JPH09212317A - Device and method for image formation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to print and output processing data in a desired timing from an arbitrary image forming device by retrieving the processing data which have been registered together with discrimination data according to the discrimination data and printing and outputting the data. SOLUTION: The processing data processed by a data processor such as a work station 7 and a personal computer 8 are transferred to a file server 9 through a LAN 6 together with its ID code as the discrimination data and then registered. The image forming device when inputting the ID code accesses the file server 9 through the LAN 6 and retrieves the job corresponding to the ID code regarding the input on the file server 9. When the corresponding job is present, its processing data and processing mode are loaded in this device from the file server 9 and printed by a printer part 2, and a sheet regarding the print-processing is discharged to a sheet postprocessor 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus connected to a network such as a LAN.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the functions of image forming apparatuses have been compounded, and a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function and the like have been realized by a single apparatus. Moreover, such an image forming apparatus is a network. Printers for PCs, workstations, etc.
It is used as a scanner.

When connected to the network in this way, image data sent via the network (strictly speaking, it is often not the image data itself but the data such as a character code which should be visually printed). Facsimile image data sent via a telephone line is temporarily stored in a file of the image forming apparatus and then image-formed and discharged between copying operations.

[0004]

However, the system centering on the image forming apparatus as described above has the following problems. That is, even if the image data is transferred from the terminal on the network to the image forming apparatus, if the image forming apparatus is performing the copying process, the copying process is prioritized, so that a series of copying processes is performed. Image data related to transfer cannot be output until the end. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to output the image data related to the transfer when the copy processing queue is generated in the image forming apparatus or when a large number of originals are copied. there were.

Further, when the image forming apparatus having the composite function has a single paper discharge tray, the output papers relating to various functions are outputted to the paper discharge tray at any time, and sorting by function and sheet are performed. Output paper was sometimes left unsorted without being sorted.

Even if the sheet discharge tray is not a single sheet and a sheet discharge tray corresponding to each function of the image forming apparatus such as a print function, a FAX function, and a copy function is provided, attention is paid to a sheet discharge tray having a certain function. In view of this, there is no means for separating the sheet bundle output separately and the sheet bundle, and the output sheets from the image forming apparatus are simply piled on the discharge tray, which is the desired sheet. I couldn't tell if it was a bundle. Therefore, when taking out a desired bundle of sheets, it is inevitable that all the bundles of sheets are taken out, the desired bundle is searched for, and the rest of the bundles is returned to the original discharge tray. Under such circumstances, an unexpected situation may occur in which some or all of the output document is lost.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to form an arbitrary image formed by connecting a plurality of processing data processed by a data processing apparatus connected to the network to the network. The purpose is to allow the device to print out at a desired timing.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network together with at least one data processing device and a storage device. The image forming apparatus searches the processing data processed by the data processing apparatus and registered in the storage device together with the identification data on the basis of the identification data, and the processing data searched by the searching means. And a print control unit that reads out from the storage device and prints out so as to be visible.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 2, the search means according to claim 1 has an input means for inputting the identification data, and the identification data input by the input means is used. The processing data registered in the storage device is searched based on the above.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 3, the input means according to claim 2 is configured to input the identification data by a key switch.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 4, the input means according to claim 2 is configured to read and input the identification data recorded in the ID card.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is configured such that the identification data registered in the storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is input from the data processing device. Has been done.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 6, the identification data registered in the storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is configured to be generated by the storage device. ing.

To achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 7, an ID code for identifying an individual is used as the identification data registered in the storage device according to claims 1 to 6. Is configured.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention described in claim 8, an identification code for identifying a print job is used as the identification data registered in the storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Is configured to.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 9, the identification code for identifying the data processing device as the identification data registered in the storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Is configured to use.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 10, the identification data registered in the storage device according to claims 1 to 6 is printed for each of a plurality of management codes in the image forming apparatus. It is configured to use a management code when managing the number of output sheets.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 11 is an image forming method in a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network together with at least one data processing apparatus and a storage apparatus, and the image forming method. The forming device is
A search step of searching for processing data processed by the data processing device and registered in the storage device together with identification data based on the identification data, and reading the processing data searched in the search process from the storage device. And a print control step of visibly printing out.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention of claim 12, the search step of claim 11 includes an input step of inputting the identification data, and the identification data input in the input step is added. The processing data registered in the storage device is searched based on the above.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 13 is configured such that in the input step according to claim 12, the identification data is input by a key switch.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 14 is configured such that in the input step of claim 12, the identification data recorded on the ID card is read and input.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention of claim 15, the identification data registered in the storage device of claim 11 to claim 14 is configured to be input from the data processing device. Has been done.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 16 is configured such that the identification data registered in the storage device according to any one of claims 11 to 14 is generated by the storage device. ing.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 17, an ID code for identifying an individual is used as the identification data registered in the storage device according to claims 11 to 16. ing.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention of claim 18, an identification code for identifying a print job is used as the identification data registered in the storage device of claim 11 to claim 16. Has been done.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention described in claim 19, as the identification data registered in the storage device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, an identification code for identifying the data processing device. Is used.

To achieve the above object, in the invention of claim 20, the identification data registered in the storage device of claims 11 to 16 are printed for each of a plurality of management codes in the image forming apparatus. The management code used to manage the number of output sheets is used.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image input device (hereinafter, referred to as a reader unit) 1, an image output unit (hereinafter, referred to as a printer unit) 2, an external device 3, and a circulation type automatic device. The document feeding device 4 and the sheet post-processing device 5 are main components, and the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 form a main body unit.

[Main unit (reader unit 1 and printer unit 2)
Configuration] The reader unit 1 is for optically reading information recorded on a document, photoelectrically converting it, and inputting it as image data, and has a document placing table (platen glass) 101, a lamp 102, and a mirror 103. Scanner unit 1
04, mirrors 105 and 106, lens 107, image sensor having photoelectric conversion elements such as CCD (hereinafter referred to as CCD
It has 108 etc.

The printer section 2 is an image forming means for outputting the image data input by the reader section 1 or the like as a visible image on a recording sheet (hereinafter referred to as a sheet), and includes a light control section 201, a photosensitive member 202, Developing device 203, plural types of sheet cassettes 204 and 205, transfer unit 206, fixing unit 20
7, a paper discharge unit 208, a conveyance direction switching member 209, a sheet re-feeding sheet stacking unit 210, a conveyance roller 211, and the like.

[Main unit (reader unit 1 and printer unit 2)
Operation] Next, the operation of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in the reader unit 1, the originals stacked on the circulation type automatic original feeder 4 are successively conveyed one by one onto the platen glass 101. The structure and operation of the circulating automatic document feeder 4 will be described later. When the document is conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen glass 101, the scanner unit 104 moves with the lamp 102 turned on and irradiates the document. Light reflected from the original is reflected by the mirror 1.
03, 105, 106, and C through the lens 107
It is input to the CD 108. Then, the CCD 108 photoelectrically converts the input reflected light from the original document and outputs it to the printer unit 2 as digital image data.

In the printer unit 2, the exposure control unit 201
Image data related to input (printer unit 2,
Alternatively, the photoconductor 202 is irradiated with an optical signal modulated based on image data input from the external device 3. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203.

The sheet is conveyed from the sheet cassette 204 or 205 at the same timing as the leading edge of the developed image. Then, on the conveyed sheet, the developed image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 206, and is fixed by the fixing unit 207.
It is discharged to the outside of the main body by 08. The sheet discharged to the outside by the sheet discharge unit 208 is the sheet post-processing device 5 (the configuration and operation of the sheet post-processing device 5 will be described later).
According to the operation mode specified in advance,
Binding or the like is performed.

The above-described sheet conveying operation is a case where the sequentially read images are recorded on one side of the sheet, but when recording on both sides of the sheet, the following sheet conveying operation is performed.

That is, in the case of recording on both sides, the sheet subjected to the fixing process by the fixing unit 207 is once discharged from the sheet discharging unit 2.
After the sheet is conveyed to 08, the sheet re-feeding sheet stacking unit 21 is reversed by reversing the sheet conveying direction through the conveyance direction switching member 209.
Transport to 0. Then, when the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above process, but since the sheet is re-fed by the re-feed sheet stacking unit 210, the surface of the same sheet is eventually , Two document images can be recorded on the back side.

[Structure of External Device 3] The external device 3 is electrically connected to the reader unit 1 via a cable,
It has various functions. That is, the external device 3 includes a facsimile unit 301 that performs facsimile transmission / reception, and a hard disk 30 connected to the facsimile unit 301.
2. A file unit 30 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing them in an external storage device 303 such as a magneto-optical disk.
4, a network interface unit 30 for connecting to a computer via a network such as LAN 6
5. The formatter unit 306, which converts the code information such as characters from the computer into image information in order to make it a visible image and expands it, stores the information from the reader unit 1 or temporarily stores the information sent from the computer. An image memory unit 307 for temporarily storing the image, a core unit 308 for controlling the above functions, and the like are provided. The core unit 308
Has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like, and controls each of the above-mentioned functions while using the RAM as a work memory based on a program preset in the ROM or the like, with the CPU as a core.

[Structure of Circulating Automatic Document Feeder 4] As shown in FIG. 3, the circulating automatic document feeder 4 has an original stacking tray 401 for stacking a stack of originals. The document feeding mechanism 401 is equipped. This document feeding mechanism includes a half-moon roller 402, a separation / conveyance roller 403, a separation motor (not shown), a registration roller 404, a full-face belt 405, a belt motor (not shown), and a conveyance large roller 406. Conveyor motor (not shown)
And a paper discharge roller 407, a flapper 408, a recycle lever 409, a paper feed sensor, a reversing sensor, a paper discharge sensor (not shown), and the like.

[Operation of Circulating Type Automatic Document Feeding Device 4] The half-moon roller 402 and the separating / conveying roller 403 are rotated by the separating motor, and one original is placed from the bottom of the original stack on the original stacking tray 401. Separately and feed. Further, the registration roller 404 and the entire surface belt 405 are rotated by a belt motor to convey the originals separated one by one to the exposure position (sheet path c) on the platen glass 101 via the sheet paths a and b. The large conveyance roller 406 is rotated by a conveyance motor and conveys the document on the platen glass 101 from the sheet path c to the sheet path e. The document conveyed to the sheet path e is returned to the uppermost part of the document stack on the document stacking tray 401 by the paper discharge port 407.

The recycle lever 409 detects one circulation of the original document. When the original document feeding is started, the recycle lever 409 is placed on the upper part of the original document stack, and the original documents are sequentially fed, and the trailing edge of the final original document is placed. One cycle of the document is detected by dropping the recycle lever 409 under its own weight when it exits.

In the case of feeding a double-sided document having information recorded on both sides, the document feeding mechanism first guides the double-sided document from the sheet paths a, b to c to read one side, and then the large conveyance roller 406. Is rotated to switch the flapper 408 so that the leading edge of the double-sided original is guided to the sheet path d and inverted, and then the double-sided original is passed through the sheet path b by the registration roller 404. And then scan the other side.

It should be noted that the originals of the original stack stacked on the original stacking tray 401 are transferred one by one to the sheet paths a, b, c, d, e.
The number of originals stacked on the original stacking tray 401 can be counted by transporting them through the recycling lever 409 until it is detected that one cycle has been completed.

[Structure / Operation of Sheet Post-Processing Device 5] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sheet post-processing device 5 includes a machine body 501, a bin unit (ejection means) 502, and a stapler (binding means) 510. And has an airframe 501
Has a pair of carry-in rollers 504 near the carry-in entrance 503. A transport path 50 is provided downstream of the carry-in roller pair 504.
A flapper 507 for switching the sheet conveying direction to 5 or 506 is provided.

One of the conveying paths 505 extends substantially in the direction of the water, and the conveying roller pair 508 is disposed downstream thereof, and the other conveying path 506 extends downward and conveys the downstream thereof. A roller pair 509 is provided,
A stapler 510 is arranged near the transport roller pair 509.

A pair of carry-in rollers 504 and a pair of carry rollers 50
8, 509 are driven by a conveyance motor (not shown). A non-sort path sensor 511 for detecting the passage of the sheet is provided on the carrying path 505, and the carrying path 50 is provided.
6 is provided with a sort path sensor 512.

The bin unit 502 includes a large number of bins B and is arranged on the downstream side of the conveying roller pairs 508 and 509. One end is engaged with the hook of the bin unit 502, and the other end is held by a spring fixed to the body 501, whereby the bin unit 502 is supported to be able to move up and down.

Guide rollers 513 and 514 are rotatably supported on the upper and lower portions of the base side of the bin unit 502. The guide rollers 513 and 514 are the body 50.
1 is configured to roll in a guide groove 515 provided so as to extend in the vertical direction and guide the up and down movement of the bin unit 502.

Further, the body 501 has a shift motor 51
6 are provided. Rotary shaft 5 pivotally supported by body 501
A lead cam 518 is fixed to 17. Also,
The output shaft of the shift motor 516 has a chain 519
Is stretched, whereby the rotation of the shift motor 516 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 517 via the chain 519.

Further, the bin unit 502 includes a bottom frame 520 composed of an inclined portion and a vertical portion, a pair of frames 521 vertically provided on the front side and the back side of the bottom frame 520, and the frame 521. Unit body 5 composed of a supported cover 522
23.

On the front side of the unit main body 523, there is provided a reference plate capable of abutting and aligning with the sheet. A first lower arm that is rotated by a first alignment motor (not shown) is rotatably supported on the inner side of the base end of the bottom frame 520. Further, the first of the cover 522
A first upper arm is rotatably supported at a position facing the lower arm, coaxially with a support shaft of the first lower arm. A first alignment rod 524 is provided at the tip of the first upper arm and the tip of the first lower arm. The first aligning rod 524 is configured to rotate by the first aligning motor, and aligns the sheet S on the bin B to the front side.

Similarly, a second lower arm that is rotated by a second alignment motor (not shown) is rotatably supported on the front side of the base frame 520. Cover 52
A second upper arm is rotatably supported at a position opposed to the second lower arm 2 via a support shaft of the second lower arm. The tip of the second lower arm and the second
A second matching rod 525 is installed on the tip of the upper arm, and the second matching rod 525 is a second matching motor (not shown).
The sheet S on the bin B is aligned to the back side.

The first and second alignment motors are stepping motors, and the first and second alignment rods 52 are provided.
The positions of 4, 525 can be detected by the alignment rod home sensor. Therefore, the first and second matching rods 52
The positions of 4, 525 can be accurately controlled by appropriately controlling the number of pulses applied to the stepping motor while confirming the position with the alignment rod home sensor.

The bin B has engaging plates formed on the front side and the rear side, respectively, and the engaging plates are formed on the frame 521.
The tip end side of the bottle B is supported by engaging with a support plate provided inside the. Further, in the bin B, at a position separated from the support shafts of the first upper and lower arms by a predetermined distance, the bin B is longer than the rotation distance of the first alignment rod 524 and is sufficiently wider than the width of the first alignment rod 524. Long hole 5
26 and a long hole 5 that is longer than the rotation distance of the second alignment rod 525 and is sufficiently wider than the width of the second alignment rod 525 at a position separated from the support shafts of the second upper and lower arms by a predetermined distance.
27 have been opened.

The base end portion Ba of the bin B is a sheet storage surface Bb.
It stands upright against. Bin B is the aircraft 501
With respect to the front end, the front end is inclined upward by a predetermined angle, and by this inclination, the seat is slid on the sheet storage surface Bb and the rear end is brought into contact with the base end portion Ba to be aligned in the front-rear direction. .

Further, the bin B is provided with a notch at a portion where the stapler 510 enters, and the stapler 51
It does not interfere with 0. And bin B1,
A first aligning rod 524 is inserted into the long holes 526 of B2, ..., Bn, and the first aligning rod 524 rotates in the long holes 526 to bring the sheet on the bin B to the front side. Refined to match. Similarly, the aligning rod 525 is inserted into the long holes 527 of the bins B1, B2, ... Bn, and the aligning rod 525 rotates in the long holes 527 to move the sheet on the bin B to the back side. Is configured to match.

The lead cam 518 is engaged with a part of the bin B, and the rotation of the lead cam 518 causes the bin unit 502 to move up and down along the guide groove 515. In addition, 1 of the lead cam 518
The rotation is detected by a lead cam sensor 528 arranged near the bin home position sensor 529.
The position of the bin unit 502 is detected by the bin home position sensor 529. The presence of sheets on the bin B can be detected by the sort tray paper presence / absence detection sensor 530.

An electric stapler 510 for binding (stapling) the sheets stored in the bin B is disposed in the vicinity of the conveying roller pair 509 so as to be able to move forward and backward by a driving means at a position orthogonal to the sheet carrying-in direction. The electric stapler 510 is normally retracted to the first position "a" so as not to interfere with the vertical movement of the bin B.
When binding the upper sheet bundle, the driving means positions the sheet bundle at the second position "b" to bind the sheet bundle. After finishing the binding process, the electric stapler 510 is returned to the first position B by the driving means.

Further, the electric stapler 510 performs a stapling operation by the rotation of a motor (not shown), and when binding sheets of a plurality of bins B1, B2, ...
After the stapling operation of the sheets in one bin B is completed, the bin unit 502 moves to a predetermined position to bind the sheets stored in the other bin B. Further, the driving means is the direction of the arrow "R" shown in FIG.
The electric stapler 510 in the direction of the arrow “Y” shown in FIG.
Can be rotated and moved (slide).

However, when the sheet is inverted and ejected, the electric stapler 510 is inverted upside down by the driving means, and when the output image is rotated by the image rotation circuit 145 described later, a stapler not shown is shown. In accordance with the detection result of the position detecting means, the driving means slides in the direction of the arrow "Y" shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 531 denotes a manual stapling key, which performs stapling operation when the manual stapling key 531 is pressed after completion of sorting. Moreover, the position of the sheet bundle on the bin B can be pushed out by rotating the first aligning rod 524.

[Arrangement of Operation Unit and Display Unit] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the operation / display panel provided in the main body (the reader unit 1 and the blink unit 2).

As shown in FIG. 6, on the operation surface of the operation / display panel 600, various keys to be described later and a display section 601 including a liquid crystal display or the like are provided. A display unit 601 displays information on the status of the apparatus, the number of copies, magnification, sheet selection, and various operations. A touch panel system is adopted as the display unit 601, and various modes can be displayed and selected by pressing each key.

Reference numeral 602 denotes a copy start key (copy start key), which is depressed when copying is started. A clear / stop key 603 functions as a clear key when pressed during standby (standby), and functions as a stop key when pressed during copy recording. The clear / stop key 603 is also used to cancel the set number of copies. A numeric keypad 604 is used when setting the number of copies. A copy density key 605 is pressed when manually adjusting the copy density. 606
Is an AE key, which is depressed when the copy density is automatically adjusted according to the density of the original, or when the AE (automatic density adjustment) is canceled and the density adjustment is switched to manual (manual). Reference numeral 607 denotes a cassette selection key, which is pressed to select a plurality of types of sheet cassettes 204 and 205 shown in FIG. Further, when originals are stacked on the original conveying device 4, the A key is pressed by the cassette selection key 607.
PS (automatic paper selection) can be selected. When APS is selected, a cassette accommodating transfer paper of the same size as the original is automatically selected.

Reference numeral 608 denotes a unity-size key, which is pressed when copying a unity size (original size). A zoom key 609 can specify an arbitrary magnification between 64% and 142%. Reference numerals 610 and 611 denote fixed-size variable magnification keys, which are pressed to specify reduction / enlargement of fixed-size. Reference numeral 612 denotes a sorter key for selecting various operation modes of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5, which is connected to an electric stapler 510 capable of selecting a sheet discharge method (staple, sort, group) and binding the sheets after recording with staples. If so, it is possible to select the staple mode / sort mode, select and cancel the folding (section Z-shape / section V-shape) of the recorded sheet.

Further, 613, 614 and 615 are
Keys for setting various processes, such as double-sided mode, binding margin setting, photo mode, multiple processing, page continuous shooting,
2in1 mode etc. can be set. 620 is an ID input key, and when the ID input key 620 is pressed, the operation unit enters the ID input waiting mode. Enter the ID code from the numeric keypad 604 in the ID input waiting state
By pressing the D input key 620 again, I
Confirm the D code.

[Explanation of Network] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of a network in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus includes a reader unit 1 for reading an image of a document, a printer unit 2 for outputting input image data, a feeder (automatically feeding a document, and causing the reader unit 1 to read the document. A document feeding device 4 and a sorter (sheet post-processing device) 5 for storing paper discharged from the printer unit 2 in one of a plurality of bins. It is connected to a LAN 6 and a telephone line 10 via an external device 3 having a function.

The LAN 6 is a network that enables data exchange between arbitrary devices. In addition to a plurality of image forming apparatuses (only one is shown in FIG. 7), a workstation 7, a personal computer 8 and a file server are provided. 9 etc. are connected. The workstation 7 and the personal computer 8 create, modify, and display documents, and the file server 9 can be accessed from the external device 3, the workstation 7, the personal computer 8, and the like via the LAN 6. It is a storage device of capacity. The telephone line 10 is used for FAX data transmission / reception, and is also used when any device connected to the reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, or the LAN 6 accesses a remote network.

Next, the outline of the printing operation peculiar to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When printing the processing data processed by the data processing device such as the workstation 7 and the personal computer 8, the processing data to be printed {text data (code data), graphic data (image data)} is copied. , A collating mode performed by the sheet post-processing apparatus 5, a mode of processing such as stapling, and an ID code that is identification data for identifying a print job (processing data to be printed) and the like (see FIG. 9), L
It is transferred to the file server 9 via the AN 6 and registered (step S1). This operation is called print registration.

When actually printing on a sheet, the ID input key 620 of the operation unit 600 of the image forming apparatus is used.
When the ID code is input by using the sheet ID or the like, the processing data and the processing mode corresponding to the ID code are loaded from the file server 9 into the image forming apparatus, the printer unit 2 prints, and the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 Then, the sheet related to the print processing is discharged (step S2). This operation is called print output.

Details of the print registration operation in step S1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the data processing device such as the workstation 7 and the personal computer 8, the ID code is first input to create the data shown in FIG. 9 (step S11).
As the ID code, personal identification data, print job identification code, work station 7 for supplying processing data to be printed, identification code of a data processing apparatus such as personal computer 8, and a plurality of ID codes connected to the image forming apparatus. A management code or the like used in a management device that manages the number of printed sheets for each management code can be used.

Next, a processing mode including setting of the number of copies, a collation mode such as a sort mode performed by the sheet post-processing device 5, and a post-processing mode such as stapling is input and set (step S12). Then, steps S11 and S12
In order to register the ID code and processing mode input in step 3 and the processing data to be printed out to create data to be registered in the file server 9 (step S13), and register the created data in the file server 9. , Through the LAN 6 (step S14), and the print registration operation ends.

Details of the print output operation in step S2 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The core unit 308 of the image forming apparatus monitors the input of the ID code (step S21). When the ID code is input, the file server 9 is connected via the LAN 6.
Is accessed, the job (process data) corresponding to the ID code related to the input is searched on the file server 9 (step S22), and it is determined whether or not the corresponding job exists (step S23). As a result, if the corresponding job does not exist, the process returns to step S21 to disable print output by a person other than the authorized operator.

On the other hand, when the corresponding job exists,
The processing data corresponding to the input ID code and the processing mode are loaded into the apparatus from the file server 9 and transferred to the image memory unit 307, after which the printer unit 2 prints and the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 The sheet related to the print processing is ejected to (step S2
4) The print output is completed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and for example, the identification data for identifying the processing data to be printed is the processing data being the file server 9
When the data is transferred, the file server 9 may automatically generate it and transfer it to the workstation 7, the personal computer 8, and each image forming apparatus that is the source of the processed data. It is also possible to use an ID card as an input means of the identification data so that the input operation of the identification data can be performed quickly.

As described above, the process data to be printed processed by the workstation 7 and the personal computer 8 is registered in the file server 9 together with the identification data of the process data, and the process data registered in the file server 9 is registered. Since the print jobs can be accessed and printed based on the identification data, in other words, the print jobs can be distributed and printed out from any image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus not performing the printout can be displayed. It is possible to arbitrarily select and print out at a desired timing.

As described above, since the print output can be performed at a desired timing, it is not necessary to search for a desired sheet from a sheet bundle related to printing, which is stacked on the discharge tray, unlike the conventional case, and the usability is improved. . In addition, since it is possible to arbitrarily select and print out an image forming apparatus that is not performing printout, it is possible to quickly start printout.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network together with at least one data processing device and a storage device,
The image forming apparatus includes a searching unit that searches for processing data processed by the data processing apparatus and registered in the storage device together with identification data based on the identification data.
Since the processing data retrieved by the retrieval means is read from the storage device and printed out so as to be visually recognizable, the processing data processed by the data processing device connected to the network is processed by the network. It becomes possible to print out at a desired timing from any image forming apparatus connected to the plural.

Therefore, it is not necessary to search for a desired sheet from a stack of sheets for printing, which is stacked on the discharge tray, as in the conventional case, and the user has to bother to obtain a small number of sheets for printing. Improves usability by not having to operate. Further, it is possible to quickly start the print output by arbitrarily selecting the image forming apparatus that is not performing the print output and performing the print output.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of a circulating automatic document feeder in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing device in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing device in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an operation / display panel in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network to which the image forming apparatus is connected.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of a printing operation.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of registration data.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the print registration operation in step S1 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the print output operation in step S2 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Printer unit (image forming device) 6 ... LAN (network) 7 ... Workstation (data processing device) 8 ... Personal computer (data processing device) 9 ... File server (storage device) 308 ... Core unit (search means, print control) Means) 620 ... ID input key (input means)

Front page continued (72) Inventor Katsuya Yamazaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masaaki Inoo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shinichi Nakamura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network together with at least one data processing apparatus and a storage apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is processed by the data processing apparatus and identified by the storage apparatus. And a print control unit configured to read the process data registered with the data based on the identification data, and the print control unit to read the process data searched by the search unit from the storage device and visibly print out the processed data. An image forming apparatus characterized by. 2. The search means has an input means for inputting the identification data, and searches the processing data registered in the storage device based on the identification data input by the input means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input unit inputs the identification data with a key switch. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input unit reads and inputs the identification data recorded on the ID card. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification data registered in the storage device is input from the data processing device. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification data registered in the storage device is generated by the storage device. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an ID code for identifying an individual is used as the identification data registered in the storage device. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an identification code for identifying a print job is used as the identification data registered in the storage device. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an identification code for identifying the data processing device is used as the identification data registered in the storage device. 10. The management code used when managing the number of printouts for each of a plurality of management codes in the image forming apparatus is used as the identification data registered in the storage device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. 11. An image forming method in a plurality of image forming devices connected to a network together with at least one data processing device and a storage device, wherein the image forming device is processed by the data processing device. A search step of searching for processing data registered in the storage device together with the identification data based on the identification data, and a printing control step of reading out the processing data searched in the searching step from the storage device and visibly printing it out. And an image forming method comprising: 12. The search step includes an input step of inputting the identification data, and searches processing data registered in the storage device based on the identification data input in the input step. The image forming method according to claim 11. 13. The identification data is input by a key switch in the input step.
3. The image forming method according to item 2. 14. The image forming method according to claim 12, wherein in the input step, the identification data recorded on the ID card is read and input. 15. The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein the identification data registered in the storage device is input from the data processing device. 16. The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein the identification data registered in the storage device is generated by the storage device. 17. The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein an ID code for identifying an individual is used as the identification data registered in the storage device. 18. The identification code for identifying a print job is used as the identification data registered in the storage device.
The image forming method as described in the above. 19. The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein an identification code for identifying the data processing device is used as the identification data registered in the storage device. 20. The management code used for managing the number of printouts for each of a plurality of management codes in the image forming apparatus is used as the identification data registered in the storage device. The image forming method according to claim 16.