JP2000206835A - Connection image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability at a setting time by simultaneously setting the user codes of all devices (slave machines) connected by the input of the control panel of a master machine between devices connected. SOLUTION: Plural network copying machines 1000 are connected so as to be communicable and also to be in a pier-to-pier state, and the master machine and the slave machine are decided by the registration of a user through the control panels 201 which they possess, and an arbitrary network copying machine 1000 that is the master machine reads the original of a copying object, and supplies original information to the other network copying machine 1000 that is the slave machine. Then, when desired printing is shared and executed in parallel, the master machine is set at the user code inputted through the control panel 201 of user's own machine and simultaneously transmits the user code to all slave machines connected, and sets the user code of the slave machine altogether.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method in which a plurality of digital copiers and the like are connected in a peer-to-peer manner so that they can communicate with each other. More specifically, the present invention relates to a linked image forming apparatus that supplies original information to the user and performs predetermined printing in a shared / parallel manner. More specifically, the user code of all connected apparatuses (slave apparatuses) is input by an operation panel of a master apparatus. Is simultaneously performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, 10
As a system for efficiently processing zero printing,
2. Description of the Related Art A so-called linked copy operation in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as digital copying machines are linked via a communication network and parallel copying is performed for each of them is known. In other words, this linked copy operation is performed, for example, when printing 100 sheets from one sheet, after reading the copied document by the master machine serving as the operating device, creating the recording paper image, and then printing 50 sheets by the master machine, This function allows the printing to be performed in about half the time by sharing the data on 50 devices, transferring the data to the slave device, and printing the master device and the slave device in parallel.

[0003] As a reference technical document relating to the connection operation function, for example, an "image forming system" for reversing the recording sheet discharge surfaces of a slave machine and a master machine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-112269. Of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-12653
No. 7 discloses this.

In some cases, a user code is set at the time of performing the connection operation. This user code registers a predetermined code name (or number) when using the device,
By inputting it on each device prior to use of the device, an authentication code for the purpose of user management for restricting users or performing billing (charging counter management for each user) Information code).

[0005]

However, in the prior art as described above, since the user code is set by the same operation via the operating means on the connected device, There is a problem that the input work is troublesome and a setting error is apt to occur, which lowers the operability.

[0006] When setting a user code, whether or not the user code to be registered is reflected in all connected apparatuses is very important information in the registration work, but the setting status is accurately grasped. However, there is a problem that it takes time to confirm the user code setting.

[0007] Further, the user code setting operation is usually performed by a user having a privilege level when using the device, and the user code setting can be performed on all devices or on a specific device. I can't choose. In this case, when the setting work is performed in each device, the setting situation becomes various in many cases, so that there is a problem that the degree of freedom in management and use is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and simultaneously sets user codes of all connected devices (slave devices) between connected devices by inputting an operation panel of a master device. A first object is to improve the operability at the time of setting.

[0009] Further, when the user code is not registered in all the devices between the connected devices, the information to that effect is displayed on the operation panel of the master unit.
A second object is to facilitate setting confirmation of another device.

[0010] Furthermore, by making it possible to select whether the setting of the user code can be made for all devices or for a specific device, the method of using the linked devices can be selected and the management can be improved. The third object is to achieve the above.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a linked image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of image forming apparatuses are communicably connected to each other in a peer-to-peer manner. Master device and slave device are determined by user registration via operation / display means,
An arbitrary image forming apparatus serving as the master machine reads a document to be copied, supplies document information to another image forming apparatus serving as the slave machine, and performs desired printing in parallel and connected image formation. In the device, the master device is set to a user code input via the operation / display means of the device itself, and at the same time, transmits the user code to all connected slave devices, Are set collectively.

In the linked image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the master device does not respond to the user code setting from all the connected slave devices,
A warning message is displayed on the operation / display means being set.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether the user code can be set in all or a specific one of a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses. It is something to keep selected.

Further, in the linked image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the user code is registered with a predetermined code name / number for the purpose of user management such as user restriction and billing. The authentication code is used for the authentication.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus], [Configuration of Operation Panel], [Control System of Image Forming Apparatus (First Configuration Example)]
(Second Configuration Example), [Configuration of Image Processing Unit of Image Forming Apparatus], [Configuration of Copier Network System], [Hard Configuration of Network Copier], [Configuration / Operation of Linked Image Forming Apparatus], Explanation will be given in the order of [Explanation / Definition of terms].

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. ADF
A document bundle (not shown) placed on a document table 102 of an (automatic document feeder) 101 with a document image surface facing upward is printed on a lowermost sheet when a print key 202 on an operation panel 201 described later is pressed. The original is fed to a predetermined original reading position on the contact glass 105 by the feed roller 103 and the feed belt 104.

The original fed on the contact glass 105 is read by the reading unit 106 to read the original image.
Is discharged by. Further, a document set detection sensor 1
If it is detected at 08 that the next document is present on the document table 102, a series of operations are performed on the next document by repeating the same operation as the previous document. The feeding roller 10
3. The feed belt 104 and the discharge roller 107 are driven by a transport motor (not shown).

The first tray 109 and the second tray 11
The recording papers stacked on the first and third trays 111 and 111 are respectively supplied to the first paper supply unit 112, the second paper supply unit 113, and the third paper supply unit 113.
The paper is fed by the paper feeding unit 114 and the vertical transport unit 115
To the registration roller, and the photosensitive drum 116
Is transported to a position immediately before contact with the sheet. At the same time, the original image read by the reading unit 106 is written as image data on the photosensitive drum 116 by the laser light output from the writing unit 117, and is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 118. Is done.

Next, the recording paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 119 at the same speed as the rotation of the photosensitive drum 116 by restarting at a timing such that the registration roller is at a predetermined position with respect to the toner image. Thus, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 116 is transferred. The toner image transferred to the recording paper is heat-fixed by the fixing unit 120. Subsequently, the recording paper on which the image has been fixed (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming) is discharged by a paper discharge unit 121 to a finisher 122 which is a post-processing device.

The finisher 122 of the post-processing apparatus can guide the recording paper conveyed by the paper discharge unit 121 of the apparatus body toward the paper discharge tray 126 or the staple processing section (lower left in the drawing). The guidance at this time is performed using the switching plate 124. Switching plate 124
Is switched to the upper position, the sheet can be discharged to the normal sheet discharge tray 126 via the sheet discharge roller 123 and the transport roller unit 132. Switching plate 1
24, the transport rollers 125,
The paper can be conveyed to the staple table 128 via the printer 127.

The recording paper stacked on the staple table 128 is aligned by a paper aligning jogger 129 each time one sheet is discharged, and is stapled by the stapler 130 when a part of the copy is completed. The recording paper group bound by the stapler 130 is stored in the stapling completion paper discharge tray 131 by its own weight.

On the other hand, a normal paper discharge tray 126 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth. The paper discharge tray 126 that can be moved back and forth is provided for each document or for an image memory 5 described later.
For each part of the electronically sorted copy used for 01,
The copy paper that moves back and forth and is simply discharged is sorted.

When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the first tray 109, the second tray 110, and the third tray 1
The recording paper fed and image-formed from the paper tray
By setting the branching claw 133 for path switching to the upper side without guiding to the side,
Stock at 4.

Thereafter, the recording paper stocked in the duplex paper supply unit 134 is fed again from the duplex paper supply unit 134, and after the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 116 is transferred, the recording paper is switched for path switching. By setting the branch claw 133 on the lower side, it is guided to the paper discharge tray 126. As described above, the double-sided paper feeding unit 134 is used when forming an image on both sides of the recording paper.

The photosensitive drum 116, the conveyor belt 119,
The fixing unit 120, the paper discharge unit 121, and the developing unit 118 are driven by a main motor (not shown), and the first paper supply unit 112, the second paper supply unit 113, and the third paper supply unit 114 The drive is transmitted by transmitting the drive by a first paper feed clutch (not shown), a second paper feed clutch (not shown), and a third paper feed clutch (not shown), respectively. Vertical transport unit 115
Is driven by transmitting the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch (not shown).

Next, an image reading operation in the image reading unit 106 and a writing unit 117
Will be described, that is, the operation up to the formation of a latent image on the recording surface of the image. Here, the latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating the image on the surface of the photoconductor.

First, the reading unit 106 includes a contact glass 105 on which a document is placed, and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 135, a first
Mirror 136, lens 137, CCD image sensor 1
38, a second mirror 139, a third mirror 140, and the like. Exposure lamp 135 and first mirror 13
6 is fixed on a first carriage (not shown),
The mirror 139 and the third mirror 140 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).

The original image is read by the CCD image sensor 138 and converted and processed into an electric signal. The lens 137 and the CCD image sensor 1
By moving 38 in the left-right direction (in FIG. 1), the image magnification changes. That is, the lens 137 and the CCD image sensor 138 correspond to the designated magnification.
Is set in the left-right direction (image formation relationship).

The writing unit 117 comprises a laser output unit 141, an imaging lens 142 and a mirror 143. Inside the laser output unit 141, a laser diode (not shown) as a laser light source and a polygon motor (not shown) ), A rotating polygon mirror (hereinafter, referred to as a polygon mirror and not shown) that rotates at a high speed at a constant speed.

The laser beam emitted from the laser output unit 141 is optically scanned by a polygon mirror rotating at a constant speed, passes through the imaging lens 142, is turned back by the mirror 143, and is focused on the surface of the photosensitive drum 116. Image.

The optically scanned laser beam is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photosensitive drum 116 rotates, and is output from a selector 502 (see FIG. 6) of an image processing unit 402 described later. The recorded image signal is recorded in line units. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 116 by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photosensitive drum 116.

As described above, the laser beam output from the writing unit 117 is applied to the photosensitive drum 116. A beam sensor (not shown) that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position near one end of the photosensitive drum 116 where the laser beam is irradiated. Control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction based on the main scanning synchronization signal,
Further, it generates a control signal for inputting and outputting an image signal described later.

[Structure of Operation Panel] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the structure of the operation panel 201 as operation / display means for performing display to the user and input control of function setting from the user will be described. . FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation panel 201. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 201 includes a print key 20 serving as a start key.
2. There are a clear / stop key 203, a numeric keypad 204, a liquid crystal touch panel 205, an initial setting key 207, a mode clear key 208, and an interrupt key 209. The liquid crystal touch panel 205 is used for displaying various messages indicating the number of copies and the state of the image forming apparatus, and for inputting various information.

In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal touch panel 20
Since a dot display is used as 5, an optimal display at that time can be graphically performed. In addition,
In this embodiment, the liquid crystal touch panel 205 uses a dot display, but is not particularly limited to this example.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 205 of the operation panel 201.
When the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 205, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. If the details of the function need to be specified (for example, if the magnification is a variable value, the setting screen of the detailed function is displayed by touching the key).

In FIG. 3, the upper left of the screen is a message area for displaying a message such as "Ready to copy" or "Please wait", and the right side is a copy number display section for displaying the set number of sheets. Automatic density key to automatically adjust image density, automatic paper selection key to automatically select recording paper, sort key to specify processing to arrange copies one by one in page order, and processing to sort copies by page Stack key, staple key to specify the process of binding the sorted items one by one, the same size key to set the magnification to the same size, the variable magnification key to set the enlargement / reduction ratio, and the two-sided key to set the duplex mode , An erase / move key for setting a binding margin mode and the like, and a print key for setting printing of a stamp, a date, a page, and the like.
In the figure, the key of the selected mode is displayed as a shaded image.

[Control System of Image Forming Apparatus] Next, a control system of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(First Configuration Example) FIG. 4 shows a control system of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 4, various parts are arranged around a main controller 401 for controlling the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 401 has an image reading unit 402 and an image writing unit 40 via a system bus.
3, memory unit 404, CSS 407, clock 408
Is connected, and the system controller 401 includes:
Directly, the user restriction device 405, the human body detection sensor 406,
The operation panel 201 is connected. The image reading unit 402, the image writing unit 403, and the memory unit 404 are connected to each other by an image data bus.

The memory unit 404 includes a compression block, a DRAM block, and a DMA block. A DRAM block in the memory unit 404 is for storing an image signal read from the image reading unit 402, and transfers image data stored in the image writing unit 403 in response to a request from the system controller 407. be able to. The compression blocks are MH, MR, and MM, which are commonly used data compression.
It has a compression function such as the R method, and compresses an image once read to improve the use efficiency of a memory (DRAM). The rotation of the image is realized by changing the address read from the image writing unit 403 and its direction. Note that this memory unit 404 is not necessary only to realize a normal copy function.

The clock 404 is necessary only when a weekly timer function is realized such that the machine is booted or shut down when a specific time (set time) has been reached. Further, the human body detection sensor 406 is necessary only when a function of automatically canceling the preheating mode when a user approaches the machine in the preheating mode is realized. The CSS 407 has a remote diagnosis function, that is, a function of automatically notifying a service center when a machine error occurs, and monitoring the execution state / use state of the machine from a remote place. These may be mounted only when the above functions are required.

(Second Configuration Example) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the control system of the image forming apparatus. In the first configuration example (FIG. 4) described above, the CP of the system controller 401
U is an image reading unit 402, an image writing unit 403,
Although a central control method for controlling the memory unit 404 and the CSS 407 is used, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG.
2. The image writing unit 403 and the memory unit 404 may each include a CPU, and may use a distributed control method in which commands from the system controller to each controller are transmitted through control signal lines. The configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus is not limited to the above configuration examples 1 and 2, but may be another configuration.

[Configuration of Image Processing Unit (IPU) of Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit (image reading unit 402 and image writing unit 403) according to the embodiment of the present invention. . Hereinafter, the configuration of the image processing unit will be described with reference to FIG. First, the irradiation light from the exposure lamp irradiates the original surface, and is imaged on the CCD image sensor 138 of the reading unit 106 by an imaging lens (not shown). CCD image sensor 1 of reading unit 106
Numeral 38 photoelectrically converts the received original image to generate image data (analog electric signal).
After being converted into a digital signal by the converter 503 and subjected to shading correction by the shading correction circuit 504, the MTF γ correction circuit 505 performs MTF correction and γ correction processing.

The selector 502 has an MTFγ correction circuit 50
5 through the first print synthesizing unit 506 and the scaling circuit 508 through the second print synthesizing unit 507.
Alternatively, the image data is switched and supplied to the memory controller 510. The image data that has passed through the scaling circuit 508 is enlarged or reduced in accordance with the scaling factor, and is sent to the writing unit 117.

On the other hand, between the memory controller 510 and the selector 502, image data can be input and output bidirectionally. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 6, the image processing unit (IPU) includes an I / O port 514 and an SC in addition to the image data input from the reading unit 106.
One having a function of selecting input and output of a plurality of data so that image data supplied from the outside via the SI driver 515, for example, data input from a data processing device such as a personal computer, can be processed. I do.

The image processing unit includes a CPU 511 for setting various information (commands) to the memory controller 510 and the like and controlling the reading unit 106 and the writing unit 117, and a ROM 512 for storing programs and data of the CPU 511. And a RAM 513. Further, the CPU 511 is configured to be able to write or read data in the image memory 501 via the memory controller 510.

Next, the image data for one page in the selector 502 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a timing chart of image data of one page. Frame gate signal (hereinafter, / FGATE)
Abbreviated as) represents the effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. Main scanning synchronization signal (hereinafter, / LS
(Abbreviated as YNC) is per line, and / LSYNC
The image data becomes valid at a predetermined clock after the rise of.

A signal indicating that image data in the main scanning direction is valid is a line gate signal (hereinafter, / LGATE).
Abbreviated). These / FGATE, / LSYNC
And / LGATE are a pixel synchronization signal (hereinafter, VCLK)
Abbreviation), and 1 cycle of VCLK
Pixel data is sent.

Although detailed description is omitted, the IPU
Is a separate / F for each of image input and image output.
GATE, / LSYNC, / LGATE and VCLK
, And by performing phase adjustment and the like in the case of directly outputting the read original image (image data), various combinations of image input / output can be realized.

Next, the memory controller 510 and the image memory 501 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the memory controller 510 and the image memory 501. The memory controller 510 controls the input data selector 70
1, an image synthesizing unit 702, a primary compression / expansion unit 703, an output data selector 704, and a secondary compression / expansion unit 705. The setting of the control data in each section is performed by the CPU 51
1 is performed. Note that the addresses and data shown in FIG. 6 indicate the addresses and data of the image data, and the data and addresses of the control data connected to the CPU 511 are omitted.

The image memory 501 includes a primary storage device 706
And a secondary storage device 707. The primary storage device 706 is, for example, a DRAM or the like so that writing to the image memory 501 or reading from the image memory 501 at the time of image output can be performed at high speed substantially in synchronization with the transfer speed of the input image data. Use one that allows high-speed access. Further, the primary storage device 706 has a configuration capable of simultaneously executing input / output of image data by dividing the image data into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed (not shown, but an interface unit with the memory controller 510). ).

The interface with the memory controller 510 is connected to the interface with the memory controller 510 by two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing so that input and output of image data can be executed in parallel in each divided area. Thus, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to the area 1 becomes possible.

The secondary storage device 707 is a large-capacity memory for storing data for synthesizing and sorting input images. If elements that can be accessed at high speed are used for both the primary storage device 706 and the secondary storage device 707, data processing can be performed without distinction between the primary storage device 706 and the secondary storage device 707, and the memory controller 51
Although the control of 0 is relatively easy, the elements such as the DRAM are expensive, so that the access speed of the primary storage device 706 is set to be high and the input / output data is processed.
Note that the secondary storage device 707 is the same as the primary storage device 706.
It goes without saying that a high-speed device such as a DRAM may also be used.

By configuring the image memory 501 with the primary storage device 706 and the secondary storage device 707 as described above, an image forming apparatus capable of processing a large amount of image data such as input / output, storage, processing, etc. can be manufactured at a low cost. In addition, it can be realized with a relatively simple configuration. Note that the aggregated image in the aggregated copy function is stored in the primary storage device 706 in a format in which a plurality of document images are written on one sheet of recording paper.

Next, an outline of the operation of the memory controller 510 will be described. First, image input (storage in the image memory 501) will be described.

The input data selector 701 selects image data to be written into the image memory (primary storage device 706) from a plurality of data. The image data selected by the input data selector 701 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 702, and is synthesized with the data already stored in the image memory 501 by the image synthesizing unit 702. The image data processed by the image synthesizing unit 702 is subjected to data compression by a primary compression / decompression unit 703, and the compressed data is written to a primary storage device 706. The data written in the primary storage device 706 is further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 705 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage device 707.

Next, image output (reading of image data from the image memory 501) will be described. First, at the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 706 is read. Even when the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 706, the primary compression / decompression unit 703 decompresses the image data in the primary storage device 706 and outputs the decompressed data or the decompressed data. The output data selector 704 selects and outputs the data after the image synthesis of the input data and the input data.

The image synthesizing unit 702 includes a primary storage device 706
With the input data (having the function of adjusting the phase of the image data), selecting the output destination of the synthesized data (image output, write-back to the primary storage device 706, simultaneous output to both output destinations) Output is also possible).

The image to be output is the primary storage device 706
If the image data is not stored in the secondary storage device 707, the output target image data stored in the secondary storage device 707 is
05, and the expanded data is stored in the primary storage device 70.
After writing the data in No. 6, the above-described image output operation is performed.

[Structure of Copying Machine Network System] FIG. 9 shows a copying machine network system in which a plurality of digital copying machines according to the embodiment of the present invention are connected. Machine is referred to as a "network copy machine"). As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of digital copiers are connected to each other via a network interface. In the figure,
Although an example is shown in which eight digital copying machines are networked, the number of connected digital copying machines is not limited to this, and any number of digital copying machines may be connected,
Basically, different models may be used as long as mutual communication is possible.

[Hardware Configuration of Network Copying Machine] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the above-mentioned network copying machine. In particular, the digital copying machine 1000 (“digital PPC-I "and" digital PPC-II "). As shown in the figure, the hardware configuration of one digital copying machine is almost the same as the hardware configuration example 1 of FIG. 4, but the read image is transferred to an external network, or In order to save the image data from the memory unit in the DRAM block section in the memory unit, a SCSI (Sm
all Computer System Interface) and a SCSI controller.

As the network communication means, for example, Ethernet is used as physical means, and OSI is used for data communication.
(Open System Interface) TCP / IP of reference model
(Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protoco
l) Various means such as using communication can be considered. In addition, by using the configuration as shown in the figure, not only image data transfer as described above, but also control commands such as an in-machine status notification of each machine existing on the network and a remote output command to be described later, setting It also transfers commands.

Next, an operation of transferring an image read by "digital PPC-I" to an image writing unit of "digital PPC-II" (hereinafter, referred to as "remote output") is shown in FIG.
0 and FIG. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of software of “digital PPC-I” and “digital PPC-II”.

In FIG. 11, “copy application” is an application for executing a copy sequence for executing a copy operation, “input / output control” is a layer (device driver) for logically / physically converting data, and an operation panel controller is Layer that executes MMI (Man Machine Interface) (layer that performs LCD display, LED on / off, key input scan, etc. at logical level), "Peripheral controller" is attached to PPC such as automatic duplex unit, sorter, ADF, etc. The image forming unit controller, the image reading device controller, and the memory unit are as described above.

When a print request is made from another machine on the network, the "daemon process" reads out the image data stored in the memory unit and transfers the image data to the "image forming unit". It exists as an application that performs the role of Of course, before a "daemon process" can read an image from a memory unit and perform a print operation, the image transfer from another machine on the network must be completed.

The operation panel, peripheral devices, image forming unit,
Image reading device and memory unit are each PPC
Is treated as a resource (resource) owned by. In the case where the “digital PPC-I” in the figure executes a copy operation using its own resources (when the print start key is pressed), the “image forming apparatus”, “ It requests each resource of the "image reading device" or, if necessary, the "peripheral device" and the "memory unit" to the "system control" section.

The “system control” section includes a “copy application”
Arbitrates for the right to use resources in response to requests from
Notify the "copy application" of the arbitration result (usability). When the “digital PPC-I” is used in a stand-alone mode (in a state where no network connection is made), the “copy application” can occupy all the resources held by the system, so that the copying operation is immediately executed.
On the other hand, as in this embodiment, the right to use a resource is given to a “system controller” of a remote digital PPC that executes a print operation using a resource of another machine (hereinafter, a remote digital PPC) existing on a network. Request.

The system controller of the remote digital PPC arbitrates resources according to the request, and notifies the result to the application of the requesting machine. When the right to use is granted, the application reads the image, stores the image in its own memory unit, and, when the storage is completed, executes the remote control via the external interface (SCSI in this embodiment). The image is transferred to the memory unit of the output destination machine. When the image transfer is completed, the conditions (printing port, paper exit,
"Start printing" after sending
Send a command. Upon receiving the "print start" command, the "daemon process" at the remote output destination requests the "system controller" of itself (the machine that executes the remote output) to start printing, and the remote output is executed by the system controller. .

When the “digital PPC-I” uses the “digital PPC-II” memory unit, the “digital PPC-II” memory unit
“Digital PPC-II” (or a digital PPC other than “Digital PPC-I” when a plurality of digital PPCs are connected on a network as shown in FIG. 9)
The use of the application is disabled.

[Structure and operation of linked image forming apparatus]
The configuration and operation of the present invention when connecting the above-described digital copying machines (image forming apparatuses) will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Data Input / Output of System) FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow of mode change information between linked image forming apparatuses according to the embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows a connection interface (SCSI-I / F or LA) capable of two-way communication with the network copier 1000 (two in this example) of FIG. 10 described above.
N, etc.) and are simply shown. The network copier 1000 has an operation panel 201 and an operation panel interface 13 respectively.
01.

Further remarks are made. Network copier 1
000a, the operation panel 201a is connected to the system controller 401a via the operation panel interface 1301a, and information such as the start and end of the connection operation input on the operation panel 201a is transmitted to the system controller 401a. Further, the system controller 401a performs such information via the operation panel interface 1301a. Similarly, the network copy machine 1000b is also connected to the system controller 401b.
And the operation panel 201b are connected via an operation panel interface 1301b to exchange input / output information.

The network copy machine 1000a and the network copy machine 1000b
A connection 302 enables two-way communication. System controller 4 of network copy machine 1000a
01a obtains input information of the network copy machine 1000b via the connection interface 1302 and operates the operation panel 20 of the network copy machine 1000b.
1b can be displayed. Similarly, the network copier 1000b is connected to the system controller 40.
It is possible to obtain the input information of the operation panel 201a of the network copy machine 1000a and to instruct the display on the operation panel 201a of the network copy machine 1000a via 1b.

(Operation of Master Machine and Slave Machine) As described above, the network copy machine 1000a and the network copy machine 1000b connected by the connection interface 1302 are equal (peer-to-peer; peer-to-peer).
There is a relation of “to-peer”, and in the initial state after the power is turned on, it is not determined which is the master unit (master unit). The operation panel 201 is connected to each network copier 1000 as described above. That is, when an operator registers a user code on the operation panel 201 of one network copy machine 1000, the network copy machine 1000 becomes a master machine and the other network copy machine 1000 becomes a slave machine.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of operation processing on the master machine side. First, a user code input process is performed (S1401), and the user code is registered in the master device (own device) (S1402). Next, the same user code is transmitted to the connected slave units (S1403). After that, the master machine that has sent the user code to the slave machine determines whether there is a response from the slave machine (S1404). If there is a response from the slave unit, the operation panel 2 indicates that the user code has been successfully registered.
01, it is displayed that the user codes have been registered in all the connected devices (S1405). On the other hand, if it is time-out (no response) in step S1404, the operation panel 2 indicates that the registration of the user code has failed.
01 (S1406).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of operation processing on the slave device side. First, it is determined whether or not a user code has been notified from the master machine (S150).
1) If it is determined that the user code has been notified,
The user code is registered (S1502). And
Notify the master machine that the registration has been completed (S1
503).

As described above, the user code is used to register a predetermined code name (or number) when using the device and to input the code before using the device. This is an authentication code (information code for managing a charging counter for each user) for the purpose of user management for restricting users and performing charging and the like.

(Operation Example 1) FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of setting a user code at the time of connection operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. When setting a user code, the operation panel 201 of one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses (network copier 1000) to be connected is set.
Above, the user code is registered (S1601).
Then, the registered user code information is notified to another connected apparatus (S1602). Further, it is determined whether or not there is another connected device that has not been notified (S1).
603), wait for a response from the device. The notification of the user code and the response wait are performed for all the other image forming apparatuses to be connected.

Therefore, as described above, at the time of the connection operation, the user code (information code for managing the accounting counter for each user) is set for all the devices by setting the user code from one connected device. Registration,
(Including change and deletion), and the operability during the linking operation is significantly improved.

(Operation Example 2) FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation example when there is no response to the user code notification in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not there is a response from the connected device notified (S1701). here,
When there is a response to the user code notification to another image forming apparatus, the apparatus that has performed the user code registration displays, for example, “User code registration succeeded” on operation panel 201.
Is displayed (S1702). on the other hand,
If it is determined that there is no response to the user code notification to another image forming apparatus, a warning message, for example, “User code registration failed. Please check the connection.” Is displayed on the operation panel 201. (S1703).

Therefore, at the time of the user code setting described above, the user code setting from one connected device is
Since it is possible to confirm whether or not the user code has been set in all the devices by the message on the operation panel 201, the convenience of the user code setting operation in the connection operation is improved.

(Operation Example 3) Here, an area for determining whether or not a user code can be registered is secured in a nonvolatile RAM on the device. Among the linked devices, information that the user code can be registered is written in the above-mentioned area for a device that can register the user code, and information that the registration cannot be performed is written in other devices. Then, user registration is performed on the operation panel of any device. Hereinafter, a description will be given using a flowchart.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of judging and processing whether or not the user code can be set in FIG. First, input of a user code is started from the operation panel 201 (S1801). Then, it is determined whether or not the device can register a user code (S1802). Here, if it is determined that the device can register the user code, the user code of the entire connected device is registered (S1803). On the other hand, if it is determined that the device cannot register the user code, a warning message indicating, for example, "User code cannot be registered" is displayed on operation panel 201 (S1804).

Therefore, when the user code is set as described above, the user can select (specify) whether or not the user code can be set from one connected device. Efficiency is improved. In other words, by limiting the user code registration work to only one device, it is possible to centrally manage user codes of all devices by managing only one specific device, thereby improving management efficiency. Is done.

[Explanation and Definition of Terms] Next, terms used in this specification and terms related to the digital copying machine will be described.

[Image reading device (image reading unit)]: As an "image reading device" used in the digital PPC, a light source is irradiated on a document, and the reflected light is converted into an electric signal by a "solid-state image pickup device = CCD". In addition, an apparatus having a function of performing "necessary image processing" is used. Here, “necessary image processing” includes quantization (conversion of analog data converted into an electric signal by a CCD into binary or multivalued data), shading correction (irradiation unevenness of a light source for irradiating a document, MTF correction (to correct blur caused by the optical system), magnification change processing (indicating processing such as changing the image reading density and performing data interpolation using the read image data), etc. Say.

[Image forming unit]: The "image forming unit" used in the digital PPC forms an image image sent by an electric signal on plain paper, thermal paper, or the like by means of electrophotography, heat sensitivity, thermal transfer, ink jet, or the like. It is a device to do.

[Video signal], [Image data]: Electric signals of an image converted by the above-mentioned "image reading device",
An electric signal of an image input to the “image forming unit”, and
Signals for synchronizing with the electric signal of the image are collectively expressed as "video signal" or "image data".

[Control Signal], [Command]: In order to exchange a “video signal” between an “image reading device”, an “image forming unit”, and an “application”, it is necessary to transmit information between the devices. is there. This means is referred to as "control signal" or "command" issuance.

[Extended Function], [Application (abbreviated as application)], [Memory Function], [Memory Unit]:
A major feature of digital PPC is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by the image forming apparatus. At this time, by having means for changing (image processing) and transmitting the read electric signal in various ways, it can be applied to fields other than the conventional analog PPC. FA
X, page printer, scanner, file system, etc. In addition, recently, even when executing the PPC function, the read image data is temporarily
A function of storing a plurality of documents in a storage device such as M and reading out image data as necessary to execute a plurality of prints in one scan at the time of a plurality of copies, or to print a plurality of documents on one sheet of recording paper ( = Memory function below)
Etc. have also been realized. Functions that can be realized by these digital PPC systems are referred to as “extended functions” or “apps”. The memory unit is also used as a buffer for transferring image data between machines on a network.

[System Controller], "System": In executing the copy mode, in order to form an image in the image writing unit, a paper transport process, an electrophotographic process process, an abnormal state, a paper cassette state (paper presence or absence, etc.) And the like, and a controller that controls the scanner operation and the ON / OFF of the light source in order to monitor the inside of the device and read an image by the image reading unit are collectively referred to as a “system controller”. Furthermore, in recent digital PPCs, not only one extended function but also a plurality of applications have been installed simultaneously. As described above, a digital PPC sharing one resource may be referred to as a “system”, and a controller that controls this system may be referred to as a “system controller”.

[Resource], [Resource]: A unit of a functional unit shared by a plurality of applications is expressed as “resource” or “resource”. The aforementioned “system controller”
System control is performed for each resource. The resources managed by the digital PPC of this case are “image reading device”, “image forming unit”, “operation panel”, “memory”,
"Peripheral equipment (= ADF, sorter, automatic duplex unit, etc.)" and the like.

[User Restriction]: In particular, there is a case where the user does not want to permit use of the PPC using the electrophotographic process without restriction because the consumption is large. At this time, "user"
"Coin rack" to identify, limit, and manage
Use "user restricted device" such as "key counter", "key card", "prepaid card", "password" and the like.

[User setting]: When the system becomes complicated, it is necessary to individually deal with each user. Since it is impossible to satisfy all of these measures at the time of factory shipment, measures in the market are indispensable. Therefore, usually, the non-volatile R
The system is equipped with an AM to enable system settings according to customer requirements. This function is referred to as “user settings”.

[Idle state]: A state in which no operation by the user is performed for a certain period of time is expressed as an "idle state", and other states are expressed as a "busy state".
The time until the transition from the “busy state” to the “idle state” can be set by the user. For example, during the copying operation, of course, even if the copying operation is completed, the state does not transition to the “idle state” unless the user has not operated for a certain period of time.

[Weekly timer]: Turns ON / OFF the power according to the ON / OFF time set for each day of the week.
F function.

[Preheating]: In this mode, the fixing temperature is controlled by lowering the fixing temperature by a certain temperature (for example, 10 ° C.) and the operation panel display is turned off to save power consumption. The setting of this mode is automatically set after a certain period of time from when there is no operation or operation depending on key input on the operation panel or machine setting. This mode is released when a human body detection sensor detects that a person stands in front of the machine by key input on the operation panel or machine setting by machine setting.

[Reload]: A state in which the fixing temperature reaches a preset feasible temperature and copying is possible is called reloading.

[Interrupt mode]: A mode in which a copy operation is temporarily interrupted during a copy operation and during a copy operation. By setting this mode, the previous copy mode and, if the copying is in progress, information on the progress of the copying are stored in the nonvolatile RAM, the mode is shifted to the interrupt mode, and the mode is initialized. When the interrupt mode is released after the execution of the copy operation, the mode and information stored in the nonvolatile RAM are returned to restore the state before the interrupt mode was set, and the mode before the interrupt can be continued by restarting. The setting / cancellation of this mode can be performed using keys on the operation panel 201.

[Reservation mode]: A plurality of copy applications are activated, and resource management is performed by the system controller. If a certain copy application is in an image forming operation and the operation panel or the image reading device is open, use of another copy application is permitted, and setting operations and reading of a document are performed.

[CSS] (or [remote diagnostic system], [image forming apparatus management system]): FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus management system. A management apparatus 1203 installed at a service base and a device such as a PPC 1200 installed at a user are connected via a public network 1202. On the user side, a communication control device 1201 for controlling communication with the management device 1203 is installed.
0 is connected to the communication control device 1201. A telephone or a facsimile can be connected to the communication control device 1201, and can be installed by inserting it into an existing line of the user. A plurality of PPCs can be connected to the communication control device 1201, but of course there may be a single PPC.

These PPCs need not be of the same type, but may be of different models, and may be devices other than the PPC. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five PPCs can be connected to one communication control device. Communication control device and multiple PPCs are RS-48
Multidrop connection is performed according to five standards. Communication control between the communication control device and each PPC is performed by a basic type data transmission control procedure. By establishing a data link by a polling / selecting method of centralized control using a communication control device as a control station,
Communication with any PPC is possible. Each PPC can be set to a unique value by an address setting switch, thereby determining a polling address and a selecting address of each PPC.

[Reserved copy] starts a plurality of copy applications, and operates independently.
The operation panel, peripheral devices, image writing unit, image reading device, and memory, which are shared resources, are arbitrated by the system controller. The plurality of copy applications can write respective operation screen information on a virtual screen provided by the operation panel. The operation panel develops the screen information of the virtual screen of the operation panel owner application specified by the system controller on the real screen.

[Operation Reservation]: In the operation reservation stage, the copying operation cannot be started when the fixing machine is being heated during the fixing operation. However, after the mode setting and the setting of the original document are completed and reserved, after the fixing heating is completed, This function automatically starts the copy operation when the copy operation is enabled. In this embodiment, the operation reservation can be made during fixing heating. However, other objects that become operable with the passage of time are eligible for the reservation. LC
It can be considered that the T-tray rise time, the polygon motor rotation stabilization time, the toner supply operation, etc.

Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0106]

As described above, according to the linked image forming apparatus (Claims 1 and 4) of the present invention, all the connected slave units are linked to the user code setting of the master unit. On the other hand, by setting the user code of the slave unit at a time, the trouble of setting the user code for each device can be omitted, so that the user code (information code for managing a charging counter for each user) is set (registered) for all devices. , Change, and deletion) are realized, and the operability at the time of the connection operation is remarkably improved.

According to the linked image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 2), if there is no response to the user code setting from all the connected slave units, a warning message is sent to the operation / display means during setting. By displaying
The user code setting from one connected device can be confirmed by a message as to whether or not the user code has been set in all devices, so that the convenience of the user code setting operation in the connection operation is improved. .

Further, according to the linked image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 3), the user selects (specifies) whether or not the user code can be set from one connected apparatus.
By doing so, management efficiency at the time of setting a user code is improved. In addition, by limiting the user code registration work to only one device, the management of only one specific device enables centralized user code management of all devices, thereby improving management efficiency. Is done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of a liquid crystal touch panel of an operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the control system of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image processing unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an image signal for one page.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a memory controller and an image memory illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a copying machine network system.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a network copier.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of software when a plurality of copy applications are activated.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus management system.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow of mode change information between the connected image forming apparatuses according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation processing on the master machine side.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of operation processing on the slave device side.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of setting a user code at the time of a connecting operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example when there is no response to a user code notification in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determining and processing whether the user code can be set in FIG. 16;

[Explanation of symbols]

 106 Reading unit 201 Operation panel 202 Print key 204 Numeric keypad 207 Initial setting key 401 System controller 402 Image reading unit 403 Image writing unit 404 Memory unit 501 Image memory 508 Magnification circuit 511 CPU 512 ROM 513 RAM 514 I / O port 515 SCSI driver 701 input data selector 1000 network copy machine 1301 operation panel interface 1302 connection interface

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of image forming apparatuses are communicably connected to each other in a peer-to-peer manner, and a master machine and a slave machine are determined by user registration via operation / display means of each of the image forming apparatuses, and become the master machine. In a linked image forming apparatus in which an arbitrary image forming apparatus reads a document to be copied, supplies document information to another image forming apparatus serving as the slave unit, and performs desired printing in parallel and in parallel, the master The device is set to the user code input via the operation / display means of the device itself, and at the same time, the user code is transmitted to all the connected slave devices, and the user codes of the slave devices are collectively collected. A linked image forming apparatus characterized by setting. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the master unit displays a warning message on the operation / display unit during the setting when there is no response to the user code setting from all the connected slave units. Connected image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
2. The connected image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the setting of the user code can be executed in all devices or a specific device is selected. 4. The user code is registered with a predetermined code name / number, and is an authentication code for the purpose of user management such as user restriction and billing. 4. The connected image forming apparatus according to 1, 2, or 3.