JP3666197B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that processes information related to image formation based on image data in the apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, digital copiers are used for printing images. In the digital copying machine, the read image is stored in a memory, and the image can be read at the same time independently of image printing. In a digital copying machine having a multi-job function in which printing and reading of an image are performed independently, a job is registered by inputting images by a plurality of users, and the images are registered in the order in which the users have registered the jobs. Some have a function of printing. In addition, since image data is digitized internally in a digital copying machine, it is easy to connect to a network, and a job can be registered from an external device through the network.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-38865 discloses a technique for storing image data sent from the outside in a storage means and printing out an image based on the image data. Also, in the field of facsimile, some have a proxy reception function called memory proxy reception. In this memory substitution reception, for example, when the receiving facsimile is paper empty, data is stored in a memory in the facsimile.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when registration of a job is requested from an external device, the job may not be accepted depending on the memory usage in the image forming apparatus.
[0005]
In a digital copying machine having a conventional memory, or an image forming apparatus such as a printer connected to a computer or a facsimile, the memory is full when a job registration is requested from the network and image data is input (memory If all the data is used) or if the memory becomes full while image data is being input, the external device that requests image printing will not be able to accept job registration. Is done.
[0006]
If the image forming apparatus is managed by a computer, a plurality of image forming apparatuses capable of printing by operating a computer that manages the image forming apparatus by a user for such transmission. It is possible to select one of them, change the image forming apparatus that requests printing, and set job re-registration after a certain period of time. However, even in these cases, the user knows which image forming apparatus among a plurality of image forming apparatuses is in a state of accepting job registration and when the job registration can be accepted. I can't. The user can select a printable image forming apparatus by repeating trial and error, but these are very complicated operations, and the user cannot efficiently print an image.
[0007]
Further, in the conventional image forming apparatus, even if the image forming apparatus selected to request image printing is in a state of accepting jobs, all the jobs already registered in the image forming apparatus are digested. In some cases, the time required for the registration is remarkably long. When a job is registered in the image forming apparatus, the user may have to wait for the long time. If an image forming apparatus capable of executing a job at an earlier time is connected to another image printing, it is very inefficient to print an image with such an image forming apparatus.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a user can efficiently form an image.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes: An image forming apparatus that has storage means for storing image data, reads the image data, stores it in the storage means, and forms an image based on the image data stored in the storage means Thus, based on the volume of the image data stored in the storage means, the volume of image data that can be stored at a plurality of time points as time elapses is displayed. The capacity of the image data that can be stored at the point of time is calculated by subtracting the capacity of the stored image data from the total capacity of the storage means and adding the capacity of the image data that completes image formation. .
[0011]
This According to the present invention, with the passage of time based on the capacity of the image data stored in the storage means At multiple points in time The capacity of image data that can be stored is displayed. Thereby, the user can form an image based on the capacity of the image data, and can efficiently form an image.
[0012]
According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes: It has a storage means for storing image data, reads the image data, stores it in the storage means, and forms an image based on the image data stored in the storage means Painting An image forming device Thus, based on the volume of image data stored in the storage means, the volume of image data that can be stored at a plurality of points in time is transmitted to an external device. The capacity of image data that can be stored at a plurality of points in time is calculated by subtracting the capacity of the stored image data from the total capacity of the storage means, and adding the capacity of the image data that completes image formation. .
[0014]
This According to the present invention, with the passage of time based on the capacity of the image data stored in the storage means At multiple points in time The amount of image data that can be stored is For external equipment Sent. Thereby, the user can form an image based on the capacity of the image data, and can efficiently form an image.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a digital copying machine 1 which is one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a digital copying machine 1 which is one embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
The digital copying machine 1 is generally installed on the document conveying unit 500, the image reader IR, the page printer PRT, the refeed unit 600, and the operation panel OP (upper surface of the digital copying machine 1 (perpendicular to the paper surface)). Are). These are controlled by a control unit 200 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that controls each unit or the whole.
[0023]
An outline of the copy operation will be described. When an operation is input to the digital copying machine 1 via the operation panel OP, the document feeder 500 sets the documents to be copied one by one at the reading position of the image reader IR. The image reader IR reads the image of the original set at the reading position and generates image data, and the page printer PRT receives the image data from the image reader IR and prints the image on paper. The paper that has been printed is discharged through the paper refeed unit 600.
[0024]
Details of each part are as follows. The document conveyance unit 500 is assembled to the upper portion of the digital copying machine 1 so that it can be opened and closed with one end as a fulcrum, and also serves as a document cover. A plurality of originals are stacked on the paper feed tray 510 with the image surface to be copied facing upward. The placed documents are fed one by one from the lowermost layer by the sheet feeding roller 501 and are separated by the separating roller 502 and the separating pad 503. Subsequently, the original is reversed along the conveyance path by the intermediate roller 504 and the register roller 505, and is accurately set at the reading position on the original table glass 18 of the image reader IR by the conveyance belt 506.
[0025]
At this time, the register sensor SE51 and the width size sensor SE52 detect the document, the register roller 505 corrects the skew, and the document transport belt 506 is slightly reversed immediately after the trailing edge of the document passes the left edge of the document scale 16. Stop. By these operations, the right end of the document comes into contact with the end of the document scale 16, and the document is set at an accurate position on the document table glass 18. At this time, the leading edge of the next document reaches the register roller 505, and the document transport time is shortened.
[0026]
In the case of a single-sided original, the original after the image is read by the image reader IR passes through the information of the switching claw 508 and is discharged via the paper discharge roller 509 onto the original discharge tray 511 so that the image surface faces upward. The Further, in the case of a double-sided original, the original whose surface has been read in the same manner as a single-sided original is changed in its conveying direction by a reversing roller 507 and returned to the reading position on the original platen glass 18 by a switching claw 508 again. In this way, the document is discharged onto the document discharge tray 511 after the back side is read. At this time, the presence or absence of the document being discharged is detected by the discharge sensor SE53.
[0027]
The image reader IR reads an image of a document placed on the platen glass 18 and generates image data corresponding to each pixel of the document image. The image reader IR includes a scanning system 10 that decomposes and reads a document into pixels, an image processing unit 20 that performs quantization of photoelectric conversion signals output from the scanning system 10 and signal processing according to various image forming modes. The memory unit 30 stores image data transmitted from the image processing unit 20.
[0028]
The scanning system 10 has a line scanning type image reading mechanism. The first scanner 11 having the exposure lamp 12 and the first mirror 13a and the second scanner 14 having the second mirror 13b and the third mirror 13c are driven by the scan motor M2 in the direction of the arrow b (sub-scanning direction). Moving.
[0029]
The document set at the reading position on the document glass 18 is exposed by the exposure lamp 12. Reflected light by exposure passes through mirrors 13a, 13b, 13c, and condenser lens 15, and is applied to line sensor 17 using a CCD array. The line sensor 17 has a large number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface (main scanning direction). For example, the line sensor 17 reads an image at 400 dpi and generates image data corresponding to each pixel. The scanner position sensor SE3 detects the position of the scanner. The electrical signal obtained here is sent to the image processing unit 20. The document scale 16 is installed in a portion adjacent to the document table glass 18 and indicates a reference when the user manually sets the document.
[0030]
In the image processing unit 20, the image data converted into an electrical signal by the scanning system 10 is binarized, subjected to image processing such as image quality correction, scaling, and image editing, and sent to the memory unit 30. The memory unit 30 compresses and temporarily stores the image data received from the image processing unit 20. Thereafter, the image data is decompressed, subjected to rotational editing processing or the like as necessary, and sent to the page printer PRT.
[0031]
Further, the memory unit 30 has an external device interface as will be described later, and is connected to the external device through the external cable 90 via the external device connection connector 89.
[0032]
The image processing unit 20 and the memory unit 30 will be described in detail later.
The page printer PRT prints a copy image by an electrophotographic process based on the image data transferred from the image reader IR. The page printer PRT includes a print processing unit 40 that outputs an exposure control signal, an optical system 60 that emits a laser beam according to an exposure control signal from the print processing unit 40, and a laser beam irradiated by the optical system 60 on a sheet. An image forming system 70 that performs an image process, and a sheet conveying system 80 that conveys a sheet to or from the image forming system 70 are configured.
[0033]
The print processing unit 40 performs modulation (on / off) control of the laser beam irradiated by the optical system 60 based on the print data from the memory unit 30 of the image reader IR. In the optical system 60, laser light is emitted by a semiconductor laser 61 controlled by the print processing unit 40. This laser beam is deflected in the main scanning direction by a polygon mirror 62 rotated by a motor, and is guided to an exposure position in the image forming system 70 through an fθ lens 63 and mirrors 64a and 64b arranged in various places.
[0034]
In the image forming system 70, first, the laser beam from the semiconductor laser 61 is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 71 uniformly charged by the charging charger 72. By this laser beam irradiation, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71. Subsequently, toner is placed on the latent image by the developing device 73, and the latent image becomes a toner image. The toner image formed in this way is transferred from the photosensitive drum 71 to a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying system 80 by the transfer charger 74 at the transfer position. Subsequently, the sheet is separated from the photoreceptor 71 by the separation charger 75. Thereafter, unnecessary toner on the photoconductor 71 is removed by a cleaner 76, and electric charges on the photoconductor 71 are removed by an eraser lamp 77, and the photoconductor 71 is prepared for the next sheet.
[0035]
In the paper transport system 80, paper from the paper feed cassettes 81a and 81b is supplied by paper feed rollers 82a and 82b, respectively. These sheets pass through the sheet conveyance path 83 and are sent out to the transfer position while being synchronized with the photosensitive drum 71 of the image forming system 70 by the timing roller 84. The sheet after the transfer is conveyed to the fixing device 86 by the conveying belt 85, and the toner is fixed to the sheet by heat and pressure. Each part of the sheet conveyance system 80 and the photosensitive drum 71 are driven by the main motor M1.
[0036]
The re-feed unit 600 is installed on the side of the page printer PRT as an additional device for automating double-sided copying. The paper refeed unit 600 has a function of temporarily storing paper discharged from the main body of the page printer PRT by the discharge roller 87 of the paper transport system 80, performing switchback transport, and sending it back to the main body of the page printer.
[0037]
When copying on one side, the paper passes through the refeed unit 600 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 604. When copying on both sides, the left end of the switching claw 601 is moved upward by a solenoid coil (not shown), and the sheet discharged from the discharge roller 87 reaches the forward / reverse roller 603 via the transport roller 602. When the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the sheet sensor SE61, the sheet is returned to the page printer PRT main body by reversing the forward / reverse roller 603. The returned paper is sent to the timing roller 84 via the horizontal conveyance rollers 88a, 88b, 88c, and is synchronized with the photosensitive drum 71 of the image forming system 70 again, and an image is formed on the back surface of the paper. The paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 604.
[0038]
Here, when a plurality of sheets are continuously fed, the sheets are fed one after another to the refeed unit 600 with a predetermined sheet interval so as not to overlap each other. Since the length of the path for transporting the paper is constant, the number of sheets of one circulation (the most circulation number) N by the refeed unit 600 and the horizontal transport rollers 88a, 88b, 88c depends on the paper size.
[0039]
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel OP of the digital copying machine 1.
On the operation panel OP, a liquid crystal touch panel 91 for displaying the state in the apparatus and setting various modes, a numeric keypad 92 for inputting copy numerical conditions (number of sheets, magnification, etc.), and returning the numerical conditions to the standard values. Clear key 93, panel reset key 94 for initializing the copy mode, stop key 95 for instructing to stop copying, start key 96 for instructing start of copying, single-sided original or double-sided original A document designation key 100 for designating whether there is a copy, a copy mode key 101 for switching between single-sided copying and double-sided copying, a document reading start key 110 for starting only reading of a document, and for stopping only reading of a document Original reading stop key 111, a registration key 112 for registering the read original in the memory, a memory It includes a memory remaining display key 120 for instructing the display of quantities.
[0040]
3 and 4 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the control unit 200 of the digital copying machine 1.
[0041]
The control unit 200 is mainly configured by seven CPUs 201 to 207, and ROMs 211 to 217 storing programs and RAMs 221 to 227 serving as work areas are respectively connected to the CPUs 201 to 207. The CPUs 201 to 204 and the CPUs 206 to 207 are connected through the serial I / O 240 with the CPU 205 as the center.
[0042]
Further, the following are connected to and controlled by the CPUs 201 to 207. Various operation keys of the operation panel OP are connected to the CPU 201 via the I / O interface 231, and a liquid crystal touch panel (LCD) 91 of the operation panel OP is connected via the I / O interface 232. The CPU 201 controls input of signals from various operation keys of the operation panel OP via the I / O interface 231, and controls display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 and display LEDs via the I / O interface 232.
[0043]
The CPU 202 is connected to an image processing unit 20 to which a line sensor (CCD) 17 is connected. The CPU 202 controls each part of the image processing unit 20 and controls driving of the scanning system 10.
[0044]
The CPU 203 is provided in the memory unit 30, and the image processing unit 20 and the print processing unit 40 are connected to the memory unit 30, and image data storage and reading are controlled by the CPU 203. Image data D1 is sent from the image processing unit 20 to the memory unit 30, and image data D2 is sent from the memory unit 30 to the print processing unit 40. The memory unit 30 serves as an interface with the external device 250 and exchanges image data and control data with the external device 250.
[0045]
Connected to the CPU 204 is a print processing unit 40 to which a semiconductor laser (LD) 61 is connected. The CPU 204 is connected to image forming sensors such as paper size detection sensors SE1 and SE2 via the I / O interface 233, and connected to each part of the image forming system 70 and the main motor M1 via the I / O interface 234. Is done. The CPU 204 generally controls the page printer PRT including the print processing unit 40 via the I / O interfaces 233 and 234. The paper size obtained from the paper size detection sensors SE1 and SE2 is managed by the CPU 204.
[0046]
The CPU 205 performs processing for overall timing adjustment and operation mode setting of the control unit 200. In order to execute these processes, the CPU 205 performs serial communication with each CPU connected to the CPU 205 via the serial I / O 240, and transmits and receives commands and reports necessary for control.
[0047]
Each sensor of the document conveying unit 500 is connected to the CPU 206 via the I / O interface 235, and a drive circuit of the document conveying unit 500 is connected via the I / O interface 236. The CPU 206 controls signal input from the sensor of the document conveyance unit 500 via the I / O interface 235 and controls document conveyance of the document conveyance unit 500 via the I / O interface 236.
[0048]
Each sensor of the paper refeed unit 600 is connected to the CPU 207 via the I / O interface 237, and a drive circuit of the paper refeed unit 600 is connected via the I / O interface 238. The CPU 207 controls signal input from the sensor of the refeed unit 600 via the I / O interface 237 and controls refeeding of the refeed unit 600 via the I / O interface 238.
[0049]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image processing unit 20 shown in FIG.
In the image reader IR, an image control signal is supplied from the timing control unit 21 to each block. The line sensor 17 photoelectrically converts document information based on the image control signal from the timing control unit 21 to generate an electrical signal. The generated electric signal is amplified by the AMP 22 and converted into an 8-bit digital signal by the AD converter 23. Subsequently, the converted digital signal is subjected to removal of distortion generated in the scanning system 10 by the shading correction unit 25, and the density conversion unit 26 performs processing such as density conversion and γ correction. Thereafter, the digital signal that has undergone these processes is electrically scaled from the magnification information set by the electrical scaling unit 27, and the image data that has been subjected to the image editing process by the editing processing unit 28 is stored in the memory unit 30. Supplied to.
[0050]
The image monitor memory 24 stores image data for one line in response to an instruction from the CPU 202. The CPU 202 also sets and scans parameters of each part of the shading correction unit 25, the density conversion unit 26, the electric scaling unit 27, and the editing processing unit 28. The entire image reader IR is controlled such as scan control by driving the motor M2 and communication with the master CPU 205.
[0051]
The document size and whether the document is vertical or horizontal are detected by scanning the document with the document cover sandwiching the document by the document table glass 18 as a mirror, and detecting whether the document is a part of the document image. be able to. Since the amount of light reflected from the original is larger than the amount of light reflected from the mirror surface, such detection can be performed.
[0052]
More details are as follows. When the CPU 202 receives an instruction for a document size detection operation from the master CPU 205, it performs a preliminary scan. The CPU 202 controls the scan motor M2 based on the scanner position information from the scanner position sensor SE3, and scans the first scanner 11 (see FIG. 1) and the second scanner 14 in the sub-scanning direction. At the timing corresponding to the sub-scanning position, the document size and whether the document is placed vertically or horizontally are detected from the contents of the image data and the monitor position information, and the detection result is transmitted to the master CPU 205. . Based on the magnification information transmitted from the master CPU 205, the CPU 202 controls the scan motor M2 at a scan speed that matches the magnification information at the time of image reading.
[0053]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the memory unit 30 shown in FIG.
In the memory unit 30, the input / output of the image data is switched by the switching unit 301, and the input image data is generated by the binarization processing unit 302 based on parameter settings from the CPU 203. The multi-port image memory 303 has a capacity for two pages of A4 size at 400 dpi, and temporarily stores image data. These image data are converted into code data by the code processing unit 304 having the compressor 310 and the decompressor 311 that can operate independently, and then temporarily stored in the code memory 305 via the switching unit 312. The switching unit 312 switches the route of the image data to the code memory 305 or to the external IF unit 309 serving as an interface with the external device 250.
[0054]
When the image data is written in the image memory 303, the code processing unit 304 calls and compresses the image data to create code data, and writes the code data in the code memory 305. Further, in response to an instruction from the CPU 203, the code processing unit 304 reads and decompresses the code data written in the code memory 305 to create image data, and writes the image data in the image memory 303.
[0055]
The compression processing of the image data in the code processing unit 304 is executed even when the capacity of the encoded image data is larger than the free space of the code memory 305 or when there is no free space in the code memory 305 (when the memory is full). can do. At this time, only compression processing is performed on the image data, and the image data is not written into the code memory 305. The code processing unit 304 counts the data capacity after compression, and the count data can be read out by the CPU 203.
[0056]
When image data for one page is generated in the image memory 303 by the decompression, the CPU 203 calls the image data from the image memory 303 and supplies it to the rotation processing unit 306. The rotation processing unit 306 rotates the image data as necessary, and the multi-value processing unit 307 generates multi-value image data, which is output via the scaling processing unit 308. The scaling processing unit 308 can perform electrical scaling processing in both the main and sub scanning directions. Data is DMA-transferred between the compressor 310, the decompressor 311 and the code memory 305.
[0057]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a management table MT1 for managing the code memory 305. FIG. 7A shows the management table MT1, and FIG. 7B shows compressed data stored in the code memory 305.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 7B, the code memory 305 is divided into memory areas in units of 32 Kbytes. In order to simultaneously control writing to the code memory 305 (when reading an image of a document) and reading from the code memory 305 (when printing an image onto a sheet of paper), each area in the code memory 305 is assigned to each page. Code data is stored.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 7A, the management table MT1 includes a number indicating the area of the code memory 305, a page number (original image number) PN of image data given in the writing order (original scan order), The number of areas connected before, the number of areas connected later, and various additional information necessary for compression / decompression processing such as the compression method and data length are stored. The code memory 305 is dynamically managed based on the information shown in the management table MT1.
[0060]
The “previous concatenation” in the management table MT1 indicates the forward connection of the 32 Kbyte area in each page. When the “previous concatenation” is “00”, the area of the code memory 305 is This indicates the first storage area of data for one page. Similarly to “previous concatenation”, “rear concatenation” indicates the backward connection of 32 Kbyte area in each page. When this is “FF”, this code memory area is one page. Indicates the last storage area for the minute data.
[0061]
When the CPU 203 reads the image data from the image memory 303 and compresses it into code data, the CPU 203 controls the compressor 310 while creating information in the management table MT1 and writes the code data into the code memory 305. Further, when the CPU 203 reads the code data from the code memory 305 and decompresses it into image data, the CPU 203 reads the code data from the code memory 305 by the reverse operation. The information on the corresponding page in the management table MT1 is normally read and deleted when the number of copies (number of copies) M specified by the operator is completed.
[0062]
Next, using FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, request commands and reports exchanged between the CPUs for the memory write operation and memory read operation in the digital copying machine 1 (in FIG. 8 and FIG. The flow of image data will be mainly described.
[0063]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sequence of exchange of commands and image data between the CPUs in the memory write operation. Image data is transferred from the image processing unit 20 (see FIG. 5) to the image memory 303 (see FIG. 6) by the memory writing operation.
[0064]
In the memory write operation, first, the CPU 205 managing the entire sequence requests the CPU 203 for memory preparation. In response to this, the CPU 203 sets the bus connection state for transferring the image data from the image processing unit 20 to the image memory 303 to the internal hardware, sets the mode for binarization processing, and the image memory. The write address to 303, XY length information, etc. are set.
[0065]
When these settings are completed and preparation is completed, the CPU 203 notifies the CPU 205 of completion of memory preparation. In response to this notification, when the CPU 205 requests the CPU 203 and the CPU 202 (image processing) to read, the CPU 202 requests the internal document scanning unit (CPU 202 (document scanning)) to scan.
[0066]
When the CPU 203 starts scanning and the scanner (first scanner 11 (see FIG. 1)) reaches the image area, image data is transferred from the image processing unit 20 to the memory unit 30 in accordance with the image processing mode set by the CPU 202. Transferred.
[0067]
When the scan is finished and the CPUs 202 and 203 notify the completion of reading, the CPU 205 requests the CPU 203 to compress the image data. In response to this request, the CPU 203 sets a read address from the image memory 303, XY length information, a write address to the code memory 305, a mode of the compressor 310 (for example, MH system), and activates each unit. . Thus, compression processing is performed, and code data is written into the code memory 305.
[0068]
When the compression process is completed, the CPU 203 notifies the CPU 205 of the completion of the compression. When all the code memory 305 is used during the compression process, a compression completion report with a parameter indicating that compression is impossible is sent to the CPU 205. Thereby, the CPU 205 knows that the code memory 305 is in a memory full state.
[0069]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence of exchange of commands and image data between the CPUs in the memory read operation. Image data is read from the image memory 303 (see FIG. 6) by the memory read operation, and an image is printed on a sheet by the print processing unit 40 (see FIG. 3) based on the image data.
[0070]
In the memory read operation, first, the CPU 205 managing the entire sequence requests the CPU 203 to decompress the code data. The CPU 203 sets the read address from the code memory 305, the data amount, the write address to the image memory 303, the XY length information, the mode of the decompressor 311 (for example, MH system), and the like, and activates each unit. The expansion process is performed by these, and the image data is written in the image memory 303.
[0071]
When the decompression process is completed, the CPU 205 requests the CPU 203 to prepare the image memory in order to read the image data from the image memory 303. In response to this, the CPU 203 sets the bus connection state for transferring the image data from the image memory 303 to the print processing unit 40, the setting for the rotation processing, and the read address of the image memory 303 for the internal hardware. And XY length information and the like are set.
[0072]
When these settings are completed and preparation is completed, the CPU 203 notifies the CPU 205 of completion of memory preparation. In response to this notification, when the CPU 205 requests the CPU 203 and the print processing unit 40 to print, a paper feed report is sent from the print processing unit 40 to the CPU 205 to inform the CPU 205 of the paper conveyance state. The read image data is output to the print processing unit 40 and printed.
[0073]
When printing is completed, the CPU 203 sends a print completion report and the print processing unit 40 sends a print completion report and an ejection completion report to the CPU 205. Receiving these reports, the CPU 205 requests the CPU 203 to clear the memory as necessary.
[0074]
The outline of the control procedure executed by the main CPU and the control procedure executed by the CPU 203 particularly related to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the processing by these CPUs, communication with other CPUs is performed as interrupt processing in a timely manner.
[0075]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 201 for the operation panel OP.
[0076]
When the power is turned on, the CPU 201 first initializes the RAM 221 and registers in step 11 (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as #), and sets an internal timer that defines the length of one routine in step # 12. Next, a key input process for accepting a key operation at # 13, a panel display process for displaying according to the operation at # 14, and other processes at # 15.
[0077]
After these processes, it is determined in # 16 whether or not the internal timer set in # 12 has expired. If the internal timer has expired (YES in # 16), one routine is terminated and the processing from # 12 is repeated. If the internal timer has not expired (NO in # 16), the process remains at # 16 and the end of the internal timer is awaited.
[0078]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 204 for the page printer PRT.
[0079]
When the power is turned on, the CPU 204 first initializes the RAM 224, registers, etc. in # 41, and sets an internal timer that defines the length of one routine in # 42. Subsequently, the optical system 60 is controlled in # 43, the image forming system 70 is controlled in # 44, the paper transport system 80 is controlled in # 45, and the print processing unit 40 is controlled in # 46.
[0080]
In step # 47, other processing is performed, and in step # 48, it is determined whether or not the internal timer has expired. If the internal timer has expired (YES in # 48), one routine is completed and the processing from # 42 is repeated. If the internal timer has not expired (NO in # 48), the process remains at # 48 and the end of the internal timer is awaited.
[0081]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure executed by the CPU 205 that controls the digital copying machine 1.
[0082]
When the power is turned on, the CPU 205 first initializes the RAM 225, registers, etc. in # 51, and sets an internal timer that defines the length of one routine in # 52. Subsequently, input data from another CPU is checked and analyzed at # 53, and an operation mode is determined according to the operation content at # 54. In # 55, an interrupt to another CPU is switched, a command corresponding to the operation mode is set in # 56, and a command waiting in the communication port is set in # 57.
[0083]
After these processes, other processes are performed in # 58, and it is determined in # 59 whether or not the internal timer has expired. If the internal timer has expired (YES in # 59), one routine is terminated and the processing from # 52 is repeated. If the internal timer has not expired (NO at # 59), the process remains at # 59 and the end of the internal timer is awaited.
[0084]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a main routine showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 for the memory unit 30.
[0085]
When the power is turned on, the CPU 203 first initializes the RAM 223, registers, etc. in # 301. Subsequently, a command is received from the CPU 205 at # 302, and the status is transmitted to the CPU 205 at # 303. Next, in # 304 to # 307, the writing to the image memory, the compression of the image data, the decompression of the code data, and the reading of the image memory are controlled.
[0086]
After these processes, a job registration process is performed at # 308, a job monitor process at # 309, a job required time calculation process at # 310, a memory free capacity calculation process at # 311 and a memory free capacity transmission process at # 312. These processes of # 308 to # 312 are performed in subroutines, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. Thereafter, after other processing is performed in # 313, the processing from # 302 is repeated.
[0087]
The memory free space information and the like obtained by the processes in # 308 to # 312 is transmitted to the CPU 201 via the CPU 205 in the status transmission process of # 303 and displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 (see FIG. 2).
[0088]
Next, the processing in # 308 to # 312 in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed in the job registration processing routine of # 308 shown in FIG.
[0089]
In the job registration processing routine, first, it is determined whether or not a new job has been registered in # 3081. If there is no job registration (NO in # 3081), this routine ends. If there is a job registration (YES in # 3081), the process proceeds to # 3082. In # 3082, 1 is added to n and assigned as the job number of the latest registered job (0 is substituted for n as an initial value).
In step # 3083, the image data of the original is read and registered as a new job. In # 3084, the compressed image data capacity for the job of job number n is calculated and substituted into the compressed image data capacity CAPA (n). In # 3085, the job required for executing the job of job number n is required. The time is calculated and substituted for the required job time TIME (n).
[0090]
Next, in # 3086, it is determined whether or not the memory free space SPACE (N) up to the job with the job number N being executed is equal to or larger than the compressed image data capacity CAPA (n). If SPACE (N) is not CAPA (n) or more (NO in # 3086), memory full processing is performed in # 3088, and if SPACE (N) is CAPA (n) or more (# 3086, (Yes) In # 3087, writing of image data to the memory is permitted (actual writing is performed in the image memory writing process of # 304 shown in FIG. 13), and this routine ends. These processes complete the registration of a new job.
[0091]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in the job monitoring processing routine of # 309 shown in FIG.
[0092]
In the job monitor processing routine, first, it is determined in # 3091 whether or not the job is being executed. If the job is not being executed (NO in # 3091), this routine is terminated as it is, and if the job is being executed (YES in # 3091), the process proceeds to # 3092. In # 3092, the job number of the job being executed is registered in N. In # 3093, the remaining time of job N is registered in REST (N), and this routine ends. The job being executed is monitored by these processes.
[0093]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in the job required time calculation processing routine of # 310 shown in FIG.
[0094]
In the required job time calculation processing routine, first, N, which is the job number of the job currently being executed, is substituted for the variable t in # 3101, and in # 3102, the time TSUM (t) until the job with the job number t is terminated. The remaining time REST (t) for executing the job of job number t is substituted. In step # 3103, it is determined whether there is a remaining job that is a job that has been registered but not executed. If there is no remaining job (NO in # 3103), this routine is terminated as it is, and if there is a remaining job (YES in # 3103), the process proceeds to # 3104.
[0095]
In # 3104, 1 is added to t, and in # 3105, the time TSUM (t−1) until the job with the job number (t−1) is completed in the time TSUM (t) until the job with the job number t is completed. ) Is substituted for the required time TIME (t) of the job with the job number t, and in # 3106, it is determined whether or not t is n or more. If t is not n or more (NO in # 3106), the process proceeds to # 3103, and if t is n or more (YES in # 3106), this routine ends. By these processes, times TSUM (N) to TSUM (n) until the respective jobs of job number N to job number n are calculated are calculated.
[0096]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in the # 311 memory free space calculation processing routine shown in FIG.
[0097]
In the memory free space calculation processing routine, first, N, which is the job number of the job currently being executed, is substituted into the variable c in # 3111, and in # 3112, the free space space SPACE when executing up to the job with the job number c. The capacity obtained by subtracting the capacity CAPA (c) of the compressed image data used for executing the job of the job number c from the total memory capacity Total is substituted for (c). Subsequently, in # 3113, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining job that is a job that has been registered but not executed. If there is no remaining job (NO in # 3113), this routine is terminated as it is, and if there is a remaining job (YES in # 3113), the process proceeds to # 3114.
[0098]
In # 3114, 1 is added to c, and in # 3115, the memory free space SPACE (c) for executing the job up to job number c is empty in the memory for executing the job of job number (c-1). A capacity obtained by subtracting the capacity CAPA (c) of the compressed image data used for executing the job of the job number c from the capacity SPACE (c-1) is substituted, and in # 3116, whether c is n or more. Is judged. If c is not n or more (NO in # 3116), the process proceeds to # 3113. If c is n or more (YES in # 3116), this routine ends. Through these processes, memory free spaces SPACE (N) to SPACE (n) when executing the jobs of job number N to job number n are calculated.
[0099]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in the # 312 free memory capacity transmission processing routine shown in FIG.
[0100]
In the memory free space transmission processing routine, first, it is determined whether or not there is a transmission request from an external device such as a computer connected in # 3121. If there is no transmission request (NO in # 3121), this routine is terminated as it is, and if there is a transmission request (YES in # 3121), the process proceeds to # 3122. In # 3122, the available memory spaces SPACE (N) to SPACE (n) when executing the jobs of job number N to job number n are transmitted. In # 3123, the jobs of job number N to job number n are transmitted. The time TSUM (N) to TSUM (n) until ending is transmitted, and this routine ends.
[0101]
Through these processes, the memory free space SPACE (N) to SPACE (n) and the time TSUM (N) to TSUM (n) until the job is completed are transmitted to the outside.
[0102]
Next, display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 (see FIG. 2) when registering a normal job will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21 are diagrams for explaining display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 at the time of job registration.
[0103]
The digital copying machine 1 can store a plurality of jobs. When there are jobs stored and waiting for printing, these jobs are displayed as shown in FIG. Here, it is displayed that there are three jobs waiting to be printed.
[0104]
When the user presses the “JOB reservation setting” key on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 shown in FIG. 19, when the job can be registered, the liquid crystal touch panel 91 is displayed as shown in FIG. 20, and the user selects the copy mode for the document. can do. Further, when the user presses the registration key 112 after setting the copy mode (see FIG. 2), the job is registered, and the number of jobs waiting to be printed becomes four, and the display similar to FIG. 19 is performed.
[0105]
When the job registration is not possible (memory full state), “memory is full” is displayed as shown in FIG. 21, corresponding to the memory full process in # 3088 in FIG. The job is not registered.
[0106]
Next, display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 that can be performed by the control as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. In these, time TSUM (N) to TSUM (n), memory free space SPACE (N) to SPACE (n), etc. until the end of each job calculated by the control as described above are sent to the CPU 201. Displayed on the basis.
[0107]
FIG. 22 is a first diagram illustrating the display of the free memory capacity with respect to the passage of time on the liquid crystal touch panel 91.
[0108]
In the display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 shown in FIG. 22, the memory free capacity with respect to the passage of time is displayed as a percentage of the total capacity. According to this display, it can be seen that the free space of the memory is 0% at the present time (after 0 minutes), 25% after 30 minutes, 75% after 60 minutes, and 100% after 90 minutes.
[0109]
FIG. 23 is a second diagram showing the display of the free memory capacity with respect to the passage of time on the liquid crystal touch panel 91.
[0110]
In the display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 shown in FIG. 23, the available memory capacity with respect to the passage of time is converted into an A4 size document and displayed. According to this display, it can be seen that the free space in the memory is 0 sheets at the present time (after 0 minutes), 25 sheets after 30 minutes, 75 sheets after 60 minutes, and 100 sheets after 90 minutes.
[0111]
FIG. 24 is a third diagram showing the display of the free memory capacity over time on the liquid crystal touch panel 91.
[0112]
In the display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 shown in FIG. 24, the free memory capacity with respect to time is displayed as it is in the BYTE capacity. According to this display, it can be understood that the free space of the memory is 0 KBYTE at the present time (after 0 minutes), 1048 KBYE after 30 minutes, 3146 KBYTE after 60 minutes, and 4149 KBYTE after 90 minutes.
[0113]
FIG. 25 is a fourth diagram illustrating the display of the free memory capacity with respect to the passage of time on the liquid crystal touch panel 91.
[0114]
In the display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 shown in FIG. 25, the available memory capacity over time is displayed as a table. According to this display, 15 minutes after the completion of the job of job number 1, the free space of the memory becomes 25% at this time, and the free space of the memory becomes 25% after the completion of the job of job number 2 after 40 minutes. Is 75%, and after 65 minutes the job of job number 3 is finished, the free space of the memory becomes 80%, and after the job of job number 4 is finished 80 minutes, the free space of the memory at this time It turns out that becomes 100%.
[0115]
Thus, the user can print an image based on the free space of the memory, and can print the image efficiently.
[0116]
Hereinafter, an image forming system including the above-described digital copying machine 1 and a computer that manages printing of images on the digital copying machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0117]
FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the image forming system including the digital copying machine 1 and the computer 5, and FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the schematic configuration of the controller 3 shown in FIG.
[0118]
As shown in FIG. 26, this image forming system includes digital copiers 1 and 2, controllers 3 and 4, which are general-purpose interfaces such as Ethernet and an example of the external device described above, and digital copiers 1 and 2. And a computer 5 for controlling image printing. The digital copying machine 1 and the controller 3 are connected via an external device connection connector 89 and an external cable 90. The configuration, operation, and the like of the digital copying machine 2 are the same as those of the digital copying machine 1, and the configuration, operation, and the like of the controller 4 are the same as those of the controller 3.
[0119]
As shown in FIG. 27, the controller 3 includes an external interface 700 for exchanging data with the computer 5, an interpreter unit 701 that translates data sent from the computer 5 and develops it into raster data, and converts the data into raster data. A memory unit 702 for storing the developed image data, an electric scaling unit 703 for adjusting the magnification of the image based on the speed adjustment data in the sub-scanning direction of the image in the digital copying machine 1, the digital copying machine 1 and the data The external interface 704 for exchanging information is included, and the whole is controlled by the CPU 710.
[0120]
In the present image forming system, printing is performed based on the data file created on the computer 5. When the paper size, magnification, number of prints, etc. are set on the computer 5 and a print command is input, the controller 3 (or Image data, various settings, etc. are sent to the controller 4). The controller 3 has a memory for at least one screen, and the controller 3 performs processing for converting image data (postscript data or the like) sent from the computer 5 into raster data. When the image data is converted by the controller 3, the image data, various settings, and the like are transmitted to the digital copying machine 1, and the digital copying machine 1 performs image formation on the sheet and processing based on the various settings. The present invention is not limited to such a form of the image forming system, but can be applied to a system that provides similar effects including a modem, a facsimile connected through a telephone line, and the like.
[0121]
FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a print processing procedure controlled by the computer 5 for the digital copying machines 1 and 2.
[0122]
In the printing process, first, in step # 1001, it is determined whether or not the computer 5 has a print request. If there is no print request (NO in # 1001), this routine ends as it is. If there is a print request (YES in # 1001), image data, various settings, etc. are output to the digital copying machine 1 for printing in # 1002.
[0123]
In step # 1003, it is determined whether the requested print has been processed normally. If printing has been processed normally (YES in # 1003), this routine ends. If the print has not been processed normally (NO in # 1003), the digital copying machine 1 is requested to transmit memory information in # 1004. In response to this memory information transmission request, the digital copying machine 1 sends the time TSUM (N) _1 to TSUM (n) _1 (hereinafter referred to as _1 and _2 are digital) until each job described above is completed. This indicates that the information is from the copying machine 1 and the digital copying machine 2), and the memory free space SPACE (N) _1 to SPACE (n) _1 is transmitted to the computer 5 in # 1005.
[0124]
In step # 1006, the digital copying machine 2 is requested to transmit memory free space information. In response to the transmission of the memory free space information, the time TSUM (N) _2 to TSUM (n) _2 from the digital copying machine 2 to the end of each job described above, and the memory free space SPACE (N) _2 to 2 are completed. SPACE (n) _2 is transmitted, and these are received by the computer 5 at # 1007.
[0125]
Thereafter, in step # 1008, it is determined whether the digital copying machine 2 can perform print processing. If the digital copier 2 can perform print processing (YES in # 1008), image data, various settings, etc. are output to the digital copier 2 for printing, and a message indicating this is displayed. If the digital copying machine 2 cannot perform the printing process (NO in # 1008), it is determined which of the digital copying machine 1 and the digital copying machine 2 can print faster, until printing is completed. A message will be displayed.
[0126]
Thus, the user can cause the image to be printed on the image forming apparatus that can print the image based on the original document more quickly, and can efficiently print the image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an overall configuration of a digital copying machine 1 which is one embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a plan view showing the configuration of an operation panel OP of the digital copying machine 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a first block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit 200 of the digital copying machine 1;
FIG. 4 is a second block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 200 of the digital copying machine 1;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image processing unit 20 shown in FIG. 1;
6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the memory unit 30 shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a diagram for explaining a management table MT1 for managing the code memory 305. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sequence of exchange of commands and image data between CPUs in a memory write operation.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence of exchange of commands and image data between CPUs in a memory read operation.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure executed by a CPU 201 on an operation panel OP.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure executed by the CPU 204 for the page printer PRT.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by a CPU 205 that controls the digital copying machine 1;
13 is a flowchart of a main routine showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 for the memory unit 30. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in a job registration processing routine of # 308 shown in FIG.
15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in a job monitor processing routine of # 309 shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in a job required time calculation processing routine of # 310 shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in a # 311 memory free space calculation processing routine shown in FIG. 13;
18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in a # 312 free memory capacity transmission processing routine shown in FIG. 13; FIG.
FIG. 19 is a first diagram for explaining display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 at the time of job registration;
FIG. 20 is a second diagram for explaining display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 at the time of job registration.
FIG. 21 is a third diagram for explaining a display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 at the time of job registration.
FIG. 22 is a first diagram showing a display of free memory capacity over time on the liquid crystal touch panel 91;
FIG. 23 is a second diagram showing the display of the free memory capacity with respect to the passage of time on the liquid crystal touch panel 91;
FIG. 24 is a third diagram showing the display of the free memory capacity over time on the liquid crystal touch panel 91;
FIG. 25 is a fourth diagram showing the display of the free memory capacity with respect to the passage of time to the liquid crystal touch panel 91;
FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of an image forming system including a digital copying machine 1 and a computer 5;
27 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a controller 3 shown in FIG. 23. FIG.
FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a print processing procedure controlled by the computer 5 for the digital copying machines 1 and 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2 Digital image forming device
3, 4 controller
5 Computer
20 Image processing unit
30 memory units
201-207 CPU
500 Document feeder
IR image reader
PRT page printer
OP Operation panel

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus having storage means for storing image data, reading the image data and storing it in the storage means, and forming an image based on the image data stored in the storage means,
Based on the volume of image data stored in the storage means, displaying the volume of image data that can be stored at a plurality of time points as time passes ,
The capacity of image data that can be stored at a plurality of points in time with the passage of time is obtained by subtracting the capacity of the stored image data from the total capacity of the storage means, and the capacity of the image data for completing the image formation. An image forming apparatus that calculates by adding . A storage means for storing image data, reads the image data is stored in the storage means, a picture image forming apparatus that to form an image based on the image data stored in the storage means,
Based on the volume of image data stored in the storage means, the volume of image data that can be stored at a plurality of time points with the passage of time is transmitted to an external device ,
The capacity of image data that can be stored at a plurality of points in time with the passage of time is obtained by subtracting the capacity of the stored image data from the total capacity of the storage means, and the capacity of the image data for completing the image formation. An image forming apparatus that calculates by adding .

Images