JPH11170674A - Image forming device, image forming method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm the output destination of image forming data readily by receiving image forming data sent from an information processing unit, and transferring the image information data to a predetermined output data destination before being stored. SOLUTION: A reader part 1 operates to read out an image and output the image data to a printer part 2 and image input and output control part 3. The image input and output part 3 includes a facsimile part 4, and this works to transfer the received image data received via a telephone circuit to a core part 10 through expansion, and compress the image data transferred from the core part 10 to subsequently transmit the compressed image data to the outside through a telephone circuit. Also, it is furnished with a formation part 8 to thereby develop a code data from a personal computer to an image data. After outputting the image data, by the formatter part 8, output completion time, the number of pages, the size of paper, output destination, or the like are stored in a hard desk 13 as LOG data. The LOG data is rendered confirmable by the personal computer 11.

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 having a printer function, a facsimile function and the like, an image forming method, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image forming apparatus having a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like receives data described in a page description language from an information processing apparatus, and outputs the received data.

[0003]

However, when the output processing is performed by outputting the received data to a printer or facsimile or storing it in a hard disk, and when the LOG data of this output processing is left, the LOG data contains The output destination was not stored. For this reason, it was not possible to determine from the LOG data whether the received data was printed by a printer, transmitted by facsimile, or stored on a hard disk.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a recording medium capable of confirming a data output destination in order to solve the above problem.

[0005]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus for generating image forming data. A receiving unit that receives the forming data; a transferring unit that transfers the image forming data to a predetermined output destination that outputs the image forming data; and a storing unit that stores the predetermined output destination. It is characterized by the following.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the storage means stores the image forming data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the image forming apparatus prints the image forming data received by the receiving means, and the receiving means. And a transmitting unit for transmitting the image forming data received by the control unit, wherein the predetermined output destination is any one of the printing unit, the transmitting unit, and the storage unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the transmitting means comprises a facsimile.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the predetermined output destination is the transmission unit, the storage unit stores the FAX of the FAX.
The number is stored.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, when the predetermined output destination is the print unit, the storage unit stores the print data. Means for storing the number of sheets output by the means, and when the predetermined output destination is the transmission means or the storage means, the storage means sets the number of sheets output by the transmission means or the storage means to 0. It is characterized by storing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus for generating the image forming data, a receiving step of receiving the image forming data from the information processing apparatus. A transfer step of transferring the image formation data to a predetermined output destination for outputting the image formation data, and a storage step of storing the predetermined output destination.

An image forming method according to an eighth aspect is the image forming method according to the seventh aspect, wherein the image forming data is stored in the storing step.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the eighth aspect, the image forming method prints the image forming data received in the receiving step, and the receiving step. And transmitting the image forming data received in step (a), wherein the predetermined output destination is one of the printing step, the transmitting step, and the storing step.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a recording medium storing a program used in an image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus for generating image forming data, the image forming data is received from the information processing apparatus. And a transfer module that transfers the image formation data to a predetermined output destination that outputs the image formation data, and a storage module that stores the predetermined output destination. And

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
Here, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a reader unit 1, and the reader unit 1 includes a printer unit 2 as a printing unit and an image forming apparatus. Each is connected to the input / output control unit 3.

The image input / output control unit 3 includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6, a network interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, and a core unit 10 as receiving units. , A hard disk 12, and a hard disk 13 as storage means.

The facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, network interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9 are connected to a core unit 10, respectively. Further, the core unit 10 is connected to the reader unit 1.

The facsimile unit 4 is connected to a hard disk 12 and a telephone line, and the file unit 5 is connected to a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6.
The formatter unit 8 is connected to the hard disk 13. The network interface unit 7 is connected to a personal computer or a workstation 11 (hereinafter, referred to as "PC / WS11") via a local area network 14 (hereinafter, referred to as "LAN 14").

Next, the function of each component will be described in detail. The reader unit 1 reads an image and outputs the image data to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet.

The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line and transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, or compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10, The compressed image data is transmitted to the outside via a telephone line. Further, the compressed image data received by the facsimile unit 4 can be temporarily stored in the hard disk 12.

The file section 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core section 10 and stores the compressed image data together with a keyword for searching the image data on the magneto-optical disk set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6.

The file section 5 searches for compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core section 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, and decompresses it. Then, the decompressed image data is transferred to the core unit 10.

The network interface unit 7
An interface between the C / WS 11 and the core unit 10, the formatter unit 8 expands code data representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data to be printed by the printer unit 2, and an image memory unit. Numeral 9 temporarily stores data exchanged in the image input / output control unit 3.

The core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, network interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.

First, the reader unit 1 includes a document conveying device 101 for conveying a placed document to a platen glass 102;
A platen glass 102 used when reading the conveyed document.

Further, the reader unit 1 includes a platen glass 10
A scanner unit 104 that scans the original with the light of the lamp 103, and reflects the reflected light of the original generated by the exposure scan of the scanner unit 104 into a CCD image. Mirror 1 leading to sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 109
05, 106, and 107, a lens 108, and a CCD 109 that converts reflected light of an original into image data.

The printer unit 2 includes a laser emitting unit 201 that emits a laser beam corresponding to the image data received from the reader unit 1, a laser driver 221 that drives the laser emitting unit 201, and a laser beam that is irradiated with the laser beam. A photosensitive drum 202 for forming an image, a developing device 203 for attaching a developer to a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 202, a transfer unit 206 for transferring the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 to recording paper, Paper feed cassettes 204 and 205 for loading recording paper to be fed to the transfer unit 206 are provided.

Further, the printer unit 2 fixes the developer of the recording paper conveyed from the transfer unit 206 to the recording paper by heat and pressure, and discharges the recording paper passing through the fixing unit 207 to the outside. A discharge roller 208, a sorter 220 for storing the discharged recording paper in each bin to sort the recording paper, and a flapper 20 for guiding the recording paper to a re-feeding conveyance path 210 for duplex recording or multiplex recording.
9 and a re-feeding conveyance path 210 for conveying the recording paper to the transfer unit 206 again.

Next, the operations of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 will be described in detail. Document feeder 101 of reader unit 1
Transports the placed documents one by one onto the platen glass 102 one by one from the last page, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 102 after the reading operation of the document is completed. At this time, when the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 1
03 is turned on, the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started, and the original is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the original at this time reaches the CCD 109 by the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 108. CCD109
Reads reflected light from a document and converts the light into image data. The image data output from the CCD 109 is transmitted to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3 after undergoing predetermined processing.

The laser emitting unit 201 emits a laser beam corresponding to the image data received from the reader unit 1. This laser beam irradiates the photosensitive drum 202 to form a latent image corresponding to the laser beam. A developer adheres to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203. And
At a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, a recording sheet is fed from one of the sheet feeding cassette 204 and the sheet feeding cassette 205, is conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and records the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202. Transfer to paper. The recording paper to which the developer has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is
8, the sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each bin. The recording paper stored in the bin is stapled according to the setting. Note that the sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting is not set.

When double-sided recording is set in advance, after the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is re-fed by the flapper 209. Lead to 210.

When multiplex recording is set in advance, the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209 so as not to convey the recording paper to the discharge roller 208. The recording sheet guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.

The paper cassettes are paper cassettes 204 and 2.
05, two or more can be mounted.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a detailed configuration of the reader unit 1 in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.

In the reader unit 1, the above-mentioned CCD 109
Are serially connected to an image processing unit 111 via an A / D / SH unit 110, and the image processing unit 111 has a CPU
114 are connected. An operation unit 115 and a memory 116 are connected to the CPU 114. A / DS
The core unit 10 is connected to the H unit 110 and the image processing unit 111 via an interface unit 113. Further, the printer unit 2 is connected to the image processing unit 111.

The A / D / SH unit 110 performs analog / digital conversion or shading correction of image data, and the image processing unit 111 performs processing such as trimming or rotation of image data. The interface unit 113 is used to transmit image data to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3, and the CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface unit 113. The operation unit 115 is used by a user to specify a desired operation of the image forming apparatus 100, and the memory 116 stores a control program of the CPU 114.

The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and is subjected to shading correction. A / D
The image data processed by the SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 113. The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 according to the setting contents set by the operation unit 115.
And the interface unit 113.

For example, when a copy mode in which copying is performed after the trimming process is performed by the operation unit 115 is set, the image data is transmitted to the printer unit 2 after the image processing unit 111 performs the trimming process on the image data. I do. When the facsimile transmission mode is set by the operation unit 115, image data and a control command corresponding to the facsimile mode are transmitted from the interface unit 113 to the core unit 10. A control program of the CPU 114 that controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface unit 113 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control with reference to the control program stored in the memory 116. Further, the memory 116 can be used as a work area of the CPU 114.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the core unit 10 in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.

The core unit 10 includes an interface unit 122 connected to the reader unit 1, an interface unit 121 connected to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the network interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9. It has. The interface units 121 and 122 are connected via the data processing unit 120. The interface units 121 and 122 and the data processing unit 120 are connected to the CPU 123.
Further, a memory 124 is connected to the CPU 123.

The data processing section 120 performs processing such as rotation processing, scaling processing, or composition of image data, and the interface section 121 transmits image data or code data representing an image from the data processing section 120 to the facsimile section 4 and the file section. 5, used for transmission to the network interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, or the image memory unit 9. The interface unit 122 uses the image data for transmission from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 120,
23 controls the overall operation of the core unit 10 and
Stores a control program of the CPU 123.

The reader unit 1 transmits image data to the data processing unit 121 via the interface unit 122 and transmits a control command to the CPU 123 via the interface unit 122. The data processing unit 120 rotates the image data received from the reader unit 1,
Alternatively, a process such as synthesis is performed, and the data is transmitted to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, or the network interface unit 7 via the interface unit 121 according to the control command transmitted from the CPU 123.

The network interface unit 7
Receives code data representing an image from the PC / WS 11 and sends the data to the data processing unit 1 via the interface unit 121.
The data processing unit 120 transmits the code data to the formatter unit 8 via the interface unit 121.
Send to

The formatter unit 8 expands the code data into image data and transmits the image data to the data processing unit 120 via the interface unit 121. The data processing unit 120 transmits the image data to the facsimile unit 4 or The image data is transmitted to the printer unit 2.

The facsimile unit 4 is the interface unit 1
After transmitting the image data to the data processing unit 120 via the interface unit 21, the data processing unit 120
1 to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, or the network interface unit 7.

After transmitting the image data to the data processing unit 120 via the interface unit 121, the file unit 5 transmits the image data to the interface unit 1.
21 to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, or network interface unit 7.

The CPU 123 performs such control in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 124 and a control command received from the reader unit 1. Also, memory 1
Reference numeral 24 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123.

As described above, it is possible to perform processing combining the functions of reading an image, recording an image, transmitting and receiving an image, storing an image, inputting and outputting data from a computer, and the like, centering on the core unit 10. It is.

Next, the contents of the LOG data created by the output process of the printer unit 2 or the facsimile unit 4 or the storage process of the hard disk 13 will be described.

First, the formatter unit 8 receives code data representing an image from the PC / WS 11 via the network interface unit 7. The data name, user name, date, and output start time of the received code data are stored in the hard disk 13 as LOG data.
Thereafter, the formatter unit 8 expands the code data into image data. Also transfer information. The printer unit 2 outputs the image data. After outputting the image data, the formatter unit 8
Then, the output end time, the number of pages, the number of copies, the sheet size, the number of output sheets, and the output destination are stored in the hard disk 13 as LOG data. LOG created by this series of processing
The data is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, data name: data 1, user name: A, date: June 6, 1997, and output start time: 10:00 are stored as first LOG data in the hard disk 13 and output of image data Then, the output end time: 10:05, the number of pages: 10, the number of copies: 5, the paper size: A4, the number of output paper sheets: 50, and the output destination: the printer is added to the first LOG data and the hard disk 13
Is stored. The LOG data can be viewed from the PC / WS 11 via the network interface unit 7.

Next, the formatter unit 8 receives the code data representing the image from the PC / WS 11 via the network interface unit 7 again. The data name, user name, date, and output start time of the received code data are stored in the hard disk 13 as LOG data. Thereafter, the formatter unit 8 expands the code data into image data, and if the image data is facsimile data, transfers the code data to the facsimile unit 4 via the core unit 10 and simultaneously sets the output operation setting of the facsimile unit 4. Also transfer information. The facsimile unit 4 outputs this image data. After outputting the image data, the formatter unit 8
Stores the output end time, the number of pages, the number of copies, the sheet size, the number of output sheets, and the output destination in the hard disk 13 as LOG data. FIG. 6 shows LOG data created by this series of processing.

In FIG. 6, the data name: data 2, the user name: B, the date: June 24, 1997, and the output start time: 10:06 are stored on the hard disk 13 as the first LOG data, and the image data is output. Thereafter, the output end time: 10:10, the number of pages: 3, the number of copies: 1, the paper size: A4, the number of output sheets: 0, and the output destination: FAX are added to the first LOG data and stored in the hard disk 13. . It should be noted that this LOG data contains the FA that is the output destination.
An X fax number can also be added. Also, this LO
The G data can be viewed from the PC / WS 11 via the network interface unit 7.

Further, the formatter unit 8 receives code data representing an image from the PC / WS 11 via the network interface unit 7. The data name, user name, date, and output start time of the received code data are stored in the hard disk 13 as LOG data. After that, the formatter unit 8 expands the code data into image data, and temporarily stores the image data on the hard disk 13 when the image data is data to be stored on the hard disk 13. After this storage, the formatter unit 8 stores the output end time, the number of pages, the number of copies, the sheet size, the number of output sheets, and the output destination on the hard disk 13 as LOG data. FIG. 7 shows LOG data created by this series of processing.

In FIG. 7, the data name: data 3, the user name: C, the date: June 6, 1997, and the output start time: 10:11 are stored as the first LOG data on the hard disk 13, and the image data is output. Thereafter, the output end time: 10:15, the number of pages: 1, the number of copies: 1, the sheet size: A3, the number of output sheets: 0, and the output destination: HD are added to the first LOG data and stored in the hard disk 13. . Note that this LOG data contains a fax
Can be added. Also, this LOG
Data is transferred to P via the network interface unit 7.
It can be seen from C / WS11.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, after the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 4 output image data or save (output) the image data to the hard disk 13, the formatter unit 8 Is output to LO
Since the data is stored in the hard disk 13 as G data, the output destination of the image data can be confirmed based on the stored LOG data.

The present invention is also applicable to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to an image forming apparatus. In this case, a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention is mounted on the image forming apparatus, and the program stored on the recording medium is read out by the image forming apparatus, thereby achieving the effect of the present invention. Can be enjoyed. In the LAN 14 of the above embodiment,
A reading device for reading the program stored in the recording medium may be connected, and the program is configured to directly store the program in the file unit 5 or to store the program in a magneto-optical disk set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6. Is also good.

The program includes a receiving module for receiving image forming data from the information processing apparatus, a transfer module for transferring the image forming data to a predetermined output destination for outputting the image forming data, And a storage module for storing the output destination.

The recording medium is a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape,
A non-volatile memory card or the like can be used.

[0062]

As described in detail above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect and the image forming method of the seventh aspect, the image forming data transmitted from the information processing apparatus is received and the image forming data is transmitted. The image forming data is transferred to a predetermined output destination for outputting data, and the predetermined output destination is stored. The predetermined output destination of the image forming data is confirmed based on the stored predetermined output destination. be able to.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the predetermined output destination is any one of the printing means, the transmitting means and the storage means, so that the output destination of the image forming data can be confirmed more accurately. Can be.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the predetermined output destination is the transmitting means, the storing means stores the FAX F
Since the AX number is stored, the output destination of the image forming data can be confirmed more accurately.

According to the image forming method of the present invention, since the predetermined output destination is any one of the printing step, the transmitting step and the storing step, the output destination of the image forming data can be confirmed more accurately. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a reader unit 1 in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.
2 is a configuration diagram of a printer unit 2. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a reader section 1 in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.
3 is a detailed configuration diagram of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a core section 10 in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of LOG data.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of LOG data.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of LOG data.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image input / output control part 4 Facsimile part 5 File part 6 Magneto-optical disk drive unit 7 Network interface part 8 Formatter part 9 Image memory part 10 Core part 11 Personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 12, 13 Hard disk 14 Local area network (LAN)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/32 H04N 1/32 Z

Claims (10)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus that generates image forming data, a receiving unit that receives the image forming data from the information processing apparatus, and a predetermined unit that outputs the image forming data. An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that transfers the image forming data to an output destination; and a storage unit that stores the predetermined output destination. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the image forming data. 3. The image forming apparatus includes: a printing unit that prints the image forming data received by the receiving unit; and a transmitting unit that transmits the image forming data received by the receiving unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined output destination is one of the printing unit, the transmitting unit, and the storage unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said transmitting means comprises a facsimile. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the predetermined output destination is the transmission unit, the storage unit stores a FAX number of the FAX. 6. When the predetermined output destination is the printing unit, the storage unit stores the number of sheets output by the printing unit, and the predetermined output destination is the transmission unit or the storage unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit stores the number of sheets output from the transmission unit or the storage unit as 0. 7. An image forming method for an image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus for generating image forming data,
A receiving step of receiving image forming data from the information processing apparatus; a transferring step of transferring the image forming data to a predetermined output destination for outputting the image forming data; and a storage for storing the predetermined output destination And an image forming method. 8. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the image forming data is stored in the storing step. 9. The image forming method includes a printing step of printing the image forming data received in the receiving step, and a transmitting step of transmitting the image forming data received in the receiving step. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined output destination is one of the printing step, the transmitting step, and the storing step. 10. A recording medium storing a program used for an image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus for generating image forming data, a receiving module for receiving the image forming data from the information processing apparatus; A recording medium recording a program including a transfer module for transferring the image forming data to a predetermined output destination for outputting the image forming data, and a storage module for storing the predetermined output destination.