JP2010139848A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus outputting electronic data to both of electronic paper and paper, with a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with: a control means (21) that controls the whole operations of the image forming apparatus 20; inputting means (22, 23) for inputting the output destination of image data; an image printing section 27 for printing the image data on a transfer material; a conversion means (21) for converting the format of the image data in accordance with the output destination; a connection section (25) for communicating with a portable image display device 10 having a storage-type image display medium 15; an image data outputting means (21) for outputting the converted image data converted by the conversion means (21) to the portable image display device 10. When the image printing section 27 and the portable image display device 10 are selected as the destinations of the image data, the image printing section 27 prints the image of the image data on the transfer material P, and simultaneously, the image data outputting means (21) outputs the converted image data to the portable image display device 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable image display device provided with electronic paper and an image forming apparatus capable of mounting the same.

Conventionally, paper materials (for example, printed matter) have been used as materials to be distributed to people participating in meetings and meetings. However, even if a large amount of materials used in the conference are printed and distributed, many of them are discarded after the conference ends, resulting in wasted paper. Also, even if you print out and take materials and data that you think you will need when you are away from home, they are not used in the end and are often discarded after returning to work. In order to reduce such waste of paper, devices such as mobile personal computers and PDAs that can be carried with electronic data have been developed, but the battery drive time of the device is short, the operation of the device is complicated, electronic There are various inconveniences that cannot be displayed well because the data format is different for each device.
In recent years, inventions have been proposed that solve the above-mentioned problems by using electronic paper instead of paper media. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an electronic paper that can receive and display data from a network. Further, in Patent Document 2, a temporary output job to be printed by an image forming apparatus is transmitted to electronic paper, displayed and checked on the electronic paper, and only a really necessary image is printed on paper. Possible systems have been proposed.
In this way, instead of printing on paper, if the image is displayed on electronic paper having a memory display function that can continue to display data even when the power is turned off, the amount of paper used can be greatly reduced. it can. In addition, since electronic paper requires power only when rewriting an image, the battery driving time can be greatly extended.
JP 2003-076354 A JP 2005-242792 A

However, electronic paper has not yet exceeded the convenience of paper as a document medium, and there are many problems in positioning electronic paper as a substitute for complete paper. Therefore, at present, it is desired that electronic data such as image data can be output to both electronic paper and paper.
In this regard, in Patent Document 1, each electronic paper connected to the network is recognized as a device (or a printer). Therefore, when trying to transfer the same image data to a plurality of electronic papers, the number of electronic papers Only the transfer operation must be repeated, and the operation is complicated. Further, when printing the transferred image data on paper, there is a problem that work efficiency deteriorates because printing operation to the printer must be further performed.
Also, in Patent Document 2, based on an operator's instruction, a job that is temporarily used is held in a temporary output job spool area and transmitted to electronic paper. In order to print a job for temporary use on paper, it is necessary to give a print instruction from the electronic paper, and there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated when outputting to both the electronic paper and the paper.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of outputting electronic data to both electronic paper and paper with a simple operation.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes a control unit that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus, an input unit that inputs an output destination of image data, and the image data as a transfer material. An image printing unit for printing, a conversion unit that converts the image data into a format according to an output destination, a connection unit that performs communication with a portable image display device having a storage image display medium, and the conversion unit Image data output means for outputting the converted converted image data to the portable image display device, and when the image printing unit and the portable image display device are selected as the output destination of the image data The image printing unit prints an image of the image data on a transfer material, and at the same time, the image data output means outputs the converted image data to a portable image display device.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the image data output means outputs the converted image data simultaneously to a plurality of portable image display devices.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image reading unit that reads a document image is provided, and the image data is an image read by the image reading unit.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interface connected to a computer via a network, and the image data is image data transmitted from a computer connected to the image forming apparatus on the network. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a display unit for displaying setting contents is provided, and the free space of the image storage unit of the portable image display device connected to the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display unit. To do.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the free capacity of the image storage unit of the portable image display device connected to the image forming apparatus is transmitted to a computer connected via a network.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the control unit has a power management function for controlling power ON / OFF of each unit, and when the output destination of the image data is only a portable image display device, the image printing The power supply of a part is not turned ON.
The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that the first page of the converted image data output to the portable image display device is displayed on the portable image display device, and then the power of the portable image display device is turned off.

The invention described in claim 9 is characterized in that a thumbnail image of the converted image data output to the portable image display device is displayed on the portable image display device, and then the power of the portable image display device is turned off.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the thumbnail image of the first page of a plurality of jobs output to the portable image display device is displayed, and then the power of the portable image display device is turned off.
The invention according to claim 11 is provided with a time measuring means for measuring a time after outputting an image to the portable image display device, and when the time measured by the time measuring means has passed a predetermined time, the portable image is displayed. A display image on the display device is erased.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided user ID authentication means, and when the user ID is authenticated, the portable image display device redisplays an image.
A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is provided with determination means for determining whether or not the image data to be output to the portable image display device is a color image, and the image data to be output to the portable image display device is a color image. If it is determined by the determination means, the portable image display device is selected as the output destination of the image data.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when there is no paper in the paper feed tray of the image printing unit, the converted image data is output to a portable image display device connected to the connection unit. .
The invention according to claim 15 is stored in the image storage unit when the size of the image data output to the portable image display device is larger than the free space of the image storage unit of the portable image display device. Image data is output after all data is erased.
The invention according to claim 16 is stored in the image storage unit when the size of the image data to be output to the portable image display device is larger than the free space of the image storage unit of the portable image display device. The data is erased in order from the old data until the size of the image data is secured.
The invention according to claim 17 is stored in the portable image display device when the size of the image data output to the portable image display device is larger than the free capacity of the image storage unit of the portable image display device. It is characterized by erasing data having a display history of the data.
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, when the size of the image data output to the portable image display device is larger than the free capacity of the image storage unit of the portable image display device, the portable device connected to the image forming device. The image data is divided and transferred to the image display device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to output to both the portable image display device and paper printing by the same operation as the conventional copy operation and printing operation, and it is possible to reduce the amount of paper used by a simple operation. The working time can be shortened. Further, it is not necessary to be aware of the consistency of the image format when reading, and it is simple.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the external appearance of a portable image display device and an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3A is a front view of an image forming apparatus to which a portable image display device is connected. (B) is a front view of a portable image display device.
The image forming apparatus 20 includes an image reading unit 26 and an image printing unit 27. For example, if the image forming apparatus 20 is an electrophotographic apparatus, the image printing unit 27 irradiates a uniformly charged photoconductor with a laser beam based on the original image read by the image reading unit 26. An electrostatic latent image is formed, the electrostatic latent image is visualized with toner, the toner image is transferred to the transfer paper P (transfer material) fed from the paper feed tray 27a, and discharged to the paper discharge tray 27b. . The instruction to the image forming apparatus 20 is given from the operation unit 22 (input unit) provided with operation buttons or the like, or the display unit 23 (input unit) provided with a touch panel while displaying the instruction content and the like. A connection portion (not shown) for connecting the image forming apparatus 20 and the portable image display apparatus 10 is provided on the upper left side as viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 shown in the figure has a plurality of connecting portions, and in FIG. 1, two portable image display apparatuses 10 (10-1, 10-2) are connected.
Further, the portable image display device 10 has a storage image display medium 15 having a storage property capable of continuing data display even when the power is turned off, an operation button 17 for inputting instruction contents such as image selection or page turning, It has.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the portable image display apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
The portable image display device 10 includes a CPU 11 that controls the operation of the entire device, an image storage unit 12 that stores image data, and a storable image display having a storage property that can continue to display data even when power supply is cut off. A medium 15, a display control circuit 13 that controls display of the storage-type image display medium 15, an I / F circuit 14 that is an interface for transferring image data between the image forming apparatus 20, and each circuit in the apparatus A power supply circuit 16 for supplying power and an operation button 17 for inputting instruction contents such as image selection or page turning are configured.
As the storage image display medium 15, there are various types of display media such as an electrophoretic type and a cholesteric liquid crystal type, and the present invention can be implemented by using any display medium.

The power supply circuit 16 is a circuit that converts the power supplied from the power supply unit 29 into various voltages and supplies it to each unit of the portable image display device 10 when the portable image display device 10 is connected to the image forming device 20. is there. The power supply circuit 16 includes a battery 16a, which is converted into various voltages using a DC-DC converter or the like as a power source. A battery 16 a built in the power supply circuit 16 is charged when connected to the image forming apparatus 20, and becomes a power source of the portable image display apparatus 10 when the connection with the image forming apparatus 20 is released. The connection with the image forming apparatus 20 may be either a wired connection using a connector or a cable, or a non-contact method using electromagnetic induction. The connection of the I / F circuit 14 may be any of a wired connection using a connector or a cable, or a wireless system using Bluetooth or the like.
The power supply circuit 16 operates based on the control of the CPU 11. The CPU 11 may turn on the power of each unit at the same time, or may have a power management function for individually controlling.

The image forming apparatus 20 includes a controller unit 21 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus and image data processing, an operation unit 22 that allows a user to operate the apparatus, a selection button and a menu, and a user touches the screen. An interface for transferring image data between the display unit 23 having a touch panel that can perform a selection operation, a LAN-I / F 24 that is an interface connected to the computer 30 via a LAN 32 (network), and the portable image display device 10. An I / F circuit 25, an image reading unit 26 that reads a document and outputs image data, an image printing unit 27 that prints the read image data, a data storage unit 28 that stores the read image data, Each part of the device and a power supply unit 29 that supplies power to the portable image display device 10 are configured.
The controller unit 21 controls the power supply unit 29. Further, the power sources of the respective units may be simultaneously turned on, or may be provided with a power management function for individually controlling only the power source of the image printing unit 27. The same applies to the portable image display device 10.

A method for transferring an image read by the image forming apparatus 20 to the portable image display apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 are examples of screens displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus.
On the display screen 41 (FIG. 3) of the display unit 23 of the operation unit 22, an EP button 46 indicating the portable image display device 10 is displayed as a button indicating an output destination, and transfer sheets P of various sizes are stored. A paper feed tray button 47 indicating the plurality of paper feed trays displayed is displayed. The EP button 46 and the paper feed tray button 47 can be selected at the same time.

The user selects the output destination of the image data from the display unit 23 that is a touch panel. In FIG. 3, the EP button 46-2 indicating the portable image display device 10-2 and the paper feed tray button 47-2 indicating the paper feed tray 27a storing the A3 size transfer paper P are selected as output destinations. The selected icon is highlighted. Then, when the operation unit 22 performs the number of copies, sort setting, and the like to instruct to start reading a document, the image forming apparatus 20 starts reading a document image and stores image data in the data storage unit 28. The controller unit 21 converts the image data stored in the data storage unit 28 for the portable image display device 10, and then transfers the image data to the portable image display device 10-2 through the I / F circuit 25 and also to the image printing unit 27. The image data for printing is transferred to start printing on the A3 size transfer sheet P, and the designated number of printed transfer sheets P are output to the sorter.
Of course, if only the EP button 46 is selected as the output destination, the image data is transferred only to the portable image display device 10, and if only the paper feed tray button 47 is selected, it is assumed that the normal copy function has been selected. Printing on the transfer paper P is performed. Further, when the portable image display apparatus 10 is connected to the image forming apparatus 20, the EP button 46 is displayed on the display screen by the number corresponding to the number of connections. When the output destination is instructed, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of EP buttons 46 (46-1, 46-2) displayed on the display screen 42 can be simultaneously selected. The image data is transferred to the portable image display device 10 corresponding to the EP button 46.
Even when the portable image display device 10 is not connected, the EP button 46 may be displayed so that it can be selected as the output destination of the image data. In this case, when the EP button 46 is selected, the read image data is temporarily stored in the data storage unit 28, and the stored image data is transferred when the portable image display device 10 is attached later. Process. However, if there is a problem in storing image data in the data storage unit 28 for security reasons, the EP button 46 may not be displayed or may be displayed when the portable image display device 10 is not attached. The user should not be able to select.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 20.
When the user instructs to start reading the document, the image forming apparatus 20 reads the document image by the image reading unit 26 (step S1), and stores the image data in the data storage unit 28 (step S2). It is determined whether or not the document is the last page. If it is not the last page (No in step S3), the operations in steps S1 and S2 are repeated. If it is determined that it is the final page (Yes in step S3), it is determined whether the transfer destination of the image data is the image printing unit 27 or the portable image display device 10 (step S4).
When the transfer destination is the image printing unit 27, the image printing unit 27 is turned on (step S5), the image data stored in the data storage unit 28 is converted into print data, and the image printing unit 27 Transfer (step S6). The image printing unit 27 feeds the transfer paper P from the designated paper feed tray, prints the designated number of copies, and conveys it to the sorter (No in step S7 and step S8). When printing is completed (Yes in step S8), the flow goes through and the image forming apparatus 20 enters a standby state.
If the transfer destination is the portable image display device 10 and the portable image display device 10 is connected (Yes in step S9), the controller unit 21 of the image forming device 20 causes the portable image display device 10 to The power is turned on (step S10), and the high-resolution image data stored in the data storage unit 28 is converted into an image size / resolution suitable for the portable image display device 10 and transferred (step S11). The image data transfer is repeated until there is no more image data to be transferred (No in step S12). When the image data transfer is completed (Yes in step S12), the portable image display device 10 that has received the image data receives the image storage unit. After the image data is recorded in 12, the display control circuit 13 is controlled to display the image data on the storage image display medium 15 (step S13), and the power is turned off (step S14).

Further, when the transfer destination is the portable image display device 10 and the portable image display device 10 is not connected (No in step S9), the image forming device 20 is suitable for the portable image display device 10. The converted image size / resolution is converted (step S15), and the converted image data is stored in the data storage unit 28 (step S16).
If a plurality of image data output destinations are selected in the determination in step S4, output processing to each output destination is performed in parallel according to the above-described flow. The same applies when a plurality of portable image display devices 10 are connected.
As described above, according to this embodiment, the image data can be output to the portable image display device and printed on the transfer paper at the same time by a single image output operation, and thus the operation is simple. Further, since the image data is output to the portable image display device, the amount of transfer paper used can be reduced. Further, there is no need to be aware of the consistency of the image format when reading, and the image is transferred from the image forming apparatus to the portable image display apparatus in an optimal image format. Furthermore, a plurality of portable image display devices can be mounted, and image data can be transferred to a plurality of portable image display devices with a single operation. Working time can be shortened compared to transferring one by one to the device.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is characterized in that image data and the like can be transferred from a computer on a network to a portable image display device. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating an example of a printer property screen displayed on the computer screen when printing from a computer connected to the network. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 20.

In the property screens 51 and 52 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, all the portable image display devices 10 (10-1) connected to the image forming apparatus 20 in addition to the paper feed tray button 57 for performing normal print settings. 10-2), an EP button 56 (56-1, 56-2) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 7, the user can select a plurality of EP buttons. In the property screen 51 shown in FIG. 6, the EP button 56-1 is not selected. On the other hand, the EP button 56-2 is in a selected state and is highlighted. Further, the property screen 52 of FIG. 7 is in a state where the EP buttons 56-1 and 56-2 are selected and is highlighted. The connection status of the portable image display device 10 displayed on the property screen is obtained from the image forming device 20 via the network when the property screen is opened.
When outputting image data to the portable image display device 10-2, an EP button 56-2 corresponding to the image data is selected, and a paper feed tray storing a transfer paper P having a size to be printed is selected. Set the number of copies to be printed and issue a print start instruction. Then, the print data is transmitted from the computer 30 to the image forming apparatus 20, and the image forming apparatus 20 stores the received print data in the data storage unit 28 and transfers it to the image printing unit 27, and the designated transfer paper P Print on. When the output setting to the portable image display device 10 is set, the high-resolution print data stored in the data storage unit 28 is converted into an image size / resolution suitable for the portable image display device 10. Forward. The portable image display device 10 that has received the image data records the image data in the image storage unit 12 and then controls the display control circuit 13 to display the image on the storage image display medium 15. The computer 30 receives a print output end notification from the image forming apparatus 20 and notifies the user on the screen of the computer 30.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
When the user opens the printer property screen of the image forming apparatus 20 from the computer 30, the computer 30 inquires of the image forming apparatus 20 about the state (step S31). In response to the inquiry, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits the connection state of the portable image display apparatus 10 to the computer 30 (step S21). The computer 30 displays the connection state of the portable image display device 10 on the property screen 51 shown in FIG. 6 (step S32). When the user sets the output destination of the image data and gives an instruction to start printing (step S33), the computer 30 transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus 20 (step S34). The computer 30 transmits the print data up to the last page (step S35). The image forming apparatus 20 receives the print data (step S22), and stores the print data in the data storage unit 28 (step S23). It is determined whether the print data is the last page. If the print data is not the last page (No in step S24), the operations in steps S22 and S23 are repeated. If it is determined that it is the final page (Yes in step S24), it is determined whether the transfer destination of the image data is the image printing unit 27 or the portable image display device 10 (step S4). The operations after step S5 are the same as those in the first embodiment. However, the image forming apparatus 20 prints an image on the transfer paper P, and transmits the progress status to the computer 30 in response to the print status inquiry (step S36) from the computer 30 (step S17, step S18). . The computer 30 confirms that the image forming apparatus 20 has finished printing (Yes in step S37), and displays on the screen that printing has been completed (step S38).
Also in the flow of FIG. 8, when the portable image display device 10 is not connected, the processes of steps S9, S15, and S16 may be performed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when image data is printed from a computer, it can be output to both the portable image display device and the transfer paper by the same operation as a conventional printer operation, and can be performed with a simple operation. The amount of paper used can be reduced. Further, even if a plurality of portable image display devices are connected to the image forming apparatus, it looks like a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus to the computer, so that the same image data is output to the plurality of portable image display devices. Sometimes, it can be executed with a single operation.

[Third embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is characterized in that the free capacity of the image storage unit of the portable image display device connected to the image forming apparatus is displayed on the screen.
A display screen of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. The image forming apparatus 20 confirms the free capacity of the image storage units 12 of all the portable image display devices 10 that are mounted, and displays them on the screen of the display unit 23 of the operation unit 22. On the display screens 41 and 42 of the display unit 23 of the operation unit 22 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the portable image display device 10 has the same icon 46-1a as the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray, as in the conventional copier. -1 free capacity is displayed. The icon 46-1a indicates that the free capacity is approximately half of the storage capacity of the entire portable image display device. In this way, on the display screen, an indication of the free space is displayed using icons, the ratio of the free space to the total capacity may be displayed as “%”, and the actual free space is used as “Byte”. May be displayed. Further, these free capacity displays may be displayed alone or in combination.

A property screen displayed on the computer 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. In response to an inquiry from the computer 30 connected to the network, the image forming apparatus 20 confirms and notifies the free capacity of the image storage units 12 of all the portable image display apparatuses 10 that are attached, and receives this. The computer 30 displays the free space of each portable image display device on the property screen. In the printer property screens 51 and 52, the free space of the portable image display device 10-1 is displayed by the icon 56-1a. In addition to the icon, “%” or “Byte” may be used to display the free space, similar to the display screen of the image forming apparatus 20.
As described above, in this embodiment, since the free space of the portable image display device can be easily confirmed, image data can be deleted from the image storage unit before transfer of the image data, or an appropriate amount can be selected according to the size of the image data. Image data can be transferred by selecting a portable image display device having free space.

[Fourth embodiment]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The power supply unit 29 of the image forming apparatus 20 supplies power to each unit in the image forming apparatus 20 and the portable image display device 10 and has a power management function for controlling power ON / OFF of each unit. . Accordingly, when an image is output only to the portable image display device 10 and printing on the transfer paper P is not performed, the power supply unit 29 is in accordance with an instruction from the controller unit 21 and does not need to be operated. In a state where is kept OFF, only the power supply of the part necessary for image transfer to the portable image display device 10 is turned ON. With such a power management function, the power of the image printing unit 27 that requires the most power in the image forming apparatus 20 is controlled, so that power consumption can be reduced.

[Fifth embodiment]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is characterized in the image display mode in the portable image display device after transferring the image data. 9 to 11 are diagrams illustrating an example of an image display mode displayed on the storage image display medium.
When the portable image display apparatus 10 receives the image data of one job from the image forming apparatus 20, the portable image display apparatus 10 controls the display control circuit 13 to display the image of the job on the storage image display medium 15. The storable image display medium 15 is a display medium having a storability that can continue to display data even when the power is turned off, so that the image display can be maintained even when the power of the entire portable image display device 10 is turned off. . If the battery of the portable image display device 10 is fully charged, there is no need to supply power from the image forming device 20 to the portable image display device 10, so that no power is consumed.

FIG. 9 is an example of a mode in which only the image of the first page of the job is displayed.
Further, instead of displaying only the first page, it may be set to display thumbnail images of each page. FIG. 10 is an example of a mode for displaying thumbnail images. Since the identification becomes easier if the thumbnail image is larger, if the size of the thumbnail image is changed based on the number of pages included in the job, a more user-friendly device can be provided. For example, in FIG. 10A, four pages of images are displayed for one job. In FIG. 10B, nine pages of images are displayed for one job.
Further, when image data of a plurality of jobs is output to one portable image display device 10, the user is stored in the portable image display device 10 if the first page of each job is displayed as a thumbnail image. Can recognize all jobs. For example, FIG. 11 shows an example in which image data of four jobs is output to the portable image display device 10.
As described above, in the present embodiment, since the image data transferred after the image data transfer is displayed on the storable image display medium 15, the user looks at the image displayed on the storable image display medium 15 and himself / herself It is possible to identify the portable image display device 10 output by instructing / operating. Further, the storable image display medium 15 has storability, and power is not consumed when only the image is displayed, so that power saving is also maintained.

[Sixth embodiment]
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is characterized in that the security is improved by temporarily erasing the display image displayed after the image data transfer from the storage image display medium.
In the above-described embodiment, since the power of the portable image display device 10 is turned off (step S14) after the image data is displayed (step S13) (FIG. 5 and the like), the display state of the image data is maintained after the power is turned off. The portable image display device to which the image data was transferred could be easily identified.
However, there is a possibility that the transferred image data includes something that is not desired to be viewed by a third party. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the portable image display device is not taken out of the image forming apparatus 20 even after a predetermined time has passed since the portable image display device is turned off, the image forming apparatus 20 first turns on the portable image display device 10. Turn on. The portable image display device 10 that is turned on erases the image displayed on the storage image display medium 15 based on a command from the image forming device 20 and turns on the power of the portable image display device 10 in a non-display state. Turn off.

However, if an image is not displayed, it may be difficult for the user to identify a desired portable image display device. Therefore, in this embodiment, user authentication is required for further image data display.
A procedure for user authentication and image redisplay will be described below. The user turns on the image forming apparatus 20 and logs on to the image forming apparatus 20 with a user ID registered in advance. If there is no problem with the user ID authentication, the image forming apparatus 20 turns on the power of the mounted portable image display apparatus 10 and transmits an image redisplay command. When the portable image display device 10 receives the command, the portable image display device 10 recognizes the image data recorded in the image storage unit 12 for each job and displays the image data on the storable image display medium 15. At this time, the image data is displayed in a display mode before erasing the image. Or you may enable it to set arbitrarily by a user. In this way, since the image data is redisplayed, the user can identify the portable image display device 10 that has transmitted the image data by viewing the redisplayed image.

Operations of the image forming apparatus 20 and the portable image display apparatus 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operations of the image forming apparatus 20 and the portable image display apparatus 10 in user authentication and image redisplay.
When the power is turned on, the image forming apparatus 20 accepts a user ID (step S40). The user ID input by the user is authenticated (step S41). If the user ID is not authenticated (NO in step S41), an authentication error is displayed (step S42), and the user ID is accepted again (step S41). S40). If the user ID is authenticated (Yes in step S41), the portable image display device 10 is turned on (step S43), and an image data redisplay command is transmitted (step S44).

When the portable image display device 10 whose power is turned on in step S51 receives the image data redisplay command (Yes in step S52), it transmits a receipt confirmation of the command to the image forming device 20 (step S53) and the image. A thumbnail image of the data is displayed (step S54), an image data display completion status is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 (step S55), and the power is turned off (step S56).
The image forming apparatus 20 confirms that the completion status has been received from the portable image display apparatus 10 (Yes in step S46), and ends the series of flowcharts.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the display image is erased from the portable image display device after a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the image is not left for a long time in a state where the image is displayed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent image data from being viewed by an unspecified number of people, so that security is improved. Further, since the redisplay of the image is after the authentication of the user ID, the portable image display device can be easily identified while maintaining security.

[Seventh embodiment]
A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, when color printing is performed in the image forming apparatus or when the setting for printing color image data is made, the image data is transferred only to the portable image display apparatus without performing printing on the transfer paper. There is a feature in the point to output.
Normally, color printing uses a larger amount of toner / ink and has a higher running cost than monochrome printing. For this reason, when copying / printing a color document, there is a case where the monochrome printing is intentionally set to reduce the running cost. However, if the portable image display device is provided with a color display medium, the running cost can be suppressed by outputting to the color display medium.
In the present embodiment, when the user instructs color copying or color printing, the image data is transferred only to the portable image display device, and printing on transfer paper is not performed.

Specifically, for example, when the user selects color printing on the operation screen of the display unit 23 of the operation unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 or the printer property screen on the screen of the computer 30, the paper feed tray button 47 is pressed. Disable selection. Further, for example, from the configuration of the image data read by the image reading unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 20 or the configuration of the print data sent from the computer 30 on the network, the controller unit 21 performs color data or monochrome data. If it is color data, even if there is an instruction to print on the transfer paper P, it is not printed on the transfer paper P, but is converted into image data only on the portable image display device 10. What is necessary is just to transfer image data. Note that the operation of the image forming measure when the image data is color data is set by the user from the operation unit 22, the display unit 23, or the computer 30.
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the setting for color printing or the setting for printing color image data is made, the image data is output only to the portable image display device without printing on the transfer paper P. Running costs can be reduced.
In addition, a portable image display device equipped with a color display medium can display the transferred color image data in color, so that a normal color image is printed in monochrome to reduce running costs. In comparison, image data can be faithfully reproduced.

[Eighth embodiment]
The eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. When printing on the transfer paper P, if no transfer paper P remains in the paper feed tray 27a, a printing error occurs and printing cannot be continued.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 20 performs printing from the image printing unit 27, if there is no transfer paper P on the paper feed tray 27a, the image data to be printed is transferred to the portable image display apparatus 10. . If the transfer paper P runs out during printing, the image data already printed on the transfer paper P is read from the data storage unit 28, and the image data relating to a series of jobs is collectively displayed in the portable image display device. Forward to 10. In this way, even if the transfer sheet P is lost during printing, a printing error can be avoided and image data from the first page to the last page of the job can be stored in the portable image display device 10. Can be transferred. The operation of the image forming apparatus 20 when there is no transfer paper P is set by the user from the operation unit 22, the display unit 23, or the computer 30.
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the transfer paper P does not remain in the paper feed tray, the image data is automatically transferred to the portable image display device 10, thereby avoiding a printing error and performing a special operation. It is possible to output image data without the need for. Further, when the transfer sheet P is lost during printing, all the image data related to the job is transferred to the portable image display device 10 at a time, so that the data is not divided and can be easily managed in the portable image display device. It is.

[Ninth Embodiment]
A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, when image data cannot be stored due to a lack of free space in the image storage unit when output to a portable image display device is attempted, new image data can be stored by deleting the image data. There is a feature in the point.
In the third embodiment of the present invention, the free capacity of the image storage unit 12 of the portable image display device 10 connected to the image forming device 20 is displayed as the display screens 41 and 42 or the property screens 51 and 52. , So that the user can easily check. However, whether or not the image data read by the image reading unit 26 or the image data transferred from the computer can be stored in the image storage unit 12 of the portable image display device 10 is actually transferred and stored. There are many cases where you do not know unless you let it. If the image data cannot be stored due to insufficient free space, the image data in the image storage unit 12 must be deleted to increase the free space, and then transfer of the image data must be executed again. Therefore, it will be difficult for users to use it twice.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, before transferring the image data to the portable image display device 10, all the data stored in the image storage unit 12 is deleted, and the image data is transferred after ensuring the maximum free space. To do. In this way, since the image data is transferred after deleting all the image data, an error that the image data cannot be transferred is avoided, and the image data remaining forgotten to be used by other users is deleted. There is also an effect that it is not viewed by a third party user.

Instead of deleting all the image data, the old jobs may be deleted in order from the old job until the necessary free space can be secured.
In this case, the image forming apparatus 20 notifies the portable image display apparatus 10 of the free space necessary for storing the image data of a new job to be transferred. Receiving the notification, the portable image display device 10 deletes the old job image data in order. When the necessary free space is secured and preparation for receiving image data is completed, this is notified to the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 transfers the image data of the new job to the portable image display apparatus 10.
In this way, the risk of deleting image data that has not been browsed can be reduced.

Further, the portable image display device 10 may be deleted based on the browsing history of the image data stored in the image storage unit 12 until a necessary free space can be secured.
In this case, the portable image display device 10 records the user browsing history for each job stored in the image storage unit 12, and selects and deletes the job from the jobs having the browsing history in the past.
In this way, if the image data is deleted based on the browsing history, the risk of deleting the image data that has not been browsed can be reduced.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since it is possible to output image data without worrying about the free space of the portable image display device, there is no need to perform extra work due to insufficient free space of the portable image display device, Business efficiency can be improved.

[Tenth embodiment]
A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
If the image data is large, there is a possibility that it cannot be stored in the image storage unit 12 even if the free space of the portable image display device 10 is 100%. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image data is divided and transferred to the plurality of portable image display devices 10.
That is, the image forming apparatus 20 confirms the free capacity of all the portable image display devices 10 that are mounted before transferring the image data, and divides the image data so that it can be recorded on each portable image display device. Then transfer. FIG. 13 is an example of a display mode of the portable image display device when image data is divided and transferred. When the image data is divided and transferred, as shown in FIG. 13, a message is displayed to inform the user that the image data has been divided together with the image.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since it is possible to output image data without worrying about the free space of the portable image display device, there is no need to perform extra work due to insufficient free space of the portable image display device, Business efficiency can be improved. Also, transfer errors due to insufficient capacity can be avoided.

2A and 2B are views showing the appearance of a portable image display device and an image forming apparatus, wherein FIG. 1A is a front view of the image forming apparatus to which the portable image display device is connected, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the portable image display device. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a portable image display apparatus and an image forming apparatus. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the property screen of the printer displayed on a computer screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the property screen of the printer displayed on a computer screen. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the image display aspect displayed on the memory | storage property image display medium. (A) (b) is a figure which shows an example of the image display mode displayed on the memory | storage property image display medium. It is a figure which shows an example of the image display aspect displayed on the memory | storage property image display medium. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the image forming apparatus and the portable image display apparatus in user authentication and image redisplay. (A) (b) is an example of a display mode of the portable image display device when image data is divided and transferred.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Portable image display apparatus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Image memory | storage part, 13 ... Display control circuit, 14 ... 1 / F circuit, 15 ... Memory image display medium, 16 ... Power supply circuit, 16a ... Battery, 17 ... Operation Button 20, Image forming apparatus 21, Controller unit 22, Operation unit 23, Display unit 24, LAN-1 / F, 25 I / F circuit, 26 Image reading unit, 27 Image printing unit 27a ... paper feed tray, 27b ... paper discharge tray, 28 ... data storage unit, 29 ... power supply unit, 30 ... computer, 32 ... LAN, 41 ..., 42 ... display screen, 46, 46-1, 46-2 ... EP button, 46-1a, 46-2a ... icon, 47 ... paper feed tray button, 51, 52 ... property screen, 56, 56-1, 56-2 ... EP button, 56-1a, 56-2a ... icon, 57 ... Feed tray Button

Claims (18)

A control unit that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus, an input unit that inputs an output destination of image data, an image printing unit that prints the image data on a transfer material, and a format corresponding to the output destination An image for outputting the converted image data converted by the conversion means to the portable image display device, a connection section for performing communication between the conversion means for converting, a portable image display device having a storage image display medium Data output means,
When the image printing unit and the portable image display device are selected as the output destination of the image data, the image printing unit prints an image of the image data on a transfer material, and the image data output unit includes the image data output unit. An image forming apparatus that outputs converted image data to a portable image display device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data output unit simultaneously outputs the converted image data to a plurality of portable image display devices.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image reading unit that reads a document image, wherein the image data is an image read by the image reading unit.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interface connected to a computer via a network, wherein the image data is image data transmitted from a computer connected to the image forming apparatus on the network. apparatus.   5. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit configured to display setting contents, wherein the free space of the image storage unit of the portable image display device connected to the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to one item.   6. The free capacity of an image storage unit of the portable image display device connected to the image forming apparatus is transmitted to a computer connected via a network. Image forming apparatus.   The control unit has a power management function for controlling power ON / OFF of each unit, and when the output destination of the image data is only a portable image display device, the power of the image printing unit is not turned on. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The power source of the portable image display device is turned off after the first page of the converted image data output to the portable image display device is displayed on the portable image display device. The image forming apparatus described.   8. The thumbnail image of the converted image data output to the portable image display device is displayed on the portable image display device, and then the power of the portable image display device is turned off. The image forming apparatus described.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a thumbnail image of the first page of a plurality of jobs output to the portable image display device is displayed, and then the power of the portable image display device is turned off. Forming equipment.   A timing unit that counts the time after the image is output to the portable image display device, and when the time counted by the timing unit has passed a predetermined time, the display image of the portable image display device is erased The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a user ID authentication unit, wherein when the user ID is authenticated, the portable image display device displays an image again.   The determination means determines whether the image data to be output to the portable image display device is a color image, and the determination means determines that the image data to be output to the portable image display device is a color image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable image display device is selected as an output destination of the image data.   14. The converted image data is output to a portable image display device connected to the connection unit when there is no paper in the paper feed tray of the image printing unit. The image forming apparatus according to Item.   When the size of the image data output to the portable image display device is larger than the free space of the image storage unit of the portable image display device, the image is erased after all the data stored in the image storage unit is deleted. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs data.   When the size of the image data to be output to the portable image display device is larger than the free space of the image storage unit of the portable image display device, the data stored in the image storage unit is sequentially updated from the oldest data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus erases the image until the size of the image is secured.   When the size of the image data to be output to the portable image display device is larger than the free space of the image storage unit of the portable image display device, data with a display history of the data stored in the portable image display device is stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is erased.   When the size of the image data output to the portable image display device is larger than the free space of the image storage unit of the portable image display device, the image data is divided into the portable image display device connected to the image forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus transfers the image.

Images