JPH1142834A - Image processing apparatus and method for controlling output thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of automatically selecting an output means for emitting output in an indicated output form when a plurality of output means for emitting outputs in various output forms are provided, and a method for controlling the output thereof. SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus has an output means such as a printer part 1, a facsimile part 4 or the like and a format part 8 analyzing inputted image data to form job control data consisting of a job number for controlling a printing job, an output destination of a developed image, data indicating the number of pages, the number of copies and an output form or the like and selecting a specific output means from output means such as the printer part 1, the facsimile part or the like on the basis of output command data formed from job control data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an output control method of the image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus suitable for outputting images in various output forms. It relates to an output control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus for inputting data described in a page description language (hereinafter, referred to as PDL data) and forming and outputting an image, not only ordinary simple printing but also ordinary printing is performed. A function of aligning the page order or sorting and printing a plurality of copies (hereinafter, referred to as a sort function) is used. Furthermore, in recent years, with the diversification of output devices and the combination of copiers and printers that existed as a single unit, it is possible to output using multiple means in order to output in the same output form It is becoming.

For example, as means for realizing the sort function described above, there are means using a mechanical sorter for sorting sheets to be discharged by raising and lowering a plurality of output bins provided in an output device, Multi-page PD
The L data and the page image expanded into the visible image are stored in the storage device of the output device, and at the time of outputting the sheet, the page images stored in the storage device are output in an appropriate order and output to perform sorting. The means of doing is used.

[0004]

However, the prior art has the following problems. In other words, in order to realize the various functions of the output device described above, a method of including an instruction of an output form in PDL data by using a printer driver from, for example, a personal computer (PC) connected to the output device, A method of directly instructing from the operation panel of the device is used. However, in a device having a plurality of means for realizing an equivalent output form as described above, if the user is allowed to select one of the means, the setting items of the printer driver and the setting items of the operation panel are the same. There has been a problem that the number of operations increases, and the operation of the user becomes complicated.

For example, when the output device is provided with a means for switching and sorting the discharge bins using a mechanical sorter to realize a sort function, and a means for sorting using a storage device such as a memory, As setting items to be instructed, a plurality of setting items such as “sort by mechanical sorter” and “sort by memory” must be provided.
Existence of a plurality of setting items for realizing the same sort function is not desirable because it confuses the user.

On the other hand, in order to realize an equivalent output form, an apparatus having a plurality of means may be configured to forcibly use only a certain means. In some cases, it is better to realize the function, and there is a problem that a plurality of means cannot be effectively used.

Taking the above-described sorting function as an example, if the output device has two output means of "sorting by a mechanical sorter" and "sorting by a memory", the operation of the user is prevented from becoming complicated. However, if the configuration is such that `` sort by mechanical sorter '' is always performed, if the mechanical sorter has already been used by another function, for example, the copy function, the sort function can be realized until the mechanical sorter by the copy function is released. There is a problem that it disappears.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when a plurality of output means for outputting in various output forms are provided, the output means for outputting in a designated output form is automatically provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an output control method of the image processing apparatus, which can selectively select the image processing apparatus.

[0009]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms. It is characterized by having a plurality of output means provided correspondingly and a control means for selecting a specific output means from the plurality of output means.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the control means creates management information including an output form and an output destination specified by the specifying means, and outputs the management information based on the management information. Is selected.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the designating means is capable of designating an output form capable of selecting a plurality of output means, and the control means is capable of designating a plurality of output forms by the designating means. When an output mode in which an output unit can be selected is specified, the output unit is selected based on the management information.

In order to achieve the above object, a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the management information can be supplied from an external device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the output form is a print form for printing and outputting a sheet.
It is characterized in that it is in a form such as a communication form for communicating image data with the outside.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the output means includes a printing means for printing out a sheet,
It is a means such as a communication means for communicating image data with the outside.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms. When both are set, a rotation sort, which is a sorting method that uses an image memory and alternately feeds both vertically fed paper and horizontally fed paper, is set as sort request information, and is set vertically in the paper feeding unit. When both the feed sheet and the transverse sheet are not set, there is provided a sorting means for setting a memory sort, which is a sorting method using an image memory, as sort request information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output control method for an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms. It has a plurality of output steps and a control step of selecting a specific output step from the plurality of output steps.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, management information including an output mode and an output destination specified in the specifying step is created.
An output step is selected based on the management information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that in the specifying step, it is possible to specify an output form in which a plurality of output steps can be selected, and in the control step, a plurality of output forms are selected in the specifying step. When an output mode in which an output step can be selected is specified, the output step is selected based on the management information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the management information can be supplied from an external device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the output form includes a print form for printing out a sheet, a communication form for communicating image data with the outside, and the like. Features.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the output step includes a printing step of printing out a sheet, a communication step of communicating image data with the outside, and the like. Features.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output control method for an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms. In the case where both landscape papers are set, rotation sorting, which is a sorting method that uses an image memory and alternately feeds both portrait paper and landscape paper, is set as sort request information, and In a case where both the vertically fed paper and the horizontally fed paper are not set in the paper section, a sorting step of setting as a sort request information a memory sort, which is a sorting method using an image memory, is provided.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus generally includes a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, and an image input / output control unit 3. Further, the image input / output control unit 3 includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9,
The system includes a core unit 10 and a hard disk 12, and is connected to a reader unit 1, a personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11, which is an information processing device, and a telephone line.

In this case, the configuration of the image processing apparatus is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, but a function of requesting the image processing apparatus for output means such as the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 4 provided in the image processing apparatus. Of course, it is also possible to add more according to the conditions.

The structure of each part described above will be described in detail together with the operation.
The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image 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 recording paper. The facsimile unit 4 of the image input / output control unit 3 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the core unit 10, and transfers the image data transferred from the core unit 10. It compresses and transmits the compressed image data to the outside via a telephone line. The hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4 and can temporarily store the compressed image data received by the facsimile unit 4.

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 for the image data on the magneto-optical disk set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6. Also,
The file unit 5 searches compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses the image data, and stores the decompressed image data in the core. Transfer to unit 10. The magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file section 5 and has a magneto-optical disk set therein.

The computer interface unit 7
Personal computer or workstation (P
An interface for transmitting and receiving data between the C / WS 11 and the core unit 10. The formatter unit 8 is a PC
The code data representing the image transferred from / WS 11 is expanded into image data recordable by the printer unit 2. The image memory unit 9 temporarily records data transferred from the PC / WS11. The core unit 10 includes a reader unit 1, a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, and an image memory unit 9.
To control the flow of data between each. The core 10 will be described later.

A personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 is connected to the image processing device via the computer interface unit 7 of the image input / output control unit 3 and exchanges data with the image processing device. Transmission and reception. The PC / WS 11 is configured to be able to supply job management information (information for instructing an output mode) to be described later together with image data using a printer driver.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of each mechanism of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The reader unit 1 includes a document feeder 101, a platen glass 102, a lamp 103, a scanner unit 104, mirrors 105, 106, 107, a lens 108, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Devise) image sensor (hereinafter, CCD). ). The printer unit 2 includes a laser emitting unit 201, a photosensitive drum 202, a developing unit 203, a cassette 204,
205, a transfer unit 206, a fixing unit 207, a discharge roller 208, a flapper 209,
, A sorter 220 and a laser driver 221.

The configuration of each part of the reader unit 1 will be described in detail together with the operation.
The original is fed onto the platen glass 102 one by one, and after the original reading operation is completed, the original on the platen glass 102 is discharged. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and then the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started to scan the document by exposure. The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by mirrors 105, 106, 10
The light is guided to the CCD 109 by the lens 7 and the lens 108.
In this manner, the scanned image of the document is read by the CCD 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3.

The configuration of each part of the printer unit 2 will be described in detail together with the operation. The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201, and generates a laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. Is caused to emit light by the laser emitting unit 201. The laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to a portion of the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203.
Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation,
The recording paper is fed from one of the cassette 204 and the cassette 205, is conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and transfers the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 to the recording paper. The recording paper loaded with the developer 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. Fixing unit 207
Are discharged by discharge rollers 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin to sort the recording paper.

When the sorting is not set, the sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the highest bin among the plurality of bins. When double-sided recording is set, the sorter 220 conveys the recording paper to the position of the discharge roller 208, then reverses the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208, and guides the recording paper to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209. . When multiple recording is set, the sorter 220 guides the recording sheet to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209 so as not to convey the recording sheet to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 is supplied to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the reader unit 1 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The reader unit 1 includes a CCD 109, an analog / digital conversion / shading correction unit (A / D / SH) 110, an image processing unit 111, and an interface (I / F) unit 113.
, A CPU 114, an operation unit 115, and a memory 116.

The structure of each of the above-mentioned parts will be described in detail together with the operation.
The image data output from the CCD 109 is A / D · S
At H110, analog / digital conversion is performed and shading correction is performed. The image data processed by the A / D SH 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 and the interface unit 113 according to the settings set by the operation unit 115. From the operation unit 115, it is possible to set job management information (information for instructing an output mode) to be described later.

For example, if the copy mode for performing trimming and copying is set on the operation unit 115,
The image processing unit 111 performs a trimming process and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set by the operation unit 115, the interface unit 113 causes the core unit 10 to transfer image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode. Such a CP
The control program of U114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.

FIG. 4 is a detailed configuration of the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and the core unit 10 and the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 6, and the formatter unit. 8 is a block diagram showing a connection configuration with an image memory unit 9. The core unit 10 includes an interface (I / F) 120, a data processing unit 121, and an interface (I / F) 122.
, A CPU 123 and a memory 124.

The configuration of each of the above-described units together with the operation will be described in detail.
The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is
Transferred to U123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. Image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is in accordance with a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. Are transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7 via the interface 120. Further, the code data representing the image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be expanded into image data. After the transfer to the facsimile unit 121 and the printer unit 2, the transfer is performed.

The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7. The CPU 123 performs the above control in accordance with the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 124 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the formatter unit 8 of the image input / output control unit 3 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The formatter unit 8 includes an interface (I / F) 131, a CPU 132, a bitmap memory 133, an output image queue 135, a control program 136, job management information 700, and output request information 9.
00 having a memory 134.

The configuration of each of the above-described units together with the operation will be described in detail.
The interface 131 performs data transmission and reception between the formatter unit 8 and the core unit 10. CPU132
Is the control program 13 stored in the memory 134
According to 6, the following control is performed. The bitmap memory 133 stores the bitmap format image data converted by the CPU 132. In the output image queue 135 of the memory 134, the image data developed on the bitmap memory 133 is registered. Job management information 70
0 and the output request information 900 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

That is, the formatter unit 8
, The image data (for example, PDL) transferred from the PC / WS (information processing device) 11 via the core unit 10
Data) is developed into image data (bitmap data) that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. The image data input from the core unit 10 via the interface 131 is stored in the C which operates based on the control program 136 in the memory 134.
The PU 132 converts the image data into bitmap image data, develops the image data on the bitmap memory 133, and registers the image data in the output image queue 135 of the memory 134. The expanded image data is input to a corresponding block of the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, and image memory unit 9 via the core unit 10.

As described above, in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the reading of the original image, the printing of the image, the transmission and reception of the image, and the storage of the image are performed centering on the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3. It is possible to perform processing combining functions such as input / output of data from the PC / WS11.

Next, in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the input image data (for example, PDL data) is expanded into bitmap image data, and the expanded image data is processed. The flow of the process of registering in the output image queue 135 of the memory 134 in the formatter unit 8 of the image input / output control unit 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing in FIG.
It is controlled by the CPU 132 based on a control program 136 stored in the memory 134 of the formatter unit 8.

When image data (for example, PDL data) is input, the formatter unit 8 analyzes the image data (step S601) and creates job management information for managing a print job (step S602). Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the job management information 700. The job management information 700 includes information indicating a job number for managing a job, an output destination of a developed image (printer / facsimile / file), the number of pages, the number of copies, a paper size, and an output mode (sort / double-side / page alignment). / Reduced layout). Although not shown in FIG. 7, the job management information 700 may include, for example, information for transmitting image data from the facsimile unit 4 to the outside as information indicating the output mode. Such information may be supplied from a PC / WS (information processing device) 11 together with image data using, for example, a printer driver, or may be, for example, an operation unit 11 of the reader unit 1.
5 may be created based on the designation from 5.

After the creation of the job management information 700, the formatter unit 8 sequentially develops the image data into a bitmap on a memory (not shown) until receiving a code indicating the end of one page (steps S603 and S60).
4). Then, when the bitmap development for one page is completed, it is registered in the output image queue 135 (step S605). Here, the output image queue is a queue (a data line arranged in one line) of a data table indicating the addresses and the like of the images (bitmap data) expanded on the memory. The output image is output based on the output image queue. The processes in steps S603 to S605 are repeatedly executed until a code indicating the end of one job is received (step S606).

Next, the flow of processing for outputting image data of a print job by the formatter unit 8 of the image input / output control unit 3 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Will be explained.

First, the formatter unit 8 reads the job management information 700 stored at the time of analyzing image data (for example, PDL data) (step S801). Then, based on the instruction of the output form of the read job management information 700 and whether or not the means used therefor is available, the output request information 9 actually requested to the core unit 10 is provided.
00 is created (step S802). Here, FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of output request information 900. The output request information 900 includes a job number, an output destination (printer / facsimile / file / image memory), the number of pages, the number of copies, a paper size, a sort (mechanical sort / memory sort / rotation sort), double-sided, face, and reduced layout. ing.

After the creation of the output request information 900, the core unit 10 is notified of the start of the print job together with the output request information 900 (step S803). Upon receiving the start notification, the core unit 10 prepares for executing a series of print jobs based on the received output request information. Next, the formatter unit 8 issues an image output start request to the core unit 10 (step S804). If an image output start request has been received from the core unit 10 (the answer to step S805 is Yes), the formatter unit 8 extracts an image from the output image queue 135 and outputs the image (step S806).

When the image output request is not received from the core unit 10 (No at Step S805), and when the image output result is an error (Step S8).
(No at 07), a predetermined error process is performed (step S811), and the process returns to step S804. The error processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Note that the above step S80
The processing from step 4 to step S807 is performed in the job management information 700
Are repeatedly executed for the number of copies set in (step S808).

After the output of the image of one page is completed, it is determined whether or not there is still image data to be output in the output image queue 135 (step S809). Step S8 above
Returning to step S04, the processing corresponding to the next output image queue (steps S804 to S808) is performed. On the other hand, if there is no image data to be output, the end of the print job is notified to the core unit 10 (step S810), and this processing ends.

Next, the details of the error processing (step S811 in FIG. 9) by the formatter unit 8 of the image input / output control unit 3 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. I do.

The formatter unit 8 first operates the operation unit 115
An error message corresponding to the content is displayed on the (operation panel) (step S1001). When the error is released (the answer to step S1002 is Yes), the error message is deleted (step S1008), and after the error processing is completed, the process proceeds to step S804 in FIG.
When the error is not cleared (No in step S1002), and when reset is selected from the operation unit 115 (operation panel) (the answer in step S1003 is Yes).
s), the image stored in the output image queue 135 is deleted (step S1004). This is repeated until the output image queue 135 becomes empty (step S100).
5). Then, the job management information and the output request information are cleared (step S1006), the error message is deleted (step S1007), the error processing is ended, and the process proceeds to step S810 in FIG.

Next, as an example of creating output request information in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, a "sort function"
The flow of a process in which the formatter unit 8 of the image input / output control unit 3 creates output request information from job management information will be described with reference to flowcharts in FIGS.

For example, when the "sort function" is designated by the user, it is assumed that the output can be performed by three output means of "mechanical sort", "memory sort", and "rotational sort" depending on the condition of the device. “Mechanical sort” indicates a sorting method using a sorter, “Memory sort” indicates a sorting method using an image memory, “Rotation sort” uses an image memory, and furthermore, when the paper size is smaller than A4 size, for example. This indicates a sorting method in which both vertically fed paper and horizontally fed paper are alternately fed.

First, the formatter unit 8 refers to whether the “sort information” of the job management information 700 is “ON” or “OFF” (step S1101), and sets the “sort information” to “O”.
If it is "FF", "printer" is set in "output destination" and "OFF" is set in "sort request information" (step S1102). If the "sort information" is "ON", it is determined whether a sortable mechanical sorter is mounted on the apparatus (step S1).
103). If a mechanical sorter is mounted, it is determined whether the mechanical sorter is usable (step S110).
4) If it can be used, "printer" is set in "output destination", and "mechanical sort" is set in "sort request information" (step S1105).

If the mechanical sorter is not mounted in step S1103 or if the mechanical sorter cannot be used in step S1104, it is determined whether or not the image memory can be used (step S1106). If the image memory cannot be used due to memory full or the like, the process returns to step S1103 to repeat the determination. If the image memory is available, it is determined whether the paper size is A4 size or less (step S1107). If the paper size is larger than the A4 size, “image memory” is set in “output destination” and “memory sort” is set in “sort request information” (step S1110).

If the paper size is equal to or smaller than the A4 size, it is determined whether both the vertically fed paper and the horizontally fed paper are set in the paper cassette (step S110).
8). When both the vertically fed paper and the horizontally fed paper are set in the paper cassette, set “Image memory” in “Output destination” and set “Rotation sort” in “Sort request information” ( Step S1109). If both the vertically fed paper and the horizontally fed paper are not set in the paper cassette, set “Image memory” in “Output destination” and set “Memory sort” in “Sort request information” ( Step S1110). Also, in this case, the image transfer to the image memory requires one per page.
Since the number of times is sufficient, the number of copies of the job management information is updated to “1 copy”.

In the present embodiment, the sorting function has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, for a function that can select a plurality of output units, the unit that actually requests output is selected by the same determination processing as described above. For example, with respect to the function of "aligning the page order", means for temporarily storing the image from the formatter unit 8 in the image memory and adjusting the page order and outputting the image, and switching the front / back of the output paper to adjust the page order. In the case where the image processing apparatus is provided with the means, in the same manner as described above, it is determined which output means is to be used depending on the availability / unavailability of the device used for each output means. I do. The same applies to a double-sided printing function for printing on both sides of a sheet, a reduced layout function for reducing an image on a sheet and laying out the image, and the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
The image processing apparatus includes output units such as a printer unit 1 and a facsimile unit 4, a job number for analyzing input image data and managing a print job, an output destination of a developed image, the number of pages, the number of copies, and an output. A formatter unit 8 that creates job management information including information indicating a form and selects a specific output unit from output units such as the printer unit 1 and the facsimile unit 4 based on the output request information created from the job management information. It is possible to automatically select the output means according to the situation, and for the user, to realize the same function, from among a plurality of output means prepared as in the past There is an effect that it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation such as selecting an arbitrary output unit. In addition, in order to determine the output unit for realizing the function based on the situation at the time of output, it is compared with a conventional method in which an output unit to be used is specified in advance, and an image processing apparatus having a plurality of output units is used. The advantage is that the merits can be maximized.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus executes the program code stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by executing the reading.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing 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, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instructions of the program codes. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above-described processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0066]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms. Since the image processing apparatus includes a plurality of output units provided and a control unit for selecting a specific output unit from the plurality of output units, the image processing apparatus may include a plurality of output units for outputting in a specific output form. In such a case, it is possible to automatically select the output means according to the situation, and to realize the same function for the user, it is possible to select an arbitrary one from a plurality of output means prepared conventionally. There is an effect that it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation such as selecting an output unit. Further, if the output means for realizing the function is determined based on the situation at the time of output, an image having a plurality of output means can be compared with a conventional method in which an output means to be used is specified in advance. There is an effect that the merit of the processing device can be maximized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means creates management information including an output form and an output destination designated by the designation means, and selects an output means based on the management information. It is possible to automatically select an output unit based on management information. This eliminates the need for a user to perform a complicated operation of selecting an arbitrary output unit as in the related art, and an image processing apparatus having a plurality of output units. This has the effect of maximizing the benefits.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the designation means can designate an output form in which a plurality of output means can be selected, and the control means can select a plurality of output means by the designation means. When a suitable output form is designated, the output means is selected based on the management information. Therefore, even when two output means can be selected for an output form for printing out a sheet, the output means is automatically selected based on the management information. Can be selected, so that the user does not need to perform a complicated operation of selecting an arbitrary output unit as in the related art, and the advantage of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of output units can be maximized. effective.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the management information can be supplied from an external device, it is possible to automatically select the output unit of the image processing apparatus even from an external device such as a computer. There is an effect.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the output form includes a print form for printing out a sheet and a communication form for communicating image data with an external device. Even when performing output with an image processing apparatus having multiple functions, the effect of eliminating the complicated operation of selecting an arbitrary output unit by the user as in the related art and the advantage of the image processing apparatus having multiple functions are maximized. There is an effect that can be used to the maximum.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the output means is a printing means for printing and outputting a sheet, and a communication means for communicating image data with the outside, the printing means and the communication means Even when performing output with an image processing apparatus having various types of output means such as, the effect of eliminating the need for the user to perform a complicated operation of selecting an arbitrary output means as in the related art,
There is an effect that the merits of the image processing apparatus having various types of output means can be maximized.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms, both a vertically fed sheet and a horizontally fed sheet are set in a sheet feeding section provided in the apparatus main body. If it is, use the image memory and set the rotation sort, which is a sorting method of alternately feeding both vertically fed paper and horizontally fed paper, as sort request information, and set the vertically fed paper and the horizontally fed paper in the paper feeding unit. When both sheets are not set, since there is a sorting means for setting a memory sort, which is a sorting method using an image memory, as sort request information, both the vertically fed sheet and the horizontally fed sheet are set in the sheet feeding unit. It is possible to automatically select a sorting method based on whether or not the sorting has been performed, eliminating the need for the user to perform a complicated operation of selecting an arbitrary sorting method as in the related art. And fruit, there is an effect that can take full advantage of the image processing apparatus having multiple functions.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in an output control method of an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms, a specifying step of specifying an output form, and a plurality of output steps corresponding to the output form. And a control step of selecting a specific output step from the plurality of output steps, so that if the image processing apparatus has a plurality of output steps for outputting in a specific output form, It is possible to automatically select an output step, and to realize a similar function for the user, the user is required to select a desired output unit from among a plurality of output units as in the related art. This has the effect of eliminating the need for operation. Also, if the output step for realizing the function is determined based on the situation at the time of output, an image having a plurality of output steps can be compared with a conventional method of specifying an output unit to be used in advance. There is an effect that the merit of the processing device can be maximized.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, management information including an output form and an output destination designated in the designation step is created, and the output step is selected based on the management information. It is possible to automatically select an output step based on management information, which eliminates the need for a user to perform a complicated operation of selecting an arbitrary output unit as in the related art, and an image processing apparatus having a plurality of output steps. This has the effect of maximizing the benefits.

According to the tenth aspect, in the specifying step, it is possible to specify an output mode in which a plurality of output steps can be selected, and in the control step, a plurality of output steps can be selected in the specifying step. If an output mode is specified, the output step is selected based on the management information. For example, even if two output steps can be selected for an output mode for printing out a sheet, the output step is automatically performed based on the management information. Can be selected, so that the user does not have to perform a complicated operation of selecting an arbitrary output unit as in the related art, and the advantage of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of output steps can be maximized. effective.

According to the eleventh aspect, since the management information can be supplied from an external device, it is possible to automatically select an output step of the image processing apparatus even from an external device such as a computer. There is an effect.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the output form includes a print form for printing out a sheet, a communication form for communicating image data with the outside, and the like. Even when performing output control with an image processing apparatus having multiple functions such as the above, there is no need for a user to perform a complicated operation of selecting an arbitrary output unit as in the conventional case, and the advantage of an image processing apparatus having multiple functions is obtained. There is an effect that can be used to the maximum.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the output step is a print step for printing out a sheet, a communication step for communicating image data with the outside, and the like. Even if output control is performed by an image processing apparatus having various types of output steps such as those described above, there is an effect that a user does not have to perform a complicated operation of selecting an arbitrary output unit as in the related art, and there are various types of output steps. There is an effect that the merits of the image processing device can be maximized.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in an output control method of an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms, both a vertically fed sheet and a horizontally fed sheet are supplied to a sheet feeding section provided in the apparatus main body. Is set, rotation sorting, which is a sorting method that uses an image memory and alternately feeds both vertically fed paper and horizontally fed paper, is set as sort request information, and is vertically fed to the paper feeding unit. When both the paper and the horizontal feed paper are not set, a sorting step for setting a memory sort, which is a sorting method using an image memory, as sort request information is provided. Can automatically select a sorting method based on whether or not both are set, which makes the user arbitrarily select a sorting method as in the past. Effect and becomes unnecessary to the operation, there is an effect that can take full advantage of the image processing apparatus having multiple functions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of each mechanism of a reader unit and a printer unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a reader unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a core unit of an image input / output control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and a connection configuration between the core unit and other units.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a formatter unit of an image input / output control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process of expanding input PDL data into bitmap format image data in a formatter unit of an image input / output control unit of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and registering the expanded image data in an output image queue. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of job management information in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for outputting image data of a print job in a formatter unit of an image input / output control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of outputting image data of a print job in a formatter unit of an image input / output control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of output request information in the image processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of an error process in the process of FIG. 9 executed by the formatter unit of the image input / output control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of creating output request information from job management information regarding a sorting function in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of creating output request information from job management information with respect to a sorting function in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image input / output part 4 Facsimile part 5 File part 6 Magneto-optical disk drive unit 7 Computer interface part 8 Formatter part 9 Image memory part 10 Core part 11 PS / WS 12 Hard disk 115 Operation part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/32 G06F 15/62 K

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms, comprising: a designating means for designating an output form; a plurality of output means provided corresponding to the output form; An image processing apparatus comprising: control means for selecting a specific output means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit creates management information including an output form and an output destination designated by the designation unit, and selects an output unit based on the management information. Image processing device. 3. The designating means is capable of designating an output form in which a plurality of output means can be selected.
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an output mode in which a plurality of output units can be selected is specified by the specifying unit, an output unit is selected based on the management information. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the management information can be supplied from an external device. 5. The output form according to claim 1, wherein the output form is a print form for printing out a sheet, a communication form for communicating image data with the outside, or the like. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a printing unit that prints out a sheet, or a communication unit that communicates image data with an external device. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. An image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms, wherein both a vertically fed sheet and a horizontally fed sheet are set in a sheet feeding section provided in the apparatus main body. Rotational sorting, which is a sorting method used to alternately feed both vertically fed paper and horizontally fed paper, is set as sort request information, and both vertically fed paper and horizontally fed paper are set in the paper feed unit. If there is no image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus includes a sorting unit that sets a memory sort, which is a sorting method using an image memory, as sort request information. 8. An output control method for an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms, comprising: a designation step of designating an output form; a plurality of output steps corresponding to the output form; and a plurality of output steps. A control step of selecting a specific output step. 9. The control step according to claim 8, wherein management information including an output form and an output destination specified in the specification step is created, and the output step is selected based on the management information. Output control method of the image processing apparatus. 10. An output form in which a plurality of output steps can be selected can be specified in the specifying step, and an output form in which a plurality of output steps can be selected in the control step is specified in the control step. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein an output step is selected based on the management information. 11. The output control method according to claim 9, wherein the management information can be supplied from an external device. 12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the output form is a print form for printing out a sheet, a communication form for communicating image data with the outside, or the like. An output control method of the image processing apparatus according to the above. 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the output step includes a print step of printing out a sheet, a communication step of communicating image data with an external device, and the like. An output control method of the image processing apparatus according to the above. 14. An output control method for an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in various output forms, wherein both a vertically fed sheet and a horizontally fed sheet are set in a sheet feeding unit provided in the apparatus main body. A rotation sort, which is a sorting method that uses an image memory and alternately feeds both vertically fed paper and horizontally fed paper, is set as sort request information, and both the vertically fed paper and the horizontally fed paper are set in the paper feeding unit. A setting step of setting, as sort request information, a memory sort, which is a sorting method using an image memory, when is not set.