JPH04362856A - Picture processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability as a copying machine by providing a processing means by which the operation of a color copying machine and the operation for a color printer are implemented with simple configuration with each other. CONSTITUTION:The picture processing unit is a color picture processing unit comprising a controller B of a 1st color printer having a 1st operation section B1 and a 2nd color copying machine A having a 2nd operation section A1. The processing unit is provided with a setting means as to whether or not the means to allow the 2nd operation section A1 to designate part or all color functions able to be designated by the 1st operation section B1. The operation panel in response to the convenience of user of the user is realized.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, color copying machines capable of making full-color copies of color originals have been increasingly commercialized. On the other hand, as the market size of personal computers and workstations expands due to lower prices, color printers are becoming more popular as output devices for these host computers.

0003

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Under these circumstances, it is important to provide a color image forming apparatus that has both an original copy function and a print function in order to process color print information more easily. However, the biggest problem with such multi-functionalization is its possible configuration and operability.

In view of the above points, the present invention provides a color image forming apparatus capable of color printing both original images and images from a host computer, with a simple configuration.
The purpose is to improve the operability of the multifunction device by providing processing means that can perform the operations of the color copying machine and the color printer.

[0005]

[Solution] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first invention of the present application includes a first device having a first operation section, and a second device having a first operation section.
An image processing apparatus comprising a second device having an operation section, the setting means for setting whether or not some or all of the functions that can be specified on the first operation section are to be specified on the second operation section. It is characterized by having the following.

[0006] Another invention of the present application is an image processing apparatus comprising a plurality of devices each having an operation section, the image processing apparatus having a setting means that can enable/disable each of the plurality of operation sections. The apparatus is characterized in that it includes means that can mutually notify the setting state of the setting means and the operation contents on the operation section between the devices.

[0007]

Embodiments (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a color image processing apparatus according to the present invention. A is a color copying machine, B is a color printer controller, and C is a host computer. The color copying machine A can copy an original of any color in a desired color. The color copying machine A has three paper feed cassettes A2 and A3 and a manual feed tray A4. A5 is a paper discharge tray from which printed paper is discharged. It also has an operation section A1. The details will be described later. Controller B
connects color copying machine A and cable B3 via cable B2.
is connected to computer C, and according to instructions from computer C, a color document containing characters, graphics, and images created on computer C can be sent to color copying machine A and printed in color. Controller B has an operation section B1.

Transfer path methods for image data transfer from computer C to controller B include RS232C, Apple Talk, Centronics, GPIB, SCSI, etc., and the image data transfer format is programmed using PDL such as Postscript. In some cases, the print image may be compressed and encoded using a desired method, or the print image may be transferred as is as a bit string.

FIG. 2 shows a full-color electrophotographic copying machine A according to the present invention. 1 is a photosensitive drum, 2 is a primary charger, and 3 is a surface electrometer for measuring the surface potential of the drum. Around the photosensitive drum 1 are a plurality of developing units 101M and 101C that use a two-component developer containing a mixture of toner and carrier.
, 101Y, 101Bk, and a transfer drum 5.
, a pre-static eliminator 6, and a cleaning device 7 are arranged.

The optical system 10 includes an original illumination lamp 21, a first mirror 11, a second mirror 12, a third mirror 13, an imaging lens 14, and a CCD 15 having B, G, and R filters.
, laser scanner unit 16, fixed mirror 17,
Consists of 18. The lamp 21 and the mirror 11 scan the document on the document table glass 28 at twice the speed of the mirrors 12 and 13. The reflected light from the original passes through the lens 14
Image is formed on CD15. The original image is color-separated by a CCD 15 having B, G, and R filters, then converted into electrical signals in an image processing circuit 19, and subjected to image processing such as A/D conversion, and then transferred to a laser scanner unit 1.
Sent to the laser driver inside 6. Laser light oscillated by the image signal passes through a polygon scanner in the unit 16 and mirrors 17 and 18, and forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1.

A fixing device 20 and a paper feeding device 30 are arranged on the right side of the copying machine, and transfer paper conveyance members 25 and 35 are arranged between each and the transfer drum 5.

The photosensitive drum 1 has primary chargers 2 for charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and cleaning processes for each of the four developing colors M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and Bk (black). , an optical system 10, a developing device 100, a transfer drum 5, and a cleaning device 7.

The transfer drum 5 transfers the transfer paper P fed from the transfer paper cassette 31 (A3) or 32 (A2) of the paper feeder 30 or the manual feed tray 33 (A4) via the conveyance system 35 to the transfer drum 5. Adsorption charger 4 placed inside the
It is electrostatically attracted to the transfer sheet 5b and rotated to transfer the developed image of each developed color on the photosensitive drum 1. A transfer charger 5c is arranged in the transfer area.

The transfer paper P onto which the toner images of each developed color have been sequentially transferred is transferred to the transfer sheet 5b by a separation charger 8 and a separation claw 8'.
is peeled off and sent to the fixing device 20 by the conveyance system 25. After the toner image on the transfer paper P is fixed onto the transfer paper P by the fixing device 20, the transfer paper P is transferred to the tray 23 (A5
) is emitted upward.

The image processing circuit 19 can be connected to the controller B via an interface cable 24 (B2), and prints or reads image information sent from the controller B and prints the image information sent from the controller B.
It is possible to combine and print image information sent from .

FIG. 6 shows an image processing circuit of a color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and will be described below.

The CCD reading section 600 photoelectrically converts and amplifies original image information. The image signal subjected to shading correction in step 601 has its color filter characteristics corrected in an input masking processing section 602, is subjected to light intensity density conversion in an LOG conversion section 603, and is further corrected for toner density characteristics in an output masking/UCR processing section 604. An image signal V1 corresponding to the developed color is obtained. The selector unit 605 is capable of switching between the image signal V1 read by the CCD and the image signal V2 from the controller B in pixel units, making it possible to print only V1 or V2 or to print a combination of V1 and V2. The image signal whose gamma characteristics have been corrected by the gamma correction unit 606 to match the electrophotographic process used in the printer in this embodiment drives a laser 607 .

The image signal V2 sent from the controller B in synchronization with the image clock CLK2 on the controller side and the horizontal synchronization signal VE is sent to the selector section 605 in synchronization with the clock CLK1 on the color copying machine A side in the speed conversion section 608. Sent. The synchronization signal generation unit 609 takes in the horizontal synchronization signal BD obtained in synchronization with the rotation of the polygon scanner and the ITOP signal obtained in accordance with the rotation of the transfer drum 5, and generates an image clock CLK1 and a vertical signal sent to the controller B. Synchronization signal PSYNC, horizontal synchronization signal LSYNC
generate. The communication control unit 610 performs serial communication or parallel communication with the controller B via the signal line COM. In the selector control section 611, the C
A signal SEL for switching between the CD image signal V1 and the computer image V2 for each pixel is generated. A CPU section 612 having a RAM 613 and a known timer circuit, I/O circuit, and interrupt circuit controls each processing section and operation section A1 according to a program stored in a ROM 614.

FIG. 5 shows a block circuit diagram of controller B. The postscript program received from the computer C via the communication control unit 504 is once stored in the buffer memory 503, then decoded by the CPU 500 and developed in the memories 507, 508, 509, and 510. Each of these four planes of memory has approximately 30 megabytes and can store an A3 size image equivalent to 400 DPI with 8 bits per pixel. The four planes correspond to development colors M, C, Y, and Bk. selector 511
selects one plane from these four planes and sends it to the color copying machine A according to the development timing in the color copying machine A. Memory control unit 506 controls selector 511 and memories 507 to 510 in accordance with synchronization signals PSYNC and LSYNC sent from color copying machine A, and sends out image signal VIDEO together with pixel clock CLK2 and horizontal synchronization signal VE. A communication control unit 505 communicates with the color copying machine A, instructs the operation mode, and starts the operation. The above processing is carried out by the CPU 500 and RAM 51, which have a known timer circuit, interrupt circuit, and I/O circuit.
0, controlled by ROM502. The CPU 500 also controls the operation section B1.

FIG. 3 shows the operation panel A1 of the color copying machine A. The key A100 is used to set the number of sheets, etc. clear/
A stop key A101 is used to clear the set number of copies or cancel the copy operation. A reset key A103 is used to reset the copy mode. The start key A102 is used to instruct the start of a copy operation. Color mode key A104
is used to select the color mode. The selected color mode is displayed on the color mode display section A111. In this example, COLOR (full color), BLACK (black), M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow)
, R (red), G (green), and B (blue) modes and AUTO (which automatically determines whether the original is a color original or a black-and-white original and executes a full-color copy or a black copy).
It has 9 modes (auto color selection mode). Used to select paper feed stage key A105. The selected paper feed tray is displayed on the paper feed tray display section A112. In this example, LOWE
R (lower row), UPPER (upper row), MF (manual feed), and A that automatically selects the paper feed stage according to the document size and magnification.
It has UTO (automatic paper selection mode). Density key A1
06 is used to adjust the copy density. The selected density is displayed on the density display section A113. This embodiment has five adjustment levels. The magnification key A107 is used to select the copy magnification. The selected magnification is displayed on the magnification display section A114. This embodiment has nine types of magnification. The remote key A109 is used to switch between a local mode for copying and a remote mode for printing according to instructions from the controller. Remote display section A1 in remote mode
15 lights up. Panel key A108 and display A116
is used to switch the usage mode of the operation panel A1 of the color copying machine. Details will be described later.

FIG. 4 shows the operation panel B1 of the controller B. The paper feed tray selection key B102 selects one of the manual feed tray, upper cassette, and lower cassette, and the selection result is displayed on display sections B109, B110, and B111. A color selection key B101 selects either full color or black as the print color mode, and when full color is selected, the display section B108 lights up. The online key B100 is used to switch the connection state between the controller and the computer. When online, display section B107 lights up and printing from computer C is possible. When offline, the display section B107 is turned off, allowing selection of the printer's service switch and test printing. The display section B103 is an LCD matrix display section, and is used to set service switches such as communication format with the computer C, and to display detailed error messages. Ready display B when printing is possible
104 lights up. When an abnormality occurs, alarm display section B lights up. During data transfer from computer C, display section B101 lights up and blinks.

FIG. 7(1) shows a signal line c from controller B.
om shows a command sent to color copier A via om. The commands are com1: print start command, com2: print end command, com3: print number instruction command, com4: paper feed stage instruction command, com5: color mode instruction command, com6: paper size request command, com7: panel information request. There are commands, com8: overall status request command, etc. As shown in FIG. 7(2), corresponding information is sent to com3, com4, and com5 as parameters following the command. After receiving each command and the corresponding parameters, color copying machine A returns a status as shown in FIG. Status sts6 is command c
The paper size of each paper feed tray is notified to om6. Status sts8 notifies command com8 of the overall status of the color copying machine. The meaning of each bit of sts8 is: Bit 7: ACK/NACK (0: ACK when the command is received normally and can be executed, 1: NACK at other times), Bit 6: Reception error (undefined command was received) 1, when an error occurs in communication or when an error occurs in communication.
0 at other times), Bit 5: Error (1 when some error occurs in the color image forming device and printing is not possible, 0 when printing is possible), Bit 4: Busy (1 during printing, 1 when not operating) 0). Details of the panel information status sts7 will be described later.

In addition to the commands/statuses described above, commands/status, etc. for notification of detailed information on errors occurring in the color copying machine are required. However, in order to make the explanation easier to understand, the explanation is omitted in this embodiment.

Next, control of the operation panel, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be explained. When apparatus A is used as a color copying machine in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a copy mode is set and activated using operation panel A1. When device A is used as a color printer, controller B is connected to device A. At this time, the print mode is set using the operation panel B1 of the controller B, and the panel A1 performs display according to the print mode set on the panel B1. On the other hand, the controller B is configured to be able to be stored in the pedestal section A6 of the color copying machine A, and does not require extra space even when used for color printing. However, in this case, panel B1 is difficult to operate, so
Some or all of the contents set on panel B1 can also be set on operation panel A1. It is possible to switch between using the panel A1 and the panel B1 as the operation panel of the color printer using the panel key A108 shown in FIG. 3 described above. When panel A1 is used as an operation panel for a color printer, display A116 lights up.

Panel information status sts shown in FIG.
Bit 5 of 7 corresponds to the lighting state of the display A116, and becomes "0" when the panel B1 is used as a panel of a color printer, and becomes "1" when the panel A1 is used as a panel of a color printer. bit 5 of sts7 is 1
Bits 0 to 4 become valid when (that is, when panel A1 of color copying machine A is used as a panel of a color printer). Bits 0 and 1 indicate the paper feed stage selected in panel A1, and bits 2, 3, and 4 indicate the color mode selected in panel A1. The controller collects the setting contents of the panel A1 through sts7 and feeds it back to the control.

FIG. 9 shows a control flow of key processing in color copying machine A. If there is a key input (901), it is checked whether it is in a remote state (902). If it is in the remote state, it is checked whether it is in operation (903). When the remote key is input while inactive (904), a transition is made from remote to local (905). If it is set to give priority to the panel of the color copying machine by panel switching (906), it is checked whether the color mode key and the cassette key are input. If it is a color mode key input (907), the color mode is transitioned from color to black or from black to color (908). If it is a cassette key input (909), from the lower row to the upper row,
Alternatively, there is a transition from the upper stage to the manual feed, or from the manual feed to the lower stage (910). Thereafter, the display unit is controlled according to the setting mode (934). If it is local in step 902, if it is in operation (911), if the stop key is input (932), the copy operation is stopped (933)
. When local and inactive (911), 10 key,
The copy mode corresponding to each input of the clear key, color mode key, cassette key, density key, and magnification key is set (912 to 923). If it is a panel key input (924), the panel used as the operation panel of the color printer is switched (925). If the reset key is input (923), the set copy mode is returned to the standard mode (927). If it is a remote key input (928), a transition is made to the remote state (929). If the start key is input (930), copy operation is performed (
931). After the above control, the display unit is controlled according to the settings (934).

FIG. 10 shows the control flow on the controller side. First, send the panel information command com7 (100
1), collect panel information status sts7 (10
02). Bit 5 of the collected panel information sts7 is “1”
” In other words, when the color copying machine's operation panel is set to be used (1003), bits 1 and 0 of sts7 are set in area CST on the RAM indicating the paper feed stage (1003).
004), area COL on RAM indicating color mode
Set sts7 bits 4, 3, 2 to (1005)
. On the other hand, bit 5 of the collected panel information sts7 is “0”.
"In other words, when the controller's operation panel is set to be used (1003), the input of the paper feed stage key B102 on the controller's operation panel B1 is checked (1003).
06) and set the area CST on the RAM (1007
), check the input of color mode key B101 (1008
), set area COL on RAM (1009)
. As described above, display sections B108, B109, B110, and B that indicate the paper feed stage and color mode according to the settings of any panel.
111 (1010). Next, the paper size request command com6 is sent (1011), and the paper size
Collect s6 (1012). If host computer C issues a command to controller B to print along with print image data (1013),
Receives the print image data and stores it in the buffer memory (Figure 5,
503) (1014). The stored data is developed as a developed color image in memories 1 to 4 (1015).
. Sends overall status request command com8 (10
16), receive the overall status sts8 (1017
). Next, the flow moves to FIG. 19, and if printing is possible as a result of examining the overall status (1018), a paper feed stage instruction command com4 (1019), a color mode instruction command com5 (1020), and a print number instruction command com3 (1021) are sent. ), then a print start instruction command com1 is issued (1022). Thereafter, each time the vertical synchronization signal PSYNC is detected, image data corresponding to the required development color is output from the corresponding memory. If the color mode is black (1024)
, outputs the data in memory 4 for each PSYNC (102
5) If the color mode is full color (1024)
, PSYNC, the data in memories 1, 2, 3, and 4 are sequentially output repeatedly (1026). Repeat step 1023 and subsequent steps until the required number of images have been output (
1027).

As explained above, in this embodiment, in a system having an operation panel as a color copying machine and an operation panel as a color printer, a switch is made that allows the operation panel of the color copier to be used as the operation panel of a color printer. By having means for notifying the controller of the setting mode when used as a color printer, it is possible to provide an operation panel suitable for the type of use of the apparatus.

In particular, this embodiment is extremely user-friendly because the color mode can be designated using the copying machine and the operation panel.

The controller can be stored in the stand of the color copying machine A by using the operation unit (A) of the color copying machine A to perform settings on the operation unit B1 of the printer controller.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the device configuration was a color copying machine and a color printer controller, but in the second embodiment, a color scanner and a color printer were used as shown in FIG. Take composition.

The color printer D has an operation panel D1 and a first
As in the embodiment, it has paper feed stages A2, A3, A4 and a paper discharge tray A5. Color scanner E has an operation panel E1. The mechanical configuration of the color scanner E is the same as that of the image reading unit shown in FIG. 2, and the mechanical configuration of the color printer D is the same as that of the image recording unit shown in FIG. 2, so a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 shows an apparatus configuration including a color scanner and a color printer. Color scanner E can be used as an image scanner by being connected to computer C by cable C2 [FIG. 13(1)]. Color printer D can be used as a printer by being connected to computer C by cable C1 [FIG. 13(2)]. On the other hand, scanner E and printer D are connected by cable C3 and can be used as a color copying machine. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13(3), each of the color scanner E and the color printer D has an operation panel, which causes confusion for the user. In such a case, as shown in FIGS. 13(4) and 13(5), the operability is improved by restricting the use of one operation panel and configuring the other operation panel to control both functions.

FIG. 11 shows a block circuit diagram of color scanner E. CCD section 300, shading correction section 30
1. The input masking section 302 is a component similar to that shown in FIG. 6 above. In addition to these, a density conversion unit 303 is provided to realize density adjustment as a scanner. After density conversion, R, G, and B color separation signals are sent to computer C or color printer D. The synchronization signal generation unit 304 controls each processing unit based on the vertical synchronization signal PSYNC and horizontal synchronization signal LSYNC sent from the computer C or the printer D, and sends the image clock CLK2 and the horizontal synchronization signal VE to the outside together with the image data. Communication control unit 30
5 controls communication with computer C or printer D. The CPU 308 controls these processing units and the operation panel E1.

FIG. 12 shows a block circuit diagram of printer D. Image data from computer C is sent to communication control unit 40
1, the developed color images M1, C1, Y1, Bk1 are sent to the selector section 413 via the buffer memory 402 and memory 412. The functions of the processing units 401, 402, and 412 are the same as those of the communication control unit 504, buffer memory 503, and memories 507 to 510 in FIG. 5, respectively. The image data from the scanner E is sent to the developed color images M2, C2,
The signals are sent to the selector section 413 as Y2 and Bk2. The selector unit 413 selects these 8 under the control of the CPU 411.
Select one system from the system image data and apply it to the gamma correction unit 4.
14, send it to the laser 415 to form an image. When using as a computer printer, M1, C1,
Y1 and Bk1 are sequentially selected, and when used as a copying machine, M2, C2, Y2, and Bk2 are sequentially selected for each PSYNC. The CPU 411 also controls the operation panel D1.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the operation panels D1 and E1. The operation panel has a dot matrix type LCD 1400 as a display means, and has a transparent touch key matrix 1410 thereon as a key input means. LCD
The controller 1408 is the C of the scanner or printer.
Font ROM1406 according to commands from PU
The font data is searched for and developed in the display VRAM 1407 as bitmap data corresponding to the LCD matrix, and the row drivers 1401, 1402 and column drivers 1403, 1404, 1405 are time-divisionally driven to display the desired display on the LCD 1400. touch key 141
0 is dynamically scanned by the CPU 1411 via the I/O 1409, and the key input is determined to be valid/invalid and necessary processing is performed in accordance with the displayed content. By using the LCD and touch keys as the operation panel in this way, there are no hardware restrictions and it is possible to operate functions that suit the purpose of the device. Furthermore, for the user, having the same operation panel regardless of the purpose improves operability.

FIG. 16(1) shows an example of the operation panel display. The key 1602 is an increase/decrease key for setting the number of sheets. The key 1603 is a paper feed stage switching key. The key 1604 is a magnification increase/decrease key. The key 1605 is a color mode setting key. The key 1606 is a density setting key. Setting details are displayed above each key display. Key 1601 is the copy start key, key 1606
is the key to transition to the service switch setting screen. When the key 1606 is pressed, the screen changes to the screen shown in FIG. 16(2). Key 1607 corresponding to ON (OFF) in FIG. 16(2)
(1608) selects ON (OFF). When the key 1609 is pressed, the next service switch setting screen appears, and when the key 1610 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 16(1) appears. Details of the service switch shown in FIG. 16(2) will be described later.

FIG. 15 shows commands newly added in the second embodiment to the commands explained in FIG. 7. In the first embodiment, the controller collects the panel setting status of the color copying machine, but in the second embodiment, a plurality of devices each having an operation panel can communicate the panel setting status with each other. is a feature. The panel information communication command com9 is sent from the color scanner to the color printer together with N bytes of attached parameters. The color printer returns an N-byte status sts9 to the color scanner in response to the command com9. The first byte of the command-attached parameter and the first byte of the status sts9 indicate the valid/invalid setting state of the panel in each device. Panel enable/disable is the content set in Figure 16 (2). For example, in a color scanner, "Panel ON"
'' means that the scanner panel is valid as the operation panel of the color copying machine, and conversely, when it is set as ``panel OFF'' it means that it is invalid. In this way, by providing panel enable/disable switches corresponding to each of a plurality of panels in the system, the user can select an operation panel according to the user's convenience. When the panel is valid in the attached parameter or the first byte of the status, the setting mode from the second byte to the Nth byte is valid. As the setting mode, in addition to the paper feed stage and color mode described in the first embodiment, necessary information such as density, magnification, and number of sheets can be used.

FIG. 17 shows the processing flow of a color scanner or color printer. First, the command com9 is transmitted (or received), and the status sts9 is received (or transmitted) (1701). This makes it possible to understand the panel enable/disable settings and setting modes in each device. If the operation panel of the own device is valid (1702),
Check the key input on the operation panel of the own device (1)
703), set the mode corresponding to key input (17
04). When there is no key input (1703), if the operation panel of another device is valid (1705), the status sts9
(or the attached parameter of com9) to set the setting mode on the operation panel of another device (170
6). Step 1 is also performed when the operation panel of the own device is disabled (1702) and the operation panel of another device is enabled (1707).
Execute 706. If both the operation panel of the own device and the operation panel of the other device are disabled, in this embodiment, the operation panel of the own device is automatically enabled to avoid practical contradictions (1708). If multiple operation panels are enabled, all keystrokes are processed in the order in which they were entered, regardless of the panel on which they were entered.

As explained above, a means for setting the validity/invalidity of each of a plurality of operation panels is provided, and a means is provided for notifying each other of the valid/invalid setting state and the setting mode related to the operation. This makes it possible to provide an operation panel that suits the user's convenience.

(Third Embodiment) Although the first and second embodiments relate to full-color image input/output devices, the idea of the present invention is also applicable to monochrome or multicolor image input/output devices. Applicable. It can also be applied to three or more target devices. It can also be applied to file devices and FAX machines.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, in a system having an operation panel for a color copying machine and an operation panel for a color printer, the operation panel for the color copying machine can be used as the operation panel for the color printer. By providing a switching means that can change the setting mode and a means for notifying the controller of the setting mode when used as a color printer, an operation panel suitable for the type of use of the apparatus can be provided.

Furthermore, by providing a means for setting validity/invalidity for each of a plurality of operation panels, and providing a means for mutually notifying each other of the valid/invalid setting state and the setting mode related to operation, the user We were able to provide an operation panel that was tailored to the ease of use.

In the above embodiments, an electrophotographic printer was used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a thermal printer or an inkjet printer may be used. Further, in the first embodiment, the operating section shown in FIG. 3 was used, but the operating section shown in FIG. 16 may be used instead. Further, the operation section is not limited to the illustrated example, and may use a keyboard or may have other configurations. In short, all you need to do is to be able to make settings related to the color mode.

[0045]

According to the present invention, the operability of color printers and color copying machines can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a device configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a color copying apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel.

FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of the controller.

FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram of an image processing section.

FIG. 7 is a command/status explanatory diagram.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the device configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a key processing flow diagram.

FIG. 10 is a controller control flow diagram.

FIG. 11 is a block circuit diagram of a color scanner.

FIG. 12 is a block circuit diagram of a color printer.

FIG. 13: System connection example.

FIG. 14 is an operation panel block circuit diagram.

FIG. 15 is a command/status explanatory diagram.

FIG. 16 is an example of an operation panel display.

FIG. 17 is a control flow diagram.

18 is a diagram showing status information corresponding to the command shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 10.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Color copying machine A1 Color copying machine operation panel B Printer controller B1 Printer controller operation panel C Host computer

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claim 1: A first device having a first operating section;
An image processing device including a second device having a second operation section, in which it is set whether some or all of the functions that can be specified on the first operation section are to be specified on the second operation section. An image processing device characterized by having a setting means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus has a color image processing means, and includes a function related to color processing as a function that can be notified by the second notification means. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first notification means for notifying the first apparatus of the setting state of said setting means. 4. The specification contents of the function specified on the second operation panel among the functions that can be specified on the first operation section are
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second notification means for notifying the apparatus. 5. An image processing apparatus comprising a plurality of devices each having an operation section, the image processing device comprising a setting means that can set enable/disable for each of the plurality of operation sections, and a setting section configured to set the setting means for each of the plurality of operation sections. An image processing device characterized by having means for mutually notifying the state and the operation contents on the operation section between the devices. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image processing apparatus includes a color image processing means, and the operation content includes a function related to color processing.