JP3554191B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method thereof, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

【００９３】
たとえば、原稿が１００ページ（Ｐ＝１００）、２０部出力（Ｑ＝２０）、ｔ１＝５［分］、ｔ２＝１０［分］のときには、各プリンタ部のプリント・スピード（プリント能力）をＸ＝６０、Ｙ＝４０、Ｚ＝２０とすると、
【００９４】
【数５】
ｎＡ＝１２．５
ｎＢ＝６．３３
ｎＣ＝１．１１
となる。
【００９５】
したがって、プリンタ部Ａで１３部、プリンタ部Ｂで６部、プリンタ部Ｃで１部のプリント出力を行うように割り振る。
【００９６】
また、プリント・ジョブがＸ＊ｔ１／Ｐ以下であるときにはプリンタ部Ａの１台だけでプリント出力が完了する。また、プリント・ジョブ全体の量が｛（Ｘ＊ｔ１＋Ｘ＊ｔ２）／Ｐ｝＋｛Ｙ＊ｔ２／Ｐ｝よりも少ないときには、プリンタ部Ｃを稼働させる前にプリント・ジョブはすべて終了する。
【００９７】
なお、稼働させるプリンタ部が２台であるときには、稼働させないプリンタ部に応じてＸ、Ｙ、またはＺを０とすればよい。
【００９８】
また、グループ・モードの場合においても上記数４式から容易にジョブの割り振り量を算出することができるので、ここでは詳しい説明を省略する。
【００９９】
なお、本発明は、複数の機器から構成されるシステムに適用しても、１つの機器からなる装置に適用しても良い。また、本発明はシステム或は装置にプログラムを供給することによって達成される場合にも適用できることは言うまでもない。この場合、本発明を達成するためのソフトウエアによって表されるプログラムを格納した記録媒体を該システム或は装置に読み出すことによって、そのシステム或は装置が、本発明の効果を享受することが可能になる。
【０１００】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明にかかる画像形成装置およびその画像形成方法、並びに記録媒体によれば、
画像をプリントする為に用いるプリント手段の数をユーザが指定する必要なく自動的に決定することができるだけでなく、自身のプリント手段及び他の複数の通信可能なプリント手段の全てが特定のプリントジョブに占有されてしまうといった状況を回避することができ、全体でのプリント出力性能及びプリント出力環境を飛躍的に向上させることができる効果がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態に係る画像形成装置（画像形成システム）の接続形態を示す図である。
【図２】本発明の実施の形態に係るリーダー部およびプリンタ部の構成例を具体的に示す断面図である。
【図３】本発明の実施の形態に係るコントローラ部のブロック図である。
【図４】本発明の実施の形態に係る画像処理部の構成を詳細に示したブロック図である。
【図５】本発明の実施の形態に係るリーダー部のプリント・ジョブ・シーケンスを示すフロー・チャートである。
【図６】本発明の実施の形態に係るプリンタ部のプリント・ジョブ・シーケンスを示すフロー・チャートである。
【図７】本発明の実施の形態に係る操作部の動作を示すフロー・チャートである。
【図８】本発明の実施の形態に係るプリント・ジョブの割り振りを示すフロー・チャートである。
【図９】本発明の実施の形態に係るプリント・ジョブの割り振りを示すフロー・チャートである。
【図１０】本発明の実施の形態に係る各プリンタ部のプリント・スピードが同一である場合の出力動作を示す説明図である。
【図１１】本発明の実施の形態に係る各プリンタ部のプリント・スピードが同一である場合の出力動作を示す説明図である。
【図１２】本発明の実施の形態に係る各プリンタ部のプリント・スピードが異なる場合の出力動作を示す説明図である。
【図１３】本発明の実施の形態に係る各プリンタ部のプリント・スピードが異なる場合の出力動作を示す説明図である。
【図１４】本発明の実施の形態に係る各プリント・ジョブの実行経過を示すタイミング・チャートである。
【符号の説明】
１００，１０３，１０６ プリンタ部
１０１，１０４，１０７ リーダー部
１０２，１０５，１０８ ソータ部
２０８ 撮像素子
２１０ 感光ドラム
２１２ 前露光ランプ
２１３ １次帯電器
２１７ レーザ・ユニット（露光手段）
２１８ 現像器
２１９ 転写前帯電器
２２７ 転写帯電器
２３９ コントローラ部
２４０ 操作パネル
３０１ ＣＰＵ
３０３ ＲＯＭ
３０４ ＲＡＭ
３４０ リーダー画像処理部
３４５ プリンタ画像処理部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method therefor, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of digital copying apparatuses and the like to speed up output, an image forming method therefor, and a recording medium. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the digitalization and speeding up of copying machines, a plurality of digital copying machines have been connected to connect image data of images read by a reader unit of one digital copying machine or image data from a computer. A print system has been proposed which increases the number of prints per unit time by transferring the data to a plurality of printer units and performing printing.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the main purpose of the linked printing system having the conventional configuration is to increase the number of copies per unit time by transferring data read by a reader unit to a plurality of connected printer units and printing the data. .
[0004]
For this reason, in an overlapping state in which an image of a document read by one copying apparatus is transmitted to another copying apparatus and a plurality of printer sections simultaneously output the image of the document, the operations of the printer sections of all copying apparatuses are restricted. Will be. Therefore, it becomes difficult to print out image data flexibly according to the required number of copies, the priority of the print job, and the like.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method thereof, and a recording medium which solve the above-mentioned problems.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image reading unit that reads an image; and a printing unit that prints the read image, and an image forming apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of other printing units. In the apparatus, a determination of automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means based on predetermined conditions. Means, setting means for setting a user to perform printing without using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means by the determining means And the setting means causes the printing means and the plurality of other printing means to be used. A job distribution unit that distributes the print job to a smaller number of printing units than the number of printing units determined by the deciding unit, if setting has been made to perform printing without using all of the above. It is characterized by having.
[0007]
Another image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image reading unit that reads an image; and a printing unit that prints the read image, wherein the image reading device is capable of communicating with a plurality of other printing units. Determining means for automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the means based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means; and And setting means for allowing the user to set whether or not to perform printing using all of the other plurality of printing means, and the determining means determines that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are used. And printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means by the setting means. If the setting has been made, the print job based on the image is distributed to all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are determined by the determining means. Is determined to be used, and if the setting has been made so as not to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, the printing means determined by the determining means And a job distribution unit for distributing the print job to a number of printing units smaller than the number of printing units.
[0008]
Still another image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, wherein the image forming apparatus is capable of communicating with a plurality of other printing units. Determining means for automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the reading means based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means; and Setting means for setting the user to perform printing using all of the means and the other plurality of printing means, and it is determined by the determining means to use all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, And the setting means uses all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means for pre-printing. A job distribution unit that distributes the print job to a number of printing units smaller than the number of printing units determined by the determining unit when the setting for performing the printing has not been made. And
[0009]
In the above-described image forming apparatus, the predetermined condition may be a condition determined according to a total number of prints based on the number of documents read by the image reading unit and the number of print copies.
[0010]
In the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus further includes a changing unit that changes the number of printing units determined by the determining unit, wherein the changing unit includes a first mode according to the number of printing units determined by the determining unit, The second mode in which the number of printing units determined by the determining unit is increased, and the third mode in which the number of printing units determined by the determining unit is decreased by the determining unit. The determined number of printing means can be changed.
[0011]
In the above image forming apparatus, the changing unit changes the number of printing units determined by the printing unit according to a mode designated by a user among the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode. can do.
[0012]
In the above-described image forming apparatus, the job distribution unit can distribute a print job in accordance with print capabilities of the printing unit and the other printing units.
[0013]
An image forming method according to the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, and the image forming method of an image forming apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of other printing units. A determination step of automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means; and A setting step for allowing a user to set to perform printing without using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means; and determining that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are used in the determining step. And in the setting step, the printing means and the other plurality of printers A job distributing step of distributing the print job to a smaller number of printing means than the number of printing means determined in the determining step, if the setting has been made to perform printing without using all of the means. , Is characterized by having.
[0014]
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming method comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image; and a printing unit that prints the read image. A method of automatically determining the number of printing means used to print an image read by the image reading means from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means based on predetermined conditions. And a setting step for allowing a user to set whether or not to perform printing by using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means; and, in the determining step, the printing means and the other plurality of printing means. All are determined to be used, and in said setting step said printing means and said other plurality If the setting has been made to perform printing using all of the printing means, the print job based on the image is distributed to the printing means and all of the plurality of other printing means, and the print step is performed in the determining step. If it is determined that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are to be used, and if the setting is made such that printing is not performed using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means in the setting step, A job distribution step of distributing the print job to a smaller number of printing units than the number of printing units determined in the determining step.
[0015]
Still another image forming method according to the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image, a printing unit that prints the read image, and an image forming apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of other printing units. In the forming method, the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means is automatically determined from the printing means and the other plurality of printing means based on predetermined conditions. A determining step, a setting step of setting a user to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means in the determining step. And the printing means and the other in the setting step If it is not set to perform printing using all of the number of printing means, a job for distributing the print job to a number of printing means less than the number of printing means determined in the determining step And a distributing step.
[0016]
A recording medium according to the present invention includes a processing device, an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, and the processing device in an image forming apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of other printing units. Determining means for automatically determining the number of printing means used to print an image read by the image reading means from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means based on predetermined conditions. Setting means for allowing a user to set to perform printing without using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means by the determining means The printing means and the other plurality of printing means are determined to be used, and are set by the setting means. If the setting has been made to perform printing without using all of the above, the job distribution means for distributing the print job to a smaller number of printing means than the number of printing means determined by the determining means A program for causing the program to function is stored.
[0017]
Another recording medium according to the present invention includes a processing device, an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, and an image forming apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of other printing units. The processing device in the above, the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, automatically from the printing means and the other plurality of printing means based on predetermined conditions Determining means for determining, setting means for allowing a user to set whether or not to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and the printing means and the other plurality of printing means by the determining means It is determined that all of the printing means are to be used, and the printing means and the plurality of other printing means are determined by the setting means. If the setting has been made to perform printing using all of the printing means, the print job based on the image is distributed to the printing means and all of the other printing means, and the printing means is determined by the determining means. If it is determined that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are to be used, and the setting means has set not to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, A program for causing the program to function as a job distribution unit that distributes the print job to a smaller number of printing units than the number of printing units determined by the determining unit is stored.
[0018]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, in the job distribution step, optimal distribution can be performed in accordance with print capabilities of the plurality of printing means and the job designation.
[0019]
Further, still another recording medium according to the present invention includes a processing device, an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, and an image forming apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of other printing units. The number of printing units used to print the image read by the image reading unit by the processing unit in the apparatus is automatically determined based on a predetermined condition from the printing unit and the other printing units. Determining means for determining the printing means, setting means for setting a user to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and the printing means and the plurality of other printing means by the determining means. It is determined that all of the means are to be used and the printing means and the other plurality are set by the setting means. A job distribution unit that distributes the print job to a smaller number of printing units than the number of printing units determined by the determining unit, if the setting for performing printing using all of the printing units has not been made; And a program for causing the program to function as.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system configured according to the present embodiment.
[0022]
As shown, three copying machines are connected by a video interface (not shown). One copying apparatus is formed as a station A by a reader unit 101 for reading a document image, a printer unit 100 for printing the read image, and a sorter unit 102 for sorting the printed images. Similarly, the copying apparatus at station B includes a reader unit 104, a printer unit 103, and a sorter unit 105, and the copying apparatus at station C includes a reader unit 107, a printer unit 106, and a sorter unit 108.
[0023]
Each station transmits and receives commands and images via the video interface.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, the reading speed and the printing speed of the reader unit and the printer unit of each station do not need to be the same. However, the configurations of the reader unit and the printer unit are almost the same, only the operation speed is different, and the configuration of the reader unit will be described in detail below.
[0025]
FIG. 2 specifically shows the configuration of the reader unit 101 and the printer unit 100 shown in FIG. In the figure, the originals fed from the automatic original feeder 242 are sequentially placed at predetermined positions on the original platen glass 201.
[0026]
The original placed on the original platen glass 201 is exposed by an original illumination lamp 202 composed of, for example, a halogen lamp.
[0027]
The scanning mirrors 203, 204, and 205 are housed in an optical scanning unit (not shown), and guide the reflected light from the document to the CCD unit 206 while reciprocating. The CCD unit 206 includes an imaging lens 207 that forms reflected light from a document on the image sensor, for example, an image sensor 208 including a CCD image sensor, a CCD driver 209 that drives the image sensor 208, and the like. The image signal output from the image sensor 208 is converted into, for example, 8-bit digital data, and then input to the controller unit 239, where various image processing is performed.
[0028]
The photosensitive drum 210 is discharged by the pre-exposure lamp 212 in preparation for image formation. The primary charger 213 charges the photosensitive drum 210 uniformly. The exposure unit 217 is a laser unit composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and exposes the photosensitive drum 210 based on image data processed by a controller unit 239 that performs image processing and overall control of the apparatus, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. Form. The developing device 218 contains a black developer (toner). The pre-transfer charger 219 applies a high voltage before transferring the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 210 to a sheet.
[0029]
The paper feed units 220, 222, and 224 rotate the respective paper feed rollers 221, 223, and 225 to feed the transfer paper into the apparatus. The transfer sheet temporarily stops at the position where the registration roller 226 is provided, and is re-fed at a timing of writing with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 210. The transfer charger 227 transfers the developed toner image on the photosensitive drum 210 to the fed transfer paper. The separation charger 228 separates the transfer sheet, for which the transfer operation has been completed, from the photosensitive drum 210. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 210 without being transferred is collected by the cleaner 211.
[0030]
The conveying belt 229 conveys the transfer sheet after the transfer process to the fixing device 230, thereby performing, for example, thermal fixing. The transfer path is controlled by the flapper 231, and the transfer sheet on which the fixing process has been completed is transferred to either the staple sorter 232 or the intermediate tray 237 in the arrangement direction. The paper discharged to the staple sorter 232 is sorted into each bin, and the staple unit 241 performs stapling according to an instruction from the controller unit 239.
[0031]
When a bookbinding device (glue binder) 245 is mounted instead of the staple sorter 232, a spine and a bundle of paper with glue are glued by the binder unit 243 in accordance with an instruction from the controller unit 239, and bookbinding is performed. The later bundle of paper is stored in the stacker 244. Further, the paper feed rollers 233 to 236 feed the transfer paper, for which the fixing process has been completed, once to the intermediate tray 237 by inversion (multiple copy) or non-inversion (double-sided copy). The re-feed roller 238 transports the transfer sheet placed on the intermediate tray 237 again to the position where the registration roller 226 is provided.
[0032]
The controller unit 239 includes a CPU, a microcomputer, an image processing unit, and the like, which will be described later, and performs the above-described image forming operation in accordance with an instruction from the operation panel 240.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the controller unit 239 in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
[0034]
The CPU 301 controls the entire image processing apparatus, sequentially reads programs from a read-only memory 303 (ROM) that stores control procedures (control programs) for the apparatus main body, and executes the programs. An address bus and a data bus of the CPU 301 are connected to each load via a bus driver and an address decoder of 302. A random access memory (RAM) 304 is a main storage device, and is used as storage for input data, a work storage area, and the like.
[0035]
The control program of the present invention read from the ROM 303 may be supplied from a network, or may be loaded by communicating with another device or the like via the network, or may be loaded from a nonvolatile memory element such as NVRAM. The data may be loaded on a RAM, a hard disk, or another readable / writable storage medium. Further, it is also possible to store the data in a removable recording medium such as a floppy disk which can be detachably mounted on a disk storage device of a computer or the like, and load it.
[0036]
An I / O interface 305 is provided with an operation panel 240 for displaying the status of the apparatus by using a liquid crystal or an LED by a key input by a user, a motor 307 for driving a paper feed system, a transport system, and an optical system, a clutch. 308, solenoids 309, and paper detection sensors 310 for detecting paper being conveyed. The developing device 218 is provided with a toner remaining detection sensor 311 for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the developing device, and an output signal of the sensor 311 is input to the I / O port 305. The high-voltage unit 315 performs high-voltage control, and outputs a high voltage to the primary charger 213, the developing device 218, the pre-transfer charger 219, the transfer charger 227, and the separation charger 228 according to an instruction from the CPU 301.
[0037]
The image processing unit 306 includes a reader image processing unit 340 and a printer image processing unit 345. An image signal output from the CCD unit 206 is input, performs image processing described later, and outputs a control signal of the laser unit 217 according to the image data. The laser beam output from the laser unit 217 irradiates and exposes the photosensitive drum 210, and the light emitting state is detected by a beam detecting sensor (light receiving sensor) 313 in a non-image area. 305 is input.
[0038]
The station A has been described above as an example, but the other stations have the same configuration, and the description is omitted.
[0039]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit 306 in the controller unit 239 in the image forming apparatus of the present invention in detail.
[0040]
The analog image signal converted into the electric signal by the CCD 208 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 400 in the reader image processing unit 340. Next, after correcting variations between pixels by the shading correction circuit 401, the scaling circuit 402 performs a data thinning process at the time of reduced copying, and performs an interpolation of data at the time of enlarged copying. Next, in the edge emphasizing circuit 403, second differentiation is performed in, for example, a 5 × 5 window to emphasize the edges of the image.
[0041]
Next, the output image data is stored in the image memory 407 via the memory controller 406. The image memory 407 is composed of a memory such as a DRAM and a hard disk, and can store a plurality of pages of images. The memory controller 406 controls the image memory 407, receives image data from the CCD 208, stores the image data in the image memory 407, reads the image from the image memory 407, and transfers the image to the video interface controller 408. Or transfer an image to a printer unit. At this time, control of the image memory 407 is performed by high-speed access, and a memory is arranged in each interface unit, so that there is no standby time even if all external accesses overlap. .
[0042]
In this manner, the image data once stored in the image memory 407 is output to the video interface 410 via the video interface controller 408. A video interface 410 connects the present device to a printer unit of another device.
[0043]
The output of the memory controller 406 is input to the brightness / density conversion unit 404 of the printer image processing unit 345. Since this image data is luminance data, a γ conversion circuit (not shown) of the luminance / density conversion unit 404 performs data conversion by table search in order to convert the image data into density data to be output to the printer 405. The image data converted to the density data is input to a PWM circuit (not shown) in order to convert the image data into a signal of a laser emission intensity, and a signal of a pulse width according to the image density is sent to the laser unit 217 of the printer 405. Output to
[0044]
A print sequence in the image forming system having such a configuration will be described below with reference to a flowchart.
[0045]
Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that three copying apparatuses are connected via an interface. That is, three printer units are shared by one reader unit. The following flow chart shows a job execution level of a copy job to be executed and a method of determining image transfer. The job level is lowest at level 1 and increases as the numerical value increases. Therefore, in this embodiment, level 3 is the highest.
[0046]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing steps S51 to S59 showing the sequence of the reader section.
[0047]
When the user sets a copy mode and the number of copies using an operation unit (not shown) and presses a start key, the reader unit starts reading a document (S51). Next, the total number of prints is calculated from the number of read originals and the number of prints set in the operation unit, and the levels are classified as follows according to the calculation results (S52).
[0048]
Total number of prints is 1001 or more and 2000 or less ... Level 3
Total number of prints is 101 or more and 1000 or less ... Level 2
Total number of prints is 100 or less ............ Level 1
Next, the user can arbitrarily set the level on the operation unit, and changes the level divided in step S52 according to the user's level setting (S53).
[0049]
That is, three modes of “auto”, “high”, and “low” can be selected on the operation unit. “Auto” indicates an automatic mode according to the level determined in step S52, and “high” indicates step S52. The mode in which the level is changed to the level one higher than the level determined in step S52, and the mode in which the level is changed to the level one lower than the level determined in step S52. If it is determined in step S52 that the level is level 2 and, for example, the mode of "high" is selected and input in step S53, the mode is changed to level 3 and output.
[0050]
However, since the level 3 is the highest, if the mode is already determined to be the level 3 in step S52, no change occurs even if the mode of “high” is selected and input. In addition, since the level 1 is the lowest, if the mode is already determined to be the level 1 in step S52, no change occurs even if the mode of “low” is selected and input.
[0051]
Next, in step S54, "setting change by the all-units operation mode" is performed. The “all units operation mode” is a mode in which whether or not all units are operated for one job can be set by the operation unit. That is, when operating all the units for one print job, even if only one print job is input later, it is necessary to wait until the print job being executed is completed. The process of step S54 is a process of changing the job level determined up to step S53 depending on whether the "all-units operation mode" for avoiding such a standby state is set.
[0052]
That is, when the “all-units operation mode” is set, the job level determined up to step S53 is not changed. However, when the “all-units operation mode” is not set, the job is changed to the job of level 2 even if the judgment of level 3 is made. This eliminates the need to operate the entire number of printer units in one job. However, the job level is not changed even if a job of level 2 or level 1 is input.
[0053]
Next, in step S55, information on the connected printer units 100, 103, and 106 is obtained and the operation status is grasped. Then, it waits until a usable number of printer units for the determined number of levels can be secured. That is, at level 1, the process waits until one usable printer unit can be secured, and at level 3, the process waits until three printer units can be used. In this way, a usable printer unit is determined.
[0054]
Next, the allocation of the print job is determined from the print job and the operation status (S56). Details of this allocation will be described later.
[0055]
In step S57, communication is performed with the printer unit to be operated, and the page to be printed of the determined print job, the print mode, and the like are transmitted. Subsequently, in step S58, the image is transferred from the image memory of the printer unit of the present apparatus to the image memory of the printer unit of another apparatus to be operated.
[0056]
Next, the operation of each printer unit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0057]
First, in step S61, it is determined whether or not there is a request for the operation status from the reader unit. If there is a request, the print status is transmitted in step S62, and the process proceeds to step S63. On the other hand, if there is no request in step S61, the process directly proceeds to step S63, and it is determined whether a print job has been sent from the reader unit. If a print job has been sent, the print job is received in step S64, the image data is stored in the image memory 407 to which each printer unit is connected in step S65, and the process proceeds to step S55.
[0058]
On the other hand, if a print job has not been sent in step S63, the flow directly advances to step S66 to determine whether printing has been completed. If the printer is in the middle of printing, printing is performed in step S67, and the print progress is transmitted to the reader in step S68. The reader unit displays the print status on the operation unit. If printing is completed in step S66, the process returns to step S61.
[0059]
As described above, even when the printer unit is in the middle of printing, the contents of the next print job and the image data are received to prepare for the next print.
[0060]
The operation of the operation unit in reading and printing a series of images will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0061]
When the operation unit is displayed in step S70, the reading status of the document is obtained in step S71, and the number of documents read in accordance with the reading of the document from the reader unit is sequentially displayed. In the subsequent step S72, when the step S56 in FIG. 5 ends, the print allocation of the copy job is displayed. When the allocation is displayed, in step S73, the print status of each printer unit is obtained to display the print status of each printer unit, and displayed on the operation unit in step S74.
[0062]
Next, the allocation of the print job in step S56 in FIG. 5, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.
[0063]
First, in step S81, it is determined whether the determined job level is level 1. If the level is 1, printing is performed using one printer unit. At this time, the printer unit in the same station as the reader unit from which the original has been read is preferentially selected. Then, the process proceeds to step S82, where it is determined whether or not the printer unit to which the reader unit is connected is empty. If it is empty, the process proceeds to step S87, where it is determined that the printer unit of the same station is to be used (the connected printer unit is selected), and the process proceeds to step S89.
[0064]
On the other hand, if the printer unit to which the reader unit is connected is not vacant in step S82 (the printer unit of the same station is printing), the process proceeds to step S83, and the printer unit of another station is waiting (usable) or printing. (Unusable). If there is an available printer unit, the one with the slowest speed is selected from the available printer units in step S86, and the flow advances to step S89. That is, when there are a plurality of printers, the one with the slowest printing speed is selected, but when the printing speed is the same, the printing stations A, B, and C are selected in this order. Select the printer unit.
[0065]
If all the printer units are in operation and there is no usable printer unit, the remaining print time of each printer unit is calculated in step S84. The remaining print time can be calculated from the number of remaining prints and the number of prints per unit time of each printer unit. From this calculation result, in step S85, the printer unit that finishes printing the earliest is selected, and the flow advances to step S89.
[0066]
When the printer unit is selected in this manner, a print job is allocated to the selected printer unit in step S89, and the process proceeds to the determination in step S91 shown in FIG. Details of step S89 will be described later.
[0067]
In step S91, it is determined whether the determined job level is level 2. If it is determined in step S81 that the level is 1, the processing ends after step S101.
[0068]
In the case of level 2, printing is performed using two printer units. Then, the process proceeds to step S93, and it is determined whether two printer units can be used based on the operation status of each printer unit. When two devices can be used, the process proceeds to step S96, and two usable devices are selected, and then the process proceeds to step S99. That is, if two or more available (standby) printer units are detected, the same printer unit as the station from which the document was read is selected if available, and the other printer unit is selected. The available print stations are selected in the order of print stations A, B, and C. When the printer unit of the same station is printing, the other two printer units are used.
[0069]
If two usable (standby) printer units cannot be secured in step S93, the remaining print time of each printer unit is calculated in step S84. The remaining print time can be calculated from the number of remaining prints and the number of prints per unit time of each printer unit. From the calculation results, in step S95, two printer units for which printing ends early are selected, and the flow advances to step S99.
[0070]
When the printer unit is selected in this manner, a print job is allocated to the selected printer unit in step S99, and the process proceeds to step S101. Details of step S99 will be described later.
[0071]
Similarly to the above, in step S91, it is determined whether the determined job level is level 3. If the job level is level 3, steps S103 to S105 and S109 are executed to select three printer units and wait. The print job is allocated according to the printer unit in operation, the printer unit in operation, and the like. In the above steps, step S103 is for judging whether or not three printer units are on standby. When all three printer units are on standby, in step S106, the three on standby units are selected. If there is a printer unit in the middle of printing, the remaining print time is calculated in step S104, and three printers including the one in the middle of printing are selected in step S105.
[0072]
Hereinafter, the allocation of the print job in steps S89, S99, and S109 will be described in detail using an example.
[0073]
Here, for the sake of easy understanding, when printing a 6-page document by sorting 6 copies, three printer units A, B, and C having the same print speed are used, and each printer unit separates 6 pages. FIG. 10 shows a case of sorting and outputting (individual mode). The printer units A, B, and C represent the printer units 100, 103, and 106 of the stations A, B, and C, respectively. FIG. 11 shows a case where the pages output by the printer units A, B, and C are shared (group mode).
[0074]
In FIG. 10, it is assumed that each of the printer units A, B, and C prints two copies. Each printer unit prints from page 1 to page 6 according to time t, and subsequently prints from page 1 to page 6.
[0075]
Also, in FIG. 11, at this time, the printer unit A prints six copies of one page and then prints six copies of two pages. At the same time, the printer unit B prints six copies of three pages and then prints six copies of four pages. At the same time, the printer unit C prints 6 copies of 5 pages and then prints 6 copies of 6 pages.
[0076]
Next, the case where the three printer units A, B, and C have different print speeds will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 shows the case of the individual mode, and FIG. 13 shows the case of the group mode.
[0077]
At this time, assuming that the printer unit A has a print speed of 60 sheets per minute, the printer unit B has a print speed of 40 sheets per minute, and the printer unit C has a print speed of 20 sheets per minute, the 6-page document is sorted in 6 copies. When outputting, the allocation amount differs depending on the print speed, that is, the printing capacity. In the individual mode, the printer unit A prints out three copies, the printer unit B prints out two copies, and the printer unit C prints out one copy.
[0078]
In the group mode, the printer unit A prints out three pages from 1 to 3 pages, the printer unit B prints out two pages of four and five pages, and the printer unit C prints out one page of six pages. I do.
[0079]
The number of print jobs distributed to the printer units A, B, and C can be represented by the following equation. That is, when the number of printable sheets (print speed) of the printer units A, B, and C is X, Y, and Z, respectively, and the number of print copies or pages of a print job is N, the printer unit The numbers nA, nB, and nC to be assigned to A, B, and C are as shown in Expression 1.
[0080]
(Equation 1)
nA = X / (X + Y + Z) × N
nB = Y / (X + Y + Z) × N
nC = Z / (X + Y + Z) × N
Therefore, for a print job of 2000 copies (N = 2000) with X = 60, Y = 40, Z = 20,
[0081]
(Equation 2)
nA = 60/120 × 2000 = 1000
nB = 40/120 × 2000 = 666.666
nC = 20/120 × 2000 = 333.333
It becomes. Since the print priority order in the sort output is the printer unit A, the printer unit B, and the printer unit C, the decimal places of the printer unit B are rounded up and the decimal places of C are rounded down.
[0082]
Therefore, nA = 1000, nB = 667, and nC = 333 are allocated so as to be printed out.
[0083]
Similarly, in a print job for printing 20 copies of an original of 100 pages (N = 100) at X = 60, Y = 40, Z = 20,
[0084]
(Equation 3)
nA = 60/120 × 100 = 50
nB = 40/120 × 100 = 33.333
nC = 20/120 × 100 = 16.666
It becomes. Since the print priority order when outputting in the group mode is the printer section C, the printer section B, and the printer section A, the decimal places of the printer section B are truncated, and the decimal places of C are rounded up.
[0085]
Therefore, allocation is performed so that nA = 50, nB = 33, and nC = 17 parts. As a result, the printer unit A prints 20 pages from 1 page to 50 pages, the printer unit B prints from 51 pages to 83 pages, and the printer unit C prints from 84 pages to 100 pages.
[0086]
When the number of printer units for distributing print jobs is two, X, Y or Z may be set to 0 according to the printer units not used. When only one device is operated, it is natural that all the print jobs are executed by the one device operated.
[0087]
Next, a case where there is a printer section in the middle of printing will be described with reference to FIG.
[0088]
At time t0 in FIG. 14, a print job starts while the printer unit A is on standby (printing is possible). At t0, the printer unit B is performing printing, another print job being executed is scheduled to end after t1 minutes from t0, and the printer unit C is also performing printing at t0, and another printing job being executed is This shows a state in which it is scheduled to end after (t1 + t2) minutes from t0.
[0089]
A description will now be given of print job allocation in the case of outputting a P-page document in the sort of Q section in the state of FIG.
[0090]
The printer unit A prints the X * t1 portion during the period from t0 to t1. During the following t2, the printer unit A prints X * t2 copies, and during this time, the printer unit B prints Y * t2 copies. Thereafter, after elapse of (t1 + t2) minutes from t0, printing is performed using three printer units. The allocation at this time is calculated in the same manner as described above.
[0091]
Since the original is output in P pages and Q copies, the number of jobs to be distributed to each printer unit from the start of the print job until (t1 + t2) minutes elapses is expressed by the following equation (4).
[0092]
(Equation 4)

[0093]
For example, when a document has 100 pages (P = 100), outputs 20 copies (Q = 20), t1 = 5 [minutes], and t2 = 10 [minutes], the print speed (printing capability) of each printer unit is set to X. = 60, Y = 40, Z = 20,
[0094]
(Equation 5)
nA = 12.5
nB = 6.33
nC = 1.11
It becomes.
[0095]
Therefore, the printer unit A allocates 13 copies, the printer unit B prints 6 copies, and the printer unit C prints 1 copy.
[0096]
When the print job is equal to or less than X * t1 / P, the print output is completed by only one printer unit A. When the total amount of the print job is smaller than {(X * t1 + X * t2) / P} + {Y * t2 / P}, all the print jobs are completed before the printer unit C is operated.
[0097]
When two printer units are operated, X, Y, or Z may be set to 0 according to the printer units that are not operated.
[0098]
Further, even in the case of the group mode, since the job allocation amount can be easily calculated from the above equation (4), detailed description will be omitted here.
[0099]
Note that the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or to an apparatus including a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading out a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. become.
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus, the image forming method, and the recording medium according to the present invention,
Not only can the number of printing means used to print an image be determined automatically without the need for the user to specify, but also his own printing means and several other communicable printing means can be used for a particular print job. Is avoided, and the overall print output performance and print output environment can be significantly improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection form of an image forming apparatus (image forming system) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view specifically illustrating a configuration example of a reader unit and a printer unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in detail;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a print job sequence of a reader unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a print job sequence of the printer unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing print job allocation according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing print job allocation according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an output operation when the print speeds of the respective printer units according to the embodiment of the present invention are the same.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an output operation when the print speeds of the respective printer units according to the embodiment of the present invention are the same.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an output operation when the printing speed of each printer unit is different according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an output operation when the print speeds of the respective printer units according to the embodiment of the present invention are different.
FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing execution progress of each print job according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 103, 106 Printer section
101, 104, 107 leader section
102, 105, 108 Sorter
208 Image sensor
210 Photosensitive drum
212 Pre-exposure lamp
213 Primary charger
217 Laser unit (exposure means)
218 Developer
219 Charger before transfer
227 Transfer charger
239 Controller
240 operation panel
301 CPU
303 ROM
304 RAM
340 Reader image processing unit
345 Printer image processing unit

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, wherein the image forming apparatus can communicate with a plurality of other printing units.
Determining means for automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means,
Setting means for setting a user to perform printing without using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means,
The setting unit determines that all of the printing unit and the other plurality of printing units are used, and the setting unit performs printing without using all of the printing unit and the other plurality of printing units. If so, job distribution means for distributing the print job to a number of printing means less than the number of printing means determined by the determination means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, wherein the image forming apparatus can communicate with a plurality of other printing units.
Determining means for automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means,
Setting means for allowing a user to set whether to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means,
The determination means determines that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are to be used, and the setting means performs setting to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means. If so, the print job based on the image is distributed to all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are used by the determining means. If it is determined that the printing is not performed using the printing unit and all of the other printing units by the setting unit, the number of printing units determined by the determining unit is smaller than the number of printing units. Job distribution means for distributing the print job to a number of printing means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, wherein the image forming apparatus can communicate with a plurality of other printing units.
Determining means for automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means,
Setting means for setting a user to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means,
The determination means determines that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are to be used, and the setting means performs setting to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means. If not, a job distribution unit that distributes the print job to a number of printing units smaller than the number of printing units determined by the determining unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition determined according to a total number of prints based on the number of documents read by the image reading unit and the number of prints. 5. Further comprising changing means for changing the number of printing means determined by the determining means,
The changing unit is determined by the first mode according to the number of printing units determined by the determining unit, a second mode to increase from the number of printing units determined by the determining unit, and determined by the determining unit. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of printing means determined by the determining means is changed according to any one of third modes for decreasing the number of printing means. Forming equipment. The changing means changes the number of printing means determined by the printing means according to a mode designated by a user among the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job distribution unit distributes a print job according to print capabilities of the printing unit and the other printing units. An image forming method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, wherein the image forming apparatus can communicate with a plurality of other printing units.
A determination step of automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means,
A setting step for setting a user to perform printing without using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means,
In the determining step, it is determined that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are to be used, and in the setting step, the setting for performing printing without using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means is provided. If so, a job distribution step of distributing the print job to a smaller number of printing means than the number of printing means determined in the determining step;
An image forming method comprising: An image forming method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, wherein the image forming apparatus can communicate with a plurality of other printing units.
A determination step of automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means,
A setting step of allowing a user to set whether to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means,
In the determining step, it is determined that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are to be used, and in the setting step, setting is made to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means. If so, distribute the print job based on the image to all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and use all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means in the determining step If it is determined that the printing is not performed using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means in the setting step, the number of printing means is smaller than the number of printing means determined in the determining step. Distribute the print job to a number of printing means And job distribution step,
An image forming method comprising: An image forming method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, wherein the image forming apparatus can communicate with a plurality of other printing units.
A determination step of automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means,
A setting step for allowing a user to set to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means,
In the determining step, it is determined that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are to be used, and in the setting step, setting is made to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means. If not, a job distribution step of distributing the print job to a smaller number of printing means than the number of printing means determined in the determining step;
An image forming method comprising: A processing device, an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, the processing device in the image forming apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of other printing units,
Determining means for automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means,
Setting means for allowing a user to set to perform printing without using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and
The setting unit determines that all of the printing unit and the other plurality of printing units are used, and the setting unit performs printing without using all of the printing unit and the other plurality of printing units. If so, job distribution means for distributing the print job to a number of printing means less than the number of printing means determined by the determination means,
A recording medium characterized by storing a program for functioning as a computer. A processing device, an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, the processing device in the image forming apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of other printing units,
Determining means for automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means,
Setting means for allowing the user to set whether to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and
The determination means determines that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are to be used, and the setting means performs setting to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means. If so, the print job based on the image is distributed to all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are used by the determining means. If it is determined that the printing is not performed using the printing unit and all of the other printing units by the setting unit, the number of printing units determined by the determining unit is smaller than the number of printing units. Job distribution means for distributing the print job to a number of printing means,
A recording medium characterized by storing a program for functioning as a computer. A processing device, an image reading unit that reads an image, and a printing unit that prints the read image, the processing device in the image forming apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of other printing units,
Determining means for automatically determining the number of printing means used to print the image read by the image reading means, based on predetermined conditions from the printing means and the plurality of other printing means,
Setting means for setting a user to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means, and
The determination means determines that all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means are to be used, and the setting means performs setting to perform printing using all of the printing means and the other plurality of printing means. If not, a job distribution unit that distributes the print job to a number of printing units smaller than the number of printing units determined by the determining unit;
A recording medium characterized by storing a program for functioning as a computer.

Images