JPH09163045A - Composite copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten printing processing time by printing the image data prepared by a FAX function by automatically magnifying or reducing the image data according to the paper size of paper to be fed. SOLUTION: A printer controller 104, a memory supply controller (MSU) 106 and a plotter 107 perform functoins as printer functions. A copy controller 102 and the plotter 107 perform functions as pre-field paper feeding means and printing means. Based on the request of the image data prepared by a scanner 101 and the printer controller 104, a processing of optimally magnifying or reducing image data for printing that a FAX controller 105 converts is performed, even if the paper size of the paper that the plotter 107 feeds is different from the paper size of the paper requested by the image data for printing that the FAX controller 105 converts.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a copy function / FA.
The present invention relates to a compound copying machine having a plurality of functions such as an X function and a printer function. More specifically, in each function, the image data creating process is being executed before the image data creating process for printing is completed. The present invention relates to a compound copying machine that performs a paper feeding operation of paper designated by a function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional page printer or the like, when the size of the paper is known before the creation of the image data to be printed is completed, the paper feeding of the paper of the corresponding size is started and the paper is printed by the printing unit. The processing time is shortened immediately before, and is conveyed to the printing unit when the image data creation is completed, so that the processing time of the entire printing processing is shortened. The method of pre-feeding the paper used for printing up to just before the printing unit is called pre-feed.

On the other hand, as a conventional copying machine,
A composite copying machine having a plurality of functions such as a FAX function and a printer function is provided.

[0004]

However, according to the conventional compound copying machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a FAX function, and a printer function, it is possible to simultaneously execute image data creation processing in a plurality of functions. However, since it is unknown which function will finish the image data creation process first, immediately before printing based on the paper size specified by the function that completed the image data creation process first. It was necessary to feed paper of the appropriate size. For this reason, it is difficult to perform pre-feeding because the paper feeding control becomes complicated, and there is a problem that the printing processing time becomes longer than that of a dedicated machine of each function.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and the specification of the paper size at the time of printing is relatively strict F
By automatically changing the paper size of the AX function,
The purpose is to enable execution of pre-feed and to shorten the printing processing time.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a compound copying machine according to a first aspect of the present invention has a copy function / FA.
In a composite copying machine having a plurality of functions such as an X function and a printer function, the image data creation process is specified by the function being executed before the image data creation process for printing is completed in each function. And a function other than the FAX function of the plurality of functions for performing the image data creation process, and performing the image data creation process. When the paper designated by the inside function is fed by the pre-feed paper feeding means, the operation of the FAX function is started and the image data creation process is performed before the function in execution. When the creation of the image data of the FAX function is completed, the pre-feed paper feeding means is irrespective of the paper size specified by the FAX function. Depending on the paper size is fed I are those having the automatic print control means for printing to magnify or reduce the image data created by the FAX function.

Further, in the compound copying machine according to the second aspect, when the print control means has a plurality of pages of image data created by the FAX function, the paper size of the second and subsequent pages is also the paper size of the first page. Printing is performed using the same paper size.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the compound copying machine of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
It is a block diagram of a compound copying machine of the present embodiment. The compound copying machine according to the present embodiment is a scanner 101 that reads image data from a document, a copy controller 102 that prints image data read by the scanner 101 on a plotter 107, which will be described later, and print data that is input from a host computer 103. A printer controller 104 for developing data and a scanner 101 for transmission
FAX that compresses the image data input from the server and sends it via the public line, and expands (decompresses) the compressed data input via the public line into image data when receiving
The controller 105 includes a memory supply controller (MSU) 106 for storing various data such as image data for printing and compressed data, and a plotter 107 for printing the image data on paper.

The scanner 101, the copy controller 102, the MSU 106 and the plotter 107 play the role of a copy function, and the scanner 101, the FAX controller 105, the MSU 106 and the plotter 107.
Plays the role of the FAX function, and the printer controller 104, MSU 106, and plotter 107 also play the role of the printer function. Further, the copy controller 102 and the plotter 107 serve as the pre-feed paper feeding means and the printing means of the present invention.

The copy controller 102 also functions as a system controller for controlling the composite copying machine of this embodiment, and as shown in the figure, the printer controller 1
04 and the FAX controller 105 are connected by a command line.

Next, the operation of each function in the above configuration will be described. First, the operation of each function such as the printer function and the FAX function will be described in order from the copy function.

The copy controller 102 is the scanner 1
The image data 01 read from the original is input via the video bus as shown in the figure and output to the MSU 106. At this time, the copy controller 102 internally converts the image data from the scanner 101 into image data for printing and outputs the image data to the MSU 106. Further, the copy controller 102 outputs the image data to the MSU 106, the MSU 106 and the plotter 107.
Then, as shown in the figure, a command for printing on paper is output via the command line.

The command to print on paper is MSU
106 is to output the image data for printing that has just been input from the copy controller 102 to the plotter 107, and to the plotter 107, the MSU
This is to input image data from 106 and print on paper. Further, the copy controller 102 requests the plotter 107 to perform pre-feed when the designated paper size is known when image data is input from the scanner 101 and image data for printing is converted.

Next, the operation of the printer function will be described. The printer controller 104 inputs the print data sent from the host computer 103, converts it into image data for printing based on the input print data, and outputs the converted image data for printing to the MSU 106.

The operation at this time is performed by the copy controller 10
Copy controller 10 from 2 through command line
The command is sent to the plotter 107 and the MSU 106 via 2.

The command at this time is a command to print on paper, and as described above, the image data for printing that has just been input to the MSU 106 via the copy controller 102 is output to the plotter 107. In addition to the plotter 107, the MSU 106
Is to input image data from and print on paper. Further, the printer controller 104 requests the pre-feed to the plotter 107 at the time when the designated paper size is known via the copy controller 102. With the above configuration and operation, the printer function can be performed.

Next, the operation of the FAX function will be described. The FAX controller 105 converts (decompresses) the compressed data sent via the public line as image data for printing, and outputs the image data for printing to the copy controller 102. Copy controller 102
As shown in the figure, the image data for printing input from the FAX controller 105 is input via the video bus and output to the MSU 106.

The copy controller 102 is an MS
When outputting image data for printing to U106, MS
A command to print on paper is output to the U 106 and the plotter 107 via the command line as illustrated.

The command to print on paper is MSU
The image data input from the copy controller 102 to the plotter 107 is output to the plotter 107, and the image data is input to the plotter 107 from the MSU 106 to print on paper. Further, the FAX controller 105 requests the pre-feed to the plotter 107 when the designated paper size is known via the copy controller 102. With the above configuration and operation, the FAX function can be performed.

Next, based on the above configuration and operation, the copy controller 102 and the printer controller 104
The combined printing operation when the FAX controller 105 and the FAX controller 105 simultaneously transmit image data to the MSU 106 will be described.

As described above, the copy controller 10
The image data for printing output from the FAX controller 105 and the FAX controller 105 converts various data directly sent from the scanner 101 and the public line, respectively, and the copy controller 102 and the FAX controller 105 create image data. There is nothing to do. Especially in the FAX controller 105,
It can be converted into image data for printing more easily than the copy controller 102 when processing image data such as scaling.

Here, a case where the FAX controller 105 receives image data and performs the printing operation while the copy controller 102 and the printer controller 104 are performing the printing operation will be described.

Now, when the copy controller 102 and the printer controller 104 are converting the image data for printing, the copy controller 102 sends a command to the plotter 107 so as to feed the paper of the designated size. After that, the FAX controller 105 converts (decompresses) the received compressed data via the public line and outputs the image data for printing to the copy controller 102. At this time, the copy controller 10
2 and the image data to be printed by the printer controller 104 is being created, the plotter 107 first
The image data for printing input to the MSU 106 via the FAX controller 105 is printed.

Here, the copy controller 102 is
If the paper size requested by the image data input from the AX controller 105 is different from the paper size requested by the copy controller 102 and the printer controller 104 first and fed by the plotter 107, the copy controller 102 Sends the command to the plotter 107 so as to optimally enlarge or reduce the image data received by the FAX controller 105 based on the size of the fed paper and the paper size requested by the FAX controller 105, and perform printing. .

Further, when the printing image data converted by the FAX controller 105 is not a single sheet but a plurality of sheets, a command is sent to the plotter 107 to feed a sheet of the same size as the first sheet, The same operation as the first sheet is performed. That is, the plurality of image data received by the FAX controller 105 are all printed on the paper of the same size with the optimum enlargement or reduction.

The above operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of composite printing in the composite copying machine of this embodiment. In addition, in the operation of FIG.
The operation will be described not only when there is a paper feed request from the copy controller 102 and the printer controller 104, but also when there is a paper feed request from the FAX controller 105.

The copy controller 102 includes a copy controller 102, a printer controller 104 and an F
The AX controller 105, that is, a command is sent to the plotter 107 so that a sheet (designated sheet) corresponding to a sheet feeding request from any function is fed, and the plotter 107 is designated according to the command. Paper is fed (S201).

Next, it is judged whether or not there is a paper feed request from the FAX controller 105 (S202).
When the processing is ended and if there is, the size of the sheet corresponding to the request (received sheet size) is confirmed (S203).

Next, the copy controller 102 determines whether or not the size of the sheet confirmed in step S203 is the same as the size of the sheet currently being fed by the plotter 107 (S204), and it is the same. If step S
207 is executed.

On the other hand, if different, the FAX controller 1
It is determined whether the size of the paper requested by the image data for printing converted by 05 is larger than the size of the paper currently fed by the plotter 107 (S20).
5) If it is judged to be large, the FAX controller 10
The image data for printing converted by 5 is at a scaling factor according to the ratio between the size of the sheet requested by the image data for printing converted by the FAX controller 105 and the size of the sheet fed by the plotter 107. Reduce (S
206), and the plotter 107 prints (S207).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that it is small, the FAX controller 105 converts the printing image data converted by the FAX controller 105 into the FAX controller 105.
The enlargement is carried out at a magnification corresponding to the ratio of the size of the paper requested by the image data for printing converted by (1) to the size of the paper fed by the plotter 107 (S208), and the process proceeds to step S207.

After printing in step S207, FAX
The controller 105 determines whether or not the converted image data for printing is completed (S209). If it is determined to be completed, the process is terminated. If it is determined not to be completed, the plotter 107 performs the same process as the first sheet. The sheet size is fed (S210), and is enlarged or reduced as it is or at the same magnification as the first sheet (S211) and printed by the plotter 107 (S212), and the process is ended.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the paper of the size fed by the plotter 107 is converted by the FAX controller 105 based on the request of the image data created by the scanner 101 and the printer controller 104, and is used for printing. Even if the image data of No. 1 is different from the requested paper size, the FAX controller 105 performs the process of optimally enlarging or reducing the image data for printing. Since it is possible to provide a sheet, it is possible to feed the sheet before the image data creation is completed and at the time when the sheet size is requested until just before the controller that performs printing, and the sheet is fed. The time can be shortened.

Further, even when the printing image data converted by the FAX controller 105 is plural,
Since the same printing as the first sheet can be performed, the size of the paper and the appearance of the printing can be unified, so that, for example, the paper size of one document does not differ, and reading and saving are not bothersome.

[0035]

As described above, according to the compound copying machine of the present invention (Claim 1), in the compound copying machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a FAX function, a printer function, etc. Before the image data creating process for printing is completed, a pre-feed paper feeding means for feeding the paper specified by the function in which the image data creating process is being executed; Of which F
When a function other than the AX function is executing the image data creating process, and the paper designated by the function executing the image data creating process is being fed by the pre-feeding device. And the FAX
When the operation of the function is started and the creation of the image data of the FAX function is completed before the function in the process of creating the image data is completed, regardless of the paper size designated by the FAX function, A print control unit for automatically enlarging or reducing the image data created by the FAX function according to the size of the paper fed by the feed paper feeding unit and printing the image data is being executed. Since the paper feed operation and paper feed control specified by the function of can be performed without complication, the paper size of the FAX function that does not specify the paper size at the time of printing relatively automatically is automatically set. By changing to, it is possible to execute the pre-feed and reduce the print processing time.

Further, according to the compound copying machine of the present invention (claim 2), when the print control means has a plurality of pages of image data created by the FAX function, the paper size of the second and subsequent pages is also one page. Since the same paper size as the eye paper size is used for printing, the paper size and the appearance of printing can be unified, so for example, the paper size of one document does not differ, and reading and saving is not bothersome. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a compound copying machine of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation in composite printing in the composite copying machine of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Scanner 102 Copy Controller 104 Printer Controller 105 FAX Controller 106 MSU 107 Plotter

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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A composite copying machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a fax function, and a printer function, wherein the image data is created before the image data creation process for printing is completed in each of the functions. A pre-feed paper feeding unit that feeds a sheet specified by the function that is executing the process, and a function other than the FAX function of the plurality of functions that is executing the image data creation process, and When the paper designated by the function that is executing the image data creation process is being fed by the pre-feed paper feeding means, the operation of the FAX function is started and the image data creation process is performed. When the image data of the FAX function is created before the function being executed, regardless of the paper size specified by the FAX function. A composite copy comprising print control means for automatically enlarging or reducing the image data created by the FAX function according to the paper size fed by the pre-feed paper feeding means Machine. 2. When the image data created by the FAX function has a plurality of pages, the print control means prints using the same paper size as the paper size of the first page as the paper size of the second and subsequent pages. The composite copying machine according to claim 1, wherein: