JPH11291587A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To feed a paper automatically from a corresponding paper feed stage depending on the output mode of an image data from a controller by selecting a containing means having use conditions matching a designated output mode based on a stored content for setting paper use conditions. SOLUTION: An image processor 20 stores a print data fed from a host computer 10 temporarily in an incorporated hard disc 24 and generates a full- color or gray scale image data. An image processing section 310 selects any one of an image data delivered from the image processor 20 or an image data delivered from a reading section 300 based on the control at a control section 340 and delivers a selected image data to an image forming section 320 and the image processor 20. An image data delivered from the image processor 20 is selected when an image output unit 30 is used as a printer, and an image data delivered from the image reading section 300 is selected when the image output unit 30 is used as a copy machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a print system for processing a print job received from a host computer connected to a network and outputting the print job to a recording medium. The present invention relates to an image processing system capable of selectively switching a paper feed stage depending on an output mode in an apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided an image processing system for outputting image data sent from a host computer from a printer via a controller connected to a network. Some users can print out an image created on the host computer by using the controller connected to the network by using the copier as a printer.

Further, when a color copying machine is provided, it is possible to output both color image data and monochrome image data.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional image system, regardless of whether the data to be printed is color image data or black-and-white image data, the image data is supplied from a paper feed stage of a designated paper size. Printed out on paper. Generally, paper for printing color image data is more expensive than paper for printing black-and-white image data, so if color paper is used for black-and-white printing, wasteful costs will be incurred. Also, even if the paper feed stages for color paper and black-and-white paper are separated, when remote printing is performed from the host computer, which paper feed stage of the copier contains color paper or black-and-white paper is set. In order to know the paper feeder, it was necessary to go to the copier and check it before designating the paper feed tray.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above points, and automatically feeds a sheet from a sheet feeder corresponding to the output mode in accordance with an output mode of image data output from a controller. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing system that can perform the processing.

[0006]

The present invention can solve the above-mentioned problems by providing the following constitution.

(1) In an image processing system including an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, the image processing apparatus
First input means for inputting image data from an external device, expanding means for expanding the image data input to the first input means, and storing the image data expanded by the expanding means Storage means, output means for outputting image data stored in the storage means to the image forming apparatus, output mode designating means for designating an output mode for image data outputted from the output means,
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus has a second input unit for inputting image data output from the output unit, a plurality of storage units for storing a recording medium, and a storage unit. Paper use condition setting means for setting use conditions of the stored paper, setting content storage means for storing contents set by the paper use condition setting means, and image data input to the second input means. An image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the output mode specified by the output mode specifying means based on the content stored in the setting content storage means. An image processing system, wherein the storage unit having an output mode use condition is selected.

(2) The output mode designated by the output mode designation means is a color mode, and the color mode designated by the output mode designation means is determined based on the contents stored in the setting content storage means. The image processing system according to (1), wherein the storage unit having the matched output mode use condition is selected.

(3) The output mode designated by the output mode designating means is a double-sided mode, and based on the contents stored in the setting content storage means, The image processing system according to (1), wherein the storage unit having the matched output mode use condition is selected.

(4) The output mode specified by the output mode specifying means is a color mode and a duplex mode,
The storage means having the output mode use condition matching the mode specified by the output mode specifying means is selected based on the contents stored in the setting content storage means. Image processing system.

(5) The image forming apparatus further comprises priority setting means for setting priority of use conditions which can be set by the paper use condition setting means, and an output mode which matches a mode designated by the output mode designation means. The image processing system according to (1), wherein when there is no storage unit having a use condition, the storage unit having a higher priority set by the priority setting unit is used.

(6) In an image processing system including an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus includes:
First input means for inputting image data output from the image processing apparatus, a plurality of storage means for storing a recording medium, and use of paper for setting use conditions of paper stored in the storage means Condition setting means, setting content storage means for storing the content set by the paper use condition setting means, transmission means for transmitting the setting content stored in the setting content storage means to the image processing apparatus An image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data input to the first input unit, while the image processing apparatus inputs image data from an external device Input means for expanding the image data input to the second input means, storage means for storing the image data expanded by the expansion means, Output means for outputting image data stored in storage means to the image forming apparatus; receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the transmitting means of the image processing apparatus; and the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Designation means for designating one of the storage means,
An image processing system, wherein one of the plurality of storage units of the image forming apparatus is specified by the specification unit based on the setting content received by the reception unit.

(7) The image processing system according to the above (6), wherein the data received by the receiving means is information on a color mode.

(8) The image processing system according to the above (6), wherein the data received by the receiving means is either a double-sided mode or a single-sided mode.

(9) Priority setting means for setting priority of use conditions which can be set by paper use condition setting means of the image forming apparatus, and information of the storage means based on contents received by the reception means. And if the appropriate storage means does not exist, the storage means having a higher priority set by the priority setting means is designated by the designation means. ).

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electric configuration of an image processing apparatus and an image output apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system includes a host computer 10, an image processing device 20,
And an image output device 30, each of which is connected via a cable 1 and a cable 2.

The host computer 10 functions as a supply source of print data (here, described as PDL data). The image processing apparatus 20 temporarily stores print data supplied from the host computer 10 via the cable 1 and the external interface 25 in the built-in HD 24 via the HDD controller 23. The print data held in the built-in HD is transferred to the P via the CPU bus 4.
DL buffer 26-2 temporarily holds the PDL
The data is developed in the frame memory 26-1 to generate image data.

The image data developed in the frame memory 26-1 is transferred to the image output device 30 via the cable 2 and printed on a recording medium. Here, cable 1,
2 may be a general-purpose cable such as a parallel cable, a SCSI cable, a serial cable, a network cable, or a dedicated cable.

The image output device 30 functions not only as a printer for outputting print data generated by the host computer 10, but also as a copier for copying a document.

The image processing device 20 acquires status information and the like of the image output device 30 via the cable 2,
The image output device 30 can be transmitted to the host computer 10 and can be controlled based on the status information.

The CPU 21 operates based on a control program stored in the ROM 22 and controls the functions of the image processing apparatus 20. An internal hard disk (HD) 24 has an area for temporarily storing printed PDL data and image data generated by expanding the PDL data, an area for storing font data, and the like.
Is connected to the CPU bus 4 via the. RAM 26
Is a buffer for temporarily holding PDL data received from the host computer 10, that is, a PDL buffer 26-.
2 and a frame memory 26-1 for expanding PDL data and temporarily storing the image data.

The ROM 22 is constituted by, for example, a programmable memory (for example, an EEPROM).
It is effective to enable the control program to be installed from the host computer 10 or the like, and it is also effective to configure the control program with a memory medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM and its controller (driver). Note that the memory medium itself (for example, the ROM 2) storing the control program in a state readable by the CPU 21
2) constitutes a legal invention.

The image processing device 20 generates full-color or gray-scale image data according to the PDL data supplied from the host computer 10.

Transmission of image data to the image output device 30 is performed via the cable 2. Image output device 30
Generates YMCK data (K data in the case of gray scale) in the image processing unit 310 based on the image data supplied from the image processing device 20, and converts this into image forming unit 32.
0 to output an image on a recording medium. The image data read by the image reading unit 300 is supplied to the image forming unit 320 to output an image on a recording medium.

The image forming section 320 is, for example, 400 dpi.
It has the function of outputting a color or grayscale image with a resolution of. The control unit 340 controls the image output device 30 based on an instruction from the controller 20 or the operation unit 330.
Control the operation of.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration example of the image output device 30. This configuration example is an electrophotographic image output device capable of outputting a full-color image,
It has a function as a copier and a function as a printer.

A DF (Document Feeder) 50 is an automatic document feeder, and sequentially transports a plurality of documents stacked at a predetermined position one by one to a document reading position. The document placed at the document reading position by the DF 50 or manually is read by the image reading unit 30 including, for example, an optical system and a color CCD.
The RGB data corresponding to the original image is generated, and is transmitted to the image processing unit 310.

The image processing section 310 selects one of the image data sent from the image processing apparatus 20 and the image data sent from the image reading section 300 based on the control of the control section 340, and 320 and the image processing apparatus 20. That is, the control unit 340 selects the image data supplied from the image processing device 20 when using the image output device 30 as a printer, and supplies the image data from the image reading unit 300 when using the image output device 30 as a copier. Image data to be selected.

The image processing unit 310 converts the input RGB data into YMCK data and supplies the Y, M, C, and K image data to the laser driving unit 31 of the image forming unit 320. The laser driving unit 31 supplies Y, M, C, and K
Is converted into laser light, and the laser light is scanned on the photosensitive drum 32 to form a latent image. A recording sheet for outputting an image is selected from the upper cassette 34 or the lower cassette 36 and fed, and is wound around the transfer drum 33.

The latent image on the photosensitive drum 32 is developed by a developing device (not shown) to form a visible image (toner image), which is transferred to the recording paper attracted to the transfer drum 33. The operations of forming, developing, and transferring the latent image are performed by Y, M,
The process is executed for each color of C and K, and a color image is synthesized on the recording paper.

The recording paper on which the toner image has been transferred is fixed to the fixing device 3.
7, where the toner image is fixed. afterwards,
The recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 40 in the mode for forming an image on one side. On the other hand, in the mode in which images are formed on both sides, when the transfer of the toner image onto one side of the recording paper is completed, the recording paper is turned over using the transport path 5 and the double-sided tray 35 and transported to the transfer drum 33 again. Then, after transferring the toner image to the back surface, the fixing device 3
7, the toner image is fixed, and is discharged to the discharge tray 40.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the operation unit of the image output apparatus.

The liquid crystal panel 100 of the operation unit has a status display unit 101 for displaying the status of the image output device. When the display unit is in a usable state, "copy is possible" is displayed on the display unit. The magnification display section 102 displays the magnification setting at the time of copying, and displays “100%” in the case of the same magnification.
The paper feed stage display unit 103 displays the size of the paper stored in the selected paper feed stage. The number-of-copies display section 104 displays the number of copies set at the time of copying. When selecting a paper feed stage, the user can press the paper selection button 105 and select a paper feed stage to be used. The print mode selection button 106 is used to select “character mode” as the print mode,
It is used to select one of “print photo mode” and “text / print photo mode”. Density adjustment button 107
Is used to adjust the density during copying. The zoom button 108 is used to set a copy magnification at the time of copying, and the copy magnification set using a ten-key (not shown) is displayed on the magnification display unit 102.

When it is desired to save the settings of each mode described above for each user, the settings are saved by selecting the mode storage button 109 after setting each mode.

FIG. 4 shows the paper selection button 10 in FIG.
It is a paper selection screen displayed when 5 is pressed.

Auto 110 for automatically selecting a paper feed stage
And one of the manual tray 111, the upper cassette 112, the middle cassette 113, and the lower cassette 114. For example, when the auto 110 is selected, the button selected as shown in the figure is selected. Is highlighted. The size of the stored paper is displayed in each cassette stage. Further, a paper feed stage setting button 115 for performing option setting is displayed for each of the paper feed stages of the upper cassette 112, the middle cassette 113, and the lower cassette 114.

FIG. 5 shows a paper feed stage setting screen displayed when the paper feed stage setting button in FIG. 4 is pressed.

FIG. 5A shows a screen when the upper cassette is set as a paper feed tray for the color mode. By selecting the upper cassette button 116, then selecting the color mode paper feed tray setting button 117, and pressing the registration button 118, the upper cassette is set as the color mode paper feed tray.

FIG. 5B shows a screen in the case where the middle cassette is set as a paper feed tray for the monochrome mode. The middle cassette button 119 is selected, then the black / white mode paper feed tray setting button 120 is selected, and the registration button 118 is pressed, so that the middle cassette is set as the black / white mode paper feed tray.

As described above, FIG. 5C shows a screen when the paper feed stage is set for each paper feed stage. By setting the upper cassette as the color mode paper feed tray in FIG. 5A, “color” is displayed on the upper cassette button, and similarly, in FIG. 5B, the middle cassette is switched to the black and white mode paper feed tray. As a result of the setting, "black and white" is displayed on the middle cassette button, and the mode set for each paper feed stage is displayed so as to be seen.

FIG. 6A shows a screen when the upper cassette is set as a double-sided paper feed tray. The upper cassette button 116 is selected, and then the two-sided paper feed tray setting button 121
Is selected, and the registration button 118 is pressed, whereby the upper cassette is set as a double-sided paper feed tray.

As shown above, FIG. 6B shows a screen when the upper cassette is registered as a two-sided paper feed stage. The upper cassette button 116 displays “color” set as the color mode paper feed tray in FIG.
In FIG. 6A, both of the “double-sided” displays set as the two-sided paper feed stage are displayed.

FIG. 7A shows a screen for canceling the color mode paper feed tray set in the upper cassette. To release, the upper cassette button 116 is selected, then the color mode paper feed tray setting button 117 is selected, and the release button 122 is pressed to release the color mode paper feed tray registered in the upper cassette. The setting is canceled.

FIG. 7B shows a screen in the case where the setting of the color mode paper feed tray of the upper cassette is canceled. By the release, the “color” display displayed on the upper cassette button 116 in FIG. 6A disappears, and only “double-sided” is displayed.

As described above, it is possible to set a color mode paper feeder, a monochrome mode paper feeder, a single-sided paper feeder, and a double-sided paper feeder for each paper feeder. Has become.

FIG. 8 shows the paper shown in FIG. 3 when the upper cassette is set as a color mode paper feeder and a duplex paper feeder, and the middle is set as a black and white mode paper feeder. This is a screen displayed when the selection button 105 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 6B, the upper cassette button is displayed as a mode in which "color" and "double-sided" are displayed, and the middle cassette button is displayed as "black and white".

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when printing is executed from the host computer. Here, the setting of each paper feed stage of the image output apparatus is shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the settings are the same as shown in
A case where the paper feed stage is automatically selected according to the color mode / black and white mode will be described.

When printing is executed from the host computer 10 (S10), the print image data is transmitted to the controller via the network, and the image data is developed by the controller (S11). Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the controller communicates with the image output device 30 via the cable 2 and confirms the paper feed tray setting content registered in each cassette of the image output device 30 ( S12). It is determined whether the image data sent from the host computer 10 is in the color mode or the black and white mode (S13). If the image data is in the color mode, the upper cassette is designated as the paper feed tray (S14). On the other hand, in the case of the monochrome mode, the middle cassette is designated as the paper feed tray (S1).
5). After specifying the cassette stage, the developed image data is transmitted to the image output device 30 (S16), and the image output device 3
The printout is performed on the paper fed from the paper feed stage designated as 0 (S17).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when printing is executed from the host computer. Here, it is assumed that the setting of each paper feed stage of the image output apparatus is the same as that shown in FIG. 8, and the paper feed stage is automatically selected in the single-sided mode / double-sided mode. Will be described.

When printing is executed from the host computer 10 (S20), the print image data is transmitted to the controller via the network, and the print image data is developed by the controller (S21). next,
As shown in FIG. 1, the controller communicates with the image output device 30 via the cable 2 to check the paper feed tray setting content registered in each cassette of the image output device 30 (S22). . Next, it is determined whether the output mode specified by the host computer 10 is the one-sided mode or the two-sided mode (S23). If the output mode is the two-sided mode, the upper cassette is specified as the paper feed tray (S24). On the other hand, in the case of the single-sided mode, the middle cassette is designated as the paper feed tray (S25). After specifying the cassette stage, the image output device 30
The developed image data is transmitted to (S26), and printed out on paper fed from the designated paper feed stage of the image output device 30 (S27).

As described above, even in the same paper size, in an environment where high-quality color paper and black-and-white paper are set in different cassettes, the color mode / black-and-white mode Settings, one-sided mode /
By performing the duplex mode setting, when a user executes printing from the host computer, the user can automatically select a desired cassette stage without checking which paper is in the cassette stage of the image output apparatus. Can be printed out.

Although the embodiment according to the present invention has been described as an example of the embodiment, a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and the system or the apparatus is provided. Alternatively, it is needless to say that the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the apparatus reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium, and it is of course achieved.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium stored in the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM
Etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May, of course, include a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0057]

According to the present invention, even with the same paper size,
In an environment where high-quality color paper and black-and-white paper are set in different cassettes, color mode / monochrome mode setting and single-sided mode / duplex mode setting are performed for each paper feed tray. When a user executes printing from a host computer, it is possible to automatically output a print from a desired cassette stage without having to check which paper is in the cassette stage of the image output device. Thus, there is an effect that unnecessary costs such as outputting monochrome image data from color paper can be suppressed, and running costs can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing device and an image output device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration example of an image output device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of an operation unit of the image output apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a paper selection screen displayed when a paper selection button is pressed.

5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for setting a paper feed stage for a color mode on a paper feed stage setting screen; FIG. (C) Explanatory diagram showing a paper feed stage setting screen after setting on the paper feed stage setting screen

FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for setting a paper feed tray for a duplex mode on a paper feed stage setting screen, and FIG.

FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing a screen when the color mode setting is released on the paper feed stage setting screen, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing a screen after the color mode setting is released on the paper feed stage setting screen;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen when a paper selection button is pressed after setting a paper feed tray;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a paper feed tray is automatically selected in a color mode / black and white mode.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a paper feed tray is automatically selected in one-sided mode / two-sided mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 host computer 20 image processing device 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 HDD controller 24 built-in HD 25 external interface 26-1 frame memory 26-2 PDL buffer 30 image output device 31 laser drive unit 32 photosensitive drum 33 transfer drum 34 upper cassette 35 double-sided tray 36 Lower cassette 37 Fixing device 40 Discharge tray 300 Image reading unit 310 Image processing unit 320 Image forming unit 330 Operation unit 340 Control unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus is input to first input means for inputting image data from an external device, and input to the first input means. Expansion means for expanding the expanded image data, storage means for storing the image data expanded by the expansion means, and output means for outputting the image data stored in the storage means to the image forming apparatus Output mode designating means for designating an output mode for the image data output from the output means, while the image forming apparatus is configured to input the image data output from the output means. A second input unit, a plurality of storage units for storing a recording medium, a paper use condition setting unit for setting use conditions of paper stored in the storage unit, Setting content storing means for storing the content set by the paper use condition setting means, image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on image data input to the second input means And, based on the content stored in the setting content storage means,
An image processing system, wherein the storage unit having an output mode use condition that matches the output mode specified by the output mode specifying unit is selected. 2. An output mode designated by the output mode designating means is a color mode, and matches a color mode designated by the output mode designating means on the basis of contents stored in the setting content storing means. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit having the output mode use condition selected is selected. 3. An output mode designated by the output mode designating means is a duplex mode, and matches the duplex mode designated by the output mode designating means based on the contents stored in the setting content storage means. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit having the output mode use condition selected is selected. 4. The output mode specified by the output mode specifying means is a color mode and a double-sided mode, and the mode specified by the output mode specifying means based on the contents stored in the setting content storing means. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit having an output mode use condition that matches the condition is selected. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising: a priority setting unit configured to set a priority of a use condition settable by a sheet use condition setting unit; and an output mode use unit that matches a mode designated by the output mode designation unit. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the storage unit having the condition does not exist, the storage unit having a higher priority set by the priority setting unit is used. 6. An image processing system comprising an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus houses first input means for inputting image data output from the image processing apparatus, and a recording medium. Storing means for setting the use conditions of the paper stored in the storing means, and setting contents storing means for storing the contents set by the paper use condition setting means. Transmitting means for transmitting the setting content stored in the setting content storing means to the image processing apparatus; forming an image on a recording medium based on image data input to the first input means An image forming unit for inputting image data from an external device, and an image data input to the second input unit. Expansion means for expanding the data, storage means for storing the image data expanded by the expansion means, output means for outputting the image data stored in the storage means to the image forming apparatus, Receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the transmitting means of the image processing apparatus, and designating means for designating one of the plurality of storage means of the image forming apparatus; An image processing system, wherein one of the plurality of storage units of the image forming apparatus is specified by the specifying unit based on the set contents. 7. The data received by the receiving means is information on a color mode.
The image processing system described in the above. 8. The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein the data received by said receiving means is one of a double-sided mode and a single-sided mode. 9. An image forming apparatus, comprising: priority setting means for setting priority of use conditions which can be set by paper use condition setting means of the image forming apparatus, wherein information of the storage means is stored based on the contents received by the reception means. 7. The storage device according to claim 6, wherein when the storage device does not have a suitable storage device, the storage device having a higher priority set by the priority setting device is specified by the specification device. Image processing system.