JPH08185279A - Image formation system and its print data transfer processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To securely transfer PLL data of different systems stored in a queue on a file server device to the expanding means corresponding to an external device specified on the basis of name information of the queue by performing transfer to the expanding means of the external device. CONSTITUTION: The network interface part 7 of the image formation system checks whether or not there is print data in a queue PDL-1 or queue PDL-2 related with the image formation system by polling at constant intervals of time. When the presence of the print data in one queue is detected, the network interface part 7 specifies the image expanding means (formatter board parts 8a and 8b) used to expand the data according to the name of the queue where the print data is present. Then the print data in the queue is received from the file server device FS and transferred to the specified image expanding means through a core part 10. The print data is expanded and outputted at a printer part 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system capable of receiving coded image data from a computer and developing the image data to form an image, and a print data transfer processing method of the image forming system. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called multimedia, in which a facsimile machine or a computer device is connected to a digital copying machine and image data can be transmitted to and received from these devices to print an image or input an image, etc. Corresponding image forming systems are emerging.

There is also a system in which such an image forming system is connected to a network so that a plurality of users can form an image. In such an image forming system, the print data sent from the computer is limited to only one page description language. However, emulation is excluded.

[0004]

However, there are many kinds of page description languages currently available, and when the image forming system is connected to the network and used by a plurality of users, the page description desired by each user is used. Languages are often more than one.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide the image forming system with a plurality of image developing means so as to support a plurality of page description languages. In that case, print data described in a certain page description language corresponds. If it is not correctly sent to the image developing means, there may be a problem that a desired output result cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to fifth inventions of the present invention is to describe a page description language stored in a queue of a file server device. By transferring the PDL data having a different command system to the expansion means of the external device specified based on the name information of the queue, the PDL data having a different command system of the page description language stored in the queue of the file server device is transferred. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and a print data transfer processing method of the image forming system, which can surely transfer to a corresponding expansion means of an external device.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an external device receives print data stored in a queue of a file server device from a plurality of computer devices on a network via an network interface. In the image forming system in which the received printer data is analyzed and developed into bitmap data, and the external device transfers it to the printer to form an image, print data having a different data structure is analyzed to extract the bitmap data. A plurality of expanding means for expanding and a specifying means for specifying one of the expanding means for transferring the stored print data based on the name information of the queue are provided on the external device and stored in the queue. The external device that received the print data via the network interface is identified. It is intended to be transferred to the expansion unit.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the specifying means is
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the developing means is specified by referring to predetermined data in the name information of the queue.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, each expansion means analyzes a print code based on a different predetermined page description language and expands it into bitmap data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an external apparatus receives print data stored in a queue of a file server apparatus from a plurality of computer apparatuses on a network via a network interface, and the received printer data is received. In the print data transfer processing method of the image forming system in which the external device transfers the image data to the bitmap data and transfers the image data to the printer device to form an image, and a determination step of determining whether the print data is stored in the queue. A specifying step of specifying any developing means to which the print data is to be transferred from the name information of the queue storing the print data according to the determination, and the print data stored in the queue in the specified expanding means. And a transfer step of transferring.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, each expansion means analyzes a print code based on a different predetermined page description language and expands it into bitmap data.

[0012]

In the first aspect of the invention, the external device, which has received the print data stored in the queue via the network interface, transfers the print data to the expansion means specified based on the information of the queue and stores it in the queue. It is possible to reliably transfer the print data to any developing means that can be reliably analyzed.

In the second aspect of the invention, the specifying means specifies the expansion means by referring to predetermined data in the name information of the queue, and any one of the data corresponding to the print data stored in each queue. It is possible to specify the expansion means.

In the third invention, each expansion means analyzes print codes based on mutually different predetermined page description languages, expands them into bitmap data, and different pages generated by respective computer devices on the network. Even if each print data based on the description language is stored in the queue of the file server device, it is possible to reliably transfer the print data to the optimum developing means for analyzing the print data.

In the fourth invention, it is determined whether print data is stored in the queue, and after the determination, if any developing means to which the print data is transferred is specified from the name information of the queue in which the print data is stored. , The print data stored in the queue can be transferred to the specified expansion means, and the process of securely transferring the print data stored in the queue to any expansion means that can be reliably analyzed can be executed programmably. And

In the fifth invention, each expansion means analyzes print codes based on different predetermined page description languages, expands them into bitmap data, and different pages generated by respective computer devices on the network. Even if each print data based on the description language is stored in the queue of the file server device, it is possible to perform the processing for reliably transferring the print data to the optimum developing means for analyzing the print data in a programmable manner.

[0017]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image input device (hereinafter referred to as a reader unit) for converting an original into image data, and 2 has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, and image data is visible on the recording paper by a print command. An image output device (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit) 3 for outputting as an image is an external device electrically connected to the reader unit 1 and has various functions.
The external device 3 includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, an external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5, a network interface unit 7 for connecting to a network, and information from a computer as a visible image. The information from the formatter unit 8 and the reader unit 1 of
An image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing information sent from a computer, a core unit 10 for controlling the above functions, and the like are provided.

WS1 and WS2 are computer devices as information processing devices, and the computer devices WS1 and WS2.
The storage device 2 includes the formatter board unit 8 of the external device 3.
Printer driver means for generating different print codes (print data) corresponding to a and 8b (means which is supplied as a print control program and is realized by the control unit of a computer device executing the printer).
Shall be resident. FS is a file server device, which is provided with a queue for storing print data generated by the printer driver means, and a transfer destination of the stored print data with reference to the information of the queue, that is,
It has a function of specifying the network interface section of the external device 3.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the first to third inventions and their functions will be described with reference to FIG.

In the first aspect of the invention, the external device 3 receives print data stored in the queue of the file server device FS from a plurality of computer devices WS1 and WS2 on the network NET, and the external device 3 receives the print data. In the image forming system in which the printer data is analyzed and developed into bitmap data, and the external device 3 transfers it to the printer device (printer unit 2) to form an image, print data having a different data structure is analyzed. A plurality of expansion means (formatter board units 8a, 8b) for expanding the bitmap data are provided on the formatter unit 8 of the external device 3, and the stored print data is transferred based on the name information of the queue. Specifying means for specifying the expansion means (network interface unit 7 External device due to memory 705) 3
The external device 3 provided above the print server stores the print data stored in the queue via the network interface unit 7 and transfers the print data to the formatter board unit specified based on the queue information.
It is possible to reliably transfer the print data stored in the queue to any developing means that can reliably analyze the print data.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the specifying means (network interface section 7) refers to predetermined data in the name information of the queue to specify the expanding means (formatter board section) and assigns a small amount of data to each queue. It is possible to specify any of the expansion means (formatter board units 8a and 8b) corresponding to the stored print data.

In a third aspect of the present invention, each expansion means (formatter board units 8a, 8b) analyzes print codes based on different predetermined page description languages, expands them into bitmap data, and each computer on the network. Even if each print data based on different page description languages generated by the device is stored in the queue of the file server device FS, it is possible to reliably transfer the print data to the optimum developing means for analyzing the print data. To do.

The function of each unit will be described below. [Description of Reader Unit 1] FIG. 2 shows the reader unit 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the printer unit 2 and
The configuration and operation will be described.

The originals stacked on the original feeding device 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the original table glass surface 102. When the document is conveyed, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit lights up and the scanner unit 104 moves to illuminate the document. The reflected light of the document is reflected by the mirrors 105, 106, 1
After passing through the lens 108, the light is input to the CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter referred to as CCD).

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing a signal processing configuration of the reader unit 1 shown in FIG. 1. The configuration and operation will be described below.

The image information input to the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here and converted into an electric signal. CCD109
The color information from the following amplifiers 110R, 110G,
At 110B, the signal is amplified according to the input signal level of the A / D converter 111. The output signal from the A / D converter 111 is input to the shading circuit 112, where uneven light distribution of the lamp 103 and uneven sensitivity of the CCD 109 are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is the Y signal / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 1.
It is input to 19.

The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 calculates the signal from the shading circuit 112 by the following equation to obtain a Y signal.

Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B Further, it has a color detection circuit for separating the R, G, B signals into seven colors and outputting the signals for the respective colors. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to the scaling / repeat circuit 114. Scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed according to the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and scaling in the main operating direction is performed by the scaling circuit / repeat circuit 114.

Further, the scaling / repeat circuit 114 can output a plurality of identical images. The contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 obtains edge emphasis and contour information by emphasizing a high frequency component of the signal from the scaling / repeat circuit 114. The signal from the contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 is input to the marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 and the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117.

Marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116
Reads the portion of the manuscript written with a marker pen of a specified color and generates the contour information of the marker, and the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 thickens, masks or trims the contour information. Do. Further, patterning is performed by the color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

An output signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is input to the laser driver circuit 118 and various processed signals are converted into signals for driving a laser. The output signal of the laser driver circuit 118 is input to the printer 2 and image formation is performed as a visible image.

Next, the external I / F switching circuit 119 for performing I / F with the external device 3 will be described.

When the image information is output from the reader unit 1 to the external device 3, the external I / F switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 to the connector 120.

When the image information from the external device 3 is input to the reader unit 1, the external I / F switching circuit 119 is used.
Inputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

Each of the above-mentioned image processings is performed according to the instruction of the CPU 122, and the area generation circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the above-mentioned image processing according to the value set by the CPU 122. Further CPU12
Communication with the external device 3 is performed by using the communication function built in 2. The SUB / CPU 123 controls the operation unit 124 and communicates with the external device 3 using the communication function built in the SUB / CPU 123. [Description of Printer Unit 2] The configuration and operation of the printer unit 2 will be described below with reference to FIG.

The signal input to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal by the exposure control unit 201 and illuminates the photoconductor 202 according to the image signal. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. At the same time as the development, the transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer paper stacking section 204 or 205, and the developed image is transferred at the transfer section 206.

The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207 and then discharged from the paper output unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is the sorter 22.
If the sort function is working at 0, it is discharged to each bin, or to the top bin of the sorter if the sort function is not working.

Next, a method for outputting sequentially read images on both sides of one output sheet will be described.

After the output sheet fixed by the fixing section 207 is once conveyed to the sheet discharge section 208, the conveying direction of the sheet is reversed and the transfer sheet transfer section for re-feeding 210 is conveyed through the conveying direction switching member 209. Transport to. When the next manuscript is prepared,
The original image is read in the same manner as in the above process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking unit 210, so that two original images are output on the front surface and the back surface of the same output paper. can do. [Description of External Device 3] The external device 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 by a cable, and the core unit 10 in the external device 3 controls signals and functions. In the external device 3, an interface is provided between a computer and a facsimile unit 4 for performing facsimile transmission / reception, a file unit 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the same, a formatter unit 8 for developing code information from a computer into image information. It comprises a network interface unit 7, an image memory unit 9 for accumulating information from the reader unit 1 and temporarily accumulating information sent from a computer, and a core unit 10 for controlling the above-mentioned functions.

The configuration and operation of the core section 10 of the external device 3 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. [Explanation of Core Part 10] FIG. 4 shows the core part 10 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of FIG.

The connector 1001 of the core unit 10 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader unit 1 by a cable. The connector 1001 contains four types of signals.
057 is an 8-bit multivalued video signal. Signal 10
Reference numeral 55 is a control signal for controlling the video signal. Signal 1
051 communicates with the CPU 122 in the reader unit 1. The signal 1052 is the SUB / CPU 1 in the reader unit 1.
23. The signals 1051 and 1052 are
Communication protocol processing is performed by the communication IC 1002, and communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1053.

The signal 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line, and it is possible for the core unit 10 to receive information from the reader unit 1 and to output information from the core unit 10 to the reader unit 1.

Signal 1057 is connected to buffer 1010, where bidirectional to unidirectional signals 1058 and 1
070. The signal 1058 is an 8-bit multi-valued video signal from the reader unit 1, and is the LUT 101 of the next stage.
Input to 1. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table. The output signal 1059 from the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 or the selector 1013. The binarization circuit 1012 has a simple binarization function for binarizing a multi-valued signal 1059 at a fixed slice level, and binarization by a variable slice level in which the slice level changes from the values of pixels around the pixel of interest It has a function and a binarization function by the error diffusion method.

The binarized information is "00" when it is "0".
When it is "H" or "1", it is converted into a multi-level signal of "FFH",
It is input to the selector 1013 in the next stage.

The selector 1013 selects the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012. The output signal 1060 from the selector 1013 is
It is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 is
Facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, network interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, image memory unit 9
Output video signals from the connectors 1005, 1 respectively
The signal 1064 input to the core unit 10 via 006, 1007, 1008, 1009 and the output signal 1060 of the selector 1013 are selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003.

The output signal 1061 of the selector 1014 is
It is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 inputs the input image signal by +90 degrees,
It has the function of rotating -90 degrees and +180 degrees. The rotation circuit 1015 converts the information output from the reader unit 1 into a binary signal by the binarization circuit 1012, and then the rotation circuit 1015.
It is stored in 15 as information from the reader unit 1.

Then, in response to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates and reads the stored information.
The selector 1016 controls the output signal 10 of the rotation circuit 1015.
62 or the input signal 1061 of the rotation circuit 1015 is selected, and as the signal 1063, the connector 1005 with the facsimile unit 4 and the connector 100 with the file unit 5 are selected.
6, the connector 10 with the network interface unit 7
07, a connector 1008 with the formatter unit 8, a connector 1009 with the image memory unit 9, and a selector 1017
Output to.

The signal 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the core unit 10 to the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, network interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. The signal 1064 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, network interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9.

The video control circuit 100 controls the synchronous bus of the signal 1063 and the signal 1064.
4 and the output signal 10 from the video control circuit 1004.
Control is performed by 56.

Other signals 1054 are connected to the connectors 1005 to 1009, respectively. The signal 1054 is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus, and asynchronously exchanges data commands. Information transfer between the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the network interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10 can be performed by the above two video buses 1063 and 1064 and the CPU bus 1054. .

The signal 1064 from the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, network interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 is sent to the selector 1014.
Is input to the selector 1017. Selector 1016
Inputs the signal 1064 to the rotation circuit 1015 at the next stage according to the instruction from the CPU 1003.

The selector 1017 selects the signal 1063 and the signal 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal 1065 of the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching 1018 outputs a predetermined multi-valued signal to the signal line 1066 when the input signal 1065 is subjected to pattern matching with a predetermined pattern and the pattern matches. If they do not match in the pattern matching, the input signal 1065 is input to the signal 1066.

The selector 1019 outputs the signals 1065 and 1
066 is selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003. The output signal 1067 of the selector 1019 is the LUT 102 of the next stage.
Input to 0.

The LUT 1020 uses the input signal 1 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting the image information to the printer unit 2.
Convert 067. The selector 1021 is the LUT 102.
The output signal 1068 of 0 and the signal 1065 are output to the CPU 100.
Select according to the instructions in 3. The output signal of the selector 1021 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 at the next stage.

The enlarging circuit 1022 can set the enlarging magnification independently in the X and Y directions according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The expansion method is a first-order linear interpolation method. The output 1070 of the expansion circuit 1022 is the buffer 1
010 is input. The signal 1070 input to the buffer 1010 becomes a bidirectional signal 1057 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, is sent to the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001, and is printed out.

The signal flow between the core section 10 and each section will be described below. [Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Facsimile Unit 4] A case of outputting information to the facsimile unit 4 will be described.

The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 to issue a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs the image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans the document according to this command. Reader unit 1
The external device 3 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. Further, the image information input to the connector 1001 is input to the buffer 1010 through the multi-level 8-bit signal line 1057. The buffer circuit 1010 is CP
According to the instruction of U, the bidirectional signal 1057 is input to the LUT 1011 via the signal line 1058 as a unidirectional signal. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table. For example, it is possible to remove the background of the original.

The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage. Binarization circuit 101
2 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal 1059 into a binarized signal. The binarization circuit 1012 converts the binarized signal into two multi-level signals such as 00H when it is 0 and FFH when it is 1. The output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 is the selector 101.
3, the rotation circuit 1015 via the selector 1014, or
It is input to the selector 1016. The output signal 1062 of the rotation circuit 1015 is also input to the selector 1016, and the selector 1016 selects either the signal 1061 or the signal 1062.

The signal selection is determined by the CPU 1003 communicating with the facsimile section 4 via the CPU bus 1054. Output signal 1 from the selector 1016
063 is a facsimile unit 4 via the connector 1005.
Sent to

Next, the case of receiving information from the facsimile section 4 will be described.

The image information from the facsimile section 4 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1005.
The signal 1064 is output to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017.
Is input to When the image upon facsimile reception is rotated and output to the printer unit 2 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates the signal 1064 input to the selector 1014. The output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is input to the pattern matching 1018 via the selectors 1016 and 1017. CPU1
When the image at the time of facsimile reception is directly output to the printer 2 according to the instruction of 003, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018.

The pattern matching 1018 has a function of smoothing rattling of an image when received by facsimile. The pattern-matched signal is the selector 1
It is input to the LUT 1020 via 019. LUT1
Reference numeral 020 denotes a printer unit 2 which prints an image received by facsimile.
The table of the LUT 1020 can be changed by the CPU 1003 in order to output the desired density. LU
The output signal 1068 of T1020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021.

The enlargement circuit 1022 has two values (00H,
FFH) 8-bit multivalues are enlarged by a linear interpolation method of the first order. An 8-bit multivalued signal having many values from the expansion circuit 1022 is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. The reader unit 1 inputs this signal to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via the connector 120. The external I / F switching circuit 119 generates a Y signal for the signal from the facsimile unit 4.
It is input to the color detection circuit 113. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is processed as described above and then output to the printer section 2 to form an image on an output sheet. [Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of File Unit 5] A case of outputting information to the file unit 5 will be described.

The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and issues a document scan command. The reader 1 unit outputs the image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans the document according to this command. Reader unit 1
The external device 3 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the reader unit 1
Information is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10.

The image information input to the connector 1001 becomes a unidirectional signal 1058 by the buffer 1010. A signal 1058 which is a multi-valued 8-bit signal is an LUT
It is converted into a desired signal by 1011. LUT1
The output signal 1059 of 011 is sent to the connector 10 via the selector 1013, the selector 1014, and the selector 1016.
It is input to 06.

That is, the 8-bit multi-value data is transferred to the file unit 5 as it is without using the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015. CPU bus 10 of CPU 1003
When filing the binarized signal by communicating with the file unit 5 via 54, the binarization circuit 1012
The function of the rotating circuit 1015 is used. The binarization process and the rotation process are omitted because they are the same as those in the above-mentioned facsimile.

Next, the case of receiving information from the file section 5 will be described.

Image information from the file section 5 is the connector 1
The signal 1064 is input to either the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 via 006. It is possible to input to the selector 1017 in the case of 8-bit multi-valued filing and to the selector 1014 or 1017 in the case of binary filing. In the case of binary filing, the description is omitted because it is the same processing as in facsimile.

Selector 101 for multi-value filing
The output signal 1065 from 7 is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. The LUT 1020 creates a lookup according to an instruction from the CPU 1003 in accordance with a desired print density. The output signal 1068 from the LUT 1020 is sent to the expansion circuit 1 via the selector 1021.
022 is input. The 8-bit multilevel signal 1070 expanded to a desired expansion ratio by the expansion circuit 1022 is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. The information in the file section 5 sent to the reader section 1 is output to the printer section 2 and image formation is performed on the output paper, similarly to the above-mentioned facsimile. [Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Network Interface Unit 7] The network interface unit 7
It interfaces with the network connected to the external device 3. The network interface unit 7 is 1
It has interfaces of 0BASE5, 10BASE2, 10BASE-T. The network interface unit 7 has the above-mentioned three types of interfaces, and information from one selected interface is sent to the CPU 1003 via the connector 1007 and the data bus 1054. The CPU 1003 performs various controls based on the sent contents. [Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Formatter Unit 8] The formatter unit 8 has a function of expanding command data such as a document file sent from the network interface unit 7 into image data. CPU
When determining that the data sent from the network interface unit 7 via the data bus 1054 is data related to the formatter unit 8, the unit 1003 transfers the data to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1008. The formatter unit 8 develops from the transferred data into a memory as a meaningful image such as a character or a figure.

Next, a procedure for receiving information from the formatter unit 8 and forming an image on an output sheet will be described.

The image information from the formatter unit 8 is transferred to the signal line 1064 as a multivalued signal having two values (00H, FFH) through the connector 1008. The signal 1064 is the selector 1014 and selector 10.
17 is input. The selectors 1014 and 1017 are controlled by the instruction of the CPU 1003. Hereafter, the description is omitted because it is similar to the case of the above-mentioned facsimile. [Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Image Memory Unit 9] A case of outputting information to the image memory unit 9 will be described.

The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 to issue a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs the image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans the document according to this command. Reader unit 1
The external device 3 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the reader unit 1
Information is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is multivalued 8
It is sent to the LUT 1011 via the bit signal line 1057 and the buffer 1010. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is output to the selectors 1013, 1014, 1016.
The multi-valued image information is transferred to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. The image information stored in the image memory unit 9 is stored in the CPU bus 1054 of the connector 1009.
Is sent to the CPU 1003 via.

The CPU 1003 transfers the network interface unit 7 to the network by using a desired interface among the above-mentioned three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS232C, Centronics).

Next, the case of receiving information from the image memory unit 9 will be described.

First, image information is sent from the network to the core unit 10 via the network interface unit 7. The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is a network
When it is determined that the data sent from the interface unit 7 via the CPU bus 1054 is the data related to the image memory unit 9, it is transferred to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. Next, the image memory unit 9
The 8-bit multilevel signal 1064 is transmitted to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017 via the connector 1009. An output signal from the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 is output to the printer unit 2 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, similarly to the above-mentioned facsimile, and an image is formed on an output sheet. [Description of Facsimile Unit 4] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the facsimile unit 4 shown in FIG.

The facsimile section 4 is connected to the core section 10 by the connector 400 and exchanges various signals.

Binary information from the core unit 10 is stored in the memory A40.
5 to the memory D 408, the signal 453 from the connector 400 is input to the memory controller 404, and any one of the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408 is controlled under the control of the memory controller. Alternatively, it is stored in a cascade connection of two sets of memories.

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41
According to the instruction 2, the mode for exchanging data with the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, the memory D 408 and the CPU bus 462, and the mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 463 of the CODEC 411 having an encoding / decoding function. , Memory A 405, memory B 406, memory C 407, memory D 408 under the control of the DMA controller 402
In the mode for exchanging data with the bus 454 from the memory 03, and the binary video input data 454 under the control of the timing generation circuit 409, the memory A405 to the memory D408.
Of the memory A405 to the memory D408 and the mode of outputting the memory content to the read signal line 452.

The memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408 each have 2 Mbytes.
And has an image storage capacity of 400 dpi and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi. The timing generation circuit 409 uses the connector 4
00 and the signal line 459, the core unit 10
Control signals from (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, V
EN) to generate signals for performing the following two functions. One is a function of storing the image signal from the core unit 10 in any one of the memories A405 to D408, or two memories, and the second is an image from any one of the memories A405 to D408. This is a function of transmitting a signal to the read signal line 452. The dual port memory 410 has a signal line 4
61 to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 and the signal line 462 to the CPU 412 of the facsimile unit 4.
Is connected.

Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 410. SCS
The I controller 413 interfaces with the hard disk connected to the facsimile unit 4 of FIG. Data such as data at the time of facsimile transmission and facsimile reception is stored. The CODEC 411 is a memory A4
05 to the memory D 408, after reading the image information stored in any of the memory D 408 and encoding the image information by a desired method of the MH, MR and MMR methods,
Any one of 408 is stored as encoded information.

Further, the coded information stored in the memories A405 to D408 is read out and MH, MR and MM are read.
After decoding in the desired method of the R method, the memory A
405 to memory D 408, and stored as decryption information, that is, image information. MODEM 414 is
A function of modulating the coded information from the hard disk connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413 in order to transfer it to the telephone line, and the NCU 415.
Demodulates the information sent from, converts it into coded information, and
The encoded information is transferred to the hard disk connected to the ODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413. The NCU 415 exchanges information in a predetermined order with an exchange installed directly at a telephone line and directly connected to a telephone line.

An example of facsimile transmission will be described. The binary image signal from the reader unit 1 is sent to the connector 4
00, and reaches the memory controller 404 through the signal line 453. The signal 453 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. The timing to be stored in the memory A 405 is based on the timing signal 459 from the reader unit 1 and the timing generation circuit 409.
Is generated by. The CPU 412 connects the memory A 405 and the memory B 406 of the memory 404 to the bus line 463 of the CODEC 411.

The CODEC 411 reads the image information from the memory A 405, encodes it by the MR method, and writes the encoded information in the memory B 406. When the CODEC 411 encodes A4 size image information, the CPU
412 is a memory B 406 of the memory controller 404.
Are connected to the CPU bus 462. The CPU 412 sequentially reads the coded information from the memory B406 and modifies it.
Transfer to EM414. The MODEM 414 modulates the encoded information and sends the facsimile information over the telephone line via the NCU. Next, an embodiment of facsimile reception will be described. The information sent from the telephone line is
It is input to the NCU 415, and is connected to the facsimile unit 4 by the NUC 415 according to a predetermined procedure. The information from NCU 415 enters MODEM 414 and is demodulated. CPU41
2 stores information from the MODEM 414 in the memory C407 via the CPU bus 462. When the information of one screen is stored in the memory C407, the CPU 412 controls the memory controller 404 to control the memory C407.
Data line 457 of CODEC 411 to line 46
Connect to 3. The CODEC 411 sequentially reads the encoded information in the memory C407 and decodes it, that is, stores it in the memory D408 as image information.

The CPU 412 is the dual port memory 4
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the CPU 10, and makes settings for printing an image from the memory D 408 through the core unit to the printer unit 2. When the setting is completed, the CPU 412 activates the timing generation circuit 409 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the signal line 460 to the memory controller.

The memory controller 404 reads the image information from the memory D408 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 409, transmits it to the signal line 452, and outputs it to the connector 400. Since the output from the connector 400 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the core unit, it is omitted. [Description of File Unit 5] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the file unit 5 shown in FIG. 1. The configuration and operation will be described with reference to FIG.

The file section 5 is connected to the core section 10 by the connector 500 and exchanges various signals. The multi-valued input signal 551 is input to the compression circuit 503, where multi-valued image information is converted into compressed information and the memory controller 5
It is output to 10. Output signal 552 of compression circuit 503
Is a memory A50 under the control of the memory controller 510.
6, memory B507, memory C508, memory D509
, Or a combination of two sets of memories connected in cascade.

The memory controller 510 is the CPU 51
6, a mode for exchanging data with the memory A 506, a memory B 507, a memory C 508, a memory D 509 and the CPU bus 560, and a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 570 of the CODEC 517 for encoding / decoding, The contents of memory A506, memory B507, memory C508, and memory D509 are D
The scaling circuit 511 is controlled by the MA controller 518.
From the memory A506 to the memory D509, and a mode in which the signal 563 is stored in any of the memories A506 to D509 under the control of the timing generation circuit 514. It has five functions of a mode of outputting to the read signal line 558.

The memory A 506, the memory B 507, the memory C 508, and the memory D 509 each have 2 Mbytes.
And has an image storage capacity of 400 dpi and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi. The timing generation circuit 514 uses the connector 5
00 and the signal line 553, and the core unit 10
Control signals from (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, V
EN) to generate signals for performing the following two functions. One is a function of storing information from the core unit 10 in any one of the memories A506 to D509, or two memories, and the second is an image upward from any one of the memories A506 to 509. Is transmitted to the read signal line 556.
The dual port memory 515 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 554 and the CPU 516 of the file unit 5 via the signal line 560.

Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 515. SCSI
The controller 519 interfaces with the external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5 in FIG. The external storage device 6 is specifically composed of a magneto-optical disk, and stores data such as image information. CODEC
517 reads the image information stored in any of the memory A506 to the memory D509, MH, MR,
After being encoded by the desired method of the MMR method, it is stored as encoded information in any of the memories A506 to D509. Also, the memory A506 to the memory D509
Read the encoded information stored in MH, MR, M
After decoding by a desired method of the MR method, the information is stored as decoded information, that is, image information in any of the memories A506 to D509.

An embodiment of accumulating file information in the external storage device 6 will be described. The 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 500 and input to the signal line 55.
It is input to the compression circuit 503 through 1. The signal 551 is
It is input to the compression circuit 503 and converted into compression information 552 here. The compression information 552 is stored in the memory controller 51.
Input to 0. The memory controller 510 uses the signal 553 from the core unit 10 to generate the timing generation circuit 55.
At 9, the timing signal 559 is generated, and the compressed signal 552 is stored in the memory A 506 according to this signal. CPU5
16 is the memory A 506 and the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 and the bus line 5 of the CODEC 517.
Connect to 70. CODEC 517 has a memory A506
The compressed information is read out and encoded by the MR method, and the encoded information is written in the memory B507. CODE
When C 517 finishes encoding, the CPU 516 transfers the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 to the CPU bus 5
Connect to 60. The CPU 516 sequentially reads the encoded information from the memory B507 and transfers it to the SCSI controller 519. The SCSI controller 519 stores the encoded information 572 in the external storage device 6.

Next, an embodiment for taking out information from the external storage device 6 and outputting it to the printer section 2 will be described.

Upon receiving the information retrieval / print command, the CPU 516 receives the encoded information from the external storage device 6 via the SCSI controller 519,
The encoded information is transferred to the memory C508. At this time, the memory controller 510 connects the CPU bus 560 to the bus 566 of the memory C508 according to an instruction from the CPU 516. When the transfer of the encoded information to the memory C508 is completed, the CPU 516 controls the memory controller 510 to connect the memory C508 and the memory D509 to the bus 570 of the CODEC 517.

The CODEC 517 reads the coded information from the memory C 508, sequentially decodes the coded information, and then the memory D 5
It transfers to 09. If scaling such as enlargement / reduction is required when outputting to the printer unit 2, the memory D509 is connected to the bus 562 of the scaling circuit 511, and the DMA controller 51 is connected.
The contents of the memory D509 are scaled under the control of No. 8. CPU
516 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 515, and the memory D509
To the printer section 2 through the core section 10 to print out an image. When setting is completed, CPU
516 activates the timing generation circuit 514 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the signal line 559 to the memory controller 510.

The memory controller 510 reads the decoding information from the memory D509 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 514 and transmits it to the signal line 556. The signal line 556 is input to the decompression circuit 504, where the output signal 555 of the decompression circuit 504 is output to the core unit 10 via the connector 500. Connector 500
Since the description from the core unit 10 to the output from the printer unit to the printer unit 2 is omitted. [Description of Network Interface Unit 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the network interface unit 7 illustrated in FIG. 1. The configuration and operation of the network interface unit 7 will be described below.

The connector A700 is an Ethernet interface connector for 10BASE5. The connector B701 is an Ethernet interface connector for 10BASE2. Connector C702 is 10
It is an Ethernet interface connector for BASE-T.

One of the above three connectors is selected for physical connection with Ethernet. Also CPU
Reference numeral 703 refers to a volatile or non-volatile memory included in the memory 705 to control the Ethernet I / F controller for communication. The connector E707 is connected to the core unit 10, and the CPU 703 communicates with the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 706. 704 is a LAN controller. [Description of Formatter Unit 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the formatter unit 8 shown in FIG. 1. The configuration and operation of the formatter unit 8 will be described below.

The data from the network interface unit 7 described above is discriminated by the core unit 10. If the data is related to the formatter unit 8, the core unit 10
The CPU 1003 transfers the data from the network to the dual port memory 803 via the connector 1008 of the core unit 10 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 9. The CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 receives the code data sent from the network via the dual port memory 803.

The CPU 809 sequentially develops this code data into image data, and transfers the image data to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 via the memory controller 808. Memory A806 and memory B8
07 waits for a capacity of 1 Mbytes each, and 300 d in one memory (memory A806 or memory B807)
It can handle up to A4 paper size with pi resolution.
In the case of supporting up to A3 size paper at a resolution of 300 dpi, the memory A806 and the memory B807 are cascade-connected to develop image data.

The above memory control is performed by the memory controller 808 according to an instruction from the CPU 809. Further, when it is necessary to rotate a character or a figure when expanding the image data, the image data is rotated by the rotation circuit 804 and then transferred to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807. When the expansion of the image data in the memory A 806 or the memory B is completed, the CPU 809 controls the memory controller 808 to control the data bus line 8 of the memory A 806.
58 or the data bus line 859 of the memory B 807 is connected to the output line 858 of the memory controller 808.

Next, the CPU 809 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 803 and sets the mode in which the image information is output from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807. CPU of core unit 10
1003 sets the print output mode in the CPU 122 using the communication function built in the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication circuit 1002 in the core unit 10.

When the print output mode is set, the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 activates the timing generation circuit 802 via the connector 1008 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8. Timing generation circuit 80
2 generates a timing signal for reading image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 to the memory controller 808 according to the signal from the core unit 10. The image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is transferred via the signal line 858 to the memory controller 808.
Is input to The output image information from the memory controller 808 is transferred to the core unit 10 via the signal line 851 and the connector 800. The output from the core unit 10 to the printer unit has been described in the core unit 10 and will not be described. [Description of Image Memory Unit 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the image memory unit 9 shown in FIG. 1. The configuration and operation of the image memory unit 9 will be described below.

The image memory unit 9 is connected to the core unit 10 by the connector 900 and exchanges various signals. The multi-valued input signal 954 is stored in the memory 904 under the control of the memory controller 905. Memory controller 9
05 is a memory 904 and C according to the instruction of the CPU 906.
A mode for exchanging data with the PU bus 957,
Under the control of the timing generation circuit 902, a mode in which the signal 954 is stored in the memory 904 and a mode in which the memory content is read from the memory 904 and output to the signal line 955 are three.
Has two functions. The memory 904 has 32 Mbytes.
And has a capacity of 400 dpi, and stores an image corresponding to A3 with a resolution of 400 dpi and 256 gradations. Timing generation circuit 9
02 is connected to the connector 900 by a signal line 952, and controls signals (HSYNC, HE) from the core unit 10 are connected.
N, VSYNC, VEN) and the following 2
Generate signals to accomplish one function.

First, the information from the core unit 10 is stored in the memory 9
04, the second function is to read the image information from the memory 904 and transmit it to the signal line 955. The dual port memory 903 has a signal line 953.
Via the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 and the signal line 95
The CPU 906 of the image memory unit 9 is connected via 7. Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 903.

Image information is stored in the image memory unit 9,
An example of transferring this information to the network is described. The 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 900 and input to the memory controller 905 via the signal line 954.

The memory controller 905 is the core unit 10.
A timing signal 956 is generated by the timing generation circuit 902 according to the signal 952 from this signal, and the signal 954 is stored in the memory 904 in accordance with this signal. The CPU 906 replaces the memory 904 of the memory controller 905 with the CPU bus 9
Connect to 57. The CPU 906 sequentially reads the image information from the memory 904 and the dual port memory 903.
Transfer to. The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 reads the image information of the dual port memory 903 of the image memory unit 9 via the signal line 953 and the connector 900, and transfers this information to the network interface unit 7. Note that the transfer of information from the network interface unit 7 to the network is omitted because it has been described above.

Next, an embodiment for outputting the image information sent from the network to the printer unit 2 will be described.

The image information sent from the network is sent to the core unit 10 via the network interface unit 7. The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is a CPU
Image information is transferred to the dual port memory 903 of the image memory unit 9 via the bus 1054 and the connector 1009.

At this time, the CPU 906 controls the memory controller 905 to connect the CPU bus 957 to the memory 904 bus. The CPU 906 transfers the image information from the dual port memory 903 to the memory 904 via the memory controller 905. After transferring the image information to the memory 904, the CPU 906 controls the memory controller 905 to connect the data line of the memory 904 to the signal 955.

The CPU 906 is the dual port memory 9
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via 03 to make settings for printing out an image from the memory 904 through the core unit 10 to the printer unit 2. When the setting is completed, the CPU 906 causes the timing generation circuit 902.
Then, a predetermined timing signal is output from the signal line 956 to the memory controller 905. The memory controller 905 reads the image information from the memory 904 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 902, transmits it to the signal line 955, and outputs it to the connector 900. Since the output from the connector 900 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the core unit 10, the description thereof will be omitted.

An image forming system (see FIG. 1) equipped with, for example, a formatter board section (PDL-1 board) 8a and a formatter board section (PDL-2 board) 8b is used as an image development board, and a network is used. A case where printing is performed from the information processing device WS such as a computer via the printer will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The queues in the file server FS are, for example, PDL-1 QUEUE, PDL-2.
With two QUEUEs, both associated with the image forming system, the user
It is assumed that the data is output from WS2 or the like in the PDL-1 code format.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the print data transfer processing method of the image forming system according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

When the user designates PDL-1 QUEUE, which is one of the queues associated with the image forming system, and gives a print instruction, the print data is converted into PDL-1 code by the computer devices WS1, WS2, etc. And is transmitted to the queue PDL-1 QUEUE of the file server device FS via the network NET.

The network interface unit 7 of the image forming system is a queue PDL-1 QUEUE or a queue PDL associated with the image forming system.
-2 QUEUE polls for print data at fixed time intervals (1). Next, when it is detected that the print data is stored in the queue (2), the network interface unit 7 uses the name of the queue in which the print data was stored and the image developing means (formatter board unit) used for developing the data. 8
a, 8b) are specified (3).

After that, the print data in the queue is received from the file server device FS, and via the core unit 10,
It is transmitted to the specified image developing means (4).

In this embodiment, the queue PDL-1 is used.
Since there is print data in the QUEUE, the network interface unit 7 determines that the queue PDL-1 QUEU
From the name of E, it is specified that the PDL-1 board is used as the image developing means, and the received data is transmitted to the PDL-1 board via the core unit 10.

After that, the PDL-1 board expands the print data (5) and outputs it from the printer unit 2 (6), and the print job is completed.

On the contrary, the computer devices WS1 and WS
2 has a driver for converting print data into a PDL-2 code format, and when the user uses the PDL-2 board, the user uses PDL- as a queue to use.
2 Specify QUEUE. After that, the same as the above example, but the network interface unit 7 specifies from the name of the queue in which the print data is stored that this time the PDL-2 board is used for data expansion, and the received data is received. To the PDL-2 board. Correspondence between the present embodiment and each step of the fourth and fifth inventions and their actions will be described below with reference to FIG.

A fourth aspect of the invention is that an external device receives print data stored in a queue of a file server device from a plurality of computer devices on a network via a network interface and analyzes the received printer data. In the print data transfer processing method of the image forming system in which the external device transfers it to the printer device to form an image by expanding the bitmap data, a determination step of determining whether the print data is stored in the queue (step of FIG. 10) (2)), and a specifying step (step (3) in FIG. 10) of specifying any expansion means to which the print data is to be transferred from the name information of the queue in which the print data is stored, and the specifying. A transfer step of transferring the print data stored in the queue to the expanded developing means (see FIG. 1). Run the step (4)),
(EN) Programmable execution of processing for reliably transferring print data stored in a queue to any developing means capable of reliably analyzing.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, each expansion means analyzes print codes based on different predetermined page description languages, expands them into bitmap data, and generates different page descriptions generated by each computer on the network. Even if each print data based on the language is stored in the queue of the file server device, it is possible to execute the processing for reliably transferring the print data to the optimum developing means for analyzing the print data in a programmable manner.

In the above embodiment, the case where the number of image development boards is two has been described, but even if the number of image development boards is three or more, the queue of names by which the image development boards used for development can be specified is increased. By
It can be realized similarly.

[0123]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, the print data stored in the queue is stored in the queue because the external device, which is received via the network interface, transfers the print data to the expansion means specified by the file server device based on the information of the queue. It is possible to reliably transfer the generated print data to any developing means that can reliably analyze the print data.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the specifying means specifies the expansion means by referring to the predetermined data in the name information of the queue. Therefore, even a small amount of data corresponds to the print data stored in each queue. The expansion means can be specified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, each expansion means analyzes print codes based on different predetermined page description languages and expands them into bitmap data, so that they are respectively generated by computer devices on the network. Even if each print data based on a different page description language is stored in the queue of the file server device, it can be surely transferred to the optimum developing means for analyzing each print data.

According to the fourth invention, it is determined whether or not the print data is stored in the queue, and after the determination, any expansion means for transferring the print data from the name information of the queue in which the print data is stored is provided. Once specified, the print data stored in the queue is transferred to the specified expansion means. Therefore, the process for reliably transferring the print data stored in the queue to any expansion means that can be reliably analyzed is programmable. Can be run.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, each expansion means analyzes print codes based on different predetermined page description languages and expands them into bitmap data, so that each of them is generated by each computer device on the network. Even if each print data based on a different page description language is stored in the queue of the file server device, it is possible to programmatically execute the process of reliably transferring the print data to the optimum developing means for analyzing the print data.

Therefore, the PDLs in which the command systems of the page description languages stored in the queue of the file server device are different
There is an effect that the data can be surely transferred to the corresponding expansion means of the external device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of a reader unit and a printer unit shown in FIG.

3 is a circuit block diagram showing a signal processing configuration of a reader unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a core section shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a facsimile unit shown in FIG.

6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a file section shown in FIG.

7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a network interface unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a formatter unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image memory unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a print data transfer processing method of the image forming system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 external device 7 network interface unit 8 formatter unit 8a formatter board unit 8b formatter board unit FS file server device WS1 computer device WS2 computer device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An external device receives print data stored in a queue of a file server device from a plurality of computer devices on a network via a network interface, analyzes the received printer data, and converts it into bitmap data. In an image forming system which develops and transfers the image to a printer by the external device to form an image, a plurality of expanding means for analyzing print data having different data structures and expanding the bitmap data, and name information of the queue Based on the external device, the external device receiving the print data stored in the queue via the network interface. Image form characterized by being transferred to the specified expansion means System. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies the developing unit by referring to predetermined data in the name information of the queue. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein each expansion unit analyzes a print code based on a predetermined page description language different from each other and expands it into bitmap data. 4. An external device receives print data stored in a queue of a file server device from a plurality of computer devices on a network via a network interface, analyzes the received printer data, and converts it into bitmap data. In the print data transfer processing method of the image forming system which develops and transfers the image to the printer device to form an image, a determination step of determining whether the print data is stored in the queue, and the print data is stored by the determination. A specifying step of specifying any developing means to transfer the print data from the name information of the specified queue; and a transferring step of transferring the print data stored in the queue to the specified expanding means. And a print data transfer processing method for an image forming system. 5. The print data transfer processing method for an image forming system according to claim 4, wherein each expansion means analyzes a print code based on a different predetermined page description language and expands it into bitmap data. .