JPH03155585A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize an image processor using an IC card which is small in size and can comply with postulate over a wide range for the printer of a user by providing a functional information read means provided with a decoder for read functional information from a storing medium which is set and a discrimination means for discriminating the kind of the storing medium which is set in a printer controller. CONSTITUTION:The printer controller 20 is provided with the functional information read means and the discrimination means for discriminating the kind of the storing medium 62 which is set, so that a printing operation is performed based on the read functional information. When an IC card is set in an IC card insertion port 32 provided in a printer interface 20, for example, the information stored in a ROM is read out according to the ID number of the IC card and outputted to the printer interface 20 as information for printing operation. Therefore, the actuation of a base machine 1 is controlled based on a command from the control panel of a computer or a word processor 21. Thus, the printer interface is need not be made large in size though plural storing medium insertion ports are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a copy function and a print function.

[Prior Art] An image processing device has been developed in which a fluorescent display tube is attached to an image processing device using xerography, which is used exclusively as a copy machine, to provide a printing function. This may be referred to as a base machine hereinafter because information signals input as print or images from a computer or a word processor are processed into the main body of the image processing apparatus. ) is sent to the fluorescent display tube,
The information signal is written on a photosensitive drum using a fluorescent display tube, and after a series of processing is performed, it is transferred to paper. An outline of an image processing apparatus using this fluorescent display tube will be explained with reference to FIG.

A photosensitive drum 2 is arranged inside the base machine. The photoreceptor 3 is formed in a layered manner on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 . This photosensitive drum 2 is connected to a drive device (not shown) so as to rotate in the direction of the arrow. A charge corotron 5, a fluorescent display tube 6, a condenser lens 7, a developing device 9, a transfer corotron 10, and a cleaning device 11 are arranged around the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 2.

In this image processing apparatus, as the photosensitive drum 2 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the photosensitive member 3 is moved to the charge corotron 5.
After being uniformly charged, an electrostatic latent image is formed upon irradiation with light from the fluorescent display tube 6. The condenser lens 7 is an arrangement of a large number of converging rod lenses in order to condense the light emitted by the large number of light emitting elements constituting the fluorescent display tube 6 onto the photoreceptor 3.

The photoreceptor 3 on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed is then developed by a developing device 9. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor 3 is transferred onto a sheet of paper by a transfer corotron 1o, and is thermally fixed by a fixing device (not shown).

On the other hand, the photoreceptor 3 is cleaned by a cleaning device 11 and is reused.

Further, when this image processing apparatus is used as a copying machine, the photoreceptor 3 on the charged surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 is exposed at the exposure point 13 . Here, a light image of a document (not shown) placed on a platen glass 12 placed on the top surface of the base machine is incident on the exposure location 13. For this purpose, an exposure lamp 15 and a plurality of mirrors 1 that transmit reflected light from the document surface illuminated by the exposure lamp 15 are provided.
6 and an optical lens 17 are arranged, of which predetermined ones are scanned to read the original.

Now, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original is formed on the photosensitive drum 2 by the image information exposed in a slit shape at the exposure portion 13. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 9 to create a toner image.

The toner image moves as the photosensitive drum 2 rotates and passes near the transfer corotron 10.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an image processing apparatus including the structure of the peripheral portion of the photosensitive drum shown in FIG. The base machine 1 is connected to a computer or word processor 21 via a printer interface 20 . Information input from the computer or word processor 21 is sent to the base machine 1 via the printer interface 20 to set the print density, command to start printing, select the output tray to be used, which bin of the output tray to output to, or select the paper size. etc., and if the base machine 1 is capable of printing, the printing operation is performed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In a base machine that has both a copy function and a print function, print work commands are issued by operation commands from an operation panel of a normal printer interface. However, the print functions that can be set on the operation panel are limited to the number of prints, print magnification, and print density.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, an external storage medium 70 storing a lot of printing function information is used, and this is inserted into the printer interface 20, and the external storage medium reading means 71 inside the printer interface 20 is read. It is conceivable that the operability of the printer interface 20 can be covered by operating the base machine 1 through the printer interface. It is optimal to use an IC card as the external storage medium 70 because of its large storage capacity and portability. The IC card is transferred to the ROM 73 via the decoder 72 according to the input signal from the printer interface 20.
Call up the memory information in the printer interface 2.
It outputs to 0.

However, since the decoder 72 generates heat when the processing speed is increased, the processing speed cannot be increased much, and in order to withstand the increased processing speed, it is necessary to use a decoder 72 with a large capacity. In order to use the decoder 72 with a large capacity, it is necessary to use a memory cartridge instead of an IC card. If a memory cartridge is used, not only the memory cartridge itself becomes bulky, but also the slot for inserting the cartridge in the printer interface 20 must be made large.

The printer interface 20 is a control device for using the base machine 1, which has conventionally been used as a copy-only device, also as a printer, and is preferably as small as possible as an exterior component of the base machine 1 or the host computer 21.

However, adding a memory cartridge insertion slot to the printer interface 20 would go against the need for miniaturization of the device. Moreover, since the operation panel of the printer interface 20 has only a limited number of operation keys, the operability is insufficient.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional technology, and provides an image processing device using an IC card that is compact, capable of high-speed printing processing, and that can meet a wide range of user requests for printers. The purpose is to provide

[Means for Solving the Problems] The above objects of the present invention are achieved by employing the following configuration. That is, in an image processing apparatus that has a copy function and a print function using xerography that outputs print data to the image processing apparatus main body via a printer control device, the image processing apparatus is equipped with a decoder for reading functional information from a storage medium to be set. An image processing apparatus, wherein the printer control device includes a functional information reading means and a determining means for determining the type of storage medium to be set, and the image processing apparatus main body includes a printing means for performing a printing operation based on the read functional information; Or, the above-mentioned image processing device in which character font information and program information are stored in the storage medium to be set, or an alarm that operates when the storage medium is not set in a preset location depending on the type of storage medium. or the image processing apparatus, wherein the storage medium to be set is provided with a non-volatile memory for setting parameters for printing.

[Operation] Functional information for printing from the set storage medium is read by the functional information storage medium reading means equipped with a decoder of the printer control device, and based on the read functional information, the printing means of the main body of the image processing apparatus performs the printing operation. conduct.

Since character font information and program information are stored in the set storage medium, it is possible to perform desired printing operations based on the font information stored in each storage medium.

At this time, if an incorrect storage medium is set in a preset location depending on the type of storage medium, the notification means is activated to notify of the abnormality.

In addition, if the storage medium to be loaded is equipped with non-volatile memory for setting print parameters such as format, users can set their own editing specifications without having to reset their own specifications for each print job. You can do printing work with .

Furthermore, even when multiple storage media are set, the storage medium discrimination means can determine the type of each set storage medium, making it possible to perform multi-functional printing operations without replacing the storage media. can.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The structure of the peripheral part of the photosensitive drum 2 of this embodiment is as shown in FIG. As shown in the ward.

The base machine 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a computer or word processor 21 via a printer interface 20. The base machine 1 shown in FIG.

Information inputted by the computer or word processor 21 is sent via the printer interface 20 to the base machine 1 to instruct the base machine 1 to start printing, the output tray to be used,
Instructions are given as to which bin of the output tray to output or which size of paper to select, and if the base machine 1 is in a printable state, a printing operation is performed.

First, the circuit configuration of the printer interface 20 of the present invention is shown in FIG.

Printer interface 20 is controlled by CPU 68000. computer or word processor2
The information input from 1 is temporarily stored in the RAM 23A of the memory 23 in the printer interface 20 via the interface 22 such as the Centro system, and is stored in the RAM 23A of the memory 23 in the memory 23.
The data is developed into a bitmap in the page memory 25 from the AM 23A.

The information in the page memory 25 is transmitted to the video interface 26.
Video data 27 is sent to the base machine 1 via. When printing of the data in the page memory 25 is completed, the next input data from the computer or word processor 21 is transferred from the RAM 23A of the memory 23 to the page memory 25. Also, based on input information from the computer or word processor 21, the printer interface 20 issues a print operation start command to the base machine 1, the output tray to be used, which bin of the output tray to output, or It instructs the selection of paper size, etc., and also receives information from the base machine 1, such as whether the base machine 1 is currently in the copying state or printing state, or the number of bins used in the printing paper output tray.

Therefore, for example, if the base machine 1 is in the copying state, the printer interface 20 outputs an output standby signal for the printer to the computer or word processor 21 via the Centro type interface 22, and if the base machine 1 is in a printable state, the printer interface 20 outputs an output standby signal for the printer to the computer or word processor 21. 23 RAM23A
Data is transferred from the computer or word processor 21 and developed into a bitmap in the page memory 25. After completion of the development, the data in the page memory 25 is transferred to the base machine 1 according to the command 30, and a printing operation is performed.

Note that the ROM 23B of the memory 23 stores a program for operating the printer interface 20 and printer font information. Additionally, non-volatile memory (NVM)
)23C is also connected, and printer interface 2
Necessary data can be saved even if the power to the 0 is turned off.

The printer interface 20 has an I as shown in FIG.
A C card insertion slot 32 is provided, and when an IC card is inserted into this IC card insertion slot 32, information stored in the appropriate ROM is read out using the ID number of the IC card, which will be described in detail later. , is output to the printer interface 20 as print work information.

In this way, the operation of the base machine 1 can be controlled based on instructions from the computer or the operation panel of the word processor 21.

This printer interface 20 also includes an operation panel 31 similar to the console panel 18 of this base machine 1.
is provided. That is, in addition to keys for setting the number of sheets to be printed and magnification, the printer interface 20 also includes keys for setting print density and the like.

Next, Fig. 5 shows the main C of the base machine 1 of this embodiment.
The circuit configuration centered around the PU is shown.

The main CPU 41 is reset by a reset circuit 42 at the time of runaway or initialization, and is also connected to the following parts via a pass line 43.

(i) Keyboard/display LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) 45; This is a circuit that mediates data between the keyboard and display LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) 45 and the console panel 19 of the base machine 1.

(ii) Timer/counter LSI46; photosensitive drum 2
It is of the drive control circuit of the main drive motor 47,
A carriage (not shown) on which the optical lens 17, mirror 16, etc. (FIG. 2) are arranged is reciprocated by four carriage motors.
It is also a circuit that controls two drives.

(iii) ROM 50; This is a read-only memory having a capacity of 128 bytes and storing various control programs for the base machine 1.

(iv) RAM 51: Random access memory for data storage with a capacity of 8 bytes. A memory backup battery 52 is connected to this RAM 51 so that necessary data can be stored even when the pace machine 1 is powered off.

(vi) First I10 controller 55; This is an input/output controller that inputs various data via the filter circuit 56 and drives various parts via the driver circuit 57. Here, various switches and sensors are connected to the filter circuit 56, for example. Also, the driver circuit 57
A clutch or the like for controlling on/off the drive of each feed roll in the supply tray is connected to the supply tray.

(vii) Second I10 controller 59: This is an input/output controller that inputs various data via the filter circuit 60 and drives various components via the driver circuit 61. Here, various switches and sensors are connected to the filter circuit 60, for example. Also, the driver circuit 61
is a well-known D/A (analog-digital) converter or P
It is equipped with a WM (pulse width converter) and is connected to a high-voltage power supply (HVPS) (not shown), and is used to set the developing bias of the developing device 9, the light emission amount of the exposure lamp 15, and the charge corotron 5, etc. It is designed to set the voltage value.

Although not shown, the main CPU 41 also controls a tray control section, a sorter, a paper size sensor, a temperature sensor, a light amount sensor, a liquid crystal display section of a console panel, and the like.

Next, the IC card 62 and printer interface 20
The circuit configuration diagram is shown in FIG.

It has a plurality of ROMs 63 with a total memory space of 2 MB, and the ROM 63 stores, for example, character font information such as Mincho kanji, italic or Gothic alphabets, and program information according to the printer model. You can keep it.

Note that data is transferred by 16-bit or 8-bit parallel communication, and is decoded using upper addresses A23 to A20, for example, and lower address information is directly connected to addresses in the ROM.

By providing the decoder 65 for the IC card 62 in the free space of the printer interface 20 instead of in the IC card 62, there are no restrictions on the volume of the decoder 65.
A large decoder 65 capable of high-speed processing can be used.

An ID number unique to each IC card 62 is set in the IC card 62, and an output signal from the ID number line is output to the printer interface 20, and the CPU 68000 determines, for example, which character font information is currently stored. It is possible to identify whether the IC card 62 is set or which model of printer the card is associated with.

Since there are two insertion slots 32 (FIG. 4) for the IC cards 62, the CPU 68000 of the printer interface 20 determines which of the plural pieces of information stored in the two IC cards 62 to use for printing operations. If you want to use information within the range of information stored in the two IC cards 62, select the IC card 6 each time.
Printing work can be performed without replacing parts 2 and 2.

At this time, for example, font information selected from each IC card 62 and output to the printer interface 20 is stored at a predetermined address in the memory 23 of the printer interface 20, and printer output is performed based on this font information.

Furthermore, by replacing the IC card 62, it is possible to use a wide variety of fonts.

Note that by storing font information only at a predetermined address in the memory space of the printer interface 20, the limited memory space of the printer interface 20 can be effectively used, and many types of font information can be used at the same time.

In addition, if emulation information or font information and emulation information are stored in different IC cards 62 in addition to font information, these can be freely used and printed. Furthermore, when two types of emulation cards are inserted, it is possible to select which emulation to perform using the operation panel 31 of the printer interface 20.

At this time, if the IC card insertion slots 32 are divided into those dedicated to font information and those dedicated to emulation information, when an abnormal card is inserted, the data bus to the card and the data bus of the printer interface 20 are By separating the disappears. Furthermore, if there is an erroneous operation, the abnormality can be notified by means of notification such as a message, sound, light, etc.

Furthermore, a non-volatile memory (NVM) 6 is stored in the IC card 62.
6 and use it to set various parameters such as format settings such as line break pitch and character spacing during printing. Even if you have an IC card with the same emulation, each person can set their own parameters. Since settings can be made and stored, the usability of the printer is further improved.

In addition, since various parameter settings for emulation of different models are stored in each card, even when a new emulation model is added, there is no need to prepare a new NVM area on the printer interface 20 main body side. It will be highly expandable.

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention utilizes the free space of the printer interface to provide a decoder for reading out the storage information in the storage medium, so high-speed processing is possible, and even when multiple storage medium insertion slots are provided, the decoder is provided. An image processing device that does not require a large printer interface can be provided. In addition, multiple storage media can be used to selectively use a large amount of font information, etc., and the limited memory space of the printer interface can be effectively utilized to improve the functionality of the image processing device as a printer. . Furthermore, the poor operability of the printer interface's operation panel, which has only a limited number of keys, can be compensated for by an external storage medium that can be used to store a wide variety of information. Furthermore, it is highly expandable and can withstand emulation of various models.

Furthermore, if the IC card insertion slots are divided into one dedicated to font information and one dedicated to emulation information, if an abnormal card is inserted, the abnormality will be notified and erroneous operation can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the peripheral portion of the photosensitive drum, FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the printer interface, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the printer interface, and FIG. Ward is the circuit diagram of the control section of the base machine,
FIG. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram of a storage medium, and FIG. 7 is a circuit configuration diagram of a conventional storage medium.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) An image processing device that has a copy function and a print function using xerography that outputs print data to the image processing device main body via a printer control device, is equipped with a decoder for reading functional information from a storage medium to be set. The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the printer control device is equipped with a function information reading means and a determination means for determining the type of storage medium to be set, and the image processing apparatus main body is equipped with a printing means for performing a printing operation based on the read function information. Image processing device. (2) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium to be set stores character font information and program information. (3) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notification means that is activated when the storage medium is not set in a preset location depending on the type of storage medium. (4) The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage medium to be set is provided with a nonvolatile memory for setting printing parameters.