JP3858188B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that is connected to another image forming apparatus via a network and processes print output in a shared manner with the other image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, image forming apparatuses are classified as low-speed machines, medium-speed machines, and high-speed machines according to applications and printing processing speeds. Generally, an image forming apparatus with a higher printing processing speed is more expensive. Usually, high-speed machines are used in applications that perform large-scale printing at copy centers and the like. On the other hand, low speed machines and medium speed machines are widely used in general offices, and the frequency of use is often averaged throughout the year.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there are cases where a large amount of printing is required at weekends, at the end of the month, and at the end of the year. It is wasteful in terms of cost to introduce a high-speed machine only for such exceptional cases.
[0004]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of coping with temporary mass printing as described below.
[0005]
A plurality of digital image forming apparatuses that read an original image as image data, and store and output it in a storage device are connected by an interface for transmitting and receiving image data, and a part of the image data read by one digital image forming apparatus is used. Sending to other image forming devices connected via the interface and sharing the printing process improves the productivity of the printing process and introduces an expensive high-speed machine even when a large amount of printing is temporarily required Without having to do it.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve such an object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus connected to a network for reading image data of an original and data for compressing image data read by the image reading means. Compression means; data storage means for storing image data compressed by the data compression means; print output means for printing image data stored by the data storage means; and data division means for dividing the image data into a plurality of data; Data transmitting means for transmitting the image data stored by the data storage means and the image data divided by the data dividing means to another image forming apparatus via the network, and the image data transmitted by the data transmitting means for other images Print sharing means for printing on the forming apparatus and image data transmitted from other image forming apparatuses Data receiving means for signals, text and graphicsIndicated by at least one ofPrint data adding means for adding print data as secondary information to image data;Print data transmitting means for transmitting print data to another image forming apparatus; transmission print data adding means for adding the print data transmitted by the print data transmitting means to image data of another image forming apparatus;It is characterized by having.
[0007]
  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data output process is shared by reducing the processing time by transmitting and outputting the image data to another image forming apparatus connected via the network. It becomes possible. Also, letters and figuresIndicated by at least one ofBy adding print data as secondary information to image data, it becomes possible to easily manage the document.Further, by transmitting print data to another image forming apparatus and adding the transmitted print data to the image data of the other image forming apparatus, it is possible to easily manage a document output from the other image forming apparatus. Is possible.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, an electronic sort output mode is provided in which the image data for a plurality of pages is output one by one in the page order in a shared manner with other image forming apparatuses. Electronic sort output means for executing is provided.
[0009]
Therefore, according to the second aspect of the invention, by executing the electronic sort output mode, it is possible to realize the sharing of the output processing of the image data and the reduction of the processing time, and to arrange the printed transfer sheets one by one. Can be reduced.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a simple sharing stack output mode for sharing and outputting image data for a plurality of pages for each page with another image forming apparatus. It has a simple shared stack output means for executing
[0011]
Therefore, according to the third aspect of the invention, by executing the simple sharing stack output mode, it is possible to share the output processing of the image data and reduce the processing time.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image data for a plurality of pages is divided into a predetermined number of pages in the page order to form another image. A document front / rear shared stack output unit for executing a document front / rear shared stack output mode for output in a shared manner with the apparatus is provided.
[0013]
Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to share the image data output processing and reduce the processing time by executing the document front / rear sharing stack output mode.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image data for a plurality of pages is divided into odd pages and even pages, and odd pages and even pages are divided. A document odd-numbered even-numbered sharing stack output unit for executing a document odd-numbered even-numbered sharing stack output mode for outputting one of the page image data and causing the other image forming apparatus to output the other is provided.
[0015]
Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, by executing the original odd / even sharing stack output mode, it is possible to share the output processing of the image data and reduce the processing time.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, output is performed from an electronic sort output mode, a simple sharing stack output mode, a document front / rear sharing stack output mode, and a document odd / even sharing stack output mode. It has an output selection means for selecting and outputting a form.
[0017]
Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 6, by selecting and outputting the output form from the electronic sort output mode, the simple sharing stack output mode, the document front / rear sharing stack output mode, and the document odd / even sharing stack output mode, Sharing of image data output processing and reduction of processing time can be realized, and output can be performed in an output form according to a user's request.
[0018]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, when the electronic sorting output mode and the simple sharing stack output mode are selected by the output selection means, the image forming apparatus and other image forming apparatuses Is provided with output number setting means for setting the number of sheets to be output.
[0019]
Therefore, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the electronic sort output mode and the simple sharing stack output mode are selected, the printed transfer is performed by setting the number of sheets output by the image forming apparatus and the other image forming apparatus. It is possible to reduce the time for sorting paper.
[0020]
  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the print data customizing means for setting the print data so as to conform to user requirements.TheIt is characterized by having.
[0021]
  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 8,Set print data to meet user requirementsIt becomes possible to do.
[0022]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the print data receiving means for receiving the print data transmitted from the other image forming apparatus, and the print data received by the print data receiving means. Print data storage means for storing data, and received print data addition means for adding the print data received by the print data storage means to the image data.
[0023]
Therefore, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, print data held by another image forming apparatus is received and stored, and added to the image data to acquire print data that has not been held so far. Can be used freely, and the document can be managed more flexibly and easily.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus and components according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
[0025]
The image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit 1, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 2, an operation unit 3, an image forming unit 4, an expansion unit 8, and a user restriction device 9. is doing.
[0026]
The image reading unit 1 irradiates a document with a light source, converts the reflected light into an electrical signal by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), quantization, shading correction, MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) correction, and scaling. Process.
[0027]
Quantization is a process of converting analog data converted into electrical signals by a CCD into binary or multivalued data. The scaling process changes the reading density of an image and interpolates data using the read image data. To do. Further, the shading correction is a correction process for the irradiation unevenness of the light source that irradiates the document and the variation in the sensitivity of the CCD, and the MTF correction corrects the blur due to the optical system.
[0028]
An ADF 2 for automatically feeding a document and an operation unit 3 for inputting various instructions are installed on the upper part of the image reading unit 1. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the ADF 2 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation of the ADF 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0029]
The ADF 2 includes a pulse generator 131, a separation belt 132, a call lever 133, a document set detection unit 134, a document table 135, a discharge roller 136, a reverse switching claw 137, a reverse discharge detection unit 138, A document length detection unit 139, a separation roller 140, a registration detection unit 141, a document width detection unit 142, a document scale 143, a calling roller 144, and a reverse roller 145 are provided.
[0030]
The ADF 2 is a part that separates a bundle of documents one by one, sends them on the contact glass, and sets them. The ADF 2 has two DC (Direct Current) servo motors, ie, a conveyance motor and a discharge motor. The paper section is installed independently. The reverse paper discharge unit has a reverse mechanism and realizes single-sided printing of double-sided originals.
[0031]
When the document is placed on the document table 135 and inserted until it touches lightly, the document set detection unit 134 detects the document, and the document off display is turned off. Next, when the start key is pressed, the calling solenoid, the paper feed spring, and the electromagnetic clutch are turned on, the transport motor is turned on, and the original is fed. At this time, only one lowermost document is fed by the separation belt 132 and the separation roller 140 as the document to be fed.
[0032]
The document size that has passed through the separation roller 140 is detected by the registration detection unit 141, the document width detection unit 142, the pulse generator 131, and the document length detection unit 139.
[0033]
When the trailing edge of the document passes through the registration detection unit 141, the registration detection unit 141 is turned off, and the conveyance motor is turned off when a designated pulse is reached. As a result, the conveyance belt stops and the document stops at a fixed position.
[0034]
When reading of the document image is completed and a document replacement signal is transmitted, the transport motor and the discharge motor are turned on, and the document is discharged and the next document is fed. When a double-sided document is printed, a document reversing mechanism is used in which the document passes through the contact glass once, is reversed by a reversal discharge unit, and is conveyed again onto the contact glass.
[0035]
The number of sheets that can be set on the document table 135 is limited by the opening of the insertion section and the separation mechanism. If more than the limit number is set, paper jam or double feed will occur. The ADF 2 is connected to other parts of the image forming apparatus via a power supply and a communication line that transmits and receives commands, receives commands such as paper feed or paper discharge, operates in accordance with the commands, and also provides information such as the presence or absence of a document. Send.
[0036]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the operation unit 3 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the operation unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation unit 3 includes a numeric keypad 11, a liquid crystal display screen 12, a guidance key 13, a program key 14, an area processing key 15, a brightness adjustment knob 16, a mode clear residual heat / timer key 17, and an interrupt key 18. ,have.
[0037]
By pressing the numeric keypad 11, the number of prints is set. Further, the liquid crystal display screen 12 displays an operation state and a message. The guidance key 13 is used when shifting to a mode for displaying a description of the function and the operation method, and the program key 14 is used when setting, registering, and calling a mode that is frequently used.
[0038]
The area processing key 15 is used for designating the print area and setting the print mode for each area, the brightness adjustment knob 16 is used for adjusting the brightness of the liquid crystal display screen 12, and the interrupt key 18 is used for printing. Used to interrupt during operation and print another document.
[0039]
By pressing the mode clear residual heat / timer key 17, the set contents are canceled, and when the mode clear residual heat / timer key 17 is pressed continuously for a predetermined time or longer, the transition to the residual heat state (residual heat mode) is executed. The remaining heat mode is a mode in which power consumption is saved by controlling the fixing temperature to a fixed temperature (for example, 10 ° C.) and turning off the display on the liquid crystal display screen 12 of the operation unit 3.
[0040]
The transition to the remaining heat mode is performed by key input in the operation unit 3, or automatically when a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation and operation in the image forming apparatus are completed. The release from the residual heat mode is performed by key input in the operation unit 3 or when the human body detection sensor 54 detects that a person is standing in front of the image forming apparatus.
[0041]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the setting of the touch panel detection circuit element according to the embodiment of the present invention. The elements X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment are set based on FIG. Yes. Hereinafter, the setting of the elements X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0042]
In the “detection” on the input side (IN in FIG. 7) of the OR circuit 25, “1” indicates that an operation for detecting whether or not the touch panel is pressed is being executed. On the other hand, when “0” is written in “detection”, it indicates that the operation of measuring the coordinates of the pressed position of the touch panel is performed without executing the detection operation.
[0043]
Further, in the “X measurement” on the input side (IN in FIG. 7) of the OR circuit 25, when “1” is written, it indicates that the operation of measuring the X coordinate of the pressed position of the touch panel is designated. Show. On the other hand, when “0” is written in “X measurement”, it indicates that an operation for measuring the Y coordinate of the pressed position of the touch panel is designated.
[0044]
“V” on the output side of the OR circuit 25 (OUT in FIG. 7)_IN"Is a potential indicating the coordinates of the pressed position of the touch panel. “H” indicates the high state of the digital signal, and “L” indicates the low state of the digital signal.
[0045]
The tristate buffers 23 and 24 are switches for controlling the direction of current and function by setting the element X2 or Y2 to a high impedance state.
[0046]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch panel detection circuit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The controller 21 controls the entire touch panel detection circuit, and an A / D converter (Analog / Digital converter) 22 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the touch panel detection circuit will be described with reference to FIG.
[0047]
The circuit having the elements Y1 and Y2 is an active element connected to a positive power supply (pull-up), and in the element Y1, the touch panel is not pressed down, + 5V, and the touch panel is pressed down, ON is 0V. A potential is detected. Therefore, the A / D converter 22 determines whether or not the touch panel is pressed by detecting the output.
[0048]
When the controller 21 confirms that the touch panel is being pressed, the controller 21 switches to a measurement mode that calculates the coordinates of the pressed touch panel. When calculating the X coordinate, the element X1 is detected to be + 5V, and the element X2 is detected to be 0V. The pressed X coordinate potential is connected to the A / D converter 22 through the element Y1, and the X coordinate is calculated. Similarly, the Y coordinate is also calculated, and the pressed position is detected.
[0049]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit 3 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the operation unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0050]
The operation unit 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30, an address latch 31, ROMs (Read Only Memory) 32 and 40, a system reset 33, an address decoder 34, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) driver 35, A keyboard 36, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) controller 37, a touch panel 38, an LCD module 39, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 41, and an optical transceiver 42 are provided.
[0051]
The address signal output from the CPU 30 is taken into the address latch 31 and controlled by the signal from the CPU 30. A part of the address signal output from the address latch 31 is input to the address decoder 34, and the address decoder 34 makes a chip select for each IC (Integrated Circuit) and uses it to create a memory map.
[0052]
The address signal is input to memories such as the ROMs 32 and 40 and the RAM 41 and the LCD controller 37 and used for addressing. On the other hand, the data bus from the CPU 30 is connected to memories such as the ROMs 32 and 40 and the RAM 41 and the LCD controller 37, and bidirectional data reception is performed.
[0053]
Further, the LCD controller 37 creates display data from the data stored in the ROM 40 and the RAM 41 by a signal from the keyboard 11 or a signal from the touch panel (liquid crystal display screen 12), and controls display on the LCD module 39.
[0054]
9 and 10 are diagrams showing examples of display on the liquid crystal display screen 12 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, each part installed in the liquid crystal display screen 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0055]
The linked copy key 71 is a hard key installed outside the liquid crystal display screen 12 and is pressed when shifting to a linked mode in which two image forming apparatuses are linked and printed. When the linked copy key 71 is pressed, a key LED (Light Emitting Diode) is turned on to indicate that the linked mode is selected.
[0056]
Messages such as “Ready to copy” and “Please wait” are displayed in the message area 72, and the number of copies to be printed is displayed in the copy number display area 73.
[0057]
When the automatic density key 74 is pressed, the image density is automatically adjusted. Further, when the automatic paper selection key 75 is pressed, a transfer paper of an appropriate size is automatically selected for the original, and when the equal magnification key 76 is pressed, the printing magnification is set to equal magnification. .
[0058]
When the sort key 79 is pressed, a sorting process is performed in which the printed transfer sheets are arranged in page order for each copy. Done. Further, when the stack key 78 is pressed, a process of dividing a bundle of printed transfer sheets into a bundle for each page is performed.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 4 includes a duplex unit 5, a paper discharge sorting device (sorter) 6, and a paper feed cassette 7. The image image transmitted by an electric signal is electrophotographic and heat sensitive. It is a part formed on plain paper or thermal paper by means such as thermal transfer or ink jet. The electric signal converted in the image reading unit 1, the electric signal of the image input to the image forming unit 4, and the signal for synchronizing with the electric signal of the image are referred to as a video signal or image data.
[0060]
The extension unit 8 is a part that controls an extension function (application) that can be realized in the digital image forming apparatus system. One of the main features of the digital image forming apparatus is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by the image forming unit.
[0061]
By having means for processing and transmitting the read electric signal in various formats, it can be applied to fields other than those in which the conventional analog image forming apparatus has been used. For example, a facsimile, a page printer, a scanner, Functions such as a file system can be realized.
[0062]
Further, when executing the copying function, the read image data is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and the image data is read out as needed. A plurality of prints are executed by scanning. In addition, a function of printing a plurality of originals on one transfer sheet (hereinafter referred to as a memory function) is also realized.
[0063]
The user restriction device 9 is a device for identifying, limiting, and managing users, and examples thereof include a coin rack, a key counter, a key card, and a prepaid card. In particular, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process has a large amount of electricity consumption, so there are many opportunities to restrict its use. In some cases, a password is used to limit users.
[0064]
2 and 3 are diagrams showing a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the image forming system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0065]
2 and 3 includes a user restriction device 9, an image reading unit 50, an image writing unit 51, a system controller 52, a memory unit 53, a human body detection sensor 54, and a remote diagnosis device. (CSS: Customer Support System) 55, clock 56, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 60, and I / F (Inter Face) 62, 63.
[0066]
In executing the copy mode, the system controller 52 uses a paper conveyance process, an electrophotographic process process, an abnormal state, and a paper feed cassette state such as the presence or absence of transfer paper to form an image in the image writing unit 51. In order to control in-machine monitoring and read an image by the image reading unit 50, the scanner operation and ON / OFF of the light source are controlled.
[0067]
In recent years, digital image forming apparatuses are equipped with not only one extended function but also a plurality of extended functions. A digital image forming apparatus that shares one resource may be expressed as a “system”, and a controller that controls the system may be called a system controller. Here, the resource refers to a functional unit unit shared by a plurality of extended functions, and is also expressed as a resource.
[0068]
The system controller 52 performs system control in units of resources. In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the image reading unit 1, the image forming unit 4, the operation unit 3, a memory, and peripheral devices (ADF2, a duplex unit 5, a sorter) 6) etc. are managed as resources.
[0069]
The memory unit (storage device) 53 is used not only for storing image data, but also as a buffer means when transmitting image data between machines on the network. In this embodiment, a DRAM is shown, but the same function can be achieved even if other memory elements are used. Further, when a storage device such as the HDD 60 is added to the DRAM, a larger storage capacity can be obtained. The human body detection sensor 54 and the remote diagnosis device (CSS) 55 are installed according to the situation.
[0070]
The clock 56 is installed to realize a weekly timer function that starts up or shuts down the device at a predetermined time for each day of the week. In order to execute the operation of the weekly timer function, it is necessary to adjust the time of the clock module and set the ON / OFF time.
[0071]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the human body detection sensor 54 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the human body detection sensor 54 will be described with reference to FIG. The human body detection sensor 54 includes an infrared ray, a light emitting diode, an optical unit that limits emission of the infrared ray in a certain direction, and an infrared light receiving sensor that detects reflected light of the emitted infrared ray. An object such as a user existing at a certain distance is detected and a signal is transmitted to the main body control board.
[0072]
Further, the human body detection sensor 54 has a detection distance changeover switch and can switch the detection distance in two stages. By arranging the human body detection sensor 54 on the installation side of the operation unit 3 of the image forming apparatus, a user can connect to the image forming apparatus. It is possible to detect whether or not the vehicle is approaching.
[0073]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote diagnosis system having remote diagnosis apparatuses (CSS) 55 and 90 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the remote diagnosis system will be described with reference to FIG.
[0074]
The remote diagnosis system includes remote diagnosis devices 55 and 90, a public line network 91, and a management device 92. The remote diagnosis device 55 includes PPCs (Plain Paper Copiers) 93 to 95, telephone sets (TEL) 96, and communication control devices 97 as image forming devices. The remote diagnosis device 90 is a PPC 98. , 99, a facsimile machine (FAX) 100, and a communication control apparatus 101.
[0075]
A management device 92 installed at a service base is connected to devices such as PPCs 93 to 95, 98, 99 installed under the user via a public network 91. Communication control devices 97 and 101 are installed on the user side in order to control communication with the management device 92, and are connected to the PPCs 93 to 95, 98 and 99. Further, it is possible to connect the telephone set 96 and the facsimile apparatus 100 to the communication control devices 97 and 101 by inserting them into the line.
[0076]
A plurality of image forming apparatuses can be connected to the communication control devices 97 and 101, but a single case may be considered. The image forming apparatuses to be connected do not need to be the same type, and may be different models or devices. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five image forming apparatuses can be connected to one communication control apparatus 55 and 90.
[0077]
The communication control devices 97 and 101 and the PPCs 93 to 95, 98, and 99 are connected by a multi-drop method in which each terminal can simultaneously use data from a line according to the RS-485 standard.
[0078]
Communication control between the communication control devices 97 and 101 and the PPCs 93 to 95, 98, and 99 is performed according to a basic data transmission control procedure. The data link is established by the centralized control polling / selecting method using the communication control devices 55 and 90 as control stations, and communicate with any PPC 93 to 95, 98, 99. Each PPC sets a unique value by an address setting switch, and the polling address or selecting address of each PPC 93 to 95, 98, 99 is determined.
[0079]
Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the memory unit 53 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The memory unit 53 includes a compression block 65, a DRAM block 66, and a DMA block 67. In the configuration of FIG. 3, a CPU 68 is added to the configuration of FIG. In addition, the HDD 60 is connected to the memory unit 53.
[0080]
The compression block 65 has a compression and expansion function, and can compress an image that has been read once, thereby achieving improved use efficiency of memories such as the DRAM and the HDD 60.
[0081]
The DRAM block 66 stores image data read from the image reading unit 50 and transmits the stored image data to the image writing unit in response to a request from the system controller 52. Further, it is possible to perform image rotation processing by changing the read address to the image writing unit 51 and the read direction.
[0082]
When the HDD 60 is used as a storage device, the compressed image data stored in the DRAM is transmitted to the HDD 60. Further, the data is transmitted from the HDD 60 to the DRAM, decompressed, and transmitted to the image writing unit 51.
[0083]
In the configuration in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 50, the image writing unit 51, the memory unit 53, and the CSS 55 are controlled only by the CPU 64 included in the system controller 52.
[0084]
On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3, each of the image reading unit 50, the image writing unit 51, and the memory unit 53 has CPUs 50, 51, and 68, and commands from the system controller 52 to the CPUs 50, 51, and 68 are controlled signals. Communicate with. The control signal refers to a means for transmitting information among the image reading unit 1, the image forming unit 4, the expansion unit 8, and the like, and is also called command issue.
[0085]
Hereinafter, the printing process in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. The printing process is generally a process in which printing data stored in advance is added to the image data and transferred to transfer paper when transferring to the image data. In the following, five types of printing processes including security management numbering, date printing, page printing, stamp printing, and user stamp printing will be described.
[0086]
The security management numbering is a printing process in which a background copy of a number is added to a confidential document and printed out. The date printing is a printing process for adding and outputting the date of the printing process, and the page printing is a printing process for adding and printing the number of pages to each transfer paper. An example of page printing in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0087]
Stamp printing is a printing process in which pre-registered stamp data is added to an arbitrary position and printed out. User stamp printing reads frequently used characters and marks as image data and registers them as user stamp data. Then, it is a printing process for adding and printing out an arbitrary position.
[0088]
In security management numbering and stamp printing, print data stored in advance is not changed during one print setting and output process. On the other hand, in the page printing, the page data to be printed is switched every time the transfer paper page is updated. In date printing, print data is changed every time the date changes, but is not changed during one print setting and output process.
[0089]
The user stamp printing is not changed during one print setting and output process, but it is necessary to read and register characters and marks used as print data in advance. In printing processing other than user stamp printing, data registered as character data is extracted and output in response to a print request.
[0090]
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a print processing block in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the print processing block will be described with reference to FIG. The print processing block includes a print control unit 43, an image composition unit 44, an image memory 45, and a print ROM 46.
[0091]
The print control unit 43 controls the DRAM block 66 and the like to store the image data transmitted from the image reading unit 50 and the like. The print ROM 46 is a read-only nonvolatile memory that stores several types of print patterns, and the print control unit 43 controls read processing and the like. FIG. 16 shows an example of a print pattern stored in the print ROM 46 in the present embodiment.
[0092]
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among the following signals in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The frame gate signal (FGATE), the line synchronization signal (LSYNC), the pixel synchronization signal (PCLK), And image data are shown.
[0093]
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image composition unit 44 in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the image composition unit 44 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0094]
The image composition unit 44 includes an AND circuit 47 and an OR circuit 48. Input image data and a white mask instruction signal are input to the input side of the AND circuit 47. The white mask instruction signal is a signal supplied when performing mask processing for synthesizing a part of input image data.
[0095]
The output side of the AND circuit 47 is connected to one input side of the OR circuit 48. Print data is supplied from the image memory 45 or the print ROM 46 to the other input side of the OR circuit 48, and output image data is transmitted to the image writing unit 51 from the output side of the OR circuit 48. 2 and 3, the image composition unit is not particularly shown, but it is assumed to exist on the image data bus.
[0096]
Hereinafter, a transmission unit between an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “operating device”) and another image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “connecting device”) connected via a network will be described with reference to FIG. The I / F 62 is connected to the memory unit 53 and is an interface that transmits image data to the coupling machine.
[0097]
When the operating device is connected to the coupling device via the I / F 62 and the printing process of the operating device is distributed to the coupling device, the image data read by the operating device is selected according to the print output mode and transmitted to the coupling device. Is done. An image compression process is performed simultaneously with the transmission process, and the compressed data (hereinafter, compressed data) is stored in the HDD 60 of the controller. Similarly, the coupling machine receives image data and simultaneously performs image compression processing and stores it in the HDD 60 of the coupling machine.
[0098]
In the operating device and the connecting device, the compressed data stored in the HDD 60 is taken out in accordance with the copy output mode, and at the same time, the image expansion processing is performed and developed in the DRAM, and the required number of image data is output to the transfer paper. In FIG. 2, an I / F 63 connected to the system controller 52 is an interface that exchanges setting commands such as a copy output mode.
[0099]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of print job distribution when two image forming apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 13, printing is performed when four pages of originals A, B, C, and D are printed by electronic sort output, simple shared stack output, original front and rear shared stack output, and original odd and even shared stack output. Explain the characteristics of job distribution.
[0100]
In the electronic sort output mode, one copy is output in the order of the pages of the document, the number of copies is divided by half, distributed to two image forming apparatuses, and output. As described above, the electronic sort output is a very characteristic output form in which the sort output is automatically performed.
[0101]
In the simple sharing stack output mode, the number of copies is simply divided into half. For example, when printing four copies, two image forming apparatuses output two copies of each page. As described above, the simple shared stack output is an output form suitable for a case where it is required to simultaneously output two units at the same time and to reduce the time spent for the printing process to one half.
[0102]
In the simple assignment stack output mode, the output sheets need to be arranged, but depending on the relationship between the number of pages of the document and the number of printed sheets, it is not always a disadvantage. In addition, it is considered that there is no disadvantage when it is requested to distribute the papers output to two places in half.
[0103]
In the front / rear shared stack output mode, the total number of pages to be printed is divided by half in the first half and the second half, and output to two image forming apparatuses. For example, when printing a four-page document, the first half A and B are output to one of the two image forming apparatuses, and the second half C and D are output to the other. If the sheets output by the two image forming apparatuses are stacked, the printing result is the same as that obtained by simply performing the printing process with one unit.
[0104]
In the original odd-numbered and even-numbered stack output mode, the original to be printed is divided by half into odd-numbered pages and even-numbered pages and output to two image forming apparatuses. For example, when printing a four-page document, A and C are output to one of the two image forming apparatuses, and B and D are output to the other. In the case of the odd and even shared stack output, it may be necessary to rearrange the output sheets in the order of the originals.
[0105]
In the present embodiment, the user can select an optimal output form from the four output forms described above according to the situation. The selection of the output form is performed by the user's direct input to the liquid crystal display screen 12 of the operation unit 2. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of the liquid crystal display screen 12 when the output form is selected in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the selection of the output form will be described with reference to FIG.
[0106]
9 and 10, when the user presses the linked copy key and selects the linked copy mode, the liquid crystal display unit 12 displays the screen as shown in FIG. 14, and the optimum output format can be selected from the four types of output forms. it can. The shaded portion in FIG. 14 is displayed as negative or positive inversion on the display, indicating that it is currently selected.
[0107]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of the liquid crystal display screen 12 for setting the number of processed sheets when a print job is shared by two image forming apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the setting of the number of processed sheets for each image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
[0108]
In the electronic sort output and the simple sharing stack output, it is possible not only to divide the number of printed sheets into two as described above, but also to set the number of printed sheets of each image forming apparatus. For example, when 15 copies are required for the A department and 10 copies are required for the B department, the operation of organizing the output sheets can be omitted by setting the image forming apparatuses in the same manner.
[0109]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data is output to another image forming apparatus connected via the network and is output, thereby sharing the output processing of the image data. Processing time can be reduced. Also, letters and figuresIndicated by at least one ofBy adding print data as secondary information to image data, it becomes possible to easily manage the document.Further, by transmitting print data to another image forming apparatus and adding the transmitted print data to the image data of the other image forming apparatus, it is possible to easily manage a document output from the other image forming apparatus. Is possible.
[0110]
According to the second aspect of the invention, by executing the electronic sort output mode, it is possible to realize the sharing of image data output processing and the reduction of the processing time, and to arrange the printed transfer sheets one by one. Can be reduced.
[0111]
According to the third aspect of the invention, by executing the simple sharing stack output mode, it is possible to share the output processing of the image data and reduce the processing time.
[0112]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to share image data output processing and reduce processing time by executing the document front / rear sharing stack output mode.
[0113]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, by executing the original odd / even sharing stack output mode, it is possible to share image data output processing and reduce processing time.
[0114]
According to the invention described in claim 6, by selecting and outputting the output form from the electronic sort output mode, the simple sharing stack output mode, the document front / rear sharing stack output mode, and the document odd / even sharing stack output mode, Sharing of image data output processing and reduction of processing time can be realized, and output can be performed in an output form according to a user's request.
[0115]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the electronic sort output mode and the simple assignment stack output mode are selected, the printed transfer is performed by setting the number of sheets output by the image forming apparatus and the other image forming apparatus. It is possible to reduce the time for sorting paper.
[0116]
  According to the invention of claim 8,Set print data to meet user requirementsIt becomes possible to do.
[0117]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, print data held by another image forming apparatus is received and stored, and added to the image data to acquire print data that has not been held so far. Can be used freely, and the document can be managed more flexibly and easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another system configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an automatic document feeder in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a touch panel detection circuit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing element settings of the touch panel detection circuit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal display screen in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the liquid crystal display screen in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a human body detection sensor in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote diagnosis system having a remote diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of print job distribution when two image forming apparatuses are connected according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal display screen when an output form is selected in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a liquid crystal display screen for setting the number of processed sheets when a print job is shared by two image forming apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print pattern stored in a print ROM in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of page printing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing block in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the following signals in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a frame gate signal, a line synchronization signal, a pixel synchronization signal, and image data.
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image composition unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 50 Image reading unit
2 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
3 Operation part
4 Image forming unit
5 Duplex unit
6 Discharge sorting device (sorter)
7 Paper cassette
8 Extension
9 User restricted devices
11 Numeric keypad
12 LCD screen
13 Guidance key
14 Program key
15 Area processing key
16 Brightness adjustment knob
17 Mode clear residual heat / Timer key
18 Interrupt key
21 Controller
22 A / D converter
23, 24 translate buffer
25, 48 OR circuit
30, 68-70 CPU
31 Address latch
32, 40 ROM
33 System reset
34 Address decoder
35 drivers
36 keyboard
37 LCD controller
38 Touch panel
39 LCD module
41 RAM
42 Optical transceiver
43 Print controller
44 Image composition unit
45 Image memory
46 Printing ROM
47 AND circuit
51 Image writing unit
52 System Controller
53 Memory unit
54 Human Body Detection Sensor
55, 90 Remote diagnosis device (CSS)
56 clock
60 HDD
62, 63 I / F
65 compressed blocks
66 DRAM block
67 DMA blocks
71 Linked copy key
72 Message area
73 Number of copies display
74 Automatic density key
75 Automatic paper selection key
76 1x key
77 Staple key
78 Stack Key
79 Sort key
91 Public network
92 Management device
93-95, 98, 99 PPC
96 telephone
97, 101 Communication control device
100 facsimile machine
131 Pulse generator
132 Separation belt
133 Call lever
134 Document Set Detection Unit
135 Document table
136 Paper discharge roller
137 Reverse switching claw
138 Reverse paper discharge detection unit
139 Document Length Detection Unit
140 Separation roller
141 Registration detector
142 Document width detector
143 Original scale
144 Calling roller
145 Inversion roller
X1, X2, Y1, Y2 Touch panel detection circuit element
R resistance

Claims (9)

In an image forming apparatus connected to a network,
Image reading means for reading image data of a document;
Data compression means for compressing the image data read by the image reading means;
Data storage means for storing the image data compressed by the data compression means;
Print output means for printing the image data stored by the data storage means;
Data dividing means for dividing the image data into a plurality of parts;
Data transmitting means for transmitting the image data stored by the data storage means and the image data divided by the data dividing means to another image forming apparatus via the network;
Print sharing means for causing the other image forming apparatus to print the image data transmitted by the data transmission means;
Data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the other image forming apparatus;
Print data adding means for adding print data as secondary information indicated by at least one of characters and figures to the image data;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data to the other image forming apparatus;
Transmission print data addition means for adding the print data transmitted by the print data transmission means to image data of the other image forming apparatus;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic sort output unit that executes an electronic sort output mode in which the image data for a plurality of pages is output in a page order one by one by sharing with the other image forming apparatus. .   3. The simple sharing stack output means for executing a simple sharing stack output mode for sharing and outputting image data of the plurality of pages for each page with the other image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus.   A document front / rear sharing stack output unit that executes a document front / rear sharing stack output mode that divides the image data for a plurality of pages into a predetermined number of pages in page order and outputs the divided image data to the other image forming apparatuses. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The original odd-numbered and even-numbered stack for dividing the image data for the plurality of pages into odd pages and even pages, outputting one of the odd page and even page image data, and outputting the other to the other image forming apparatus 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an odd-numbered and even-numbered shared stack output unit that executes an output mode.   An output selection means for selecting and outputting an output form from the electronic sort output mode, the simple sharing stack output mode, the document front / rear sharing stack output mode, and the document odd / even sharing stack output mode. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to Item 5.   When the electronic selection output mode and the simple sharing stack output mode are selected by the output selection unit, there is provided an output number setting unit for setting the number of sheets output by the image forming apparatus and the other image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has a print data customization means for setting to match the print data to the user's requirements.   Print data receiving means for receiving print data transmitted from the other image forming apparatus, print data storage means for storing the print data received by the print data receiving means, and the data received by the print data storage means 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising received print data adding means for adding the print data to the image data.

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