JP3347641B2 - Interface device, information processing system, and control method of interface device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interface device for controlling a connection between a host computer and a digital copying machine, an information processing system having the same, and a control of an interface device for switching a remote / local state of the digital copying machine. About the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various types of application software and driver software executed on a host computer for controlling a digital copying machine via an interface device. Command control of various procedures is performed by each software. Perform on the device.

In this case, the interface device also issues a command of the same procedure to the digital copying machine according to the command control procedure. This is the same for the switching sequence of the remote / local state, and the interface device depends on the control from the host computer.

[0004]

In the control of the conventional digital copying machine, the transition between the remote / local states is ambiguous. However, when controlling the digital copying machine in recent years, processing such as printing / scanning is performed. The digital copier must be set to the remote state beforehand, and the remote release must be performed after the processing. Further, when controlling the sorter or the feeder, the remote state of the digital copying machine must be maintained during the control regardless of the end of the print / scan. For this reason, there has been a problem that software developed for controlling a conventional digital copying machine that does not issue a command in such a procedure cannot control the digital copying machine in recent years.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention controls between a digital copying machine and a host computer so that a recent digital copying machine control software can be accurately controlled even by a conventional digital copying machine control software. It is an object to provide an interface device. It is another object of the present invention to provide an information processing system including such an interface device and a control method of the interface device.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, according to the solution to ## to the first aspect of the present invention, the interface device for controlling between the digital copier and a host computer for printing and scanning process, the host computer
Remote command issued by the
Solution of remote status after printing and scanning process
No. that indicates whether the command was issued during control that prohibits
1 and print and scan of the digital copier.
A flag for setting a second flag indicating that scanning has been completed.
The remote control is performed by the lag setting means and the first flag.
When it is determined that the command is for the above control
The digital copier according to the remote command.
Command to switch between remote / local status
Issue to transition the digital copier to the remote state.
Remote transition means, and the second flag
Digital copier print and scan completed
Even afterwards, the frame for switching the remote / local state
The remote status of the digital copier without issuing a command.
And a remote state holding means for holding .

[0007]

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the interface device for controlling between a digital copying machine for performing printing and scanning and a host computer, the remote command issued from the host computer is used for printing and scanning of the digital copying machine. A first flag indicating whether the digital copying machine has been issued during control for permitting release of the remote state after the process and a second flag indicating that the printing and scanning processes of the digital copying machine have been completed are set. When it is determined by the flag setting means and the first flag that the remote command is the one at the time of the control, a command for switching a remote / local state to the digital copying machine in accordance with the remote command is issued. To cause the digital copier to transition to the remote state. When the completion of print and scan processing of the digital copying machine is confirmed by the remote transition means and the second flag, a command for switching the remote / local state is issued to release the remote state of the digital copying machine. Remote state release means.

[0009]

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system having a digital copying machine for performing printing and scanning processing, a host computer, and an interface device for controlling the digital copying machine and the host computer, A first flag indicating whether a remote command issued from the host computer is issued at the time of control for inhibiting release of a remote state after printing and scanning processing of the digital copying machine; and A flag setting means for setting a second flag indicating that printing and scanning of the digital copying machine have been completed; and the first flag,
When it is determined that the remote command is for the control, a command for switching a remote / local state is issued to the digital copying machine in accordance with the remote command to cause the digital copying machine to transition to the remote state. Even after confirming the completion of printing and scanning of the digital copying machine by the remote transition means and the second flag, the remote state of the digital copying machine is maintained without issuing a command for switching the remote / local state. And a remote state holding means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system having a digital copying machine for performing print and scan processing, a host computer, and an interface device for controlling between the digital copying machine and the host computer, A first flag indicating whether the remote command issued from the host computer is issued at the time of control allowing release of the remote state after the printing and scanning processes of the digital copying machine, and A flag setting means for setting a second flag indicating that the printing and scanning processes of the digital copying machine have been completed, and when it is determined by the first flag that the remote command is for the control. And the digital copier according to the remote command. A remote transition unit for issuing a command to switch between the remote / local states to transition the digital copying machine to the remote state, and when the completion of print and scan processing of the digital copying machine is confirmed by the second flag. Remote state releasing means for releasing the remote state of the digital copying machine by issuing a command for switching the remote / local state.

[0012]

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in a method of controlling an interface device for controlling between a digital copying machine for performing printing and scanning and a host computer, a remote command issued from the host computer is transmitted to the printing device of the digital copying machine. And a first flag indicating whether the digital copier has been printed and scanned, and a second flag indicating that the digital copier has completed printing and scanning. When it is determined from the flag setting processing and the first flag that the remote command is the one at the time of the control, a command for switching the remote / local state to the digital copying machine according to the remote command is issued. Issued to transition the digital copier to the remote state. Even after confirming the completion of printing and scanning of the digital copying machine by the remote transition processing and the second flag, the remote state of the digital copying machine is maintained without issuing a command for switching the remote / local state. And a remote state holding process.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling an interface device for controlling between a digital copying machine for performing printing and scanning and a host computer, the remote command issued from the host computer is transmitted to the digital copying machine. A first flag indicating whether the digital copier has been printed and scanned, and a second flag indicating that the digital copying machine has completed printing and scanning. Flag setting processing for setting
When the remote command is determined to be the one at the time of the control by the flag of (1), a command for switching a remote / local state is issued to the digital copying machine in accordance with the remote command to remotely control the digital copying machine. When the completion of the print and scan processing of the digital copying machine is confirmed by the remote transition processing for transitioning to the state and the second flag, a command for switching the remote / local state is issued to issue a remote And a remote state release process for releasing the state.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes an interface device which is a main component of the present invention. Reference numeral 102 denotes a host computer, which is connected to the interface device 101 via an interface cable 106. This is, for example, S
It is a general-purpose interface such as CSI, and is provided with computer graphics (CG) from the host computer 102.
The image data is transferred to the frame memories 201 and 202 of the interface device 101.

Further, by transmitting a control command from the host computer 102 to the interface device 101, the entire system can be controlled. Digital color copiers 103 and 104 are connected to interface device 101 by interface cables 107 and 108, and print out images stored in frame memories 201 and 202 in interface device 101 using digital color copiers 103 and 104. can do.

Further, digital color copiers 103, 1
The image read from the scanner 04 can be stored in the frame memories 201 and 202 in the interface device 101. These digital color copiers 10
Similarly to the host computer 102, the operation units 3 and 104 can control the entire system from the operation unit.

Reference numerals 109 and 110 denote film scanners, which are connected to the interface device 101 by interface cables 111 and 112. They are,
Similarly to the digital color copiers 103 and 104, the image read by the scanner can be stored in the frame memories 201 and 202 in the interface device 101.

These film scanners 109,
Instead of 110, a device for capturing a video image such as HDTV or other various image capturing devices can be connected, and the image can be similarly stored in the frame memory in the interface device 101 and can be printed out. It is.

Next, the internal configuration of the interface device 101 will be described.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a first CPU which controls I / O other than the scanner and printer connected to the outside. Details will be described later. 204 is the CPU 20
A SCSI controller 205 which interfaces with the host computer 102;
A program memory 206, a bus controller 207 for controlling the I / O bus 208, and the like are connected.

The CPU bus 2 of the second CPU 209
A bus controller 211 is also connected so that the bus controller 211 can be connected to the bus controller 211. The second CPU will be described later. I / O
An I / O controller 212 is connected to the bus 208, and includes a hard disk drive 213, a floppy disk drive 214, a keyboard controller 215,
RT controller 216 and LCD controller 21
7 and other general-purpose I / Os.

Reference numeral 218 denotes a liquid crystal display device which can always display the state of the interface device 101. An operation unit 219 is connected to the keyboard controller 215 so that the initial setting of the interface device 101 can be changed and the service mode can be set independently. If necessary, a monitor can be externally connected via a CRT controller 216 and a keyboard can be connected via a keyboard controller 215.

Further, AUX slots 220 and 221 are prepared in the I / O bus 208, for example, a CD-ROM.
Interface card such as CD-RO
The various images stored in M are stored in the frame memory 201,
A print output can also be obtained by developing the program into 202, and future multimedia support is possible.

The second CPU 209 is capable of controlling externally connected scanners and printers and performing image processing such as image rotation and color space compression on images stored in the frame memories 201 and 202.

The memory 222 is a program memory.
The control program is loaded via the bus controller 211. Also, the memory 222
It is also used for communication with the CPU 203. CPU bus 21
0 indicates the scanner printer interfaces 223 and 22
4 is connected and the scanner,
You are controlling the printer.

Reference numeral 225 denotes a bus dedicated to an image, and image data flows through the bus when an image is scanned and printed. Interface device 101
Can be connected to two types of scanner printer interfaces. For example, scanner printers of different types such as an electrostatographic type and an ink jet type can be connected. In addition, since devices of different systems can share the same frame memory, there is no need to preset a frame memory for each device of different systems, and the memory can be used efficiently. .

In addition, these interfaces allow a card including an interface board to be newly replaced in accordance with a copying machine system such as an electrophotography (CLC) system or a BJ system to be connected, or speed. It is possible to respond to the future. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with a device to be connected, and the system has expandability.

Further, in this embodiment, in addition to the scanner printer as described above, two types of film scanners 1 are provided to the scanner / printer interfaces 223 and 224.
09 and 110 can be connected in addition to the scanner printers 103 and 104.

The devices that can be connected to the present invention are not limited to the above-described film scanners and scanner printers, but may be other devices such as ink jet printers and scanners.

FIG. 2 shows the scanner / printer interfaces 223 and 224 and the frame memories 201 and 202.
It is a figure which shows one structural example.

In the scanner / printer interfaces 223 and 224, the same circuits are given the same numbers. The frame memories 201 and 202 have the same configuration, and each of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) plane memories 311 and 312 and the plane memories 311 and 311, respectively.
312 are provided with controllers 301 and 302. The memory controllers 301 and 1302 control reading, writing, refreshing, and the like of image data in the plane memories 311 and 312, respectively.

The above two memories operate independently, that is, one is in print output and the other is in CPU bus 210.
Transfer of an image from the host computer 102 through the PC, development of a PDL image, or the CPU 209 as described above.
It is possible to perform image processing using. It is also possible to connect two memories and regard them as one memory. For example, if both have an A4 size memory capacity, an A3 size image can be handled by connecting the two. Is available.

The masking color processing circuit 305 is used to perform masking and UC according to the color reproducibility of the connected output device.
An image editing process for faithfully reproducing an image, such as an R calculation process, is performed. When reading and writing image data from the same frame memory, the FIFO 306 adjusts the timing of writing image data to the frame memory.

The selector 307 switches the path of the image data depending on whether the write timing needs to be adjusted. The controller 303 controls each circuit described above.

FIG. 3 is an external view of digital color copying machines 103 and 104 having a scanner / printer function.

The digital color copying machines 103 and 104
A digital color image reading unit (hereinafter, referred to as a color scanner) 400, and a circulating reflective document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as a feeder) 4 for setting a document on the color scanner
10 and a digital color image printing unit for printing and outputting a digital color image (hereinafter, referred to as a color printer)
420 and an apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a sorter) 430 for sorting printed and output sheets.

In the following, the system of the present embodiment connects the cable 107 to the scanner / blinter interface 223.
, The specific printing and scanning operations will be described assuming that the digital color copying machine 103 of the electrophotographic system is connected via the.

First, based on a print command issued from the host computer 102, the interface 1
The operation in the case where the image stored in the plane memory 311 in the image No. 01 is output using the digital color copying machine 103 will be described.

From the host computer 102, the SCSI
The CPU 203 receives a print command via the interface 205. The CPU 209 interprets the command and writes the received command content into the memory 222 under the control of the bus controller 211.

When recognizing the writing of the command, the CPU 209 reads the contents of the memory 222 and executes the print command. The CPU 209 includes an interface 223
A command to issue a print command to the digital color copying machine 103 is issued to the controller 303 inside the controller 303, and the controller 303 issues a print command to the digital color copying machine 103 by communication via the cable 107.

Cables 107, 108, 111, 112
The inside is the same connection, image data 24 bits,
Synchronous signals, clocks and communications are bi-directional within a single cable. Upon receiving the printer command, the digital color copier 103 activates the printer and, at the same time, sends back an image synchronization signal. Upon receiving the image synchronization signal, the controller 303 puts the image request signal on the control bus in the video bus 225 according to the image synchronization signal, and issues an image output request to the memory control 301.

The memory control 301 sends the image data to the video bus 225 according to the image request signal.
Outputs 24 GB bits. The output image data is
The image data is input to the color conversion circuit 304 in the interface 223 and is converted from image data in a predetermined RGB color space into image data in the color space of the digital color copier 103 in the plane memory 311. Transfer to copier.

The color space in the present case refers to a method of expressing colors such as an RGB color space of image data from the host computer 102, an RGB color space unique to the digital color copying machines 103 and 104, and a CMYK color space. .

In the cable 107, in synchronism with the development of the image in the color copying machine, the image data is fully transferred using the 24-bit image data, and the RGB image data is transferred four times sequentially.
As a result, the RGB image data is read from the frame memory 201 four times in total, and the same processing is performed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the method of transferring image data in a frame-sequential manner. For example, the image data may be transferred in a dot-sequential manner, and the image data is transferred by a method supported by the output device.

Next, the operation of storing image data of a document obtained by using the color scanner of the digital color copying machine 103 in the frame memory 201, which is the opposite of the above operation, will be described.

The CPU 203 receives, recognizes, and executes a scan command from the host computer 102 via the SCSI interface 205. CPU 209
Is a digital color copier 1 through the controller 303.
A scan command is issued by communication to the server 03. The digital color copier 103 scans the document based on the scan command, and obtains the obtained digital color copier 103.
The image data in the RGB color space based on the input characteristics of (1) is transferred as RGB image data by fully using the 24-bit image data signal inside the cable 107.

In the interface device 101, the transferred RGB image data is input to the color conversion circuit 304 in the interface 223. The color conversion circuit 304
The image data is converted into a color space according to a file type registered as a connected device, and output to the video bus 225. At the same time, the controller 303 outputs a fetch request signal to the control bus to the memory control 301. The memory control 301 captures an image on the video bus 225 and stores it in the plane memory 311 based on the request signal.

In this embodiment, the frame memory 201 has been described. The same applies to the frame memory 202.
02, when a request signal is put on the control bus, the frame memory 202 starts operating. At this time, in order to avoid a bus conflict between the controllers 303 and 304, the scanner / printer interface 2 is used.
23 and 224 do not operate at the same time.

The image input / output operation of the digital color copier 103 has been described above. The digital color copier 104, the film scanners 109 and 110, and the like also perform the same operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a module configuration of a control program downloaded to the program memory immediately after power-on in this embodiment. This control program operates on the CPU 2 side.

The module 701 is a real-time OS and manages a plurality of tasks. Each task is started in an event driven manner. A module 702 is a task executed when the control program is started, and performs initial settings of various ICs and frame memories, identification of an interface board, and the like.

The modules 703 and 704 are responsible for command communication with a color copier or a film scanner. A module 703 is a communication control task in which the apparatus is a master and the color copier is a slave. The module issues a command and the color copier returns a status. Module 704
Is a communication control task that is the reverse type of the module 703, issues a command from the color copying machine side, and returns a status from the interface device. A module 705 manages command communication with the CPU 1 and image transfer control. This task allows the host computer to
The command received via the SI controller
The analysis is performed on the two sides, and an instruction to start processing is sent to the communication control task and the image processing task.

Then, in task 703, task 705
Is converted into a procedure receivable by the color copier and transmitted. Modules 706, 707, 7
Reference numeral 08 denotes an image input / output control task for controlling input / output of image data with a CLC / BJ type color copier or film scanner. A module 709 manages image processing such as image compression, expansion, rotation, mirror image, color space compression, and color space conversion. A module 710 manages image files registered in the frame memories 201 and 202.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of software of the interface device according to the present embodiment. The operation of the system will be described with reference to FIG.

First, after the power is turned on, the real-time OS of the module 701 is started, and tasks 901 and 902 are generated. The task 901 manages the boot unit 702, and performs the configuration table (C) shown in FIG.
Set the card code in the (ConfigurationTable). The configuration table refers to the scanner / printer interfaces 223 and 22
In the board and each slot set in each of the four,
It manages whether or not the output device and the film scanner are connected.

Although not shown, the scanner / printer interfaces 223 and 224 are configured to insert an interface board. Each of them has a board for board type identification, and by setting an ID for each board type in a hardware manner, the CPU 2 can read the data and automatically recognize the set board corresponding to the slot. The board ID indicates a communication type. Based on this recognition, the engine card code shown in FIG. 6B is written to the corresponding slot location in the configuration table.

Further, a power ready (PowerReady) of a color copier and a film scanner sent as a sequence control signal on the interface is provided on the board 2.
Looking at the signal detection boats (not shown) on 23 and 224, if each device has been activated, FIG.
The communication control tasks 905, 906, according to the engine card code in the configuration table of FIG.
907 is generated. Tasks 905 and 906 perform communication control of the module 703 in which the interface device is the master side, and task 907 controls communication of the module 704 in which the interface device is the slave side, and perform command / status communication with the color copier and the film scanner. Exchanges. Based on the information obtained by this communication, a device code, cassette information, and the like are set in the device information tables of FIGS.

Therefore, the communication type is set by first determining the inserted interface board and managing the card code corresponding to the slot.

Next, based on the set communication type, communication is performed with the connected device, and FIG.
The device code shown in (e) is set in the configuration tables shown in FIGS. 6A and 6D in correspondence with each slot.

With the above processing, the interface device 101 can automatically recognize each connected device in correspondence with the slot.

Further, the above-described connected device recognition processing is performed every time the power is turned on, so that the latest system state can be always grasped. The task 902 manages the module 705 and analyzes a command received from the host computer. When a print / scan command is received, image input / output control tasks 908, 909, and 910 are activated via communication control tasks 905, 906, and 907. At this time, the slot in which the card is mounted is selected according to the parameter accompanying the print / scan command, and different image input / output control is performed for each device according to the device code in the configuration table of FIG. With this, it is possible to switch which device to scan or print according to the user's application. Further, an image input / output task of a different control system such as the CLC system or the FS system can be operated according to the connected device.

Next, a command issued from the host computer 102 to the interface device 101 will be described.

FIG. 8 shows a remote command which is the first command sent before control such as printing and scanning is performed by the digital color copying machine from the host computer 102 via the interface device 101. With this command, the digital color copying machine is switched between a state in which control from the host computer 102 is possible and a state in which control is not possible (a state in which local copying can be executed).

Here, the remote mode (REMOTE
MODE), but REMOTE MODERE
= 0x2, release remote state, REMOTE
When MODERE = 0,0x80, transition to the remote state is performed. Further, "0x80" is used when the remote state is held after printing and scanning, and "0" is used when not holding.

The reason why the two modes are prepared for the transition to the remote state is that some application software or driver software sets the remote state but does not release the remote state. In this case, a remote release command must be issued from inside the interface device 101 for remote release of the digital copying machine.
This processing is performed when E = 0. That is, when it is desired to completely control the remote state of the digital copying machine, such as maintaining the remote state, by using a remote command from the host computer, REMOTE MODE = 0.
x80 must be set.

FIG. 9 shows an image in the interface device from the host computer 102 in the digital color copying machine 1.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a print file command issued when printing is performed in step S03. FILE I of this command
D to specify the image to be printed, and specify the area to be printed on the paper as the starting point (SX, SY) and print size (WI
DTH, HEIGHT), and further, output resolution and enlargement ratio can be set for printing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a SOLTER control command issued when performing sorter control.

No sort, sort, group sort, stack in sort mode specification 1 of this command, no fold, Z fold, half fold in sort mode 2, output bin specification by bin specification, stapling by staple position specification None, one-point binding, two-point binding, back-one-point binding,
Control the sorter.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a scan file command issued when an image of the digital color copying machine 103 is scanned and stored in the interface device 101.

The FILE ID of this command specifies the ID of the file storing the scanned image, sets the area to be scanned on the original with the starting point (SX, SY) and the scan size (WIDTH, HEIGHT), and further inputs Scanning can be performed by setting the resolution and reduction ratio.

FIG. 12 shows an RF control command issued when controlling the feeder when scanning a document on the feeder.

The feeder mode is set by specifying the document feed mode of this command, the presence / absence of paper feed / discharge by the feed / discharge stop flag, and the number of pages to be sent earlier before scanning is set by specifying the number of original feed pages. Control. Note that FIG. 13 shows a difference in operation depending on the paper supply / discharge mode.

Next, the remote / local state transition control of the digital color copying machine 103 by the host computer 102 via the task 902 of FIG. 5 and the communication control tasks 906 and 907 for analyzing and converting the command received from the host computer. I will explain.

First, the remote / local state of the digital copying machine will be described.

The remote state means the interface device 1
01 indicates a state in which the host computer 102 can control the digital copying machine 103 through the host computer 01. On the other hand, the local state is a state in which functions of the digital copier alone such as copying can be used, and a state in which control from the host computer 102 cannot be performed.

In order to control the digital color copier from the host computer, first, a remote command shown in FIG. 8 must be issued to make the digital color copier always in a state where remote control is possible, that is, in a remote state. . By setting to the remote state, the remote print from the host computer can be separated from the local copy under the control of the operation unit of the digital color copying machine, and the interruption during the remote processing does not occur. For example, when controlling a sorter, a feeder, or the like, it is necessary to hold this remote state while controlling the digital copying machine.

The transition to the remote state is originally performed by a control command from the host computer. However, depending on application software or driver software running on the host computer, the remote command may not be issued to the interface device. .
In such a case, before issuing the print and scan commands to the digital copying machine, a remote command is issued from within the interface device, and the same procedure as when the remote command is issued to the interface device is performed on the digital color copying machine. It is necessary to perform a process for issuing the request.

In the following, the processing executed by the interface device when the digital color copier is controlled from the host computer depends on whether a remote command is issued from the host computer and the parameter setting status in the remote command when the remote command is issued. This will be described separately with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 shows the host computer 10
4 is a flowchart showing processing in an interface device 101 that controls between the digital copying machine 103 and a digital copier 103. In this example, only the print is described, but the scan can be replaced with the print.

(A) Processing when no remote command is issued from the host computer
If no remote command has been issued to the interface device 101 (step S101), the interface device 101
The interface device 101 must perform the processing for the digital copying machine 103 on behalf of the host computer 102.

The description is given below. The I / F control task 906 in FIG. 5 always communicates status with the digital copying machine 103, and can know the current state of the digital copying machine 103. This status includes the remote / local status of the digital copier 103,
Since the I / F control task 906 has a flag for holding this, it is possible to determine whether the digital copying machine 103 is currently in a remote state based on this flag.

The I / F control task 906 has a flag for confirming the end of the printing process by communicating with the digital copying machine 103. By referring to this flag, the operation of the digital copying machine 103 ends. Know that.

When the DOS manager task 902 receives a print file command from the host computer 102 (step S102) and the I / F control task 906 refers to the remote / local status flag, the digital copier 103 is in the local status. The F control task 906 issues a remote command to the digital copying machine 103 instead of the host computer 102 (step S103). Thereafter, the digital copier 103 is controlled according to the received print file command (steps S104 and S105). Then, the print processing end flag is checked, and when the print processing is completed, the digital copier 1
A command to release the remote state is issued from the I / F control task 906 to the server 03 (step S06).

(B) When a Remote Command (REMOTE MODE = 0x80) Is Issued from the Host Computer The interface device 1 is sent from the host computer 102.
01 remote command (REMOTE MOD
When (E = 0x80) is issued, the interface device determines this, and executes remote control processing for the digital copying machine 103 in accordance with the remote command.

The description is given below. The remote mode parameter of the remote command is set to 0x if the remote of the digital copier 103 must not be released after printing.
It is set to 80. Therefore, the host computer 102
By referring to this parameter, the DOS manager task 902 in communication with determines whether a remote command has been issued to control a sorter, feeder, etc. that must not release the remote after printing. it can.

The I / F control task 906 has a flag for confirming the end of the printing process by communicating with the digital copier 103, and the operation of the digital copier is completed by referring to this flag. You can know that.

If the DOS manager task 902 receives a remote command set to the remote mode = 0x80 used for control not to release the remote from the host computer 102 (step S1)
07), a remote command for switching to the remote state is issued to the digital copying machine 103 in accordance with the remote command (step S108).

Then, according to the print command from the host computer 102 (step S109), the digital copier 103 executes printing (step S110,
S111) Even if the print completion is confirmed by the print completion flag, the remote state is maintained without issuing a command to release the remote state from the I / F control task 906 to the digital copying machine 103 (step S112,
S113).

(C) Processing when a remote command (REMOTE MODE = 0) is issued from the host computer
01 remote command (REMOTE MOD
When (E = 0) is issued, the interface device determines that it has been issued, the transition to the remote state follows the remote command, and the remote release is executed by the interface device on behalf of the host computer.

The description is given below. The remote mode parameter of the remote command issued from the host computer 102 to the interface device 101 is set to “0” when the remote state of the digital copier 103 can be released after printing. Therefore, the DOS manager task 902 communicating with the host computer 102 can determine whether or not to release the remote after printing by referring to this parameter. Also, the I / F control task 906 has a flag for confirming the end of the print processing by communicating with the digital copier 103, and by referring to this flag, knows that the operation of the digital copier has ended. be able to.

When a remote command set to remote MODE = 0, which can be remotely released after printing, is issued from the host computer 102 and received by the DOS manager task 902 (step S1).
07), a remote command for switching to the remote state is issued to the digital copying machine 103 in accordance with the remote command (step S108). In accordance with the print command from the host computer 102 (step S109), after the digital copier 103 executes printing (steps S110 and S111), if the print completion is confirmed by the print completion flag, a control task for the digital copier 103 is performed. A command for canceling the remote state is issued from 906 (steps S112 and S10).
6) The remote release of the digital copying machine 103 is performed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the switching of the remote / local state is not performed from the host computer before and after the print / scan processing in the digital copying machine, the interface apparatus sends the digital copying machine a command. Instead, that control can be performed. Further, since the sorter and the feeder are controlled, the remote state of the digital copying machine can be maintained during the control regardless of the end of the print / scan.

[0096]

As described above in detail, according to the interface device of the first invention, after printing / scanning
Can maintain the remote state, so that
Software developed for controlling digital copiers
In recent years, for example, feeder
And control of the sorter.

[0097]

According to the interface device of the second invention, the transition command to the remote state is issued from the host computer to the interface device, but even if the remote release command is not issued, the digital copying machine can be used. Can be released from the remote state. This makes it possible to control conventional digital copiers.
Recently developed digital
It becomes possible to control the copying machine.

[0099]

According to the information processing system of the third aspect , the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

According to the information processing system of the fourth invention, the same effects as those of the second invention can be obtained.

[0102]

According to the control method of the interface device of the fifth invention, the same effect as that of the first invention can be obtained.

According to the control method of the interface device of the sixth invention, the same effect as that of the second invention can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system configuration of an interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a digital copying machine connected to the interface device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a scanner / printer interface and a frame memory in the interface device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a module configuration of a control program in the interface device.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of software of the interface device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a device information table.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a device information table.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a control command transmitted from the host computer to the interface device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a control command transmitted from the host computer to the interface device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a control command transmitted from the host computer to the interface device.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a control command transmitted from the host computer to the interface device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a control command transmitted from the host computer to the interface device.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a control command transmitted from the host computer to the interface device.

FIG. 14 shows a remote /
It is a flowchart showing local switching processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Interface Device 102 Host Computer 103, 104 Color Copier 109, 110 Film Scanner 201, 202 Frame Memory 203 First CPU 205 SCSI Controller 206 Program Memory 209 CPU 212 I / O Controller 222 Memory 223, 224 Printer Interface

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An interface device for controlling between a digital copying machine for performing printing and scanning processing and a host computer, wherein a remote command issued from the host computer is a remote command after the printing and scanning processing of the digital copying machine. A first flag indicating whether the digital copier has been issued during the control that prohibits the release of the state, and a second flag indicating that printing and scanning of the digital copying machine have been completed.
Flag setting means for setting a flag for the digital copier in accordance with the remote command when it is determined by the first flag that the remote command is for the control. Remote switching means for issuing a command to switch the digital copying machine to the remote state, and confirming completion of printing and scanning of the digital copying machine by the second flag.
An interface apparatus comprising: a remote state holding unit that holds a remote state of the digital copying machine without issuing a command to switch a local state. 2. An interface device for controlling between a digital copying machine for performing printing and scanning processing and a host computer, wherein the remote command issued from the host computer is provided after the printing and scanning processing of the digital copying machine. Flag setting means for setting a first flag indicating whether the digital copying machine has been issued during control for permitting release of the remote state, and a second flag indicating that printing and scanning processing of the digital copying machine has been completed; When it is determined from the first flag that the remote command is the one at the time of the control, the remote command is transmitted to the digital copying machine in accordance with the remote command.
Remote transition means for issuing a command to switch the local state to transition the digital copying machine to the remote state; and when confirming the completion of the printing and scanning processing of the digital copying machine by the second flag, An interface device comprising: a remote state canceling unit that issues a command to switch a local state and cancels a remote state of the digital copying machine. 3. An information processing system comprising: a digital copying machine that performs print and scan processing; a host computer; and an interface device that controls between the digital copying machine and the host computer. A first flag indicating whether the remote command issued from the host computer is issued at the time of control in which release of the remote state after the printing and scanning processes of the digital copying machine is prohibited, and Second to indicate that printing and scanning have been completed
Flag setting means for setting a flag for the digital copier according to the remote command when it is determined by the first flag that the remote command is for the control.
Remote transition means for issuing a command to switch the local state to transition the digital copying machine to the remote state; and, even after confirming completion of printing and scanning of the digital copying machine by the second flag,
An information processing system comprising: a remote state holding unit that holds a remote state of the digital copying machine without issuing a command to switch a local state. 4. An information processing system comprising: a digital copying machine that performs print and scan processing; a host computer; and an interface device that controls between the digital copying machine and the host computer. A first flag indicating whether the remote command issued from the host computer is issued at the time of control for permitting release of the remote state after the printing and scanning processes of the digital copying machine, and the digital copying machine Flag setting means for setting a second flag indicating that the print and scan processes have been completed, and when the first flag is determined by the first flag to be the one at the time of the control, the remote control Remotely control the digital copier according to the command. G /
Remote transition means for issuing a command to switch the local state to transition the digital copying machine to the remote state; and when confirming the completion of the printing and scanning processing of the digital copying machine by the second flag, An information processing system comprising: a remote state canceling unit for issuing a command to switch a local state and canceling a remote state of the digital copying machine. 5. A method of controlling an interface device for controlling between a digital copying machine for performing printing and scanning processing and a host computer, wherein a remote command issued from the host computer is executed after the printing and scanning processing of the digital copying machine. A first flag indicating whether the digital copier has been printed and scanned, and a second flag indicating that the digital copier has completed printing and scanning.
A flag setting process for setting a flag of the remote controller; and determining that the remote command is the one at the time of the control by the first flag.
A remote transition process for issuing a command to switch a local state to transition the digital copying machine to a remote state; and even after confirming completion of printing and scanning of the digital copying machine by the second flag,
A method for controlling an interface device, comprising: executing a remote state holding process for holding a remote state of the digital copying machine without issuing a command for switching a local state. 6. A control method of an interface device for controlling between a digital copying machine that performs print and scan processing and a host computer, wherein the remote command issued from the host computer performs print and scan processing of the digital copy machine. A first flag indicating whether the digital copy machine has been issued during control for permitting release of the remote state later, and a flag for setting a second flag indicating that print and scan processing of the digital copying machine has been completed. When it is determined from the setting process and the first flag that the remote command is the one at the time of the control, the remote command is transmitted to the digital copying machine in accordance with the remote command.
A remote transition process for issuing a command to switch the local state to transition the digital copying machine to the remote state; and when confirming the completion of the printing and scanning processes of the digital copying machine by the second flag, A remote state release process for releasing a remote state of the digital copying machine by issuing a command for switching a local state.