JP3527717B2 - Tandem printing system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention distributes an image read by one image output device equipped with an image reading means to a plurality of image output devices connected to the image output device via a network line. The present invention relates to a tandem printing system that can perform a printing process by using a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A tandem printing function is provided in which a plurality of copying machines of the same model are connected by a dedicated cable and the image data read by one copying machine is distributed to a plurality of copying machines to perform copying processing. The tandem printing system has already been developed.

Further, there is known one in which a personal computer (PC) outputs a print instruction to a plurality of image output devices connected to the personal computer via a network line.

However, an image read by one image output device (for example, a digital copying machine) equipped with image reading means is distributed to a plurality of image output devices connected to a network line together with the image output device. There is no one that prints.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an image read by a single image output device equipped with an image reading means connected to a network line is transferred to a network via a personal computer connected to the network line. When performing print processing by distributing to multiple image output devices connected to the line, the image data sent from the image output device to the PC can be tandem printed immediately or later based on the user's PC operation. Or
It is an object to provide a tandem printing system that can be set on the image output device side.

[0006]

A first tandem printing system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of image output devices connected to a network line and at least one personal computer connected to the network line, and an image A tandem printing system in which at least one of the output devices is an image output device including an image reading unit, and the image output device including the image reading unit uses the image output device connected to the network line. Mode setting means for allowing the user to set the tandem print mode for performing tandem printing, and when the tandem print mode is set, the image data transmission destination is selected from the personal computers connected to the network line. A destination selection means for allowing the user to select a personal computer and a tandem printing mode. When is set, the user is required to set a plurality of image output devices that execute print processing from among the image output devices connected to the network line, and to set whether to immediately execute tandem printing. When the tandem printing mode is set and the job setting means for setting the tandem print mode is set, the image reading is started when the image reading command is input by the user operation, and the read image data and the job setting means set The job setting data is sent to the personal computer selected by the destination selecting means, and the personal computer that receives the image data and the job setting data stores the received image data and the job setting data in the storage device. Means to store, job setting when all image data is received A means for determining whether the immediate print command is included in the data, and when the job setting data includes the immediate print command, each image output specified by the job setting data stored in the storage device First transmission means for transmitting the image data stored in the storage device together with the print command to the device, and when the job setting data does not include the immediate print command, the tandem operation is performed by the user operation on the personal computer. When a print command is input, a second transmission unit is provided that transmits the image data stored in the storage device together with the print command to each image output device specified by the job setting data stored in the storage device. It is characterized by being

A second tandem printing system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of image output devices connected to a network line and at least one personal computer connected to the network line, and at least one of the image output devices. One is a tandem printing system, which is an image output device equipped with an image reading means, and the image output device equipped with the image reading means performs tandem printing using the image output device connected to the network line. Mode setting means for allowing the user to set the tandem print mode of, and when the tandem print mode is set, the user is allowed to select the personal computer to which the image data is transmitted from the personal computers connected to the network line. And the tandem print mode has been set. In order to allow the user to set a plurality of image output devices that execute print processing among the image output devices connected to the network line, print settings, and whether to immediately execute tandem printing In the case where the tandem print mode is set, the image reading command is started when the image reading command is input by the user operation, and the read image data and the job set by the job setting unit are set. The personal computer is provided with transmitting means for transmitting the setting data and the personal computer selected by the destination selecting means, and the personal computer receiving the image data and the job setting data stores the received image data and the job setting data in a storage device. Method, when all the image data has been received, the job setting data Means for determining whether an immediate print command is included in the job setting data. If the job setting data includes an immediate print command, the job setting data stored in the storage device is used for each image output device specified. Then, the first transmitting unit that transmits the image data stored in the storage device together with the print command including the print setting data in the job setting data, and the immediate setting command if the job setting data does not include When a tandem print command is input to the personal computer by a user operation, printing including the print setting data in the job setting data is performed on each image output device specified by the job setting data stored in the storage device. It is characterized by comprising a second transmitting means for transmitting the image data stored in the storage device together with the command.

The personal computer that receives the image data and the job setting data is provided with a means for changing the job setting data stored in the storage device by a user operation when the job setting data does not include an immediate print command. It is preferable.

The image output device equipped with the image reading means is, for example, a digital copying machine.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[1] Description of configuration of tandem printing system

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a tandem printing system.

In this example, two digital copying machines 1,
Two or four personal computers 3, 4, 5, 6 and two printers 7, 8 are connected by a network cable 9. The personal computer 5 is used as a mail server.

The digital copying machine 1 has a function as an ordinary digital copying machine and also transmits an image read by the digital copying machine 1 to a predetermined personal computer 3, 4, 5, 6 by using a network address (PC. It has a function of sending (sending) and a function of sending an image read by the digital copying machine 1 to a predetermined personal computer 3, 4, 6 (mail sending) via the mail server 5 using an electronic mail address.

The personal computer 3 converts the image sent from the digital copying machine 1 into each image output device (digital copying machine 1,
2 and the printers 7 and 8) for distributing and printing.

The digital copying machine 1 includes a control unit 101. The control unit 101 includes a ROM 102 for storing the program and the like, a RAM 103 for storing necessary data,
Connection output device storage unit 104, mail address storage unit 10
5. A job setting data storage unit 106 is provided. Connection output device storage unit 104, mail address storage unit 105
Are provided in the non-volatile memory.

The digital copying machine 1 further includes an operation display unit 107, a scanner device 108, an image processing unit 109, a memory control unit 110, a bit map memory 111, a printer unit 112, a CODEC 113, an image memory 114, and a communication control unit 115. Network interface 11
6, the mail generation means 117 and the like.

The operation display unit 107 is provided with a tandem print mode setting key for setting an operation mode in a tandem print mode for performing tandem printing using an image output device connected to the network cable 9. Has been.

The personal computer 3 has a CPU 301 and a ROM 30.
2, RAM 303, hard disk 304, network interface 305 and the like.

[2] Description of Tandem Printing Process

[2-1] Description of preliminary setting

Connection output device storage unit 1 of the digital copying machine 1
In 04, the names and network addresses of the personal computers 3, 4, 5, 6 connected by the network cable 9 are registered. In addition, digital copier 1
The name of each image output device (digital copying machines 1 and 2 and printers 7 and 8) connected by the network cable 9 is registered in the connection output device storage unit 104 of FIG.

On the hard disk 304 of the personal computer 3,
A driver (printer driver) 3045 of each image output device (digital copying machines 1 and 2 and printers 7 and 8) is stored. Also, the hard disk 30 of the personal computer 3
4 is provided with an image data folder 3043 for storing the image data sent from the digital copying machine 1 and a job setting data storage section 3042 for storing the job setting data sent from the digital copying machine 1. ing.

Further, the hard disk 30 of the personal computer 3
4 receives the image data sent from the digital copying machine 1 and stores it in the image data folder 3043, and stores the job setting data sent from the digital copying machine 1 in the job setting data storage unit 3042. An image data receiving program 3041 is stored.

Further, the hard disk 30 of the personal computer 3
The image data received from the digital copying machine 1 is shown in 4
A first tandem print processing program 3044a is stored for distributing and printing to a plurality of image output devices (digital copying machines 1 and 2 and printers 7 and 8) when reception of image data is completed. There is.

Further, the hard disk 30 of the personal computer 3
The image data received from the digital copying machine 1 is shown in 4
Based on a user operation on the personal computer 3, a plurality of image output devices (digital copying machines 1, 2 and printer 7,
A second tandem print processing program 3044b for distributing and printing in 8) is stored.

[2-2] Description of Tandem Printing Procedure

FIG. 2 shows the operation of the user and the operation of the digital copying machine 1 when performing tandem printing.

The user first operates the tandem print mode setting key using the operation display unit 107 (step 1). In addition, the user uses the operation display unit 107 to
A transmission mode is selected (step 2). The user also uses the operation display unit 107 to select a destination PC from the PCs 3, 4, 5, and 6 connected to the network line 9 (step 3). In this example, PC 3
Is selected as the destination PC.

After this, the user sets a job (step 4). That is, the user operates the operation display unit 107.
Is used to set a plurality of output devices for tandem printing, settings for whether or not to immediately execute tandem printing, and various print settings (double-sided, single-sided, number of copies, image quality, etc.). The output device for performing tandem printing is selected from the image output devices (digital copying machines 1 and 2 and printers 7 and 8) stored in the connection output device storage unit 104. In this case, the digital copying machine 1 is also selected.

The digital copying machine 1 stores the data set by the user in the job setting data storage unit 106 as the job setting data (step 5). When the setting for executing the tandem printing immediately is made, the job setting data includes the immediate printing command.

Next, the user sets a document on the scanner device 108 and presses the start key (step 6).

When the start key is pressed, the digital copying machine 1 starts reading the original image and sends the job setting data stored in the job setting data storage unit 106 and the read image data to the personal computer 3. (Step 7).

At this time, the image data read by the scanner device 108 includes the image processing unit 109 and the memory control means 1.
The personal computer 3 through the 10, CODEC 113, the communication control means 115 and the network interface 116.
Sent to. At this time, the digital copying machine 1 does not print the image data read by the scanner device 108.

FIG. 3 shows the operation of the personal computer 3 which has received the job setting data and the image data. This processing is performed by the image data receiving program 3041 and the first program.
Tandem print processing program 3044a.

The personal computer 3 stores the image data received from the digital copying machine 1 in the image data folder 3043 and the job setting data received from the digital copying machine 1 in the job setting data storage section 3042 (step 11).

When the job setting data and all the image data have been received (step 12), the personal computer 3 determines whether or not the job setting data includes an immediate print command (step 13).

When the job setting data includes an immediate print command, the personal computer 3 sends the job to the image output device designated by the job setting data stored in the job setting data storage unit 3042. The image data in the image data folder 3043 is transmitted together with the print command including the print setting data in the setting data (step 14).

Each image output device that has received the print command including the print setting data and the image data prints the received image data with the print setting according to the received print setting data. Therefore, each of these image output devices executes print processing based on the same print setting content.

If the immediate print command is not included in the job setting data, this process ends. Therefore, the image data folder 3043 stores the image data and the job setting data storage unit 3042 stores the job setting data.

In this case, when the user of the personal computer 3 inputs a tandem print command to the personal computer 3,
The personal computer 3 sends an image data folder 3043 to the image output device designated by the job setting data stored in the job setting data storage unit 3042 together with a print command including the print setting data in the job setting data.
Send the image data in. This processing is executed by the second tandem printing processing program 3044b.

If the job setting data does not include an immediate print command, the job setting data storage unit 3
The job setting data 042 can be changed by the user of the personal computer 3.

[0043]

According to the present invention, an image read by one image output device equipped with an image reading means connected to a network line is transferred to the network line via a personal computer connected to the network line. When performing print processing by distributing to multiple connected image output devices, you can specify whether the image data sent from the image output device to the PC is to be printed in tandem immediately or later based on the user's PC operation. , It can be set on the image output device side.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tandem printing system.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a user operation and an operation of the digital copying machine 1 when performing tandem printing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the personal computer 3 that has received job setting data and image data.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 digital copier 3, 4, 5, 6 PC 7, 8 printer 9 network cable

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Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image comprising a plurality of image output devices connected to a network line and at least one personal computer connected to the network line, at least one of the image output devices having an image reading means. In a tandem printing system which is an output device, the image output device including an image reading unit causes a user to set a tandem printing mode for performing tandem printing using the image output device connected to the network line. And a tandem destination selection means for allowing the user to select a personal computer to which the image data is to be transmitted from among the personal computers connected to the network line when the tandem print mode is set. Connected to the above network line when the print mode is set Among the image output devices, a job setting means for causing the user to set a plurality of image output devices for executing print processing, and whether or not to immediately execute tandem printing, and a tandem print mode are set. When the image reading command is input by the user operation, the image reading is started, and the read image data and the job setting data set by the job setting unit are selected by the destination selecting unit. A personal computer that has a transmission means for transmitting to a personal computer and that receives image data and job setting data is a means for storing the received image data and job setting data in a storage device, and when all the image data have been received. , Means for determining whether the job setting data includes an immediate print command, When the setting data includes an immediate print command, the image data stored in the storage device together with the print command is transmitted to each image output device specified by the job setting data stored in the storage device. When the immediate print command is not included in the first transmission unit and the job setting data, the job setting data stored in the storage device is used when the tandem print command is input to the personal computer by the user operation. A tandem printing system comprising: second transmitting means for transmitting the image data stored in the storage device together with the print command to each designated image output device. 2. An image comprising a plurality of image output devices connected to a network line and at least one personal computer connected to the network line, at least one of the image output devices having an image reading means. In a tandem printing system which is an output device, the image output device including an image reading unit causes a user to set a tandem printing mode for performing tandem printing using the image output device connected to the network line. And a tandem destination selection means for allowing the user to select a personal computer to which the image data is to be transmitted from among the personal computers connected to the network line when the tandem print mode is set. Connected to the above network line when the print mode is set Among the image output devices, a job setting means for allowing the user to set a plurality of image output devices that execute print processing, print settings, and settings for whether to immediately execute tandem printing, and a tandem print mode are provided. When set, the image reading is started when an image reading command by a user operation is input, and the read image data and the job setting data set by the job setting unit are set by the destination selecting unit. Equipped with a transmission means for transmitting to the selected personal computer, the personal computer that receives the image data and the job setting data has a means for storing the received image data and the job setting data in the storage device, and the reception of all the image data is completed. Is executed, it is determined whether the immediate print command is included in the job setting data. If an immediate print command is included in the job setting data, the print setting data in the job setting data is sent to each image output device specified by the job setting data stored in the storage device. The first transmission means for transmitting the image data stored in the storage device together with the included print command, and if the job setting data does not include the immediate print command, the tandem print command is input to the personal computer by the user operation. Then, the image data stored in the storage device is transmitted to each image output device specified by the job setting data stored in the storage device together with the print command including the print setting data in the job setting data. A tandem printing system comprising a second transmitting means. 3. The personal computer, which has received the image data and the job setting data, is provided with means for changing the job setting data stored in the storage device by a user operation when the job setting data does not include an immediate print command. The tandem printing system according to claim 2. 4. The tandem printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image output device equipped with the image reading means is a digital copying machine.