JPH07177289A - Digital copying machine with plural functions - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the utilization efficiency of a user who uses the machine directly by providing a means which preferentially selects an operation function inputted by the user who uses the machine directly according to detection information from an approaching person sensor. CONSTITUTION:When a person approaches in order to use a copying function, the sensor of a sensor part 106 senses the person and outputs a signal. This signal is inputted to a CPU 108 through the sensor I/F part 107 of an I/F 101. The CPU 108 once inputting the signal from the sensor part 106 disables input to and output from a FAX I/F part 103 and a computer I/F part 104 and transfers input data from a scanner I/F part 102 to a data buffer part 111 to put the copying function in operation. Therefore, even when external operation data from FAX, an electronic computer, etc., are inputted right before the nearby person starts input operation, the person who uses the machine directly can use the machine with priority until the person who uses the machine directly performs input and the output ends.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has, in addition to a copying function as a digital copying apparatus, a facsimile machine (hereinafter referred to as "F").
AX) function or printer function,
The present invention relates to a digital copying machine having a plurality of functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Operational control based on digitized information is being widely adopted in office electronic devices, and even in a copying apparatus which reads an original image and prints the copied image on a recording sheet or the like, the original is passed through a color filter. A high-gradation correction can be performed by color-separating with a CCD line sensor and converting it into a digital electric signal, and the spread of digital copying machines that can output natural and beautiful high-quality images is gaining momentum. .

On the other hand, digitalization is progressing also in a FAX which sends and receives a print and an image to and from a remote place by wired communication or a wireless communication, and a printer which prints and forms an image by information input from a computer network. Therefore, as a rationalized configuration of office electronic equipment, in addition to the configuration of the copying function as a conventional digital copying apparatus, a specially required configuration is added to enable the conventional FAX function, printer function, etc. , A digital copying machine having a plurality of functions has been realized.

In each function of the digital copying apparatus having the above-described plurality of functions, the operation of the function which is the first to input the operation-related information is prioritized, and the related function is processed to perform the output operation. Was becoming.

[0005]

In the conventional digital copying machine having a plurality of functions described above, in order to utilize the copying function, even if the user has to go to the copying machine, it is almost impossible to use a computer or the like in a remote place. The operations input at the same time may be preferentially processed and output. In the conventional device, the input operation and the output operation cannot be divided and independent.
Due to operation data input from the outside such as X or a computer, only one specific function among a plurality of functions provided in the apparatus continued to operate from the input to the end of the output.

Due to the above-described functional structure, the work of a person who wants to use the copying machine is disturbed, which wastes man-hours and time, and lowers the work performance efficiency. Further, even in the copying machine, the input operation and the output operation of a plurality of functions cannot be divided and independent, and the functional efficiency and utilization efficiency of the apparatus are restricted.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and improves the utilization efficiency of a person who intends to directly use a digital copying apparatus, and also exerts the effects of a plurality of functions provided in the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital copying machine having a plurality of elevated functions.

[0008]

Therefore, a digital copying apparatus having a plurality of functions according to the present invention has a facsimile functional configuration or a printer functional configuration in addition to the copying functional configuration as a digital copying apparatus. A digital copying machine having a plurality of functions provided with an approaching person sensor for detecting a person approaching the apparatus, and an operation function based on an input from a person who directly uses the apparatus based on detection information from the approaching person sensor. It is intended to achieve the above-mentioned object by a configuration characterized by including a function selection control means for preferentially performing a selection operation.

[0009]

With the above structure, when a person approaches the digital copying machine, the approaching sensor detects it and outputs it to the function selection control means, and the function selection control means directly operates by the input from the person who uses the apparatus. Since it is controlled to the priority operation selection state, even if the approaching person inputs the operation data from the outside such as the FAX or the computer immediately before the input is started, the input is only temporarily stored in the memory. The output operation is not carried out, and the person who directly handles the device can preferentially use it until the person who tries to handle the device directly inputs and the output ends, and no trouble occurs.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A digital copying apparatus having a plurality of functions according to the present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments.

In addition to the copying function as a digital copying apparatus, an example having a FAX function and a printer function by input from a computer will be taken up and described.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 101 denotes an I / F unit which controls input of three functions of a FAX function, a printer function and a copying function.
Reference numeral 02 denotes a scanner I / F unit for inputting a copy function, 103
Is a FAX I / F unit, 104 is a computer I / F unit, 1
Reference numeral 05 denotes an I / F switching unit for switching which of the three I / F units of the scanner I / F 102, the FAX I / F unit 103, and the computer I / F unit 104 to be used.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a sensor unit for detecting the approach of a person, 1
A sensor I / F 07 receives an input from the sensor unit 106.
Reference numeral 108 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as CPU) that controls the entire I / F unit 101, and 109 denotes a CPU 10.
Memory (ROM) containing 8 programs, 110
Is a work memory of the CPU 108, 111 is an I / F unit 10
1 is a data buffer unit that stores and outputs print data output from 1.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, a case where each of the above-mentioned three functions of FAX, printer, and copy is operated independently will be described.

In the case of the copy function, the FAX I / F unit 103 and the computer I / F unit 104 are set in the unreceivable state,
The CPU 18 makes the scanner I / F through the I / F switching unit 105.
The input data of the F unit 102 is transferred to the data buffer unit 111.

In the case of the printer function, the fact that the copying function cannot be used is displayed on the display panel, and the FAX I / F
The unit 103 puts it in a reception disabled state. Then, the input data to the computer I / F unit 104 is transferred to the data buffer unit 111 through the I / F switching unit 105.

When a person approaches the apparatus having the above-mentioned functions to use the copying function, the sensor unit 10 is operated at step S1.
The sensor of 6 detects a person and outputs a signal. This signal is input to the CPU 108 through the sensor I / F unit 107. When the signal from the sensor unit 106 is input, the CPU 108 outputs FA if there is no input signal from each I / F unit.
Input to the XI / F unit 103 and the computer I / F unit 104 is disabled (S2), and the scanner I / F unit 1
02 becomes operable, the input to the scanner I / F unit 102 is transferred to the data buffer unit 111, the output operation is performed (S3, S4), and when the data input ends, F
Return the AX function and printer function to usable status (S5).
S6).

In step S3, the scanner I /
If there is no input from the F unit 102 (S7), the sensor I /
Confirm the signal of the sensor unit 106 to the F unit 107 (S8),
If there is no signal, the FAX I / F unit 103 and the computer I / F unit 104 can be input (S6).

If the sensor unit 106 does not detect a person in step S1, the process proceeds to steps S9 to S12, where F
AXI I / F unit 103 or computer I / F unit 104
When there is an input to, the copy function is disabled (S1
0), output by FAX function or printer function (S1
1) When finished, restore the copy function (S)
12, S13).

By the above operation, the FAX function and the printer function which do not directly operate the apparatus give priority to the copy function which is directly operated by the person as unusable when the person approaches the apparatus. That is, it is possible to give priority to direct use by a person and reduce the waiting time.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Parts which are the same as or correspond to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, an external storage device 201 is provided in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, and I of the first embodiment is used.
An I / F unit 200 is configured by adding an external storage device 201 to the / F unit 101.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the FAX function and the printer function are used, the data input from the FAX I / F unit 103 or the computer I / F unit 104 is input / output by the CPU 108.
Temporary storage (hereinafter referred to as spool) in the external storage device 201 through the F switching unit 105 (S21 to S24). After all the data is spooled, the CPU 108 reads it from the external storage device 201, and the data buffer unit 111
The data is transferred to and output (S25 to S28).

FAX I / F unit 103 and computer I
Since the data input from the / F unit 104 is always spooled in the external storage device 201, if a person comes to use the copy function while spooling the data (S2
6) After all the data is spooled, the FAX function and the printer function are disabled (S29), the copying function is enabled, and copying is performed by the scanner I / F unit 102 input (S30, S31). The data spooled in 201 is read out, and the data buffer unit 11
1 is transferred (S33, S27, S28). Step S
If there is no spool data in 33, the process proceeds to S34 and FAX
The function and printer function are enabled (S34). If there is no input to the scanner I / F unit 102 in step S30, the process proceeds to step S35, waits for a certain period of time, and proceeds to step S30 or S34 depending on whether or not the sensor unit 106 detects a person.

By the above operation, the print function and the FAX
External storage device 2 without stopping data input by function
If there is a person who uses the copy function before spooling to 01 and outputting, the person can be prioritized and the spool data can be printed after that, so that the usage efficiency of the apparatus can be improved.

[0029]

As described above, when a person approaches the digital copying machine, the approaching person sensor detects and outputs it to the function selection control means, and the function selection control means is directly input by the person who uses the apparatus. Since the operation function is controlled to the operation selection state giving priority to the operation function, it is possible to perform FA
Even if operation data is input from the outside, such as X or a computer, the input is only stored in the memory and the output operation is not performed. The person who directly handles the device inputs it. Until the output ends, the person who directly handles the device can preferentially use it and no trouble occurs. That is, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of a person who intends to directly use the device and to enhance the effect of the plurality of functions provided in the device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 I / F section 102 Scanner I / F section 103 FAX I / F section 104 Computer I / F section 105 I / F switching section 106 Sensor section 107 Sensor I / F section 108 CPU 109 ROM 110 RAM 111 Data buffer section 200 I / F unit 201 External storage device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A digital copying apparatus having a plurality of functions including a facsimile function configuration or a printer function configuration in addition to a copying function configuration as a digital copying apparatus, and detecting a person approaching the apparatus. A plurality of functions including a function selection control means for selectively performing an operation function based on an input from a person who directly uses the device according to detection information from the proximity sensor. A digital copying machine having. 2. A digital copying apparatus having a plurality of functions including a facsimile function configuration or a printer function configuration in addition to a copying function configuration as a digital copying apparatus, and detecting a person approaching the apparatus. An approaching person sensor and spool storage means for temporarily storing input data, and input control means for starting the operation of temporarily inputting and storing the data inputted when there is no detection information from the approaching sensor, When the detection information is input from the approaching sensor before the output based on the data stored in the spool storage unit is started, the operation function based on the input from the person who directly uses the device is preferentially operated. A digital copying apparatus having a plurality of functions, comprising a function selection control means.