JP3673794B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and a control method therefor, for example, an image forming system capable of connecting a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses having a reading unit and an image forming unit and outputting the same image from each unit almost simultaneously. It relates to the control method.

  Since the reader and printer constituting the digital copying machine can be used independently as an image reading device and an image output device, respectively, for example, connected to a general computer system using an external I / F, There is a system that can be used as an image input / output device, or a central control unit that controls and controls multiple sets of readers and printers, and uses a plurality of printers simultaneously to ensure high CV. Has been advocated.

JP-A-61-198965

  When considering the system development in the digital copying machine as described above, one of the themes is “to adopt a system configuration capable of achieving a high CV by simultaneously using a plurality of output devices”. In the conventional method of connecting a plurality of sets of readers and printers and using a central control unit for controlling them, the number of sets of readers and printers that can be connected is determined when considering the configuration of the central control unit. There was a limit in terms of flexibly expanding the system as needed.

  Therefore, it is desirable to be able to solve such problems and to provide a system that secures a high CV without using a conventional central controller. Then, for example, a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses can be operated in a multiplex mode from any image forming apparatus of a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses in the system or from a computer. It is desired that the effect can be obtained even when image data of an apparatus is formed in an overlap mode.

  The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

An image forming system according to the present invention is an image in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit. A data transmission unit that transmits each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication unit; a data receiving means for receiving image data of the other of the digital image forming apparatus which is transmitted by the data transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus, the image data of the document read by the reading means of the apparatus, and said data receiving Enter the storage means that can store the image data of other digital image forming devices received by the means, and the number of copies to print. An operation section which includes a cascade mode selecting means for selecting a cascade mode by sharing the own device and another digital image forming apparatus to execute when performing image forming operation of the plurality of copies, from the reading means of the apparatus when the image forming operation of the image data performed by sharing with the own device and another digital image forming apparatus in the tandem mode, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, the own device and another digital image against forming apparatus, by using a distribution copy number setting means for distributing print copies to be imaged, said communication means distributes copies data corresponding to the number of copies that are distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus other Distribution number transmission means for transmitting to the digital image forming apparatus, distribution number reception means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by the distribution number transmission means of the other digital image forming apparatus, When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the continuous mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is set to the distribution number setting unit of the own device. The image forming means of the own apparatus forms an image by the number of distribution parts distributed for the own apparatus , and the image data of the original and the distribution number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are When the image data of a document that is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the communication unit and is read by the reading unit of the other digital image forming apparatus in the overlap mode is image-formed, the other digital image receives the distribution copies data and image data from the forming apparatus, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the other digital images that are stored in the storage means The image data received from the image forming apparatus, and a control means for an image formed by said other printing unit number of which is based on the distribution of copies data received from the digital image forming apparatus, image forming means of the apparatus, the control In executing the image forming operation in the above-described continuous mode, the unit is already executing the image data from the reading unit of its own device when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode. After the image data in the multiplex mode is stored in the storage unit of another digital image forming apparatus, it can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication unit so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. characterized in that it in.

An image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit, Each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses transmits the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means, and the other digital image forming apparatus Data receiving means for receiving the image data of the other digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the data transmitting means, image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus, and other digital data received by the data receiving means A storage unit capable of storing image data of the image forming apparatus, an operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and a plurality of copies of images. A cascade mode selection means by sharing the own device and another digital image forming apparatus selects the cascade mode to be executed when performing forming operation, the heavy image forming operation of the image data from the reading means of the apparatus when performed shared by the own device and another digital image forming apparatus in the continuous mode, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, with respect to the own device and another digital image forming apparatus, to an image forming to a distribution of copies setting means for distributing the number of copies, distribution to send the distribution copies data corresponding to the number of copies that are distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to another of the digital image forming apparatus by using the communication means Copy number transmitting means, distribution number number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number number transmitting means of another digital image forming apparatus, and reading means of the own apparatus in the multiplex mode When the image data of the read original is image-formed, the distribution of the original image data read by the reading means of the own apparatus stored in the storage means is distributed for the own apparatus by the distribution number setting means of the own apparatus. An image is formed by the image forming means of the apparatus for the number of copies , and the image data of the original and the distribution number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are communicated to the other digital image forming apparatus. On the other hand, when the image data of the original read by the reading means of the other digital image forming apparatus is image-formed in the overlapped mode, the distribution number data and the image data are sent from the other digital image forming apparatus. receiving the door, image de where the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, received from the other digital image forming apparatus stored in the storage means Information over data, printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, and a control means for an image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus, a system address of another digital image forming apparatus And information on the presence / absence of errors in other digital image forming apparatuses, information on operating conditions including whether other digital image forming apparatuses are waiting or copying, and recording in other digital image forming apparatuses Other digital image forming apparatus including at least one of information on paper type and presence / absence thereof, information on jam of other digital image forming apparatus, and information on whether other digital image forming apparatus has no toner Status information receiving means for receiving the status information using the communication means, and the status information receiving means. Comprising a display means for displaying the status information of the other digital image forming apparatus which has received the task information reception means, said control means, said Upon executing the image forming operation in the tandem mode, already other digital imaging When the apparatus is operating in the multiple continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is stored in the storage unit of the other digital image forming apparatus after the image data of the multiple continuous mode already being executed is stored. An image forming operation of the image data can be executed by transmitting to another digital image forming apparatus via the communication means .

An image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit, Each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses transmits the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means, and the other digital image forming apparatus Data receiving means for receiving the image data of the other digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the data transmitting means, image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus, and other digital data received by the data receiving means A storage unit capable of storing image data of the image forming apparatus, an operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and a plurality of copies of images. A cascade mode selection means by sharing the own device and another digital image forming apparatus selects the cascade mode to be executed when performing forming operation, the heavy image forming operation of the image data from the reading means of the apparatus when performed shared by the own device and another digital image forming apparatus in the continuous mode, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, with respect to the own device and another digital image forming apparatus, to an image forming to a distribution of copies setting means for distributing the number of copies, distribution to send the distribution copies data corresponding to the number of copies that are distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to another of the digital image forming apparatus by using the communication means Copy number transmitting means, distribution number number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number number transmitting means of another digital image forming apparatus, and reading means of the own apparatus in the multiplex mode When the image data of the read original is image-formed, the distribution of the original image data read by the reading means of the own apparatus stored in the storage means is distributed for the own apparatus by the distribution number setting means of the own apparatus. An image is formed by the image forming means of the apparatus for the number of copies , and the image data of the original and the distribution number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are communicated to the other digital image forming apparatus. On the other hand, when the image data of the original read by the reading means of the other digital image forming apparatus is image-formed in the overlapped mode, the distribution number data and the image data are sent from the other digital image forming apparatus. receiving the door, image de where the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, received from the other digital image forming apparatus stored in the storage means Information over data, printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, and a control means for an image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus, a system address of another digital image forming apparatus And information on the presence / absence of errors in other digital image forming apparatuses, information on operating conditions including whether other digital image forming apparatuses are waiting or copying, and recording in other digital image forming apparatuses Status of other digital image forming apparatus, including at least one of information on paper type and its presence, information on jams of other digital image forming apparatuses, and information on whether other digital image forming apparatuses are out of toner the information, and a status information receiving means for receiving using said communication means, said system Means, based on said status information in the status information other digital image forming apparatus received by the receiving means, and said controlled not accept the setting of the cascade mode using the said other digital image forming apparatus, the control means Further, in executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own device is already being executed. After the image data in the multiplex mode is stored in the storage unit of another digital image forming apparatus, it can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication unit so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. characterized in that it in.

In addition, a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads a document image and an image forming unit that can form image data output from the reading unit and image data output from a computer are connected to each other via a communication unit. Each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses transmits the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means. the receiving and data transmitting means, a first data receiving means for receiving image data of the other of the digital image forming apparatus which is transmitted by the data transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus, the image data output from the computer 2 data receiving means, image data of the original read by the reading means of its own device, and the first data Storage means capable of storing image data of another digital image forming apparatus received by the receiving means and computer image data received by the second data receiving means, an operation part for inputting the number of copies, and a plurality of copies When the image forming operation is performed, the self-device and another digital image forming device share and execute a multi-continuous mode selection unit, and the image forming operation of the image data from the own device reading unit. When the self-device and another digital image forming apparatus are shared in the above-described overlapping mode, image formation is performed for the self -device and other digital image forming devices according to the number of copies input from the operation unit of the self-device. use and distribution of copies setting means for distributing should do the number of copies, the communication unit distribution copies data corresponding to the number of copies that are distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus And distributing copies transmitting means for transmitting to the other digital image forming apparatus Te, and distribution of copies receiving means for receiving the distribution copies data transmitted by the distribution number of transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus, the self apparatus in the tandem mode When the image data of the original read by the reading means is image-formed, the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus stored in the storage means is stored for the own apparatus by the distribution number determining means of the own apparatus. An image is formed by the image forming means of the own apparatus for the number of distribution parts distributed to the original, and the image data of the original and the distribution number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are sent to the other digital image forming apparatus. the communication means to transmit via the one hand, the image data of the read by the reading means other digital image forming apparatus in the tandem mode document when the image forming Te Receives the distribution copies data and image data from the other digital image forming apparatus, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the image of the other digital image forming apparatus stored in the storage means When data is imaged by the image forming means of its own apparatus for the number of copies based on the distribution copy number data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, and the image data of the computer is imaged in the overlapped mode, Control means for causing the image forming means of the own apparatus to form an image of the image data of the computer stored in the storage means by the number of distribution copies distributed for the own apparatus by the number of print copies set in the computer. When the control unit executes the image forming operation in the multiple continuous mode, another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the multiple continuous mode. In this case, after the image data from the reading unit of its own apparatus is stored in the storage unit of another digital image forming apparatus, the already-executed multi-mode image data is stored in the other data via the communication unit. An image forming operation of the image data can be executed by transmitting to a digital image forming apparatus .

The control method according to the present invention is an image forming method in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit. A system control method, wherein each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses can transmit image data of a document read by a reading unit of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication unit, The image data of the other digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received, the image data of the original read by the reading unit of the own apparatus, and the image data received from the other digital image forming apparatus Can be stored in the storage means, and the number of copies can be input via the operation unit of its own device. By sharing the own device and another digital image forming apparatus when performing work as a selectable cascade mode to be executed, the own device of an image forming operation of the image data from the reading means of the apparatus in the tandem mode when performed shared by other digital image forming apparatus, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, with respect to the own device and another digital image forming apparatus, distributable printed copies to be imaged The distribution copy number data corresponding to the number of print copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means, and transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus. When the image data of the original read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data of the own device stored in the storage unit can be received. The image data of the document read by preparative means, distribution of copies which was distributed to the own apparatus in its own device, then the image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus, and the other digital image forming and image data of the document The copy number data for the apparatus is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means, while the original image read by the reading means of the other digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode. when the data image formation, receives the distribution copies data and image data from the other of the digital image forming apparatus, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, stored in the storage means the the image data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, the image type of the device itself The image forming unit can form an image, information on the system address of the other digital image forming apparatus , information on the presence or absence of an error in the other digital image forming apparatus , and the other digital image forming apparatus is in a wait state. information about the operating status of either including or being copied, and information on the type and presence or absence of the recording sheet in the other digital image forming apparatus, and jam information relating to the other digital image forming apparatus, other digital image forming apparatus The status information of the other digital image forming apparatus including at least one of the information on whether the toner is out can be received using the communication unit, and the received status information of the other digital image forming apparatus is automatically received. and it can be displayed on the operation unit of the device, to perform an image forming operation by the tandem mode When the other digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading means of the own apparatus is used, and the already executed continuous mode image data is stored in the other digital image forming apparatus. After being stored in the storage means, it is transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed .

In addition, there is provided a control method for an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit. In each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses, the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means, and the other digital image forming apparatus The image data of the other digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the above can be received, and the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus and the image data received from the other digital image forming apparatus can be stored in the storage means. JiSo when a is, the number of copies to be input via the operation unit of the own device performs an image forming operation of the plurality of copies In other by sharing a digital image forming apparatus and a tandem mode to be executed can be selected, the own device and another digital image forming apparatus of an image forming operation of the image data in the cascade mode from the reading means of the apparatus when performing by sharing, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, with respect to the own device and another digital image forming apparatus, to allow distributing the number of copies to be imaged, the other digital image Distribution number data corresponding to the number of copies distributed for the forming apparatus can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means, and distribution number data transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received. When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own apparatus in the overlapped mode is image-formed, the image data is read by the reading unit of the own apparatus stored in the storage unit. The image data of the manuscript, the distribution of copies which was distributed to the own apparatus in its own device, then the image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus, and the distribution for the image data of the document other digital image forming apparatus The copy data is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication unit, and the image data of the original read by the reading unit of the other digital image forming apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode. If the receive and distribute copies data and image data from the other digital image forming apparatus, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the other digital image forming stored in the storage means the image data received from the apparatus, the printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, the image forming of the image forming means of the apparatus Make it possible to, information about the system address of another digital image forming apparatus, and information on the presence or absence of an error in the other digital image forming apparatus, and the other of the digital image forming apparatus or during or during the wait copy information about the operating conditions, including, and information on the type and presence or absence of the recording sheet in the other digital image forming apparatus, and jam information relating to the other digital image forming apparatus, other digital image forming apparatus as to whether the absence of toner The status information of the other digital image forming apparatus including at least one of the information can be received using the communication unit, and the received status information of the other digital image forming apparatus is input to the operation unit of the own apparatus. and displayable, when performing an image forming operation by the tandem mode, already other di When the tall image forming apparatus is operating in the multiple continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of its own apparatus is stored in the storage unit of the other digital image forming apparatus. Thereafter, the image data is transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed .

In addition, there is provided a control method for an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit. In each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses, the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means, and the other digital image forming apparatus The image data of the other digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the above can be received, and the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus and the image data received from the other digital image forming apparatus can be stored in the storage means. JiSo when a is, the number of copies to be input via the operation unit of the own device performs an image forming operation of the plurality of copies In other by sharing a digital image forming apparatus and a tandem mode to be executed can be selected, the own device and another digital image forming apparatus of an image forming operation of the image data in the cascade mode from the reading means of the apparatus when performing by sharing, the by the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit, with respect to the own device and another digital image forming apparatus, to allow distributing the number of copies to be imaged, the other digital image forming apparatus The distribution number data corresponding to the number of copies distributed for the purpose can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means, and the distribution number data transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received. When the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode, the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus stored in the storage means The image data distribution of copies which was distributed to the own apparatus in its own device, then the image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus, and the distribution of copies data for the image data of the document other digital image forming apparatus Are transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication unit, while the image data of the original read by the reading unit of the other digital image forming apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode. , receives the distribution copies data and image data from the other digital image forming apparatus, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, stored in said storage means of said other digital image forming apparatus image data, the printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, allowing to image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus And, information related to system address of another digital image forming apparatus, and information on the presence or absence of an error in the other digital image forming apparatus, and operating conditions of other digital image forming apparatus including whether in or during the wait copy information, and information on the type and presence or absence of the recording sheet in the other digital image forming apparatus, and information jam information on the other digital image forming apparatus, other digital image forming apparatus as to whether no toner, among the The status information of another digital image forming apparatus including at least one of the digital image forming apparatus can be received using the communication unit, and the other digital image forming apparatus can be received based on the received status information of the other digital image forming apparatus . wherein the controllable to not accept the setting of the cascade mode, the cascade using When another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the duplex mode, the image data from the reading unit of its own device is used as the image of the already running duplex mode. After the data is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, the data is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. And

In addition, a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads a document image and an image forming unit that can form image data output from the reading unit and image data output from a computer are connected to each other via a communication unit. And controlling the image forming system connected to each other in each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses by using the communication means for reading the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus. Can be transmitted to the digital image forming apparatus, can receive image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted by another digital image forming apparatus, can receive image data output from a computer, and is read by a reading unit of the own apparatus. Image data of other digital image forming apparatuses received and received Image data of a computer and can be stored in the storage means, the number of copies to be input via the operation unit of the apparatus, sharing with the own device and another digital image forming apparatus when performing image forming operation of the plurality of copies if to a heavy communication mode to be executed can be selected, carried by sharing the own device and another digital image forming apparatus of an image forming operation of the image data in the cascade mode from the reading means of the apparatus, the self apparatus the number of copies input by the operation unit, with respect to the own device and another digital image forming apparatus, to allow distributing the number of copies to be imaged, the number of copies which was distributed to the other digital image forming apparatus and can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus corresponding to distribute copies data by using said communication means, you can receive distribution copies data transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus When the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus stored in the storage means is automatically read by the own apparatus. An image is formed by the image forming means of the apparatus for the number of distribution copies distributed for the apparatus , and the image data of the original and the distribution copy number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are formed in the other digital image formation. When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the other digital image forming apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode and the image data is formed, the other digital image forming apparatus receives the distribution copies data and image data from the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the field of the other digital image forming apparatus stored in the storage means When image data is formed by the image forming means of the apparatus for the number of copies based on the distribution copy number data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, and the image data of the computer is formed in the overlapped mode. The image data of the computer stored in the storage means can be imaged by the image forming means of the self apparatus for the number of distribution copies distributed for the self apparatus by the number of print copies set in the computer. In executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, if another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own device is transferred to After the continuous mode image data is stored in the storage means of another digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means. Te, characterized in that to be able to perform an image forming operation of the image data.

  This is caused by the conventional “configuration in which a plurality of readers and printers are connected and a central control device for controlling these is used to provide a system for securing a high CV using a plurality of printers simultaneously”. Can be solved, and an effect of providing a system that secures a high CV without using a central control device as in the prior art is obtained, and, for example, which of a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses in the system A plurality of digital image forming apparatuses can be operated in the continuous mode from the image forming apparatus or the computer, and the above effect can be obtained even when image data of any device in the system is formed in the continuous mode. Can be obtained.

  In recent years, with the speeding up of digital copying machines, there are digital copying machines equipped with a page memory for storing read image signals inside the copying machine. In such a digital copying machine, the read image signal is temporarily stored in the page memory, and is read out and printed out. Therefore, the timing of the image reading operation and the printout operation is determined by the page memory. More flexible than a copier without.

  In such a digital copying machine, the control signal for writing the image signal to the page memory can be obtained from the outside, and means for switching the input / output of the image signal and the control signal to / from the outside is provided. By storing the image signal other than the generated image signal, that is, the image signal from the external device in the page memory, build a system with flexible expandability that can change the number of system components according to the required CV can do. Furthermore, by organizing one or a plurality of groups and performing group operations, the entire system can be operated efficiently.

  An image forming system according to an embodiment that realizes such a function will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overview of a digital copying machine constituting an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The digital copying machine shown in the figure is roughly divided into a reader unit 101 and a printer unit 103. The document feeder 102 is a known optional device that automatically conveys a document to the document reading area of the reader unit 101.

[Reader part]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the reader unit 101.

  In the figure, reference numeral 117 denotes a control unit, which includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, for example, and controls the entire apparatus via a control bus (not shown) according to a program stored in the ROM.

  A document on a document table (not shown) is exposed by a halogen lamp (not shown), and a reflected image is formed on the CCD 100. The document image signal output from the CCD 100 is sampled and held in the A / D & S / H unit 102 and then A / D converted to generate, for example, 8-bit RGB digital image signals.

  The RGB image signal output from the A / D & S / H unit 102 is subjected to shading and black correction by the shading unit 103, and correction to the NTSC signal by the input masking unit 104.

  A selector 124 selects either an image signal input from the input masking unit 104 or an image signal input from the outside in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 117. A scaling processing unit 108 enlarges or reduces the image represented by the image signal selected by the selector 124 in the main scanning direction, and outputs the result to the logarithmic conversion unit 109 and the selector 127.

  The logarithmic conversion unit 109 converts the RGB image signal representing luminance into an MCY image signal representing density, and the converted image signal is input to the memory 110 and stored therein. Note that the image data stored in the memory 110 is read according to the timing of each of four drums described later.

  A selector 127 selects either the image signal input from the scaling processing unit 108 or the image signal input from the memory 110 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 117.

  A masking / UCR unit 112 performs masking processing and UCR processing on the MCY image data input from the selector 127, and outputs, for example, 8-bit MCYK image data.

  The image data output from the masking / UCR unit 112 is subjected to γ correction by the γ correction unit 114, subjected to edge enhancement processing by the edge enhancement unit 115, and then input to the video processing unit 116. The video processing unit 116 drives a semiconductor laser (not shown) in accordance with the MCYK image data input from the edge enhancement unit 115, and outputs a modulated laser beam.

  Reference numeral 118 denotes an area generation unit that outputs an output signal DTOP of the image sensor, a horizontal synchronization signal HSNC1 generated in the reader unit 101 or a horizontal synchronization signal HSNC2 generated outside the reader unit 101, and an output ITOP1 of the paper tip sensor. Then, based on the four signals of the sub-scanning write enable signal VEN from outside the reader unit 101, the next signal for controlling reading and writing to the memory 110 is generated. The signals generated by the area generation unit 116 are seven signals of a main scanning write / read enable signal, a sub scanning write enable signal, and four sub scanning read enable signals corresponding to the respective colors.

  An operation unit 119 displays information from the control unit 117 and outputs an instruction from the operator to the control unit 117, which will be described in detail later.

  A video bus selector 130 outputs an image signal to the outside or inputs an image signal from the outside via the interface unit 106.

[Bus selector]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the video bus selector 130.

  In the figure, reference numeral 502 denotes a bidirectional buffer which is controlled by a signal 503 from the control unit 117 and is connected to the selector 124 via a signal line 501. 510 is also a bidirectional buffer, which is controlled by a signal 511 from the control unit 117 and is connected to the edge emphasizing unit 115 via a signal line 531. A bidirectional buffer 515 is controlled by a signal 516 from the control unit 117.

  Reference numeral 505 denotes a selector that selects either the bidirectional buffer 510 or the bidirectional buffer 515 in accordance with the signal 506 from the control unit 117 and outputs it to a D flip-flop (hereinafter referred to as “DF / F”) 504. To do. The D-F / F 504 sends the input image signal to the bidirectional buffer 502 in synchronization with the video clock VCK.

  A selector 507 selects either the bidirectional buffer 502 or the bidirectional buffer 515 according to the signal 508 from the control unit 117, and outputs the selected output to the D-F / F 509. The D-F / F 509 sends the input image signal to the bidirectional buffer 510 in synchronization with the video clock VCK.

  A selector 512 selects an output from the bidirectional buffer 502 or the bidirectional buffer 510 in accordance with a signal 513 from the control unit 117, and outputs the selected output to the D-F / F 514. The D-F / F 514 sends the input image signal to the bidirectional buffer 515 in synchronization with the video clock VCK.

  A bidirectional buffer 524 controls the flow of an image signal between the interface unit 106 and the bidirectional buffer 515 by a signal 523 from the control unit 117. The signal passing through the bidirectional buffer 524 includes, for example, an 8-bit RGB signal and a 1-bit binary signal Bi. This signal Bi is for exchanging binary image signals between the present embodiment and other devices.

  A bidirectional buffer 522 controls a flow of a control signal and the like with the interface unit 106 by a signal 523 from the control unit 117. The signals passing through the bidirectional buffer 522 include, for example, a sub-scanning write enable signal VVE1, a main scanning enable signal HEN *, a video clock VCK, and a sub-scanning write enable signal VVE1, A clock 540 and a main scanning enable signal (low active) 541 are included.

  Reference numeral 517 denotes a frequency converter, which is composed of, for example, a FIFO, converts the synchronization frequency of the image signal output from the bidirectional buffer 524, and outputs the converted signal to the bidirectional buffer 515. The frequency converter 517 is write-enabled by the main scanning enable signal 541, stores the image signal output from the bidirectional buffer 524 in synchronization with the video clock 540, and inverts the main scanning enable signal 541 by the inverter 518. The light is reset by the signal. The frequency converter 517 is read-enabled by a signal obtained by ANDing the signal IEN * 520 and the signal 521 from the control unit 117 at the gate 519, and outputs an image signal stored in synchronization with the video clock VCK. Read reset is performed by the inverted signal of the main scanning signal HSNC *.

  An output buffer 530 is controlled by a signal 526 from the control unit 117 and sends a sub-scanning synchronization signal ITOP2 of the memory unit (IPU) and a main scanning synchronization signal HSNC * to the interface unit 106.

[Image signal flow]
Hereinafter, the flow of the image signal and the setting of the control signal in each mode will be described.

● Normal copy The flow of the image signal is as follows.

  CCD 101 → A / D & S / H unit 102 → shading unit 103 → input masking unit 104 → selector 124 → magnification processing unit 108 → logarithmic conversion unit 109 → memory 110 → selector 127 → masking / UCR unit 112 → γ correction unit 114 → edge enhancement unit 115 → video processing unit 116

The video selector 130 and the control signal are set as follows. The following symbol “X” represents don't care, but is controlled by the control unit 117 so that transmitted signals do not collide.
Bidirectional buffer 502 control signal 503 → '1'
Control signal 506 for selector 505 → X
Control signal 508 for selector 507 → X
Bidirectional buffer 510 control signal 511 → '1'
Control signal 513 of selector 512 → X
Bidirectional buffer 516 control signal 516 → X
Control signal 523 of bidirectional buffer 522, 524 → '1'
Control signal 526 of output buffer 525 → '1'
Control signal 521 input to gate 519 → '1'

When outputting to the interface unit 106 The flow of the image signal is as follows.

  CCD 101 → A / D & S / H unit 102 → shading unit 103 → input masking unit 104 → selector 124 → magnification processing unit 108 → selector 127 → masking / UCR unit 112 → γ correction unit 114 → edge enhancement unit 115 → video bus Selector 130 → Interface 106

The video selector 130 and the control signal are set as follows.
Bidirectional buffer 502 control signal 503 → '1'
Control signal 506 for selector 505 → X
Control signal 508 for selector 507 → X
Bidirectional buffer 510 control signal 511 → '1'
Control signal 513 of selector 512 → '0'
Bidirectional buffer 516 control signal 516 → '0'
Bidirectional buffer 522, 524 control signal 523 → '0'
Control signal 526 of output buffer 525 → '0'
Control signal 521 input to gate 519 → '1'

When inputting from the interface 106 The flow of the image signal is as follows. An external sub-scan write enable signal VEN is used as the sub-scan write enable signal of the memory 110.

  Interface unit 106 → video bus selector 130 → selector 124 → magnification processing unit 108 → logarithmic conversion unit 109 → memory 110 → selector 127 → masking / UCR unit 112 → γ correction unit 114 → edge enhancement unit 115 → video processing unit 116

The video selector 130 and the control signal are set as follows.
Bidirectional buffer 502 control signal 503 → '0'
Control signal 506 of selector 505 → '0'
Control signal 508 for selector 507 → X
Bidirectional buffer 510 control signal 511 → '1'
Control signal 513 of selector 512 → '0'
Control signal 516 of bidirectional buffer 516 → '1'
Control signal 523 of bidirectional buffer 522, 524 → '1'
Control signal 526 of output buffer 525 → '0'
Control signal 521 input to gate 519 → '0'

[Printer 103]
In the printer unit 103 shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 301 denotes a polygon scanner, which scans a laser beam output from a laser control unit (not shown) and sensitizes a predetermined position of a photosensitive drum of an image forming unit 302-305 described later. As shown in FIG. 8, a polygon scanner 301 scans a laser beam from laser elements 501-504 driven independently by MCYK by a laser control unit on a photosensitive drum of an image forming unit corresponding to each color. Reference numerals 505 to 508 denote beam detection sensors (hereinafter referred to as “BD sensors”) that detect scanned laser beams and generate main scanning synchronization signals.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when two polygon mirrors are arranged on the same axis and rotated by a single motor, for example, M, C and Y, K laser beams have their main scanning directions opposite to each other. Become. Therefore, normally, the image data of the other Y, K image is a mirror image with respect to the main scanning direction with respect to one M, C image.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, 302 is an M image forming unit, 303 is a C image forming unit, 304 is a Y image forming unit, and 305 is a K image forming unit, which form corresponding color images. Since the configurations of the image forming units 302-305 are substantially the same, details of the M image forming unit 302 will be described below, and descriptions of the other image forming units will be omitted.

  In the M image forming unit 302, 318 is a photosensitive drum, and a latent image is formed on the surface thereof by a laser beam from the polygon scanner 301.

  A primary charger 315 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 to a predetermined potential to prepare for latent image formation.

  A developing device 313 develops the latent image on the photosensitive drum 318 to form a toner image. The developing device 313 includes a sleeve 314 that performs development by applying a developing bias.

  A transfer charger 319 discharges from the back surface of the transfer belt 306, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 318 to a recording sheet or the like on the transfer belt 306.

  After the transfer, the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 is cleaned by the cleaner 317, the charge is removed by the auxiliary charger 316, the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 330, and the primary charger 315 is charged again by the primary charger 315. To be obtained.

  Next, a procedure for forming an image on recording paper or the like will be described.

  Reference numeral 308 denotes a paper feeding unit that supplies recording paper stored in the cassettes 309 and 310 to the transfer belt 306. The recording paper supplied from the paper supply unit 308 is charged by the adsorption charger 311. A transfer belt roller 312 rotates the transfer belt 306 and is paired with an adsorption charger 311 to adsorb and charge a recording sheet or the like.

  A paper leading sensor 329 detects the leading edge of a recording paper or the like on the transfer belt 306. The detection signal of the paper leading edge sensor 329 is sent from the printer unit 103 to the reader unit 101, and is used as a sub-scanning synchronization signal by the reader unit 101.

  Thereafter, the recording paper or the like is conveyed by the transfer belt 306, and toner images are formed in the order of MCYK by the image forming units 302-305.

  The recording paper or the like that has passed through the K image forming unit 305 is separated from the transfer belt 306 after being neutralized by the neutralization charger 324 in order to facilitate separation from the transfer belt 306.

  A peeling charger 325 prevents image disturbance due to peeling discharge when the recording paper or the like is separated from the transfer belt 306.

  The separated recording paper is charged by the pre-fixing chargers 326 and 327 in order to compensate for the toner adsorption force and prevent image distortion, and then the toner image is thermally fixed by the fixing device 307 and discharged. The A paper discharge sensor 340 detects that the recording paper has been discharged.

  On the other hand, the transfer belt 306 from which the recording paper or the like has been separated is neutralized by the transfer belt neutralization chargers 322 and 323 and electrostatically initialized. Further, the dirt is removed by the belt cleaner 328, and the recording paper is again printed. Preparations to adsorb etc. are given.

[Interface part]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the interface unit 106.

  In the figure, 201 is an IPU interface (hereinafter referred to as “IPU-I / F”) for interfacing with an external image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “IPU”), and 202 and 203 are interfaces with other devices. RI / F, 204 is a CPU-I / F that controls communication with other devices, and 205 is a video-I / F that interfaces with the image processing unit 1212.

  Furthermore, 206, 211, 212, 214, and 216 are tristate buffers, respectively, and their control signals are enabled when they are '0', and are in a high impedance state when they are '1'.

  207, 209, and 210 are each realized by a bidirectional buffer, for example, a logic element such as LS245. When both terminals G and D are '0', data flows in the direction from terminal B to terminal A, and terminal G is' When 0 and terminal D is “1”, data flows in the direction from terminal A to terminal B, and when terminal G is “1”, the isolation state is established.

  Reference numerals 213 and 215 denote D-F / Fs having a tri-state function, which are enabled when the terminal EN is ‘0’, and become high impedance when ‘1’.

  These buffers and F / F are controlled by signals BTCN0 to BTCN10 output from the I / O port of the control unit 117.

  Reference numeral 208 denotes a special bidirectional buffer, the details of which will be described later.

  A communication line (for example, 4 bits) for performing communication between the IPU and the control unit 117 is connected between the IPU-I / F 201 and the CPU-I / F 204.

  Three signal lines are connected between the IPU-I / F 201 and the video-I / F 205. The first is a signal line that transmits a 1-bit main scanning synchronization signal HSNC and a sub-scanning synchronization signal ITOP from the video-I / F 205 to the IPU-I / F 201, and is connected via a tri-state buffer 206. Yes. Second, bi-directional transmission of, for example, 8-bit image signal VIDEO and 1-bit binary signal BI main scan enable signal HVE between video-I / F 205 and IPU-I / F 201 The signal line (for example, 26 bits) is connected via the bidirectional buffer 207. Third, a signal line that transmits a 1-bit pixel clock VCLK bidirectionally between the video-I / F 205 and the IPU-I / F 201 is connected via a bidirectional buffer 207.

  Between each RI / F 202, 203 and the CPU-I / F 204, a communication line for performing communication between another apparatus (for example, a copying machine) and the control unit 117 has a bidirectional buffer 208. Connected through. Although details will be described later, there is, for example, 8 bits between the CPU-I / F 204 and the bidirectional buffer 208 (reference numeral 224), between the bidirectional buffer 208 and the RI / F 202, 203 (reference numeral 223). For example, a 4-bit communication line is connected.

  Four signal lines are connected between the video-I / F 205 and the R-I / F 202. The first is

  Signal lines for transmitting the three signal VIDEO systems and the signals BI and HVE from the video-I / F 205 to the R-I / F 202 are connected via a tristate buffer 211 and a bidirectional buffer 209. The second is a signal line that transmits three signals VIDEO and signals BI and HVE from RI / F 202 to video-I / F 205 via bi-directional buffer 209, DF / F 213, and tri-state buffer 212. Connected. The third is a signal line that transmits a 1-bit signal VCLK and a sub-scan video enable signal VVE from the video-I / F 205 to the RI / F 202, and is connected via a tri-state buffer 211 and a bidirectional buffer 209. ing. A fourth signal line for transmitting the signal VCLK and the signal VVE from the R-I / F 202 to the video-I / F 205 is connected via the bidirectional buffer 209, the tristate buffer 216, and the tristate buffer 212.

  Four signal lines are also connected between the video-I / F 205 and the R-I / F 203. The first is a signal line that transmits three signals VIDEO and signals BI and HVE from video-I / F 205 to RI / F 203 via tristate buffer 211, DF / F 215 and bidirectional buffer 210. It is connected. The second is a signal line for transmitting the three signal VIDEO systems and the signals BI and HVE from the RI / F 203 to the video-I / F 205, which are connected via the bidirectional buffer 210 and the tristate buffer 212. . The third is a signal line for transmitting the signal VCLK and the signal VVE from the video-I / F 205 to the R-I / F 203, and is connected via the tristate buffer 211, the tristate buffer 216, and the bidirectional buffer 210. A fourth signal line for transmitting the signal VCLK and the signal VVE from the R-I / F 203 to the video-I / F 205 is connected via the bidirectional buffer 210 and the tristate buffer 212.

  Next, control and signal flow in each mode will be described. The following modes are set by the control unit 117.

● Mode 1
Mode 1 is a mode in which a signal is transmitted from IPU-I / F 201 to RI / F 202, and each control signal in this case is as follows. The following symbol “X” represents don't care, but is controlled by the control unit 117 so that transmitted signals do not collide.
BTCN0 ← '1'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← X
BTCN6 ← X
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← X
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 2
Mode 2 is a mode in which a signal is transmitted from the IPU-I / F 201 to the RI / F 203. In this case, each control signal is as follows.
BTCN0 ← '1'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← X
BTCN4 ← '1'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 3
Mode 3 is a mode in which a signal is transmitted from the IPU-I / F 201 to the video-I / F 205, and each control signal in this case is as follows.
BTCN0 ← '1'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← X
BTCN4 ← X
BTCN5 ← X
BTCN6 ← X
BTCN7 ← X
BTCN8 ← X
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 4
Mode 4 is a mode for transmitting a signal from the RI / F 202 to the RI / F 203. In this case, each control signal is as follows.
BTCN0 ← X
BTCN1 ← X
BTCN2 ← X
BTCN3 ← '1'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← X
BTCN10 ← '1'

● Mode 5
Mode 5 is a mode in which a signal is transmitted from the RI / F 202 to the video-I / F 205, and each control signal in this case is as follows.
BTCN0 ← X
BTCN1 ← '1'
BTCN2 ← X
BTCN3 ← '1'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← X
BTCN6 ← '1'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '0'
BTCN10 ← '1'

● Mode 6
Mode 6 is a mode for transmitting a signal from the RI / F 203 to the RI / F 202, and the control signals in this case are as follows.
BTCN0 ← X
BTCN1 ← X
BTCN2 ← X
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← '1'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '0'
BTCN8 ← '1'
BTCN9 ← X
BTCN10 ← '1'

● Mode 7
Mode 7 is a mode in which a signal is transmitted from the RI / F 203 to the video-I / F 205, and the control signals in this case are as follows.
BTCN0 ← X
BTCN1 ← '1'
BTCN2 ← X
BTCN3 ← X
BTCN4 ← X
BTCN5 ← '1'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← X
BTCN8 ← '1'
BTCN9 ← '0'
BTCN10 ← X

● Mode 8
Mode 8 is a mode for transmitting a signal from the video-I / F 205 to the IPU-I / F 201, and the control signals in this case are as follows.
BTCN0 ← '0'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← X
BTCN4 ← X
BTCN5 ← X
BTCN6 ← X
BTCN7 ← X
BTCN8 ← X
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← X

● Mode 9
Mode 9 is a mode for transmitting a signal from the video-I / F 205 to the RI / F 202. In this case, each control signal is as follows.
BTCN0 ← X
BTCN1 ← '1'
BTCN2 ← X
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← X
BTCN6 ← X
BTCN7 ← '0'
BTCN8 ← X
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 10
The mode 10 is a mode for transmitting a signal from the video-I / F 205 to the RI / F 203, and each control signal in this case is as follows.
BTCN0 ← X
BTCN1 ← '1'
BTCN2 ← X
BTCN3 ← X
BTCN4 ← '1'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 11
Mode 11 is a mode in which mode 1 and mode 2 are combined, that is, a mode in which signals are transmitted from IPU-I / F 201 to RI / F 202 and RI / F 203. It becomes like this.
BTCN0 ← '1'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 12
Mode 12 is a mode in which mode 1 and mode 3 are combined, that is, a mode in which a signal is transmitted from IPU-I / F 201 to RI / F 202 and video-I / F 205. It becomes as follows.
BTCN0 ← '1'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← X
BTCN6 ← '1'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← X
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 13
Mode 13 is a mode in which mode 2 and mode 3 are combined, that is, a mode in which a signal is transmitted from IPU-I / F 201 to RI / F 203 and video-I / F 205. Is as follows.
BTCN0 ← '1'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← X
BTCN4 ← '1'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 14
Mode 14 is a mode that combines mode 1, mode 2, and mode 3, that is, a mode that transmits signals from IPU-I / F 201 to RI / F 202, RI / F 203, and video-I / F 205. The control signals in this case are as follows.
BTCN0 ← '1'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 15
Mode 15 is a mode in which mode 4 and mode 5 are combined, that is, a mode in which signals are transmitted from RI / F 202 to RI / F 203 and video-I / F 205. It becomes like this.
BTCN0 ← X
BTCN1 ← X
BTCN2 ← '1'
BTCN3 ← '1'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '0'
BTCN10 ← '1'

● Mode 16
Mode 16 is a mode in which mode 6 and mode 7 are combined, that is, a mode in which a signal is transmitted from RI / F 203 to RI / F 202 and video-I / F 205. It becomes like this.
BTCN0 ← X
BTCN1 ← '1'
BTCN2 ← X
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← '1'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '0'
BTCN8 ← '1'
BTCN9 ← X
BTCN10 ← '1'

● Mode 17
Mode 17 is a mode in which mode 8 and mode 9 are combined, that is, a mode in which a signal is transmitted from video-I / F 205 to IPU-I / F 201 and RI / F 202. It becomes as follows.
BTCN0 ← '0'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← X
BTCN6 ← X
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← X
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 18
Mode 18 is a mode in which mode 8 and mode 10 are combined, that is, a mode in which a signal is transmitted from video-I / F 205 to IPU-I / F 201 and RI / F 203. In this case, each control signal is It becomes as follows.
BTCN0 ← '0'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← X
BTCN4 ← '1'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 19
Mode 19 is a mode in which mode 9 and mode 10 are combined, that is, a mode in which a signal is transmitted from video-I / F 205 to RI / F 202 and RI / F 203. In this case, each control signal is as follows: It becomes like this.
BTCN0 ← X
BTCN1 ← '1'
BTCN2 ← X
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

● Mode 20
Mode 20 is a mode that combines mode 8, mode 9, and mode 10, that is, a mode that transmits signals from video-I / F 205 to IPU-I / F 201, RI / F 202, and RI / F 203. The control signals in this case are as follows.
BTCN0 ← '0'
BTCN1 ← '0'
BTCN2 ← '0'
BTCN3 ← '0'
BTCN4 ← '0'
BTCN5 ← '0'
BTCN6 ← '0'
BTCN7 ← '1'
BTCN8 ← '0'
BTCN9 ← '1'
BTCN10 ← '0'

[Configuration of the heavy chain system]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cascade system according to this embodiment.

  In the figure, reference numerals 1001-1004 denote digital copying machines (hereinafter referred to as “stations”) of this embodiment, each having a unique system address. This system address does not overlap, and one of the system addresses must be “0”. Further, in order to switch the image signal, the connection order of system addresses is determined. In the system of the present embodiment, for example, the station with the address “0” is placed at the end, and the system addresses are connected in order from there.

  Reference numeral 1005-1007 denotes a connection cable, and its configuration includes 24 RGB image signal lines, three video control lines, and four serial communication lines.

  Reference numeral 1008 denotes an IPU (or PS-IPU), which is an interface device for connecting these digital copying machines to a computer 1009.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a connection form of image signals in a multiplex system.

  In the figure, reference numerals 1101-1104 denote video I / F sections of stations 1001-1004, and 1105-1107 denotes image signal lines of connection cables.

  As described above, in the system according to the present embodiment, the relationship between the contact with the other station and the system address is higher for the station with the address lower than itself at the first contact (RI / F 202). Each address station is connected to a second contact (RI / F 203). Incidentally, if the above relationship is maintained, no inconvenience occurs even if the system addresses are discontinuous.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a connection form of serial communication lines in the cascade system.

  In the figure, reference numerals 1201-1203 denote serial communication I / F units of stations 1001-1003, respectively. The signal line is composed of four lines, ATN *, SiD *, DACK *, and OFFER *.

  The signal ATN * is a synchronization signal indicating that data is being transferred from the master station (that is, the system address is “0”), and data transfer is performed when ATN * = “L”. Stations other than the master station (hereinafter referred to as “slave station”) simply receive the signal ATN * and do not output the signal.

  The signal OFFER * is a signal representing data transmission from the slave station to the master station, and data transfer is performed when OFFER * = 'L'. The master station only receives the signal OFFER * and does not output the same signal. Note that the signal line OFFER * is wired-or-connected between a plurality of slave stations.

  The signal DACK * is a signal for notifying from the receiving side that data reception has been completed. Note that the signal line DACK * is wired or connected between the stations. Therefore, when the receiving side extends over a plurality of stations, DACK * = 'L' when data reception is completed in all the stations. This synchronizes the data reception timing between the stations.

  The signal SiD * is bidirectional serial data, and data is exchanged in synchronization with the signals ATN * and OFFER *. The data transfer method is a half-duplex asynchronous method, and the baud rate and data format are preset when the system is activated.

  The serial communication I / F unit of each station and the controller are connected by eight signal lines, and the signals TxD and RxD are used for transmission and reception of serial communication signals ATNo, DACKo, OFFERo, and signals ATNi, DACKi, OFFERi is connected to the I / O port of the control unit 117. The serial communication I / F section is the same as the bidirectional buffer 208 shown in FIG. 3, and the signal line 223 shown in FIG. 3 is a 4-bit signal line ATN *, SiD *, DACK *, OFFER *. The signal line 224 includes 8 bits of signal lines TxD, RxD, ATNo, DACKo, OFFERo, ATNi, DACKi, and OFFERi.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart example of each signal shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, when the signal ATN * or OFFER * becomes L level, the signal SiD * is output, and the signal DACK * becomes L level by the station that has started receiving the signal SiD * earliest. Subsequently, when the data transfer is completed, the signal DACK * is set to the H level by the station that has finished receiving the signal SiD * latest.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of main commands used in serial communication.

  In the figure, the interface clear command is used to reset the parameters related to the cascade system. After the master station whose system address is defined as “0” has completed its initialization (for example, when the power is turned on) Etc.). The master station fixes the signal OFFER * to the input only, and each slave station receiving this command fixes the signal ATN * to the input only and initializes the internal parameters.

  The status request command is a polling command for collecting information such as the status of slave stations connected to the cascade system. The master station issues an interface clear command to each slave station after a certain period of time. To do. This command includes a request destination address that designates a slave station as a parameter.

  The status transfer command is a command for the slave station specified by the status request command to notify the other station of its own state. If specified from the master station, this command must be issued within a certain time. This command includes parameters such as its own system address, the presence / absence of an error, various flags indicating waiting and copying, the type of recording paper and the presence / absence thereof. If the designated slave station does not issue a status transfer command even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the master station determines that the designated slave station is not connected to the redundant system.

  The print start command specifies the image to be transferred to the transfer destination station by designating the transfer destination station and how to distribute the number of copies to each transfer destination station. This is a command for preparing to receive data. This command includes a transfer source address, a transfer destination address, a recording paper size, the number of sheets, and the like as parameters.

  The transfer end command is for the transfer source station to notify the other station of the transfer end.

[Operation of the heavy chain system]
Next, a procedure for outputting an image of a document placed on a certain reader unit by using a plurality of printer units using a multiple system will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the redundant system in which four stations A to D are connected, a document is placed on the reader unit of station A. Operate the operation panel of station A and confirm that other stations are normal and can be used, then set to output using the A-D station and set the number of copies. When the copy start key of station A is pressed, station A distributes the set number of copies to each station and issues a print start command to all stations.

  When each BD station receives this command, it sets parameters such as the number of copies and recording paper size sent with this command, and based on the system address of the command issuer and its own system address. Switch the image signal, switch the control signal for writing the image signal to its own memory 110 to the control signal VCLK, HSNC, VE sent via the video control line, and wait for the image signal .

  On the other hand, the station A performs setting for image reading, switches so that a control signal for writing an image signal to its own memory 110 is also output to the video control line, and starts an image reading operation.

  Each station of B-D uses the control signal output from station A to write an image signal in its own memory 110.

  When the image reading operation is completed, the station A issues a transfer end command, and each station A-D enters a printout operation.

  By using the same procedure, it is possible to obtain an output using a plurality of stations by manipulating the operation panel of any station, even if the document is on the reader unit of any station of A-D.

  Next, a procedure for outputting the output from the host computer connected to the stations of the cascade system via a plurality of stations via an external I / F device such as an IPU will be described.

  The computer 1009 can know the status of all stations connected to the cascade system via the IPU 1008, set the station to be used, the number of copies, recording paper, etc. according to the status, and output the image signal. Transfer to IPU 1008.

  The IPU 1008 notifies these settings to the connected station (station A in FIG. 6). The station A that has received this notification issues a print start command to other stations that are used. Each station that has received the print start command enters an image signal waiting state in the same procedure as in the case of outputting a document on the reader unit described above.

  The station A issues a command to send an image to the IPU 1008 after switching the operation mode of the interface unit 106 to the above-described mode 1 (or modes 2, 11, 13, 14) or the like. Control signals used for image reading from IPU1 008 and image writing of other stations are those generated by station A connected to IPU1 008. Accordingly, the image data read from the IPU1 008 is written to the memory 110 of another station almost simultaneously with the writing to the memory 110 of the station A.

  Station A issues a transfer end command after image writing is completed, and a printout operation is started at each station.

  In any of the above cases, a print start command is issued to a station that is not selected as a station to be used. In the station not selected, the interface unit 106 is switched so that the image signal reaches the selected station. That is, since the print start command includes the transfer source address and the transfer destination address, it is possible to determine how to switch the interface unit 106 by comparing this with its own address. it can. For example, by sending a print start command including “number of copies 0” to a station that has not been selected, a printing operation or the like can be prevented.

  In addition, a station connected to a cascade system performing a copy operation alone masks interrupts due to serial communication of the cascade system, and if the station is the master, its status transfer command and each slave A status request command for the station is issued every predetermined time. If the station is a slave, only its own status transfer command is issued every predetermined time. By doing this, it is possible to prevent unnecessary interrupt processing from occurring during the copy operation and to notify other stations of their own status.

  Then, when the single copy operation is completed, the interruption by the serial communication of the redundant system is permitted again, and the process returns to the process of issuing the status transfer command in response to the status request command issued by the master station.

  The above explanation is for the case where the same image is printed out using four stations. In this case, Ns = 4 stations are integrated into one group and operated as a redundant system. The number of stations Ns that can be integrated into one group is arbitrary. Therefore, in general, G1 (G1 <Ns) of Ns (≧ 2) stations is designated as the first group for multiple operation, and G2 (G2 <Ns) is designated as the second group. Then, in the same manner, the Gm (Gm <Ns) stations remaining at the end are designated as the Mth group, and the M groups are organized and operated in cascade. A system capable of executing image output in parallel can be provided.

  Of course, it is not necessary to organize all the Ns stations, or one or a plurality of groups of Ns stations may be organized, and the remaining stations may not be organized. It is also useful to operate independently.

  In the following, a detailed description will be given of a case where a group operation is performed in a multiplex system.

[Operation section]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the operation unit 119, in which 5000 is a numeric key, 5001 is a copy start key, 5002 is a stop key, 5003 is a preheat key, and 5005 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the basic screen of the display unit 5005. 5101 indicates the device status, 5102 indicates the number of copies, 5103 indicates the recording paper size, 5104 indicates the set value of the copy magnification, and 5105 indicates the setting of the continuous mode. Key.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen of the display unit 5005. FIG. 13 shows an example of the multiple station setting screen 5201 displayed when the multiple mode setting key 5105 shown in FIG. 12 is pressed. A legend of the display state of the touch key 5202 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, stations connected in cascade are shown as touch keys 5202. For example, station A is a touch key “1”, station B is a touch key “2”, and station C is “3”. The station D is indicated by the touch key “4” and the station D is indicated by the touch key “4”. Fig. 14 shows an example of the set station display, unconnected display, station display without the selected recording paper size (eg B5), error, jam, station display without toner, station display during copying, etc. Displayed on the touch key 5202 to indicate the status of each station. For example, even if the touch key 5202 displayed on the station being copied is operated in order to make a duplicate setting, a new setting is not accepted. When the automatic multiple key 5206 is selected, all the stations connected in the multiple connection are set in a single group.

[Multiple setting procedure]
FIG. 15 is a state transition diagram showing an example of the multiple setting procedure, which is executed by the control unit 117.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, four stations are connected in cascade, and originals are placed on the reader units of stations A and C, respectively.

  In station A's operation unit 119, press the numeric key 5000 to set the number of copies (S101), select the multi-duplex mode on the basic screen of station A (S100), and select each multi-station mode on the multi-station setting screen (S102). Check the station connection status, duplex setting status, and device status. That is, when the multiple mode setting key 5105 of the operation unit 119 of the station A is pressed, the multiple station setting screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed (S102). In S102, the station numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 are displayed on the keys corresponding to the stations A, B, C, and D, respectively. Note that FIG. 13 shows that stations A-D are in a state in which multiple stations can be set, and that stations other than station A-D are not connected. Also, if the setting clear key 5204 is pressed, the duplicate setting contents are cleared (S103).

  For example, the station display where the keys “1” and “2” can be set is displayed. After confirming that stations A and B can be set in duplicate and can be used without any problems, press the group key 5205 to display the group setting list. Is displayed (S105), and the presence / absence of a station set with multiple connections is determined (S104). If there is no station with multiple consecutive settings when the group key 5205 is pressed, it is automatically set as group 1 (S107), and you want to belong to group 1 while checking the setting list display and key display status. Press the key corresponding to the station (S108). The key corresponding to the selected station is displayed blinking and also displayed on the group setting list. When the key is pressed, it blinks and it is easily confirmed that the station numbers to be grouped are “1” and “2”. When the setting end key 5203 is pressed after confirming that there is no input mistake, the multi-station setting using the stations A and B as the group 1 is completed, and the multi-station setting screen is displayed again (S102).

  When the setting is completed, the key display for station numbers “1” and “2” will return from flashing to continuous lighting and the station will be set to display with the station numbers “1” and “2” already set. You can easily confirm that there is.

  When the setting end key 5203 is pressed again on the heavy station setting screen (S102) after completion of the heavy continuous setting, the screen returns to the basic screen shown in FIG. However, the duplicate mode key 5105 is displayed in reverse video to indicate that the station is set to duplicate. In the device status 5101, for example, a message “Multiple copy operation is possible” is displayed.

  When the copy start key 5001 of the station A is pressed, the copy operation is started (S109). That is, the station A distributes the set number of copies to the stations connected in series, and issues a print start command to the station B. When station B receives this print start command, it sets parameters such as the number of copies and recording paper size sent along with this command, and based on the system address of the command issuer and its own system address. Switch the image signal, switch the control signal for writing the image signal to its own memory 110 to the control signal VCLK, HSNC, VE sent via the video control line, and wait for the image signal .

  On the other hand, the station A performs settings for image reading, switches so that a control signal for writing an image signal to its own memory 110 is also output to the video control line, and starts an image reading operation.

  Station B writes an image signal in its own memory 110 using the control signal output from station A.

  When the image reading operation is completed, station A issues a transfer end command, and both stations enter a printout operation.

  As described above, when there is already a station that has already been set in a series, for example, in the operation unit 119 of station C, the number of copies is set by pressing the numeric key 5000 (S101), and the basic screen (S100) is displayed. After selecting the continuous mode and checking the connection status, redundant setting status, and device status of each station on the heavy station setting screen (S102), press the group key 5205 to set the group number and each group that have been set. A list of station numbers to which the station belongs is displayed (S105). Therefore, a new group number is input (S106), the setting end key 5203 is pressed, and then the key corresponding to the station to which the group number belongs is pressed (S108).

  For example, by inputting the already set group number 1 and then pressing the key corresponding to the station, it is possible to add a station belonging to the group. Further, when an unset group number is input, a new group can be set. In other words, when the group key 5205 is pressed, the station numbers “1” and “2” are confirmed to belong to group 1, and the keys “1” and “2” are displayed on the station being copied. Thus, it is confirmed that the duplicate copy operation is in progress. Therefore, enter a new group number 2 and press the “3” and “4” keys that can be set in duplicate, assign stations C and D to group 2, and press the setup end key 5203 to finish the duplicate setup. Return to the heavy station setting screen.

  As described above, four stations can be divided into groups 1 and 2 and can be set in series.

  Of the series of multiple copy operations in Group 1, while the image signal of the document placed on station A is being stored in the memory 110 of stations A and B, the I / F for the multiple connection is an image. Since it is occupied for transfer, the image signal of the document placed on station C cannot be transferred to the memory 110 of station D. Therefore, even if the copy start key 5001 is pressed after the group 2 duplication setting is completed in the operation unit 119 of the station C, the copy operation is not performed immediately, that is, the image signal is not transferred to the memories 110 of the stations C and D. After the transfer end command is issued from A, the duplicate copy operation of group 2 is started.

  That is, the station C distributes the set number of copies to the C / D station and issues a print start command to the station D. Thereafter, the duplicate copy operation is executed in the group 2 in the same manner as the duplicate copy operation in the group 1. The duplicate copy operation in group 2 is the same as the operation in group 1 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, four stations can be divided into groups 1 and 2 to perform duplicate copying.

  By taking the same procedure, it is possible to obtain a printout by using a plurality of organized stations by operating the operation panel of any station, even if there is a document on the reader unit of any station. .

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the system is connected to the system by the commands and signals related to the group operation transmitted / received between the digital copiers connected to the redundant system via the communication I / F. Multiple digital copiers can be organized into one or more groups to enable continuous operation for each group, and solve the conventional drawbacks that cannot flexibly expand the system as needed. Efficient copy output is possible while improving the performance.

  The image processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that in this embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment denote the same parts, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In this embodiment, output from a host computer connected to a digital copying machine constituting a redundant system via an external I / F device such as an IPU is output as a plurality of redundant groups using a plurality of stations. The procedure will be described. To simplify the description, as shown in FIG. 16, stations A and B belong to group 1, a computer 1009 is connected to station A via IPU 1008, and station C is connected to group 2. A case where D and D belong and a computer 1011 is connected to the station C via the IPU 1010 will be described.

  The computer 1009 grasps the status of all stations connected to the cascade system via the IPU 1008. Similarly, the computer 1011 knows the status of all the stations connected to the cascade system via the IPU 1010.

  By operating the computer 1009, the station used as the group 1, the number of copies, the recording paper, etc. are set according to the state of the redundant system, and an image signal is sent to the IPU 1008 together with this setting. The IPU 1008 notifies the station A of this setting, and the station A that has received this notification issues a print start command to the other station B to be used. The station B that has received this command enters an image signal waiting state according to the same procedure as the printing of the original image on the reader described in the first embodiment.

  The station A switches the operation mode of the interface unit 106 from, for example, mode 14 (IPU-I / F 201 to RI / F 202, 203 and video-I / F 205), and then sends an image signal to the IPU 1008. Request. At this time, the station A generates video control signals used for reading the image signal from the IPU 1008 and writing the image of the station B.

  The image signal output from the IPU 1008 is written into the memory 110 of the station B almost simultaneously with the writing of the image signal to the memory 110 of the station A. Station A issues a transfer end command after completing the writing of the image signal, and both stations start printout.

  In this way, the repeated operation in group 1 is executed.

  When the group 10 is set in the cascade operation from the computer 1011, the following operation is performed.

  When the state of the heavy continuous system is confirmed by the operation of the computer 1011, it is understood that the stations A and B have already been set in the heavy continuous state and that the multiple continuous operation is in progress, and both stations cannot be used. In accordance with the state of such a cascade system, stations C and D are set as group 2, and the number of copies, recording paper, etc. are set. The IPU 1010 notifies this setting to the station C, and the station C that has received this notification issues a print start command to the other station D to be used. The station D that has received this command enters an image signal waiting state according to the same procedure as the printing of the original image on the reader described in the first embodiment.

  The station C switches the operation mode of the interface unit 106 from, for example, mode 14 (IPU-I / F 201 to RI / F 202, 203 and video-I / F 205), and then sends an image signal to the IPU 1010. Request. At this time, the station C generates video control signals used for reading the image signal from the IPU 1010 and writing the image of the station D.

  The image signal output from the IPU 1010 is written to the memory 110 of the station D almost at the same time as it is written to the memory 110 of the station C. Station C issues a transfer end command after completing the writing of the image signal, and both stations start printout.

  In this way, the continuous operation in the group 2 is executed, and a printout can be obtained by operating the computers 1009 and 1011 using a plurality of organized stations.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, when printing out an image signal from a computer connected to the cascade system via an external I / F device, Efficient and efficient multiple operation is possible.

  Note that the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a digital copying machine constituting an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reader unit in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the video bus selector in FIG. A diagram showing an example in which two polygon mirrors are arranged on the same axis and rotated by one motor. Block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the interface unit of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the multiplex system of an Example, The figure which shows the example of a connection form of the image signal in the multiplex system of FIG. The figure which shows the connection form example of the serial communication line in the multiplex system of FIG. Timing chart example of each signal shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the main commands used by the serial communication of an Example, The figure which shows the structural example of the operation part of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the basic screen of the display part of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the setting screen of the display part of FIG. The figure which shows the legend of the touch key display state of FIG. State transition diagram showing an example of the multiple setting procedure of the embodiment, It is a block diagram which shows an example of the multiplex system of Example 2 concerning this invention.

Claims (16)

An image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit. Each of the digital image forming devices of
Data transmitting means for transmitting image data of a document read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Data receiving means for receiving image data of the other of the digital image forming apparatus which is transmitted by the data transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus,
Storage means capable of storing image data of a document read by the reading means of the apparatus itself and image data of another digital image forming apparatus received by the data receiving means;
An operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and
A multi-mode selection unit for selecting a multi-mode to be shared and executed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus when performing a plurality of copies of the image forming operation;
When performed shared by the own device and another digital image forming apparatus of an image forming operation of the image data in the cascade mode from the reading means of the apparatus, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, against self apparatus and other digital image forming apparatus, a distribution copy number setting means for distributing print copies to be imaged,
A distribution copy number transmission means for transmitting distribution copy number data corresponding to the number of print copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Distribution number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus;
When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapping mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is The image forming means of the own apparatus forms an image by the number of distribution copies distributed for the own apparatus by the setting means , and the image data of the original and the distribution number of copies data for the other digital image forming apparatus are the other. of is transmitted through the communication means to the digital image forming apparatus, whereas the image data of the document read in the cascade mode reading means other digital image forming apparatus when the image forming, of the other receives the distribution copies data and image data from the digital image forming apparatus, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the other daisy stored in said storage means The image data received from the Le image forming apparatus, and a control means for an image formed by said other printing unit number of which is based on the distribution of copies data received from the digital image forming apparatus, image forming means of the apparatus,
When the image forming operation is executed in the multiple continuous mode, the control means already executes the image data from the reading means of its own device when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the multiple continuous mode. After the image data in the multiplex mode is stored in the storage means of another digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means to execute the image forming operation of the image data. An image forming system characterized in that it can be used . An image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit. Each of the digital image forming devices of
Data transmitting means for transmitting image data of a document read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Data receiving means for receiving image data of the other of the digital image forming apparatus which is transmitted by the data transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus,
Storage means capable of storing image data of a document read by the reading means of the apparatus itself and image data of another digital image forming apparatus received by the data receiving means;
An operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and
A multi-mode selection unit for selecting a multi-mode to be shared and executed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus when performing a plurality of copies of the image forming operation;
When performed shared by the own device and another digital image forming apparatus of an image forming operation of the image data in the cascade mode from the reading means of the apparatus, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, against self apparatus and other digital image forming apparatus, a distribution copy number setting means for distributing print copies to be imaged,
A distribution copy number transmission means for transmitting distribution copy number data corresponding to the number of print copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Distribution number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus;
When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapping mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is The image forming means of the own apparatus forms an image by the number of distribution copies distributed for the own apparatus by the setting means , and the image data of the original and the distribution number of copies data for the other digital image forming apparatus are the other. of is transmitted through the communication means to the digital image forming apparatus, whereas the image data of the document read in the cascade mode reading means other digital image forming apparatus when the image forming, of the other receives the distribution copies data and image data from the digital image forming apparatus, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the other daisy stored in said storage means And control means for imaging by Le image data received from the image forming apparatus, said other printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the digital image forming apparatus, image forming means of the apparatus,
Information relating to the system address of other digital image forming apparatuses, information relating to the presence or absence of errors in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information relating to operating conditions including whether the other digital image forming apparatuses are waiting or copying; And at least one of information on the type and presence of recording paper in other digital image forming apparatuses, information on jams in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information on whether other digital image forming apparatuses are out of toner. Status information receiving means for receiving status information of other digital image forming apparatuses, including any of them, using the communication means;
Display means for displaying status information of another digital image forming apparatus received by the status information receiving means ,
When the image forming operation is executed in the multiple continuous mode, the control means already executes the image data from the reading means of its own device when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the multiple continuous mode. After the image data in the multiplex mode is stored in the storage means of another digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means to execute the image forming operation of the image data. An image forming system characterized in that it can be used . An image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit. Each of the digital image forming devices of
Data transmitting means for transmitting image data of a document read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Data receiving means for receiving image data of the other of the digital image forming apparatus which is transmitted by the data transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus,
Storage means capable of storing image data of a document read by the reading means of the apparatus itself and image data of another digital image forming apparatus received by the data receiving means;
An operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and
A multi-mode selection unit for selecting a multi-mode to be shared and executed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus when performing a plurality of copies of the image forming operation;
When performed shared by the own device and another digital image forming apparatus of an image forming operation of the image data in the cascade mode from the reading means of the apparatus, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, against self apparatus and other digital image forming apparatus, a distribution copy number setting means for distributing print copies to be imaged,
A distribution copy number transmission means for transmitting distribution copy number data corresponding to the number of print copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Distribution number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus;
When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapping mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is The image forming means of the own apparatus forms an image by the number of distribution copies distributed for the own apparatus by the setting means , and the image data of the original and the distribution number of copies data for the other digital image forming apparatus are the other. of is transmitted through the communication means to the digital image forming apparatus, whereas the image data of the document read in the cascade mode reading means other digital image forming apparatus when the image forming, of the other receives the distribution copies data and image data from the digital image forming apparatus, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the other daisy stored in said storage means And control means for imaging by Le image data received from the image forming apparatus, said other printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the digital image forming apparatus, image forming means of the apparatus,
Information relating to the system address of other digital image forming apparatuses, information relating to the presence or absence of errors in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information relating to operating conditions including whether the other digital image forming apparatuses are waiting or copying; And / or information regarding the type and presence of recording paper in other digital image forming apparatuses, information regarding jams in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information regarding whether other digital image forming apparatuses are free of toner. the containing the status information of the other digital image forming apparatus, comprising: a status information receiving means for receiving using said communication means,
The control means , based on the status information of the other digital image forming apparatus received by the status information receiving means , controls not to accept the setting of the multiple mode using the other digital image forming apparatus ;
Further, when the image forming operation is performed in the multiple continuous mode, the control unit further outputs the image data from the reading unit of its own device when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the multiple continuous mode. After the already-executed multiplex mode image data is stored in the storage means of another digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means, and the image forming operation of the image data is performed. An image forming system capable of executing the above . A plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading means for reading a document image and an image forming means capable of forming image data from the reading means and image data output from a computer are connected to each other via a communication means. Each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses includes:
Data transmitting means for transmitting image data of a document read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
A first data receiving means for receiving image data of the other of the digital image forming apparatus which is transmitted by the data transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus,
Second data receiving means for receiving image data output from a computer;
Document image data read by the reading means of the apparatus itself, image data of another digital image forming apparatus received by the first data receiving means, and computer image received by the second data receiving means Storage means capable of storing data;
An operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and
A multi-mode selection unit for selecting a multi-mode to be shared and executed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus when performing a plurality of copies of the image forming operation;
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. the apparatus with other digital image forming apparatus, a distribution copy number setting means for distributing print copies to be imaged,
A distribution copy number transmission means for transmitting distribution copy number data corresponding to the number of print copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Distribution number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus ;
When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapping mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is The image forming means of the own apparatus forms an image by the number of distribution parts distributed for the own apparatus by the fixing means , and the image data of the original and the distribution number of copies data for the other digital image forming apparatus are the other. When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the other digital image forming apparatus is formed in the multi-continuous mode, the image data is transmitted to the digital image forming apparatus . receives the distribution copies data and image data from the digital image forming apparatus, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the other digital image stored in said storage means Image data forming device, the print number of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, to the image forming unit by the image forming of the apparatus, an image forming computer image data in the tandem mode In this case, the image data of the computer stored in the storage means is image-formed by the image forming means of the own apparatus by the number of distribution copies distributed for the own apparatus by the number of print copies set in the computer. Means ,
When the image forming operation is executed in the multiple continuous mode, the control means already executes the image data from the reading means of its own device when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the multiple continuous mode. After the image data in the multiplex mode is stored in the storage means of another digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means to execute the image forming operation of the image data. An image forming system characterized in that it can be used . A control method of an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit, In each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses,
The image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
The image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received,
The image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus and the image data received from another digital image forming apparatus can be stored in the storage means,
The number of print copies can be input via the operation unit of the device,
When performing multiple copies of the image forming operation, it is possible to select a redundant mode to be executed by sharing between the own device and another digital image forming device,
When performed shared by the own device and another digital image forming apparatus of an image forming operation of the image data in the cascade mode from the reading means of the apparatus, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, against self apparatus and other digital image forming apparatus, to allow distributing the number of copies to be imaged,
The distribution number data corresponding to the number of copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
Receiving distribution number data transmitted by other digital image forming apparatus,
When image data of a document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is stored in the own device. An image is formed by the image forming means of its own apparatus for the number of distribution parts distributed for the purpose of the image processing , and the image data of the original and the distribution copy number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are used in the other digital image forming apparatus. When the image data of the document read by the reading means of the other digital image forming apparatus is image-formed in the overlap mode, the other digital image forming apparatus receives the distribution copies data and image data, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the other digital image forming apparatus stored in the storage means The image data et received, it possible to image formed by said other printing unit number of which is based on the distribution of copies data received from the digital image forming apparatus, image forming means of the apparatus,
In executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, if another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is already processed. After the image data is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A control method for an image forming system. A control method of an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit, In each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses,
The image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
The image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received,
The image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus and the image data received from another digital image forming apparatus can be stored in the storage means,
The number of print copies can be input via the operation unit of the device,
When performing multiple copies of the image forming operation, it is possible to select a redundant mode to be executed by sharing between the own device and another digital image forming device,
When performed shared by the own device and another digital image forming apparatus of an image forming operation of the image data in the cascade mode from the reading means of the apparatus, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit of the apparatus, against self apparatus and other digital image forming apparatus, to allow distributing the number of copies to be imaged,
The distribution number data corresponding to the number of copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
Receiving distribution number data transmitted by other digital image forming apparatus,
When image data of a document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is stored in the own device. An image is formed by the image forming means of its own apparatus for the number of distribution parts distributed for the purpose of the image processing , and the image data of the original and the distribution copy number data for the other digital image forming apparatus When the image data of the document read by the reading means of the other digital image forming apparatus is image-formed in the overlap mode, the other digital image forming apparatus receives the distribution copies data and image data, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the other digital image forming apparatus stored in the storage means The image data et received, it possible to image formed by said other printing unit number of which is based on the distribution of copies data received from the digital image forming apparatus, image forming means of the apparatus,
Information Information about the system address of another digital image forming apparatus, and information on the presence or absence of an error in the other digital image forming apparatus, and operating conditions of other digital image forming apparatus including whether or in progress wait copy, and information on the type and presence or absence of the recording sheet in the other digital image forming apparatus, and information jam information on the other digital image forming apparatus, other digital image forming apparatus as to whether no toner, at least one of Including any one of the status information of other digital image forming apparatus can be received using the communication means,
The status information of other received digital image forming apparatuses can be displayed on the operation unit of the own apparatus ,
In executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, if another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is already processed. After the image data is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A control method for an image forming system. A control method for an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit that reads an image of a document from each other and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data are connected by a communication unit, In each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses,
The image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
The image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received,
The image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus and the image data received from another digital image forming apparatus can be stored in the storage means,
The number of print copies can be input via the operation unit of the device,
When performing multiple copies of the image forming operation, it is possible to select a redundant mode to be executed by sharing between the own device and another digital image forming device,
When performed shared by the own device and another digital image forming apparatus of an image forming operation of the image data in the cascade mode from the reading means of the apparatus, the printing unit number inputted by the operation unit, the own device with respect to the other digital image forming apparatus, to allow distributing the number of copies to be imaged,
The distribution number data corresponding to the number of copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
Receiving distribution number data transmitted by other digital image forming apparatus,
When image data of a document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is stored in the own device. An image is formed by the image forming means of its own apparatus for the number of distribution parts distributed for the purpose of the image processing , and the image data of the original and the distribution copy number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are used in the other digital image forming apparatus. When the image data of the document read by the reading means of the other digital image forming apparatus is image-formed in the overlap mode, the other digital image forming apparatus receives the distribution copies data and image data, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the other digital image forming apparatus stored in the storage means Image data, and it allows to image formed by said other printing unit number of which is based on the distribution of copies data received from the digital image forming apparatus, image forming means of the apparatus,
Information Information about the system address of another digital image forming apparatus, and information on the presence or absence of an error in the other digital image forming apparatus, and operating conditions of other digital image forming apparatus including whether or in progress wait copy, and information on the type and presence or absence of the recording sheet in the other digital image forming apparatus, and information jam information on the other digital image forming apparatus, other digital image forming apparatus as to whether no toner, at least one of Status information of other digital image forming apparatuses including any of them can be received using the communication means,
Based on the received status information of the other digital image forming apparatus, wherein the controllable to not accept the setting of the cascade mode using the said other digital image forming apparatus,
In executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, if another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is already processed. After the image data is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A control method for an image forming system. A plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading means for reading a document image and an image forming means capable of forming image data from the reading means and image data output from a computer are connected to each other via a communication means. In each of the plurality of digital image forming apparatuses,
The image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
The image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received,
Receiving image data output from a computer
Image data of the document read by the reading means of the apparatus, and the image data of the other of the digital image forming apparatus that has received, and, to allow storing the image data of the received computer in the storage means,
The number of print copies can be input via the operation unit of the device,
When performing multiple copies of the image forming operation, it is possible to select a redundant mode to be executed by sharing between the own device and another digital image forming device,
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. the apparatus with other digital image forming apparatus, to allow distributing the number of copies to be imaged,
The distribution number data corresponding to the number of copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
Receiving distribution number data transmitted by other digital image forming apparatus ,
When image data of a document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is stored in the own device. An image is formed by the image forming means of its own apparatus for the number of distribution parts distributed for the purpose of the image processing , and the image data of the original and the distribution copy number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are used in the other digital image forming apparatus. When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the other digital image forming apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode, the other digital image forming apparatus receives the distribution copies data and image data, the image data thus received and stored in the storage means of the apparatus, the image of the other digital image forming apparatus stored in the storage means The chromatography data, print number of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the other digital image forming apparatus, to the image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus, the image data of the computer in the tandem mode when an image is formed The image data of the computer stored in the storage means can be imaged by the image forming means of the self apparatus for the number of distribution copies distributed for the self apparatus by the number of print copies set in the computer. And
In executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, if another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is already processed. After the image data is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A control method for an image forming system. A digital image forming apparatus for an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit and an image forming unit can be connected to each other via a communication unit,
Data transmitting means for transmitting image data of a document read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Data receiving means for receiving the image data of the other digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the data transmitting means of the other digital image forming apparatus;
Storage means capable of storing image data of a document read by the reading means of the apparatus itself and image data of another digital image forming apparatus received by the data receiving means;
An operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and
A multi-mode selection unit for selecting a multi-mode to be shared and executed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus when performing a plurality of copies of the image forming operation;
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. Distribution number setting means for distributing the number of copies to be imaged to the apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus;
A distribution copy number transmission means for transmitting distribution copy number data corresponding to the number of print copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Distribution number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus;
When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapping mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is An image is formed by the image forming means of the own apparatus for the number of copies distributed for the own apparatus by the setting means, and the image data of the original and the distributed copy number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are When the image data of the original read by the reading means of another digital image forming apparatus is formed in the multi-continuous mode, The image data from the other digital image forming apparatus received together with the distribution number data from the digital image forming apparatus and stored in the storage means of the own apparatus is used as the other digital image forming apparatus. Printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the image forming apparatus, and a control means for an image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus,
When the image forming operation is executed in the multiple continuous mode, the control means already executes the image data from the reading means of its own device when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the multiple continuous mode. After the image data in the multiplex mode is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means, and the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A digital image forming apparatus. A digital image forming apparatus for an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit and an image forming unit can be connected to each other via a communication unit,
Data transmitting means for transmitting image data of a document read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Data receiving means for receiving the image data of the other digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the data transmitting means of the other digital image forming apparatus;
Storage means capable of storing image data of a document read by the reading means of the apparatus itself and image data of another digital image forming apparatus received by the data receiving means;
An operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and
A multi-mode selection unit for selecting a multi-mode to be shared and executed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus when performing a plurality of copies of the image forming operation;
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. Distribution number setting means for distributing the number of copies to be imaged to the apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus;
A distribution copy number transmission means for transmitting distribution copy number data corresponding to the number of print copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Distribution number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus;
When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapping mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is An image is formed by the image forming means of the own apparatus for the number of copies distributed for the own apparatus by the setting means, and the image data of the original and the distributed copy number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are When the image data of the original read by the reading means of another digital image forming apparatus is formed in the multi-continuous mode, The image data from the other digital image forming apparatus received together with the distribution number data from the digital image forming apparatus and stored in the storage means of the own apparatus is used as the other digital image forming apparatus. Printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the image forming apparatus, and a control means for an image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus,
Information relating to the system address of other digital image forming apparatuses, information relating to the presence or absence of errors in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information relating to operating conditions including whether the other digital image forming apparatuses are waiting or copying; And at least one of information on the type and presence of recording paper in other digital image forming apparatuses, information on jams in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information on whether other digital image forming apparatuses are out of toner. Status information receiving means for receiving status information of other digital image forming apparatuses, including any of them, using the communication means;
Display means for displaying status information of another digital image forming apparatus received by the status information receiving means,
When the image forming operation is executed in the multiple continuous mode, the control means already executes the image data from the reading means of its own device when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the multiple continuous mode. After the image data in the multiplex mode is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means, and the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A digital image forming apparatus. A digital image forming apparatus for an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each having a reading unit and an image forming unit can be connected to each other via a communication unit,
Data transmitting means for transmitting image data of a document read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Data receiving means for receiving the image data of the other digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the data transmitting means of the other digital image forming apparatus;
Storage means capable of storing image data of a document read by the reading means of the apparatus itself and image data of another digital image forming apparatus received by the data receiving means;
An operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and
A multi-mode selection unit for selecting a multi-mode to be shared and executed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus when performing a plurality of copies of the image forming operation;
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. Distribution number setting means for distributing the number of copies to be imaged to the apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus;
A distribution copy number transmission means for transmitting distribution copy number data corresponding to the number of print copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Distribution number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus;
When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapping mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is An image is formed by the image forming means of the own apparatus for the number of copies distributed for the own apparatus by the setting means, and the image data of the original and the distributed copy number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are When the image data of the original read by the reading means of another digital image forming apparatus is formed in the multi-continuous mode, The image data from the other digital image forming apparatus received together with the distribution number data from the digital image forming apparatus and stored in the storage means of the own apparatus is used as the other digital image forming apparatus. Printing of copies based on the distribution of copies data received from the image forming apparatus, and a control means for an image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus,
Information relating to the system address of other digital image forming apparatuses, information relating to the presence or absence of errors in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information relating to operating conditions including whether the other digital image forming apparatuses are waiting or copying; And / or information regarding the type and presence of recording paper in other digital image forming apparatuses, information regarding jams in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information regarding whether other digital image forming apparatuses are free of toner. Including status information receiving means for receiving status information of other digital image forming apparatuses using the communication means,
The control means, based on the status information of the other digital image forming apparatus received by the status information receiving means, controls not to accept the setting of the multiple mode using the other digital image forming apparatus;
Further, when the image forming operation is performed in the multiple continuous mode, the control unit further outputs the image data from the reading unit of its own device when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the multiple continuous mode. After the already-executed multiplex mode image data is stored in the storage means of another digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means, and the image forming operation of the image data is performed. A digital image forming apparatus capable of being executed. Image formation in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each comprising a reading means, image data from the reading means and image forming means capable of forming image data output from a computer can be connected via a communication means A digital image forming apparatus for a system,
Data transmitting means for transmitting image data of a document read by the reading means of the own apparatus to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
First data receiving means for receiving image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted by data transmitting means of another digital image forming apparatus;
Second data receiving means for receiving image data output from a computer;
Document image data read by the reading means of the apparatus itself, image data of another digital image forming apparatus received by the first data receiving means, and computer image received by the second data receiving means Storage means capable of storing data;
An operation unit for inputting the number of copies, and
A multi-mode selection unit for selecting a multi-mode to be shared and executed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus when performing a plurality of copies of the image forming operation;
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. Distribution number setting means for distributing the number of copies to be imaged to the apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus;
A distribution copy number transmission means for transmitting distribution copy number data corresponding to the number of print copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means;
Distribution number receiving means for receiving distribution number data transmitted by distribution number transmission means of another digital image forming apparatus;
When the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device is formed in the overlapping mode, the image data of the document read by the reading unit of the own device stored in the storage unit is An image is formed by the image forming means of the own apparatus for the number of copies distributed for the own apparatus by the setting means, and the image data of the original and the distributed copy number data for the other digital image forming apparatus are When the image data of the original read by the reading means of another digital image forming apparatus is formed in the multi-continuous mode, The image data from the other digital image forming apparatus received together with the distribution number data from the digital image forming apparatus and stored in the storage means of the own apparatus is used as the other digital image forming apparatus. When the image forming unit of the own apparatus forms an image for the number of copies based on the distribution copy number data received from the image forming apparatus, and the image data of the computer is formed in the overlapped mode, the image is stored in the storage unit. Control means for forming image data of the computer by the image forming means of the own apparatus for the number of print copies distributed for the own apparatus by the number of print copies set in the computer,
When the image forming operation is executed in the multiple continuous mode, the control means already executes the image data from the reading means of its own device when another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the multiple continuous mode. After the image data in the multiplex mode is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means, and the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A digital image forming apparatus. A control method of a digital image forming apparatus for an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses provided with reading means and image forming means can be connected to each other via communication means,
In the digital image forming apparatus,
The image data of the document read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
The image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted from the other digital image forming apparatus can be received,
The original image data read by the reading means of the own apparatus and the image data received from another digital image forming apparatus can be stored in the storage means of the own apparatus,
The number of print copies can be input via the operation unit of the device,
When performing multiple copies of the image forming operation, it is possible to select a redundant mode to be executed by sharing between the own device and another digital image forming device,
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. The number of copies to be imaged can be distributed to the apparatus and other digital image forming apparatuses.
The number of copies data corresponding to the number of copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
Receiving distribution number data transmitted by other digital image forming apparatus,
When the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus in the overlapped mode is image-formed, the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus stored in the storage means of the own apparatus is The image forming means of the apparatus itself forms an image for the number of printed copies distributed for the purpose, and the image data of the original and the number of copies of the distribution for the other digital image forming apparatus are sent to the other digital image forming apparatus. On the other hand, when the image data of the original read by the reading unit of another digital image forming apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data is distributed from the other digital image forming apparatus. The image data received from the other digital image forming apparatus received from the other digital image forming apparatus and stored in the storage means of the own apparatus together with the copy data. Printing of copies based on the number of copies the data, and allows the image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus,
In executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, if another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is already processed. After the image data is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A control method for a digital image forming apparatus. A method of controlling a digital image forming apparatus for an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each provided with a reading unit and an image forming unit can be connected to each other through a communication unit. In the device
The image data of the document read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
The image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received,
The original image data read by the reading means of the own apparatus and the image data received from another digital image forming apparatus can be stored in the storage means of the own apparatus,
The number of print copies can be input via the operation unit of the device,
When performing multiple copies of the image forming operation, it is possible to select a redundant mode to be executed by sharing between the own device and another digital image forming device,
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. The number of copies to be imaged can be distributed to the device and other digital image forming devices,
The distribution number data corresponding to the number of copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
Receiving distribution number data transmitted by other digital image forming apparatus,
When the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus in the overlapped mode is image-formed, the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus stored in the storage means of the own apparatus is The image forming means of the apparatus itself forms an image for the number of printed copies distributed for the purpose, and the image data of the original and the number of copies of the distribution for the other digital image forming apparatus are sent to the other digital image forming apparatus. On the other hand, when the image data of the original read by the reading unit of another digital image forming apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data is distributed from the other digital image forming apparatus. The image data received from the other digital image forming apparatus received from the other digital image forming apparatus and stored in the storage means of the own apparatus together with the copy data. Printing of copies based on the number of copies the data, and allows the image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus,
Information relating to the system address of other digital image forming apparatuses, information relating to the presence or absence of errors in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information relating to operating conditions including whether the other digital image forming apparatuses are waiting or copying; And at least one of information on the type and presence of recording paper in other digital image forming apparatuses, information on jams in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information on whether other digital image forming apparatuses are out of toner. Including any one of the status information of other digital image forming apparatus can be received using the communication means,
The status information of other received digital image forming apparatuses can be displayed on the display means of the own apparatus,
In executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, if another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is already processed. After the image data is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A control method for a digital image forming apparatus. A method of controlling a digital image forming apparatus for an image forming system in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each provided with a reading unit and an image forming unit can be connected to each other through a communication unit. In the device
The image data of the document read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
The image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received,
The image data of the original read by the reading unit of the own device and the image data of another digital image forming device can be stored in the storage unit of the own device,
The number of print copies can be input via the operation unit of the device,
When performing multiple copies of the image forming operation, it is possible to select a redundant mode to be executed by sharing between the own device and another digital image forming device,
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. The number of copies to be imaged can be distributed to the apparatus and other digital image forming apparatuses.
The distribution number data corresponding to the number of copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
Receiving distribution number data transmitted by other digital image forming apparatus,
When the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus stored in the storage means is used for the own apparatus. An image is formed by the image forming means of the own apparatus for the number of printed copies, and the image data of the original and the number of copies for the other digital image forming apparatus are sent to the other digital image forming apparatus. On the other hand, when image data of a document that is transmitted through the communication unit and read by the reading unit of another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode is formed as an image, the number of distribution data is transmitted from the other digital image forming apparatus. A distribution unit that receives image data from the other digital image forming apparatus received from the other digital image forming apparatus and received from the other digital image forming apparatus. Printing of copies based on the data, and allows the image formed by the image forming means of the apparatus,
Information relating to the system address of other digital image forming apparatuses, information relating to the presence or absence of errors in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information relating to operating conditions including whether the other digital image forming apparatuses are waiting or copying; And / or information regarding the type and presence of recording paper in other digital image forming apparatuses, information regarding jams in other digital image forming apparatuses, and information regarding whether other digital image forming apparatuses are free of toner. Including status information of other digital image forming apparatuses including the communication means,
Based on the received status information of the other digital image forming apparatus, control is performed so as not to accept the setting of the multiplex mode using the other digital image forming apparatus,
In executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, if another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is already processed. After the image data is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A control method for a digital image forming apparatus. Image formation in which a plurality of digital image forming apparatuses each comprising a reading means, image data from the reading means and image forming means capable of forming image data output from a computer can be connected via a communication means A method of controlling a digital image forming apparatus for a system, wherein the digital image forming apparatus comprises:
The image data of the document read by the reading means of the own apparatus can be transmitted to another digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
The image data of another digital image forming apparatus transmitted by the other digital image forming apparatus can be received,
Receiving image data output from a computer
The original image data read by the reading device of the own device, the image data of another digital image forming device, and the image data of the computer can be stored in the storage device of the own device,
The number of print copies can be input via the operation unit of the device,
When performing multiple copies of the image forming operation, it is possible to select a redundant mode to be executed by sharing between the own device and another digital image forming device,
When the image forming operation of the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is performed by the own apparatus and another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode, it is determined by the number of copies input by the operation unit of the own apparatus. The number of copies to be imaged can be distributed to the apparatus and other digital image forming apparatuses.
Distributing copy number data corresponding to the number of printed copies distributed for the other digital image forming apparatus can be transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus using the communication means,
Receiving distribution number data transmitted by other digital image forming apparatuses,
When the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus is formed in the overlapped mode, the image data of the original read by the reading means of the own apparatus stored in the storage means is used for the own apparatus. An image is formed by the image forming means of the own apparatus for the number of printed copies, and the image data of the original and the number of copies for the other digital image forming apparatus are sent to the other digital image forming apparatus. On the other hand, when image data of a document that is transmitted through the communication unit and read by the reading unit of another digital image forming apparatus in the overlapped mode is formed as an image, the number of distribution data is transmitted from the other digital image forming apparatus. And a distribution unit that receives the image data from the other digital image forming apparatus received together with and stored in the storage means of the own apparatus from the other digital image forming apparatus When the image forming means of the apparatus itself forms an image for the number of copies based on the data and forms the image data of the computer in the overlapping mode, the image data of the computer stored in the storage means is The number of copies distributed for the device by the number of copies set in the computer can be formed by the image forming means of the device,
In executing the image forming operation in the continuous mode, if another digital image forming apparatus is already operating in the continuous mode, the image data from the reading unit of the own apparatus is already processed. After the image data is stored in the storage means of the other digital image forming apparatus, it is transmitted to the other digital image forming apparatus via the communication means so that the image forming operation of the image data can be executed. A control method for a digital image forming apparatus.

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