JP2000132360A - Image forming system, image controller, image forming method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set a function without considering the respective functions of plural printers by limiting an image output device that can be selected in accordance with the function which is set by a function setting means. SOLUTION: A black/white scanner and a color scanner are given as image input devices, and a low speed black/white printer, an intermediate speed black/ white printer that can print double faces and a high speed black/white printer that can print the double faces as image output devices. A function limiting processing program in outputting an image is stored in a hard disk that is read/written by HDD 2004 in the image processor 2000, is loaded in RAM 2002 and is executed by CPU 2001. A start key indicating the start of image reading, an image output device selection key selecting the output printer, a double-face key setting a double-face printing function and an original type designation key designating a color or black/white original are installed in an operation part 2012. The function of image output which is read by the image input device is limited.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image control device, an image forming method, and a storage medium for automatically restricting image output devices that can be selected from a plurality of image output devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming system in which a plurality of image output devices, an image control device, and an image input device are connected via a transmission medium, particularly, a single image input device (scanner) and a plurality of image output devices ( An image forming system called a cascade in which printers are connected by a transmission medium is known.

In a conventional image forming system called a cascade, each image output device (printer) has the same function. Therefore, when setting an image forming mode (function) for a plurality of printers and selecting a printer to output, since the image forming modes achievable by the printers are the same, setting the image forming mode and selecting an output printer is not possible. It was easy.

[0004]

However, in recent years,
When a plurality of image output devices (printers) including a printer connected to a normal business network have different functions due to the maintenance of a network environment, when setting an image forming mode (function) and selecting an output printer. However, if the conventional method is used, there is a problem that a misprint may occur due to a user's setting mistake. In addition, when the user sets the image forming mode, the user has to take into account the functions of a plurality of printers.

Accordingly, the present invention automatically performs a function restriction process at the time of a cascade, thereby preventing erroneous printing due to a user's setting mistake, and setting a plurality of printers when the user sets an image forming mode. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image control device, an image forming method, and a storage medium that can easily set functions without considering functions.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of image output devices connected to form an image with a selected image output device. An image forming system comprising: a function setting unit for setting a function of the image output device; and a limiting unit for limiting an image output device that can be selected according to the function set by the function setting unit. And

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, the image forming system further includes a device selecting unit that selects the image output device according to an instruction of an operator, and the device selecting unit is configured to perform the restriction. Is selected from the selected image output devices.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming system according to the second aspect, further comprising a device display means for displaying the selectable image output device.

[0009] In the image forming system according to the fourth aspect,
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the function setting unit sets a plurality of functions.

[0010] In the image forming system according to the fifth aspect,
5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the function is a double-sided printing function.

[0011] In the image forming system according to the sixth aspect,
5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the function is a monochrome function or a color function.

[0012] In the image forming system according to the present invention,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein an image input device is connected.

An image control apparatus according to claim 8 is connected to an image forming system together with a plurality of image output apparatuses and forms an image on a selected image output apparatus. It is characterized by comprising a function setting means for setting, and a restriction means for restricting an image output device that can be selected according to the function set by the function setting means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for forming an image with an image output device selected from a plurality of image output devices, wherein a function of the image output device is set; Limiting a selectable image output device according to the set function.

The storage medium according to the present invention is executed by a CPU in an image forming system, and a program for forming an image on an image output device selected from a plurality of image output devices in the image forming system. In the stored storage medium, the program includes a step of setting a function of the image output device and a step of restricting selectable image output devices according to the set function.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming system, an image control device, an image forming method and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. This image forming system includes a black-and-white scanner 100 capable of reading a black-and-white document as an image input device, a color scanner 200 capable of reading a color document as an image input device, a low-speed black-and-white printer 300 as an image output device, and medium-speed and duplex printing. A monochrome printer 400 capable of printing, a monochrome printer 500 capable of high-speed and duplex printing, and a color printer 600 are provided. Here, the monochrome printer 300 and the color printer 600 are printers that cannot perform double-sided printing.

Further, the image forming system includes an offline finisher 700 capable of performing post-processing of print sheets offline, a server computer 800 having a large-capacity storage, and a personal computer 90 for individual users.
0, an Ethernet 1000 as a transmission medium for constructing a network, a black-and-white video bus 1100 for connecting the black-and-white scanner 100 to the low-speed black-and-white printer 300, and a color-only video bus 1200 for connecting the color scanner 200 and the color printer 600. Have.

Image input device (scanner) 100, 200
Is connected to an image control device 2000 for controlling image reading and image transfer by a dedicated bus (not shown). Further, the image output devices 300, 400, 500, 60
0 is connected to online finishers capable of performing post-processing of print paper online. The details of the online finisher are not directly related to the present invention, and will not be described.

Hereinafter, details of the image input device 100, the image control device 2000, and the image output device 300 will be described.

[Image Control Apparatus] FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a 00. Image control device (Contr
older Unit or Image Contro
An Ller) 2000 is connected to a scanner (Scanner) 100 as an image input device and a printer (Printer) 300 as an image output device.
Image information and device information are input and output by connecting to the AN1000 and the public line (WAN) 2051.

The RAM 2002 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. ROM2003
Denotes a boot ROM, which stores a system boot program. Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 2004
Stores system software and image data. HD
The system software stored in the hard disk which is the storage medium by D2004 is read out by the CPU and loaded into the RAM 2002 in an executable manner.

An operation unit I / F 2006 is an operation unit (UI) 2
012 and an operation unit 2012
The image data to be displayed is output to the operation unit 2012.
Also, the information input by the user from the operation unit 2012 is
It plays a role of communicating to the PU 2001. The operation unit 201
A start key 2 for instructing the start of image reading;
An image output device selection key for shifting to a screen for selecting an output printer, a two-sided key for setting a two-sided printing function, and a document type designation key for designating a color document or a monochrome document are provided.

Network (Network) Unit 201
Numeral 0 is connected to the LAN 1000 and inputs and outputs information.
A modem (MODEM) 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs and outputs information.

Each of the above devices is arranged on a system bus 2007. Image Bus I
A / F 2005 is a bus bridge that connects the image bus 2008 for transferring image data at high speed and the system bus 2007 and converts the data structure. Image bus 2008
Is composed of a high-speed bus such as a PCI bus.

The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008. Raster image processor (RIP) 2
Reference numeral 060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 100 or the printer 300, which is an image input / output device, to the image control device 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

The scanner image processing unit 2080 performs processing such as correction, processing, and editing on input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. The image rotation processing unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression processing unit 2040 performs the JPE
G, binary image image data, JBIG, MMR, M
H compression / expansion processing is performed. Hard disk (HDD) 2
In a field 004, information such as an image output speed and an installation position of a node connected to the network (LAN 1000) is stored for each address.

[Image Input Apparatus (Scanner)] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external appearance of the image input apparatus (scanner) 100. The scanner unit, which is an image input device, illuminates the original and
By scanning a CD line sensor (not shown),
It is converted into an electric signal as raster image data. The document is set on a tray 2073 of a document feeder 2072, and when a user instructs reading and starting from the operation unit 2012, the CPU 2001 in the controller gives an instruction to the scanner 100.
The sheet is fed one by one, and the scanner unit reads the original image.

[Image Output Apparatus (Printer)] FIG. 4 is a view showing the appearance of the image output apparatus (printer) 300. The printer unit, which is an image output device, is a unit that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The printing method includes an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, an ink jet method in which ink is ejected from a minute nozzle array and an image is printed directly on paper, and any method may be used. Absent. The printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 2001 in the controller. The printer is provided with a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and corresponding paper cassettes 2101, 2102,.
2103 and 2104 are provided. Further, the printed paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray 2111.

[Scanner Image Processing Unit] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080. In the scanner image processing unit 2080, the image bus I / F controller 2081 is connected to the image bus 2008 and controls the bus access sequence, controls each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080, and generates timing.

The filter processing unit 2082 is a spatial filter and performs a convolution operation. Editing unit 2083
Recognizes, for example, a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from input image data, and for image data in the closed area,
Image processing such as shadowing, shading, and negative / positive inversion is performed. When changing the resolution of the read image, the scaling unit 2084 performs an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image to perform enlargement or reduction. Zooming in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown).

The table conversion unit 2085 performs table conversion in order to convert image data, which is read luminance data, into density data. The binarizing unit 2086 binarizes the multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing.

The image data which has been processed by the scanner image processing unit 2080 is transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2081 again.

[Printer Image Processing Unit] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090. Image bus I /
The F controller 2091 is connected to the image bus 2008, and performs an operation of controlling the bus access sequence, controls each device in the scanner image processing unit 2090, and generates timing. A resolution conversion unit 2092 is connected to a LAN via a network (Network) unit 2010.
1000 or from the public line 2051 via the modem 2050.
Performs resolution conversion to convert to the resolution of. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs a process of smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary such as an oblique line) of the image data after the resolution conversion.

[Image Compression Processing Unit] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of the image compression processing unit 2040. The image bus I / F controller 2041 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus access sequence, performs timing control for exchanging data with the input buffer 2042 and the output buffer 2045, and the image compression unit 2043.
Control such as mode setting for.

In the image compression processing unit 2040, the image bus 2
The setting for image compression control is performed from the CPU 2001 to the image bus I / F controller 2041 via 008. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 204
1 is a setting required for image compression (for example, MMR compression / JB
IG extension etc.). After making the necessary settings,
Again, the CPU 2001 permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041
Transfer of image data from the M2002 or each device on the image bus 2008 is started.

The received image data is stored in the input buffer 2
The image data is temporarily stored at 042 and transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043. On this occasion,
The input buffer 2042 determines whether image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, reads image data from the image bus 2008, and sends the image data to the image compression unit 2043. When writing of the image cannot be performed, control is performed so as not to transfer data. Hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshake.

The image compression section 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because, when performing image compression, several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing. To compress the first line, image data for several lines must be prepared. This is because image compression cannot be performed.

The compressed image data is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045. Output buffer 2045
Performs a handshake between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, and transfers image data to the image bus I / F controller 2041.
The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred compressed or decompressed image data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008. Such a series of processing is performed until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (for example, when processing of a required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from the image compression unit 2043 (for example, an error during compression and decompression). Repeated).

[Image Rotation Processing Unit] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image rotation processing unit 2030. An image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus sequence, controls the mode setting of the image rotation unit 2032, and transfers the image data to the image rotation unit 2032. Perform control.

In the image rotation processing unit 2030, the image bus 2
Via 008, the CPU 2001 makes settings for image rotation control in the image bus I / F controller 2031.
With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2031
Performs settings necessary for image rotation (for example, setting of image size, rotation direction and angle, etc.) for the image rotation unit 2032. After making necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits the image bus I / F controller 2031 to transfer image data. According to this permission, the image bus I / F
The controller 2031 starts transfer of image data from the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008.

Here, it is assumed that the image size to be rotated in units of 32 bits is 32 × 32 (bit), and that the image data is transferred in units of 32 bits when the image data is transferred to the image bus 2008. I do. A binary image is assumed as an image to be handled here. As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the unit data transfer 32 times, and it is necessary to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a procedure for transferring image data.

The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written to the RAM 2033 so that the image data is rotated to a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, 90
Degree counterclockwise rotation, the first 32b transferred
The image data of it is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for writing and reading image data.

The image is rotated by reading in the X direction at the time of reading. 32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (RAM
After the completion of the writing to the image rotation unit 2033, the image rotation unit 20
Reference numeral 32 denotes an image bus I / F controller 2031 which reads image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described reading method.
Transfer images to. The image bus I / F controller 2031 that has received the rotated image data receives the image data from the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008 by continuous addressing.
Transfer data to each device above. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (for example, when the processing of the required number of pages is completed).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the device I / F unit 2020. Image bus I / F controller 2021
Is connected to the image bus 2008 and controls the bus access sequence, controls each device in the device I / F unit 2020, and generates timing. Further, it generates control signals to the external scanner 100 and printer 300.

The scan buffer 2022 is connected to the scanner 1
00 is temporarily stored, and the image data is output in synchronization with the image bus 2008. The serial / parallel / parallel / serial conversion unit 2023 arranges or decomposes the image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order and converts the image data into a data width of the image data to be transferred to the image bus 2008. Parallel serial
The serial / parallel conversion unit 2024 includes an image bus 2008
The image data transferred from the printer is decomposed or arranged in order and converted into the data width of the image data stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025
The image data sent from the image bus 2008 is temporarily stored, and the image data is output in synchronization with the printer 300.

At the time of image scanning, the scan buffer 202 synchronizes image data sent from the scanner 100 with a timing signal sent from the scanner 100.
Save to 2.

When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, the image data is sent from the buffer to the serial / parallel / serial / serial conversion unit 2023 in a first-in first-out manner when the image data has entered the scan buffer in an amount of 32 bits or more. , And 32-bit image data, and transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2021.

The image bus 2008 is connected to the IEEE 139
If the number is 4, the image data in the scan buffer is sent from the buffer to the serial / parallel / serial / serial conversion unit 2023 on a first-in first-out basis, converted into serial image data, and transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2021.

When printing an image, the image bus 2008 is connected to a PC.
In the case of the I bus, the image bus I / F controller 2021 receives the 32-bit image data sent from the image bus 2008 and sends it to the parallel / serial / serial / parallel conversion unit 2024, where the image of the number of input data bits of the printer 300 is output. Decompose into data and print buffer 2
025.

The image bus 2008 is connected to the IEEE 139.
4, the serial image data sent from the image bus 2008 is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 2021.
, And sends it to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion unit 2024, converts the image data into image data of the number of input data bits of the printer 300, and stores it in the print buffer 2025. Then, the image data in the print buffer is sent to the printer 300 on a first-in first-out basis in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer 300.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the procedure for restricting functions when outputting an image in the image forming system. This processing program is stored in the hard disk drive 200 in the image control device (control unit).
4 and stored in a hard disk which is read and written by the
And executed by the CPU 2001.

Here, as described above, the monochrome printer 4
Reference numerals 00 and 500 denote printers capable of duplex printing, and the black-and-white printer 300 and the color printer 600 are printers that are not capable of duplex printing. The operation unit 2012 includes a start key for instructing start of image reading, an image output device selection key for shifting to a screen for selecting an output printer, a two-sided key for setting a two-sided printing function, and designation of a color original or a monochrome original. A document type designation key is provided. In the present embodiment, when the image read by the image input device 200 is output by the image output devices 300, 400, and 500, the function restriction instructed by the operation unit 2012 is performed.

First, a key input is waited (step S1).
If there is a key input, it is determined whether or not the key is a start key (step S2). If it is not a start key, it is determined whether or not it is a double-sided key (step S3). If it is a double-sided key, a double-sided flag is set to ON (step S4). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if it is not a double-sided key in step S3, it is determined whether or not it is a document type designation key (step S5). If it is the document type designation key, it is determined whether or not the document type is color (step S6), and if it is color, the color flag is turned on (step S7). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if the document type is not color in step S6, the color flag is turned off (step S8), and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if the key is not the document type designation key in step S5, the duplex flag is turned off (step S5
9). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if the start key is pressed in step S2, it is determined whether or not the double-sided flag is ON (step S10). If the double-sided flag is not ON, it is determined whether or not the color flag is ON. Determine (Step S
11). If the color flag is not ON, the monochrome function of all the connected image output devices is searched (step S12), and as a result of the search, the image output device having the monochrome function is displayed (step S13).

On the other hand, in step S11, the color flag
If N, the color functions of all the connected image output devices are searched (step S14), and as a result of the search, the image output devices having the color functions are displayed (step S15).

On the other hand, the double-sided flag is turned on in step S10.
, That is, if the duplex function is set,
It is determined whether or not the color flag is ON (step S16). If the color flag is OFF, the monochrome and double-sided functions of all the connected image output apparatuses are searched (step S17), and as a result of the search, the image output apparatuses having the monochrome and double-sided functions are displayed (step S17). S18).

On the other hand, at step S16, the color flag
If N, the color function and the duplex function of all the connected image output devices are searched (step S19),
As a result of the search, an image output device having a color function and a duplex function is displayed (step S20).

After displaying the corresponding image output device in step S13, step S15, step S18 or step S20, the operator selects an image output device for actually outputting an image (step S21). Then, after the image is read by the image input device 200 (step S22), the read image is transmitted to the selected image output device, and the selected image output device outputs the image (step S23). . At this time, the two-sided flag and the color flag are turned off.

As described above, in the image forming system of the present embodiment, the ON / OFF of the double-sided flag and the color flag are set according to the double-sided key and the original type designation key operated by the operator, and the start key is input. Then, according to ON / OFF of the double-sided flag and the color flag, the monochrome function, the color function, the double-sided and black-and-white function, or the double-sided and color function of all the connected image output apparatuses are searched. The image output device to be displayed is displayed. The operator selects an image output device for actually outputting an image from the displayed image output devices.
Then, after the image is read by the image input device, the read image is transmitted to the selected image output device to output the image.

In the above embodiment, the double-sided function and the color function have been described. However, the same method can be applied to all functions (eg, a sort function, a staple function, etc.).

Further, the image output device of the transmission destination is selected by the operator before the image is read, but the image output device may be selected when the image mode is set with the double-sided key or the document type designation key.

Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading out a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into a system or an apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a memory map of a hard disk as a storage medium on which reading and writing are performed by the HDD 2004 in the control unit 2000. The hard disk stores program modules represented by the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The storage medium for supplying such a program module is not limited to a hard disk, but may be, for example, R
OM, floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DV
D, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

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, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
The case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0066]

According to the image forming system of the first aspect of the present invention, when an image is formed by an image output device selected from a plurality of image output devices, the function setting means sets the image output device. Function is set, and selectable image output devices are restricted by the restriction means according to the function set by the function setting means. To prevent erroneous printing due to mistakes, when the user sets the image forming mode,
Functions can be easily set without considering each function of a plurality of printers. The same effect can be obtained with the image control device according to the eighth aspect, the image forming method according to the ninth aspect, and the storage medium according to the tenth aspect.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, the device selecting means selects from the limited image output devices in accordance with the instruction of the operator, so that the operator can output an image having a desired function. The device can be easily selected.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, the selectable image output device is displayed by the device display means, so that the operator can easily select the image output device and improve the operability. Can be enhanced.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, the function setting means sets a plurality of functions.
An image output device that satisfies a plurality of set functions can be easily selected.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, since the function is the double-sided printing function, the setting can be easily performed when performing double-sided printing.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, since the function is a black-and-white function or a color function, the setting can be easily performed when performing black-and-white printing or color printing.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, since the image input device is connected, it is possible to easily select the image output device and set the function in the image forming system including the image input device. .

According to the storage medium of the tenth aspect, an image is formed by an image output device selected from among a plurality of image output devices in the image forming system, which is executed by the CPU in the image forming system. In the storage medium in which the program is stored, the program includes a procedure for setting a function of the image output device, and a procedure for limiting an image output device that can be selected according to the set function,
The extensibility and versatility of the image forming system can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image control device 2000.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an image input device (scanner) 100.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external appearance of an image output device (printer) 300.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit 2080.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer image processing unit 2090.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image compression processing unit 2040.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image rotation processing unit 2030.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a transfer procedure of image data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for writing and reading image data.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device I / F unit 2020.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a function restriction processing procedure when outputting an image in the image forming system.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a function restriction processing procedure of the image output apparatus in the image forming system following FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows an HDD 2 in the control unit 2000.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map of a hard disk as a storage medium on which reading and writing are performed by 004.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 100 Image input device (scanner) 300, 400, 500, 600 Image output device (printer) 2000 Image control device (control unit) 2001 CPU 2003 ROM 2004 Hard disk drive (HDD) 2012 Operation unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system in which a plurality of image output devices are connected and an image is formed by a selected image output device, a function setting unit for setting a function of the image output device, and a setting by the function setting unit Limiting means for limiting image output devices that can be selected according to the selected function. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device selection unit that selects the image output device according to an instruction of an operator, wherein the device selection unit selects from the limited image output devices. Image forming system. 3. An image forming system according to claim 2, further comprising a device display unit for displaying said selectable image output device. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said function setting means sets a plurality of functions. 5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the function is a double-sided printing function. 6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the function is a monochrome function or a color function. 7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein an image input device is connected. 8. An image control device which is connected to an image forming system together with a plurality of image output devices and forms an image with a selected image output device, a function setting means for setting a function of the image output device; An image control device comprising: a limiting unit configured to limit an image output device selectable according to a function set by the setting unit. 9. An image forming method for forming an image on an image output device selected from a plurality of image output devices, wherein: a step of setting a function of the image output device; Limiting possible image output devices. 10. A storage medium which is executed by a CPU in an image forming system and stores a program for forming an image on an image output device selected from a plurality of image output devices in the image forming system, A storage medium, comprising: a procedure for setting a function of the image output device; and a procedure for restricting an image output device that can be selected according to the set function.