JPH10322483A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select an object file among a plurality of stored files and to print out the selected file optionally by receiving an instruction of print start from an external device and starting an output operation of a stored image. SOLUTION: A command used for communication with an external device is sent/received via a 2-way centronics port or a network. Upon the reception of a command, a corresponding processing to the contents of the command is executed. Upon the reception of a command (S2101), a type of the command is discriminated (S2102), and in the case that the command denotes a storage image various data request, the device sends various data of a stored image such as a stored date and time, a storing person, and a page number with/ without sort designation to the external device (S2106). Then reception of a succeeding command is awaited (S2101). In the case of command type discrimination (S2102), when the command indicates a print state request, the print state is sent to the external device (S2108). The file processing is executed corresponding to various commands and reception of a succeeding command is awaited (S2101).

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, for example, a network and capable of printing out image information read by a scanner and image information input from an external device in accordance with an instruction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image signal read by a scanner is temporarily stored in an image memory, and for the second and subsequent copies, the image signal read from the image memory is sent to a printer without operating the scanner to form an image. It has been known. Further, there is also known an image forming apparatus which performs an operation of forming the image data read from the image memory with a printer, reading the next original with a scanner during the image formation, and inputting the same with the image memory. On the other hand, an image forming apparatus that is used by connecting to a host computer via a network as described in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2545217 is also known. According to the present invention, the image information transmitted from the host computer is stored in a storage device such as a hard disk drive and then printed, and the printing order is the order in which the image information sent from the host computer is accepted or uniform. The printing is set according to the priority, and the printing is sequentially performed according to the set order.

[0003]

As described above, in the prior art, the printing order is such that image information sent from the host computer is sequentially printed in accordance with the order of reception and uniform priority. Are independent of each other, and in the above-described conventional example, they cannot be combined and printed, or the printing order cannot be set arbitrarily and printed. Further, when printing, the image forming apparatus must be directly operated by an operator, so that the usability of the apparatus is poor.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and a purpose thereof is to select a desired file from a plurality of stored files and to arbitrarily print or store the selected file. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which outputs print information when printing a file and is excellent in usability.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a first means is a storage means for storing and storing input image information, and printing the image information stored in the storage means on a print medium. Printing means, a print start instruction receiving means for receiving a print start instruction from an external device, and when receiving a print start instruction from the print start reception means, start an output operation of a stored image stored in the storage means. And control means.

The second means includes a storage means for storing and storing the input image information, a printing means for printing the image information stored in the storage means on a print medium, and a print start instruction for instructing the start of printing. Means, and output means for outputting the specifications of the image information included in the stored image information to an external device.

The third means is characterized in that the second means is further provided with a means for rearranging a specific item as a key when outputting the specifications of the image information to an external device.

The fourth means includes a storage means for storing and storing the input image information, a printing means for printing the image information stored in the storage means on a print medium, and a print start instruction for instructing the start of printing. Means for outputting a printing state to an external device when the stored image information is being printed.

The fifth means is characterized in that, in addition to the fourth means, means for outputting the number of pages printed by the printing means to the external device is provided.

In a sixth aspect, in the first, second, and fourth means, the input image information is image information read by reading means for reading a document image or input from an external device. It is one of image information.

In the third means, means may be provided for selecting the order of rearrangement from the ascending or descending order when the rearranged output is performed.

Further, in the fifth means, means for outputting the ratio of the number of pages for which printing has been completed to an external device may be provided.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to this embodiment. The system according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus PR having a scanner and a printer function, and three host computers PC1, PC
2, the host computer PC and the PC 3 via a network such as a LAN.
Print data from PC1, PC2, PC3
And a parallel I / F or a parallel I / F
It can be directly received and output via F.

FIG. 2 shows an image forming apparatus P according to this embodiment.
It is a schematic block diagram which shows R. As shown in FIG. 1, a document table 2 of an automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as "ADF") 1
The document bundle placed with the document image side down on the
When the start key 34 at 0 (FIG. 2) is pressed, the original at the lowest position is fed by the feed roller 3 and the feed belt 4 to the reading position for processing on the contact glass 6. Contact glass 6 by reading unit 50
After reading the image data of the upper document, the read document is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection sensor 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transport motor 26 as shown in FIG.

The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeding device 11, the second sheet feeding device 12, and the third sheet feeding device 13, respectively. ,
The sheet is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor by the laser light from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. The toner on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is being conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and the image is discharged to the finisher 100 of the post-processing device by the sheet discharging unit 18.

The finisher 100 normally transfers the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge unit 18 of the main body to the paper discharge rollers 1.
It can be guided in the 02 direction and the stapling section. Further, by switching the branch deflecting plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the sheet discharge tray (stacker tray) 104 via the transport roller 103. Further, by switching the branch deflecting plate 101 downward, the sheet can be conveyed to the staple tray 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper stacked on the staple tray 108 is aligned with the jogger 109 for paper alignment every time one sheet is discharged, and a copy is completed and the stapler 106 binds the paper. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the stapling completed paper discharge tray (fall tray) 110 by its own weight.

The normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move forward and backward, and moves forward and backward for each paper discharge tray unit, each document, or each copy sorted by the image memory, and copies that are discharged. Sort paper easily.

When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper,
The transfer paper fed and imaged from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is not guided to the paper discharge tray 104 side, but the branching claws 112 for path switching are set on the upper side, so that the double-sided paper is once fed. Stock in the unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper supply unit 111 is re-fed from the duplex paper supply unit 111 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 again, and the branch claws 112 for path switching are moved. It is set on the lower side and guided to the paper discharge tray 104. The double-sided paper supply unit 111 is used for forming images on both sides of the transfer paper in this manner.

The photoconductor 15, the conveyor belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18 and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25 (FIG. 9). The transmission is controlled by the paper feed clutches 22, 23, 24, respectively. The transmission of the driving force of the main motor 25 to the vertical transport unit 14 is controlled by the intermediate clutch 21.

FIG. 3 shows the operation unit 30. In the figure, an operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel (display) 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 3
3, a print key 34, a mode clear key 35, an initial setting key, and a test print key 200 are provided.
A mode setting function key 37 is set on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, and a message indicating the number of copies and the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed.

The test print key 200 is a key for printing only one copy regardless of the set number of print copies and instructing printing for confirming a print result. A key 3 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, and a storage copy function
9 is also set. The copy function is a function for copying an image read by a scanner on a transfer sheet in a designated operation. The printer function is provided by LAN and parallel I
/ F, etc., and a function of receiving print image data and instructions from outside to print. The storage copy function is a function that can store an image read by a scanner or image data from the outside and print it by operating a machine.

FIGS. 4 to 8 are views showing examples of display on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30. FIG. As can be seen from the figure, when the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. Further, when it is necessary to specify the details of a function such as a scaling value at the time of performing scaling, by touching a key, a detailed function setting screen is displayed. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses the dot display device, the optimum display at that time can be graphically performed.

FIG. 4 shows a screen for selecting and setting a copy function. In FIG. 3, a message area for displaying a message such as "I can copy" or "Please wait" is displayed on the upper left, and a message area on the right. Is the copy number display area that displays the number of sheets set, below it is an automatic density key that automatically adjusts the image density, an automatic paper selection key that automatically selects the transfer paper, and a process that aligns copies one by one in page order Key, a stack key to specify the process of sorting copies by page, a staple key to specify a process to close the sorted items one by one, a 1 × key to set the magnification to 1 ×, Set the zoom ratio key to set the reduction ratio, the two-sided key to set the duplex mode, the erase / move key to set the binding margin mode, etc., and the printing of stamps, dates and pages. Print key to is provided. In the figure, the selected mode is shaded with the corresponding key.

FIG. 5 shows an operation screen for the printer function.
On this operation screen, an online / offline key for setting permission of a print request, a forced ejection key for forcibly ejecting an image that has not been ejected in a data-in state, a data-in display indicating a data input state of image data, and setting of transfer paper A display or the like indicating the state is shown.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show operation screens for the storage copy function. FIG. 6 is a file list screen of the stored image data, in which the user name, file name, number of pages, registered items, and the like of the transferred image are displayed.
The hatched display portion indicates the file whose output is specified, and the item of the order indicates the order of printing the file. Note that a plurality of output designations of individual files can be set, and the files are output in the setting order. The print key is a key for shifting the set file to a screen for printing as shown in FIG. The reading key is a key for shifting to a screen for storing an image from the scanner. The cancel key is a key for canceling the file selection set for output. The ↑ ↓ key is used to scroll the screen when the number of files exceeds the number of files that can be displayed at one time.

FIG. 7 shows an output setting screen for the stored copy.
An output condition is set, and a copy operation can be started by a PRINT key. If a plurality of files are set, they are processed as a group of images connected in the order of setting. Thus, when the stapling mode is set, stapling is performed not on a file basis but on a previous image.

FIG. 8 shows a screen when the storage operation from the scanner is executed. Each mode is set, and the reading operation is started by the start key. The user name and file name of this file are automatically set as shown in FIG. If there are multiple files, they are named so that the file names can be distinguished. Then, the reading operation is terminated by the reading end key, and the file is closed.

A description will now be given of the image reading means in the image forming apparatus constructed as described above and the operation from reading an image to forming a latent image on the recording surface of the photosensitive member. Here, the latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating the image on the surface of the photoconductor.

First, the reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, and a lens 5.
3, a CCD image sensor 54, a second mirror 55, a third mirror 56, and the like. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).

The original image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, and is converted from an optical signal to an electric signal and processed. The image magnification can be changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 left and right in FIG. That is, the position of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in the figure is set corresponding to the designated magnification.

The writing unit 57 comprises a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59 and a mirror 60.
Inside the laser output unit 58, there is provided a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant high speed by a motor and a laser diode as a laser light source.

The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is deflected by the polygon mirror rotating at a constant speed, passes through the imaging lens 59, is turned back by the mirror 60, and is condensed on the surface of the photoreceptor to form an image. . The deflected laser light is exposed and scanned in a so-called main scanning direction orthogonal to the direction in which the photoconductor rotates, and performs recording in units of lines of an image signal output by a selector 64 of an image processing unit described later.
An image, that is, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photoconductor.

The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is irradiated on the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. The main scanning synchronization signal is applied to the laser beam irradiation position near one end of the photoconductor 15 (not shown). Is provided. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal output from the beam sensor, control of image recording timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for input / output of an image signal described later are performed.

FIG. 9 shows a control device centering on the main controller. Referring to FIG. 1, a main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 20 includes an operation unit 30 for displaying to an operator and performing function setting input control from the operator.
A distributed control device such as an image processing unit (IPU) 49 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 for controlling a scanner, writing an original image in an image memory, and performing image formation from the image memory is connected. ing. Each decentralized control device and the main controller 20 exchange machine status and operation commands as needed. Further, a main motor 25 and various clutches 21 to 24 necessary for paper conveyance and the like are also connected.

The printer controller 36 bidirectionally transmits and receives information to and from the main controller 20. The parallel I / F controller 37 and the LAN controller 3
8 are connected. The printer controller 36 analyzes an external image and a command for instructing printing, and
The bitmap is developed so that it can be printed as image data, and the operation is determined by analyzing the print mode from the command. The parallel I / F control unit 37 and LAN
The control unit 38 functions to receive and operate these image data and commands via the LAN and the parallel I / F.

The configuration of the image processing unit (IPU) 49 will be described with reference to FIG. Illumination light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 irradiates the document surface and is reflected by the document surface. The reflected light is imaged by an imaging lens (not shown).
The light enters the light receiving surface of the CD image sensor 54, is photoelectrically converted, and is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction in a shading correction section 62, and then MTF correction and γ correction are performed in an image processing section 63, and a print image data generation device 74 in a first print synthesis section 72. Are synthesized based on the print image data input from. The image signal sent from the first print combining unit 72 to the selector 64 is switched by the selector 64 to the image memory controller 65 and the writing unit 57 side. Image memory controller 65 and selector 6
The four sections are configured to be able to input and output image signals in both directions. When the writing unit 57 is selected by the secretor 64, the image data printed and combined by the first print combining unit 72 is further sent to the second print combining unit 73 and output from the print image data generating device 74. After the print synthesis is performed in accordance with the print image data to be performed, the print data is sent to the scaling unit 71. Then, the image is enlarged or reduced according to the input magnification information, and the image data subjected to the magnification processing is output to the writing unit 57. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 9, the image processing unit 49 has a plurality of data input / output selections so that image data supplied from the outside in addition to image data input from the reading unit 50 can be processed. It also has a function to perform. The image data supplied from the outside is data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer.
The image processing unit 49 includes a CPU 68 for setting the image memory controller 65 and the like, and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57, and a ROM 69 and a RAM 70 for storing programs and data of the CPU 68. The CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the image memory controller 65. Each of these parts is I
The communication with the outside is performed via the / O port 67. In this embodiment, an external image input / output unit 75 functioning as an interface with a printer is connected to the selector 64.

Here, the image signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In FIG. 11, / FGATE indicates an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction.
/ LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is / LGATE. These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and data of one pixel is sent for one cycle of VCLK. Image processing unit 4
9 is a separate / FG for each of image input and image output
It has a mechanism for generating ATE, / LSYNC, / LGATE, and VCLK, and enables various combinations of image input / output.

The memory controller and the image memory in FIG. 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The memory controller 65 includes an input data selector 101, an image synthesizer 102, a primary compression / expansion unit 103, an output data selector 104, and a secondary compression / expansion unit 105. The setting of the control data in each section is performed by the CPU 68. Addresses and data in FIG. 10 indicate image data, and data and addresses connected to the CPU 68 are not shown.

The image memory 66 comprises primary and secondary storage devices 106 and 107. Primary storage device 106
For example, a memory that can be accessed at high speed, such as a DRAM, is used so that data writing to the memory or data reading from the memory at the time of image output is performed at a high speed in synchronization with the transfer speed of the input image data. The primary storage device 106 has an interface with a memory controller for reading and writing, so that input and output of image data can be executed in parallel for each of a plurality of areas (areas) divided into a predetermined size. Are connected by two sets of address and data lines. This enables, for example, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from area 2 while inputting (writing) an image to area 1.

The secondary storage device 107 is a large-capacity memory for storing data for synthesizing and sorting input images. Primary and secondary storage devices 106, 1
If an element capable of high-speed access is used for both 07,
Next, data processing can be performed without distinction between secondary and secondary, and control becomes relatively simple. However, since elements such as DRAM are expensive,
The access speed to the secondary storage device is not so fast,
Inexpensive and large-capacity storage media are used, and processing of input / output data is performed via a primary storage device.

By employing such a configuration of the image memory, it is possible to perform processing such as input / output, storage, and processing of a large amount of image data, and it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus with an inexpensive and relatively simple configuration. Become.

The operation of the memory controller 65 will be briefly described. The operation is divided into image input, image output, and image input / output. Therefore, these will be individually described. 1. Image Input (Storage in Image Memory) The input data selector 101 selects image data to be written into the image memory (primary storage device 106) from a plurality of data. The image data selected by the input data selector 101 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 102 and can be synthesized with data already stored in the image memory. The image data processed by the image synthesis unit 102 is compressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 103, and the compressed data is written to the primary storage device 106. The data written to the primary storage device 106 is
After being further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 105 as necessary, the data is stored in the secondary storage device 107.

2. Image Output (Read from Image Memory) At the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 106 is read. When the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 106, the primary compression / decompression unit 103 decompresses the image data in the primary storage device 106, and outputs the decompressed data or the decompressed data. The output data selector 104 selects and outputs data after image synthesis of the input data and the input data. The image synthesis unit 102
Processing such as combining the data in the primary storage device 106 with the input data and selecting the output destination of the combined data is performed. In addition,
The synthesizing has a function of adjusting the phase of image data, and the selection is set so that image output, write-back to the primary storage device 106, and simultaneous output to both output destinations are possible. When the image to be output is not stored in the primary storage device 106, the image data to be output stored in the secondary storage device 107 is converted to the secondary compression / decompression unit 10.
5, the data after the expansion is written into the primary storage device 106, and then the above-described image output operation is performed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of command processing such as a print request from the host computer. Hereinafter, the command processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of the computer.

In this process, first, a command is received (step 1301), and when a printer file registration command is received (step 1302), a file for storage copy is secured as file management data. The file management data is registered in order for each file block (step 1303). At this time, the state shifts to the printer file registration state (step 1304), and the number of the management file to be registered is stored as the printer registration management number (step 1305). The printer file registration state is a state for storing images from the printer I / F. After storing the number of the management file to be registered, the number of pages of the corresponding file management data is initialized (step 1306). This initialization is to clear with 0. Then, the number of registered files is incremented (step 1307).

On the other hand, when a user registration command is received in step 1308, it is checked whether or not the printer file is currently registered (step 1309). If the printer file is registered, the corresponding user name data is stored as file management data (step 1308). 1310). If the printer is not registered, the command is ignored as an invalid command. On the other hand, when a file name registration command is received (step 131)
1) It is checked whether the printer file is registered (step 1312). If the printer file is registered, file name data is stored (step 1313). When the time registration command is received (step 1314), it is confirmed whether or not the printer file is registered (step 1315). If the printer file is registered, the time data is stored (step 1316). If a printer file registration end command is received, the printer registration state is canceled (step 1318). With this release command, registration of this file is completed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image data accumulation processing in a printer file registration state.

In this processing, when image data is received (step 1401), the image is developed so that it can be printed and stored in memory (step 1402). When the development of one page is completed, it is checked whether or not the printer file is registered. (Step 1403). If the printer file is registered, it is stored in the memory (steps 1404 and 1405), and when the storage in the memory is completed (step 1406), the page number information is incremented (step 1407). If it is not registered in step 1404, a normal print operation is executed until printing is completed (steps 1408 and 1409). In this embodiment, even when storing image data in the memory, the same bitmap data as the image data at the time of printing is compressed and stored. To improve productivity during printing. If the productivity is not intended to be improved, the image data input from the outside may be stored as it is.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of storing image data read by the scanner in the memory.
In this process, there is a read instruction (step 150).
1) When a document is set (step 1502) and the scanner file is registered (step 1503), a reading operation is started. In the reading operation, a scanning operation is performed, and the read image data is stored in the memory (step 1504). When the storage in the memory is completed (step 1505), the page number information is incremented (step 1506), and this is repeated until there are no more documents (step 1507).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process for shifting to an operation for storing image data read by the scanner in the memory. In this process, when a read key is pressed on the file list screen (step 1601), a file for reading a scanner image is registered (step 1602). Then, the state shifts to the scanner file registration state (step 1603), and the registered management number is stored in the scanner registration management file number (step 1603).
4) After initializing the image page number information as file information (step 1605), incrementing the registered file number (step 1606), and pressing the end key on the reading screen (step 1607), the scanner file registration state is released. Is performed (step 1608).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the accumulation print. In this process, first, when a print operation instruction is issued (step 1701), an image is read from the corresponding memory, and a print operation is started according to the operation settings set in the print mode (step 1702). When the printing operation is completed, the operation stops.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing management data for file storage registration and management. File name data 1 for each file as file management data 1800
801, user name data 1802, time data 180
3. Page number data 1804 is managed. These data blocks are arranged in an array in the memory, and new files are registered under these blocks, and the number of registered files is incremented. The data of the deleted file is packed and the number of registered files is decremented. The number of registered files 1805 indicates the number of registered files.

As a file number during printer registration, there is a printer registration management file number 1806. This is data indicating which file of the management file is the file being registered. Scanner registration management file number 1
Reference numeral 807 denotes a state when a file is registered in the scanner.

The print order management data 1808 is a list of management file numbers arranged in print order. When no management file number is written, -1 (F as byte-width data is used).
FH) has been written. When printing, a series of files to be printed is from the top to the management number of -1. In addition, settings can be made here as a printer image or a scanner image.

As a method of specifying a memory image, an image number is managed by 2-byte data, with the file number being the upper byte and the page number (from page 0 to the number of pages) being the lower byte. Access to the memory unit is controlled by this image number. Therefore, when the management file number is 2 and the number of pages is 5, the image numbers are 512 (20H), 513 (21H), and 514 (22) from the beginning.
H), 515 (23H) and 516 (24H). Also, when copying multiple files at the same time,
A memory number is determined from the management file number and the number of pages in the order of printing and management data, and a copy operation is performed with the number of pages managed by the printing order management data as one image group.

By storing the data in the memory in this manner, the display of the rearrangement of the management data, the readout amount of the memory, the progress of the printing, and the like and the external device (for example, LA)
(PC connected to N) can be easily output. That is, by pressing the keys of “user”, “file name”, “page”, and “time” on the operation screen of FIG. 6, the file list is sorted and displayed using the selected item as a key. Can be output to external equipment. In this figure, the display of the downward black triangle sign of the “time key” indicates that this item is currently selected as a sort key and that the sort direction is descending. In this state, "Time key" again
Touch to switch between descending and ascending order by toggle. When the ascending order is selected, an upward black triangle code is displayed as the code. FIG. 19 shows a state in which the file list is sorted and displayed in ascending order using the user name as a key.

Further, in this embodiment, in a default state after the power is turned on, the file list is set so as to be displayed in a state of being sorted by the storage date and time in descending order.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display state of the operation screen during the accumulation printing. This display screen indicates that printing of the first file TEST01 supporting printing has been completed, and the twelfth page of the second file TEST02 is currently being printed. Also, the fact that printing is completed 75% of the total number of pages is visually indicated by numerical values and graphs. And
The same information is output to the external device and is also displayed on the external device (PC), so that the operator of the external device can be notified of the printing state by display.

FIG. 21 is a general flowchart in this embodiment. In this general flow, commands exchanged with an external device are transmitted and received via a bidirectional Centronics port or a network. When a command is received, a process corresponding to the content of the command is executed. On the host side, a screen as shown in FIG. 22, for example, is displayed based on the information to inform the operator of the current state.

Specifically, when a command is received (step 2101), the type of the command is determined (step 2101).
102), if the command is a request for stored image data,
It is determined whether a sort instruction has been issued (step 2103). If there is a sort instruction, it is determined whether the instruction is in ascending or descending order (step 2104). If the order is ascending, the specifications of the stored image, for example, the storage date and time, the creator, the number of pages, etc. are sorted in ascending order (step 2105), and the specifications of the stored image are transmitted to the external device (step 2106). if,
If the sort instruction has not been issued in step 2103, the stored image data is transmitted to the external device as it is (step 2106). If it is not an ascending order instruction in step 2104, it is a descending order instruction. In step 2107, the stored image data is sorted in descending order, and in step 2106, the stored image data sorted in descending order is transmitted to the external device. After transmitting the specifications of the stored image to the external device in step 2106, the process returns to step 2101 to wait for reception of the next command.

If it is determined in step 2102 that the command is a print status request, the print status is transmitted to the external device (step 2108), and the reception of the next command is awaited. If it is determined in step 2102 that the command is a request for the number of pages to be printed, the number of pages to be printed is transmitted to the external device (step 2109), and the reception of the next command is waited. If it is determined in step 2102 that the command is a print completion ratio request, the print completion ratio is transmitted to the external device (step 2110), and the reception of the next command is awaited. Step 210
If it is determined in step 2 that the command is a print start request, print processing is performed (step 2111), and the reception of the next command is awaited. Such an operation is repeated until the processing of the file is completed.

[0062]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the storage means for storing and storing the input image information, and the image information stored in the storage means are printed. Printing means for printing on a medium, print start instruction receiving means for receiving a print start instruction from an external device, and output operation of a stored image stored in the storage means when a print start instruction is received from the print start reception means Is provided, a print instruction can be issued from an external device without directly operating the image forming apparatus, and the usability of the device can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a storage means for storing and storing input image information, a printing means for printing the image information stored in the storage means on a print medium,
Since there is provided a print start instructing unit for instructing the start of printing and an output unit for outputting the specifications of the image information included in the stored image information to an external device, without directly operating the image forming apparatus, The file information stored from the external device can be referred to, thereby improving the usability of the device.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the specifications of the image information are output to the external device, there is provided a means for rearranging the specific information as a key. Output can be performed in the order desired by the operator, and further, usability can be improved.

According to the present invention, a storage means for storing and storing the input image information, a printing means for printing the image information stored in the storage means on a print medium,
Since there is provided a print start instructing unit for instructing a print start and an output unit for outputting a printing state to an external device when the stored image information is being printed, the image forming apparatus does not need to be directly operated. In both cases, the stored printing status can be referred to from the external device, and thereby the usability of the device can be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since there is provided a means for outputting the number of pages printed by the printing means to the external device, the number of printed pages is confirmed by the operator of the external device. And the usability can be further improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the input image information is image information read by reading means for reading a document image or image information input from an external device. Regardless, the image forming apparatus can be remotely operated from the external device side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration in which an image forming apparatus and a host computer according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected via a network.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

4 is a diagram showing a display state (copy screen) of a liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG.

5 is a diagram illustrating a display state (print screen) of a liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 2;

6 is a diagram illustrating a display state (file selection screen) of a liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display state (another example of a print screen) of the liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 2;

8 is a diagram illustrating a display state (document reading screen) of a liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control device of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating details of an image processing unit (IPU) unit in FIG. 9;

11 is a timing chart showing the timing of an image signal in the selector of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating details of a memory controller and an image memory in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a command process of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an external image data processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a scanner reading process of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a scanner registration mode transition process of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a storage printing process of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing management data for file storage registration and management of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

19 is a diagram illustrating a display state (a print file selection screen) of the liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 2;

20 is a diagram illustrating a display state (printing progress display screen) of the liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 21 is a general flowchart in the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a display state of an external device according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 main controller 30 operation unit 49 image processing unit (IPU) 54 CCD 57 writing unit 61 A / D converter 62 shading correction unit 63 image processing unit 64 selector 65 memory controller 66 image memory 68 CPU 69 ROM 70 RAM 1201 input selector 1202 image Synthesizing unit 1203 Primary compression / expansion unit 1204 Output data selector 1205 Secondary compression / expansion unit 1206 Primary storage device 1207 Secondary storage device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing and storing input image information, a printing unit for printing the image information stored in the storage unit on a print medium, and a print start instruction for receiving a print start instruction from an external device. An image forming apparatus comprising: a receiving unit; and a control unit that starts an output operation of a stored image stored in the storage unit when a print start instruction is received from the print start receiving unit. 2. A storage unit for storing and storing input image information, a printing unit for printing the image information stored in the storage unit on a print medium, a print start instruction unit for instructing a start of printing, An output unit that outputs specifications of the image information included in the stored image information to an external device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for rearranging a specific item as a key when outputting the specifications of the image information to an external device. 4. A storage unit for storing and storing input image information, a printing unit for printing the image information stored in the storage unit on a print medium, a print start instruction unit for instructing a start of printing, An output unit that outputs a printing state to an external device when printing the stored image information. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a unit that outputs the number of pages printed by the printing unit to the external device. 6. The image information read by reading means for reading a document image, wherein the input image information is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is any one of image information input from an external device.