JPH09107357A - Control method and control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the control system that takes various reply conditions into account by sending instruction data to plural operation means whose reply speed condition differs via a common communication channel according to the priority based on the reply speed condition. SOLUTION: Plural operation means 20 such as high speed optical control means, medium speed drum peripheral device control means and low speed paper feed means have different reply speed conditions. Each control means 30 corresponding to each condition stores a count representing the priority based on each reply speed condition and controls each operation means 20 according to the count. In this case, a communication state discrimination means 51 discriminates it that other communication is busy and a priority discrimination means 53 discriminates it that other control means with higher priority makes no communication request and when the conditions above are set, instruction data or status data in its own memory means are transferred serially to a relating control means via a LAN communication channel 25 by a communication means 31.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a control system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, due to advances in computer technology,
The functional improvement of the A device is remarkable. However, in proportion to that, the control becomes complicated and sophisticated, and C
High-speed PU, large capacity, large-scale software,
In addition, the number of signal lines in the equipment is increased and complicated. FIG. 16 shows an example of control of a copying machine by one conventional CPU. A CPU 1 provided on one control board,
It can be seen that a plurality of various loads and sensors are connected by parallel signal lines to centrally control each functional unit of these copying machines. The increase and complexity of signal lines due to such centralized control may lead to reduction in reliability due to inductive noise from other signal lines and poor contact of the connector.

On the other hand, the control target of the copying machine is divided into several operation blocks, and each operation block has a C
There is also a proposal that the control is decentralized by having a PU. FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conventional distributed system of a copying machine. In this example, the master CPU 2 provided on one control board and the slave CP provided for each functional unit
U3 is connected by a dedicated serial communication line 4, and each slave CPU 3 and each load and sensor are connected by a parallel signal line. By adopting such a configuration, increase and complexity of signal lines in the device can be suppressed to some extent, but if the number of slave CPUs 3 is increased, the number of dedicated serial communication lines 4 is also increased. Further, in the conventional serial communication function, an internal interrupt is generated during transmission / reception, and the interrupting process is executed by temporarily interrupting the process currently being executed each time the interrupt occurs, so that when the serial communication line 4 increases, The interruption time of the CPU 2 increases, and the influence on the processing being executed cannot be ignored.

On the other hand, a LAN (Local Area Network) in which a communication line is shared by a plurality of CPUs
The k) method is also proposed. Figure 18 shows a conventional LAN
It is a block diagram showing an example of a decentralized system of the copying machine of the method. The same components as those in FIG. 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The master CPU 2 and each slave CPU 3 are connected by a shared serial communication line 5. In this example, since the communication line is shared, the increase of the communication line can be suppressed even if the number of slave CPUs 3 is increased. However, if the number of slave CPUs 3 is increased, the congestion degree of the communication line 5 increases, and a high speed is achieved for a specific slave CPU 3. Even if it is necessary to respond and you want to communicate preferentially, the other slave CPUs 3 use the communication line 5
The chances of not being able to communicate due to the use of are increasing, and the impact on the high-speed response system cannot be ignored.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional LAN system (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-69947). (A) is a configuration block diagram and (b) is a time chart thereof. (A)
In A, C are operation blocks, DATA is a data bus, IRQ is a data transfer request signal line, and DAR is a data ready signal line. In (b), IRQ first falls, then DAR rises, and then data is output. When the data transfer is completed, IRQ rises, then DAR falls, and one sequence is completed. In this example, the operation blocks A to C are arranged in the same row without the master and slave being in a hierarchical relationship, and there is no prioritization among the operation blocks. A configuration that considers response speed conditions such as optical system control that requires a relatively high-speed response, process control around the drum in time for a medium-speed response, and transfer paper conveyance system control in time for a lower-speed response, as in the case of a copying machine. However, the effect on the high-speed response system cannot be ignored. Further, since the IRQs can be simultaneously lowered in a plurality of operation blocks, data collision can occur.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example of the conventional LAN system (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-7651). In this example, the master block 6 and a plurality of slave blocks 7 are provided. Since the slave block 7 cannot transmit from itself until it is called from the master block 6, the slave block 7 responds quickly to a specific slave CPU. If you need to do so and want to prioritize communication,
The chances of not being able to communicate increase, and the impact on the high-speed response system cannot be ignored.

The method shown in FIG. 21 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-1143)
No. 06) is also composed of a master CPU 8 and a slave CPU 9 as in the case of FIG.
8 and a slave CPU 9 are connected via a communication line 10. Even in this system, the slave CPU 9 cannot transmit from itself until it is called by the master CPU 8.
Even if high-speed response is required and communication is preferentially performed, chances of communication failure increase and the effect on the high-speed response system cannot be ignored.

The LAN system shown in FIG. 22 is a case in which the operation blocks 11 and 13 are connected in a loop through the LAN interface section 12 and the communication lines 14 and 15 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-61). -114306).
Each operation block is provided with a master block and a slave block, but since all the operation blocks are connected in a loop, a transfer method is used, so if you want to send data from one operation block to another, Propagation delay increases due to transmission via loops without loops. Also, because it is a configuration that you cannot send from yourself until it is called from another operation block, you need to respond to a specific slave CPU at high speed, and even if you want to preferentially communicate, the chances of not communicating increase and the high speed The effect on the response system cannot be ignored.

The system shown in FIG. 23 is similar to the system shown in FIG. 22, in which the operation blocks 16 are connected in a loop through a communication line 17 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-28).
No. 1046). Also in this case, there is a problem similar to the method shown in FIG. That is, when it is desired to transmit data from a certain operation block to another operation block, the transmission delay due to transmission via an unrelated loop increases.
Also, since it is a configuration that you cannot send from yourself until it is called from another operation block, you need to respond to a specific slave CPU at high speed, and even if you want to preferentially communicate, the chances of not communicating increase and the high speed. The effect on the response system cannot be ignored.

[0010]

As described above, in the conventional system, control is not performed in consideration of the speed condition of each operation block, and even when an emergency communication is desired to be performed from a certain operation block, the control is promptly performed. There was a problem that I could not communicate with.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a LAN system in which a communication line is shared by a plurality of control means, a relatively high speed response is required as in the case of a copying machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method and a control system in consideration of response speed conditions such as optical system control, process control of a drum around a medium speed response, and control of a transfer paper conveyance system that responds even at a lower speed response.

[0012]

According to a first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, at least two control means for controlling any one of a plurality of operation means having different response speed conditions are provided. According to the priority order based on the response speed condition,
It is characterized in that the transmission right of the command data for operating any of the operating means or the status data of the operating means is acquired.

According to the structure of the present invention, the control means obtains the transmission right of the command data or the situation data for operating any one of the operating means in accordance with the priority order based on the response speed condition of each operating means. Therefore, in the LAN system in which the communication line is shared by a plurality of control means, an optical system control that requires a relatively high-speed response as in the case of a copying machine, or a drum-related process control that is in time for a medium-speed response In addition, it is possible to realize a control method in consideration of a response speed condition such as a control of a transfer paper conveyance system which can be in time even at a lower speed response.

A second invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is to provide a plurality of operating means for performing specific processing having different response speed conditions, and at least two control means for controlling any one of the operating means. And connecting means for connecting between the control means, each of the control means is assigned a priority order based on the response speed condition of each of the operation means, and is connected to any of the operation means. Memory means for storing command data or status data of the operating means, communication determining means for determining whether or not there is another control means in serial communication, and the communication determining means for determining whether another serial communication is in progress. When it is determined that there is no control means, the priority determination means determines whether another control means having a higher priority than itself requests serial communication, and the priority determination means. When the other control means having a higher priority than itself determines that serial communication is not requested, and the self requests serial communication, the command data or the status data stored in the memory means is serialized. It has a communication means for transferring.

According to the structure of the present invention, the communication means provided in the control means determines whether or not any of the control means is in serial transfer, and when any of the control means is not in serial transfer, the communication means is set in advance. According to the designated priority, the control means having a higher priority than itself judges whether or not it has declared communication, and when it has not declared communication, it will declare communication and start serial transfer. In a LAN system in which a communication line is shared by a plurality of control means, it is possible to control an optical system that requires a relatively high-speed response as in the case of a copying machine, a drum rotation process control for a medium-speed response, and a lower-speed response. It is possible to provide a control system in consideration of response speed conditions such as control of a transfer paper conveyance system in time.

In this case, it is characterized in that the same priority designation of each control means is prohibited. According to the configuration of the present invention, since the transmission requests do not conflict at the same time, the data transmission can be performed quickly.

Further, each of the control means receives the transfer destination designating means for adding the transfer destination designating information to the command data or the situation data stored in the memory means, and the command data or the situation data from the other control means. In this case, the transfer destination determining means determines whether or not the data is data for itself, from the transfer destination specifying means.

According to the structure of the present invention, by designating the data transfer destination by the transfer destination designating means, the data can be surely transferred to the specific data transfer destination, and by the transfer destination discriminating means, it is addressed to itself. It is possible to reliably receive the transmitted data by determining whether or not the data is the transmitted data.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the essential part of the present invention. The present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a plurality of operating means 20 having a function for performing a specific process.
And at least two control means 30 having memory means for controlling these operation means 20, and data stored in the memory means in these control means 30 are serially transferred to the memory means of another control means. To this end, it is composed of connecting means 25 for connecting the control means. As the connection means 25, for example, a communication line is used. In the control system configured as described above, a transmission right acquisition unit, which will be described later, is provided in the control unit 30, and an optical system control that requires a relatively high-speed response as in the case of a copying machine or an intermediate system is required. We have realized a control system that considers response speed conditions, such as process control around the drum for quick response, and control for the transfer paper transport system that is adequate for even lower speed response.

In such a configuration, at least two control means 30 for controlling any one of the plurality of operating means 20 having different response speed conditions, according to the priority order based on the response speed condition of each operating means 20, Each of the operating means 2
The transmission right of the command data for operating any one of 0 and the status data of each of the operating means 20 is acquired. Therefore, the control means 30 acquires the transmission right of the command data or the status data for operating any one of the operating means 20 according to the priority order based on the response speed condition of each operating means 20, In a LAN system in which a communication line is shared by a plurality of control means 30, an optical system control that requires a relatively high-speed response as in the case of a copying machine, a drum rotation process control that is in time for a medium-speed response,
It is possible to realize a control method that considers a response speed condition such as a control of a transfer paper conveyance system that is in time for a lower speed response.

In FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the control means 30, 31 is a communication means connected to the communication line 25 as a connection means for serially transferring data, 40 is a memory means for storing plural kinds of command data or status data, and 32 is a data transfer destination. Transfer destination specifying means for specifying, 33 is a transfer destination determining means for determining the transfer destination, 50 is connected to the communication line 25,
When any control means 30 is in serial transfer, when none of the control means 30 is in serial transfer, the control means 30, which has a higher priority than itself, declares the communication according to the priority order specified in advance. It is a transmission right acquisition means that determines whether or not the communication is declared, and declares the communication by itself when the communication is not declared and starts serial transfer.

In the memory means 40, 41 is a data memory for storing various data transmitted / received to / from the operation means 20, 42 is a transmission memory for storing data to be transmitted to the communication line 25, and 43 is data for receiving from the communication line 25. It is a reception memory for storing the data. In the transmission right acquisition means 50, 51 is a communication determining means for determining whether any of the control means 30 is in serial transfer, 52 is a priority specifying means for specifying a priority, and 53 is the communication determining means 51. When no control means 30 is in serial transfer, it is determined whether or not the control means 30 having a higher priority than itself declares communication according to the priority designated by the priority designating means 52 in advance. Priority determining means for determining, 54 is the priority determining means 53
The communication declaring means for declaring the communication in the transmission memory 43 when the serial transfer can be performed based on the determination result.

The operating means 20 is a plurality of operating means including paper conveyance for carrying out image processing. In the embodiment, the operating means 20 is composed of a load such as a motor, a clutch, a solenoid, and a sensor for detecting a state. It is connected to the control means 30 via an interface means (for example, a buffer or a driver). The operation of the circuit thus configured will be described as follows.

(Transmission procedure) When any change occurs (for example, from OFF to ON, from ON to OFF, voltage / current increase / decrease, etc.) in the state detection sensor, the information is used as the information.
0 is taken into the data memory 41 of the memory means 40 inside and the transmission request event (flag) inside the memory means 40
Is set. When the send request event is set,
The control means 30 acquires the transmission right by the transmission right acquisition means 50 and performs transmission. The control means 30 checks whether or not the communication line (connection means) 25 is vacant by using the communication determination means 51 of the transmission right acquisition means 50. In the embodiment described later, if the BUSY & LATCH signal is at low level, it is determined that one of the control means 30 is communicating.

If the BUSY & LATCH signal is high level, it means that the communication line 25 is vacant, so that the control means 30 will declare the communication by the control means 30 higher than its own priority determined by the priority designating means 52. If there is no higher-order control means 30 which is going to declare the communication, the communication declaring means 54 declares the communication and starts the transmission.

In the first embodiment, which will be described later, the priority designation means 52 is composed of a count register in which the priority count number is set, and the priority determination means 53 is X & C.
It is composed of a cyclic counter that counts LOCK, a comparator, and an AND gate, and compares the count register and the cyclic counter with a comparator,
If the comparison result and the BUSY & LATCH signal are ANDed and the BUSY & LATCH signal is at the high level when the comparison results match, the BUSY & LATCH signal is lowered to the low level and communication is declared and transmission is started.

In the second embodiment, which will be described later, the priority order designating means 52 connects the PRIORITY signal from the higher order to the lower order (the higher order adjacent to the priority order is the output and the lower order is the input, and the higher order output is from the higher order). Output from the input), and the priority order determination means 53 outputs PRIORITY-I
N, the communication declaring means 54 is composed of PRIORITY-OUT. First, the PRIORITY-OUT is lowered to a low level to make a communication declaration. Withdraw, PRIORIT
When Y-IN is determined to be high level, transmission is started without dropping the communication declaration.

To start transmission, the data to be transmitted is read from the data memory 41 of the memory means 40 and the transmission memory 4
3, the transfer destination data generated by the transfer destination designating means 32 is added as an ID, and the communication means 31 serially sends the data to the communication line 25.

(Reception Procedure) At the time of reception, the communication means 31 serially fetches data from the communication line 25,
The fetched data is temporarily held in the reception memory 42. The control means 30 checks with the transfer destination determination means 33 whether the data in the reception memory 42 is data addressed to itself,
If the data is addressed to itself, it is taken into the data memory 41, and if it is not addressed to itself, the data in the reception memory 42 is discarded.

In the embodiment, the transfer destination determining means 33
Is composed of a data register in which its own ID is set and a comparator. The transfer destination data read out from the data fetched in the reception memory 42 and the data register are compared by the comparator, and when the comparison results match. The data in the reception memory 42 is set in the data memory 41. The control means 30 controls on / off of loads (operating means 20) such as a motor, a clutch, a solenoid, etc., according to the contents of the data taken into the data memory 41.

According to this embodiment, each control means 3
Reference numeral 0 indicates a transfer destination designating means 32 for adding the transfer destination designating information to the command data or the situation data stored in the memory means 40, and the data when the command data or the situation data is received from another control means. By having a transfer destination discriminating unit 33 that discriminates whether or not the data is for itself, the transfer destination discriminating unit 33 designates the data transfer destination, and the data is transferred to a specific data transfer destination. It is possible to reliably transfer the data, and it is possible to reliably receive the transmitted data by judging whether or not the data is sent to itself by the transfer destination judging means 33.

(1) Embodiment 1 (priority determination based on pulse count) Embodiment 1 shows an example in which the inside of the copying machine is divided into nine operation blocks for control. The operation block (operation means) 20 is a control block (# 1) that controls the overall system control and the operation panel control, an optical block (# 2) that controls the optical system control of the scanner and the like, and an ADF that controls the document conveyance control.
Block (# 3), drum block (# 4) that controls process around the drum, paper feed block (# 5) that controls transfer paper transport control, and PFU that controls transfer paper transport from an optional paper feed unit / LCT block (# 6),
ADU block (# 7) that controls transfer paper conveyance control of the double-sided copy unit, AC block (# 8) that controls AC system control of the fixing heater and exposure lamp, and STR block (# 9) that controls transfer paper collation, etc. ) Consists of.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection configuration example of the first embodiment. Each block (control means) 30 described above is # 1.
9 are arranged up to # 9. And these blocks 30 are DATA, BUSY & LATCH and X & C.
It is connected to the three LOCK shared communication lines 25a to 25c. The priority order is set in this order from the control block # 1 to the STR block # 9, with the control block # 1 being the first priority.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a communication line used in the first embodiment. DATA is composed of data, command and ID signal (see FIG. 7), BUSY & LATCH is a communication and data latch signal, X & CLOCK is a synchronous clock for priority determination and serial communication, and in a control block without source oscillation, It can also be used as the original oscillation. DATA and BUSY & LATCH are bidirectional signals that can be input / output to / from each block, and X & CLOCK has one block as an output and the remaining blocks as inputs. Which block is to be output can be arbitrarily set. is there. In this embodiment, the control block # 1 is the clock output block.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission right acquisition timing chart of the first embodiment, and shows a case where a transmission request event occurs in the optical block # 2 and the ADF block # 3 during communication of any block. ing. The priority of each block is as shown in FIG. 6, and the priority is the count number of X & CLOCK described later. In the present invention, the same priority designation is prohibited as shown in FIG. Therefore, at the same time, the transmission requests do not conflict with each other, and the data can be transmitted promptly.

First, if the communication of any block is completed at the timing (1) in synchronization with the rising edge of X & CLOCK, BUSY & LATCH rises. Then, all blocks start from X & CLO here.
The counting of the falling edge of CK is started, and at the timing of (2) when one is counted, the priority comes to the control block # 1.

If no transmission request event has occurred in the control block # 1, the control block # 1 relinquishes its priority. Next, two X & CLOCKs were counted (3)
At that timing, the priority comes to the optical block # 2. Since the transmission request event has occurred in the optical block # 2 as described above, the BUSY & LATC is synchronized with the timing of (4) in synchronization with the rising edge of X & CLOCK.
H is stopped and the transmission right is acquired. Same X & CLOCK
DATA at the timing of (5) in synchronization with the rising edge of
Is started to be output to the communication line 25a. By the way, DAT
The acquisition of A is performed in synchronization with the falling edge of X & CLOCK. Optical block # 2 send request event
It is cleared after the transmission right is acquired.

Eventually, the communication of the optical block # 2 is completed at the timing of (6), and BUSY & LATCH starts up. Then, all blocks start from X & CL
Start counting the falling edge of OCK. Assuming that a transmission request event has not occurred in the control block # 1 and the optical block # 2, nothing occurs at the timings (7) and (8), and the ADF block is counted at the timing (3) when three counts are made. Priority comes around to # 3. Since the transmission request event has occurred in the ADF block # 3 as described above, BUSY & LATCH is lowered at the timing of (10) in synchronization with the rising edge of X & CLOCK to acquire the transmission right. Data is started to be output at the timing (11) in synchronization with the same rising edge of X & CLOCK. The transmission request event of the ADF block # 3 is also cleared after the transmission right is acquired. Hereinafter, the same applies.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data format configuration of the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, it is composed of a data signal 60, a command signal 61, and an ID signal 62. The data signal 60 can be arbitrarily set within 1 to 8 bytes. The command signal 61 is 1 byte and is used as a function-based classification code of the data signal as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the upper 4 bits are used for function classification, and the upper 4 bits are sufficient, so the lower 4 bits are undefined. For example, "0" is a communication function and "1" is an I / O function. Hereinafter, it is defined similarly.

The ID signal 62 is 1 byte and is used as an ID number of a transfer source and a transfer destination as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper 4 bits "1" to "9" are used as the transfer source ID number, and the lower 4 bits "1" to "9" are used as the transfer destination ID number. The numbers surrounded by "" indicate hexadecimal.

In particular, when a special number that does not target a specific block is prepared in advance as the ID number and that number is designated as the transfer destination ID number, the transfer destination is configured as a plurality of blocks. can do. In the first embodiment, when "0" is designated as the ID number, the transfer destinations are all blocks. Further, the first embodiment of the present invention employs a configuration in which the ID number matches the priority order shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the transmission right acquisition timing chart used in the first embodiment, and shows the operation when the transmission request event does not occur in any block for a certain period. First, assuming that communication of any block is completed at the timing of (1) in synchronization with the rising edge of X & CLOCK, BUSY & LAT
CH stands up. Then, all blocks start counting the falling edge of X & CLOCK from this point. However, since a transmission request event has not occurred in any block, the count is 9 (10).
At the timing of, the priority right goes round.

Then, all the blocks are re-counted with the next timing (11) as the first count. As long as the transmission request event does not occur in any of the blocks, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 1, 2, 3 ,.
The count is cyclically repeated, such as 1-2. When a transmission request event occurs in any of the blocks after a certain period has passed, for example, after the timing of (9) corresponding to the 8th count of the first cycle, the AC block #
It is assumed that a transmission request event has occurred in 8.

In this case, when the priority comes to the AC block # 8 at the timing of (18), which corresponds to the 8th count of the second round, BUSY & LATCH is set at the timing of (19) in synchronization with the rise of X & CLOCK. The AC block # 8 is turned off and the transmission right is acquired. Then, in synchronization with the rise of the same X & CLOCK ((2
Data is started to be output to the communication line 25a at the timing of 0).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a connection configuration example between the blocks (control means) 30 of the first embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals. Reference numeral 26 in each block is an open collector transistor. X & C
The clock is output from the control block # 1 to the communication line 25c for LOCK, and the communication line 2 is supplied to the other blocks.
A clock is input via 5c.
An open collector transistor of each block is connected to the DATA communication line 25a. DATA-OUT and D of each block are connected to the DATA communication line 25a.
ATA-IN is connected to form a bidirectional signal circuit. Also, on the BUSY & LATCH communication line 25b,
BUSY & LATCH-OUT and BUSY of each block
& LATCH-IN is connected to form a bidirectional signal circuit.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the transmission right acquisition means 50 provided in the control means 30 determines whether any one of the control means 30 is in serial transfer, and which one When the control means 30 is also not in serial transfer, it judges whether or not the control means having a higher priority than itself declares the communication according to the priority order designated in advance, and when the communication is not declared, the self declares the communication. Since the serial transfer is started, in the LAN system in which the communication line is shared by a plurality of control means, the optical system control that requires a relatively high speed response as in the case of a copying machine, and the medium speed response can be performed. It is possible to provide a control system in consideration of response speed conditions such as process control around a drum in time, and control of a transfer paper conveyance system in time for a lower speed response.

(2) Embodiment 2 (priority determination based on upper / lower connection) In Embodiment 2, as in Embodiment 1,
An example of controlling the inside of the copying machine by dividing it into nine blocks will be described. A block (control means) 30 is a control block (# 1) that controls the overall system control and the operation panel control, an optical block (# 2) that controls the optical system control of the scanner and the like, and an ADF block (# that controls the document transport control and the like. 3), a drum block (# 4) that controls process control around the drum, a paper feed block (# 5) that controls transfer paper transport control, and a PFU / LC that controls transfer paper transport from an optional paper feed unit
T block (# 6), ADU block (# 7) that controls transfer paper transport control of the double-sided copy unit, AC block (# 8) that controls AC system control of the fixing heater and exposure lamp,
It is composed of an STR block (# 9) which controls transfer paper collation control and the like.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a connection configuration example of the second embodiment. Each block (control means) 30 described above is #
Nine pieces are arranged from 1 to # 9. And these blocks 20 are DATA, BUSY & LATCH, X & C.
4 shared communication lines of LOCK and PRIORITY 2
5a to 25d are connected. Similar to the case of the first embodiment, the priority is set to the control block # 1 as the first priority,
The control block # 1 to the STR block # 9 are set in this order.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a communication line used in the first embodiment. DATA consists of data, command and ID signal, BUSY & LATCH is a communication and data latch signal, X & CLOCK is a synchronous clock for priority determination and serial communication, and can be used as the original oscillation in a block that does not have the original oscillation. I am trying. PRIOR
ITY is a transmission right acquisition priority determination signal. DA
TA and BUSY & LATCH are bidirectional signals that can be input / output for each block, and X & CLOCK has one block as an output and the remaining blocks as inputs. Which block is to be output can be arbitrarily set. . In this embodiment, the control block # 1 is the clock output block.

FIG. 15 shows each control means 30 of the second embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the example of a connection structure between them. The same components as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Reference numeral 26 in each block is an open collector transistor. X & CLOCK
The clock is output from the control block # 1 to the communication line 25c for use with the clock, and the clock is input to the other blocks via the communication line 25c. DATA
The open collector transistor of each block is connected to the communication line 25a. This DATA communication line 2
5a includes DATA-OUT and DATA- of each block.
IN is connected to form a bidirectional signal circuit. Also,
The BUSY & LATCH-OUT and the BUSY & LATCH-OUT of each block are also included in the BUSY & LATCH communication line 25b.
H-IN is connected to form a bidirectional signal circuit.

The connection relationship of the PRIORITY communication line 25d is as follows. PRIORITY of each block
-For the IN input, the PRIORIT from the upper block
Y-OUT is input, PRIORITY-IN and PR
The IORITY-OUT enters the AND gate 27, and the output of the AND gate 27 is output as the PRIORITY-OR-OUT signal from the open collector transistor 28 and is connected to the PRIORITY communication line 25d.

In the PRIORITY communication line 25d, as shown in the circuit configuration in the figure, the higher priority adjacent to the priority is output (PRIORITY-OUT), and the lower priority is input (PRIORITY-OUT).
ORITY-IN) and the higher output (P
The RIORITY-OUT) is logically ORed with the input (PRIORITY-IN) from the higher order and output (PR).
IORITY-OR-OUT), so that the higher rank can be achieved.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission right acquisition timing chart of the second embodiment, in which one of the blocks (control means) 30 is in communication with the control block # 1 and the ADF.
It is assumed that a transmission request event has occurred in block # 3. First, synchronized with the rising edge of X & CLOCK (1)
If the communication of any block is completed at the timing of, BUSY & LATCH starts up. Then, synchronized with the next fall of X & CLOCK (2)
The block in which the transmission request event is generated at the timing of is a PRIORITY output (PR
IORITY-OUT).

In this example, as described above, since the transmission request event has occurred in the control block # 1 and the ADF block # 3, the optical block # 2 to the ADF block # 3.
PRIORITY-OUT output to 3 (2 → 3)
Remains at the high level, but is output from the control block # 1 to the optical block # 2 as PRIORITY-OU.
T (1 → 2) and PRIORITY-OUT (3 → 4) output from ADF block # 3 to drum block # 4
Falls from high level to low level.

PRIORITY-OUT output from the drum block # 4 (not shown) to the paper feed block # 5
PRIORITY-OUT (8 → 9) output from AC block # 8 to STR block # 9 from (4 → 5)
Remains high level until. Also, control block #
PRIORITY output from 1 to optical block # 2
-OUT (1 → 2) falls, so optical block #
2 is output to the ADF block # 3 as a logical OR output
The PRI that is the logical sum output from the AC block # 8 to the STR block # 9 from the RITY-OR-OUT (2 → 3)
It falls to low level all at once to ORITY-OR-OUT (8 → 9).

Further, at the timing (3) synchronized with the next falling edge of X & CLOCK, the ADF block # 3 is
AD is because PRIORITY-IN is at low level.
When it is determined that a transmission right acquisition request is generated in a higher order than the F block # 3, PRIORITY-OUT (3 → 4) is activated and the transmission right acquisition request is abandoned. On the other hand, since control block # 1 is the highest level, BUSY &
The LATCH is stopped and the transmission right is acquired. Further (5)
At the timing of, DATA is started to be output to the DATA communication line 25a in synchronization with the rising edge of X & CLOCK.
Incidentally, the capture of DATA is performed in synchronization with the falling edge of X & CLOCK. Since the transmission right acquisition sequence is completed, the control block # 1 raises PRIORITY-OUT (1 → 2) at the timing of (6). Then, the transmission request event of the control block # 1 is
It is cleared after the transmission right is acquired.

At last, the transmission of the control block # 1 is completed at the timing of (7), and BUSY & LATCH rises. Then, the block in which the transmission request event occurs at the timing of (8) synchronized with the next falling edge of X & CLOCK is PRIORITY for the transmission right request.
Fall output (PRIORITY-OUT). Here, since the transmission request event has occurred in the ADF block # 3 as described above, the PRIORITY-OUT output from the control block # 1 to the optical block # 2.
(1 → 2), optical block # 2 to ADF block #
The PRIORITY-OUT (2 → 3) output to 3 remains high level, but the PRIORITY-OU output to the drum block # 4 from the ADF block # 3.
T (3 → 4) falls from high level to low level.

PRIORITY-OUT output from the drum block # 4 (not shown) to the paper feed block # 5
PRIORITY-OUT (8 → 9) output from AC block # 8 to STR block # 9 from (4 → 5)
Remains high level until. In addition, X & CLOC
A at the timing of (9) synchronized with the next fall of K
DF block # 3 has PRIORITY-IN (in other words, PRIORITY-OR-OUT (2 → 3)
However, since it is at the high level, it is determined that the transmission right acquisition request is not generated at a level higher than ADF block # 3, and (10).
At this timing, BUSY & LATCH is stopped and the transmission right is acquired.

Further, at the timing of (11), X & CLO
Data is output to the DATA communication line 25a in synchronization with the rising edge of CK. Since the transmission right acquisition sequence has been completed, at the timing of (12), PRIORITY-
Start OUT (3 → 4). The transmission request event of the ADF block # 3 is also cleared after the transmission right is acquired.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the transmission right acquisition means 50 provided in the control means 30 determines whether any of the control means 30 is in serial transfer, and which one When the control means 30 is also not in serial transfer, it judges whether or not the control means having a higher priority than itself declares the communication according to the priority order designated in advance, and when the communication is not declared, the self declares the communication. Since the serial transfer is started, in the LAN system in which the communication line is shared by a plurality of control means, the optical system control that requires a relatively high speed response as in the case of a copying machine, and the medium speed response can be performed. It is possible to provide a control system in consideration of response speed conditions such as process control around a drum in time, and control of a transfer paper conveyance system in time for a lower speed response. As described above, also in the case of the second embodiment, since the same priority designation of each control means 30 is prohibited, each control means 30 does not request transmission at the same time, and therefore DATA transmission is promptly performed. Can be done.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the control means (block) 30 has nine cases of # 1 to # 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary number of blocks may be used. It can be applied to a system using a control means. Further, the control system is not limited to the copying machine, and can be similarly applied to other systems.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the operating means 20 and the control means 30 are connected in a one-to-one relationship is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one control is provided. The means 30 may control the plurality of operating means 20.

[0063]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the invention, at least two control means for controlling any of a plurality of operation means having different response speed conditions are provided in the respective operation means. In accordance with the priority order based on the response speed condition, the control means acquires the transmission right of the command data for operating any of the operation means or the status data of the operation means, so that the control means can obtain the response speed of each operation means. In accordance with the priority order based on the conditions, the transmission right of the command data or the status data for operating any of the operation means is acquired, so that in the LAN system in which the communication line is shared by a plurality of control means. , Optical system control that requires a relatively high-speed response, such as in the case of a copying machine, drum rotation process control in time for a medium-speed response, and transfer paper transport system in time for a lower-speed response It is possible to realize a control method that takes into account the response speed conditions such control.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a plurality of operating means for performing specific processing having different response speed conditions, at least two control means for controlling any of the operating means, and the control Connection means for connecting the means, and each of the control means is assigned a priority order based on a response speed condition of each of the operation means, and command data for any of the operation means or the A memory means for storing the status data of the operating means, and an in-communication discriminating means for discriminating whether or not there is another control means in serial communication,
When it is determined by the communication determining means that there is no other control means performing serial communication, the priority determining means determines whether another control means having a higher priority than itself requests serial communication. Then, the priority determining unit determines that the other control unit having a higher priority than itself does not request serial communication, and when the self requesting serial communication is stored in the memory unit. By having a communication means for serially transferring the command data or the status data, the communication means provided in the control means judges whether any control means is in serial transfer, and any control means When serial transfer is not in progress, it judges whether or not the control means with higher priority than itself declares communication according to the priority order specified in advance, and declares communication. Since the communication is declared by itself when not in use and the serial transfer is started, in the LAN system in which the communication line is shared by a plurality of control means, an optical system that requires a relatively high-speed response as in the case of a copying machine. It is possible to provide a control system in consideration of response speed conditions such as system control, process control of a drum around a medium speed response, and control of a transfer paper conveyance system that responds even at a lower speed response.

In this case, by prohibiting the same priority designation of the respective control means, the transmission requests do not conflict at the same time, so that the data transmission can be performed quickly.

Further, each of the control means receives the transfer destination designating means for adding the transfer destination designating information to the command data or the situation data stored in the memory means, and the command data or the situation data from the other control means. By having a transfer destination determining unit that determines from the transfer destination designating unit whether or not the data is data for itself, by designating the data transfer destination by the transfer destination designating unit,
Data can be surely transferred to a specific data transfer destination, and the transmitted data can be surely received by determining whether or not the data has been sent to itself by the transfer destination determination means. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection configuration example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a communication line used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission right acquisition timing chart according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a priority order of each operation block according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data format configuration according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of functions of commands used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an ID signal used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a transmission right acquisition timing chart used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a connection configuration example between respective control means of the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a connection configuration example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a communication line used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission right acquisition timing chart according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a connection configuration between control means according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional copying machine.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conventional distributed system of a copying machine.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a distributed system of a conventional LAN type copying machine.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional LAN system.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example of a LAN system.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another example of a LAN system.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another example of a LAN system.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another example of a LAN system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 Operation Means 21 Communication Means 22 Transfer Destination Designating Means 23 Transfer Destination Discriminating Means 25 Communication Lines 30 Control Means 40 Memory Means 41 Data Memory 42 Reception Memory 43 Transmission Memory 50 Transmission Right Acquiring Means 51 Communication Discriminating Means 52 Priority Designating Means 53 Communication declaration means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kimio Kudo 2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo Konica stock company (72) Inventor Tetsuhiro Kodera 2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo Konica stock company

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. At least two control means for controlling any one of a plurality of operating means having different response speed conditions, according to a priority order based on the response speed condition of each operating means,
A control method, characterized in that a transmission right of command data for operating any of the operating means or status data of the operating means is acquired. 2. A plurality of operating means for performing specific processing having different response speed conditions, at least two control means for controlling any of the operating means, and a connection connecting the control means. Each of the control means has a priority order specified on the basis of a response speed condition of each of the operating means, and also provides command data for any of the operating means or status data of the operating means. Memory means for storing, communication determining means for determining whether or not there is another control means in serial communication, and when the communication determining means determines that there is no other control means in serial communication , A priority determination unit that determines whether another control unit having a higher priority than itself requests serial communication, and another control unit that has a higher priority than itself by the priority determination unit. The means has a communication means for serially transferring the instruction data or the status data stored in the memory means when it is determined that the serial communication is not requested and the self is requesting the serial communication. Characteristic control system. 3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein the same priority designation of each control means is prohibited. 4. Each transfer means receives a transfer destination specifying means for adding transfer destination specifying information to the command data or the status data stored in the memory means, and the command data or the status data from another control means. 4. The control system according to claim 2, further comprising: a transfer destination determining unit that determines from the transfer destination designating unit whether or not the data is data for itself.