JP4110084B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus connected to a network such as a LAN.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses have become more complex in function, and a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like are realized by a single apparatus. In addition, such an image forming apparatus is connected to a network. It is also used as a networked personal computer, workstation printer, and scanner.

  Image data sent via a network and facsimile image data sent via a telephone line are temporarily stored in a file of the image forming apparatus, and then are formed and ejected after copying operations. .

  In addition, for example, a printer is connected to a printer via an external interface, and document data created by the computer is input and printed out as a visible image on recording paper. In this case, the computer side issues a print instruction and sends image data to the printer apparatus. The printer apparatus which receives the print instruction sequentially records and outputs images based on the sent image data on a recording sheet.

  However, the system centering on the image forming apparatus as described above has the following problems.

  That is, when image data is transferred from a terminal on the network to the image forming apparatus, for example, from a computer to a copying machine having a printer function, if the third person is performing a copying operation, the operation is performed. Since priority is given, it is not output until a series of copying operations are completed. For this reason, there is a problem in that it is not possible to know when the transferred image data is output when the image forming apparatus has a line waiting for a copying operation or when a large amount of copying is performed.

  In addition, when the output tray of the image forming apparatus having a composite function is a single output tray, various output sheets are output to the discharge tray at any time. In some cases, the output paper was left unattended. Even if there is a single tray and a discharge tray corresponding to each function of the image forming apparatus such as the print function, FAX function, copy function, etc. There is no means for separating the output sheet bundle from the sheet bundle, and the output sheets from the image forming apparatus are merely stacked on the discharge tray indiscriminately, and it is impossible to determine which is the desired sheet bundle.

  Therefore, when taking out the sheet bundle, it is necessary to take out all the sheet bundles at once, search for a desired bundle from the bundle, and return the remaining bundle to the original paper discharge tray. Under such circumstances, an unexpected situation may occur in which a part or all of the output document is lost.

  Furthermore, when a computer is connected to the printer device via an external interface, it is used if the computer and the printer device are installed at a distance when attempting to output a confidential document. There is a possibility of being seen by others before the paper output by the person goes to the printer device, and there is a problem of confidentiality.

  The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and printing can be started by inputting information for specifying print data from the image forming apparatus, and the print data is sent to the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of selecting a stored one or one stored in a file server connected via a network.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus is as described in (1) below, the control method of the image forming apparatus is as described in (2), and the image forming method is as described in (3) below. Configure as follows.
(1) An image forming apparatus connected via a network to a terminal that generates print data,
Receiving means for receiving information including at least a user ID for identifying a user and an identifier for identifying print data generated in the terminal from the terminal;
Managing means for managing the user ID and the identifier received by the receiving means in association with each other;
Input means for inputting the user ID to obtain the print data;
The print data selected based on the identifier managed in association with the user ID input from the input means from the print data stored in the terminal on the network is transmitted via the network. Acquisition means for acquiring
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints an image on output paper based on the print data acquired by the acquisition unit.
(2) A method for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a terminal that generates print data via a network,
A receiving step of receiving information from the terminal, including at least a user ID for identifying the user and an identifier for identifying the print data generated in the terminal;
A management step of managing the user ID and the identifier received in the reception step in association with each other;
An input step of inputting the user ID to obtain the print data;
The print data selected based on the identifier managed in association with the user ID input in the input step from the print data stored in the terminal on the network is transmitted via the network. An acquisition process to acquire;
A printing step of printing an image on output paper based on the print data acquired in the acquisition step;
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus.
(3) Image formation in an image forming system in which a terminal that generates print data, a file server that holds print data, and an image forming apparatus that prints an image on output paper based on the print data are connected to each other via a network A method,
In the image forming apparatus,
A command including at least a user ID for specifying a user and an identifier for specifying print data held in the file server is received from the terminal,
Managing the received user ID and identifier in association with each other;
Enter the user ID to obtain the print data,
The print data selected based on the identifier managed in association with the input user ID from the print data held in the file server is fetched from the file server,
An image forming method for printing an image on output paper based on the captured print data.

According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus receives at least a user ID for specifying a user and an identifier for specifying print data generated by a terminal on the network via the network, and the user ID and aft managed in association respectively identifier, if the user ID is inputted in the image forming apparatus, from among the print data stored in the terminal on the network, associating to the input user ID the print data selected based on the identifier supervises as can be output obtained via the network.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes an image input device (hereinafter referred to as a reader unit) 1, an image output unit (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit) 2, an image input / output control unit. (External device) 3, circulation type automatic document feeder 4, and paper (sheet) post-processing device 5 are main components, and the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 constitute a main unit.

(Description of configuration of main body (reader unit 1 and printer unit 2))
The reader unit 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 converts a document into image data, and a scanner unit 104 having a document table (platen glass) 101, a lamp 102 and a mirror 103, a mirror 105, a mirror 106, and a lens 107. And an image sensor unit (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 108 having a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD.

  The printer unit 2 is an image forming unit that outputs image data as a visible image on a sheet in response to a print command. Cassettes 204 and 205, a transfer unit 206, a fixing unit 207, a paper discharge unit 208, a conveyance direction switching member 209, a refeed sheet stacking unit 210, and a conveyance roller 211.

(Description of operation of main unit (reader unit 1 and printer unit 2))
The configuration and operation of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, in the reader unit 1, the originals stacked on the circulation type automatic document feeder 4 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the platen glass surface 101 (the configuration and operation of the circulation type automatic document feeder 4 will be described). Will be described later). When the original is conveyed to a predetermined position on the glass surface 101, the lamp 102 of the scanner unit is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate the original. The reflected light of the document is input to the CCD image sensor unit 108 via each mirror 103, 105, 106 and lens 107. Then, the reflected light of the original irradiated on the CCD 108 is subjected to an electrical process such as photoelectric conversion, and is subjected to a normal digital process. Thereafter, these signals are input to the printer unit 2.

  Next, in the printer unit 2, the image signal input to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal modulated by the exposure control unit 201 of the laser emission unit emitted by the laser driver 212, and the photosensitive drum 202 is moved. Irradiate. The latent image created on the photosensitive drum 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing unit 203. A sheet is conveyed from the sheet cassette 204 or 205 together with the leading edge of the developed image, and the developed image is transferred to the sheet in the transfer unit 206. The transferred image is fixed on the sheet by the fixing unit 207 and then discharged from the paper discharge unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The sheets output from the paper discharge unit 208 are sorted and bound by the sheet post-processing device 5 (the configuration and operation of the sheet post-processing device 5 will be described later) according to a pre-designated operation mode. Is called.

Next, a method for outputting sequentially read images on both sides of one output sheet will be described:
After the sheet fixed by the fixing unit 207 is once transported to the paper discharge unit 208, the transport direction of the sheet is reversed and transported to the refeed sheet stacking unit 210 via a transport direction switching member (flapper) 209. . When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as in the above process. However, since the sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit 210 for refeeding, the surface of the same output paper, Two original images can be output on the back side.

(Description of image input / output control device 3 configuration)
The image input / output control device 3 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has various functions, and is electrically connected to the reader unit 1 via a cable. In FIG. 1, an image input / output control device 3 includes a facsimile unit 301 that performs facsimile transmission / reception, a hard disk 302 connected to the facsimile unit 301, and converts various types of document information into electric signals to external recording such as a magneto-optical disk. A file unit 304 stored in the device 303, a network interface unit 305 for connecting to a computer via a network, and a formatter for converting image information from the computer into image information to make the image information visible. 306, an image memory unit 307 for accumulating information from the reader unit 1 or temporarily accumulating information sent from a computer, a core unit 308 for controlling the above functions, and the like. Not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a network such as a LAN, which is connected to the network interface unit 305.

(Description of image input / output control device 3 operation)
The image signal input from the image input / output control device 3 to the printer unit 2 is fixed on the sheet by the fixing unit 207 in the same manner as described above, and then the sheet is fed again via the conveyance direction switching member 209. Is conveyed in the direction of the sheet stacking unit 210. When the sheet passes through the conveyance direction switching member 209, the conveyance direction switching member 209 is switched, and at the same time, the conveyance roller 211 is reversed to discharge the sheet from the sheet discharge unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus.

(Description of configuration of circulation type automatic document feeder 4)
As shown in detail in the longitudinal sectional side view of FIG. 3, the circulation type automatic document feeder 4 has a document stacking tray 401 for stacking a bundle of documents, and this stacking tray 401 includes one of the document feeding means. It is equipped with feeding means constituting the part of The feeding means includes a half-moon roller 402, a separation and conveyance roller 403, a separation motor (not shown), a registration roller 404, a full surface belt 405, a belt motor (not shown), a large conveyance roller 406, It includes a conveyance motor (not shown), a paper discharge roller 407, a flapper 408, a recycle lever 409, a paper feed sensor, a reverse sensor, a paper discharge sensor (not shown), and the like.

(Description of the operation of the circulating automatic document feeder 4)
The half-moon roller 402 and the separation conveyance roller 403 are configured to be rotated one by one from the lowermost portion of the document bundle on the stacking tray 401 by the separation motor. Further, the registration roller 404 and the entire surface belt 405 convey the original rotated and separated by the belt motor to the exposure position (sheet path c) on the original platen glass 101 via the sheet paths a and b. The large conveying roller 406 is rotated by a conveying motor to convey the document on the platen glass 101 from the sheet path c to the sheet path e. The document conveyed to the sheet path e is returned to the uppermost portion of the document bundle on the stacking tray 401 by the paper discharge roller 407.

  The recycle lever 409 detects the circulation of the document. When the document feed is started, the recycle lever 409 is placed on the top of the document bundle, the documents are sequentially fed, and the rear end of the final document is the recycle lever 409. When it comes off, it will fall by its own weight and detect one cycle of the document.

  In the document feeding means, when a double-sided document is used, the document is once guided from the sheet paths a and b to c, and then the transport large roller 406 is rotated and the flapper 408 is switched to guide the leading edge of the document to the sheet path d. The sheet passes through the sheet path b by the registration roller 404, and then the entire surface belt 405 conveys the document onto the document table glass 101 and stops, thereby inverting the document. That is, the original is reversed along the sheet paths c to d and b. The number of originals can be counted by conveying the originals in the original bundle one by one through the sheet paths ab to c to de until the recycle lever 409 detects that the original has been circulated. .

(Description of configuration / operation of sheet post-processing device 5)
The sheet post-processing apparatus 5 includes a machine body 501, a bin unit (discharge means) 502, and a stapler (binding means) 510, as shown in FIG. 501 is provided with a pair of carry-in rollers 504 in the vicinity of the carry-in entrance 503. A flapper 507 that switches the sheet conveyance direction to the conveyance path 505 or 506 is disposed downstream of the carry-in roller pair 504. One transport path 506 extends substantially in the horizontal direction, and a transport roller pair 508 is disposed downstream thereof. The other transport path 506 extends downward, and the transport roller pair 509 is disposed downstream thereof. Further, a stapler 510 is disposed in the vicinity of the roller pair 509.

  The carry-in roller pair 504 and the transport roller pairs 508 and 509 are driven by a transport motor (not shown). The transport path 505 is provided with a non-sort path sensor 511 that detects the passage of sheets, and the transport path 506 is provided with a sort path sensor 512.

The bin unit 502 includes a large number of bins B (B _{1 to} B _n ) and is disposed on the downstream side of the conveying roller pairs 508 and 509. By engaging one end with the hook of the bin unit 502 and holding the weight with a spring having the other end fixed to the body 501, the bin unit 502 is supported to be raised and lowered. Guide rollers 513 and 514 are rotatably supported on the upper and lower portions of the base end side of the bin unit 502, and these guide rollers 513 and 514 are provided on each of the airframes 501 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The bin unit 502 is guided by rolling in the guide groove 515 formed.

  The machine body 501 is provided with a shift motor 516. A lead cam 518 is fixed to a rotary shaft 517 pivotally supported by the body 501. A chain 519 is stretched around the output shaft of the shift motor 516, whereby the rotation of the shift motor 516 is transmitted to the rotation shaft 517 via the chain 519.

  Further, the bin unit 502 is supported by a bottom frame 520 having an inclined portion and a vertical portion, and a pair of frames 521 and 521 that are vertically provided on the front side and the back side of the bottom frame 520. A unit main body 523 constituted by a cover 522 is provided. On the front side of the unit main body 523, a reference plate that can be brought into contact with and aligned with the sheet is provided. A first lower arm that is rotated by a first alignment motor (not shown) is rotatably supported on the rear side of the base end of the bottom frame 520. Further, a first upper arm is rotatably supported at a position of the cover 522 facing the first lower arm via the same axis as the support shaft of the first lower arm. A first alignment bar 524 is installed between the tip of the first upper arm and the tip of the first lower arm. The alignment bar 524 is configured to be rotated by a first alignment motor, and aligns the sheet S on the bin B to the near side.

  Similarly, a second lower arm that is rotated by a second alignment motor (not shown) is rotatably supported on the near side of the base end of the bottom frame 520. The second upper arm is instructed to be rotatable at a position facing the second lower arm of the cover 522 via the same axis as the support shaft of the second lower arm. An alignment rod 525 is installed between the tip of the second lower arm and the tip of the second upper arm, and the alignment rod 525 is configured to be rotated by a second alignment motor, and the bin B The upper sheet S is aligned with the back side.

  The first and second alignment motors are stepping motors, and the positions of the first and second alignment bars 524 and 525 can be accurately controlled by the number of pulses applied to each stepping motor. The positions of the first and second alignment bars 524 and 525 are detected by the alignment bar home sensor. The positions of the first and second alignment bars 524 and 525 can be controlled by the number of pulses applied to the alignment bar home sensor and the first and second alignment motors.

  The bin B is formed with an engagement plate on the front side and the back side, and the engagement plate is engaged with a support plate provided inside the frame 521, whereby the bin B is supported on the front side. It is like that. Further, the bin B has a long hole 526 that is longer than the rotation distance of the first alignment bar 524 and sufficiently wider than the width of the first alignment bar 524 at a predetermined distance from the support shaft of the first upper and lower arms. 5), and a long hole 527 that is longer than the rotation distance of the second alignment rod 525 and sufficiently wider than the width of the second alignment rod 525 at a predetermined distance from the support shaft of the second upper and lower arms. Fig. 5) has been established. The base end portion Ba of the bin B rises perpendicular to the sheet storage surface Bb. The bin B is inclined at a predetermined angle upward with respect to the body 501, and the sheet slides on the sheet storage surface Bb and abuts the rear end against the base end portion Ba to align the front and rear directions. It is like that.

Further, the bin B is provided with a notch at a portion where the stapler 510 enters so as not to interfere with the stapler 510. A first alignment bar 524 is fitted in the long hole 526 of the bins B ₁ , B ₂ ... B _n , and the first alignment bar 524 rotates in the long hole 526 to The sheet on B is aligned with the front side. Similarly, the alignment bar 525 is fitted in the long hole 527 of the bins B ₁ , B ₂ ..., And the alignment bar 525 rotates in the long hole 527 to remove the sheet on the bin B. It is configured to align with the back side.

  The lead cam 518 is engaged with a part of the bin B, and the bin unit 502 is configured to move up and down along the guide groove 515 by the rotation of the lead cam 518. Note that one rotation of the lead cam 518 is detected by a lead cam sensor 528 disposed in the vicinity of the lead cam 529. The position of the bin unit 502 is detected by a bin home position sensor 529. The presence of the sheet on the bin B can be detected by the sort tray sheet presence / absence detection sensor (sheet post-processing position selection unit) 530.

  In the vicinity of the lower discharge roller pair 509, an electric stapler 510 for binding (stapling) the sheets stored in the bin B is disposed at a position orthogonal to the sheet carry-in direction so as to be advanced and retracted by a driving unit. Normally, the bin B is retracted to the first position so as not to interfere with the vertical movement of the bin B, and when the sheet bundle on the bin B is to be bound, the driving means is moved to the second position B, Bind a bundle of sheets. After the binding process is completed, the electric stapler 510 is returned to the first position A by the driving means.

Further, the electric stapler 510 performs a stapling operation by rotation of a motor (not shown), and when the sheets of the plurality of bins B _{1 to} B _n are bound, after the stapling operation of one bin B sheet is completed, the bin unit 502 Is moved to a predetermined bin position, and the sheets stored in the bin B are bound. Further, the driving means can slide and rotate the stapler 510 in the direction of the arrow R shown in FIG. 4 and the direction of the arrow Y shown in FIG.

  However, when the sheet is reversed and discharged, the stapler 510 is turned upside down by the driving means, and when the output image is rotated by an image rotation circuit 145 (FIG. 8) described later, it is not shown. In accordance with the detection result of the stapler position detection means, the drive means slides in the arrow Y direction shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 531 denotes a manual stapling key. When the manual stapling key 531 is pressed after sorting is completed, a stapling operation is performed. Further, the position of the sheet bundle on the bin can be pushed forward by the rotation operation of the first alignment bar 524.

(Description of configuration of operation unit and display unit 600)
FIG. 6 is a front view showing an arrangement configuration of operation / display panels included in an operation unit 115 (FIG. 14 described later) provided in the main body (reader unit 1 and printer unit 2). As shown in the figure, on the operation surface of the operation / display panel 600, there are provided various keys, which will be described later, and a display unit 601 composed of a liquid crystal display or the like. A display unit 601 displays information regarding the state of the apparatus, the number of copies, a magnification, sheet selection, and various operations. This display unit is a touch panel system, and various modes can be displayed and selected by pressing each key.

  Reference numeral 602 denotes a copy start key (copy start key) which is pressed when copying is started. A clear / stop key 603 has a clear key function when pressed during standby (standby), and has a stop key function during copy recording. The clear key / stop key 603 is pressed to cancel the set number of copies. Reference numeral 604 denotes a numeric key which is pressed when setting the number of copies. A copy density key 605 is pressed to manually adjust the copy density. Reference numeral 606 denotes an AE key which is pressed when the copy density is automatically adjusted according to the density of the document or when AE (automatic density adjustment) is canceled and the density adjustment is switched to manual.

  A cassette selection key 607 is pressed when selecting a plurality of types of sheet cassettes 204 and 205 shown in FIG. Further, when a document is placed on the document conveying device 4, APS (automatic paper selection) can be selected by the cassette selection key 607. When APS is selected, a transfer paper cassette having a size corresponding to the size of the image to be output is automatically selected.

  Reference numeral 608 denotes an equal-size key which is pressed when making a copy that is the same size (original size) as the original image size. Reference numeral 609 denotes a zoom key, which is pressed when an arbitrary magnification is designated between 64% and 142%. Reference numerals 610 and 611 denote fixed magnification keys, which are pressed when designating reduction / enlargement of a fixed size.

  Reference numeral 612 denotes a key for selecting an operation mode of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5. A sheet discharge method (stapling, sorting, group), and a stapler 510 capable of binding recorded sheets with staples are displayed on the sheet post-processing apparatus 5. When connected to (FIG. 1), it is possible to select and cancel the staple mode / sort mode and the folding (cross section Z shape / cross section V shape) of the recorded paper.

  Furthermore, reference numerals 613, 614, and 615 denote keys for setting various processes, such as a duplex mode, a binding margin setting, a photo mode, multiple processing, page continuous shooting, and a 2 in 1 mode. Reference numeral 616 denotes a key for selecting an operation mode, and reference numeral 617 denotes a reading card reader recorded on the ID card. Reference numeral 620 denotes an ID input key. When the ID input key 620 is pressed, the operation unit 115 enters an ID input waiting mode. In an ID input waiting state, an ID code is input from the numeric keypad 604. When the input is completed, the ID input key 620 is pressed again to determine the ID code.

(Network description)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of the image forming system according to the present exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes a reader unit 1 for reading an image of a document, a printer unit 2 for outputting input image data, and an image input / output control having a network control function (external ) Device 3, a document conveying device (feeder) 4 for automatically feeding a document and causing the reader unit 1 to read it, and a sheet discharged from the printer unit 2 for storing it in one of a plurality of bins. A sheet post-processing device (sorter) 5 is included.

  The LAN 6 is a network that connects a plurality of information devices and enables data exchange between arbitrary devices. The workstation 7 and the personal computer 8 create, modify, and display documents, and are connected to the LAN 6 for data exchange with the outside. The file server 9 is a mass storage device that can be accessed from the image input / output control device 3, the workstation 7, the personal computer 8, and the like via the LAN 6. The telephone line 10 is connected to the image input / output control device 3 and is used for FAX data transmission / reception. An arbitrary device connected to the reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, or the LAN 6 is for accessing a remote network.

(Description of configuration / operation of core unit 308)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the core unit 308 (FIG. 1) of the image input / output control device 3 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the connector 131 of the core unit 308 is a connector and cable of the reader unit 1. Connected. The connector 131 contains four types of signals, and the signal on the first signal line 187 is an 8-bit multi-value video signal. The signal on the second signal line 185 communicates with the CPU in the reader unit 1 and the signal on the third signal line 181 communicates with the CPU in the reader unit 1. The signal on the fourth signal line 182 is a signal for communicating with the SUB / CPU in the reader unit 1. The signal 181 and the signal 182 are subjected to communication protocol processing by the communication IC 132 and then transmit communication information to the CPU 133 via the CPU bus 183.

  The signal 187 is a bi-directional video signal line, and information from the reader unit 1 can be received by the core unit 308 and information from the core unit 308 can be output to the reader unit 1. Signal 187 is connected to buffer 140 where it is separated from bidirectional signals into unidirectional signals 188 and 170. A signal 188 is an 8-bit multi-value video signal from the reader unit 1 and is input to the next-stage LUT 141.

  The LUT 141 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a lookup table. An output signal 189 from the LUT 141 is input to the binarization circuit 142 and the selector 143. The binarization circuit 142 has a simple binarization function that binarizes the multi-value signal output to the signal line 189 at a fixed slice level, and the fluctuation in which the slice level fluctuates from the values of the pixels around the target pixel. It has a binarization function based on a slice level and a binarization function based on an error diffusion method.

  The binarized information is converted into a multi-value signal of OOH when 0 and FFH when 1 and input to the selector 143 in the next stage. The selector 143 selects the signal from the LUT 141 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 142. The selector 143 selects the signal from the LUT 141 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 142. An output signal 190 from the selector 143 is input to the selector 144. The selector 144 sends output video signals from the facsimile unit 301, the file unit 304, the network interface unit 305, the formatter unit 306, and the image memory unit 307 to the core unit 308 via connectors 135, 136, 137, 138, and 139, respectively. The input signal 194 and the output signal 190 of the selector 143 are selected by the instruction of the CPU 133.

  An output signal 191 from the selector 144 is input to the rotation angle 145 or the selector 146. The rotation circuit 145 has a function of rotating the input image signal to +90 degrees, −90 degrees, and +180 degrees. The rotation circuit 145 converts the information output from the reader unit 1 into a binary signal by the binarization circuit 142 and then stores the information in the rotation circuit 145 as information from the reader unit 1. Next, in response to an instruction from the CPU 133, the rotation circuit 145 rotates and reads the stored information.

  The selector 146 selects one of the output signal 192 of the rotation circuit 145 and the input signal 191 of the rotation circuit 145, and as a signal 193, a connector 135 with the facsimile unit 301, a connector 136 with the file unit 304, and a network interface The data is output to the connector 137 with the unit 305, the connector 138 with the formatter unit 306, the connector 139 with the image memory unit 307, and the selector 147.

  A signal 193 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus that transfers image information from the core unit 308 to the facsimile unit 301, the file unit 304, the network interface unit 305, the formatter unit 306, and the image memory unit 307. A signal 194 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus that transfers image information from the facsimile unit 301, the file unit 304, the network interface unit 305, the formatter unit 306, and the image memory unit 307. The video control circuit 134 controls the synchronous bus of the signal 193 and the signal 194, and controls the output signal 186 from the video control circuit 134.

  In addition, signals 184 are connected to the connectors 135 to 139, respectively. A signal 184 is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus, and exchanges data commands in an asynchronous manner. Information can be transferred between the facsimile unit 301, the file unit 304, the network interface unit 305, the formatter unit 306, the image memory unit 307, and the core unit 308 through the two video buses 193 and 194 and the CPU bus 184 described above. is there.

  Signals 194 from the facsimile unit 301, the file unit 304, the network interface unit 305, the formatter unit 306, and the image memory unit 307 are input to the selector 144 and the selector 147. The selector 144 inputs the signal 194 to the rotation circuit 145 at the next stage according to an instruction from the CPU 133.

  The selector 147 selects the signal 193 and the signal 194 according to an instruction from the CPU 133. The output signal 195 of the selector 147 is input to the pattern matching 148 and the selector 149. The pattern matching 148 performs pattern matching on the input signal 195 with a predetermined pattern, and outputs a predetermined multi-value signal to the signal line 196 when the patterns match. If the pattern matching does not match, the input signal 195 is output as the signal 196.

  The selector 149 selects the signal 195 and the signal 196 according to an instruction from the CPU 133. The output signal 197 of the selector 149 is input to the next stage LUT 150. The LUT 150 converts the input signal 197 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting image information to the printer unit 2. The selector 151 selects the output signal 198 and the signal 195 of the LUT 150 according to an instruction from the CPU 133.

  The output signal of the selector 151 is input to the next stage expansion circuit 152. The enlargement circuit 152 can set the enlargement magnification independently in the X direction and the Y direction according to an instruction from the CPU 133. The enlargement method is a first-order linear interpolation method. An output signal 170 of the enlargement circuit 152 is input to the buffer 140.

  The signal 170 input to the buffer 140 becomes a bidirectional signal 187 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 133, is sent to the printer unit 2 via the connector 131, and is printed out.

Hereinafter, the flow of signals between the core unit 308 and each unit will be described:
(1) Operation of Core Unit 308 Based on Information from Facsimile Unit 301 A case where information is output to the facsimile unit 301 will be described. The CPU 133 communicates with the CPU of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 132 and issues a document scanning command. The reader unit 1 outputs image information to the connector when the scanner unit 104 scans a document according to this command. The reader unit 1 and the image input / output control device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 131 of the core unit 308. The image information input to the connector 131 is input to the buffer 140 through a multi-value 8-bit signal line 187. The buffer circuit 140 inputs the bidirectional signal 187 as a one-way signal to the LUT 141 via the signal line 188 according to an instruction from the CPU.

  The LUT 141 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a lookup table. For example, it is possible to remove the background of the document. The output signal 189 of the LUT 141 is input to the binarization circuit 142 at the next stage. The binarization circuit 142 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal 189 into a binarized signal. The binarization circuit 142 converts the binarized signal into OOH when the signal is 0 and FFH when the signal is 1, and two multi-value signals. The output signal of the binarization circuit 142 is input to the rotation circuit 145 or the selector 146 via the selector 143 and the selector 144. The output signal 192 of the rotation circuit 145 is also input to the selector 146, and the selector 146 selects either the signal 191 or the signal 192. The selection of the signal is determined by the CPU 133 communicating with the facsimile unit 301 via the CPU bus 184. An output signal 193 from the selector 146 is sent to the facsimile unit 301 via the connector 135.

Next, the case of receiving information from the facsimile unit 301 will be described:
Image information from the facsimile unit 301 is transmitted to the signal line 194 via the connector 135. The signal 194 is input to the selector 144 and the selector 147. When the image at the time of facsimile reception is rotated and output to the printer unit 2 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 133, the rotation circuit 145 rotates the signal 194 input to the selector 144. An output signal 192 from the rotation circuit 145 is input to the pattern matching 148 via the selector 146 and the selector 147.

  When the image at the time of facsimile reception is output to the printer 2 as it is according to the instruction of the CPU 133, the signal 194 input to the selector 147 is input to the pattern matching 148. The pattern matching 148 has a function of smoothing rattling of an image when received by facsimile. The pattern-matched signal is input to the LUT 150 via the selector 149. The LUT 150 can change the table of the LUT 150 by the CPU 133 in order to output an image received by facsimile to the printer unit 2 at a desired density. An output signal 198 of the LUT 150 is input to the enlargement circuit 152 via the selector 151. The enlarging circuit 152 performs an enlarging process on an 8-bit multi-value having two values (OOH, FFH) by a first-order linear interpolation method. An 8-bit multilevel signal having many values from the enlargement circuit 152 is sent to the reader unit 1 through the buffer 140 and the connector 131. The reader unit 1 inputs this signal to the external I / F switching circuit via the connector. The external I / F switching circuit inputs a signal from the facsimile unit to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit is processed as described above, and then output to the printer unit 2 to form an image on output paper.

(2) Operation of the core unit 308 based on information in the file unit 304 A case where information is output to the file unit 304 will be described:
In FIG. 8, the CPU 133 communicates with the CPU of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 132 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs image information to the connector when the scanner unit 104 scans a document according to this command. The reader unit 1 and the image input / output control device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 131 of the core unit 308. The image information input to the connector 131 becomes a one-way signal 188 by the buffer 140. A signal 188 which is a multi-value 8-bit signal is converted into a desired signal by the LUT 141. The output signal 189 of the LUT 141 is input to the connector 136 via the selector 143, the selector 144, and the selector 146.

  That is, the 8-bit multi-value is transferred to the file unit 304 without using the functions of the binarization circuit 142 and the rotation circuit 145. When the binarized signal is filed by communication with the file unit 304 via the CPU bus 184 of the CPU 133, the functions of the binarization circuit 142 and the rotation circuit 145 are used. Since the binarization process and the rotation process are the same as those in the facsimile described above, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, a case where information from the file unit 304 is received will be described:
Image information from the file unit 304 is input to the selector 144 or the selector 147 as a signal 194 via the connector 136. In the case of 8-bit multi-value filing, it is possible to input to the selector 147, and in the case of binary filing, it can be input to the selector 144 or 147. In the case of binary filing, the description is omitted because it is the same processing as the facsimile.

  In the case of multi-value filing, an output signal 195 from the selector 147 is input to the LUT 150 via the selector 149. The LUT 150 creates a look-up table in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 133 in accordance with a desired print density. An output signal 198 from the LUT 150 is input to the enlargement circuit 152 via the selector 151. The 8-bit multilevel signal 170 expanded to a desired enlargement ratio by the enlargement circuit 152 is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 140 and the connector 131. The information of the file unit 304 sent to the reader unit 1 is output to the printer unit 2 and image formation is performed on output paper, as in the case of the facsimile described above.

(3) Operation of Core Unit 308 Based on Information of Network Interface Unit 305 The network interface unit 305 performs an interface with a computer connected to the image input / output control device 3. The network interface unit 305 includes a plurality of interfaces for performing communication with SCSI, RS232C, and Centronics. The network interface unit 305 has the above three types of interfaces, and information from each interface is sent to the CPU 133 via the connector 137 and the data bus 184. The CPU 133 performs various controls based on the sent contents.

(4) Operation of Core Unit 308 Based on Information of Formatter Unit 306 The formatter unit 306 has a function of developing command data such as a document file sent from the network interface unit 305 described above into image data. When the CPU 133 determines that the data sent from the network interface unit 305 via the data bus 184 is data related to the formatter unit 306, the CPU 133 transfers the data to the formatter unit 306 via the connector 138. The formatter unit 306 expands the transferred data in the memory as a meaningful image such as a character or a figure.

  Next, a procedure for receiving information from the formatter unit 306 and forming an image on output paper will be described. Image information from the formatter unit 306 is transmitted as a multi-value signal having two values (OOH, FFH) to the signal line 194 via the connector 138. The signal 194 is input to the selector 144 and the selector 147. The selectors 144 and 147 are controlled by an instruction from the CPU 133. Hereinafter, since it is the same as the case of the facsimile described above, the description is omitted.

(5) Operation of Core Unit 308 Based on Information of Image Memory Unit 307 A case where information is output to the image memory unit 307 will be described:
The CPU 133 communicates with the CPU of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 132 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs image information to the connector when the scanner unit 104 scans a document according to this command. The reader unit 1 and the image input / output control device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 131 of the core unit 308. The image information input to the connector 131 is sent to the LUT 141 via the multi-value 8-bit signal line 187 and the buffer 140. The output signal 189 of the LUT 141 transfers multi-value image information to the image memory unit 307 via the selectors 143, 144 and 146 and the connector 139. Image information stored in the image memory unit 307 is sent to the CPU 133 via the CPU bus 184 of the connector 139. The CPU 133 transfers the data sent from the image memory unit 307 to the network interface unit 305 described above. The network interface unit 305 transfers data to the computer through a desired interface among the above-described three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS232C, and Centronics).

Next, the case of receiving information from the image memory unit 307 will be described:
First, image information is sent from the computer to the core unit 308 via the network interface unit 305. When the CPU 133 of the core unit 308 determines that the data sent from the network interface unit 305 via the CPU bus 184 is data related to the image memory unit 307, the CPU 133 transfers the data to the image memory unit 307 via the connector 139. Next, the image memory unit 307 transmits an 8-bit multilevel signal 194 to the selector 144 and the selector 147 via the connector 139. An output signal from the selector 144 or the selector 147 is output to the printer unit 2 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 133, and an image is formed on the output paper, similarly to the facsimile described above.

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention is implemented in the network environment of FIG.
The user creates a document using the workstation 7 or the personal computer 8. When the document creation is completed and output to paper, the user issues a print command after inputting a print procedure (designation of image forming apparatus / designation of the number of copies, designation of post-processing method, designation of immediate printing, etc.) To do.

  The image forming apparatus temporarily stores data in the image memory unit 307 when a print instruction is issued via the LAN 6. Thereafter, the print function is activated with reference to various print procedure information in the print command. Further, when the image forming apparatus is processing a copy job, an interrupt process can be performed according to a user instruction.

  FIG. 9 shows a command format for instructing the image forming apparatus to print from the workstation 7 or the personal computer 8 in FIG. This command includes (1) a command ID indicating the function of the command, (2) a user ID indicating the user who issued the command, (3) a document file to be printed, or the document file is a file server 9 or a magneto-optical disk drive unit. File identifier if stored on the magneto-optical disk set in 304, (4) designation of image forming apparatus to be printed (network address), number of copies / number of copies, post-processing method designation, document not to be printed immediately It includes a processing method for storing information such as a data holding form (code data / image data expanded into a bitmap), and (5) a flag indicating whether immediate printing can be specified.

  FIG. 10 (operation 1) is a flowchart for storing a document file on the internal hard disk of the personal computer 8 or workstation 7 of FIG. Immediately after the power is turned on, it waits for a command input from the user (step S1). If creation or editing of a new file is designated here, each file name is input (step S2, step S3), and then an edit mode is entered (step S4). When editing is completed, the document data is stored in the internal hard disk (step S5). When the user designates the printout, first, the file name to be printed is input (step S6), and then the print procedure such as the designation of the image forming apparatus to be printed out, the number of copies / the number of copies, and the post-processing method designation are entered. (Step S7) After inputting whether or not to print immediately (Step S8), a print command including a document file (substance) is issued to the image forming apparatus (Step S9).

  FIG. 11 (operation 2) is a flowchart of the personal computer 8 or the workstation 7 when the document file is stored in the external file server via the LAN 6 in FIG. Immediately after the power is turned on, it waits for a command input from the user (step S11). If creation or editing of a new file is designated here, after entering a file name (step S12, step S13), the editing mode is entered (step S14). When editing is completed, the document data is stored in an external file server (step S15). When the user designates the printout, first, the file name to be printed is input (step S16), and then the print procedure such as the designation of the image forming apparatus to be printed out, the number of copies / the number of copies, and the post-processing method is designated ( Step S17) After inputting whether or not to print immediately (Step S18), a print command including a file identifier is issued to the image forming apparatus (Step S19).

  12 and 13 illustrate the operation of the image forming apparatus. Each flowchart operates in parallel under the control of the multitask monitor.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the reception processing unit of the image forming apparatus. In the idle state, it waits for a command from the LAN 6 (step S21). If the print command is received (step S22), the received data is stored in the local disk in the image forming apparatus (step S24).

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the above operation is performed by inputting data from the LAN 6 through the network interface unit 305 and the local disk as the file unit 304. The CPU 133 performs overall control as a reception processing unit.

  FIG. 13 is an operation sequence flowchart of the print processing unit of the image forming apparatus. In the idle state, it is always checked whether or not there is data to be printed in the local disk in the image forming apparatus (step S31). If there is data to be printed, the immediate printing flag is first checked (step S32). If immediate printing is possible, printing is started by the designated processing method (step S35). If the copy job is already being processed at this time, the process waits until the end (step S34).

  If immediate printing is not possible, it is first checked whether the copy job is being processed (step S36). If there is an interrupt instruction during copy job processing (step S37), the interrupt mode is entered (step S38). After that, it waits for an ID card to be input to the card reader 616 of the image forming apparatus (step S39). If entered, it is confirmed whether or not the user ID recorded on the ID card matches the user identifier of the document file stored in the local disk of the image forming apparatus (step S40). If they do not match, a warning is displayed on the operation panel (step S41).

  If they match, it is checked whether or not the corresponding document file exists in the image forming apparatus (step S42). If not, the document file indicated by the file identifier is fetched from the file server via the LAN 6 (step S43). . Thereafter, printing is executed by the designated processing method (step S44). After printing, it is determined whether or not an interruption is in progress (step S45). If the interruption is in progress, the interrupted copy job is resumed (step S46).

  In the configuration diagram of FIG. 8, the above operations are performed through the connector 131 for print execution, card reader control, and operation panel control. The local disk corresponds to the file unit 304. The CPU 133 performs overall control as the print processing unit.

(Processing / control of reader unit 1)
Further, processing / control of the reader unit 1 will be described next:
FIG. 14 is a configuration block diagram of the reader unit 1 in FIGS. The A / D / SH unit 110 performs analog / digital conversion on the image data output from the CCD 108 and also performs shading correction. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 through the image processing unit 111 and also transferred to the core unit 308 of the image input / output control unit 3 through the interface unit 113. Is done.

  The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface unit 113 according to the setting content set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode for performing copying by performing trimming processing at the operation unit 115 is set, the trimming processing is performed by the image processing unit 111 and transferred to the printer unit 2.

  When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the interface unit 113 transfers image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode to the core unit 308. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area for the CPU 114.

(Description of the configuration of the core unit 308)
FIG. 15 is a configuration block diagram of the core unit 308. Image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and a control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 133.

  The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing in each circuit of FIG. 8 described above. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is the reader unit. 1 is transferred to the facsimile unit 301, the file unit 303, and the network interface unit 305 via the interface unit 120 in accordance with the control command transferred from 1. Further, code data representing an image input via the network interface unit 305 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 306 to be developed into image data. And then transferred to the facsimile unit 301 and the printer unit 2.

  Image data from the facsimile unit 301 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the printer unit 2, the file unit 303, and the network interface unit 305. The image data from the file unit 303 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 301, and network interface unit 305. The CPU 133 performs such control according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1.

  The memory 124 is also used as a work area for the CPU 133. As described above, processing that combines functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission / reception of an image, storage of an image, and input / output of data from a computer can be performed around the core unit 308. .

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence when document data created and edited by the workstation 7 or the personal computer 8 in FIG. 7 is stored in the hard disk managed by these. This flowchart shows a processing sequence performed based on a program code installed in the workstation 7 or the personal computer 8.

  Immediately after the power is turned on, it waits for a command input from the user (step S51). Here, if creation of a new file is designated, a display prompting the user to input a file name is performed, and the user is prompted to input a file name (step S52). If editing is designated, a display prompting the user to input (select) the file name of the file to be edited is displayed, and the user inputs (selects) the file name (step S53). Then, after inputting (selecting) the file name, the editing mode is entered, and the document of the file is edited according to the user's instruction (step S54).

  When the editing is completed, the document data is stored in a memory such as a hard disk managed by the workstation 7 or the personal computer 8 in accordance with a user instruction (step S55). When the user designates printout of a document, first, a display prompting input (selection) of a document file to be printed out is performed, and the user is prompted to input (select) a file name (step S56).

  Thereafter, a display prompting the user to input a processing method such as designation of an image forming apparatus to be printed out, designation of the number of copies / number of copies, designation of post-processing method, document data holding form, etc. is performed, and the user inputs each (step S57). Then, a display prompting the user to input whether or not to perform immediate printing is performed, and the user is allowed to input (step S58). Then, a print command (configuration shown in FIG. 9) including the document file (entity) having the file name input in step S56 and the user ID is issued to the image forming apparatus designated in step S57 (step S59).

  Then, it waits for a response from the image forming apparatus (step S60). If there is a response, a message according to the response is output and displayed. This message is "Print request for (file name) has been accepted", "Print request for (file name) cannot be accepted due to insufficient memory", "Print of (file name) has been completed", etc. is there. Further input is possible for this message.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence when document data created and edited by the workstation 7 or the personal computer 8 in FIG. 7 is stored in the external file server 9 on the LAN 6. This flowchart shows the flow of processing performed based on the program code installed in the workstation 7 or the personal computer 8.

  Steps S62 to S65 are performed in the same manner as steps S51 to S54 in FIG. In step S66, the file server 9 is designated as the storage destination of the document file, and the document file is transferred and stored together with the file name.

  And in step S67-S69, it carries out similarly to step S56-S58 of the above-mentioned FIG. In step S70, a print command including the file name input in step S67 (not including the document file entity) and the user ID is issued to the image forming apparatus specified in step S68. The information indicating the file name in the print command includes information indicating that the document file having the file name is stored in the file server 9.

  In steps S61 and S62, a message is output in response to a response from the image forming apparatus as in steps S70 and S71 described above. Further input is possible for this message.

  Next, the flow of processing on the image forming apparatus side will be described. The processing shown below is controlled by the CPU 133 based on the program code stored in the memory 124. Each flowchart operates in parallel under the management of the multitask monitor.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence by the reception task.

  In the idle state, it waits for a command from the LAN 6 (step S73). If a print command is received (step S74), it is determined from the processing contents included in this command whether the designation of the document data holding form is code data (step S76). Here, if it is designated to hold the image data expanded in the bitmap instead of the code data, it is identified whether there is sufficient space in the image memory unit 307 or the magneto-optical disk (step S77). If there is a vacancy, the code data of the document file to be printed is developed into a bitmap image by the formatter unit 306 (step S78), and the user ID, processing method, and immediate print in addition to the document data are stored in the image memory unit 307 or the magneto-optical disk. The flag states indicating whether or not are stored in association with each other (step S79). It is assumed that the storage location is set in advance.

  Then, an acceptance response message indicating that the acceptance of printing has been normally performed is output to the terminal (workstation 7 or personal computer 8) on the LAN 6 that requested the printing.

  On the other hand, if there is not enough free space in the image memory unit 307 or the magneto-optical disk, an unacceptable message indicating that the print cannot be accepted due to insufficient memory capacity is output to the terminal on the LAN 6 that requested the print (step S81). . Then, it waits for a response from the terminal on the LAN 6 to this message (step S82).

  When there is no response or when there is a response to change to keep the code data as it is, the document file is left as code data, and the user ID, processing method, and flag state are respectively associated with the image memory unit 307 or optical The data is stored on the magnetic disk (step S79). On the other hand, if there is a response to cancel, the process returns to step S73.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the print task.

  In the idle state, it is always checked whether there is data to be printed in the image memory unit 307 or the magneto-optical disk (step S83). If there is data to be printed, the flag status indicating whether immediate printing is possible or not is checked (step S84). If immediate printing is possible, printing is started by the designated processing method (step S87). However, if the copy job is already being executed (step S85) at this time, the process waits until the copy job is completed (step S86).

  On the other hand, if immediate printing is not possible, it is first checked whether or not a copy job is being executed (step S88). If there is an interrupt instruction during execution of the copy job (step S89), the interrupt mode is entered (step S80). In other words, the current copy job is interrupted and the print job is started. Then, it waits for an ID card to be input to the card reader 617 shown in FIG. 6 (step S81).

  If the ID card is input, it is confirmed whether or not the user ID recorded on the ID card matches the user ID stored in association with the document data to be printed (step S92). If not, a warning is displayed on the operation display panel (step S93).

  If the user IDs match, it is determined whether the corresponding document file entity is stored in the image memory unit 307 or the magneto-optical disk (step S94). If there is, the document file is selected, and if not, the entity of this file is taken into the image memory unit 307 or the magneto-optical disk by designating the file name of the document file to be printed via the LAN 6 (step S95).

  Next, it is determined whether the document data to be printed is stored in the image memory unit 307 or the magneto-optical disk in the state of code data (step S96). If it is code data, the document file is transferred to the formatter unit 306. A bitmap image is developed (step S97).

  Thereafter, the document data is printed by the designated processing method, and when the printing is completed normally, a normal completion response is returned to the terminal on the LAN 6 that requested the printing (step S98). After printing, it is determined whether or not an interruption has occurred (step S99). If the interruption has occurred, the interrupted copy job is resumed (step S100).

  In the above description, the user ID is input using the ID card. However, the input is not limited to this and may be input from the numeric keypad of the operation unit 115.

  According to the embodiment described above, printing can be started at a timing desired by the user.

  In addition, if the image is developed in advance into an uncompressed bitmap image, the waiting time until the start of printing can be reduced. At this time, since the code data is held as it is if the free space of the memory is small, it is possible to solve the situation where the print cannot be accepted due to the insufficient free space of the memory.

  Also, when the binding process is performed, it is possible to start the execution when the user is in front of the image forming apparatus, and it is possible to prevent the binding with other output paper by mistake.

  Further, it is possible to spool a plurality of jobs and print them all at once by inputting a user ID.

  The code data representing an image in the above description may be code data obtained by coding a bitmap image using a compression code or the like in addition to code data such as a character code and a printer language.

(Other examples)
The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or to an apparatus composed of a single device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine). Good.

  Also, a program code of software for realizing the functions of the embodiment is supplied to an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system so as to operate various devices that should realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. However, the present invention includes those implemented by operating the various devices according to a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.

  In this case, the software program code itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code are stored. The storage medium constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  By adopting a detachable storage medium, it is possible to easily correspond to a device equipped with a device that can decode the program code stored in the storage medium.

  Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) in which the program code is running on the computer, or other application software, etc. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the embodiment.

  Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU engaged in the function expansion board or function storage unit based on the instruction of the program code However, it is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the configuration of the image forming apparatus. Configuration vertical side view of circulation type automatic document feeder Configuration vertical side view of sheet post-processing equipment Configuration perspective view of sheet post-processing apparatus Operation, front view of the configuration of the display panel Network configuration example of image forming system Core block diagram Command format for image formation Sequence flowchart of specified control procedure (PC operation 1) Sequence flowchart of specified control procedure (PC operation 2) Reception processing operation sequence flowchart Operation sequence flowchart of print processing unit Configuration block diagram of the reader unit 1 of FIG. Configuration block diagram of the core unit 308 of FIG. Processing sequence for creating, editing, and printing document files Processing sequence for creating, editing, and printing document files Processing sequence flowchart of the reception task Print task processing sequence flowchart

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image input / output control part 4 Document conveying apparatus 5 Paper (sheet) post-processing apparatus 6 LAN (network)
7 Workstation 8 Personal computer 111 Image processing unit 114, 133 CPU
115 Operation unit 116, 124 Memory 121 Data processing unit 301 Facsimile unit 302 Hard disk 303 External storage device 304 File unit 305 Network interface unit 306 Formatter unit 307 Image memory unit 308 Core unit

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus connected to a terminal that generates print data via a network,
Receiving means for receiving information including at least a user ID for identifying a user and an identifier for identifying print data generated in the terminal from the terminal;
Managing means for managing the user ID and the identifier received by the receiving means in association with each other;
Input means for inputting the user ID to obtain the print data;
The print data selected based on the identifier managed in association with the user ID input from the input means from the print data stored in the terminal on the network is transmitted via the network. Acquisition means for acquiring
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints an image on output paper based on the print data acquired by the acquisition unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit reads and inputs the user ID recorded on an ID card.   3. The image according to claim 1, further comprising reading means for reading an image on a document and generating image data, wherein the printing means prints an image based on the image data from the reading means. Forming equipment.   When the receiving unit receives the information, if the image based on the image data from the reading unit is being printed, the printing unit is configured to print the image based on the image data from the reading unit after the printing is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an image based on the print data acquired by the acquisition unit is printed.   If the image is being printed based on the image data from the reading unit when the receiving unit receives the information, the printing unit interrupts printing of the image based on the image data from the reading unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an image based on the print data acquired by the acquisition unit is printed.   The image forming apparatus is further connected via a network to a file server that holds print data generated in the terminal, and the acquisition unit acquires the print data from the file server. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 5. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a terminal that generates print data via a network,
A receiving step of receiving information from the terminal, including at least a user ID for identifying the user and an identifier for identifying the print data generated in the terminal;
A management step of managing the user ID and the identifier received in the reception step in association with each other;
An input step of inputting the user ID to obtain the print data;
The print data selected based on the identifier managed in association with the user ID input in the input step from the print data stored in the terminal on the network is transmitted via the network. An acquisition process to acquire;
A printing step of printing an image on output paper based on the print data acquired in the acquisition step;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising:   The image forming apparatus is further connected to a file server that holds the print data generated in the terminal via the network, and the acquiring step acquires the print data from the file server. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 7. This is an image forming method in an image forming system in which a terminal that generates print data, a file server that holds print data, and an image forming apparatus that prints an image on output paper based on the print data are connected to each other via a network. And
In the image forming apparatus,
A command including at least a user ID for specifying a user and an identifier for specifying print data held in the file server is received from the terminal,
Managing the received user ID and identifier in association with each other;
Enter the user ID to obtain the print data,
The print data selected based on the identifier managed in association with the input user ID from the print data held in the file server is fetched from the file server,
An image forming method, wherein an image is printed on output paper based on the captured print data.   The image forming method according to claim 9, wherein the terminal selectively outputs print data to the file server or the image forming apparatus.   The image according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the terminal selects whether to cause the image forming apparatus to perform printing based on print data immediately or after an operation input from the image forming apparatus. Forming method.   The terminal transmits the print data created in the terminal to the file server, and transmits the command including an identifier for specifying the print data transmitted to the file server to the image forming apparatus. The image forming method according to claim 9, wherein the image forming method is an image forming method.

Images