JP3270806B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for recording, on a sheet, data obtained by reading an image of a document, and in particular for recording digitized data. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, particularly to an image forming apparatus that can record an image of read data using a printer unit and also can record external data transferred from an external device as necessary.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital copying machine, which is a type of image forming apparatus according to the present invention, reads an image of a document and records the read data as copy data on a sheet.
In recent years, it has been commercialized as a multifunction peripheral to which functions such as a print mode and a facsimile mode are added in addition to the mode.

[0003] Therefore, in addition to the case of operating as a copying machine, recording of image data by facsimile communication and recording of external data from other external devices such as a host computer, a personal computer, or a word processor. Is possible, and the operation rate in the printer unit as the image forming unit is increased. That is, the operation rate of the printer unit is higher than that of a copying machine having only a function of reading an image of a document and recording the image on a sheet.

The digital copying machine includes a scanner unit for reading an image of a document, a printer unit for storing copy data obtained by performing image processing on data capable of recording data read by the scanner unit, and recording the copy data. And
An input / output interface for processing external data from the above-described external device, for example, a word processor or a personal computer, is provided. As a result, in addition to recording the data obtained by reading the image of the original, while the printer unit is in a standby state (a state in which the recording process is not being executed) except during a series of recording operations of the copy data by the printer unit, the external device can perform the recording. , And can record this external data.

Conventionally, the above-described digital copying machine uses a printer unit for reading an image of a document and recording the image, and records the external data required by another external device. One disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-130311 has been proposed. This is to record image (external) data transferred from an external device when the printer unit is not operating in order to increase the operation rate of the printer unit.

[0006] The contents described in the above publication will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 13, a filing function 1005 and a facsimile machine are used because the printing unit of the digital copying machine 1000 connected via a communication line 1014 is shared. Function 1006 and laser beam printer unit 1007
When the CPU 1010 inputs a print request from each of the functional units, the operation status of the printer unit of the copying machine 1000 is checked. Is transferred to the copying machine 1000 through the output selector 1009 and the selector 1002, and image recording is performed. Therefore, the image data from the facsimile machine or the personal computer is input to the above-mentioned functional units via the external interface 1011 by the input selector 1008.
And sends it to the facsimile function 1006 and the laser beam printer unit 1007 for storage. Therefore, when the CPU 1010 receives a print request, the facsimile function unit 1006 or the laser beam printer unit 10
07 is transferred to the printer unit of the copying machine 1000 as described above and recorded.

Therefore, according to JP-A-5-130311, priorities of external data transferred from an external device are determined in advance, and the priority of the external data having a higher priority, for example, external data transferred from a facsimile machine is determined. It is specified that the recording of the external data is started by confirming the state before the recording operation in the printer unit is started.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-233028 discloses that priorities for recording external data transferred from an external device are determined in advance by the external device or in the order received by the image forming apparatus. Priorities are determined, and recording of transferred external data is executed.

[0009]

According to the above arrangement,
This has the effect of increasing the operating rate of the printer unit of the digital copying machine 1000. In other words, if there is a print request for image data from another external device while the printer unit is not in operation, the printer unit can be operated, and the digital copying machine can be used effectively.

However, according to the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-130311, the data from the facsimile apparatus is printed out with the highest priority, so that it can be transmitted from another external device such as a word processor or a personal computer. Printing of external data is postponed. Therefore, the operation rate of the printing unit cannot be further increased. In other words, this is because only the determined facsimile apparatus has priority without determining the priority order with other external apparatuses.

Also in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-233028, since the external data is received in the order of arrival, the priority order is not determined with respect to the external data from another external device. Is not an improvement.

In particular, when the external data arrives in the order of arrival, if a printing condition that cannot be processed by the image forming apparatus is set, the recording operation is not started until the condition is satisfied, and the operating rate of the printing unit during that period decreases. I do. Therefore, it takes time to print out all of the external data,
The image forming apparatus cannot be used as a copying machine.

In order to solve the above problems, if the recording speed of the printer unit is increased, the time until printout can be reduced. However, increasing the recording speed has a much greater disadvantage. For example, cost increases due to speeding up, such as noise and the problem of component life.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of further increasing the operation rate of the printer unit without increasing the recording speed in the printer unit.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to temporarily store external data transferred from an external device, and to start a recording process after determining priorities for improving the operation rate in the printer unit in each of the external data. By doing so, the operation rate is improved and the printout time is shortened.

Further, according to the present invention, when external data is transferred from an external device during a recording operation in the printer section, the external data is further transferred between the external data and the other transferred external data which is not printed. An object of the present invention is to improve the operation rate of the printer unit by resetting the priority.

In short, the main object of the present invention is to improve the operation rate of the printer unit constituting the image forming apparatus in accordance with the priority order, and at the same time, to shorten the operation stop state of the printer unit as much as possible, and Is to improve.

[0018]

An image forming apparatus for achieving the above object of the present invention comprises a scanner section for reading an image of a document, and data read by the scanner section recorded on a sheet as copy data. And an image forming apparatus that can record external data transferred from an external device on a sheet as needed through the printer unit. And a storage unit for sequentially storing the external data stored therein, and a selection for selecting, as a recordable, a storage unit in which the conditions for recording the external data stored in the storage unit match the conditions for enabling recording in the image forming apparatus. Means, priority setting means for determining a recording order in a predetermined priority order from the external data selected by the selection means, and external data stored in the storage unit. According to the order determined by said priority setting means, characterized by comprising a control means for executing a recording process at the printer unit. According to this configuration, the priority order is determined in a state in which the recording conditions of the transferred external data match the conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus, so that the printer unit cannot operate. And the recording process can be executed continuously. Therefore, the operation rate of the printer unit can be improved, and the time for outputting external data can be reduced without performing high-speed recording processing.

Therefore, the priority setting means gives priority to the plurality of external data in the order of longer recording processing time, so that other remaining external data is recorded by the printer unit during the recording processing. This can be developed into bit data that can be processed, and the time for stopping the operation of the printer unit can be reduced.

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

Another image forming apparatus for achieving the object of the present invention includes a scanner section for reading an image of a document, and a printer section for recording data read by the scanner section as copy data on a sheet. In an image forming apparatus capable of recording and processing external data transferred from an external device on a sheet as needed via the printer unit, the external data transferred from a plurality of external devices is provided. A storage unit for sequentially storing, and a selection unit for selecting, as the recordable, a condition in which the condition for recording the external data stored in the storage unit matches the condition for being recordable in the image forming apparatus; Priority order setting means for determining a recording order in a predetermined priority order from the external data selected by the selection means; and external data stored in the storage unit in the priority order. A control unit for causing the printer unit to execute a recording process in accordance with the order determined by the setting unit; and a function of the image forming apparatus for external data whose recording conditions not selected by the selection unit do not match. Means for executing a recording process under the condition closest to the recording condition using the recording condition. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the recording of the external data omitted by the selection unit from being executed. That is, if the recording conditions based on the external data do not meet the conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus, the recording process is not executed by the printer unit forever, and the processing is interrupted in that state. In order to avoid this, the recording process is executed under the condition closest to the recording condition of the external data, so that the interruption time of the printer unit can be eliminated and the operation rate can be improved.

Further, another image forming apparatus for achieving the object of the present invention includes a scanner unit for reading an image of a document, and a printer unit for recording data read by the scanner unit as copy data on a sheet. In an image forming apparatus capable of recording and processing external data transferred from an external device on a sheet as necessary via the printer unit, the external data transferred from a plurality of external devices are sequentially stored. A storage unit, a dividing unit that divides the external data transferred from the plurality of external devices into a predetermined group in the order of arrival, and a predetermined unit among the external data divided by the dividing unit. Priority order setting means for determining the recording order in the priority order, and external data stored in the storage unit are determined in the group order and by the priority order setting means. According to the order, characterized by comprising a control means for executing a recording process at the printer unit. According to this configuration, when a plurality of external data sets a priority each time the external data is transferred, it is possible to avoid a state in which the external data transferred first is not output forever. In other words, by setting priorities for external data grouped in the order of arrival, the recording process of the external data in the next group is not performed unless all the external data of this group is output. Those that are fast will not be turned off later.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image of a document is read, image processing is performed on copy data that can be recorded by a printer unit, the copy data is recorded on a sheet, and external data from an external device is read. An embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention that records as necessary will be described with reference to the drawings.

The present invention will be described by taking a digital copying machine having, for example, a copy mode, a print mode, a fax mode and the like as an example. FIG. 1 shows a digital copy machine according to the present invention and an external device connected via a communication line. FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing the state, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the digital copying machine in FIG.

First, referring to FIG. 2, a digital copying machine as a digital image forming apparatus will be described. This digital copying machine is mainly composed of a main body 1 and a scanner section 2 and a laser recording section 3, that is, a printer section.

The scanner unit 2 includes a document table 2-0 made of transparent glass and a double-sided automatic document feeder (ADF) 2 for automatically feeding and conveying the document onto the document table 2-0.
-1, and a document image reading unit for scanning and reading an image of a document placed on the document table 2-0,
That is, it is composed of the scanner unit 2-2.

The image (read) data of the document read by the scanner unit 2 is sent to an image data input unit, which will be described later, as copy data that can be recorded and processed by the printer unit 3. Image processing is performed.

The ADF 2-1 sets a plurality of documents on a document tray (not shown) provided at a time, and automatically sets the set documents one by one on the document table of the scanner unit 2-2. 2-0. The ADF 2-1 also includes a transport path for a one-sided original, a transport path for a two-sided original, and a transport path switching unit such that the scanner unit 2-2 reads one or both sides of the original according to an operator's selection. It is composed of A number of applications and commercializations of the ADF 2-1 have been filed, and no further description will be given.

A scanner unit 2-2 constituting a scanner unit 2 for reading an image of a document on a document table 2-0.
Is a lamp reflector assembly 2 for exposing the surface of the original.
-3 and a photoelectric conversion device (CCD)
A first scanning unit 2-6a equipped with a first reflection mirror 2-5a for reflecting the reflected light from the document for guiding to 2-4, and reflected light from the first reflecting mirror 2-5a A second for guiding an image to a photoelectric conversion element (CCD) 2-4;
A second mounting the third reflecting mirrors 2-5b and 2-5c
The scanning unit 2-6b forms a reflected light image from a document on an element (CCD) 2-4 which converts the reflected light image into an electric image signal via the above-described reflecting mirrors 2-5a, 2-5b and 2-5c. It comprises an optical lens body 2-7 for forming an image, and the above-mentioned CCD element 2-4 for converting a reflected light image from a document into an electric image signal.

The scanner unit 2 operates the RADF 2-1 and the scanner unit 2-2 in association with each other to sequentially place the documents to be read on the document table 2-0.
A scanner unit 2 is provided along the lower surface of the document table 2-0.
2 is moved to read the original image. In particular, the first scanning unit 2-6a includes the document table 2
By traveling at a constant speed V from left to right along −0, the second traveling unit 2-6 b has V
The traveling is controlled in parallel in the same direction at a speed of / 2. As a result, the placed originals are sequentially scanned line by line by the CCD element 2.
The image is read by forming an image at -4.

The image data obtained by reading the original image by the scanner unit 2-2 is sent to an image processing unit to be described later, and after being subjected to various processes, stored in the memory of the image processing unit by the printer unit 3. The data is temporarily stored as recordable copy data, and the copy data in the memory is provided to the laser printer unit 3 in accordance with an output instruction, and an image is recorded on a sheet.

The (laser) printer unit 3 includes a sheet conveyance system for forming a sheet on which an image is formed, a laser writing unit 30, and an electrophotographic processing unit 31 for forming an image.

The laser writing unit 30 emits a laser beam in accordance with copy data read from the memory after reading by the above-described scanner unit 2-2 or external data transferred from an external device. ,
A polygon mirror for deflecting the laser beam at a constant angular speed, and correcting the laser beam deflected at a constant angular speed so as to be deflected at a constant speed on the photosensitive drum constituting the electrophotographic process unit 32.
A −θ lens and the like.

The electrophotographic process unit 31 includes a charger, a developing device, a transfer device,
It has a peeling device, a cleaning device, and a static eliminator.

On the other hand, the sheet transport system includes a transport section 33 for transporting the sheet P to a transfer position where the transfer unit is disposed, in particular, of the electrophotographic processing section 31 for performing the above-described image formation. Cassette feeders 34a and 34b for feeding P, or a manual feeder 35 for appropriately feeding sheets of a required size, and an image formed on the transferred sheet P, particularly for fixing a toner image. Fixing device 3
6. An image is formed again on the back surface of the sheet P after fixing, that is, a switchback conveyance path 37 for reversing the sheet P to form an image on both sides of the sheet P, and the sheet P passing through the conveyance path 37 is accommodated. And an intermediate tray 38.

A switching claw 39 for switching the sheet P to the above-mentioned switchback conveyance path 37 is provided downstream of the fixing device 36. The path for conveying the sheet to the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 is switched.

Sheets of a predetermined size desired by an operator (operator) are stored in the cassette sheet feeding devices 34a and 34b of the sheet conveying system, and the manual sheet feeding device 35 is desired by the operator. Used for multi-feeding a small number of sheets. Therefore,
The operator feeds a sheet of a desired size by selecting a paper size in the paper feed cassette or by selecting the manual paper feed device 35.

In the laser writing unit 30 and the electrophotographic processing unit 31, the bit data that is stored in a state where the copy data or the external data read from the image memory is expanded into data recordable by the printer unit 3 is
By causing the laser writing unit 30 to scan with a laser beam, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 32 and is visualized by toner. As for the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32, a sheet P of a size selected by the above-described sheet feeding device 34 or the manual sheet feeding device 35 is sent to the transfer device via the conveyance unit 33. . As a result, the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is transferred to the surface of the sheet P, and is sent to the fixing device 36. After the completion of the fixing, the image forming is completed. It is transported to the device 5.

(Description of Circuit of Image Processing Unit) Next, the configuration and function of an image processing unit that performs image processing on read document image information in the digital copying machine 1 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing section included in the digital copying machine 1 of FIG. An image processing unit included in the digital copying machine 1 includes an image data input unit 4
0, image processing unit 41, image data output unit 42, RAM
(Random access memory), a memory 43 including a hard disk, and a central processing unit (CPU) 44.

The image data input section 40 includes a CCD section 40a,
It includes a histogram processing unit 40b and an error diffusion processing unit 40c. The image data input unit 40 converts the image data of the original read from the CCD 2-4 into a binary value, processes the image data by an error diffusion method while obtaining a histogram as a binary digital amount, and stores the histogram in the memory 43. It is configured to store it once.

That is, in the CCD section 40a, after an analog electric signal corresponding to each pixel density of the image data is A / D converted, MTF correction, monochrome correction or gamma correction is performed, and 256 gradations (8 bits) are performed. To the histogram processing unit 40b.

In the histogram processing section 40b, the digital signal output from the CCD section 40a is added for each of the 256 grayscale pixel densities to obtain density information (histogram data). The data is sent to the CPU 44 and sent to the error diffusion processing unit 40c as pixel data.

The error diffusion processing section 40c outputs the 8 bits output from the CCD section 40a by an error diffusion method which is a kind of pseudo intermediate processing, that is, a method of reflecting a binarization error in the binarization determination of an adjacent pixel. The digital signal of bits / pixel is converted into one bit (binarization), and a redistribution calculation for faithfully reproducing the local area density in the document is performed.

The image processing section 41 includes multi-value processing sections 41a and 41b, a synthesis processing section 41c, a density conversion processing section 41d, a scaling processing section 41e, an image processing section 41f, an error diffusion processing section 41g, and a compression processing section 41h. Contains.

The image processing section 41 is a processing section for finally converting the input image data into image data desired by the operator, and is stored in the memory 43 as copy data of the finally converted output image. Until the processing is performed, the processing is performed by this processing unit. However, the image processing unit 4
The above-described processing units included in 1 function as needed, and may not function in some cases. That is, in the multi-value processing units 41a and 41b, the error diffusion processing unit 40c
The valued data is converted again into 256 gradations.

The synthesis processing unit 41c selectively performs a logical operation for each pixel, that is, an operation of a logical sum, a logical product, or an exclusive logical sum. The data to be subjected to this calculation is the pixel data stored in the memory 43 and the bit data from the pattern generator (PG).

The density conversion processing section 41d arbitrarily sets the relationship between the input density and the output density for the 256-level data signal based on a predetermined tone conversion table. The scaling processing section 41e performs interpolation processing with the input known data in accordance with the designated scaling factor, thereby obtaining pixel data (density value) for the target pixel after scaling and changing the sub-scanning. After the multiplication, the main scanning is scaled. In the pixel processing unit 41f, various image processing is performed on the input pixel data, and information collection on a data string such as feature extraction can be performed. The error diffusion processing unit 41g performs the same processing as the error diffusion processing unit 40c of the image data input unit 40. Compression processing unit 41h
In, binary data is compressed by encoding called run length. As for the compression of image data, compression functions in the final processing loop when the final output image data is completed.

The image data output unit 42 is provided with a restoration unit 42
a, a multi-value processing section 42b, an error diffusion processing section 42c, and a laser output section 42d. Image data output unit 4
2 restores the image data stored in the memory 43 in a compressed state, converts the image data back to the original 256 gradations, and performs error diffusion of the quaternary data which is a smoother halftone expression than the binary data. It is configured to transfer data to the laser output unit 42d.

That is, in the decompression unit 42a, the compression processing unit 41
h, the compressed image data is restored. In the multi-value processing section 42b, the multi-value processing section 41 of the image processing section 41 is used.
The same processing as in a and 41b is performed. In the error diffusion processing unit 42c, the error diffusion processing unit 4 of the image data input unit 40
The same processing as in 0c is performed. In the laser output section 42d, the digital pixel data is turned on / off of the laser based on a control signal from a sequence control (not shown).
The signal is converted into an off signal, the semiconductor laser in the laser writing unit 30 is turned on / off, and an electrostatic latent image is written on the photosensitive drum 32.

The data handled by the image data input section 40 and the image data output section 42 is basically stored in the memory 43 in the form of binary data in order to reduce the capacity of the memory 43. It is also possible to perform processing in the form of quaternary data in consideration of the deterioration of image data.

(Explanation of the control structure of the entire digital copying machine)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the operation of each unit of the entire apparatus of the digital copying machine 1 is managed by a central control unit (CPU) 44. CCD2-4, image data input unit 40,
The image processing unit 41, the image data output unit 42, the image memory 43, and the central processing unit (CPU) 44 are the same as those in FIG.

The central processing unit (CPU) 44 manages each drive mechanism of the digital copier 1 such as the ADF 2-1, the scanner 2 and the laser printer 3 described with reference to FIG. Control signals are output to each part.

Further, an operation board unit 45 comprising an operation panel is connected to the central processing unit 44 in a mutually communicable state, and a control signal is sent to the central processing unit 44 in accordance with a copy mode set and inputted by an operator. Then, the digital copying machine 1 is controlled to operate according to various setting modes.

A control signal indicating the operation state of the digital copier is transferred from the central processing unit 44 to the operation board unit 45, and the operation board unit 45 side determines the current state of the apparatus by the control signal. The operation state is displayed on a display unit or the like as shown to the operator as to whether there is.

Reference numeral 46 denotes a sorter control unit, which is a control unit for managing the operation of a post-processing device for sorting copies output by the digital copying machine 1. Reference numeral 47 denotes an image data communication unit provided to enable information communication with other digital image equipment such as image information and image control signals. That is, the external devices according to the present invention, in particular, as shown in FIG. 1, external devices A to C such as personal computers and word processors are connected to the main body of the digital copying machine 1 via the communication line 48, and Capture data. In the case where the communication unit 47 is connected to a facsimile apparatus, the communication unit 47 has a modem and is connected to the other party via a telephone line.

The above-described CPU 44 includes a communication unit 47
The external data input from the external devices A to C,... Is taken in, stored in the image data storage unit 43 or the hard disk, and the image processing unit 41 described above is used as the data for forming an image in the printer unit 3. The data is developed by the printer unit 3, and the data developed so as to be recordable by operation of the printer unit 3 is stored in the storage unit 43 again. Regarding the stored external data, the recording is started during a period in which the recording operation in the printer unit 3 is temporarily stopped, which will be described later in detail in the present invention.

The CPU 44 outputs a control signal for driving various loads 49 of the printer unit 3 in order to start a recording process, and outputs various control loads 50 of the scanner unit 2 in order to read an image of a document. And a control signal for driving various loads 51 for driving the ADF 2-1. Here, when the printer unit 3 is driven, the CPU 44 inputs a signal indicating the rotational position of the photoconductor (not shown) and a detection signal for detecting the conveyance status of the fed sheet, and thereby the printer unit 3 Grasp the operating status of
Detects printer troubles such as poor rotation of the photoconductor.

Further, in the scanner section 2, scanning is started in accordance with the detection state of the home position sensor of the support 2-6a, and a signal from the home position sensor indicating this state and a signal from the sensor for detecting the end of scanning. When the CPU 44 inputs the signal, the operation state of the scanner unit is grasped, and it is determined whether or not the operation is normal. In particular, it takes a fixed time from the start of scanning to the end of scanning, and if it is later than that time, it can be easily detected that there is a trouble in the scanner unit.

Further, in the ADF 2-1 as well, signals from various sensors for detecting the jam of the original in the conveyance system such as conveying the original to the image reading position and discharging the original after the reading are input to the CPU 44. ADF2
The trouble on the -1 side, for example, a document conveyance jam or the like is easily grasped. In particular, in the CPU 44, before the image recording is started, particularly, when the power supply rises, the ADF 2
(1) Whether or not the operation of the printer unit and the scanner unit is normal is grasped in advance by self-diagnosis. This is because self-diagnosis can be easily performed by inputting signals from the above-described various sensors. This is well known in the related art, and details thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the CPU 44 grasps the operation status of the printer unit 3 each time, and
It is possible to completely grasp the status of the operation of the 2-1 and the scanner unit 2 and the trouble state thereof. Especially CP
U44 is for controlling the image recording by the digital copying machine 1 as described above, and it is well known that the above-described respective controls and the sequential detection of the trouble state are omitted, and the details are omitted. .

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a specific example of the operation panel relating to the above-mentioned operation board unit 45 in the digital copying machine 1. In the center of this operation panel,
A touch panel liquid crystal display device 6 is arranged, and various mode setting keys are arranged around it.

On the screen of the touch panel liquid crystal display device 6, there is a screen switching instruction area for constantly switching to a screen for selecting an image editing function, and by directly pressing this area with a finger, various image editing functions are selected. A list of various editing functions is displayed on the liquid crystal screen so that it can be performed. From among the displayed various editing functions, the operator sets the editing function by touching the area where the desired function is displayed with a finger.

The dial 7 for adjusting the brightness of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 6 will be briefly described based on the reference numerals attached to the various setting keys arranged on the operation panel.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an automatic magnification setting key for setting a mode for automatically selecting a magnification, reference numeral 9 denotes a zoom key for setting a copying magnification in increments of 1%, and reference numerals 10 and 11 read and select fixed magnifications. A fixed magnification key 12 is used to return the copy magnification to a standard magnification (actual magnification).

Reference numeral 13 denotes a density switching key for switching the copy density adjustment from automatic to manual or to the photo mode, 14 denotes a density adjustment key for finely setting the density level in the manual mode or the photo mode, and 15 denotes copying. A tray selection key for selecting a desired paper size from paper sizes set in a paper feeding unit of the apparatus.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a copy number setting key for setting the number of copies, 17 denotes a clear key operated when clearing the number of copies or stopping continuous copying, 18 denotes a start key for instructing the start of copying, Reference numeral 19 denotes an all release key for releasing all of the currently set modes and returning to the normal state, reference numeral 20 denotes an interrupt key operated when a copy of another document is desired during continuous copying, and reference numeral 21 denotes a copy machine. An operation guide key for displaying a message about the operation method of the copier by operating it when you do not understand the operation,
Reference numeral 22 denotes a message forward key for displaying a continuation of the message displayed by operating the operation guide key 21.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a double-sided mode setting key for setting a double-sided copying mode, and reference numeral 24 denotes a discharge processing mode setting for setting an operation mode of the sheet discharge processing device 5 for sorting copies discharged from the copying machine. Is the key.

Reference numerals 25 to 27 denote setting keys for a printer mode and a facsimile mode. Reference numeral 25 denotes a memory transmission mode key for temporarily storing transmission originals in a memory and then transmitting them. Reference numeral 26 denotes a copy and fax mode for the digital copying machine. A copy / fax / printer mode switching key 27 for switching between the telephone numbers is a one-touch dial key for storing a destination telephone number in advance and transmitting a telephone call to the destination by one-touch operation at the time of transmission.

FIG. 1 shows a digital image forming apparatus according to the present invention,
In particular, FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a state where the digital copying machine 1 is connected to an external device via a communication line 48. First, the system configuration of various information devices in the office where the digital copier 1 is installed will be described.

Here, the external devices A to C, which are information devices existing in the office, are personal computers, word processors, etc., as shown in FIG. When necessary, for example, image (external) data to be recorded is transferred, and when a recording command is sent from the external device A to C, the digital copying machine 1 performs a recording operation in the printer unit 3. The recording operation is started by confirming that the recording operation has not been performed. Each of these external devices is connected to the digital copying machine 1 by a general-purpose interface (I / F) such as SCSI so that data can be exchanged. The contents of the data are image (external) data for performing recording, including a control command, density data of a recorded image, a size of a recording sheet, and the like.

In FIG. 1, the personal computers of the external devices A to C, which are a plurality of information devices, are connected to one digital copying machine 1, and the recording commands are sent from the personal computers A to C. On the digital copier 1 side, the transferred external data from the external device is recorded on a sheet and output (printed out).

On the digital copying machine 1 side, the ADF 2
The image of the original sent at -1 or the like is read, and the read data is processed as copy data, and is normally recorded with priority. When the printer unit 3 of the digital copying machine 1, which performs normal copying with priority, does not perform a recording operation, the above-described external devices A to C
The recording of the external data transferred from the external device is started based on the recording command from.

(Print Mode and Copy Mode) The digital copying machine 1 is normally set in the copy mode, and the ADF 2 is
When the original is set at -1 or the like, the image is read after the original is conveyed to the reading position, and the read data is transmitted to the printing unit 3 in the image processing apparatus as described with reference to FIG. The image processing is performed in such a state that the recording can be performed in the storage section 43, and the image data subjected to the image processing is stored in the storage section 43 as copy data. When the preparation for recording by the printing unit 3 is completed, the copy data stored in the storage unit 43 is sequentially read out, and the laser of the laser writing unit 30 is drive-controlled according to the processing of the image data output unit 42. This is irradiated on the photoconductor 32.

The recording operation in the normal copy mode is completed, and the printer unit 3 is in a standby state, that is, the digital copying machine 1 reads an image of a document, and copies the read data to the printer unit 3 after image processing. In a standby state in which the recording operation is not performed, the external data from the external devices A to C is transferred, and if there is a recording request command, the digital copying machine 1 side transmits the transferred external data. A recording process for storing and outputting data on a sheet is executed.

In this case, the external data transferred from the external device is developed into data that can be recorded on the printer unit 3 by the digital copying machine 1, and is ready for recording in a state where it is stored in the storage unit 43. Will be completed. When the preparation state is completed, the CPU 44 checks the standby state of the printer unit 3 as described above,
The external data stored in the storage unit 43 is sent to the laser writing unit 30 via the image data output unit 42,
In order to start the recording operation, each load of the printer unit 3 is controlled. Thus, the recording operation of the external data from the external device A or C is started.

As described above, if the recording of the original in the copy mode by the digital copying machine 1 in the copy mode is completed and the printer unit 3 is in the standby state, the CPU 4
Step 4 prepares for recording the external data transferred from the external device. If this is only for external data from any of the external devices A to C, a recording operation for printing out the external data as it is is executed.
However, when external data is respectively transferred from a plurality of external devices, the external data is temporarily stored in a set area of the storage unit 43, and priorities are determined. The data recording operation is performed.

As the priority, the one having a longer recording processing time is prioritized. Then, before setting the priority order, the process is performed in order from the plurality of external data transferred from the external device in which the recording conditions that can be processed by the digital copying machine 1 are completed. For example, by processing external data having a long recording processing time first, during the recording processing of the long data, other external data is developed into data that can be recorded by the printer unit 3, and this is stored in the storage unit 43. Can be memorized. Therefore, when the printout of the external data at the destination where the recording processing time is long is completed, the next external data has already been developed into data recordable by the print unit 3. Therefore, the recording of the next external data can be executed immediately without stopping the operation of the printer unit 3, the operation rate of the printer unit 3 can be improved, and the time until all the data of the unit is printed out can be shortened. .

On the other hand, by determining the priority order after selecting the ones having the same print conditions, the stop time of the printer unit can be reduced. That is, priority is given to a condition in which the recording condition of the external data matches the condition that can be processed by the digital copying machine 1. For example, a sheet size to be printed out is specified, and a sheet of this size is
, The priority is given, and if not, the priority is lowered. That is, if there is no sheet of the size indicated by the external data, normal printing cannot be executed, and the printer unit 3 interrupts the printing operation in accordance with a command from the CPU 44. Therefore, if the recording conditions do not match the processing conditions in the digital copier 1, the recording conditions are excluded from the priority order, and a priority order is set for a condition that matches, and the recording process is performed. 3
The operation stop period can be eliminated, and the operation rate can be improved.

Further, the digital copying machine has a staple function, a sort function, and the like. When a processing function other than these functions is instructed by external digital, the order of the external data is determined by the order of other external data. Lower than ranking. Further, in the digital copying machine 1 having the sorting function, the case where the sorting function is instructed and the case where the sorting function is instructed are classified, and the priority is set based on the classification.

Next, various examples of the digital copying machine 1 in the above-described image recording will be sequentially described in various embodiments.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a state in which external data has been transferred from the external devices A to D to the digital copying machine 1. Further, each of the external data is stored in the storage unit 43 including the print condition in each of the storage areas, and a priority order is determined according to each of the stored data. Data is sent, and a recording operation is performed.

In FIG. 6, at the time t1, external data a1 is firstly output from the external device A, external data b1 is output second from the external device B, and external data c1 is output third from the external device C. Fourth, when the external data d1 is transferred from the external device D to the digital copying machine 1 via the communication line 48, first, the external data a1 to d
In step 1, a device that can be processed by a digital copying machine is selected. For this selection, for example, it is determined whether or not the sheet size attached to the digital copying machine 1 is indicated in each external data.

Therefore, at this stage, when sheets of B5 and A4 sizes are set in the sheet feeding devices 34a and 34b of the digital copying machine 1, the instruction sheet of the external data d1 from the external device D is considered. Since the size is A3, the digital copying machine 1 cannot process at this time. Therefore, the printing process of the external data d1 is postponed, and external data from another external device that can be processed is selected.

Next, for the external data a1 to c1 that can be processed, the priority order for printing out preferentially is determined at the timing of time t2. In this case, the one with the largest number of printouts is given the highest priority as the recording processing time is the longest. Therefore, the number of prints of the external data c1 from the external device C is 100, and the external data c1 is given the highest priority. The external data a1 from the external device A is the external data c1 from the external device B. Since the number of prints is larger than b1, the external data a1
Is determined so that the print processing is performed first. In this way, the external data c1, a1,.
b1 and then the external data d1 that cannot be processed at the present time.

If the above-mentioned priority order is determined, the external data c1 from the external device C is output from the time t3.
Starts printout processing. To perform printout, the digital copying machine 1 develops external data into data that can be recorded and processed by the printer unit 3, and temporarily stores the data in the storage unit 43. When the development is completed and the data is developed into at least one page of developed data, for example, bit data, it is sent to the printer unit 3 and the recording operation is started. During this recording operation, the remaining external data c1 is sequentially developed into bit data, and the other external data a1, b1 and the like are further developed sequentially, and sequentially stored in the storage unit 43.

Therefore, the digital copying machine 1 is given priority.
By selecting the external data that can be processed by the external device with the larger number of recordings, the printer unit 3 can use the print processing time of the external data to print the remaining external data in parallel. Can be expanded to Therefore, it is possible to continue the operation without stopping the printer unit 3 halfway and waiting for the development of the external data. As a result, by continuing the recording operation time of the printer unit 3, the operation rate can be improved, and the time until all the external data is printed out can be reduced.

On the other hand, if the external data e1 is newly transferred from the external device E at the time t4 while the recording process of the external data c1 of the external device C is being executed,
In parallel with the recording of the external data c1 by the printer unit 3, other external data a
The priority is reset between 1, b2. As described above, it is first confirmed whether or not the processing can be performed on the digital copying machine 1 side as described above. Therefore, the external data e
If 1 is 40 sheets of data with the sheet size A4, the order is set such that print processing can be performed after the external data a1 and before the external data b1. Therefore, the remaining non-recording priorities are set as the external data a1, e1, and b1, and the external data d1 that cannot be processed at the present time is set last.

As described above, the priorities are set.
According to the priority order, the printout processing of the external data is sequentially executed at the timing of time t6. And
When the printout processing of the external data b1 is being executed, the external data d of the external device D is
In order to enable the first printout process, a message or the like is issued to set an A3-size sheet on a side different from the sheet feeding device 34a or 34b on which an A4-size sheet is set based on the external data b1. If a sheet of A3 size is set in accordance with the notification, the state in which the external data d1 cannot be processed is released, and after the recording process of the external data b1 is completed, the printout process of the external data d1 is executed. .

Here, when the printout processing of the external data d1 becomes possible, the priority is higher because the number of prints is larger than that of the external data b1. However, since the printout processing of the external data b1 has been executed first, the print processing of the external data d1 may be temporarily interrupted and the printout processing of the external data d1 may be executed. The operation is temporarily interrupted, and it takes time to develop the external data d1 into data that can be recorded and processed by the printer unit 3, so that the operation rate of the printer unit 3 is reduced. Therefore, it is optimal to execute the printout processing prior to the printout processing that has been executed first, and to execute the printout processing in accordance with the priority that is reset after the printout processing.

Therefore, if the digital copier 1 is set to a state in which the external data d1 can be printed before the external data b1 is printed out,
The number of prints of the external data b1 and the external data d1 are compared, and the external data d1 having the larger number of prints is given priority, and the printout process is executed in the order of the external data d1 → b1. The printing of the external data d1 is enabled when the sheet of the designated size is set in the digital copying machine 1 as described above, and when the printing of the external data c1 is completed. On the digital copier 1 side, since the processing sheet size based on the external data that can be printed out is only A4, the A3 paper is supplied to a paper feeding apparatus different from the paper feeding apparatus 34a or 34b on which A4 size sheets are set.
A message can be issued to set a sheet of a size. If the A3 size is set according to this notification, the processing becomes ready at the time of the setting, and the priority is reset at this time. However, instead of setting priorities including those for which printout processing has been executed first, the priorities are reset with the remaining external data that is waiting before printout processing is executed. Is done.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a procedure for executing printout in accordance with the priority order of the external data in FIG. As described above, the external data a1 to d1 transferred from the external devices A to D
Is selected (t1) after the recording condition specified in the step 1 matches the condition that can be processed by the digital copying machine 1,
After the priorities of the processable external data a1 to c1 are determined (t2), the external data c is determined according to the priorities.
The first printout process is executed (t3), and in a state where new external data is transferred from another external device during the execution (t4), a selection is made as to whether or not processing is possible. Then, the priority order of the remaining external data is reset (t5) except for the printout process execution, and the printout process (t6) is executed according to the setting order.

Here, as the setting of the above-mentioned priorities,
The number of prints is compared with each external data, and the number of prints is set in descending order. This is a long processing time until the external data is developed and printed out by the printer unit 3. That is, when the number of prints is large, the processing time for the development is reduced, and the printout processing time in the printer unit 3 is also increased. Therefore, a condition in which the entire processing time is long is set as a condition for setting the priority. This condition setting is as described above, and since the processing time is long, the development of the remaining external data can be performed in parallel, so that the printing process can be continuously executed as much and the printer unit 3 is stopped. Eliminating the period can greatly improve the operation rate.

When setting the above-mentioned priorities, those which can be printed out directly by the digital copying machine 1 are selected first, and the above-mentioned priorities are determined from those which can be printed out. If the digital copier 1 cannot set the printout process as it is but sets it to a higher priority, the printing operation of the printer unit 3 in the printout process of the external data is interrupted. This interruption continues until the digital copier 1 meets the conditions that allow the external data to be printed out, and this interruption time is extremely wasted. for that reason,
The operation rate in the printer unit 3 decreases, and the printout time for outputting all external data increases.

In setting the order of priority, it is also important that processed sheets can be easily distinguished for each external data. For example, in order to discriminate sheets on which external data from the external apparatuses A to E are printed out, it is preferable to discharge each of the sheets to a separate tray. Therefore, a large number of discharge trays may be provided in the digital copying machine 1.

Therefore, in the digital copying machine 1, if a sorter is provided, each tray can be assigned to a specific one of the external apparatuses A to E by using the sorter, and the discharge processing can be performed. In some cases, post-processing is instructed as external data. This post-processing is, for example, stapling or sorting.

For example, if the number of prints is 20 (number of pages) in the external data and the recording condition for sorting the number of copies is 10 is instructed, it is necessary to sort the 10 copies in page order. In addition, the sheets on which the print processing has been performed by the external data are distributed to the respective trays, and the printed sheets of 20 pages are discharged to ten trays. Therefore,
When the sort processing is instructed for the external data c1 and the external data b1 and the sort processing is unnecessary only for the external data a1, there is no problem when the number of trays for sorting exceeds the number of copies of the external data c1 or b1. In the case of equality, the sheet of the external data a1 is sandwiched during the sort processing, and it becomes very difficult to distinguish between the sheets. In particular, in the case of sorting, if the number of trays is smaller than the number of copies, all remaining sheets that cannot be sorted into a specific tray are discharged.

In the case described above, it is only necessary to perform processing in which sorting processing is instructed and processing in which sorting processing is not instructed. That is, assuming that the highest-priority external data c1 is instructed to perform the sort process,
The sorting process is prioritized. For example, if the sort processing is instructed is the external data b1, the priority is set in the sort instructed data, and the external data a1 in which the sort processing is not instructed is postponed. By doing so, the printed sheet of the external data a1 is discharged to only a specific tray, so that the sorted external data c1 or b1 can be easily distinguished from the recording sheet by the external data c1 or b1. Workability increases.

Here, it has been described that the sort process is performed first, but the external data c has a long processing time until printing is completed.
This is because this is set as the highest priority in the case of No. 1. Therefore, when the external data c1 does not require the sort processing, the print processing of the external data a1 for which the sort processing is not instructed can be prioritized, and the external data b1 for which the sort processing has been instructed can be performed later. Even if you do this,
It is possible to avoid that a printed sheet of unsorted external data is sandwiched between the sorted sheets and the distinction becomes difficult.

Also, without giving priority to the post-processing instruction similar to that which has the highest priority in the external data, or the non-instruction data, it is possible to discriminate the post-processing instruction from the non-instruction data in advance. The priority order may be determined from the distinctions. In this case, those that require post-processing may be postponed, and those that do not require post-processing may be set first, and priorities may be set from these. Alternatively, the reverse may be applied.

In short, when external data is printed out, the highest priority order may be set so as to improve the operation rate in the printer unit 3, and post-processing or post-processing is not performed. Therefore, it is important that the processed sheets can be easily distinguished if there is no change in the operation rate of the printer unit.

(Second Embodiment) As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the digital copying machine 1,
The priority is set to the lowest as it cannot be processed at this time. If the target sheet size is not set in the digital copying machine 1, processing can be performed when the sheet size is set. But,
If an instruction that cannot be processed by the digital copying machine 1 is specified, output is disabled. In order to avoid this, it is also possible to output under the closest condition specified.

FIG. 8 shows an example. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the external data d transferred from the external device D
In 2, it is assumed that five copies of a sheet size A4, double-sided copying, and the number of printed sheets of 20 are printed, and further stapling is performed. On the other hand, in the digital copying machine 1 that prints out, it is assumed that there is an A4 size sheet, both sides can be output, a sorter is provided, and stapling cannot be performed. In such a case, it is determined that the external data d1 cannot be processed, and the priority is set to the lowest. Moreover,
If the stapling process has been instructed, the stapling process cannot be executed, and the process becomes forever impossible.

In order to solve this problem, instead of the stapling process being impossible, the sheets subjected to the printing process are sorted because a sorter is provided. By substituting the stapling process by this sorting, it is possible to easily perform the stapling process on the bundle of recording sheets sorted on the user side. This eliminates the unprocessable state,
The printout process can be performed in a state closest to the instructed condition.

In the digital copying machine 1, the maximum is B
When it is possible to process up to 4 sizes, A3
Is instructed, in order to perform printout processing in a state close to this instruction, if reduction or enlargement processing is possible, reduce the image of the external data to another sheet size,
For example, it can be printed out on a B4 size sheet. Then, the set sheet size matches the sheet size specified in the condition. However, in addition to selecting an appropriate sheet size as described above, performing reduction or enlargement processing and executing printout, an enlargement or reduction function is provided. If not provided, a sheet having a size slightly larger than the designated sheet size can be selected and the printout process can be performed.

Further, for example, when the sort processing of five copies is instructed, if the sorter is not provided, the same number of pages is not sequentially output to one discharge tray, and the same number of pages is not sequentially output. In the state where the recording process has been performed, the sheets are sequentially discharged, and this is repeated five times. In addition, if both sides of the digital copying machine 1 are not possible, it is sufficient to print out one side and discharge it.

As described above, in the case where the external data indicates a condition that cannot be processed by the digital copier 1, the condition is satisfied if the condition can be met. What is necessary is just to perform a printout process in the state which was carried out. However, if the conditions cannot be matched, as described above, the state is changed to the state closest to the instructed condition, and the printout processing can be performed under the changed condition. As a result, all the printout processing of the external data can be performed, and the digital copier 1 does not wait in a state where the processing cannot be performed, so that the operation rate of the printer unit 3 can be improved.

(Third Embodiment) This embodiment enables the priority to be arbitrarily changed when the printout process is executed according to the priority set as described above. It is. In other words, when transferred from an external device, the printed result may be needed immediately. In such a case, if the priority is low, it is necessary to wait a long time until the target recorded matter is printed out. In order to solve such inconvenience, the one in which the once determined priority is set as described above is arbitrarily changed.

For this reason, the display device 6 of the operation panel 45 of the digital copying machine 1 displays the priority order of each external data and the recording conditions such as the sheet size, the number of prints (the number of copies if necessary), and the presence or absence of post-processing. Is displayed. This post-processing is, for example, stapling or sorting.

An example of the content displayed on the display device 6 shown in FIG. 9 is shown. This display example shows the external data a transferred from various external devices as described with reference to FIG.
The display for confirmation after setting the priority order of 1 to d1 is the content of (A). In this example, a state is shown in which printout processing has been performed on the external data x first. The priority order after the printout of the external data x is completed is set as the highest priority from the one with the longest processing time.

Therefore, when it is desired to change the priority in the standby mode except for the one under treatment, the user touches the "change" portion 6-1 displayed on the display device 6 to change the remaining priority. You can make changes. The display device 6 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, on which a transparent touch panel is provided on the entire surface to enable operation input of the displayed content. I have.

By touching the “change” portion 6-1 of the display device 6, the priority data portion is displayed in the frame 6--6.
Surrounded by 4. By operating the "change" portion 6-1 several times, the frame 6-4 descends from the previous priority down, and is cyclically changed from the bottom to the top again. . To output the target external data, for example, the data a1, first, the setting is performed in the state of FIG. 8A, and the “confirmation” portion 6-3 is touch-operated. Also,
When it is no longer necessary to change the priority state, the touch operation of the "cancel" portion 6-2 of the display device 6 is performed, so that the frame 6-
4 disappears, and the printout processing is executed in the originally set priority order.

After selecting the target external data a1 by operating the “change” part 6-1 described above, the “confirmation” part 6-
3 is performed, the display content of the display device 6 is changed to that shown in FIG.
It is changed as shown in FIG. That is, details for printing out the external data a1 selected by the change are displayed.
The contents in the state where the priority order including 1 has been changed are also displayed. In this display state, the external data a1
If the user wants to actually print out with priority, the touch operation of the “priority” portion 6-5 is performed, and after the touch operation of the “confirmation” portion 6-3, the priority is displayed in the initial display state as shown in FIG. Displayed with the order changed. Due to this change, the digital copier 1 performs a printout process via the printer unit 3 in accordance with the displayed priority.

(Fourth Embodiment) Subsequently, in the state where the priorities are set or changed as described above, printout processing in accordance with the priorities is sequentially executed on the digital copying machine 1 side. . Therefore, if a trouble occurs in the print unit 3 during the printout process, the print process cannot be executed due to the trouble, and the temporary print operation is interrupted. Until this trouble is eliminated, the interruption continues, so that the operation rate in the printer unit 3 decreases.

Here, in the above trouble, if the sheet being printed out is no longer in the middle, the recording operation on the sheet cannot be executed. Further, when performing staple processing or the like as an instruction of external data, if the stapling stops halfway, the processing cannot be executed, and the recording operation by the printer unit 3 is interrupted at this point. However, since such a trouble is not a state in which the printing operation in the printer unit 3 is not possible, a printing operation on a sheet of another size can be executed. Also, an external data recording operation that does not instruct stapling can be executed.

Therefore, the trouble state as described above is C
If the detection is performed by the PU 44, the CPU 44 selects one of the external data that is on standby and that matches the condition of no sheet or stapling processing, with priority. In other words, at this point, the previously set priority is temporarily saved, and a new priority is set. However, the temporarily saved priority is stored in a temporarily saved state because if the sheet is refilled and the staples are refilled, the remaining printout processing after the interruption can be executed.

In this way, the stop time of the printing operation in the printer unit 3 is reduced when a trouble state, that is, when the sheet is cut out or the staples are cut out, so that the printing process of the external data advanced is executed. Will be done. Therefore, there is an effect of suppressing a decrease in the operation rate in the printer unit 3.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The priorities are set in the order of 2 to d2, the printing process of the external data a2 is executed, and during the execution, the A4 size sheet is lost. In this state, the printing process in the printer unit 3 is temporarily stopped. Then, the A4 sheet size is replenished. Until this replenishment,
Since stopping the operation of the printer unit 3 causes a problem of lowering the operation rate, other external data b2 to d2 are selected which satisfy the conditions that can be processed by the digital copying machine 1 side. For example, the remaining sheet feeding device 34a or 34b
If the sheet size attached to is set to A3, the external data b2 becomes a condition under which print processing can be performed, and this condition is moved up and preferentially selected. Then, the printout processing of the external data b2 is continued. This processing is as described above.

When the replenishment of the sheet (A4) which has been printed out earlier is completed, this is
U44 confirms this and enables recording processing on the sheet. Therefore, at this point, the print processing can be performed, and the print processing of the remaining external data a2 that has been interrupted is restarted. Therefore, the printout processing of the external data b2 is temporarily stopped. The external data b2 is executed subsequently after the processing of the external data a2 is completed. As a result of the above-described processing, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the operation rate of the printer unit 3.

Here, external data a2 and external data b2
It is necessary to distinguish between For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11, a discharge tray capable of separately discharging the printed sheet of the external data a2 interrupted in the trouble detection and the printed sheet of the external data b2 to be subsequently printed is provided separately. The sheets are separately discharged in advance. By doing so, when the print processing of the external data is interrupted in the middle and then restarted, the recorded sheets of the external data a2 and the external data 2 to be processed to be processed can be easily distinguished. Processing is improved.

The above-described operation is performed when the target sheet is lost on the way, but the same applies when the staples are lost on the way.

(Fifth Embodiment) According to each of the above embodiments, the printout processing is executed in accordance with the set priority. However, there is a case where a printout having a low priority is not printed out forever. That is, in each external data transferred from a plurality of external devices,
When the priorities are reset in a state in which the external data is received, the lower the priority, the lower the order and the time required for printing out each time the external data is received.

In order to prevent such inconveniences, groups may be arranged in the order of incoming calls, and a priority order for improving the operation rate in the printer unit 3 may be set within the grouped range. FIG. 12 shows an example.

In FIG. 12, when external data a3 to g3... Transferred from each external device are received in that order, the group is divided into three types of external data. That is, the first group is stored in the external data a
3, b3, c3, the second group is external data d3,
e3, f3, and the group of the three are external data g3,.
Grouped.

Then, the priority in each group is set. For example, in the first group, priorities are set in the range of the external data a3 to c3. In this case, as described in the previous embodiment, the external data is expanded into bit data that can be processed by the printer unit 3, and the data having the longer processing time until the printer unit 3 completes the print processing is set as the highest priority. Therefore, if the order of the external data is a3 → c3 → b3, the priority order is set in that order. Also, the external data d3 of the second group
Even in the range from f3 to f3, the priorities are set in the order described above.

In each of the above groups, the printout processing is executed from the first group which receives the call earlier. Therefore, even when the external data b3 has a lower priority than the external data of the other group, until the printout processing of all the external data of the first group is completed, the external data b3 of the other second and third groups are completed. Since the printout processing of the external data is not executed, it can be solved that it takes time until the printout. In other words, regarding the processing of external data that is transferred later, the priority is set with three types as one unit, so that the external data cannot enter the first group.

Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the printing process of the external data is postponed and is not easily output without substantially lowering the operation rate of the printer unit 3. In this case, as described in the third embodiment, when it is desired to output the external data from other external devices with the highest priority, the set priority can be changed by a manual operation. It is. In this case, the display is performed for each group, and if the external data to be given the highest priority is selected, the external data is output in a priority manner regardless of the grouping after the printout processing of the currently executed external data x is completed. Can be done.

The number of groups to be divided into groups is not limited to three, but may be two or more. If the number is set to 10 or more, it may take time to print out even if the order of arrival is earlier. Therefore, it is preferable to set the number to a number that is smaller than the 10 types.

[0131]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the priority is set so that the operation rate in the printer unit is improved, and the external data printout process is executed. Without increasing the print speed, the processing time until printout can be substantially reduced, as in the case where the print speed is substantially increased.

[0132]

Also, under the conditions specified by the external data,
Even if the image forming apparatus cannot perform the processing, the printout processing is performed in a state close to the condition, so that the image forming apparatus does not wait in the state where the external data cannot be processed.
It can contribute to the improvement of operation rate.

[0134]

On the other hand, when the priority is reset every time external data is transferred, even if the priority is very low, if the external data is received first, the priority is fixed within a predetermined group. By doing so, it is possible to avoid a delay in print output. In this case, the operation rate in the printer unit does not decrease.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall system diagram showing a state in which an image forming apparatus and an external device according to the present invention are connected via a communication line.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, particularly, an image processing unit of a digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is an overall control block diagram of image processing and sheet discharge processing including an image processing unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an operation panel portion in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 6 shows a first example for setting priorities in the present invention.
5 is a timing chart for explaining the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a time course of a printout process by setting the priority order in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining setting of priorities in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example for explaining a third embodiment for performing a change instruction after setting a priority order in the present invention, and FIG. 9A is a table for performing an initial setting change; FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a display example for confirmation by a priority change operation, and FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a setting state after the priority change.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining a fourth embodiment showing a modified form of the print processing in the trouble state in the process of performing the printout processing according to the priority in the present invention.

11 is a timing chart for explaining a state of a sheet discharging process after printout in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a timing chart in a fifth embodiment showing another specific example for setting priorities in the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a conventional technique of an image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copier 2 Scanner part 2-2 Scanner unit 3 Printer part 30 Laser writing unit 31 Image formation process 32 Photoconductor 40 Image data input part 41 Image processing part 42 Image data output part 43 Storage part (memory / hard disk) 44 CPU (Control unit) 47 Communication unit 48 Communication line A to D External device (personal computer / word processor) a to g External data

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-291924 (JP, A) JP-A-7-182187 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A scanner unit for reading an image of a document, and a printer unit for recording data read by the scanner unit as copy data on a sheet, and storing external data transferred from an external device on the sheet. in the image forming apparatus capable of recording processing as needed through the printer unit, an external data storage unit, stored in the storage unit for sequentially recording external data transferred from the plurality of external devices conditions for recording includes a selection means for selecting as a recordable those that meet the criteria to be recordable in the image forming apparatus, the recording processing from the external data selected by the selection means
Priority order setting means for determining a printing order by giving priority to the processing time in the descending order, and recording the external data stored in the storage means by the printer unit in accordance with the order determined by the priority order setting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to execute processing. 2. A scanner section for reading an image on an original,
Data read in the canner section as copy data sheet
And a printer unit for recording on the
External data that comes in on the sheet via the printer
Forming apparatus capable of performing recording processing as needed
In sequentially serial external data transferred from the plurality of external devices
Storage unit to record, and conditions for recording external data stored in the storage unit
Matches the conditions under which recording can be performed by the image forming apparatus.
Means for selecting the data as recordable , and post-processing from the external data selected by the selecting means
Has been instructed, or no post-processing instruction has been given.
Priority setting means for determining the recording order by distinguishing
And the external data stored in the storage means,
According to the order determined by the setting means, the printer unit
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to execute a recording process . 3. A scanner unit for reading an image of a document, and a printer unit for recording data read by the scanner unit on a sheet as copy data, wherein external data transferred from an external device is written on the sheet. in the image forming apparatus capable of recording processing as needed through the printer unit, an external data storage unit, stored in the storage unit for sequentially recording external data transferred from the plurality of external devices conditions for recording includes a selection means for selecting as a recordable those that meet the criteria to be recordable in the image forming apparatus, a predetermined external data or found pre Me selected by said selection means Priority order setting means for determining a printing order in a priority order; and the printer according to the order determined by the priority order setting means. Control means for executing the recording processing in the storage means, and recording processing for the external data in which the recording conditions not selected by the selection means do not match under the conditions closest to the recording conditions by using the functions of the image forming apparatus. And an image forming apparatus. 4. A scanner unit for reading an image of a document, and a printer unit for recording data read by the scanner unit on a sheet as copy data, and storing external data transferred from an external device on the sheet. An image forming apparatus capable of performing a recording process as needed via the printer unit, a storage unit for sequentially recording external data transferred from a plurality of external devices, and a storage unit for storing external data transferred from the plurality of external devices. dividing means for grouping a predetermined respective number on the incoming order of the external data coming, the priority setting means for determining a recording order in a predetermined priority order from among the external data is divided by the dividing means , The external data stored in the storage unit in the order of groups and according to the order determined by the priority setting means,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for causing the printer unit to execute a recording process.