JPH0884209A - Composite image input output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To allow a printer section to visually identify the kind of processed data by allowing a control means to apply switching control to a display form by a display means in a different form for each of output data kinds discriminated by a discrimination means. CONSTITUTION: An external device which adds one or optionally plural functions out of a facsimile communication processing function, a computer interface function, a format processing function and file processing function and which receives image data to apply composite image processing to the data is connected to a digital copying machine having a reader section 1 and a printer section 2. The composite image input device in which the external device and the copying machine are intercommunicated with each other for data is provided with an output state display device 14 displaying an output state of the printer section 2 and a sub-CPU 123 discriminating a type of output data and controlling a different display form for each data type. Then the display form by the display device 14 is selected in a different form for each of output data types discriminated by the CPU 123 and the user visually identifies the type of the data processed by the printer section 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite image input / output device capable of arbitrarily adding a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a printer formatter function and an electronic file function using a digital copying machine. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a scanner section of a digital copying machine,
There has been proposed a composite image input / output device capable of performing facsimile communication by using a printer section, or by using a printer section of a digital copying machine to expand code data from a computer into bitmap data and print it out. There is.

A composite image input / output device of this type has three functions such as a copying function, a facsimile function, a printer formatting function, an image electronic file function, an image memory function and the like.
The device is configured with one or more functions as one unit.

Further, when the discharge means of the printer section is composed of a single discharge tray, the recording material based on the output data transferred to the printer section by each functional process is discharged to the discharge tray. Is controlled to.

On the other hand, when a sheet post-processing device such as a sorter can be connected, the control is performed so that the sheets are discharged according to the number of sheet discharge bins such as a printer, a facsimile, and a copy.

[0006]

However, even when different discharge control is possible as described above, the fact that the information based on each functional process is output to the discharge tray or the specified discharge bin or Since there is no means for notifying that the output is completed, for example, while waiting for an incoming call in the facsimile section, when printer output or copy is interrupted, is used preferentially, or the other way around, Each user requesting each processing function has to go to the main body position to determine whether or not the requested output is output from the printer unit, and there is a problem that the confirmation processing by each user becomes a burden.

In an environment in which a plurality of printer units are provided, it is not possible to visually confirm which printer unit is currently in operation and which printer unit is on standby. There is a problem in that a specific printer unit that is accustomed to the environment is specified, and as a result, requests from a plurality of users compete with each other, and a considerable waiting time is required until a desired output is obtained.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and the objects of the first and second inventions are to output the data being output while the printer is outputting the data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite image input / output device capable of visually confirming the data type currently processed by the printer unit as the composite processing function is executed by switching the form display or identifying and displaying by character display.

[0009]

A first aspect of the present invention is a reader section for reading a document image and outputting image data, and a recording sheet fed from a plurality of accommodating sections based on input image data. For a digital copying machine having a printer unit for printing a visible image on a material, a facsimile communication processing function for performing facsimile communication by connecting to a communication line, a computer interface function for communicating with a predetermined computer system, and an input code One or more of a format processing function of expanding information into a bitmap to generate image data and a file processing function of storing image information in an external storage medium and searching the image information stored in the external storage medium. It is possible to connect external devices that perform complex image processing by inputting and outputting image data with arbitrary functions. In the image input / output device, display means for displaying the output state of the printer section, determination means for determining the output data type output from the printer section, and the output data type for each output data type determined by the determination means The display means is provided with a control means for switching and controlling the display form to a different form.

A second aspect of the present invention is a reader section for reading a document image and outputting image data, and a visible image is formed on a recording material fed from a plurality of accommodating sections based on input image data. For a digital copying apparatus having a printer unit for printing, a facsimile communication processing function for performing facsimile communication by connecting to a communication line, a computer interface function for communicating with a predetermined computer system, and input code information expanded into a bitmap. One or more of a format processing function for generating image data and storing image information in an external storage medium and a file processing function for searching image information stored in the external storage medium are added. Image input / output device that can be connected to an external device that performs composite image processing by inputting and outputting image data respectively In this case, display means for displaying the output state of the printer section in characters, determination means for determining the output data type output from the printer section, and the display means for each output data type determined by the determination means And a control means for displaying the output data type and the output data request destination in characters.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the control unit controls the display mode of the display unit to switch to a different mode for each output data type determined by the determination unit, so that the type of data processed by the printer unit can be changed by the user. Can be visually identified.

In the second invention, the control means displays the output data type and the output data destination on the display means in characters for each output data type determined by the determination means,
The user can visually confirm the type of data processed by the printer unit and the output data request destination.

[0013]

1 is a block diagram for explaining the structure of a composite image input / output device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is an image input device for converting a document into image data (hereinafter referred to as a reader unit), 2 is a plurality of recording paper cassettes, and image data is recorded on the recording paper by a print command. An image output device (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit) for outputting a visible image, 3 is the reader unit 1
It is an external device electrically connected to and has various functions. The external device 3 has a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a man-machine interface unit 6 connected to the file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7 for connecting to a computer, and information from the computer as a visible image. A formatter unit 8 for storing information from the reader unit 1, an image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing information sent from a computer, and a core for controlling the functions 1 to 9 above. It is provided with a section 10 and the like.

The functions of the respective units 1 to 9 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the construction of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. The configuration and operation will be described below.

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 is turned on and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate 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).

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 photosensitive drum (photoconductor) 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer paper stacking unit 204 or the transfer paper stacking unit 205 at the same timing as the development, and the developed toner image is transferred to the transfer unit 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
When the sort function is effectively operating in the sorter 220, the sheets are discharged to each bin. Further, when the sort function of the sorter 220 is not operating normally (at the time of jamming), the sorter 220 is discharged to the top bin of the sorter 220.

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 direction of the sheet is reversed and the re-feeding transfer sheet stacking section is provided via a conveyance direction switching member (flapper) 209. It is conveyed to 210. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above-mentioned program, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section (intermediate tray) 210. Original images can be output on the front and back of paper.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a printer controller section, which is a CP.
U, ROM and RAM are provided, and the image forming process is controlled based on a control program stored in the ROM.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing a signal processing configuration of the reader unit 1 shown in FIG. 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 the lamp 1
The light distribution unevenness of No. 03 and the sensitivity unevenness of the CCD 109 are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is the Y signal generation / 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
The signal from the shading circuit 112 is converted into the following (1)
The Y signal is obtained by performing the calculation based on the equation.

Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B (1) 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. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed according to the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and the scaling / repeat circuit 114 performs scaling in the main scanning direction. 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. The marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 reads a portion of a document written with a marker pen of a designated color to generate contour information of the marker, and the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 uses this contour. Thicken, mask and trim from the information. Further, patterning is performed by the color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. Patterning / Thickening / Masking / Trimming circuit 117
The output signal from the device is input to the laser driver circuit 118 and variously processed signals are converted into signals for driving the laser. The signal of the laser driver circuit 118 is input to the printer unit 2 and image formation is performed as a visible image.

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

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

The above image information is stored in the CPU circuit section (CP
U) 122, and the CPU circuit unit 12
From the value set by 2, the area generation circuit 121
Various timing signals necessary for the image processing are generated. Further, communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the CPU circuit unit 122. Sub CPU1
A sub-CPU 23 controls the operation unit 124 and
Communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the 123.

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 the photoconductor 202 is illuminated according to the image signal. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer sheet is conveyed from the transfer sheet stacking section 204 or the transfer sheet stacking section 205 at the same timing as the latent image, 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. Paper output section 2
The transfer paper output from 08 is discharged to each bin when the sort function is working in the sorter 220 or to the highest bin of the sorter when the sort function is not working.

Next, a method for outputting sequentially read images on both sides of one output sheet will be described. Fixing unit 20
The output paper sheet fixed at 7 is once conveyed to the paper discharge unit 208, then the conveyance direction of the paper sheet is reversed, and is conveyed to the re-transferred transfer paper stacking unit 210 via the conveyance direction switching member 209. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, so that the same sheet is eventually placed on the front surface and the back surface. Two original images can be output.

Reference numeral 14 is an output state display device, which is a sub CPU 1.
23 is the image data input source, the copy request from the reader unit 1,
A print request via the computer interface unit 7 or an output request from the facsimile unit 4 is discriminated according to a procedure shown in a flow chart described later, and for example, a lighting state of a white lamp or the like is turned on, and a first intermittent lighting is performed. Identification is displayed by either (long blinking interval) or second intermittent lighting (short blinking interval).

In the present embodiment, the copy output state is displayed during the constant lighting, and the first intermittent lighting (the blinking interval is long).
At the time, the facsimile data output state from the facsimile unit 4 is displayed, and at the time of the second intermittent lighting (the blinking interval is short), the print data output state via the computer interface unit 7 is displayed.

The output status display device 14 is, for example, 3
If the display device is capable of color display (green, red, orange), each color may be assigned to the determined output state and registered, and each output state may be turned on by color. Also, at this time, 3
When the colors are turned on at the same time, the printer unit 2 may be controlled to display that some abnormality (paper out, paper jam, etc.) has occurred. Further, when the number of output sheets from each output data can be received, when the remaining number of sheets becomes less than or equal to a predetermined number, a display state different from the above display form is displayed to notify that the output will be completed soon. You may comprise.

Further, instead of the output state display device 14, an output state display device 16 having, for example, an LCD display as a display surface indicates the output data source currently processed by the printer unit 2 and its data source destination. Alternatively, the output data source, the data source destination, and the remaining output sheet number may be displayed simultaneously.

The system configuration operation of the external device 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.

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, there are provided an interface between the 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, and a formatter unit 8 for developing code information from the computer into image information. Computer
It comprises an interface section 7, an image memory section 9 for accumulating information from the reader section 1 and temporarily accumulating information sent from a computer, and a core section 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.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the core section 10 shown in 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, and the signal 1057 is an 8-bit multilevel video signal. Signal 1
Reference numeral 055 is a control signal for controlling the video signal. The signal 1051 communicates with the CPU 122 in the reader unit 1. The signal 1051 and the signal 1052 are the communication IC 1002.
Then, the communication protocol processing is performed and the communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1053.

The signal 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line, and the information from the reader unit 1 can be received by the core unit 10 and the information from the core unit 10 can be output to the reader unit 1. The signal 1057 is the buffer 101.
0, where bidirectional to unidirectional signal 1
058 and signal 1070 are separated. The signal 1058 is
It is an 8-bit multivalued video signal from the reader unit 1 and is input to the LUT 1011 in the next stage. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table (LUT).

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, a binarization function for a variable slice level in which the slice level varies from pixels around a target pixel, and It has a binarization function by the error diffusion method. The binarized information is converted into a multivalued signal of "00H" when it is "0" and "FFH" when it is "1", and is input to the selector 1013 at the next stage. The selector 1013 selects the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012. Selector 10
The output signal 1060 from 13 is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 outputs the output video signals from the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9 to the connectors 1005, 1006, 1007, 1 respectively.
Signal 1 input to the core unit 10 via 008, 1009
064 and the output signal 1060 of the selector 1013 are C
It is selected by the instruction of the PU 1003. Selector 1014
The output signal 1061 of 1 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 has a function of rotating the input image signal by +90 degrees, -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 stores it in the rotation circuit 1015 as information from the reader unit 1. Next, according 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 rotating circuit 1015 is selected, and as the signal 1063, the connector 100 with the facsimile unit 4 and the connector 100 with the file unit 5 are selected.
6, a connector 10 to the computer 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, computer 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, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. Signal 106
It is the video control circuit 1004 that controls the synchronous bus of the signal 3 and the signal 1064.
The control is performed by the output signal 1056 from the No. 4.

Further, the connectors 1005 to 1009 have
Other signals 1054 are connected respectively. Signal 1054
Is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus for exchanging data commands asynchronously. Facsimile section 4, file section 5, computer interface section 7,
Information transfer between the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10 can be performed by the two signals 1063 and 1064 and the CPU bus 1054.

The signal 1064 from the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer 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 unit 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching unit 1018 performs pattern matching with the pattern of the input signal 1065 in advance, and when the patterns match, outputs a predetermined multilevel signal to the signal line 1066. Pattern matching 1018
If they do not match in the pattern matching process, the output signal 1065 is set as the output signal 1066 and the selector 10
It outputs to 19.

The selector 1019 selects the input signal 1065 and the output signal 1066 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal 1067 of the selector 1019 is the L signal of the next stage.
It is input to the UT 1020. The LUT 1020 converts the output signal 1067 according to the characteristics of the printer when the image information is output to the printer unit 2.

The selector 1021 selects the output signal 1068 and the signal 1065 of the LUT 1020 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal of the selector 1021 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 at the next stage. Enlargement circuit 1022
In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, the enlargement ratio can be set independently in the X and Y directions. The expansion method is a first-order linear interpolation method. The output signal 1070 of the expansion circuit 1022 is input to the buffer 1010. The signal 1070 input to the buffer 1010 is output to the CPU 1
In response to the instruction of 003, it becomes a bidirectional signal 1057 and is sent to the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001 and printed out.

The signal flow of the core section 10 and each section will be described below. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from 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 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans a document according to this document scan command. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is stored in the connector 1001 of the core unit 10.
Is input to Further, the image information input to the connector 1001 is input to the buffer 1010 through the multi-level 8-bit signal line 1057. Buffer 1010 is C
The unidirectional signal 1058 based on the bidirectional signal 1057 is input to the LUT 1011 according to an instruction from the PU 1003. LU
At T1011 the image information from the reader unit 1 is converted into a desired value using a look-up table (LUT).

For example, it is possible to skip the background of the original. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage. The binarization circuit 1012 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal 1059 into a binarized signal. The binarization circuit 1012 converts “00H” when the binarized signal is “0” and “FFH” when the binarized signal is “1” into two multilevel signals. The output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 is
It is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016 via the selectors 1013 and 1014.

The output signal 1062 of the rotating 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. The output signal 1063 from the selector 1016 is the connector 1
It is sent to the facsimile unit 4 via 005.

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 generated by the selector 1014 and the selector 10
17 is input. When an image at the time of facsimile reception is rotated and output from the printer unit 2 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1014 is output.
Is rotated by the rotation circuit 1015. Rotating circuit 1015
The output signal 1062 from is input to the pattern matching 1018 via the selector 1016 and the selector 1017.

When the image at the time of facsimile reception is output to the printer unit 2 as it is according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching unit 1018.

The pattern matching unit 1018 has a function (smoothing function) for smoothing the jaggedness of an image when received by facsimile. The pattern-matched signal is sent to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019.
Is input to The LUT 1020 can change the table of the LUT 1020 by the CPU 1003 in order to output the image received by facsimile to the printer unit 2 at a desired density.

The output signal 1068 of the LUT 1020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The expansion circuit 1022 has two values (“00H”, “F”).
The 8-bit multi-value data having FH ") is subjected to expansion processing by a linear interpolation method of the first order. An 8-bit multi-valued 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. External I / F switching circuit 11
Reference numeral 9 inputs the signal from the facsimile section 4 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. Y signal generation / color detection circuit 11
The output signal from 3 is processed as described above,
The image is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on the output paper. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from 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 sends 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 converted into a desired signal by the LUT 1011 from the signal 1058 which is a multi-valued 8-bit signal which becomes a unidirectional signal 1058 by the buffer 1010. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is output to the selectors 1013, 1014, 10
It is input to the connector 1006 via 16.

That is, without using the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015, the 8-bit multi-value data is transferred to the file unit 5 as it is. CPU bus 1054 of CPU 1003
When filing the binarized signal by communicating with the file unit 5 via the, the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015 are used. The binarization process and the rotation process are the same as in the case of the facsimile unit 4 described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

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

The image information from the file section 5 is the connector 1
A signal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 via 006. For 8-bit multi-valued filing, to selector 1017; for binary filing, selector 1014 or selector 101
It is possible to input in 7. In the case of binary filing, since the processing is the same as that of the facsimile unit 4, description thereof will be omitted.

In the case of multi-value filing, the selector 10
The output signal 1065 from 17 is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. In the LUT 1020, a look-up table is created according to an instruction from the CPU 1003 in accordance with a desired print density. LUT1020
The output signal 1068 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. 8-bit multilevel signal 10 expanded to a desired expansion ratio by the expansion circuit 1022
70 is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. The information of the file unit 5 sent to the reader unit 1 is output to the printer unit 2 and the image formation is performed on the output paper, similarly to the operation of the facsimile unit 4 described above. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Computer Interface Unit 7] The computer interface unit 7
It interfaces with a computer connected to the external device 3. The computer interface unit 7 is an SCS.
I, RS232C, and a plurality of interfaces for communicating with Centronics system. The computer interface unit 7 has three types of interfaces as described above, and information from each interface is stored in the connector 10
11 and the CPU bus 1053 to the CPU 1003. The CPU 1003 performs various controls based on the contents sent. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Formatter Unit 8] The formatter unit 8 has a function of expanding command data such as a document file sent from the computer interface unit 7 into image data. C
When the PU 1003 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the CPU bus 1053 is data regarding the formatter unit 8, the PU 1003 transfers the data to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1008.
The formatter unit 8 develops the transferred data in the memory as a meaningful image such as characters and figures.

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 transmitted as a multi-valued signal having two values ("00H", "FFH") on the signal line 1064 via the connector 1008. The signal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. The selector 1014 and the selector 1017 are controlled by the instruction of the CPU 1003.
Subsequent operations are similar to those of the facsimile unit 4, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from 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 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 causes the scanner unit 104 to scan the document according to this command,
The image information is output to the connector 120. The reader unit 1 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. 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 by the selectors 1013, 1014, 101.
6. Transfer multivalued image information 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. CPU1003
Transfers the data sent from the image memory unit 9 to the computer interface unit 7 described above. The computer interface unit 7 transfers to the computer (workstation 790 in this embodiment) by a desired interface among the above-mentioned three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS232C, Centronics).

Next, a case where information is received from the image memory unit 9 will be described.

First, image information is sent from the computer to the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7. When the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the CPU bus 1053 is data related to the image memory unit 9, the CPU 1003 transfers the data to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. Next, the image memory unit 9 transmits the 8-bit multilevel signal 1064 to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017 via the connector 1009. The output signal from the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 is
In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, similarly to the above-described facsimile unit 4, the image is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on the output paper.

The configuration of the facsimile section 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the facsimile section 4 shown in FIG.

The facsimile section 4 is connected to the core section 10 by the connector 400 and exchanges various signals. The binary information from the core unit 10 is stored in the memory A405 to the memory D408.
In the case of storing in any of the above, the signal 453 from the connector 400 is input to the memory controller 404, and under the control of the memory controller 404, any one of the memory A405, the memory B406, the memory C407, and the memory D408, or two sets. It is stored in the memory of cascade connection.

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41
According to the instruction No. 2, a 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 a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 463 of the CODEC 411 having an encoding / decoding function. , Memory A405, memory B406, memory C407, memory D408 contents D
The scaling circuit 403 is controlled by the MA controller 402.
Mode for exchanging data with the bus 454 from
Under the control of the timing generation circuit 409, a mode in which binary video input data is stored in any one of the memories A405 to D408, and a memory content is read from one of the memories A405 to D408, and a signal line 452 is read.
It has the functions of 5 modes in total.

Each of the memories A405 to D408 has a capacity of 2 Mbytes and stores an image corresponding to A4 size with a resolution of 400 DPI. The timing generation circuit 409 is connected to the connector 400 by a signal line 459, and controls signals (HSYNC, HSYNC) from the core unit 10.
EN, VSYNC, VEN)
Generate signals to accomplish one function. One is that the image signal from the core unit 10 is sent to the memories A405 to D4.
08, the function of storing in any one memory or two memories, the second is the memory A405 to memory D40
The image signal is read out from any one of
It is a function to transmit to 52.

The dual port memory 410 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 461 and the CP of the facsimile unit 4 via the signal line 462.
U412 is connected. The CPUs exchange commands via the dual port memory 410. The SCSI controller 413 is a hard disk (HD) connected to the facsimile unit 4 shown in FIG.
Interface with. It stores the data when sending and receiving a facsimile. CODEC4
Reference numeral 11 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A405 to D408 and outputs MH, MR, and M.
After encoding by the desired method of the MR method, the memory A
405 to memory D 408 and stores as encoded information.

Further, the coded information stored in the memories A405 to D408 is read out, and MH, MR, and M are read.
After decoding by the desired MR method, the memory A
405 to memory D 408, and stored as decryption information, that is, image information. MODEM414
Is a CODEC 411 or SCSI controller 41
A function for modulating coded information from a hard disk (HD) connected to the mobile phone 3 for transmission on a telephone line;
It has a function of demodulating the information sent from the NCU 415, converting it into decoding information, and transferring the coding information to a hard disk (HD) connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413. The NCU 415 is directly connected to a telephone line via a connector 416 and exchanges information with an exchange installed in a telephone office or the like according to a predetermined procedure.

The facsimile transmission processing operation will be described.

The binary signal from the reader unit 1 is sent to the connector 4
The signal 453 input from the signal 00 through the signal line 453 and reaching the memory controller 404 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. The timing to be stored in the memory A 405 is generated by the timing generation circuit 409 from the reader unit 1 at the timing 459. The CPU 412 replaces the memory A 405 and the memory B 406 of the memory controller 404 with the CODEC 411.
Connected to the bus line 463. CODEC 411 is
The image information is read from the memory A 405, encoded by the MR method, and the encoded information is written in the memory B 406.

Image information of A4 size is converted to CODEC4
When 11 is encoded, the CPU 412 connects the memory C407 of the memory controller 404 to the CPU bus 462. The CPU 412 stores the encoded information in the memory B4.
The data is sequentially read from 06 and transferred to the MODEM 414.
The MODEM 414 modulates the coded information and the NC
Send facsimile information over the telephone line via U415.

Next, the facsimile transmission processing operation will be described.

The information sent from the telephone line is NCU.
It is input to the facsimile unit 4 in a predetermined procedure by the NCU 415. Information from NCU 415 is M
It enters the ODEM 414 and is demodulated. CPU 412 is C
The information from the MODEM 414 is stored in the memory C407 via the PU bus 462. Information on one screen is memory C4
When stored in 07, the CPU 412 controls the memory controller 404 to change the data line 457 of the memory C407 to the bus line 46 of the CODEC 411.
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 uses the dual port memory 4
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 communicates with the printer unit 2 via the memory D 408 through the core unit 10.
Make settings to print out the image. When the setting is completed, the CPU 412 causes the timing generation circuit 409 to
The signal line 460 outputs a predetermined timing signal to the memory controller 404. The memory controller 404 reads the image information from the memory D 408 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. The operation up to the output from the connector 400 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the operation of the core unit 10, and thus the details will be omitted.

The detailed configuration and operation of the file unit 5 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the file unit 5 shown in 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 it is converted from multi-valued image information into compressed information and output to the memory controller 510. Output signal 552 of compression circuit 503
Is a memory A50 under the control of the memory controller 510.
It is stored in any one of 6 to the memory D 509, or one in which two sets of memories are cascade-connected. The memory controller 510 is instructed by the CPU 516 to execute the memory A50.
6-Mode for exchanging data between the memory D509 and the CPU bus 560, and CODEC for encoding / decoding
Data exchange mode with the CODEC bus 570 of 517 and DMA of the contents of the memory A506 to the memory D509.
Under the control of the controller 518, a mode for exchanging data with the bus 562 from the scaling circuit 511, and a signal 553 is sent to the memory A under the control of the timing generation circuit 514.
506 to a mode stored in any one of the memories D509,
5 of the mode in which the memory contents are read from any of the memories A506 to D509 and output to the signal line 556
Has two functions.

Each of the memories A506 to D509 has a capacity of 2 Mbytes and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 DPI. Timing generation circuit 514
Are connected to the connector 500 by a signal line 553, and control signals (HSYNC, VSYNC) are sent from the core unit 10.
C, HEN, VEN) to generate signals to achieve the following two functions. One is the core part 1
The function of storing the information from 0 in any one of the memories A506 to D509 or two memories, and the second is to read the image information from any one of the memories A506 to D509 and read the signal line 556. It is a function to transmit to.

The dual port memory 515 is connected to the CPU 1003, CPU of the core unit 10 via the signal line 554.
It is connected to the CPU 516 of the file unit 5 via the bus 560. Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 515. SCSI
The controller 519 interfaces with the external storage device 520 connected to the file unit 5 of FIG.
The external storage device 520 in this embodiment uses a magneto-optical disk (MO) as a storage medium and stores data such as large-capacity image information.

The CODEC 517 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A506 to D509, encodes the image information by a desired one of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then stores it in one of the memories A506 to D509. Is stored as encoded information. Also, memory A
The encoded information stored in the memory 506 to the memory D509 is read and decoded by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, and then the encoded information, that is, image information, is stored in any of the memory A506 to the memory D509. Memorize as.

The operation of accumulating file information in the external storage device 520 will be described below.

The 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 500, passes through the signal line 551, and is input to the compression circuit 503. The signal on the signal line 551 is input to the compression circuit 503, where it is converted into a compressed signal 552. The compressed signal 552 is input to the memory controller 510. Memory controller 51
In the case of 0, the timing generation circuit 514 generates the timing signal 559 by the signal 553 from the core unit 10, and the compressed signal 552 is stored in the memory A 506 according to this signal. The CPU 516 connects the memory A 506 and the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 to the bus line 570 of the CODEC 517. The CODEC 517 reads the compressed information from the memory A 506, encodes it by the MR method, and writes the encoded information in the memory B 507. When the CODEC 517 finishes encoding, the CPU
516 is the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510.
To the CPU bus 560. The CPU 516 sequentially reads the encoded information from the memory B 507,
Transfer to the SI controller 519. The SCSI controller 519 stores the encoded information in the external storage device 520.
To memorize.

Next, the processing operation for extracting information from the external storage device 520 and outputting it to the printer unit 2 will be described.

Upon receiving the information retrieval / printing command, the CPU 516 receives the encoded information from the external storage device 520 via the SCSI controller 519 and transfers the encoded information to the memory C508. At this time, the memory controller 510 changes the CPU bus 560 to the bus 5 of the memory C508 according to an instruction from the CPU 516.
Connect to 66. When the transfer of the encoded information to the memory C508 is completed, the CPU 516 causes the memory controller 5
By controlling memory C508 and memory D
509 to bus 570 of CODEC 517. C
The ODEC 517 reads the encoded information from the memory C 508, sequentially encodes the encoded information, and then transfers the encoded information to the memory D 509.

If a scaling such as enlarging / reducing is required when outputting to the printer unit 2, the memory D509 is replaced by the scaling circuit 5.
11 connected to the bus 562 and the DMA controller 518
The contents of the memory D509 are scaled under the control of. CPU5
16 is the core unit 1 via the dual port memory 515.
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 1003 of No. 0, passes through the core unit 10 from the memory D509, and performs setting for printing out an image to the printer unit 2. When setting is completed, CPU51
6 activates the timing generation circuit 514 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the timing signal 559 to the memory controller 510. Memory controller 510
Is synchronized with the signal from the timing generation circuit 514,
The decoded information is read from the memory D509 and transmitted to the signal line 556. The signal line 556 is used for the expansion circuit 50.
4 and expand the information here. The output signal 555 of the expansion circuit 504 is sent to the core unit 10 via the connector 500.
Output to. The operation up to outputting from the connector 500 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the processing of the core unit 10 and will be omitted.

The configuration and display processing operation of the computer interface section 7 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the computer interface section 7 shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, an example of a process of receiving image information from the file unit 5 and displaying it on the display will be described.

Connector A700 and connector B701
Is a connector for SCSI interface. The connector C702 is a Centronics interface connector. The connector D703 is an RS232C interface connector. The connector E707 is a connector for connecting to the core unit 10.

The SCSI interface has two connectors (connector A700 and connector B701), and when connecting a device having a plurality of SCSI interfaces, the connector A700 and connector B701 are used for cascade connection. When the external device 3 and the computer are connected one-to-one, the connector A700 and the computer are connected with a cable, and the connector B701 is connected with a terminator, or the connector B701 and the computer are connected with a cable and the connector A700 is connected. Connect the terminator. Connector A700 or Connector B70
The information input from the S1 is S via the signal line 751.
It is input to the CSI interface A 704 or the SCSI interface B 708. SCSI interface A 704 or SCSI interface B 708 is S
After performing the procedure according to the CSI protocol, the data is output to the connector 707E via the signal line 754.

The connector E707 is the CPU of the core unit 10.
The CPU 1 of the core unit 10 connected to the bus 1054
003 is a SCSI interface connector (connector A700, connector B70) from the CPU bus 1054.
Receive the information entered in 1). CPU of core unit 10
When the data from 1003 is output to the SCSI interface connector (connector A700, connector B701), the procedure is reversed.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector C 702 and input to the Centronics interface 705 via the signal line 752. The Centronics interface 705 receives the data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and outputs the data to the connector E707 via the signal line 754. Connector E707
Is the CPU bus 1054 of the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10.
CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is connected to C
The information input to the Centronics interface connector (connector C702) is received from the PU bus 1054.

The RS232C interface is connected to connector D703 and is connected to RS2 via signal line 753.
It is input to the 32C interface 706. RS232
The C interface 706 receives the data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and outputs the data to the connector E707 via the signal line 754. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10, and the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 connects the CPU bus 1054 to the R bus.
S232C interface connector (connector D70
3) CPU 1 of core unit 10 that receives the information input
When the data from 003 is output to the RS232C interface connector (connector D703), the procedure is reversed.

The configuration and operation of the formatter unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the formatter unit 8 shown in FIG.

Computer interface section 7 described above
Is determined by the core unit 10, and if the data is related to the formatter unit 8, the CP of the core unit 10
The U 1003 transfers data from the computer to the dual port memory 803 via the connector 1008 of the core unit 10 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8.
The CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 receives the code data sent from the computer via the dual port memory 803. The CPU 809 sequentially develops the 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. The memory A 806 and the memory B 807 each have a memory capacity of 1 Mbyte, and one memory (memory A 806 and memory B 807) has three memory capacity.
A resolution of 00DPI can be applied to A4 size paper. If the resolution is 300 DPI and up to A3 paper is used, the memory A806 and the memory B807 are cascade-connected to develop image data.

The 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, a graphic or the like when developing 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 807 is completed, the CPU 809 causes the memory controller 8
08 and controls the data bus line 85 of the memory A806.
8 or the data bus line 859 of the memory B 807 is connected to the output line 851 of the memory controller 808. Next, the CPU 809 uses the dual port memory 80.
To communicate with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 that sets the mode for outputting the image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807.
CP using the communication function built in the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 in the core unit 10.
Set the print output mode to U122. Reference numeral 805 is a memory.

When the print mode is set, the core unit 1
The CPU 1003 of 0 activates the timing generation circuit 802 via the connector 1008 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8. The timing generation circuit 802
The memory controller 80 according to the signal from the core unit 10
8 generates a timing signal for reading image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807. Memory A
The image information from 806 or the memory B 807 is input to the memory controller 808 via the data bus line 858. 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. From the core unit 10 to the printer unit 2
Since the output of the above has been described in the core unit 10, the description thereof will be omitted.

The configuration and operation of the image memory unit 9 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows the image memory unit 9 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of FIG.

The image memory section 9 is connected to the core section 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.
It has three functions: a mode for exchanging data with the PU bus 957, a mode for storing the signal 954 in the memory 904 under the control of the timing generation circuit 902, and a mode for outputting the memory content from the memory 904 to the signal line 955. Have.

The memory 904 has a capacity of 32 Mbytes and stores an image corresponding to A3 with a resolution of 400 DPI and 256 gradations. The timing generation circuit 902 is connected to the connector 900 by a signal line 952, and controls signals (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC) from the core unit 10.
C, VEN) to generate signals to achieve the following two functions. One is a function of storing information from the core unit 10 in the memory 904, and the second is a function of transmitting image information from the memory 904 to the signal line 955. The dual port memory 903 has a signal line 9
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is connected via 53, and the CPU 906 of the image memory unit 9 is connected via a signal line 957. Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 903.

The operation of accumulating the image information in the image memory unit 9 and transferring the accumulated information to the computer will be described below.

The 8-bit multivalued 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 causes the timing generation circuit 902 to receive the timing signal 956 in response to the signal 952 from the core unit 10.
And the signal 954 is stored in the memory 904 according to this signal.
To memorize. The CPU 906 is a memory controller 90.
No. 5 memory 904 is connected to the CPU bus 957.

The CPU 906 sequentially reads the image information from the memory 904 and transfers it to the dual port memory 903. 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 computer interface unit 7. The process of transferring information from the computer interface unit 7 to the computer has already been described in detail and will be omitted.

Next, the operation of outputting the image information sent from the computer to the printer section 2 will be described.

The image information sent from the computer is sent to the core unit 10 via the computer 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 9006 controls the memory controller 905 and sets the CPU bus 957 to the memory 9.
04 bus. The CPU 906 transfers the image information from the dual port memory 903 to the memory 904 via the memory controller 905. Memory 904
After transferring the image information to the CPU 906, the CPU 906 controls the memory controller 905 to connect the data line of the memory 904 to the signal 955. The CPU 906 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 903, and makes settings for printing an image on the printer unit 2 from the memory 904 through the core unit 10. When the setting is completed, C
The PU 906 activates the timing generation circuit 902 and outputs a predetermined timing signal 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. The output from the core unit 10 to the printer unit 2 up to the output from the connector 900 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the core unit 10 and thus will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is an external view showing an arrangement state of the output state display device 14 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 15 is a document pressure plate, 2A to 2D.
Is a pedestal, which contains a recording material of a predetermined size. The output state display device 14 is configured so that it can be positioned at a desired height position from the floor surface by an instruction member that extends from the reader unit 1 in the upper surface direction by a predetermined length. Further, the output state display device 14 is sized so that it can be viewed by a user who can use it in the same space where the main body is placed and is separated by a predetermined length, and can be lit and intermittently displayed with a visible light amount. Furthermore, the output state display device 14
Does not have to be fixed to the main body at all times, and the output state display device 14 is arranged separately from the main body, for example, the main body image is installed on the ceiling surface, wall surface, etc. of the room in which it is located, and is displayed by wire or wirelessly You may comprise.

The output state identification display control operation in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the output state identification display control procedure in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, when a data output request to the printer unit 2 is made (1), the core unit 10 discriminates the output data type (2), and in the case of copy function processing (data output request from the reader unit 1) If it is determined that the output state display device 14 is constantly turned on (3), and if it is determined that the facsimile function processing (output request of image data received by the facsimile unit 4) is performed, output is performed. When it is determined that the status display device 14 has been lit for a long time in the intermittent state (4) and the print function processing (output request of image data received by the computer interface unit 7) is being performed, the output status display device 14 is short. It is lit in the intermittent state (5), and it is judged whether or not the number of remaining output sheets is less than or equal to a predetermined number (6). If NO, the process returns to step (2) to display the output state and YES. For example, it is displayed in a display state other than steps (3) to (5) (for example, a blinking state at a very short interval) (7), the end of data output is determined (8), and the output state display device 14 is operated with the end of data output. Is turned off (9), and the process ends.

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

A first aspect of the invention is a reader unit for reading a document image and outputting image data; a printer for printing a visible image on a recording material fed from a plurality of accommodating units based on input image data. A digital copying apparatus having a unit 2 and a facsimile communication processing function (by processing of the facsimile unit 4) connected to a communication line to perform facsimile communication, and a computer interface function (computer interface unit 7) for communicating with a predetermined computer system. Processing), a format processing function of expanding the input code information into a bit map to generate image data (by the processing of the formatter unit 8), saving the image information in an external storage medium, and saving the saved image information. One of the file processing functions to be searched (by the processing of the file section 5) Is connected to an external device 3 for performing composite image processing by inputting / outputting image data respectively by adding a plurality of data, and the external device 3 and the digital copying device can mutually perform data communication (communication is performed by the communication IC 1002). In the complex image input / output device, the printer unit 2
Means for displaying the output state of the (output state display device 1
4), a determination unit (sub CPU 123) for determining the output data type output from the printer unit 2, and a display mode of the display unit is switched to a different mode for each output data type determined by the determination unit. A control means for controlling (the sub CPU 123 controls by executing the control procedure shown in FIG. 11) is provided, and the output state display device 14 is provided for each output data type determined by the sub CPU 123.
The display mode is controlled to be switched to a different mode so that the user can visually identify the type of data processed by the printer unit 2.

The second invention is a reader unit for reading a document image and outputting image data; a printer for printing a visible image on a recording material fed from a plurality of accommodating units based on input image data. A digital copying apparatus having a unit 2 and a facsimile communication processing function (by processing of the facsimile unit 4) connected to a communication line to perform facsimile communication, and a computer interface function (computer interface unit 7) for communicating with a predetermined computer system. Processing), a format processing function of expanding the input code information into a bit map to generate image data (by the processing of the formatter unit 8), saving the image information in an external storage medium, and saving the saved image information. One of the file processing functions to be searched (by the processing of the file section 5) Is connected to an external device 3 for performing composite image processing by inputting / outputting image data respectively by adding a plurality of data, and the external device 3 and the digital copying device can mutually perform data communication (communication is performed by the communication IC 1002). In the complex image input / output device, the printer unit 2
A display unit (output state display device 16) for displaying the output state of the character, and a determination unit (sub CPU 123) for determining the type of output data output from the printer unit 2.
The control means (sub CPU 123 executes a control procedure (not shown) to perform control) which causes the display means to display the output data type and the output data request destination in characters for each output data type determined by the determination means is provided. , Sub C
The control unit displays the output data type and the output data destination on the output state display device 14 for each output data type determined by the PU 123, and the type of data processed by the user in the printer unit and the output data thereof. It is possible to visually confirm the request destination.

When the function processing to be identified distinguishes the output from the facsimile section 4 and the computer interface section 7, for example, the output state display device 14 is turned on when the facsimile function processing is output and the output from the computer interface section 7 is made. It goes without saying that the output state display device 14 may be controlled to blink when the print function processing is output.

As a result, the user waiting for data output from the facsimile section 4 visually confirms at a position away from the printer section 2 whether the output state display device 14 is in the display state indicating that facsimile output is in progress, It suffices to go to the printer unit 2 and during that time, concentrate on other processing.

If a plurality of printer units 2 can be connected and the system can be upgraded, the printers in the standby state are determined by determining the lighting state of each output state display device 14 attached to each printer unit 2. By selecting the unit 2 and transmitting desired output data via the computer interface unit 7, printer resources can be used effectively and without waste.

The output status display device 14 which operates in this embodiment is arranged at a position where the output status display device 14 is arranged so that many users existing in the same space as the printer unit 2 can easily visually confirm it. Need to be adjusted. Further, the output state display device 14 does not necessarily need to be provided integrally with the printer unit 2, and only the output state display device 14 may be hung on a wall or hung from the ceiling.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another output state display example in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention.

In the figure, (a) corresponds to a display state during operation of the facsimile function in which the output data source outputs the data from the facsimile section 4, and the output data source (facsimile (FAX)) and the recognized recipient This corresponds to the state in which the facsimile number is displayed on the character display panel 16. In (b), the output data source corresponds to the display state during print function operation via the computer interface unit 7,
This corresponds to a state where the host computer ID (CPU-23) is displayed on the character display panel 16 together with the output data source (print (PRT)).

As a result, it is possible to notify the printer unit 2 of the current output state by the character information, and the complex state can be notified to the user more clearly.

The output status display device 1 shown in FIG.
4 as shown in FIG. 13, a three-color indicator lamp (green, red, orange) 1
7, it may be controlled to display in a color corresponding to each output data source.

In the above embodiment, the output state is visually confirmed when notifying the user, but the tone color (frequency is changed) generated from the sound source is controlled for each identified output state. Alternatively, or by controlling the output timing (interval) of the same sound generated from the sound source for each of the identified output states, the user may be notified aurally.
Note that it is also possible to use the auditory output state notification and the visual output state notification together.

[0129]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, since the control means controls the display mode of the display means to switch to a different mode for each output data type determined by the determination means, the user can visually determine the type of data processed by the printer section. Can be identified.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means displays the output data type and the output data destination on the display means in characters for each output data type determined by the determination means. It is possible to visually confirm the type of data being output and the destination of the output data request.

Therefore, there is an effect that the type of data currently processed by the printer unit can be visually confirmed as the composite processing function is executed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite image input / output device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration 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 illustrating a detailed configuration of a facsimile unit illustrated in FIG.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a file unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the computer interface unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a formatter unit illustrated in FIG.

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

10 is an external view showing an arrangement state of the output state display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an output state identification display control procedure in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another output state display example in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of another output state display device in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Printer 14 Output status display device 123 Sub CPU

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G06T 1/00 H04N 1/21

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A digital device having a reader unit for reading a document image and outputting image data, and a printer unit for printing a visible image on a recording material fed from a plurality of storage units based on the input image data. Facsimile communication processing function for performing facsimile communication by being connected to a communication line to a copying machine, computer interface function for communicating with a predetermined computer system, and a format for expanding input code information into a bit map to generate image data Save processing functions and image information to external storage media,
Of the file processing functions for searching image information stored in the external storage medium, one or a plurality of functions are arbitrarily added, and an external device for performing composite image processing by inputting and outputting image data respectively can be connected. Display means for displaying the output state of the printer section in the image input / output device;
And a control unit for controlling the display form of the display unit to be changed to a different form for each output data type determined by the determination unit. A composite image input / output device characterized by. 2. A digital device having a reader unit for reading a document image and outputting image data, and a printer unit for printing a visible image on a recording material fed from a plurality of storage units based on the input image data. Facsimile communication processing function for performing facsimile communication by being connected to a communication line to a copying machine, computer interface function for communicating with a predetermined computer system, and a format for expanding input code information into a bit map to generate image data Save processing functions and image information to external storage media,
Of the file processing functions for searching image information stored in the external storage medium, one or a plurality of functions are arbitrarily added, and an external device for performing composite image processing by inputting and outputting image data respectively can be connected. In the image input / output device, a display unit for displaying the output state of the printer unit in characters, a determination unit for determining the output data type output from the printer unit, and an output data type for each output data type determined by the determination unit A composite image input / output device comprising: a control unit that causes the display unit to display an output data type and an output data request destination in characters.