JP3537612B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a linked image forming system in which a copying operation for one copy job is shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has been practiced to connect a plurality of digital copying machines, transmit and receive read image data to and from each other, and copy efficiently. For example, JP-A-7-2
According to the invention described in Japanese Patent No. 9767, a plurality of copying machines are connected, and a copying machine serving as a transmission source confirms the status of another copying machine via a communication line with status information data,
In the idle state, the copy number designating data and the image data are transmitted, and the copying operation of the designated number of copies is shared by the respective devices, thereby improving the copy productivity and utilization efficiency.

[0003]

By the way, when a plurality of digital copying machines are connected and only one type of output transfer paper is used, the operation of integrating the output results after the copy is completed is very simple. For this reason, it is desired that the connection destination apparatus also performs copying with the same image and shortens the copying time. In addition, when a stack copy is performed in the link operation, if a copy image corresponding to the same page is output across both the master and the slave, the user may be confused in the integration work after the copy is completed. Further, when a single-sided document is copied on both sides, for example, when the number of documents becomes three or more, the number of output transfer papers becomes two or more. Therefore, effective processing cannot be performed simply by copying the same image with a connected apparatus.
Further, if this determination is made after reading of all originals is completed, the copy start time will be delayed accordingly.

In the case where one set of document bundles is shared and output by two connected apparatuses, it is desirable that both apparatuses end their operations as simultaneously as possible. If the originals read by the master machine are assigned to both in advance and copied, the end times will not match if the copy speeds of the two are different, or if they are the same and another interrupt such as a print request occurs. I will. For example, if the output page order of the slave unit is reversed from that of the master unit, the image plane of the slave unit will not match the page order. Therefore, it is necessary to replace pages when integrating the finished copy. Also, APS
(Automatic paper selection function) When the linked copy is started in the stack mode, when the job is distributed to the master / slave machine, if the job is distributed to a device that does not have the transfer paper of the size corresponding to the original, the page is copied. Since it cannot be performed, it is copied on the other device. At this time, since the page order may be out of order, it is troublesome for the user to combine the output results after the copy is completed.

[0005]

A first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system in which the output image plane of a slave machine is configured to be opposite to that of a master machine, so that there is no need to change pages when integrating a finished copy. It is to provide. A second object of the present invention is to, when the sizes of the originals are different, check the size after reading all the originals and confirm that there is a transfer sheet of a required size before starting the linked copy operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first image forming apparatus having an image reading device for reading a document image and converting the image into image data, and an image output device for outputting received image data. Is connected via a communication line to the image reading apparatus of the first image forming apparatus, and a transmission unit for transmitting various data is provided to the image reading apparatus of the first image forming apparatus. Are provided with receiving means for receiving various data, respectively. The message is transmitted from the transmitting means of the first image forming apparatus, and received by the receiving means of the second image forming apparatus via the communication line. In the image system in which the second image forming apparatus outputs the image data transmitted from the first image forming apparatus to a transfer sheet, the first image forming apparatus includes: Comprising a storage device for storing image data taken apparatus has read, also, the first image forming
Both the image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are capable of displaying images.
Equipped with reversing means for reversing and outputting the formed transfer paper
And which, the first image forming apparatus, among the image data stored in the storage device, the image reading apparatus starts an image formed from the first read document page, the second image forming apparatus , among the image data stored in the storage device, the image reading apparatus starts an image forming from the last read document page, the first image type
One of the image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus
By using the reversing means, the first image forming
Image of transfer paper discharged by the image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus.
The first object is achieved by the image planes being opposite to each other .

[0008]

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the size of the transfer paper set in the second image forming apparatus via the communication line is set in the first image forming apparatus. includes a size detection means for detecting, when the image data by the image reading apparatus has read is stored in all the storage devices, the size detection means, transfer size set in the first image forming apparatus paper, when detecting that the not set to the second image forming apparatus, the output only by the first image forming apparatus is performed, to achieve the second object.

[0010]

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. First,
1 to 7 are a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a schematic diagram of an operation unit, and a block diagram. Schematically shows the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in FIG. First, a document bundle, which is placed on the document table 2 with the image side facing up, in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter ADF) 1 is placed on a start key 34 on the operation unit 30.
When is pressed, the lowermost document is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feed roller 3 and the feed belt 4. This apparatus has a counting function for counting up the number of originals upon completion of feeding one original.

The fed document is read by a reading unit 50.
After reading the image data of the document on the contact glass 6 by, and is discharged to the outside by feed belt 4 and the discharge rollers 5. Further, the original table 2 is detected by the original set detection 7.
Is detected, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. Feed roller 3,
Feed belt 4, the sheet discharge rollers 5 are driven by the transport motor 26. Then, the transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeding device 11, the second sheet feeding device 12, and the third sheet feeding device 13, respectively. The photoconductor 15 is conveyed by the conveyance unit 14 to a position where the photoconductor 15 contacts the photoconductor 15.

The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photosensitive member 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and the image is discharged to the discharge tray 19 by the discharge unit 18.

[0014] When imaging an image on both sides of the transfer paper, the
The transfer paper fed and imaged from the first to third paper feed trays 8 to 10 is conveyed to the double-sided paper input / conveyance path 113 without being guided to the paper discharge tray 19, and is switched back by the reversing unit 112 to be reversed. It is sent to the transport unit 111. The sheet sent to the two-sided conveyance unit 111 is sent to the conveyance unit 14 again, and after the image is printed on the back surface, the sheet is discharged. Also,
When the transfer paper is inverted and discharged,
Double-sided transport unit for paper switched back in step 12
The sheet is sent to the reverse sheet discharging conveyance path 114 without being sent to the sheet 111 and is discharged. Photoconductor 15, transport belt 16, fixing unit 1
7, the paper discharging unit 18 and the developing unit 27 are driven by the main motor 25, and the first to third paper feeding devices 11 to
Reference numeral 13 denotes a drive of the main motor 25 for each of the paper feed clutches 22 to
24. The conveyance unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor 25 by the intermediate clutch 21.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 3
4. A mode clear key 35 is provided, and a function key 37, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31.

FIG. 3 shows the liquid crystal touch panel 3 of the operation unit 30.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display of No. 1; When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31,
The key indicating the selected function is reversed in black. When the details of the function need to be specified (for example, in the case of scaling, a scaling value or the like), by touching a key, a setting screen for a detailed function is displayed. Thus, the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display
Therefore, it is possible to perform optimum display at that time graphically.

FIG. 4 shows a control device centering on the main controller 20. The main controller 20 functions to control the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 20 controls the operation unit 30 for displaying to the operator, inputting function settings from the operator, controlling the scanner, controlling to write a document image in the image memory 66, controlling to form an image from the image memory 66, and the like. Image processing unit (IPU) 49, automatic document feeder (AD
F) A distributed control device such as 1 is connected. The main controller 20 has a connection I / F (interface) 4 for connecting to a plurality of image forming apparatuses and transmitting and receiving configuration and function information and operation control information of the apparatuses.
8 are connected.

The main controller 20 has a connection I / F
Obtaining information on the image forming apparatus connected via
The connection operation is controlled by setting the operation, or a request from another connected image forming apparatus is acquired to control the operation of the own apparatus. Each decentralized control device and the main controller 20 exchange machine status and operation commands as needed. Further, a main motor 25 and various clutches 21 to 24 required for paper conveyance and the like are also connected.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a display unit for setting whether to transmit / receive information to / from a connected image forming apparatus. When the operator touches the “connect” key shown in FIG. 7, the setting of the connecting operation using the plurality of connected image forming apparatuses is selected, and the own device becomes the master device of the connecting operation. A request for an operation is made to an image forming apparatus (slave apparatus) other than the connected apparatus by the setting of (1).

Returning to FIG. 1, the procedure from reading of the original by the image forming apparatus to writing of the image will be described.
The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system.
Exposure lamp 51, first mirror 52, lens 53, CCD
It is composed of an image sensor 54 and the like. Exposure lamp 5
The first and first mirrors 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically operated at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electric signal, and processed.

The writing unit 57 is composed of a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a polygon mirror that rotates at a high speed at a high speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor. (Polygon mirror). The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. Although not shown, a beam sensor that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position near one end of the photoconductor 15 where the laser beam is irradiated.

FIG. 5 shows an image processing unit (IPU) 49.
It is a block diagram of an internal structure. The reflection of the light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 54 and is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to MTF correction, γ correction and the like in the image processing unit 63 after being subjected to shading correction 62. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 72 is scaled according to the scaling factor and flows to the selector 64. In the selector 64, the destination of the image signal is switched to the writing γ correction unit 71 or the memory controller 65. The image signal that has passed through the writing γ correction unit 71 has its writing γ corrected according to the image forming conditions, and is sent to the writing unit 57.

The memory controller 65 and the selector 64 are configured so that image signals can be input and output in both directions. Further, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 68 for setting the memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 6 for storing programs and data thereof.
9. A RAM (random access memory) 70 is provided. Further, the CPU 68 controls the memory controller 6
5, data can be written and read from the image memory 66.

The connection I / F 48 is connected to a data bus of the memory controller 65 for transmitting and receiving image information.
It is configured to be able to input and output data. The image information is transferred via the image memory 66 according to the data transfer speed between the image forming apparatuses. That is, at the time of image output, after image data is stored in the image memory 66 from the memory controller 65, data is sequentially read from the image memory 66 in accordance with the data transfer speed between the image forming apparatuses,
/ F48. At the time of image input consolidated I /
After the image data transferred from F48 is stored in the image memory 66, the image data is transferred from the image memory 66 to the memory controller 65.
And performs image data processing inside the apparatus. With the configuration described above, the connection operation can be realized without being restricted by the function of the image forming apparatus.

The image sent to the memory controller 65 as an original image is compressed by an image compression device in the memory controller 65, and then compressed in an image memory 66.
Sent to Here, the reason for performing image compression is that the data of 256 gradations corresponding to the maximum image size is stored in the image memory 66 as it is.
However, the image memory 66 is used very much for one document image. By performing image compression, the limited image memory 66 can be used effectively. Also, since a large number of document image data can be stored at one time, the stored document image data can be output in page order as a sorting function. In this case, when outputting the image, the data is output while sequentially expanding the data in the image memory 66 by the expansion device in the memory controller 65. Such a function is generally called “electronic sorting”.

Further, utilizing the function of the image memory 66,
It is also possible to sequentially read a plurality of document images into an area obtained by dividing an area for one transfer sheet in the image memory 66. For example, by sequentially writing four document images into four equally divided areas of one transfer sheet in the image memory 66,
It is possible to obtain a copy output in which four originals are combined into one transfer paper image and aggregated. Such a function is generally called “aggregated copy”. Image memory 6
6 can be accessed from the CPU 68. Therefore, the contents of the image memory 66 can be processed, and for example, image thinning processing, image clipping processing, and the like can be performed. For processing, the image memory 66 can be processed by writing data to the register of the memory controller 65. The processed image is held in the image memory 66 again.

The contents of the image memory 66 are stored in the CPU 68.
Is read out, and the image data 73
It is possible to transfer the data to the operation unit 30. Generally, since the screen display resolution of the operation unit 30 is low, the original image in the image memory 66 is thinned out and sent to the operation unit 30. As the image memory 66, a hard disk may be used to store a large amount of image data. By using a hard disk, there is also a feature that an external power supply is unnecessary and an image can be held permanently. In order to read and hold a plurality of fixed originals (format originals) with a scanner, the hard disk is generally used.

Here, an image signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to FIG. / FGA
TE represents an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. / LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is / LGATE. These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK,
8 bits per pixel for one cycle of VCLK (256 gradations)
Data is sent. In the present embodiment, the writing density on the transfer paper is 400 dpi, and the maximum number of pixels is the main scanning 480.
There are 0 pixels and 6800 pixels in the sub-scan. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the image formed on the transfer paper and the signals / FGATE and / LGATE. In this embodiment, the closer the image data is to 255, the whiter the image becomes.

Next, a processing procedure in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts illustrating the operation procedure of the present embodiment. First, when the link copy key is pressed (FIG. 8, step 1)
0), the copying machine whose linked copy key is pressed is the master machine, the other linked copying machine is the slave machine, and the work sharing message is transmitted from the master machine to the slave machine (step 11). In the first embodiment, it is assumed that exactly one type of output transfer paper image is generated based on the number of documents set in the automatic document feeder 1 of the master machine. In this case, the number of originals is not limited to one. For example, in the case of an aggregate copy in which a plurality of originals are reduced to one transfer paper and output, the number of the originals corresponds to the number of originals set in this case. .

Subsequently, when the print key is depressed (Step 12 ; Y ), the scanner section starts reading the original sent from the automatic original feeder 1 (Step 13), and when all the originals have been read (Step 13). step 14; N, step 15; Y), one of the case where only the output transfer sheet image is generated, or one of the output transfer sheet image in the middle reading is generated, and the next document in the automatic document feeder 1 If there is no (Step 14; Y, Step 17; N), the same output transfer paper image is transmitted to all connected output devices together with the number of sheets adjusted so that the output end time becomes the same, and a copy operation start message is output. Tell Then, the same image is output by both the master and the slave (step 1).
6).

FIG. 9 shows the operation of the second embodiment and the third embodiment. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which two or more types of output transfer paper images are generated based on the number of documents set in the automatic document feeder 1 of the master machine. First, when the print key is depressed (FIG. 8, step 12 ; Y 1 ), the scanner unit starts reading the original sent from the automatic original feeder 1 (step 13).
If one type of output transfer paper image is generated during image reading and the next original is present in the automatic document feeder (step 17; Y), the first output transfer paper image and an output start message are sent to the master machine. (Step 18).

In the third embodiment, after the scanning operation (step 19), when a new output transfer paper image is generated, the output operation ends as soon as possible among the connected output devices. Then, the output transfer paper image and the output operation start message are transmitted to the output device that is determined to have completed or the operation has been completed (step 23). Then, after the reading is completed (Step 21; Y), the last transfer paper image is output by the empty or earliest empty device (Step 22).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure according to the fourth and fifth embodiments. When the linked copy key shown in FIG. 7 is depressed (step 30), the copying machine for which the linked copy key is pressed is set as the master machine, the other linked copying machine is set as the slave machine, and the work sharing message is sent from the master machine. The information is transmitted to the slave device (step 31). Next, the stack mode is designated, and the number of copies of the document is designated (step 32). Here, when the print key is pressed (step 33; Y), the copy operation is started.

When the first original is read (step 3
4) The master device starts stack output from the first page (step 35; Y, step 37). When all the originals have been read (Step 36; Y), the stack output of the specified number of sheets is started from the last original image in the reverse order to the reading order from the last original image (Step 3).
8). In the fifth embodiment, the transfer paper image surface of the copying machine on the slave side is output in reverse to the transfer paper image surface of the master machine. The page before the output page of the master unit is
When the output from the slave unit is completed, the copy operation is completed (step 39 ; Y ).

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are explanatory diagrams relating to the joining operation of the output transfer paper obtained by the connection stacking operation by the operator. Here, it is assumed that the connection stacking operation is specified for five documents. In the master machine, the transfer paper bundle is obtained with the front side of the document image facing up ( (4)
(In the order of (5) ), in the slave machine, the transfer paper bundle is obtained with the front side of the document image facing down ((3), (2), and (1)).
Order) . The transfer paper bundle is connected to the top of the transfer paper bundle of the master machine.
This is performed by aligning the top with the top of the transfer paper bundle of the slave machine. That is, the upper part of the master unit (4) and the lower part of the slave unit (3) are connected (see FIG. 12).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure according to the sixth embodiment. The operation when the automatic paper selection function (APS) is enabled has been described in addition to the fourth and fifth embodiments. The automatic paper selection function is a function for automatically selecting paper of the same size as a document. When all the originals have been read (Step 46; Y), before the slave unit starts copying the original pages in the reverse order, sheets of a size necessary for the copy output set in the paper cassette of the master unit are set. It is checked whether or not is set in the sheet feeding unit of the slave unit (step 48). If it is not set (step 48; N), the copying operation is not shared with the slave unit.
The copying operation is performed only by the master machine (step 50).

[0037]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the work of integrating the output transfer papers of both the master machine and the slave machine can be easily performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the sizes of the originals are different, the entire original is read, the size is checked, and after the transfer paper of the required size is present, the copy copy is performed. The operation can be started.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control device centering on a main controller.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an internal configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 6 shows an image formed on a transfer sheet and / FGAT.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between signals of E and / LGATE.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display unit for setting whether to transmit / receive information to / from a connected image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure according to the fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a joining operation performed by an operator on output transfer paper obtained by a connection stack operation.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a joining operation performed by an operator on output transfer paper obtained by a linked stack operation.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 2 Platen 3 Paper feed roller 4 Feed belt 5 Discharge roller 6 Contact glass 7 Original set detection 8-10 1st-3rd tray 11 to 13 First to third paper feed units 14 Transport unit 15 Photoconductor 20 Main controller 25 Main motor 30 Operation unit 31 LCD display 48 Connecting I / F (Interface) 50 reading unit 51 Exposure lamp 54 CCD Image Sensor 57 Writing Unit 65 Memory Controller 66 Image memory

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Norio Michiya 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Takahiko Uno 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock Company In Ricoh (56) References JP-A-8-251319 (JP, A) JP-A-5-300342 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00 B41J 29/38 G03G 21/00 396

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first image forming apparatus having an image reading device for reading a document image and converting it into image data, and a second image forming device having an image output device for outputting received image data.
The image forming apparatus is connected via a communication line, a transmitting unit for transmitting various data to the image reading apparatus of the first image forming apparatus, and various data to the second image forming apparatus. Receiving means are provided for receiving, respectively, in accordance with a message transmitted from the transmitting means of the first image forming apparatus and received by the receiving means of the second image forming apparatus via the communication line; In an image system in which a second image forming apparatus outputs image data transmitted from the first image forming apparatus to transfer paper, the first image forming apparatus stores the image data read by the image reading apparatus Storage device ,
The first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus
The shift device also reverses the transfer paper on which the image is formed and outputs it
It comprises a reversing means for said first image forming apparatus, among the image data stored in the storage device, the image reading apparatus starts an image formed from the first read document page, the second the image forming apparatus, among the image data stored in the storage device, the image reading apparatus starts an image forming from the last read document page, the first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus
The first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are configured such that any one of the first and second image forming apparatuses uses the reversing unit.
An image forming system , wherein image surfaces of transfer paper to be discharged are opposite to each other . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a size detecting unit configured to detect a size of the transfer sheet set in the second image forming apparatus via the communication line. When all the image data stored in the storage device is stored in the storage device, the size detection unit determines that the transfer paper of the size set in the first image forming device is set in the second image forming device. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein when it is detected that there is no output, the output is performed only by the first image forming apparatus.