JPS6037567A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a copy in a desired state with a simple operation by providing a means for judging states of peripheral devices connected or not, and setting a image forming mode to the optimum mode. CONSTITUTION:The main body 2 of a copying machine is provided with an original circulating feeder RDF1 and a sorter 3 as peripheral devices. Data tansmission is carried out among the microcomputer 11 of the main body 2 and that 12 of RDF1 and that 13 of the sorter 3 through communication lines 14, and a state of each device is judged with the microcomputer 11. The states of connection or not of the devices 1, 3 are judged from the result of whether responses are obtained or not in accordance with the demand or communication from the microcomputer 11. As a result, an image processing mode is set to the optimum mode. A desired state of copy can be obtained with a simple operation by thus setting the image processing mode to the optimum mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to the control of an image processing apparatus, and particularly to an image processing system in which various peripheral devices are attached to the main body.

(Prior Art) Various peripheral devices have been conventionally provided for image processing devices such as copying machines to improve the efficiency of copying operations. For example, ADF (Automatic Document Feeder).

Document processing devices such as DF (Document Feeder) and RDF (Document Circulation Feeder), sorter, collator, oscillating tray, stabler (5 tapler), etc.
), perforator, folding machine, and other copy processing equipment.

The efficiency of copying work has improved by installing these various processing devices on copying machines, but on the other hand, the installation of these various peripheral devices has made it difficult for operators to operate these devices without making mistakes. has become extremely difficult. For example, it has become difficult for the operator to judge which combination of processors should be used to perform copying in the desired copying format the fastest.

(Purpose) In view of the above-mentioned points, the present invention selects whether or not to collate depending on whether or not a peripheral processing device is attached, and sets the image processing mode to the optimum mode, thereby processing various processing devices. To provide an image processing system which allows even those who are not familiar with the operations to obtain a copy in a desired format with extremely simple operations.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system in which the operation unit used for image processing work can be realized relatively compactly and at low cost, mistakes in image processing work can be eliminated, and work efficiency can be improved. It is to provide rt. Furthermore, the present invention allows the machine to automatically select the optimal image processing mode for the system, no matter what kind of processing device is installed or what the state of the processing device is. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system that eliminates the need to check the state of a machine.

Furthermore, it would be confusing if the operation unit had operation buttons and displays for a processing device that the user did not purchase, but the present invention eliminates the need to install such operation buttons and display buttons from the beginning. is also aimed at.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Drawing P.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic internal configuration example of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, where l is a document circulation feeder (RDF);
It has a document reversing mechanism for double-sided copying.

Reference numeral 4 is a copying machine main body, and 3 is a sorter which distributes a series of copies into different bins one by one. In the case of such a configuration, when multiple copies are to be made from one set of originals, one copy is obtained by exposing it only once, and the circulation is repeated the same number of copies as the desired number of copies. This is a method (first method) of shifting each time a set of copies is produced. This method not only causes damage to the manuscript due to a lot of circulation, but also
It takes time too. Another method is to circulate the original only seven times, and when one original comes to the exposure position, expose the same number of copies to make the same number of copies (the first method). ). In this way, one set of manuscripts can be
In the case of a method in which the desired number of copies can be obtained by simply circulating the paper, a shifter is performed each time one copy is ejected using a sowing machine to obtain the desired number of collated copies. With this method, the processing time is faster and there is less damage to the original.

Considering the operation input method for the above-mentioned a copying method, the conventional input means (operation console) shown in Figure 1:
In the first method described above, the RDF selection button A is input, copies are stored in one bin consecutively, and when a series of jobs is completed, the collate mode is set in which sheets are stored in the next bin.

In the first method described above, the ADF selection button B is input and then the sort button C is input. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is necessary to select and input y input selection buttons in relation to the λ methods, and it is also necessary to consider which method is the best.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the arrangement and configuration of the input means (operation console) of the copying machine according to the present invention shown in FIG. In the input method of this example, all that is required is to press the collate button G in any copying method. The machine uses a copying control device shown in FIG. 7 to detect the presence or absence of attached peripheral equipment and performs optimal control. Following the above example, the first method is naturally selected.

In other words, the main unit's microcomputer (CPU) // and RDF
Data is transferred between the microcomputer saw of / and the microcomputer /3 of sorter 3 via serial communication line /l,
Moreover, the status of each device /-1 can be determined one by one by the microcomputer // of the main body. Furthermore, whether or not devices 1 and 3 are installed can be determined by the fact that there is no response from devices 1 or 3 in response to a communication request from the main body's microcomputer 1/. Information on the status of the device includes, for example, information such as jam (paper jam) and improper installation.

Further, for devices such as a stabilator and a folding machine, the microcomputer // on the main body (6) shown in FIG. 7 automatically determines an appropriate mode by inputting the binding selection button H shown in FIG.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been explained using a copying machine having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, it is also possible to automatically select the optimum mode by simply inputting a selection button in a WJ processing system using a combination of other peripheral devices. Of course it can be done.

FIG. 5 shows a combination of the image processing systems described above. In the combination column, RDF', automatic duplex unit, sorter, and sorter indicate that the O mark on the tray or stabilator is installed. Combination AI will be explained. AI is 1
If the main body is equipped with RDF, automatic duplex unit, sorter, and tray or stabilator for sorting, turning on the collation selection button G in Figure 3 will switch the RDF function to ADF (multi-copy) mode (marked with a *) and sorter. The function indicates that it will be in sort mode 0 In other words, if you want to make multiple copies of / series, the first method using RDF will be % AD
The first method using F is faster, so if a sorter is attached and collation is selected, ADF is automatically selected.

In combination 4.2, a sorting tray (steepler) is installed instead of a sorter, so if the collation selection button G is on, RDF that does not need to be sorted later is automatically selected (・mark). Furthermore, when the collation selection button G is off, the fast ADF mode is selected (marked with a circle). In addition, if the binding button H is turned on, if the collation selection button is turned on as described above, copy (RD)
F), so the binding mode is set for each number of copies.

In combination A3, when the RDF and automatic duplex unit are installed, the RDF mode is set when the collation key is turned on, and the ADF mode is set when the collation key is turned off.

(Effects) As detailed above, according to the present invention, even if peripheral devices are attached, the optimum image processing mode can be obtained with simple operations, and an image processing system with improved work efficiency can be created. can be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied; FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the layout and configuration of the operating section of the machine; FIG. It is an explanatory diagram. L...Document circulation supply device, K...Copy machine body, 3...Sorter, D...Buffer tray for double-sided copying, A-RDF button, B...ADF button 1 C...Sort button, D...non-sort button, E...swing button, F...e step pla button - G...collation selection button, H...binding selection button, (ri)/l...main unit Side microcomputer, /co...RDF side microcomputer 1 13...Sorter side microcomputer, /41...Communication line. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd. (10) Figure 1 I Figure 2 Figure 4 2 ■1 A Pl, T TxD ')-, ADFRxA
ρXD (1 recommendation 11 SC to (211) 1f 3 - \Noda

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] l) Judgment means for judging the attachment state of peripheral devices that can be attached to the main body of the image processing apparatus, and setting an optimum mode of image processing based on a signal from the judgment means, and controlling the image processing. An image processing system characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the image processing system. f) In the image processing system according to claim #I1, the peripheral device is configured to reduce the number of either a document feeding device that feeds the document or a post-processing device that performs post-processing on the paper after image processing. An image processing system characterized in that the control means sets the optimum mode based also on a signal from a collation selection means for instructing whether or not to collate with the peripheral device. (1)