JPH0622065A - Information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an information processor equipped with a function for controlling plural users waiting for the use. CONSTITUTION:This system is provided with a storage means 1207 to store requests, which are received by input means 140 and 159, to operate any one among a scanner mode executing means copy mode executing means and printer mode executing means in order of reception, and a mode selecting means 1200 to operate any one among the scanner mode executing means, copy mode executing means and printer mode executing means corresponding to the first order request of stored contents in the storage means 1207.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system used in an office of a company or the like, and more particularly to a digital copying machine which performs a plurality of independent functions including a copying function by one device. Information processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an office of a company or the like, a printing job for printing document data created by an information processing device (hereinafter, referred to as a host) such as a personal computer or a word processor on a paper by a printer, and a distribution material used at a meeting are required. Copying work is frequently performed to make copies with a copier. Conventionally, a printer (printing apparatus) such as a wire dot printer or a high-speed laser printer has been used for such printing work, and a dry electrostatic transfer type analog copying machine has been frequently used for copying work. Here, the analog copying machine is a copying machine of a type in which light is applied to a document to be copied and the photoconductor is directly exposed by the intensity of the reflected light.

Such an analog copying machine has an interrupt copying function, as is well known, and efforts have been made to improve the usability of the user. Also in the printer, the time required for the printing process is calculated as in "Information processing device" of JP-A-63-227369 and "Printer status display method" of JP-A-3-213377.
Devices have been proposed for displaying to the user.

However, with the recent advances in electronic technology, digital copying machines capable of various copying functions have begun to be used in offices in place of conventional analog copying machines. A digital copying machine is basically a compound device composed of an image scanner (image input device) and a laser printer. The image scanner portion electrically reads the grayscale information of a document as digital information of 1,0, and Is configured to be printed on paper by a laser printer part. The digital copier is a component of
It has a laser printer portion and an image scanner portion. By providing the functional circuit unit and the software unit necessary for online connection with the host, the laser printer unit and the image scanner unit can function as independent peripheral devices. Therefore, a digital copying machine characterized by functioning as a copying machine or as a printer or an image scanner connected online to a host is also seen as a product.

Digital copying machines having a plurality of functions such as a copying machine, a printer, and an image scanner as described above are required for three units, which are conventionally required when the copying machine, the printer, and the image scanner are purchased as independent devices. The installation space can be reduced to one. Further, it has an advantage that the cost can be reduced as compared with the purchase cost when the copying machine, the printer, and the image scanner are purchased as independent devices, respectively.

[0006]

The digital copying machine having the above-mentioned advantages has a plurality of functions of a copying machine, a printer, and an image scanner, so that the number of users naturally increases. Expected However, the conventional digital copying machine has not been provided with a function for adjusting between users.

Therefore, for example, in a conventional information processing system mainly composed of a digital copying machine having a plurality of independent functions such as a conventional copying machine, a printer and an image scanner, a user copies an original document with the digital copying machine. If another user happens to be using the printer function or the image scanner function when trying to copy, the user who tries to copy the job waits until the execution of those functions ends. It is necessary to make a copy. In addition, when a user is printing a large number of pages, there is a problem that another user who tries to perform copying waits for a long time.

Further, when the digital copying machine is out of sight, it is impossible to know when the process of the previous user will end, so that the user who wants to use the device next time may go out to see it repeatedly or ask the previous user. I had to ask them to let me know when they were done. In addition, when each user is using in such a state, the device is always available between the previous user and the next user, although there are many users waiting for the use. Because of the state, utilization efficiency was poor. As described above, the conventional digital copying machine is excellent in that it has multiple functions, but there is room for improvement in terms of user-friendliness and device utilization efficiency.

Further, the above-mentioned JP-A-63-227369 and JP-A-3-213377 are ideas for a system including a peripheral device having only a single function as any printer, and are not applicable to digital copying machines. It cannot be applied to a system including a device having a plurality of functions.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system having a function of adjusting a plurality of users waiting for use in order to improve the usability of the user and the utilization efficiency of the apparatus.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an image scanner which optically reads a grayscale image of a document and converts it into a digital signal, and a digital signal which is converted into an optical signal and printed. Printing means for editing, and editing means for editing document data composed of digital signals,
An information processing system comprising: a control unit that controls a coordinated operation of information processing in the image scanner, the printing unit, and the editing unit; and an input unit that receives a request for the coordinated operation from the outside, the control unit including: A scanner mode executing means for instructing the image scanner to read the original and outputting the digital signal to the editing means; and an instruction for the image scanner to read the original and output it to the printing means. In addition, the copy mode executing means for instructing the printing means to print the digital signal received from the image scanner, and the editing means for outputting the document data to the printing mechanism. The document data received from the editing means to the printing means. A printer mode execution unit for instructing to print a document and a request for operating any one of the scanner mode execution unit, the copy mode execution unit, and the printer mode execution unit received by the input unit are stored in the received order. Checking the operation states of the storage means, the scanner mode execution means, the copy mode execution means, and the printer mode execution means,
When none of them is operating, a mode selection means for operating any one of the scanner mode execution means, the copy mode execution means, and the printer mode execution means in response to the earliest request of the storage contents of the storage means. There is provided an information processing system having:

[0012]

In the information processing system of the present invention, the image scanner optically reads a grayscale image of a document and converts it into a digital signal, and the printing means converts the digital signal into an optical signal and prints it on paper. The editing means edits document data composed of digital signals. The editing means can capture a digital signal read by the image scanner as the document data. Further, the printing unit can receive a digital signal from the editing unit or the image scanner to print.

Therefore, the scanner mode executing means is
When the image scanner is instructed to read a document and output the digital signal to the editing means, the information processing system of the present invention operates in the same manner as an editing processing apparatus to which a conventional single-function image scanner is connected. Function. Further, the copy mode executing means instructs the image scanner to read the original and output it to the printing means, and further prints the digital signal received from the image scanner to the printing means. When instructed, it functions like a conventional digital copier. Further, the printer mode executing means instructs the editing means to output the document data to the printing mechanism, and further causes the printing means to print the document data received from the editing means. When instructed to, the same function as that of a conventional edit processing device to which a printer is connected is performed.

The input means receives from the outside a request to operate any one of the scanner mode execution means, the copy mode execution means and the printer mode execution means. The requests accepted by the input means are stored in the storage means in the order of acceptance.

The mode selection means checks the operating states of the scanner mode execution means, the copy mode execution means, and the printer mode execution means, and if none of them is operating, the first request among the stored contents of the storage means. In response to the,
Any one of the scanner mode execution means, the copy mode execution means, and the printer mode execution means is operated. The storage content management means updates the request stored in the storage means by deleting the corresponding request from the storage content of the storage means when the operation instructed by the mode selection means is completed.

In the information processing system of the present invention, when a plurality of users want to capture an image, print out, or make a copy, when a request for each operation is input, the requests are stored in the storage means in the order of input. It
The mode selection means sequentially operates the requested operations while examining the storage means. Therefore, in the information processing system of the present invention, the user is
There is no need to wait until the device becomes empty or to contact each other, and the user's request can be efficiently processed.

[0017]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 of the present invention is composed of a host 10 and a digital copying machine 15, which are digital copying machines 1.
Data is transmitted and received via the communication cable 20 that connects the adapter 20b of the host 10 and the adapter 20a of the host 10. In this embodiment, a word processor is arranged as the host 10 used in the information processing system 1. The host 10 is a CRT that displays document data, printing conditions, etc.
A display device 110 and a floppy disk device 120 for storing document data and printing conditions are integrally incorporated in the front part, and a control device 13 for controlling editing and printing of document data.
1 (not shown) and a main body 130, and an input device 140 including a keyboard having a command input key group such as a print command input key 141 and an edit command key 142 and a document data input key group. CRT display device 110
The screen configuration of is shown in FIG. The screen of the CRT display device 110 includes a work area 1001 for editing document data and setting print conditions, and the entire information processing system 1 and host 10.
The guidance display area 1002 that displays the state of Examples of messages to the user displayed in the guidance display area 1002 on the CRT display device 110 are shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

The digital copying machine 15 sets an original document to be copied, optically reads a grayscale image thereof, and converts it into a digital signal of 1,0.
8 and a digital copying machine main body 150 having a built-in printing mechanism (not shown) such as a photosensitive drum for printing digital data on a sheet and a laser light source. The digital copying machine 15 functions as a digital copying machine when the data read using the image scanner unit 158 is printed by the printing mechanism section. In addition, the data read using the image scanner unit 158 is transferred to the host 10
It functions as an image scanner by transferring to. Further, the bitmap data received from the host 10 is printed by the printing mechanism unit to function as a laser printer. Further, an operation panel 159 for inputting conditions such as the number of copies and paper size when functioning as a copying machine is arranged on the front surface of the main body 150 of the digital copying machine. On a side surface of the digital copying machine main body 150, a paper feed cassette 151 for collectively setting a plurality of papers used for printing / copying and a paper discharge tray 152 for storing the papers after printing / copying are provided. It is installed.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the outer appearance of the operation panel 159. The operation panel 159 includes a ten-key group 41 for designating the number of copies and a scaling factor, a copy condition setting key group 44 for setting a copy density and a scaling function, a copy condition setting status and digital copying. A group of display lamps 45 for displaying the device status of the copying machine 15, a start key 42 for activating a copying operation, and a copy interrupt key for instructing to operate as a copying machine while a mode other than the copying machine is operating. 46, an end key 47 for ending the operation of the copying machine, and a liquid crystal display 43 for displaying the operating mode and reservation status of the digital copying machine 15. An example of a message to the user displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 on the operation panel 159,
6 (a) to 6 (c) and FIGS. 16 (a) to 16 (c).

FIG. 1 is a state transition diagram summarizing the types of operation modes of the digital copying machine 15 and the transition relation between the modes. The digital copying machine 15 has three types of modes: a copying machine mode 201 that operates as a digital copying machine, a printer mode 205 that operates as a laser printer, and an image scanner mode 206 that operates as an image scanner. Further, the copying machine mode 201 is subdivided into a standby state 202, a normal copying mode 203, and a copying interruption mode 204. Here, the normal copy mode 2
Reference numeral 03 is a mode for performing an operation equivalent to that of a general copying machine, and copy interrupt mode 204 is a mode for temporarily suspending the operation in the printer mode 205 and performing an operation equivalent to that of a general copying machine.

In the normal copy mode 203, the printer mode 205, the image scanner mode 206, and the copy interrupt mode 204, the transition from any mode to another mode is performed by the user through the operation panel 159. The transition is made when 203 or the copy interrupt mode 203 is designated, or when the printer mode 205 or the image scanner mode 206 is designated by a command from the host 10. The standby state 202 is the normal copy mode 203 and the printer mode 2.
05, the image scanner mode 206, and the copy interrupt mode 204 are not operating, and after the digital copying machine 15 is powered on and initial processing is executed, the standby state 202 is set. Become.

FIG. 4 shows an example of configuration blocks of the information processing system 1. The control device 131 built in the main body 130 of the host 10 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 133.
It is mainly composed of. The control device 131 is a CRT
The display device 110, the floppy disk device 120, and the input device 140 are connected, and further, the communication cable 2
It is also connected to the main body 150 of the digital copying machine via 0.

The memory 133 is provided with a document edit program area 1101 and a print control program area 1102. A document editing program area 1101 stores a program for editing a document, and a print control program area 1102 stores a program for controlling printing. Further, in the document editing program area 1101, an image area editing program area 1101a is provided, and a program for editing the image area is stored therein. A print data transmission program area 1102a is provided in the print control program area 1102, and a program for transmitting print data is stored therein.

A control unit 153 is built in the main body 150 of the digital copying machine. The control device 153 has the CPU 1
56 and a memory 157 are mainly configured. The control device 153 is connected to the operation panel 159 and the image scanner unit 158. In addition, the control device 15
3 is a printing mechanism unit 15 via the process control unit 155.
It is also connected to 4.

In the memory 157 arranged in the controller 153, the digital copier processing program area 120 is stored.
0 is provided. The digital copying machine processing program area 1200 stores a program for controlling the overall operation of the digital copying machine main body 150. In the digital copier processing program area 1200, a normal copy program area 1201 for operating the normal copy mode 203, a printer program area 1202 for operating the printer mode 205, and an image scanner mode 206. An image scanner program area 1203 for performing an operation and a copy interrupt mode 204
Copy interrupt program area 1204 for performing the operation of
Are provided and each processing program is stored. Further, in the memory 157, a mode management table 1207 and an operation mode management program area 1205 for managing the operation mode of the digital copying machine 15, and a waiting time display program area 1206 for calculating and displaying the waiting time of the user. Is provided and each processing program is stored.

Next, in the information processing system of this embodiment,
A procedure for editing and printing document data including image data as shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The document data of FIG. 5 is the image scanner 1 of the digital copying machine 15.
The image data taken in by 58 is edited by the host 10 and printed on printing paper by the digital copying machine 15. The document data shown in FIG.
Margin value of the document data editing area 161
And text data 162 composed of characters and symbols,
Graphic data 163 composed of graphics and image data 1 such as illustrations captured by the image scanner 158
65 and are edited. The graphic data 163 and the image data 165 are in the graphic area 164, which is an area in which graphic data can be arranged, and the image area 166.
Edited in.

The procedure of document editing processing in the host 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the document editing process performed by the user using the host 10, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the image area editing work in the document editing process. This document editing process is executed by the program stored in the document editing program area 1101 of the memory 133.

First, in FIG. 9, the control device 131
The size of the paper to be printed (E and F in FIG. 5) is set according to an instruction input by the user using the input device 140 (step 1401). Subsequently, similarly, the top, bottom, left, and right margin values (A, B, C, D in FIG. 5) of the edited document are set (step 1402). Next, the control device 131 edits the text data 162, the graphic data 163, and the image data 165 (step 1403). This editing process (step 1403) is performed for the required number of pages. The completed document data is stored and stored in the floppy disk device 120 (step 14).
04). Here, in the editing of step 1403, the editing of the text data 162 and the graphic data 163 is performed as follows.
The same editing program as that of the conventional word processor included in the program stored in the document editing program area 1101 is used.

Editing of the image data 165 will be described with reference to FIG. The editing process of the image data 165 is performed by the document editing program area 1101 of the memory 133.
It is executed by the program stored in the image area editing program area 1101a therein. Image data 1
The editing of step 65 is started by the user pressing the edit command key 142 of the input device 140 during the editing process of step 1403. In FIG. 10, the input device 140
When the edit command key 142 is pressed and the user issues a command to edit the image data 165, the controller 13
The CPU 132 of No. 1 executes the input processing of this command (step 1411) and moves to the processing of step 1412. In step 1412, the CPU 132 digitally copies the reading density, the density, and the document size as conditions for causing the image scanner unit 158 of the digital copying machine to read the image data according to the instruction input by the user using the input device 140. Set for the machine 15.

In the next step 1413, the expected time required for the digital copying machine 15 to perform the process of capturing an image is calculated based on the reading density and the document size set in step 1412, as shown in Formula 1. Calculate according to the formula. It should be noted that i1 and i2 in the equation 1 are time constants previously obtained from empirical rules, and are preset in the program stored in the image area editing program area 1101a. i1 is a time required to read an image of a document having a unit reading density and a unit area. i2 is a time obtained by adding the time required until the start of image reading and the time until the next processing can be performed after the image reading. The image area is calculated from the document size set in step 1412.

[0032]

[Equation 1] (Estimated processing time of image scanner) =
(Image area) × (reading density) × i1 + i2 In step 1414, the digital copier 15 is notified of the declaration that the digital copier 15 is to be used as an image scanner and the estimated time calculated in Equation 1. , Go to step 1415. In step 1415, the digital copying machine 15 is inquired about the status of the mode management table 1207. If the mode management table 1207 indicates that the mode has already been used for another purpose, information on the type of the currently operating mode and the estimated remaining processing time of the mode, and the mode declared by the user. The information of the reserved mode and its expected operation time excluding the above, and the estimated value of the waiting time until the transition to the mode declared by the user are displayed in the guidance display area 1 on the CRT display device 110.
It is displayed in 002 as shown in FIG. Furthermore, calculate the total of the estimated remaining time of the mode currently in operation and the expected operating time of the reserved mode excluding the mode declared by you, and transfer it to the mode you declared to use. The waiting time is displayed in the guidance display area 1002, and the process returns to step 1415 (step 141).
6).

After that, the state of the mode management table 1207 of the digital copying machine 15 is periodically checked. During this time, the mode management table 1207 has the operation mode management program area 1205 and the waiting time display program area 120.
6 has been updated by the program stored therein. Then, the state of the mode management table 1207 of the digital copying machine 15 is checked, and when the mode declared to be used is in the operating state, the control is moved to step 1417 and the image scanner unit 158 is operated to operate the image. Data is read into the host 10 side. Host 10
Then, the read data is processed / corrected (step 1418), the image scanner cancellation declaration is notified to the digital copying machine 15 (step 1419), and the image area editing process is terminated.

Next, the procedure of the print control process when the document data edited by the host 10 is printed by the digital copying machine 15 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing process performed by the user using the host 10 and the digital copying machine 15. The print control process in the host 10 is executed by a program stored in the print program area 1102 of the memory 133. The user inputs the print command input key 14 of the input device 140.
When the print command is generated by pressing 1, the CPU 132 of the control device 131 executes the input process of this command (step 1501) and moves to the process of step 1502. In step 1502, the CPU 132 displays a list of document data on the CRT display device 110 in order to allow the user to specify the document data to be printed from the document data stored in the floppy disk device 120. Then, according to the designation input by the user using the input device 140, the document data to be printed is specified, and the process proceeds to step 1503.

At step 1503, the CPU 132
In step 1502, the CRT display device 110 displays information for allowing the user to specify under what printing conditions the document data to be printed specified by the user should be printed. Then, the printing condition is specified by the designation input by the user using the input device 140, and the process proceeds to step 1504. In step 1503, what page to print of the document data to be printed designated by the user, how many pages to print, whether to print the bag, and what type of printing font is used. Whether or not is set as a printing condition. In Step 1504, Step 15
Based on the conditions set in 02.1503, the estimated processing time required to operate as a printer is calculated according to the calculation formula shown in Formula 2. Note that p1 to p4 in Equation 2
Is a time constant previously obtained from an empirical rule.

[0036]

[Equation 2] (Expected time for processing in printer mode) =
(Number of remaining sheets to print) × p1 + (Number of character data) ×
p2 + (number of graphic elements) × p3 + (image area) × p4 In step 1505, the digital copier 15 is notified of the declaration that the digital copier 15 is used as a printer and the estimated time calculated by the equation 2. Step 150
Go to 6. In step 1506, the digital copying machine 15
Inquires about the status of the mode management table 1207. If the mode management table 1207 is already used for another purpose, as shown in FIG. 8B, information on the type of the mode currently operating and its estimated remaining time. , And information about the reserved modes other than the mode declared to be used by the user and the expected operation time thereof are displayed in the guidance display area 1002 of the CRT display device 110. In addition, calculate the total estimated remaining time of the currently operating mode and the expected operating time of the reserved mode excluding the mode declared by you, and calculate the waiting time until transition to the mode declared by you. The predicted value is displayed at the same time (step 1507).

After that, the state of the mode management table 1207 of the digital copying machine 15 is periodically checked. During this time, the mode management table 1207 has the operation mode management program area 1205 and the waiting time display program area 120.
6 has been updated by the program stored therein. Then, when it is found in the mode management table 1207 that the mode declared to be used is in operation, control is passed to step 1508. Step 150
In step 8, dot data to be actually printed on the paper is generated from the document data to be printed, and the dot data and a necessary control command group are transmitted to the digital copying machine 15 to print one page (step 1509). Next, it is judged whether printing of all pages is completed (step 1
510) If the printing of all pages has been completed, the printer release declaration is output to the digital copying machine 15 and the printing process ends (step 1510). If printing of all pages is not completed, the remaining estimated time is calculated again according to the formula 2 and the digital copier 15
(Step 1511). Further, it is determined whether or not there is a copy interrupt request from the digital copying machine 15 (step 1512). If there is no request, the process returns to step 1508 to continue printing the remaining pages. If there is a copy interrupt request in step 1512,
The use of the printer mode was temporarily suspended, and a printer hold declaration meaning that the use as the copy interrupt mode was permitted was sent to the digital copying machine 15 (step 1513), and the printer waited until the copy interrupt mode ended (step 1514). rear,
The process returns to step 1508 to continue printing the remaining pages.

Here, the mode management table 1 provided on the memory 157 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (e).
The relationship between the content of 207 and the operation mode of the digital copying machine 15 will be described. The mode management table 120
The contents of 7 are the interrupt processing A shown in FIG.
And the interrupt processing B shown in FIG. The mode management table 1207 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (e), the mode of the digital copying machine is managed with a set of three items. As shown in FIG. 15A, “EOF (End Of Fil) is added to the head of the mode management table 1207.
e) If "1801" is stored, digital copier 1
The mode 5 indicates the standby state 202. Liquid crystal display 43 of operation panel 159 at this time
Is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, when the print processing is set according to FIG. 11 described above, “1” 1811 is stored at the head of the mode management table 1207 as shown in FIG. 15B, indicating that the digital copying machine 15 is in operation. , "P" 1812 in the second column, and printer mode 2
05 is stored, and “0220” indicating that the estimated time calculated in step 1504 of FIG. 11 is 2 minutes and 20 seconds is stored in the third column, indicating the remaining processing time. Furthermore, the beginning of the next set is "EOF (EndOfFil
e) Since it is "1801," there is no reserved mode. The display on the liquid crystal display 43 of the operation panel 159 at this time is shown in FIG.

FIG. 15C shows a state in which the processing of the image scanner is reserved according to FIG. 10 described above when the printer mode 205 shown in FIG. 15B is operating. The top three columns 18 of the mode management table 1207
11 to 1813 indicate that the printer mode 205 is operating and the remaining processing time is 1 minute and 30 seconds. The next three columns 1821 to 1823
Indicates that the operation is reserved by "2" 1821, and indicates that the reserved is the image scanner mode 206 by "IM" 1822 in the next column.
In the third column, "0040", step 1413 in FIG.
It is shown that the estimated processing time calculated in (4) is 40 seconds. Liquid crystal display 43 of operation panel 159 at this time
The display is shown in FIG.

FIG. 15D shows the operation panel 159 of the digital copying machine when the printer mode 205 shown in FIG. 15C is operating and the remaining processing time is 1 minute and 30 seconds. , The copy interrupt mode 204 is set. The copy interrupt mode is a mode in which the mode currently in operation is temporarily suspended and the copy function is operated. Therefore, in the first three columns of the mode management table 1207, the mode transition of “3” 1831 and “CI” are performed. "Copy interrupt mode 204" and "0015" expected time of 15 seconds are shown. This indicates that the estimated processing time in the copy interrupt mode 204 is 15 seconds while waiting for the transition from the printer mode 205 to the copy interrupt mode 204. The next three columns 1811 to 1813
Indicates the next processing of the printer processing after the copy interruption, and further the next three columns 1821 to 182.
3 shows that the image scanner mode 206 is reserved for operation with an estimated processing time of 40 seconds. The display on the liquid crystal display 43 of the operation panel 159 at this time is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 15E, the copy interrupt mode 204 is in operation (estimated time for remaining processing: 15 seconds), and operation in the printer mode 205 is reserved (estimated processing time: 1 minute 2).
0 seconds), and image scanner mode 2
The operation in 06 is reserved (expected processing time: 40 seconds). The display of the liquid crystal display 43 of the operation panel 159 at this time is shown in FIG.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the procedure of processing for copying an original and the processing for interrupt copying in the digital copying machine 15 will be described.
explain. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the main processing work procedure of the digital copying machine 15. The main processing work of the digital copying machine 15 is the main body 15 of the digital copying machine.
It is executed by the program stored in the digital copying machine processing program area 1200 of 0. In FIG. 12, when the power of the digital copying machine 15 is turned on, the CPU 156 in the digital copying machine performs initial processing such as checking the entire apparatus and warming up control of the printing mechanism unit 154. (Step 1601). The initial process of step 1601 includes a process of initializing the contents of the mode management table 1207 to “EOF” as shown in FIG.

In step 1602, the contents of the mode management table 1207 are checked. If the leading column is not the standby state shown in FIG. 15A, the operating mode is judged (step 1610) and the mode management is performed. Table 12
The processing corresponding to the mode shown in the second column of 07 is performed. That is, when “P” printer is displayed in the second column of the mode management table 1207, the program stored in the printer program area 1202 in the memory 157 is executed to cause the print control unit 155 to operate. The printing mechanism unit 154 is operated via the
The dot data received from the host 10 in step 1509 of 1 is printed (step 1611). Similarly,
If “IM” image scanner is displayed in the second column of the mode management table 1207, the memory 15
By executing the program stored in the image scanner program area 1203 in 7, the image scanner unit 158 is operated to read the original, and the read digital signal is output to the host 10.
The host 10 receives this signal in step 1417 of FIG. 10 (step 1612).

When "CI" copy interrupt is displayed in the second column of the mode management table 1207,
By executing the program stored in the normal copy program area 1203 in the memory 157, the image scanner unit 158 is operated to read the original, and the print mechanism unit 15 is further operated via the print control unit 155.
4 is operated to print the signal read by the image scanner unit 158, and a copying process is performed (step 1613). At this time, the interrupt process A shown in FIG. 13 is started as the interrupt process of the CPU 156, and the mode management table 1207 is updated. The interrupt processing A will be described later in detail. When the copy interrupt operation is completed, when the user presses the end key 47 on the operation panel 159 to instruct the end of the use as the copying machine, or when the key operation on the operation panel 159 is performed for a certain time ( Eg 3
When the condition of not being present (for 0 seconds) is satisfied, a copy interrupt cancellation declaration signifying the end of the copy interrupt mode 204 is made (step 1614). Here, when the use declaration in step 1605 or the copy interrupt cancellation declaration in step 1614 is performed, the CPU 156 performs interrupt processing as shown in FIG.
The interrupt process A shown in 3 is activated, and the mode management table 1207 is updated.

On the other hand, when the content of the mode management table 1207 indicates the standby state 202 in step 1602, it is periodically determined whether or not the start key 42 on the operation panel 159 is pressed by the user (step 1603). . Here, if the key is not pressed, the process returns to step 1602, but if the key is pressed, the copy conditions such as the type of paper and the number of copies set by the user are input from the operation panel 159. Based on this, the expected processing time required for copying is calculated based on this, according to the formula (3) (step 1604). It should be noted that c1 and c2 in the equation 3 are time constants previously obtained from empirical rules. c1 is the time required to copy one sheet of paper having a unit area. c
2 is the total of the time required to start copying and the time required to transition to the next mode after copying.

[0046]

[Equation 3] (Estimated copy processing time) = (Paper area)
× (number of copies) × c1 + c2 In the next step 1605, the normal copying use declaration that the digital copying machine 15 is used as the normal copying mode 203 and the estimated time calculated by the mathematical expression 3 are given to the digital copying machine 1
5 is notified (step 1605), and the necessary copying process is subsequently performed (step 1606). Finally, when the user presses the end key 47 on the operation panel 159 to instruct the end of the use as the copying machine, or the operation panel 1
When the condition that the key operation on 59 is not performed for a certain time (for example, 30 seconds) is satisfied, a normal copy cancellation declaration that means the end of the normal copy mode 203 is made (step 160).
6). Here, when the use declaration in step 1605 or the release declaration in step 1607 is made, the CPU 15
As the interrupt processing of No. 6, the interrupt processing A shown in FIG. 13 is activated and the mode management table 1207 is updated.

Now, the interrupt processing A shown in FIG. 13 will be described. The interrupt process A is an interrupt process executed by the CPU 156 according to a program stored in the operation mode management program area 1205 on the memory 157.
The interrupt processing A is the use declaration / cancellation declaration / declaration declaration of the printer mode or image scanner mode transmitted from the host 10 to the digital copying machine 15 / step 1511 in FIG.
Notification, steps 1605, 1607, 161 in FIG.
It is activated by the use declaration / cancellation declaration of No. 4 and the user pressing the copy interrupt key 46 on the operation panel 159. In the interrupt processing A, first, it is judged whether or not the use declaration of each mode is made (steps 1701-1.
703), if the mode declaration is made, the mode management table 1207 is updated using the declaration contents and the notified estimated processing time (step 1706).

Here, when the use declaration of the image scanner mode is further issued while the printer mode is operating as shown in FIG. 15B, the image scanner mode is currently set as shown in FIG. 15C. Reserved after the printer mode in operation. Next, it is periodically determined whether or not the user has pressed the copy interrupt key 46 to instruct the shift to the copy interrupt mode 204 (step 1704), and if it has been pressed, the above-described step 1604 is executed. Calculate the estimated time required to process a copy interrupt using the same procedure as
(Step 1704) and then the mode management table 120
7 is updated (step 1706).

At this time, if the printer mode is already in operation and the image scanner mode is reserved as shown in FIG. 15C, a copy interrupt is made as shown in FIG. 15D. Data group indicating the mode status (1831, 1
832, 1833) is placed at the head of the mode management table 1207 and is positioned at the highest priority, but "3" is set in the management data 1831 indicating the status of the copy interrupt mode.
[Mode transition] is written, and the condition for the mode transition from the printer mode 205 to the copy interrupt mode 204 is awaited.

Next step 1707 to step 1
It is determined whether or not there is a cancellation declaration for each mode up to 710. If there is a cancellation declaration, the process proceeds to step 1712. If there is a release declaration, in step 1712, a data group arranged at the head of the mode management table 1207 and indicating the operating mode (for example, 1811 in FIG. 15C,
1812, 1813) and the data groups arranged after that (1821, 1822, 18 in FIG. 15C) are deleted.
23, 1801) to the head side, and data indicating the status of the next reserved mode (FIG. 15 (c)).
Then, replace 1821) with "1" [in operation].

In the next step 1711, the host 1
It is determined whether or not the hold declaration is transmitted from 0, and if there is a hold declaration, the process proceeds to step 1712. If there is a hold declaration, in step 1712, data indicating the status of the interrupt copy mode in the mode management table 1207 is displayed.
3 "[during mode transition] (1831 in Fig. 15 (d)) to" 1 "
[Operating] (1831 in Fig. 15 (e)) is rewritten, and data showing the status of the mode which was operating is changed from "1" [Operating] (1811 in Fig. 15 (d)) to "2" [ Reserving] (1811 in FIG. 15E) is performed. In the next step 1713, it is judged whether or not there is a change notification of the estimated time by the processing of step 1511 of FIG. 11 from the host 10, and if there is a change notification,
In step 1714, the data (1813 in FIG. 15B) indicating the remaining estimated time of the processing of the mode in operation of the mode management table 1207 is changed, and the interrupt processing A is ended.

This time, when the mode displayed at the head of the mode management table 1207 is "1" in operation, an interrupt process for decreasing the remaining time shown in the third column with the passage of time. The processing procedure of B will be described with reference to FIG. The interrupt process B is executed by the CPU 156 according to the program stored in the waiting time display program area 1206 on the memory 157. In addition, interrupt processing B
Is activated at a constant period by the action of a period interrupt circuit (not shown) provided in the control unit 153. In the present embodiment, for simplification of explanation, it is assumed that the system is activated at a cycle of 1 second.

In the interrupt processing B, first, data indicating the estimated remaining time of the processing of the mode in operation in the mode management table 1207, for example, the mode management table 1 in FIG.
In 207, 1813 is reduced by 1 second (step 1701). After that, the predicted value of the waiting time is calculated according to the formula (4) (step 1702). For example, in FIG.
In (e), 15 seconds of data 1833, 1 minute 20 seconds of data 1813, and 40 seconds of data 1823 are added,
The predicted value of the waiting time is calculated as “2 minutes 15 seconds”, and
Displayed as (c).

[0054]

(Equation 4) (Estimated value of waiting time) = (Estimated remaining time of processing in operating mode) + Σ (Estimated processing time of reserved mode) In the next step 1703, in the mode management table 120
7 and the wait time predicted value from the wait time predicted value calculated in step 1702 until the device can be used for a new purpose other than the operation status and reserved status of the device, the liquid crystal display of the operation panel 159. Displayed at 43, the interrupt processing B is terminated. As a specific example of the display contents, when the mode management table 1207 is in the state of FIG. 15A, the liquid crystal display 43 of the operation panel 159 displays as shown in FIG. 6A. In addition, the mode management table 12
6C when 07 is shown in FIG. 15B, FIG. 16A when shown in FIG. 15C, and FIG.
When (b) is FIG. 15 (e), FIG. 16 (c) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 43, respectively.

Finally, step 1416 of FIG. 10 and FIG.
The calculation of the waiting time predicted value in the process of step 1507 of No. 1 will be described in more detail. In each processing step, the predicted value of the waiting time is calculated according to the calculation formula shown in Formula 5.

[0056]

[Equation 5] (Estimated value of waiting time) = (Estimated remaining time of processing in operating mode) + Σ (Estimated processing time of reserved mode)-(Estimated processing time of mode declared by the user) The processing in step 1416 of FIG. 10 will be described using the data example of the mode management table 1207 shown in FIG. Applying a specific numerical value to the calculation of Expression 5, the result of 1 minute 35 seconds is obtained as shown in Expression 6, and therefore, FIG.
A message as shown in (a) is displayed on the CRT display device 110. Therefore, the user can know the waiting time until the transition to the image scanner mode required by the user. On the other hand, in step 1507 of FIG.
By the same processing as the step 1416 of 0, the user can know the waiting time until the transition to the printer mode required by the user.

[0057]

[Equation 6] (Estimated wait time) = (Estimated remaining time for processing in copy interrupt mode) + (Estimated time for processing in printer mode) + (Estimated time for processing in image scanner mode)-(Image scanner mode (Estimated time of processing) = 15 seconds + 1 minute 20 seconds + 40 seconds -40 seconds = 1 minute 35 seconds The print processing on the host 10 side in FIG. 11 is a printer hold declaration for the purpose of simplifying the description. Although the timing of issuing 1513 is limited to the break of the printing page, it is not limited to this, and the information group necessary for restarting printing correctly is stored in the memory 133 in advance, and the copy interrupt mode is set. If the printer is configured to resume printing using the stored information group after returning from the printer mode to the printer mode, the printer hold declaration 1513 can be set at any time.
Can be issued, it is possible to provide an information system that can immediately shift to the copy interrupt mode.

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment is provided with the mode management table 1207 for indicating the operating status and the reserved status of the digital copying machine 15. The mode management table 1207 is updated by the program stored in the operation mode management program 1205 and the program stored in the waiting time display program area 1206. The program for operating each mode periodically checks the mode management table 1207, and if the reserved operation is carried over to the head of the mode management table 1207 and is rewritten as being in operation, it is created so as to start the operation. Has been done. Therefore, in the digital copying machine 15 of the present embodiment, each operation is scheduled centering on the mode management table 1207.

In the conventional digital copying machine, a plurality of users who want to use the printers, the image scanners, the copying machines of the digital copying machine by contacting each other or checking the status of the digital copying machine. Each treatment was used. In the information processing system of this embodiment, it is possible to reserve the processing desired by the digital copying machine. Then, when the reserved processing becomes possible, the processing is started under the preset conditions. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to be near the apparatus until processing is possible, which improves usability. Further, since the digital copying machine is automatically operated according to the reservation, the operation rate of the apparatus can be improved and the waiting time can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

In the mode management table 1207,
The waiting time is displayed by the program stored in the waiting time display program area 1206 as time passes. Therefore, this time is used as the CRT display device 110 of the host 10 and the operation panel 15 of the digital copying machine.
By displaying in 9, the waiting time can be known in advance, so that the user can perform another task during the waiting time.

When an urgent copy is required, the interrupt copy mode allows the operation mode to be temporarily interrupted for copying, thus improving the usability of the system.

Further, in the information processing system of this embodiment,
Although one host is connected to the digital copying machine, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of hosts can be connected in parallel. In this case, the host from which the reservation is made is stored in the mode management table of the digital copying machine. This allows more users to reserve the printer mode or the image scanner mode.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the function of adjusting among a plurality of users waiting for the use of the digital copying machine, the usability of the user and the utilization efficiency of the apparatus are improved. An information processing system provided with a digital copying machine capable of performing the above is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a state transition diagram showing an operation mode of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of an information processing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an external appearance of an embodiment of an information processing system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an appearance of an operation panel of the digital copying machine of the information processing system shown in FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an edited document edited by an embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message to the user displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of the CRT display device 110 shown in FIG.

8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the CRT display device 110 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a processing flowchart of document editing processing in an embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a processing flowchart of image area editing processing in an embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a processing flowchart of print control processing in an embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart of the digital copying machine in the embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a processing flowchart of interrupt processing A of the digital copying machine in the embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a processing flowchart of interrupt processing B of the digital copying machine in the embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a mode management table in an embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention.

16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message to the user displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 10 ... Host, 15 ... Digital copying machine, 20 ... Communication cable, 110 ... CRT display device, 120 ... Floppy disk device, 130 ... Host main body, 131 ... Control device, 132 ... CPU, 133 ... Memory , 150 ... Digital copying machine main body, 153 ... Print data processing device, 154 ... Printing mechanism section, 155 ... Process control section, 156 ... CPU, 157 ... Memory, 158 ... Image scanner unit, 159 ... Operation panel, 1205
... operation mode management program area, 1206 ... waiting time display program area, 1207 ... mode management table

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image scanner for optically reading a grayscale image of an original document and converting it into a digital signal, a printing means for converting the digital signal into an optical signal and printing it, and editing document data composed of the digital signal. Editing means, and control means for controlling a coordinated operation of information processing in the image scanner, the printing means, and the editing means,
An information processing system having an input unit for externally receiving the request for the link operation, wherein the control unit instructs the image scanner to read a document and output the digital signal to the editing unit. Scanner mode execution means and the image scanner are instructed to read a document and output to the printing means, and further instruct the printing means to print the digital signal received from the image scanner. And a copy mode executing unit for instructing the editing unit to output the document data to the printing mechanism, and further for printing the document data received from the editing unit to the printing unit. Instructing printer mode executing means, and scanner mode executing means accepted by the input means. And a storage unit that stores a request to operate either the copy mode execution unit or the printer mode execution unit in the order in which they are received, and the operating states of the scanner mode execution unit, the copy mode execution unit, and the printer mode execution unit. And if none of them are operating, any one of the scanner mode executing means, the copy mode executing means, and the printer mode executing means is operated in accordance with the earliest request of the storage contents of the storage means. An information processing system comprising a mode selecting unit. 2. The information processing according to claim 1, further comprising storage content management means for deleting a corresponding request from the storage content of the storage means when the operation instructed by the mode selection means is completed. system. 3. The request according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the earliest request among the requests stored in the storage means, which is operated by the mode selecting means, is an operation in operation, and other than the operation in operation. An information processing system further comprising display means for displaying a request as a reserved operation. 4. The scanner mode execution means, the copy mode execution means, and the printer mode execution means are operated according to the request for each of the requests input from the input means. In this case, further comprising a forecast time calculating means for calculating a forecast time required from the start to the end of the operation, the storage means further stores the forecast time in association with the request, the display means, An information processing system, wherein the estimated time stored in the storage means is displayed in association with the request. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, of the estimated times stored in the storage means, the estimated time of the earliest request in which the mode selection means is operating is the time elapsed from the start of the operation. Further, it further comprises an estimated time updating means for subtracting with, and an estimated time summing means for summing the estimated time of all requests stored in the storage means, and the display means calculates the estimated time summing means. An information processing system characterized by displaying the total expected time as a waiting time. 6. The control means according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising copy interrupt mode executing means, wherein the copy interrupt mode executing means includes the scanner mode executing means, the copy mode executing means, and a printer. When one of the modes of the mode executing means is operating, the operation is temporarily interrupted, and the image scanner is instructed to read the original and output it to the printing means. When the input unit receives a request for the operation of the copy interrupt mode execution unit, the storage unit gives the first request to print the digital signal received from the image scanner. An information processing system characterized by storing as a request of. 7. An information processing system according to claim 1, wherein a first casing including the image scanner, the printing unit, and the control unit, a second casing including the editing unit, and a first casing. A communication cable for connecting the control means of the housing and the editing means of the second housing, and the display means and the input means are arranged in the first housing and the second housing, respectively. The input means arranged in the second housing has a function of accepting a request to operate the scanner mode execution means and the printer mode execution means, and the input means arranged in the first housing. Is an information processing system having a function of receiving a request to operate the copy mode executing means. 8. An image scanner for optically reading a grayscale image of a document and converting it into a digital signal, a printing means for converting the digital signal into an optical signal for printing, and editing document data composed of the digital signal. Digital copying having an adapter for connecting an editing unit, a control unit for controlling a linked operation of information processing in the image scanner, the printing unit, and the editing unit, and an input unit for externally receiving a request for the linked operation And a scanner mode executing means for instructing the image scanner to read a document and output the digital signal to the editing means connected to the adapter, and the image scanner. , And instruct the document to be read and output to the printing means.
Further, a copy mode executing means for instructing the printing means to print the digital signal received from the image scanner, and the document data received from the editing means connected to the adapter for the printing means. A storage for storing a printer mode execution unit for instructing to print and a request for operating any one of the scanner mode execution unit, the copy mode execution unit, and the printer mode execution unit accepted by the input unit Means, the scanner mode execution means, the copy mode execution means, and the printer mode execution means, and when none of them is operating, in response to the earliest request of the storage contents of the storage means. The scanner mode executing means and the copy mode executing means, Digital copier, characterized in that it has a mode selecting means for operating either the printer mode execution means. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein among the requests stored in the storage means, the earliest request in which the mode selecting means is operating is an operation in operation, and a request other than the operation in operation is A digital copying machine characterized by further comprising display means for displaying as a reserved operation. 10. The input means according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the input means has an operation panel for externally receiving a request for operating the copy mode execution means, and the input means is the scanner mode execution means. And a request for operating the printer mode executing means, which accepts a request from the editing means connected to the adapter via the adapter.