JPH0227865A - Mode switching system for digital copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always utilize the function of the machine effectively by returning the mode immediately and automatically before the changeover when one processing unit is finished after the mode changeover. CONSTITUTION:A digital copying machine 10 consists of a main controller 1, a scanner controller 2, a printer controller 3, an image scanner 4, a laser printer 5 and an operation panel 6. The changeover from the remote mode to the local mode is implemented by the entry of the specific key of the operation panel 6 and if the input of a picture data from the scanner 4 or the output of the picture data to the printer 5 is not in existence for a prescribed time or over, the mode is restored to the remote mode before the changeover. In the changeover from the local mode to the remote mode, when an occupancy command is received from an external controller 20, it is implemented automatically and if a control command from the external controller is not received for a prescribed time or over, the mode is restored to the local mode before the changeover. Thus, no special changeover is required for the changeover between the local mode and the remote mode.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to a mode switching system for a digital copying machine [Prior Art] 2. Description of the Related Art Digital copying machines have been commercialized in which image data is read by a scanner, read into a main controller, processed, and then printed by a printer to obtain a copied image.

In addition to the operation panel, such digital copiers can generally be connected to an external control device via an external interface, and the main controller reads image data from the scanner or processes images according to instructions from the operation panel or the external control device. Output data to printer.

Some devices can be switched between a local mode, in which they are used as a copying machine, by an instruction from an operation panel, and a remote mode, in which they are used as an input/output device, by an instruction from an external control device.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the past, an operator used a changeover switch to switch between local mode and remote mode in such a digital copying machine each time.

Therefore, the switching operation is not only troublesome.

If you do not switch to local mode so that it can be used as an input/output device at all times other than when copying, for example when an external control device with automatic output function outputs image data to a digital copier, There is a problem in that it is not possible to output image data by assuming that copying is in progress even though copying is not actually in progress, and the automatic output function cannot be used effectively.

This invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a digital copying machine as described above that can be used whenever it can be used as a copying machine or as an input/output device without any special switching operation. The purpose is to

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a digital copying machine as described above, in which the local mode, which is used as a copying machine by inputting a specific key on the operation panel, is changed to a local mode, which is used as an input/output device by an exclusive command from an external control device. Along with switching to the remote mode used respectively,
A mode switching method is provided which is characterized in that when there is no input/output of image data or no control command from an external control device for a predetermined period of time or more, the mode is returned to the mode before switching.

[For production]

According to this digital copying machine mode switching method, switching from remote mode to local mode is performed by inputting a specific key on the operation panel, and inputting image data from a scanner or outputting image data to a printer is performed in a specified manner. If the time is not exceeded, the mode returns to the remote mode before switching.

Further, the switching from the local mode to the remote mode is automatically performed when an occupancy command is received from the external control device, and if a control command is not received from the external control device for a predetermined period of time or more, the mode returns to the local mode before switching.

Therefore, no special switching operation is required to switch between local mode and remote mode.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, a detailed explanation will be given based on one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied, in which thick diagonal arrows indicate image signals and solid arrows indicate control signals, respectively.

This digital copying machine 10 has a main controller 1. Scanner controller 2. Printer controller 3. 4. Image scanner which is a scanner; Laser printer which is a printer 5. Operation panel 6° and main controller 1
It consists of an external interface 7 provided in the.

Then, the main controller 1 causes the image scanner 4 to read the image of the document under the control of the scanner controller 2 in accordance with instructions from the external control device 20 via the operation panel 6 or the external interface 7, and converts the image data. The image data is output to the laser printer 5 by reading or under the control of the printer controller 3 and is printed on paper.

The scanner controller 2 causes the image scanner 4 to read the image of the set document according to instructions from the main controller 1.

The printer controller 3 causes the laser printer 5 to print image data according to instructions from the main controller 1.

The operation panel 6 includes various keys and a display section, and notifies the main controller 1 of input (press) information of each key, and displays messages on the display section according to instructions from the main controller 1.

The image scanner 4 reads the image of the set document and outputs the read image data to the main controller 1 or the laser printer 5.

The laser printer 6 prints image data read by the image scanner 4 or image data transferred from the external control device 20 onto paper using an electrophotographic method.

The external control device 7 is a communication terminal device or facsimile machine serving as a host, and gives instructions to the main controller 1 of the digital copying machine 10, reads images using the image scanner 4 as an input device, or scans images using a laser beam. Image data is printed out using the printer 5 as an output device.

This digital copying machine 10 has the following three modes.

■Idle mode (mode that is not in use) ■Local mode (mode that is being copied) ■Remote mode (mode that is being used as an input/output device by an external control device) Starting and ending local mode> During idle mode, It starts by inputting (pressing) any key on the operation panel 6, and in the remote mode, it starts by inputting (pressing) a specific key (such as an interrupt key).

Then, image scanner 4 to main controller 1
The input of image data from the laser printer 5 or the output of image data to the laser printer 5 is performed for a certain period of time (the length depends on the operation panel 6).
) or more, the process ends and returns to the mode before switching.

<Start and end of remote mode> Starts when an “occupancy command” is received from the external control device 20.

Then, when a "release command" is received from the external control device 20, or when there is no control command for the digital copying machine 10 from the external control device 220 for a certain period of time (the length can be specified from the operation panel 6), exit, thereby returning to the mode before switching.

<Mode switching> When in idle mode, mode switching is possible at all times.

Switching from the local mode to the remote mode can be done by the external control device 20 issuing an "occupancy command."

When switching from remote mode to local mode, a specific key (such as an interrupt key) is pressed.

This is possible when the external control device 20 allows this.

Next, the automatic switching process between the local mode and remote mode executed by the microcomputer built in the main controller 1 of the digital copying machine 10 will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

When the power is turned on, the routine shown in FIG. 2 is started.

First, it is determined whether or not the "r occupancy command" has been received from the external control device M20. If the "occupancy command" has been received, proceed to B in Figure 3; if not, then check whether any key on the operation panel 6 has been pressed; if not, proceed to A. Return to , and if pressed, enter local mode.

Next, after initializing the timer, it is determined whether or not local processing (copying) executed manually using keys on the operation panel 6 is in progress. If local processing is in progress.

After executing that process, the process returns to the timer initialization step.

If local processing is not in progress, it is determined whether image data is being read or image data is being printed out.

If image data is being read or image data is being printed out, the process returns to the timer initialization step.

If image data is not being read or image data is being printed out, then it is determined whether the timer has timed out.

If it has not timed out, it returns to the judgment step during local processing, and if it has timed out, it ends the local mode and proceeds to C in Figure 4.In the first step in Figure 2, the external control device 20 When it is determined that the "occupancy command" has been received,
After going to remote mode, initialize the timer.

Next, the input of a specific key (such as an interrupt key) on the operation panel 6 is checked, and if there is an input of a specific key, the process returns to D in FIG. 2 and the local mode is set.

If there is no input of a specific key, it is determined whether or not a command has been received from the external control device 20. If a command has been received, it is then determined whether it is a release command, and if it is a release command. Exit the remote mode and proceed to C in FIG. If it is not a release command, it is a control command, so after executing that instruction, the process returns to the specific key manual judgment step.

If no command has been received, it is determined whether the timer has timed out or not, and if it has not timed out, the process returns to the specific key manual determination step, and if it has timed out, exits the remote mode and returns to C in Figure 4. move on.

Proceeding to C in Figure 4, the mode is returned to the state before switching, and then it is determined whether or not the mode is idle. If it is idle, the process returns to A in Figure 2, and if it is not idle, processing for the mode is performed. Execute and return to the step to return the mode.

As described above, according to the mode switching method of this digital copying machine, there is no need for the operator to switch between remote mode and local mode in advance, and the mode can be switched to the desired mode by key operation or automatically during use. Mode differences can be avoided.

In addition, as soon as one processing unit is completed after switching the mode, the mode automatically returns to the state before switching, so the functions of the device can always be used effectively.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in a digital copying machine that can also be used as an external input/output device, switching between a local mode for use as a copying machine and a remote mode for use as an input/output device by an external control device is possible. No special switching operation is required, and either mode can be used whenever available.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts showing the switching process between local mode and remote mode in this embodiment. 1... Main controller 2... Scanner controller 3... Printer controller 4... Image scanner 5... Laser printer 6... Operation panel 7... External interface 10... Digital copier 20・・・External control device r----"-1--Fig.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A scanner that reads an image of a document, a printer that prints image data on paper, an operation panel, an external interface for connecting an external control device, and a scanner that reads an image of a document according to instructions from the operation panel or external control device. a main controller that reads image data from or outputs image data to the printer,
In a digital copying machine that can be switched between a local mode in which the machine is used as a copying machine according to instructions from the operation panel and a remote mode in which it is used as an input/output device according to instructions from the external control device, a specific key on the operation panel The mode is switched to the local mode by an input from the external control device, and to the remote mode by an exclusive command from the external control device, and when there is no input/output of image data or a control command from the external control device for a predetermined period of time or more, the mode is switched to the local mode by an input from the external control device. A mode switching method characterized by returning to the mode.