the second extended horizontal transport path 72. 75 is provided. The upstream end of the second extended horizontal transport path 72 is connected to the downstream end of the first extended vertical transport path 71 of the transport path connecting device 6, and the downstream end of the second extended horizontal transport path 72. Is connected to the upstream end (upper end) of the third extended vertical transport path 73, and the downstream end (lower end) of the third extended vertical transport path 73 is upstream of the fourth extended horizontal transport path 74. Connected to the end. The downstream end of the horizontal discharge transport path 52 of the color image recording apparatus 1 is connected to the downstream end of the fourth extended horizontal transport path 74. The second extended horizontal transport path 72, the third extended vertical transport path 73, the fourth extended horizontal transport path 74, and the branch transport path 75 include rollers driven by a driver 91f (see FIG. 3) described later. Guides, cooling fans, and the like are provided. Further, detection switches SW1 and SW2 for detecting the passage of the recording paper P are arranged at the upstream end of the second extended horizontal transport path 72 and the downstream end of the fourth extended horizontal transport path 74. . Further, the upper surface portion of the bypass conveyance path device 5 can be opened and closed upward, and the recording paper jammed in the second extended horizontal conveyance path 72 can be easily removed by opening this upper surface portion upward. ing.

  The final processing device 3 is a device that accommodates the recording paper P that has undergone image processing by the color image recording device 1 or the monochrome image recording device 2. In this accommodation, a plurality of recording sheets P are accommodated in the order in which they are conveyed, and a function of binding and binding a plurality of accommodated recording sheets P is provided. Therefore, the final processing device 3 includes a first storage horizontal transport path 81, a second storage horizontal transport path 82, a third storage transport path 83, a transport path switching lever 84, a finisher 85, a first storage tray 86, and A second storage tray 87 is provided. Among these, the first storage horizontal transport path 81, the second storage horizontal transport path 82, and the third storage transport path 83 pass the recording paper P passed from the fourth extended horizontal transport path 74 of the bypass transport path device 5 to the finisher 85. Alternatively, it is used for transporting to the second storage tray 87. The upstream end of the first storage horizontal transport path 81 is connected to the downstream end of the fourth extended horizontal transport path 74 of the bypass transport path device 5, and the downstream end of the first storage horizontal transport path 81. Are connected to the upstream end of the second storage horizontal transport path 82 and the upstream end (upper end) of the third storage transport path 83. The connection portion is provided with a transport path switching lever 84, and the transport path switching lever 84 allows the recording paper P transported by the first storage horizontal transport path 81 having a short transport distance to be second transported horizontally. Switch to either the path 82 or the third accommodation transport path 83. The first storage horizontal transport path 81, the second storage horizontal transport path 82, and the third storage transport path 83 are provided with rollers and guides driven by driving means, a cooling fan, and the like, as will be described later. Yes.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic part of the electrical configuration of the image recording system having the above configuration. As described above, this image recording system is composed of the color image recording apparatus 1, the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 having the color scanner 4 mounted thereon, and the final processing apparatus 3. Each device is provided with a control unit so that each device can be used independently.

  That is, the color image recording device 1, the monochrome image recording device 2, and the final processing device 3 each include a color side control unit 1a, a monochrome side control unit 2a, and a final processing side control unit 3a. Among these, the color-side control unit 1a includes a control function for the bypass conveyance path device 5, and the monochrome-side control unit 2a similarly includes a control function for the bypass conveyance path device 5, as well as the color scanner 4 and The control function of the transport path connecting device 6 is included. In addition, the color-side control unit 1a includes a control function necessary for the image recording system in the present embodiment.

  The color side control unit 1a includes a color side ICU (image control unit) 91a, a color side PCU (print control unit) 91b, a color side OCU (operator control unit) 91c having a color side operation panel 201, a color side HDD 91d, and a color side. The control unit 91e includes a driver 91f that drives each conveyance path of the bypass conveyance path device 5, and a color-side power supply 91g that supplies power to these units. The color-side ICU 91a performs processing related to color image data processed by the color image recording apparatus 1. The color-side ICU 91a relates to these color scanners when the color image recording device 1 is used as an independent unit and when a color scanner or the like is mounted on the color image recording apparatus 1. Also controls. The color-side HDD 91d temporarily stores image data read from the color scanner 4. The color-side PCU 91b controls the color image recording apparatus 1 described above. The color-side PCU 91b also controls a driver 91f that drives each conveyance path of the bypass conveyance path device 5. The color-side OCU 91c is a portion operated by a user (operator) who operates the color image recording apparatus 1, and includes a color-side operation panel 201 in which a touch panel is arranged on a liquid crystal display. The color side management unit 91e is a memory that stores management information for managing processing performed by the color image recording apparatus 1. The color-side PCU 91b refers to the management information stored in the color-side management unit 91e, and controls the color image recording apparatus 1 based on the referenced information.

  The monochrome side control unit 2a includes a monochrome side ICU 92a, a monochrome side PCU 92b, a monochrome side OCU 92c having a monochrome side operation panel 202, a monochrome side HDD 92d, a monochrome side management unit 92e, and a color side power source 92g that supplies power to these units. Has been. The monochrome side ICU 92a basically performs processing related to monochrome image data processed by the monochrome image recording apparatus 2, but the color scanner 4 is mounted on the upper part of the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 as in this system. In this case, control relating to the color scanner 4 including processing of color image data read by the color scanner 4 is also performed. The monochrome HDD 92d temporarily stores the image data. A monochrome PCU (print control unit) 92b controls the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 described above. The monochrome PCU 92b is a driver that drives each conveyance path of the bypass conveyance path device 5 mounted on the color image recording apparatus 2 when the color image recording apparatus 1 is in a power-off state (non-energized state). The control of 91f is also performed. Therefore, the driver 91f is connected to the color-side PCU 91b via the control signal line L1, and is also connected to the monochrome-side PCU 92b via the control signal line L2. The monochrome-side OCU (operator control unit) 92c is a portion operated by an operator who operates the monochrome image recording apparatus 2, and includes a monochrome-side operation panel 202 in which a touch panel is disposed on a liquid crystal display. The monochrome side management unit 92e is a memory that stores management information for managing processing performed by the monochrome image recording apparatus 2. The monochrome PCU 92b refers to the management information stored in the monochrome side management unit 92e, and controls the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 based on the referenced information.

  The final processing side control unit 3 a is configured by a CU (control unit) 93. The CU 93 controls the final processing device 3. Note that the final processing side control unit 3a is not provided with an OCU (operator control unit), and information regarding an operation instruction to the final processing device 3 is the color side OCU 91c or the monochrome side control unit 2a of the color side control unit 1a. Information from the monochrome OCU 92c of the user is used.

  In addition to the above, the control of the image recording system of the present embodiment includes a printer board 94a and an HDD 94b. The printer board 94a is connected to the color-side ICU 91a and the monochrome-side ICU 92a. The printer board 94 a is connected to a LAN 95 installed outside the image recording system, and is connected to a personal computer (PC) 96 connected to the LAN via the LAN 95. The printer board 94a receives image data transmitted from the personal computer 96 to the image recording system via the LAN 95, and transmits the image data to the color side ICU 91a or the monochrome side ICU 92a. The HDD 94b temporarily stores these image data.

  In the control of the image recording system, the color-side PCU 91b that controls the color image recording apparatus 1 and the monochrome-side PCU 92b that controls the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 are connected by a control signal line L3 (for example, serial communication). They are interconnected so that necessary information can be exchanged with each other. The driver 91f is connected to both the monochrome PCU 92b and the color PCU 92b as described above, and can be driven and controlled by the monochrome PCU 92b even when the color image recording apparatus 1 is powered off. ing. The color scanner 4 is also connected to both the monochrome side ICU 92a and the color side ICU 91a, and all image data read by the color scanner 4 is stored in the color side HDD 94d.

  In the present system, the color-side PCU 91b is provided with a function for controlling the entire system. Therefore, the color-side PCU 91b gives instructions to the monochrome-side PCU 92b and the CU 93 of the final processing-side control unit 3a so that the system can process most efficiently.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a circuit block diagram showing the connection relationship between the driver 91f that drives each conveyance path of the bypass conveyance path device 5 and each color-side PCU 91b and monochrome-side PCU 92b. That is, the output of the color side PCU 91b and the output of the monochrome side PCU 92b are connected to the driver 91f by OR coupling.

  Specifically, the circuit block diagram shown in FIG. 4 illustrates a drive circuit of a two-phase pulse motor for driving a roller or the like (not shown) arranged in each conveyance path of the bypass conveyance path device 5. A configuration in which a transistor 91 having a base connected to the output of the color-side PCU 91b and a transistor Q2 having a base connected to the output of the monochrome-side PCU 92b are connected in parallel by an open collector to the driver 91f that drives the pulse motor M. It has become. In FIG. 4, only one circuit corresponding to one of the four coils of the two-phase pulse motor M is shown, but the circuit configuration corresponding to the other coils is the same as this. Further, the color-side PCU 91b and the monochrome-side PCU 92b are connected to outputs of detection switches SW1 and SW2 for detecting a sheet passing state of the bypass conveyance path device 5. Further, the + 24V power supply terminal supplied to the pulse motor M and the Vcc power supply terminal supplied to the driver 91f are for preventing backflow so that power can be supplied from both the color side power supply 91g and the monochrome side power supply 92g. The diodes D1 to D4 are connected in parallel.

  The above is the basic configuration of the image recording system of the present embodiment.

  In the above configuration, in the present embodiment, when recording is performed using both the color image recording apparatus 1 and the monochrome image recording apparatus 2, the color-side PCU 92b controls the driver 91f by the control signal line L1, thereby bypassing. Each conveyance path of the conveyance path apparatus 5 is driven and controlled, and the recording medium on which the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 has been recorded is conveyed to the final processing apparatus 3 via the bypass conveyance path apparatus 5.

  In such an operating state, when an abnormality occurs in the drive control of the bypass conveyance path device 5 by the color image recording device 2, the monochrome-side PCU 92b of the monochrome image recording device 2 receives the color image recording device from the control signal line L3. A power-off command is output to the first color-side PCU 91b, and the color image recording apparatus 1 is turned off. Next, the monochrome PCU 92b controls the driver 91f by the control signal line L2, thereby driving and controlling each conveyance path of the bypass conveyance path device 5, and bypass recording the recording medium on which the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 has recorded an image. It is conveyed to the final processing device 3 via the road device 5. As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the drive control of the bypass conveyance path device 5 by the color-side PCU 91b, the power supply of the color image recording apparatus 1 is turned off and the bypass conveyance path device 5 is drive-controlled by the monochrome-side PCU 92b. This makes it possible to reliably discharge the recording sheet on which the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 has recorded an image to the final processing apparatus 3 via the bypass conveyance path apparatus 5.

  Whether the color image recording apparatus 1 has an abnormality in the drive control of the bypass conveyance path device 5 is determined so that the color-side PCU 91b and the monochrome-side PCU 92b are connected to each other via the control signal line L2, so that they can communicate with each other. It can be detected in the communication exchange with the color side PCU 91b.

Specifically, during the image recording operation, the color-side PCU 91b and the monochrome-side PCU 92b exchange various status information shown below. That is,
(1) Line check information (line check information)
(2) Initialization command (device and register initialization)
(3) Recording paper discharge information (information such as the size and number of recording papers to be conveyed)
(4) Specification information of the device main body (Color image recording devices and monochrome image recording devices can be combined with different specifications, so device specifications such as individual printing speed and duplex printing function are communicated. ing.)
(5) ROM version information (operable specifications differ depending on the version)
(6) Information of the post-processing device (specification status, operating status of the post-processing device 3 such as in use)
(7) Error information and consumable information Accordingly, when at least one piece of information described above is transmitted from the monochrome PCU 92b to the color PCU 91b, the response to this has not returned from the color PCU 91b. In this case, it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the color image recording apparatus 1.

1 is an external view showing a basic arrangement configuration of an image recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image recording system that is an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic portion of an electrical configuration of an image recording system that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram showing a connection relationship between a driver for driving and controlling a bypass conveyance path device and a color-side PCU and a monochrome-side PCU.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color image recording apparatus 1a Color side control part 2 Monochrome image recording apparatus 2a Monochrome side control part 3 Final processing apparatus 3a Final processing side control part 4 Color scanner (color image reading apparatus)
5 Bypass transport path device 6 Transport path connection device 31 Final processing appearance 32 Color appearance 33 Monochrome appearance 91a Color side ICU
91b Color side PCU
91c Color side OCU
91d Color side HDD
91e Color side management unit 91f Driver 92a Monochrome side ICU
92b Monochrome PCU
92c Monochrome OCU
92d monochrome HDD
92e Monochrome side management unit 93 CU
94a Printer board 94b HDD
95 LAN
96 PC 201 Color side operation panel 202 Monochrome side operation panel SW1, SW2 detection switch M 2-phase pulse motor

Claims (6)

An image recording system in which a plurality of image recording apparatuses are arranged in parallel, and a recording medium on which an image has been recorded by the first image recording apparatus is discharged to the outside of the apparatus via a part of the conveyance path of the second image recording apparatus Because
If there is an abnormality in the conveyance path control by the second image recording apparatus when the first image recording apparatus performs image formation, the first image recording apparatus conveys the second image recording apparatus. An image recording system for driving a path to discharge a recording medium to the outside of the apparatus. A plurality of image recording apparatuses are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction, a recording medium accommodating means is arranged on the downstream side of the line, and a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the first image recording apparatus is arranged on the downstream side. An image recording system for discharging to the recording medium accommodating means via a part of the second image recording apparatus,
A bypass conveying means is provided in the second image recording apparatus;
When performing image formation with the first image recording apparatus, if there is an abnormality in drive control of the bypass conveying means by the second image recording apparatus, the bypass conveying means is used with the first image recording apparatus. And the recording medium is discharged to the recording medium storage means via the bypass conveying means.   3. The image recording system according to claim 2, wherein the bypass conveying means is disposed so as to exceed an upper portion of the second image recording apparatus.   4. The image recording system according to claim 1, wherein one of the two image recording apparatuses is a color image recording apparatus and the other is a monochrome image recording apparatus.   5. The recording medium discharged to the recording medium accommodating means via the bypass conveying means is discharged to a recording medium accommodating means having substantially the same height as the bypass conveying means. The image recording system according to any one of the above.   The image recording system according to claim 5, wherein the recording medium is discharged to the uppermost stage of the recording medium housing unit.

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