JPH04271474A - System for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To greatly reduce a cost when viewing from a whole system and to facilitate the extendability of RAM. CONSTITUTION:Code data transmitted from a host computer 10 to a printer 11 through a cable 8' is recorded in the page memory 14 of a storage device 4. The storage device 4 dot pattern-extends code data recorded in the page memory 14 and returns it to the printer, 11.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system in which a plurality of host computers, printers, etc. are connected on a network.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art With the remarkable development of office automation in recent years, computers and their peripheral devices are now being used in large numbers. In these environments, there is a tendency to network these computers and their peripheral devices as shown in FIG. 6 to share resources and improve work efficiency. In FIG. 6, host computers 1, 3, 5, 7 and printers 2, 6 are connected on a cable 8.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, many of the conventional printers mentioned above are not products designed to be used on a network, and each printer has its own image processing section, font data, page memory, etc. The problem was that the overall cost of the system was high because the system was equipped with an engine and other components, and resources were not completely shared.

[0004]Furthermore, when expanding RAM such as page memory as printers become more color-oriented, have higher resolution, faster speeds, double-sided printers, etc., it is necessary to expand RAM such as page memory. R, which has different specifications for each printer.
The drawback was that an AM module had to be added. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional example, and its purpose is to provide an image forming system that significantly reduces the cost of the entire system and facilitates expandability of the RAM. The point is to provide the following.

[0005]

[Means for solving the problem] Solving the above problems,
In order to achieve the object, an image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system in which a plurality of image processing means and a plurality of image forming means are connected on the same network, in which the plurality of image forming means share a It is characterized by comprising an image storage means for storing image data, and a connection means for connecting the image storage means to the network.

[0006]

[Operation] According to this configuration, a plurality of image forming means share the image data in the image storage means, and the connecting means stores the image storage means together with the image processing means and the image forming means connected on the network. Connect to the network.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network system according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a host computer, 2 is a printer, 3 is a host computer, 4 is a storage device including a RAM for image formation, 5 is a host computer, 6 is a printer, 7 is a host computer, 8' is 1 to 7 The cables connecting host computers and printers to this network are shown.

In the above configuration, each host computer can access the printers 2 and 6 using the storage device 4 such as the RAM for image formation. below,
The storage device 4 will be explained in detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, 10 represents a host computer, and 11 represents a printer. A host computer interface (hereinafter referred to as "host I/F") 12 receives printer control code data from the host computer 10. A CPU 13 analyzes printer control code data from the host I/F unit 12 and performs page construction processing. Reference numeral 13a indicates a ROM that stores programs for the CPU 13 to operate, and reference numeral 13b indicates a RAM that the CPU 13 uses as a work area while executing the program. A page memory 14 stores printer control code data sent from the host I/F unit 12 to the CPU 13 as code data for one page of output images. Reference numeral 15 denotes a font ROM, which stores character pattern information for the CPU 13 to read one page of printer control code data stored in the page memory 14 and select a character pattern corresponding to the code data. be. Reference numeral 16 denotes a pattern memory for developing a character pattern selected from the font ROM 15 into a dot pattern. 24 is a pattern memory control unit that controls how the dot patterns are developed in the pattern memory 16 and in what order they are sent out; 17 is a font RAM;
Although it is used for the same purpose as the font ROM 15, it also serves as a font cache and allows the user to arbitrarily download font data. Reference numeral 18 denotes a video I/F unit which receives the dot pattern data developed into a dot pattern in the pattern memory 16 and sends a video signal 21 to the engine unit 19.
form. A memory configuration control unit 20 receives a command signal 22 for page construction processing performed by the CPU 13, and controls the memory configuration within the storage device 4. In the memory configuration control unit 20, 20a is a CPU that operates according to a program, 20b is a ROM that stores a program, etc. according to the flowchart of FIG. 3, which will be described later.
c is RAM used as a work area for various programs
are shown respectively. Reference numeral 23 indicates a display section such as an LED for displaying errors. In FIG. 2, the signal lines provided between the host computer 10, printer 11, and image storage device 4 are all connected to the cable 8 described above.
'is.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained below. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the memory configuration control section 20 according to the first embodiment. Note that the operations described below also include control by the CPU 13 of the printer 11. The memory configuration control section 20 receives the size of the output image from the CPU 13 via the command signal 22 (step 1). In response to the size specification in step 1, the memory configuration control unit 20 checks the total RAM capacity in the storage device 4 (steps 2 and 3). For example, in step 1, if 300 dpi and A4 size are specified, at least 1 megabyte (MB) is required for the pattern memory 16, and if there is not enough capacity, an error will be displayed on the display unit 23. (Step 4). If the capacity is sufficient in step 3, the configuration of RAM capacity including the font RAM 17, page memory 14, and pattern memory 16 in the storage device 4 is determined (step 5).

In parallel, the CPU 13 transmits image size (paper size) information to the engine section 19, and the engine section 19 recognizes the image size (paper size) (step 6). If the total RAM capacity is sufficient in step 3, the memory configuration control section 20 can flexibly determine the RAM configuration. For example, if 2 MB can be secured for the pattern memory 16, two pages of 300 dpi A4 image size can be secured. The speed at which dot patterns are sent to the F section 18 can be increased.

Alternatively, the capacity of the font RAM 17 may be increased depending on the text to be printed out. By doing so, it is possible to improve the printout speed of text containing a variety of font types and font sizes. The instructions for the memory configuration in the memory configuration control unit 20 may be given by a command from the host computer 10 or by providing a deep switch in the storage device 4, and are not limited to this.

As described above, by providing an image forming RAM that can be commonly used by a plurality of printers arranged on a network, the cost of the entire system can be significantly reduced. As printers became more color-oriented, higher resolution, faster, double-sided, etc., RA
When expanding M, there is an effect of eliminating the inconvenience of adding a RAM module with different specifications to each printer on the network. (Second Example) Next, a second example of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, in the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, a configuration is obtained in which the storage capacity can be adjusted by the user regardless of the specifications of the printers 2 and 6. Below, an explanation will be given of an operation that deals with an event caused by the adjustment according to this embodiment. In particular, while the printer is equipped with a double-sided printing function, the storage device 4
The following describes a case where the printer does not have the storage capacity necessary for double-sided printing.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the image forming system according to the present invention. In the figure, the configuration is particularly different from the first embodiment (FIG. 2) in that the double-sided printer indicated by 100 is a double-sided printing machine having a double-sided printing function. A host I/F unit 112 corresponding to FIG.
The CPU 113, ROM 113a, RAM 113b, and engine section 119 perform operations for the double-sided printing function.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the memory configuration control section 20 according to the second embodiment. Note that the operations described below also include control by the CPU 113 of the printer 100. The CPU 113 is instructed by the host computer 10 to perform double-sided printing (step 10).
). The CPU 113 communicates with the memory configuration control unit 20 in the storage device 4 via the signal 22, and the memory configuration control unit 2
0 is the total RA that a duplex printer can print on both sides.
A check is made to see if M capacity is provided in the storage device 4 (step 11). As a result, if the above-mentioned capacity is provided, the memory configuration control unit 20 determines a RAM configuration that allows double-sided printing (step 12). For example, the pattern memory may be divided into sections under the control of the pattern memory control section 24. After determining the memory configuration, CP
The U 113 sends a message to the engine section 19 via the signal 201 to the effect that double-sided printing is to be performed, and the engine section 19 sets the double-sided printing function (step 13). Double-sided printing is then executed (step 14).

Further, in step 11, if the storage device 4 does not have a RAM capacity that allows the duplex printer 100 to print on both sides, the memory configuration control section 20 determines a RAM configuration that allows the duplex printer 100 to print on one side. (Step 15). The CPU 113 receives the signal 22
The memory configuration control unit 20 controls the RA for single-sided printing via
It receives the fact that the M configuration has been decided, and notifies the engine unit 119 via the signal 201 that one-sided printing will be performed. After determining the single-sided printing function (step 16), the engine section 119
). Then, one-sided printing is executed (step 17).
.

In the system as shown in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment, since the memory capacity of the storage device 4 is easily variable, despite the insufficient RAM capacity,
When a user specifies a double-sided printer on the network and specifies double-sided printing, printing becomes impossible. In this case, in this embodiment, one-sided printing can be automatically performed. Therefore, it is desirable to notify the user whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing will be performed using the display unit 200 or the like.

[0018]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
By providing an image forming RAM that can be commonly used by a plurality of printers arranged on a network, the cost of the entire system can be significantly reduced. Color printers, higher resolution, faster speeds, double-sided printers,
When expanding the RAM in accordance with the above, this method has the effect of eliminating the inconvenience of adding a RAM module with different specifications to each printer on the network.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the memory configuration control unit 20 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the image forming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the memory configuration control unit 20 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional network system.

[Explanation of symbols] 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 Host computer 2, 6,
11,100 printer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system in which a plurality of image processing means and a plurality of image forming means are connected on the same network, an image storage means for storing image data shared by the plurality of image forming means; and connecting means for connecting the image storage means to the network. 2. The image data is code data, and
The image storage means includes an input means for inputting code data from one of the image forming means, an expansion storage means for expanding and storing a dot pattern based on the code data input by the input means, and the expansion storage means. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting the stored dot pattern to an image forming means to which the code data is input. 3. The image forming means includes receiving means for receiving an instruction for double-sided image formation from the image processing means,
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein in accordance with an instruction received by said receiving means, whether or not said double-sided image formation is to be executed is determined by communicating with said storage means. 4. The image storage means includes a determining means for determining whether or not the double-sided image formation is possible through the communication, and if the determining means is not capable of performing the double-sided image formation, the image storage means notifies the single-sided image formation through the communication. The image forming system according to claim 3.