JPH10327281A - Image forming device and its controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To grasp the state of a copying part on a data processor-side by detecting the state of a copying means, transmitting a state signal for displaying the detection result of a state detection means to a data processing means and controlling a reception means, a printing means and the copying means. SOLUTION: Whether an original transportation device 14 is left in an open state or not or whether it is in a toner empty state or not is grasped. When the copying part 10 is judged to be in a copy possible state or not and the copying part 10 is normal, the signal of effect that normal printing/copying can be executed is transmitted to the data processor transmitting control data. The effect is displayed on the data processor. When the copying part 10 is in the state where it cannot execute copying by any cause, only a printing processing is executed, and the original is stored in the original stock part of the printer part 11. When the copying part 10 is restored to the copy possible state, the original is copied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus connected to data processing means capable of processing image data. Also, the invention relating to another detection,
A control device, in particular, data processing means capable of processing image data, printing means for printing image data from the data processing means, and copying means capable of copying a printed original conveyed from the printing means are connected. The present invention relates to a control device for an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Printers for printing characters and image data transferred from data processing devices such as personal computers and word processors are widely known. When printing an image using such a printer, there is a problem that the processing speed is generally slower than that of a copying machine, and it takes time when the number of printed sheets is large. Therefore, an image forming apparatus as disclosed in JP-A-5-107987 has been provided. This apparatus has both a copying section having the functions of a copying machine and a printer section having the functions of a normal printer. The printer section prints image data output from a computer or the like on paper. The sheet on which an image is formed by the printer unit is conveyed to a document placement position of the copying unit. The copying section sequentially transports the documents placed at the document placement position to the document reading position, reads the image on the sheet, and performs a copying operation based on the instructed condition.

In such an image forming apparatus, since a sheet on which an image is formed by a printer unit is used as a document in a copying unit, an image can be formed on a large number of sheets at a relatively high speed. Further, since image data output from a data processing device such as a computer is processed by the printer unit, there is no need to provide a data processing unit on the copying unit side, and cost can be reduced.

[0004]

In the above-described image forming apparatus, an execution command to the printer unit and the copying unit is issued from a data processing device such as a computer. And
For example, when the document feeder is opened in the copy unit or the copy unit does not function due to some trouble, even if a print and copy execution command is transmitted from the data processing device, those operations are not performed.

However, in many cases, the image forming apparatus and the data processing apparatus are arranged apart from each other, and usually, an operator who handles the data processing apparatus cannot grasp the state of the copying unit. Therefore, when the command is not executed, the user must go to the place where the image forming apparatus is arranged. In addition, when the printing / copying operation is being performed based on a command from the data processing device, since no worker has issued the command at the place where the image forming apparatus is located, the other workers are not allowed to print. -There is a case where the user does not notice that the copying operation is being performed. In such a case, there is a possibility that another worker may open the document feeder, for example, even though the instruction from the data processing device is being executed,
The processing up to that point is wasted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a system in which a data processing apparatus, a printer section, and a copying section are separately connected so that the state of the copying section can be grasped on the data processing apparatus side. Another object of the present invention is to restrict the operation of another operator to the copy unit during the execution of a process based on a command from a data processing device in the above system.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a data processing unit capable of processing image data; a printing unit for printing image data from the data processing unit; and a printing unit. The apparatus is connected to a copying unit capable of copying the conveyed printed document, and includes a receiving unit, a state detection unit, a state display control unit, and a print / copy control unit. The receiving unit receives a print / copy instruction for image data from the data processing unit. The state detecting means detects the state of the copying means when the receiving means receives a print / copy instruction. The status display control means sends a status signal for displaying the detection result of the status detection means to the data processing means which has transmitted the command to the reception means. The print / copy control unit controls the reception unit, the print unit, and the copy unit according to the detection result of the state detection unit.

In the control device of the image forming apparatus, when a print / copy instruction is issued from the data processing device, the state of the copying means is detected. This status detection result is sent to the data processing device that sent the print / copy command,
As a result, the status of the copying means is displayed on the data processing device. Further, the printing and copying operations are controlled according to the state detection result.

Here, since the state of the copying means can be ascertained in the data processing device, the cause can be ascertained on the data processing device side even when the instruction is not executed, and the handling can be easily performed. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the control device for an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the state detecting means determines whether or not the copying means can perform a copying process. Here, it is possible to grasp the state including whether or not the copying process is possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus control apparatus according to the third aspect, when the state detecting means determines that the copying means cannot perform the copying, the control means prompts the copying means to return. There is further provided a return promoting means for transmitting a return promoting signal. In this apparatus, for example, in a case where copying is not possible because the document feeder is left open, a return promoting signal is sent to the copying means so that a display, an alarm sound, and the like are made on the copying means side. Sent out.

For this reason, if the worker near the copying means notices the display or the sound, the copying means is returned to a normal state. The control device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing / copying control means causes the receiving means to receive the image data from the data processing means when the state detecting means determines that the copying means is capable of copying, and causes the printing means to execute the image processing. The data is printed, the copying means is caused to copy the document printed by the printing means, and a display control signal is transmitted to the copying means such that a display for prohibiting the copying operation is performed.

In this apparatus, since the display for prohibiting the copying operation is made to the copying means, the interruption by another worker is prevented when the processing is performed based on the instruction from the data processing apparatus. You. An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect is a device connected to a data processing device capable of processing image data, and a printing device capable of printing image data from the data processing device and a printing device conveyed from the printing device. And a control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the printing apparatus and the copying apparatus are configured as one multifunction peripheral, and the control device is provided in the printing apparatus.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 shows a system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to data processing apparatuses 2 and 2 including a plurality of personal computers, a network server, a host computer, and the like via a line 3 such as a dedicated cable, a communication line, and a LAN cable. The data processing device 2 is capable of creating, editing, and inputting / outputting image data to be output, and instructs the image forming device 1 to output paper size, the number of copies, and other image processing. It is possible to create, edit, and output image processing control data for this purpose.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus] Image Forming Apparatus 1
Has a copying unit 10 and a printer unit 11 as shown in FIG. [Structure of Copying Unit] The copying unit 10 is capable of copying a document conveyed from a printer unit 11 and has a document table 12 on which a document is placed on an upper surface.
And a document feeder 1 arranged above the copying machine body 13
4 is provided.

An exposure unit 15 including a light source, a mirror, a lens unit, and the like is provided inside the copying machine body 13 for reading a document. The copier body 13
An image forming unit 16 for forming a toner image of a read original and transferring the toner image to a sheet is provided at a central portion of the image forming apparatus. The image forming section 16 has a photosensitive drum 17 on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed. A charging device 18 and a developing device 19 are provided around the photosensitive drum 17.
And a transfer separation device 20 and a cleaning device 21.

In the lower part of the copying machine main body 13, a paper feed unit 22 is provided. The paper feeding unit 22 is provided in the copying machine main body 13 in FIG.
A bypass table 23 provided on the right side; and a sheet cassette 2 arranged vertically below the copier body 13
4, 25, 26, a large paper cassette 27, and a paper feeding device 28 for transporting the paper stored in the bypass table 23 or the paper cassettes 24 to 27 to the image forming unit 16.

Downstream of the image forming section 16 in the paper transport direction, a paper discharge transport path 29 for transporting the paper to the left side in FIG. 2 of the apparatus, and a fixing device 3 for fusing and fixing the toner image on the paper.
0 and a discharge roller 31 for discharging the sheet after fixing.
And a discharge tray 32 for receiving discharged sheets. The developing device 19 is provided with a toner hopper 33 for supplying toner. A toner cartridge 34 is detachably mounted on the toner hopper 33.

[Configuration of Printer Unit] The printer unit 11
It is possible to obtain a document by printing the image data transmitted from the data processing device 2, and to temporarily store the document and transport the document to the document transport device 14 of the copying unit 10. . The details of the printer unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 which is a schematic configuration diagram taken along the line III-III of FIG.

The printer section 11 is provided with a photosensitive drum 41 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface based on image data output from the data processing device 2. Around the photoreceptor drum 41, a charger (not shown) for imparting uniform charging to the photoreceptor drum 41 and a laser unit (not shown) for irradiating a laser on the photoreceptor drum 41 to form an electrostatic latent image (Omitted) are both provided below the photosensitive drum 41, and a developing device 42 and a transfer roller 41a for visualizing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 41 into a toner image are further provided. This embodiment employs a so-called back transfer method, in which a toner image is transferred to the lower surface of a sheet supplied between the transfer roller 41a.

On the upstream side (right side in FIG. 3) of the photosensitive drum 41 in the sheet transport direction, there is provided a sheet feeding section 44 in which a sheet feeding cassette 43 is mounted. A paper feed roller 45 for taking out paper from the paper feed cassette 43 to be mounted is provided above the paper feed unit 44. Between the paper feed roller 45 and the photosensitive drum 41, a paper feed transport path 47 including a transport roller 46 for transporting the paper from the paper feed cassette 43 is formed.

A fixing device 48 for fusing and fixing the toner image formed on the sheet is provided downstream of the photosensitive drum 41 in the sheet conveying direction (left side in FIG. 3). On the downstream side of the fixing device 48 in the sheet conveyance direction, a sheet discharge conveyance path 50 including a conveyance roller 49 is provided. An intermediate portion of the paper discharge conveyance path 50 is curved in a substantially U shape, and changes the direction of the paper conveyed from the fixing device 48 by 180 ° and conveys the paper downstream. A discharge roller 51 is provided further downstream of the sheet discharge conveyance path 50.

A discharge roller 5 is provided below the printer unit 11.
A document stock unit 52 for storing paper (printed document) discharged from the document feeder 1 is provided. The original stock section 52 is provided with a fixed position regulating member 53 for regulating the position of the rear end of the sheet in the transport direction. The fixed position regulating member 53 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the discharge roller 51 on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction. On the downstream side of the document stock unit 52 in the paper transport direction, a movable position regulating member 54 that is movable in the paper transport direction and regulates the position of the front end in the paper transport direction is provided.

Above the document stock section 52, a separation roller 59 is provided for sending out the document in the transport direction when the sheet is discharged from the discharge roller 51 and separating the rear end of the sheet from the discharge roller 51. Have been. Release roller 5
Reference numeral 9 is supported by a support member 60 rotatable in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, and is configured so as to descend when the rear end of the sheet separates from the discharge roller 51 and contact the sheet.

Further, the printer section 11 is provided with a motor 61 for driving the paper transport as shown in FIG. The motor 61 is arranged so that the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 62 is orthogonal to the paper transport direction of the printer unit 11. Further, the motor 61 is configured to be rotatable in the normal and reverse directions, and performs reverse rotation driving when forming an image in the printer unit 11 and when re-feeding paper from the document stock unit 52 to the copying unit 10 side.

A gear 63 is attached to a rotating shaft 62 of the motor 61. The gear 63 is a one-way clutch 64
And a gear 65 mounted coaxially.
The gear 65 is connected to the bevel gear 66a via the one-way clutch 64, and transmits the rotational force to the bevel gear 66a only in one direction around the axis. Bevel gear 66
a meshes with the bevel gear 66b. Bevel gear 66
b is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axes of the gear 65 and the bevel gear 66a, and is attached to a rotation shaft 67 that rotates in a direction corresponding to the sheet conveyance direction in the printer unit 11. The rotation shaft 67 is connected to the paper feed roller 45, the transport roller 46, and the photosensitive drum 4 via various gears and belts.
1, fixing device 48, transport roller 49, discharge roller 51,
The driving force in the sheet conveyance direction is transmitted to the separation roller 59 and the like.

The gear 63 meshes with a gear 68 that meshes with a gear 69. The gear 69 is provided coaxially with the one-way clutch 70, and transmits the rotational force to the re-feed roller 71 only in one direction around the axis via the one-way clutch 70. A pickup roller 72 is provided above the document stock unit 52 and sends out the paper on the document stock unit 52 to the copying unit 10 side. The pickup roller 72 is connected to the re-feed roller 71 via a gear or a belt. Further, the pickup roller 72 is supported by a support member 73 which can rotate in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4, and descends when the paper on the document stock unit 52 is re-fed to the copying machine unit 10 side. (Printed original). A separation roller 74 driven by counter rotation for preventing double feeding is in contact with the re-feed roller 71.

As described above, in the printer unit 11, the printed original is temporarily stored in the original stock unit 52 by printing while transporting the paper in the paper feed cassette 43 in the front-rear direction, and the stored original is used for printing. The document can be conveyed to the document conveying device 14 of the copying unit 10 by being conveyed in the left-right direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. [Copying Document Conveying Device] Document Conveying Device 14 of Copying Unit 10
As shown in FIG. 2, a document placement section 82 for placing a document is provided. On the downstream side (left side in FIG. 2) of the document placing portion 82 in the transport direction, a paper feed roller 83 for taking out the document from the document placing portion 82 and a plurality of rollers are provided to prevent double feeding. A separation belt 84 that rotates counter is provided. Further, on the downstream side in the transport direction, there is provided a document transport path 85 which curves in a substantially U shape and guides the document to the document table 12 side. Further, a transport belt 86 connected to the document transport path 85 and stretched over a plurality of rollers at a position corresponding to the document table 12 is provided.

The document feeder 14 further includes a document return section 88 having a document feed path 87 connected to a feed belt 86.
Is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, a document return path 87 provided in the document return section 88 includes a document return path 89 for taking out a document from the document table 12 and a re-feed path 81 (see FIG. 2) of the printer section 11. Continuous document feed path 9
0, a document placing / conveying path 91 continuing from the document returning / conveying path 89 to the document placing section 82 side, and a document discharging / conveying path 93 continuing from the document returning / conveying path 89 to the document discharge tray 92 side. . The original conveying path 87 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 9.
4, 95, 96 are provided, each of which is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown).

Document placement conveyance path 91 and document discharge conveyance path 93
Is branched from the original return conveyance path 89, and a branch claw 97 is provided at a branch point. This branch claw 97
Is rotatably supported about a support shaft 98, and is movable between a position indicated by a solid line in FIG.
When a document conveyed from the document feed conveyance path 90 or the document return conveyance path 89 is conveyed to the document placement unit 82 via the document placement conveyance path 91, the branching claw 97 is positioned at a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. Placed in When a document conveyed from the document return conveyance path 89 is conveyed to the document discharge tray 92 via the document discharge conveyance path 93, the branch claw 97 is arranged at a position indicated by a dashed line in FIG. As a result, it is possible to selectively discharge the processed document to the document discharge tray 92 or the document placement unit 82 finally.

[Printer Unit Control System] The schematic configuration of the printer unit 11 is shown in the block diagram of FIG. Printer unit 11
Has a control unit 101 configured by a microcomputer system including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.
The control unit 101 is connected to a receiving unit 102 that receives image data and image processing control data from the data processing device 2 in FIG. Further, of the image processing control data received by the receiving unit 102, the data relating to the copying operation is copied by the copying unit 1.
A transmission unit 103 for transmitting to the 0 side is connected to the control unit 101.

The control unit 101 further includes a photosensitive drum 4
1. An image forming unit 104 including a developing device 42 (see FIG. 3) and a laser unit (not shown) is connected. Further, the paper is sequentially conveyed to a paper feed cassette 43, a photosensitive drum 41, and a stacking tray 52, and is transferred from the stacking tray 52 to the copy unit 1.
The transport drive system 105 for taking out to the 0 side is
It is connected to the. The transport drive system 105 includes a paper feed system 106 that transports paper during image formation, and a re-feed system 107 that removes paper from the original stock unit 52 to the copy unit 10.
And are connected. The paper feed system 106 includes a discharge roller 51 for discharging the paper onto the document stock unit 52, a movable position regulating member 54 that moves in the paper transport direction when the paper is discharged from the discharge roller 51, a release roller 59, and the like. Is included. Further, the re-feeding system 107 includes, as shown in FIG.
Pickup roller 72 for picking up paper on document stock unit 52, re-feed roller 71, separation roller 74
Etc. are included.

[Copy Unit Control System] The schematic configuration of the copy unit 10 is shown in the block diagram of FIG. The copying unit 10 includes a CPU,
The control unit 111 includes a microcomputer system including a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Control unit 111
Is connected to an operation unit 112 provided on the upper surface of the copying unit 10. The operation unit 112 includes a key operation unit including a print key, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a reduction / enlargement ratio selection key, and other selection keys for selecting a processing mode, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display panel. In.

The control unit 111 has a receiving unit 11 for receiving image processing control data transferred from the printer unit 11.
3 are connected. Further, the control unit 111 is connected to an image processing unit 114 that performs various types of image processing on the image information read by the image reading unit 115.
Further, an original transport unit 116 that transports the original to the original reading unit 115 and an image forming unit 117 that forms an image on a sheet based on the image information read by the image reading unit 115 are connected to the control unit 111.

[Control Operation] Next, a copying operation involving printing and an operation of only printing will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. The operation unit 11 of the copying unit 10
The control processing when a copy command is issued from step 2 is the same as the processing of a normal copying machine, and will not be described here.

When the power of the apparatus is turned on, the printer unit 1
The first control unit 101 executes control as shown in FIG. First, in step S1, various parameters and the like are initialized. In step S2, it is determined whether or not image processing control data (hereinafter simply referred to as control data) from the data processing device 2 has been received. In step S3, it is determined whether a document is not stored in the document stock unit 52 of the printer unit 11 or not.

If control data indicating a print / copy instruction has been received from the data processing device 2, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S4. In step S4, the state of the copying unit 10 is grasped. That is, it is determined whether or not the document feeder 14 has been left open, whether or not the toner is empty. Since these conditions are stored in the control unit 111 of the copying unit 10, they can be detected by communicating with the control unit 111 of the copying unit 10. In step S5, it is determined based on the result of step S4 whether or not the copying unit 10 is in a copy-enabled state. If the copying unit 10 is normal, the process proceeds to step S6,
For the data processing device 2 that has transmitted the control data,
A signal indicating that normal printing / copying is possible is transmitted. As a result, the corresponding data processing device 2 is displayed to that effect. By the processing in step S6, even when the abnormal state has returned to the normal state, the data processing apparatus 2 resets the abnormal display and displays a normal state. Next, in step S7,
Execute copy processing.

If the copying unit 10 is in a state where copying cannot be performed for some reason, the process proceeds from step S5 to step S8, and a corresponding process described later is executed. Next, the process proceeds to step S9, where only the printing process is executed. Here, the printed document is stored in the document stock unit 52 of the printer unit 11. When only the printing process as described above is performed (step S9), the original is stored in the original stock unit 52 of the printer unit 11. Therefore, in this case, in step S3, YE
S is determined, and the process proceeds to step S11. Step S
At 11, it is determined whether or not the operations of the copying unit 10 and the printer unit 11 are stopped. If stopped, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined whether or not the copy unit 10 is in a copy-enabled state. When the copying section 10 has returned to the copy-enabled state, the original stored in the original stock section 52 of the printer section 11 can be copied. Execute Upon completion of the copying process, the process returns to the step S2. The copy processing in step S13 is the same as the copy processing in the print / copy processing described later.

In step S11, the copying unit 10
Alternatively, if it is determined that the printer unit 11 is operating, or if it is determined in step S12 that the copying unit 10 cannot perform the copying process, the process returns to step S2. [Corresponding process] The corresponding process in step S8 when it is determined that copying is impossible in the copying unit 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the corresponding process, it is determined whether or not the document feeder 14 is kept open in step S20, whether or not the toner empty of the copying unit 10 is detected in step S21, and whether or not the paper is out in step S22. It is determined whether or not another abnormality is detected. If the document feeder 14 remains open, the process proceeds from step S20 to step S25, where the data processor 2
Then, it instructs the copying unit 10 to perform a display to that effect. As a result, for example, a message such as "copying is not possible because the document feeder is open" is displayed on the screen of the data processing device 2. Copying unit 1
A message “Please close the document feeder” is displayed on the operation unit 112 of “0”. In this case, a warning sound may be emitted at the same time to urge a nearby worker to close the document feeder 14.

When the toner empty is detected, the process shifts from step S21 to step S26, and instructs the data processing device 2 and the copying unit 10 to display the fact. As a result, for example, a display such as "copying is impossible because the toner in the copying unit is insufficient" is displayed on the screen of the data processing device 2. In addition, a message "Please supply toner" is displayed on the operation unit 112 of the copying unit 10. In this case, similarly to the above, a warning sound may be generated in the copying unit 10 simultaneously with the display to urge a nearby worker to replenish the toner.

When other abnormalities are detected,
The process proceeds from step S22 to step S27, and an instruction is issued to the data processing device 2 and the copying unit 10 to execute a display process or the like according to the detected content. [Print / Copy Process: Printing] Next, the print process of the printer unit 11 in the print / copy process of step S7 will be described.

In step S30 in FIG. 11, an image data transmission permission signal is transmitted to the data processing device 2 which has transmitted the print / copy processing command. In step S31, image data from the data processing device 2 is received, and printing is performed on paper. In step S32, it is determined whether or not a print / copy instruction (control data) for the image data has been sent from another data processing device during the printing of the image data. If it has been sent, the process proceeds to step S33 to store the control data, that is, data from which data processing device, the number of pages, and the like. Then, the process proceeds to step S34 to transmit a signal indicating that the printing process is being performed to the data processing device that has transmitted the control data.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not printing of one sheet has been completed, and if not completed, the process returns to step S31 to repeatedly execute steps S31 to S35. When the printing process for one sheet is completed, the process proceeds from step S35 to step S36, and the printed sheet (document) is transported to the document stock unit 52 for storage.

Next, in step S37, it is determined whether the printing process has been completed for all the image data. Steps S31 to S37 are repeatedly executed until the printing process for all the image data is completed. When all the printing processes are completed, the process proceeds to step S38, and a process completion signal is output to the copying unit 10 and the data processing device 2.

Next, in step S40, it is determined whether or not the copying section 10 is operating. Here, it is determined that the copying unit 10 is operating when receiving a signal indicating that the copying unit 10 is operating from the copying unit 10, and waits until receiving a signal indicating that the operation is completed from the copying unit 10. If it is determined that the copying unit 10 is not operating, the process proceeds from step S40 to step S41. In step S41, the control data received from the data processing device 2 is transmitted to the copy unit 10. The control data includes data indicating the number of copies, various copy modes, and the like.

In step S42, the original stock unit 52
The originals stacked on top of each other are taken out from the top,
0 is conveyed to the original conveying device 14 side. In the step S43, it is determined whether or not all the originals on the original stock unit 52 have been conveyed. While a document is present on the document stock unit 52, the process proceeds to step S42 to continue the document transport process. If it is determined in step S43 that the document conveyance has been completed, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, a signal to the effect that the document conveying process has been completed is transmitted to the copying unit 10 side.

In step S45, it is determined whether or not a print / copy command has been transmitted from another data processing apparatus during the above-described processing, that is, whether or not there is a data processing apparatus that is waiting for processing. If there is a data processing device waiting,
Returning to step S4, the same processing as described above is executed. If not, the process ends. [Printing / Copying Process: Copying] Next, the copying operation in the copying unit 10 based on the document printed by the printer unit 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S50, the control data transmitted from the printer unit 11 is received. Step S51
Then, a warning display for prohibiting operation input is performed on the display unit of the operation unit 112. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent another worker from opening the document feeder 14 and interrupting the operation during the printing / copying operation by the data processing device 2. In step S52, the reception of a copy command or the like from the operation unit 112 by another worker is prohibited.

Next, in step S53, the printer unit 11
Then, it is determined whether or not the document conveyance from has been completed. Here, when the document conveyance end signal (step S44 in FIG. 12) is received from the printer unit 11, it is determined that the document conveyance is completed, and the process proceeds to step S54. Step S5
In step 4, a signal indicating that the copying operation is being executed is transmitted to the printer unit 11. In step S55, the branch claw 97 of the document return section 88 is arranged at the position shown by the dashed line in FIG.
3 is set so as to be discharged to the document discharge tray 92 via the document feed tray 3. In step S 56, the originals on the original placing section 82 are sequentially conveyed onto the original platen 12 via the original conveying path 85, and a copying operation based on the control data is performed, and the copied original is discharged onto the original discharge tray 92. I do.

In step S57, it is determined whether or not the copying operation based on the control data has been completed. If it is determined that the copying operation has been completed, the process proceeds to step S58. In step S58, a signal to the effect that the copying operation has been completed is transmitted to the printer unit 11, the warning display and the prohibition of accepting the operation are released to the operation unit 112, and the acceptance input is permitted. [Printing Process] Next, the printing process in step S9 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S60, it is determined whether or not a document is stored in the document stock unit 52. First, the printing process of step S9 is performed, and the copying unit 10
Is not restored to the normal state, the original is stored in the original stock section 52. In this case, the process moves from step S60 to step S61. In step S61, the document to be printed by the printing process to be executed is the document stock unit 52
It is determined whether or not it can be stored. For example, the storage capacity of the document stock unit 52 is set to a maximum of 50 sheets. In this case, for example, if 30 printed originals are already stored, 2
Up to zero originals can be stored. Therefore, the number of prints is determined from the control data, and if it can be stored, the process proceeds to step S62.

The processing in step S62 is exactly the same as the printing processing in the printing / copying processing in steps S30 to S38 described above. Here, in step S61, the number of documents to be printed is large,
If it is determined that the document cannot be stored in the document stock unit 52, the process proceeds to step S70. In step S70, a signal indicating that printing is not possible is transmitted to the corresponding data processing device 2. When the processing of step S62 and step S70 is completed, step S6
Move to 3. In the step S63, it is determined whether or not there is a data processing apparatus waiting for printing. If there is, the process moves from step S63 to step S71. Step S
At 71, it is determined whether or not the state of the copying unit 10 can be copied. If the copying unit 10 has returned to the normal state, the process proceeds from step S71 to step S72 to execute a copying process. This copying process is the same as the copying process in the printing / copying process in steps S50 to S58 described above.

If the determination in step S71 is NO, or if the process in step S72 is completed, the process returns to step S60. Then, the above-described processing is repeated. By repeatedly executing such processing, it is possible to print an optimal number of documents according to the storage capacity of the document stock unit 52. For example, the maximum storage capacity of the document stock unit 52 is 5
It is assumed that 30 originals are already stored in the original stock unit 52 with 0 sheets. Then, from the first standby data processing apparatus, a print / copy instruction for ten originals is issued from the second data processing apparatus.
A print / copy instruction for 20 originals is sent from the third standby data processor, and a print / copy instruction for 10 originals is sent from the third standby data processor. In this case, first, the first data processing apparatus prints ten originals. As a result, the number of originals stored in the original stock unit 52 is 40 in total. Therefore, a print instruction for 20 originals from the second data processing device cannot be executed. However, step S6
1. By repeatedly executing the processing of step S63 and the like, a print instruction of ten documents from the third data processing apparatus is accepted, and the print processing is executed.

In the embodiment described above, even when the copying process is not possible in the copying unit 10, the printing process is executed by the printer unit 11, so that the apparatus can be operated efficiently, and The waiting time of the data processing device 2 can be reduced. Further, when the copying section 10 returns to the normal state, the copying process of the document stored in the printer section 11 is executed, so that the apparatus can be operated more efficiently. Further, since the data processing devices to be processed are selected according to the number of originals to be processed, more commands for the data processing devices can be executed as compared with the case where the processing is performed simply in the order of reception.

[Other Embodiments] (a) In the above embodiment, print control is performed by the control unit 101 of the printer unit 11.
1 may be performed by a computer on a network provided separately from the network. (B) The configuration of the printer unit 10 is not limited to the embodiment described above, and includes a document storage unit capable of temporarily storing a printed document,
It is sufficient that the document can be transported from the document storage section to the document transport section of the copying section 10.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the data processing device is connected to the printer unit and the copying unit separately, the state of the copying unit can be grasped on the data processing device side. Even if a problem occurs in the copying unit, processing for coping with the problem becomes easy. Also, during execution of a process based on a command from the data processing device, the copying operation of another worker is restricted by the display of the copying unit, so that the process based on the command of the data processing device is prevented from being interrupted. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of a printer unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a longitudinal section showing a main part thereof.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a longitudinal section showing a main part of the document feeder.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer unit.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a copying unit.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart illustrating an overall operation of print control.

FIG. 9 is a control flowchart illustrating an overall operation of print control.

FIG. 10 is a control flowchart showing a coping process when a copy unit is abnormal.

FIG. 11 is a control flowchart showing print processing at the time of print / copy processing in the printer unit.

FIG. 12 is a control flowchart showing print processing at the time of print / copy processing in the printer unit.

FIG. 13 is a control flowchart showing a copying process at the time of printing / copying process in the copying unit.

FIG. 14 is a control flowchart illustrating a printing process of the printing unit when a copy error occurs.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 copying unit 11 printer unit 14 document feeder 101 control unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Osaka 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Data processing means capable of processing image data,
A control device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a printing unit for printing image data from the data processing unit; and a copying unit that can copy a printed original conveyed from the printing unit. Receiving means for receiving a print / copy command for image data from the means, state detecting means for detecting a state of the copying means when the receiving means receives the print / copy command, and transmitting the command to the receiving means. State display control means for transmitting a state signal for displaying the detection result of the state detection means to the data processing means; and, in accordance with the detection result of the state detection means, the reception means,
A control device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: printing / copy control means for controlling a printing means and a copying means. 2. The control device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said state detecting means determines whether or not copying processing is possible in said copying means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a return facilitating means for transmitting a return facilitating signal for prompting the copying means to return when the state detecting means determines that the copying means cannot copy. Item 3. A control device for an image forming apparatus according to Item 2. 4. The printing / copying control means, when the state detecting means determines that the copying means is capable of copying, causes the receiving means to receive image data from a data processing means, and causes the printing means to The image data is printed, the copying means is made to copy the document printed by the printing means, and a display control signal is transmitted to the copying means so that a display for prohibiting a copying operation is performed. 3. The control device of the image forming apparatus according to 3. 5. An image forming apparatus connected to a data processing apparatus capable of processing image data, comprising: a printing apparatus capable of printing image data from the data processing apparatus; and a printing apparatus conveyed from the printing apparatus. A copying device capable of copying a completed document; a control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
An image forming apparatus having: 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus and the copying apparatus are configured as one multifunction peripheral, and the control device is provided in the printing apparatus.