JPH0537681A - Picture processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute the system optimum to the application purpose and the operating environment by providing a means setting support/non-support of a key used to set a control state of a controller and a controlled device to the system. CONSTITUTION:Print processing 1305 of a picture from a computer is available by a start command in the on-line state and in the remote 1301 mode, and copy processing 1306 is available by a copy start key in the off-line state and in the local mode 1304. A test print 1307 is attained from a panel of a controller in the off-line and in the remote mode 1303. Each state above is transited through the depression of an on-line key of the controller and of a remote key of a copying machine. In order to implement a desired operation, the operator understands the complicated state transition and operates the on-line key or the remote key to make print or copying.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system constructed by connecting a plurality of devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as the price of personal computers and workstations has decreased, the market has expanded,
As an output device of these host computers, the market size of printers is also increasing. As a printer system, there are many systems such as an electrophotographic system having a laser or an LED array, an inkjet system, a bubble jet system, a heat sensitive system, and a thermal transfer system. Further, as an image input device as well as an output device, an image scanner for reading a reflection original, a film scanner for reading a film, and a file device using a magnetic disk for storing image data and a magneto-optical disk as media are becoming widespread. .

A conventional example of connection between a computer and a printer is shown in FIG. 9A. The computer C and the so-called page printer D are connected by a cable D2. As an interface method realized by the cable D2, RS232C,
AppleTalk, Centronics, GPIB, SCSI
Etc. are possible. The printer D has an operation panel D1,
An example thereof is shown in B of FIG. D100 is a dot-matrix LCD, which displays guidance for setting service switches such as setting of the above-mentioned interface method with a computer, and displays a message such as running out of paper. Ready display D
101 indicates whether the printer is in an operable state,
The error display D102 indicates whether or not there is an error state,
The data display D103 indicates whether or not the print data is being transferred from the computer C. Online display D104
Indicates whether the printer is under computer control (online) or not (offline), and the online key D1
At 06, it is possible to switch between the online and offline states. The feed display D105 indicates whether or not the data to be printed is in the buffer memory in the printer,
It is possible to perform compulsory printing with the feed key D107 when in the offline state. In addition, after the service switch menu is displayed with the key D111 in the offline state, the setting can be performed with D108 to D111. Also, when in the offline state, the test key D1
The test print can be executed in 09. In other words, the control state of online or offline means whether the factor that activates the printer is the computer or the operation panel D2.

On the other hand, a digital copying machine which converts an image of a printer original into an electric signal by using an image pickup device such as a CCD and reproduces the electric signal by the printer according to the above-mentioned method is being actively commercialized. Furthermore, digital color copiers that can copy full-color originals in full-color have also been commercialized. Facsimiles that not only copy on the spot but also transmit image data to remote places via public or private lines have already formed a huge market. Further, there is a multi-function peripheral having a copy function and a FAX function.

In such a situation where various types of devices for processing digital images are commercialized, for example, after being introduced as a color copying machine, it is desired to connect to a computer and be used as a color printer, or an image scanner. After introducing the above, a case where you want to use it as a copier by connecting it to a printer, or you want to add a modem and use it as a fax machine. Is expected to increase. In such a case, for example, in the above example, it is easy to add functions if the color copier to be initially installed has an interface with a computer from the beginning, but at the time of initial introduction, all functions expected in the future are possible. If the device is configured as described above, there is a drawback that the device price is high for the user who does not improve the function. In order to avoid such a drawback, it is conceivable to prepare an interface controller B for connecting a color copying machine A including an image scanner A1 and a printer A2 to a computer C as shown in FIG. The details of this interface controller will be described later,
By having a memory for storing print data or scan data, and separating the functions required for connection with a computer from the color copying machine A, the cost of the color copying machine A can be reduced and used. The optimum device configuration for the purpose is possible. The color copying machine A has an operation panel A6, which will be described later, and operates the color copying machine. The interface controller B has an operation panel B1 to be described later, and performs an operation required when connecting to a computer. Panel B1
Is effective for connecting to the computer by the same interface controller B even when the scanner A1 is removed from the color copying machine A and only the printer A2 is used.

[0006]

Considering the control state in the configuration of FIG. 1 as in the case of the description of FIG. 9, a computer is a factor that activates the color copying machine A.
Three types of panel A6 and panel B1 are possible. In this way, a system composed of multiple devices that is made possible by the advantage of being able to combine with a high degree of freedom is
As a result, it has a plurality of activation factors, which makes it difficult for the user to grasp the control state between the devices and makes it difficult to operate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points and provides an image processing system having improved operability.

[Means for Solving and Action] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a first image processing apparatus having a first operation panel and a second image processing capable of activating the first image processing apparatus. An image processing system including a device, wherein a first control state in which the first image processing device can be activated only by the first operation panel, and a first image processing device only by the second image processing device And a third control state in which the first image processing apparatus can be activated from any of the first operation panel and the second image processing apparatus. It is characterized by having a control means capable of selectively controlling the control state, the second control state and the third control state.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS << First Embodiment >> FIG. 1 shows a structural example of a color image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of 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 tray cassettes A2 and A3 and a manual feed tray A4. A
Reference numeral 5 is a paper discharge tray from which printed paper is discharged.
Further, it has an operation unit A1. The details will be described later. The controller B is connected to the color copying machine A by a cable B2 and the computer C by a cable B3, and sends a color document including characters, graphics and images created in the computer C to the color copying machine A by an instruction from the computer C. , Color printing is possible. The controller B has an operation unit B1.

RS232C, AppleTalk, Centronics, GPIB, SCSI, etc. are available as transfer path systems for transferring image data from the computer C to the controller B, and the transfer mode of image data is programmed by PDL such as Postscript. In this case, there are a case where the image is compressed and encoded by a desired method and a case where the print image is transferred as a bit string as it is.

FIG. 2 shows a full-color electrophotographic copying machine A according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a photosensitive drum, 2 is a primary charger, and 3 is a surface electrometer for measuring the surface potential of the drum. A plurality of developing units 101M and 101M using a two-component developer in which toner and carrier are mixed around the photosensitive drum 1.
A developing device 100 equipped with a movable base 120 that is loaded with C, 101Y, and 101Bk and is movable in the left-right direction, a transfer drum 5, a front static eliminator 6, and a cleaning device 7 are arranged.

The optical system 10 is a CCD 1 having a document illumination lamp 21, a first mirror 11, a second mirror 12, a third mirror 13, an image forming lens 14, and B, G, R filters.
5, laser scanner unit 16, fixed mirror 1
It is composed of 7 and 18. The lamp 21 and the mirror 11 are at a speed twice as fast as the mirrors 12 and 13
Scan the top document. The reflected light of the document forms an image on the CCD 15 via the lens 14. The original image is color-separated by the CCD 15 having B, G, and R filters, converted into an electric signal in the image processing circuit 19, and subjected to image processing such as A / D conversion, and then the laser scanner unit 16 Sent to the laser driver inside. The laser light oscillated by the image signal passes through the polygon scanner and the mirrors 17 and 18 in the unit 16 and passes through the photosensitive drum 1.
Form a latent image on top.

A fixing device 20 and a paper feeding device 30 are arranged on the right side of the copying machine, and transfer paper conveying systems 25 and 35 are arranged between each of them and the transfer drum 5. The photosensitive drum 1 is provided with a primary charger 2, an optical system for each of the four developing colors M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and Bk (black) for charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and cleaning. 1
0, the developing device 100, the transfer drum 5, and the 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 feeding device 30 or the manual feed tray 33 (A4) through the conveying system 35. Adsorption charger 4 placed inside
Is electrostatically attracted to the transfer sheet 5b, and is rotatively transferred so as to transfer the developed image on the photosensitive drum 1 for each developing color. A transfer charger 5c is arranged in the transfer area.

The transfer sheet P on which the toner images of the respective developing colors are sequentially transferred is transferred to the transfer sheet 5b by the separation charger 8 and the separation claw 8 '.
The sheet is peeled off from the sheet and sent to the fixing device 20 by the conveying system 25. After the toner image on the transfer sheet P is fixed on the transfer sheet P by the fixing device 20, the transfer sheet P is transferred to the tray 23 (A
5) Released upwards.

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

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

The CCD reading section 600 photoelectrically converts the original image information and amplifies it. The input masking processing unit 602 corrects the characteristics of the color filter, the LOG conversion unit 603 converts the light amount density of the image signal subjected to the shading correction in 601, and the output masking / UCR processing unit 604 corrects the toner density characteristics. As a result, the image signal V1 corresponding to the development color is obtained. The selector unit 605 can switch the image signal V1 read by the CCD and the image signal V2 from the controller B on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and can print only V1 or V2 or a composite print of V1 and V2. The image signal whose gamma characteristic of the electrophotographic process is corrected by the gamma correction unit 606 drives the laser 607.

The image signal V2 sent from the controller B in synchronism with the image clock CLK2 or the horizontal synchronizing signal VE on the controller side is sent to the selector unit 605 by the speed conversion unit 608 in synchronization with the clock CLK1 on the color copying machine A side. Sent. The synchronization signal generation unit 609 takes in a horizontal synchronization signal BD obtained in synchronization with the rotation of the polygon scanner and an ITOP signal obtained in accordance with the rotation of the transfer drum 5, and sends it to the image clock CLK1 and the controller B. Sync signal PSYNC, horizontal sync signal LSYNC
To 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 unit 611, the CCD is used in the selector unit.
A signal SEL for switching the image signal V1 and the computer image V2 for each pixel is generated. CPU having RAM 613 and a known timer circuit, I / O circuit, and interrupt circuit
The unit 612 controls each processing unit and the operation unit A1 according to the program stored in the ROM 614.

FIG. 5 shows a block circuit diagram of the 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 expanded in the memories 507, 508, 509, 510. The memories of these four planes each have about 30 megabytes, and can store an A3 size image corresponding to 400 DPI at 8 bits per pixel. The four planes correspond to the 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. The memory control unit 506 controls the selector 511 and the memories 507 to 510 according to the sync signals PSYNC and LSYNC sent from the color copying machine A, and sends the image signal VIDEO together with the pixel clock CLK2 and the horizontal sync signal VE. The communication control unit I 505 communicates with the color copying machine A to instruct the operation mode,
Start operation. The above processing is a known timer circuit,
CPU 500 and RA having an interrupt circuit and an I / O circuit
It is controlled by the M501 and the ROM502. CPU5
00 also controls the operation unit B1.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of the operation panel A1.
The operation panel has a dot matrix type LCD 1400 as a display unit, and a transparent touch key matrix 1410 as a key input unit on the LCD 1400. The LCD controller 1408 retrieves font data from the font ROM 1406 according to a command from the CPU 1411, expands it in the display VRAM 1407 as bitmap data corresponding to the LCD matrix, and row drivers 1401 and 1402 and column drivers 1403 and 14
04 and 1405 are time-division driven to display a desired display on the LCD 1400. The touch key 1410 is dynamically scanned by the CPU 1411 via the I / O 1409, and the validity / invalidity of key input is determined and necessary processing is performed according to the display content. Here, the CPU 1411 is shown in FIG.
Of the CPU 612. As described above, by using the LCD and the touch keys as the operation panel, it is possible to operate the function suitable for the purpose of the apparatus without any hardware restrictions.

FIG. 3A shows a display example of the operation panel A1. The state of the device and a message to the operator are displayed on the upper part 300 of the LCD. The key 301 is a copy start key, the key 302 is a copy number increase / decrease key, the key 303 is a paper feed stage switching key, the key 304 is a magnification increase / decrease key, and the key 305 is a color mode setting key. Cyan, yellow, red,
There are blue and green modes. The key 306 is a density adjustment key. A key 307 is a remote key for switching between a local mode (L) in which the color copying machine A is used for copying and a remote mode (R) in which data from the computer C is printed according to a command from the controller B. A key 308 is a service key for making a transition to a screen for setting a service switch.

FIG. 3B shows a display example when the remote key is pressed in FIG. 3A. “Remote” is displayed on the upper part of the remote key 307 to indicate that the mode has been changed to the remote mode. Only displayed. Also, in the display area 300, "Ready to print" is displayed,
It indicates that it is a print, not a copy.

FIG. 4 shows the operation panel B1 of the controller B. The paper feed stage selection key B102 selects any one of the manual feed tray, the upper cassette, and the lower cassette, and the selection result is displayed on the display units B109, B110, and B111. The color selection key B101 selects either full color or black as the color mode for printing, and when full color is selected, the display section B108 lights up. The online key B100 is used to switch between the control states "online" and "offline" between the controller and the computer, like the key D106 of FIG. 9B. When online, the display unit B107 lights up and printing from the computer C is possible. When offline, display unit B107
Turns off, and the service switch of the printer can be set and test printing can be performed. The display unit B103 is an LCD matrix display unit and is used when setting a service switch such as a communication format with the computer C and displaying a detailed error message. When printing is possible, the ready display B104 lights up. When an abnormality occurs, the alarm display B105 lights up. During data transfer from the computer C, the display unit B106 lights up and blinks.

FIG. 7A shows a command sent from the controller B to the color copying machine A. The command is c
om1: print start command, com2: print end command, com3: print number instruction command, c
om4: paper feed stage instruction command, com5: color mode instruction command, com6: paper size request command, c
om7: There is an overall status request command and the like. As shown in B of FIG. 7, information corresponding to the com 3, 4 and 5 is sent as a parameter following the command. After receiving each command and the corresponding parameter, the color copying machine A returns a status as shown in FIG. The status sts6 notifies the command com6 of the paper size of each paper feed stage. The status sts7 notifies the command com7 of the overall status of the color copying machine. The meaning of each bit of sts8 is as follows: bit 7: ACK / NACK (0: ACK when the command is normally received and can be executed, 1: NACK at other times), bit 6: reception error (undefined command received At the time of occurrence of communication error or 0 at other times), bit 5: error (1 when the color image forming apparatus cannot print due to some error, 0 when printing is possible), bit 4: busy (1 during print operation, 0 during non-operation), bit 3: Remote key support (1 when supported, 0 when not supported), bit 2: remote / local (1 when remote, 0 when local) is there. The bit 2 is effective when the bit 3 is "1", that is, the remote key is supported.

As described above, in addition to the command / status described above, a command / status for notifying detailed information of an error occurring in the color copying machine is required, but the description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

The setting of the above remote key support bit will be described with reference to FIG. 8A is a display screen when the service key 308 is pressed in A of FIG. In the display area 300, "<service switch>"
Is displayed to indicate that the service switch setting screen is displayed. Here, pressing the “ON” key 801 supports the remote key, and pressing the “OFF” key 802 does not support it. Pressing the NEXT key 803 brings up another service switch setting screen, and depressing the QUIT key 804 leaves the service switch setting screen and returns to the screen shown in FIG. 3A or FIG. 8B. If "ON" is selected on the screen of A of FIG. 8, go to A of FIG.
When “F” is selected, the process transits to B in FIG. That is, in A of FIG. 8, it can be set whether or not the remote key is supported.

Since the screen of FIG. 8B does not support the remote key, the display of the remote key and the remote or local status display are not provided as compared with the case of A of FIG. Further, the display area 300 indicates that there is no distinction between "copy / printable" and remote / local.

Next, the device control by turning on / off the remote key support, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described. Color copier A with remote key support ON
The state transition diagram of is shown in FIG. When the power switch is turned on from the "power OFF" state, the state transits to the "local""warmup" state, and after a predetermined time, transitions to the "standby" state. When the copy start key is pressed in the "standby" state, the "copy" operation is performed, and when the copying is completed, the state returns to the "standby" state again. When the remote key is pressed while in the "warm-up" state or the "standby" state, the state changes to the "remote""warm-up" state or the "standby" state. When the above-mentioned print start command (start command) is received from the controller B in the "remote""standby" state, the state transits to the "print" state and returns to the "remote standby" state again after the printing is completed. As described above, in this embodiment, the remote key is supported, and “local” is used.
By clearly distinguishing between "remote" and "remote", it is possible to prohibit inadvertent copying during transfer when a large amount of image data to be transferred from the computer A to the controller B requires a transfer time. On the contrary, in order to make a copy, it is possible to prohibit inadvertent printing while preparing paper or toner or during mode setting. However, if the computer, controller, and color copier are very close to each other, and there is almost no possibility of inadvertent copying or printing, it will be troublesome for the operator to switch between "local" and "remote" each time. Is. In such a case, if the remote key support is turned off in the above-mentioned procedure, the color copying machine A makes a state transition as shown in FIG. 11, and the operability is improved. That is, when the remote key is not supported, there is no distinction between "local" and "remote" as shown in FIG. 11, and "copy" is performed when the copy start key is pressed from the standby state.
When the print start command (start command) is sent from the controller, the state is changed to the "print" state. When either processing is completed, the state returns to the "standby" state again. In this way, the operation is performed according to the instruction from the operation panel A1 or the computer C, whichever comes first. If you don't support remote keys like this,
The remote / local switching is unnecessary and the operation is simple, but when two or more operators request different operations, they may inadvertently interrupt.

As described above, depending on the use environment and purpose of use of the device, there may be cases where the control state switching function of remote / local is useful or useless. Therefore, whether the remote key is supported or not is determined by the user. Has a means that can be set in advance, and is shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
It is extremely effective to have a control means capable of selectively controlling the type of state transition.

A control flow in the color copying machine A of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 and will be described. Whether there is a remote key input is checked (1201), and when there is input, it is checked whether the flag SW on the RAM is "1" (1202). This flag S
W is "1" when the remote key is supported and "0" when it is not supported. When it is "1", it is checked whether it is in operation (1
203). If it is running, check if it is currently remote (1
204). If it is remote, transition to local (120
5) If it is local, transition to remote (120)
6). When there is no remote key input, it is checked whether there is a start key input (1207). There is a start key input,
If it is on standby (1208), the flag SW is checked (1209). If SW is "0", it corresponds to the above-mentioned state transition diagram 11 and therefore the copy processing is performed unconditionally (1211). If SW is "1", it corresponds to the above-mentioned state transition diagram 10 and therefore it is checked whether it is local (121
0), if local, copy processing is performed (1211). When there is no start key input, it is checked whether there is a start command (print start command) (1212). If there is a start command and it is in standby (1213),
The SW is checked (1214). If SW is "0", the state corresponds to the state transition diagram shown in FIG. 11, and the print processing is unconditionally performed (1216). If SW is "1", it corresponds to the above-mentioned state transition diagram 10 and therefore, it is checked whether it is remote (1215), and if it is remote, print processing is performed (1216). If there is another key or command input (1217), processing corresponding to the input key or command is performed (1218). The detailed contents are omitted.

FIG. 17 shows the control flow on the controller side, although the figure numbers are changed. Normally, the overall status request command com7 (1700) and the paper size request command co
m6 is repeatedly transmitted (1702), and the overall status s
ts7 (1701) and paper size sts6 (1703)
To collect. Host computer C to controller B
If a command to print is issued together with the print image data (1704), the print image data is received and stored in the buffer memory (503 in FIG. 5) (1705). The stored data is developed in the memories 1 to 4 as a development color image (1706). Check the overall status sts7, if there is no error in the color copying machine A (bit 5 = 0) (1707), and if it is not busy (bit 4 = 0) (1708), check ON / OFF of the remote key support ( 1709). OFF
(When bit 3 = 0, printing is possible. When ON (bit 3 = 1), remote (bit 2 = 1) allows printing (1710). If printing is possible, paper feed stage instruction command After issuing the com4 (1711), the color mode instruction command com5 (1712), and the print number instruction command com3 (1713), the print start instruction command com1 is issued (1714).
After that, each time the vertical synchronizing signal PSYNC is detected, the image data corresponding to the required developing color is output from the corresponding memory. If the color mode is black (171
6), output the data in the memory 4 for each PSYNC (1
717), if the color mode is full color (171
6), the data in the memories 1, 2, 3, 4 are sequentially and repeatedly output for each PSYNC (1718). Steps 1715 and thereafter are repeated until the required number of images have been output (1719).

As described above, the "remote support ON" state and a plurality of activations are switched between the "local" state in which activation is performed from the operation panel of the color copying machine itself and the "remote" state in which activation is performed from an external device. These means can be switched to the "remote support OFF" state in which activation from a factor can always be accepted, and these 2 depending on the switching result.
By providing the control means capable of selectively controlling one of the two states, it becomes possible to use the system composed of a combination of a plurality of devices with optimum operability according to the purpose of use and the environment of use.

<Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, a device connection control for further simplifying the relationship between the online key on the operation panel of the controller shown in FIG. 4 and the remote key shown in FIG. 3 will be described. .

FIG. 13 shows a transition diagram of a combination state of the controller B and the color copying machine A. The "on-line" state in the controller indicates that the controller B is under the control of the computer C, while the "off-line" state indicates that it is not under control. Since "local" and "remote" in the color copying machine are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Two of these two devices
Each of the two states indicates the control relationship between itself and its upper device, and the fact that the device itself has a state that determines the control relationship between itself and its upper device depends on the free combination of devices. This is necessary when considering the system configuration. However, when these are connected, as shown in FIG.
There can be four states of 1, 1302, 1303, and 1304. In "online and remote" (1301), a print command (1305) of an image from a computer can be performed by a start command. In "online and local" (1302) and "offline and local" (1304), copy processing (1306) can be performed by the copy start key. In "offline and remote" (1303), a test print (1307) can be performed from the panel of the controller. These states are changed by pressing the online key of the controller and the remote key of the copying machine. In order to perform a desired operation, the operator understands this complicated state transition, operates the online key or the remote key, and then prints or copies.

In the second embodiment, the transition diagram of FIG. 13 is changed to FIG.
A means for simplifying is provided. In FIG. 15, there are “online and remote” state (1501) and “offline and local” state (1502). These two states are changed by the online key of the controller. The print processing (1503) is possible in the “online and remote” state, and the print processing (1503) is possible in the “offline and local” state (150
In 2), copy processing (1504) or test print (1505) is possible.

In the second embodiment, the following command is newly added to the command shown in FIG.

[0038]

[Table 1]

This command com8 is used by the controller to make a transition between the "local" state and the "remote" state of the color copying machine instead of the remote key.

FIG. 16 shows a control flow using the command com8. First, the presence / absence of remote key input is checked (1601). If it is a remote key input, the flag SW similar to that in the first embodiment is checked (1602). "SW =
1 ”, that is, if the setting supports the remote key, if it is not in operation (1603), the input is accepted, and if it is remote, transition to local (1605), and if it is local, transition to remote (1606). When there is no remote key input, the presence or absence of the remote switching instruction command com8 is checked (1607). If there is com8, the flag SW is checked (1608). If "SW = 0", that is, if the remote key is not supported, "remote" and "local" are switched by the processing after step 1603. When there is no remote switching command, it is checked whether or not there is a start key input (1609). When there is a start key input, if it is standby (1610) and local (1611), copy processing is performed (1612). When there is no start key input, it is checked whether or not the start command com1 is input (1613). When there is a start command, if it is standby (1614) and remote (1615), print processing is performed (1616).

FIG. 18 shows a control flow of issuing a remote switching instruction command on the controller side. If there is an online key input (1800), the current state is checked (1802), and if offline, go online (180
3) If it is online, transition to offline (1806). That is, the state changes to a toggle. Next, check bit 3 of the overall status sts7 (1804, 1807)
"0", that is, when the remote key is not supported,
The command com8 may be issued. When the state of the controller is online, the state of the copying machine is local, that is, when bit 2 of the overall status sts7 is "0" (1805), or when the state of the controller is offline, the state of the copying machine is remote, that is, the overall status sts7. If bit 2 of "1" is "1" (1808), the command com8 is issued (1809).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the command for switching the remote / local of the copying machine from the controller, the ON / OFF setting means of the remote support provided in the first embodiment is interlocked. It is possible to select whether to apply the controller online / offline status to the color copier side. Even when multiple devices are connected, the control status is simplified and operability is improved. You can

<< Other Embodiments >> In the second embodiment, setting means for supporting or not supporting key (remote key in the example) input for setting the control relationship on the controlled device side (color copying machine side in the example). Although it is provided, it may be provided on the control device side (the controller side in the example).

In the second embodiment, the setting result by the key (online key in the example) for setting the control relation on the control device side (the controller side in the example) is the controlled device side (color copying machine in the example). However, the setting result of the control-related setting key (remote key in the example) on the controlled device side (color copying machine in the example) may be applied to the control device side (controller in the example).

Further, by applying the idea of the first embodiment to the second embodiment, it is possible to always make all of the plurality of devices the starting factors. In the example, the copy process from the panel of the copying machine, the test print from the panel of the controller, and the print process from the computer can be always operated.

Further, in both the first and second embodiments, a key for setting a control relationship (remote key in the example)
Although the support and non-support of the above were performed on the panel of oneself (a color copying machine in the example), they can be performed from the control device side by a command.

Furthermore, it is also possible to instruct the setting of the control relation from the control device side to the controlled device side by a command without providing a key for setting the control relation.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the example in which the system in which the color copying machine and the controller are separate bodies is controlled has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and is simply a combination of the black and white copying machine and the controller. Can also be applied.

Further, the invention is not limited to the copying machine, and can be similarly applied to a system including a combination of a printer having an online mode and an offline mode and another controller having an online mode and an offline mode.

[0050]

As described above, by providing means for setting support / non-support of the key for setting the control state of the control device and the controlled device, the optimum system configuration for the purpose and environment of use can be realized. Became.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a device configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention.

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

[Figure 3] Operation panel explanatory diagram

[Figure 4] Operation panel explanatory diagram

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

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

[Figure 7] Command / status explanatory diagram

[Figure 8] Operation panel explanatory diagram

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 10: State transition diagram

FIG. 11: State transition diagram

FIG. 12 is a control flow chart.

FIG. 13: State transition diagram

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an operation panel block.

FIG. 15: State transition diagram

FIG. 16: Control flow chart

FIG. 17: Control flow chart

FIG. 18: Control flow chart

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing status information according to the command of FIG. 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

A color copier Operation panel of A1 color copier B controller Operation panel of B1 controller C host computer

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising a first image processing apparatus having a first operation panel and a second image processing apparatus capable of activating the first image processing apparatus,
A first control state in which the first image processing apparatus can be activated only by the first operation panel, and a second control state in which the first image processing apparatus can be activated only by the second image processing apparatus,
There is a third control state in which the first image processing apparatus can be activated from either the first operation panel or the second image processing apparatus, and the first control state, the second control state, and the third control state. An image processing system having a control means capable of selectively controlling the control state of. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for manually switching between the first control state, the second control state and the third control state. 3. The controller further comprises a controller capable of activating the second image processing apparatus, the second image processing apparatus having a second operation panel, and a second operation panel providing a second operation panel.
A fourth control state in which the second image processing apparatus can be activated, and a fifth control state in which the controller can activate the second image processing apparatus.
And a second control unit capable of selectively controlling the fourth control state and the fifth control state, and the first control unit according to a control result of the second control unit. The image processing system is characterized in that the control means performs the control. 4. An image processing system comprising a first image processing device having an operation panel and a second image processing device capable of activating the first image processing device, the first image processing device comprising an operation panel. There are a first control state in which the image processing apparatus can be activated and a second control state in which the operation panel cannot activate the first image processing apparatus. An image processing system having a control means capable of selectively controlling the control state of. 5. An image processing system comprising a first image processing apparatus having an operation panel and a second image processing apparatus capable of activating the first image processing apparatus, the second image processing apparatus. And a second control state in which the second image processing apparatus cannot activate the first image processing apparatus, and a second control state in which the second image processing apparatus cannot activate the first image processing apparatus. An image processing system comprising a control means capable of selectively controlling the first control state and the second control state.