JPH08181802A - Image forming apparatus and system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Connect multiple copy machines and grasp the status with a single device. [Structure] A plurality of copying machines are connected from stations A to D. When performing a large amount of printing, station A, which is a master device, sends an appropriate number of prints and image data to stations B to D, and requests the status of each device.
Receiving the information, each device sends back the status information of the device such as a paper jam or a paper out to the station A. When receiving the information, the station A checks whether or not the setting for displaying it is made, and if the setting is made, the status from each device is displayed for each device. By doing so, the state of the connected device can be grasped by one device, and the operability is improved.

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 and system for outputting image data created by an image scanner, a computer or the like for optically reading an original.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus equipped with a document reading section
Since it can be used independently as an image reading device and an image output device, it can be used as an image input / output device by connecting to a general computer system using, for example, an external I / F device, or as a plurality of sets. A system has been proposed in which an image forming apparatus is divided and connected, and a central control unit for controlling these is provided to simultaneously use as a plurality of printers to secure a high CV.

[0003]

However, considering the case where the image forming apparatuses as described above are connected and developed as a system, the device state and operation setting of each image forming apparatus are the same. It was only displayed on the display part of. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to know the operation information of a plurality of units at the same time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and system capable of easily grasping the state of the entire system.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] and

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the apparatus state and operation setting of the image forming apparatus can be output or taken in by the control signal of the image forming apparatus. Then, by adding a function of displaying the information on the display unit of the image forming apparatus and further adding a function of displaying a plurality of information on the display unit, a plurality of units can be displayed on the display unit of one image forming apparatus. The operability is improved by being able to obtain information of the image forming apparatus at the same time.

Further, the image forming system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, there is provided an image forming system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses having communication means connected to each other and forming an image on a print medium based on input image data by the communication means. A master device having a print instructing means for instructing to start, and a display means for receiving status information indicating a state and displaying the status information so that the sender can be identified;
According to an instruction from the print instructing unit, the slave device includes a status transmitting unit that starts printing and transmits status information to the master device.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following structure. That is, it is provided with a receiving means for receiving the image data, a printing means for printing the image data received by the receiving means, and a transmitting means for transmitting the printing state of the printing means to an external device.

Further, there is provided a transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the external device, a status requesting means for requesting the status of the external device, and a display means for receiving the status of the external device and displaying it.

[0009]

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a copying machine according to the present invention. This copying apparatus has a color reader unit 351 that reads a color original document and further performs digital editing processing, and an image carrier for each color element, and forms a color image according to a digital image signal of each color sent from the reader unit 351. The printer unit 352 is reproduced.

(Structure of Reader Unit) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a digital image processing unit in the reader 351. A color document on a document table (not shown) is exposed by a halogen lamp (not shown). As a result, the reflected image is picked up by the CCD 101, sampled and held at 102, and then A /
D-converted to generate RGB three-color digital signals.
Each color separation data is subjected to shading and black correction at 103, correction to an NTSC signal at 104, selection of an image signal of a reflection original or an external image signal at 124, and the result is input to 105. Reference numeral 105 denotes a portion for enlarging or reducing the main scanning, and the result is input to the LOG 123 and the selector 125 (the CPU 127 (not shown) controls 127). Further, the output of the LOG 123 is input to the memory unit 106, and the video data is stored here. The memory 1 is stored as YMC data, and is read at the timing of each of the four drums.

At 107, a selector 125 (C (not shown)
Output signal of controlling 127 by PU)
Color masking and UCR can be applied. Γ for 109
Correction, edge enhancement is performed at 110. Color LBP
Is output to 352.

At 105, the output DTOP of the image destination sensor,
Based on an external horizontal scanning signal HSNC1 or an externally generated horizontal synchronizing signal HSNC2 and an output ITOP1 of the paper edge sensor, based on an external sub-scanning writing enable signal, main scanning writing enable and reading of the memory 106 is performed. One enable signal 122, a sub-scanning write enable signal, and four sub-scanning read enable signals 121 for the respective colors are generated.

Further, 130 is for outputting video to the outside,
A video bus selector for inputting external video.

(Description of Bus Selector) FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the video bus selector 130 and its peripheral portion.

Bidirectional buffers 504 and 505, 514 and 515, 519 and 520, 526 and 527, 524 and 5
25, an output buffer 530, and signal lines 506, 513, 521, 52 for controlling the buffer with a CPU (not shown)
8, 529, frequency conversion circuit (realized by FIFO) 52
3, input from A terminal 503 (A terminal input) or C terminal 5
D-F / F5 that receives the output from selectors 508 and 508 that selects and outputs the input (C terminal input) from 02.
07, a selector 510 for selecting and outputting the A terminal input or the input from the B terminal 501 (B terminal input) and a DF / F 512 for receiving the output of 510, a selector 516 for selecting the B terminal input or the C terminal input, A DF / F 518 that receives the output of 516, a sub-scanning synchronization signal ITOP2 (531) of the memory unit (IPU) and a (3-state) output buffer 530 of the main scanning synchronization signal (532), O
It is composed of an R gate 542.

Further, VVE1 (533) is a sub-scanning write enable signal to another device (reader printer), 53
6 is a sub-scanning write enable signal from another device (master device), 534 is a main-scanning enable signal to another device, and 541 is a main-scanning enable signal (low active) from another device. A signal used as a write enable signal and a write reset signal (an inverted signal of 541), 535 is a video clock to the device and to another device, 540 is a video clock from another device, and is used as a write clock of the frequency converter 523. 532 is an inversion signal of the main scanning synchronization signal, which is a signal used here as a read reset signal of the frequency converter 523, and 522 and 539 are binarized when a bitmap memory is present in the device. The signals written in are sent to or from the outside, respectively.
529, 528, 537, 506, 509, 511, 5
Reference numerals 13, 521 and 517 are I / O ports set by a CPU (not shown), and 538 is a signal used as an enable signal for the frequency converter 523.

Further, the A terminal 503, the B terminal 501 and the C terminal 502 correspond to A1 to A3, B1 to B3 and C1 to C3 in the video bus selector 130 of FIG. 6, respectively.

(Explanation of Signal Flow and Synchronous Signal in Each Mode) The video signal flow and I / O port setting in each mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 5.

[Normal Copy] Flow of Video Signal 101 → 102 → 103 → 104 → 124 (126 is set to 0 by CPU (not shown) and A input is selected) → 1
05 → 123 → 106 → 125 (0 in CPU not shown)
Is set and A input is selected) → 107 → 109 → 110
→ 129 → 352 I / O settings of video selector and its peripheral circuits 506 → High “1” 509 → X (“X” indicates that no value is specified) 511 → X 513 → High “1” 517 → X 521 → X 528 → high "1" 529 → high "1" 537 → high "1" [Output to external interface] Video signal flow 101 → 102 → 103 → 104 → 124 (126 is 0 in CPU not shown) Is set and A input is selected) → 1
05 → 125 (1 is set by a CPU (not shown) at 127 and B input is selected) → 107 → 109 → 110 → 13
0 → 205 I / O setting of video selector and its peripheral circuits 506 → High “1” 509 → X 511 → X 513 → High “1” 517 → Low “0” 521 → Low “0” 528 → Low “0” 529 → Low “0” 537 → High “1” [Input from external interface] Video flow 205 → 130 → 124 (CPU not shown in 126)
1 is set in) → 105 → 123 → 106 → 12
5 (0 is set to 127 by a CPU (not shown))
->107->109->110->129-> 352 Further, as the sub-scanning write enable of the memory 106, 536 input to the area generation unit is used.

I / O of the video selector and its peripheral circuits
O setting 506 → low “0” 509 → low “0” 511 → X 513 → high “1” 517 → low “0” 521 → high “1” 528 → high “1” 529 → low “0” 537 → low “0” By setting the signals as described above, the signal flow in each mode can be realized. Next, the configuration of the printer unit 352 that forms an image based on the image signal will be described.

(Structure of Printer Unit) In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 is a polygon scanner that scans a laser beam on a photosensitive drum, and 302 is a first-stage magenta (M) image forming unit. With the same configuration, cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) are formed. Image forming units 303, 304, and 305 for each color are shown. As shown in FIG. 4, the polygon scanner 301 includes laser elements 401 to 404 that are independently driven by MCYK by a laser controller (not shown).
The laser beam from is scanned on the photosensitive drum of each color. Reference numerals 405 to 408 are BD detection means for detecting the scanned laser beam and generating a main scanning synchronization signal. When two polygon mirrors are arranged on the same axis and rotated by one motor as in this embodiment, for example, M and C are used.
With the Y and K laser beams, the main scanning directions are opposite to each other. Therefore, normally, one of the M and C images is mirror image of the other Y and K image data in the main scanning direction.

In the image forming section 302, 318 is a photosensitive drum which forms a latent image by exposure to laser light.
3 is a developing device for developing toner on the drum 318,
Reference numeral 314 in the developing unit 313 is a sleeve for applying a developing bias to perform toner development, and 315 is a photosensitive drum 31.
317 is a primary charger that charges 8 to a desired potential.
Is a cleaner for cleaning the surface of the drum 318 after transfer, and 316 is the drum 318 cleaned by the cleaner 317.
Is an auxiliary charger for removing the charge on the surface of the primary charger 315 to obtain good charge in the primary charger 315, and 330 is a pre-exposure lamp for erasing the residual charge on the drum 318,
A transfer charger 319 discharges the toner image on the drum 318 from the back surface of the transfer belt 306 and transfers the toner image on the transfer member.

Numerals 309 and 310 are cassettes for accommodating transfer members, 308 is a paper feeding section for supplying the transfer members from the cassettes 309, 310, and 311 is a transfer member fed by the paper feeding section to the transfer members. Reference numeral 312 denotes an adsorption charging device for adsorbing the toner, and reference numeral 312 denotes a transfer belt roller which is used for rotating the transfer belt 306 and at the same time forms a pair with the adsorption charging device to electrostatically charge the transfer member on the transfer belt 306.

Numeral 324 is a charge eliminating charger for facilitating separation of the transfer member from the transfer belt 306, and numeral 325 is a peeling charger for preventing image disturbance due to peeling discharge when the transfer member is separated from the transfer belt. Reference numerals 326 and 327 denote pre-fixing chargers that supplement the attracting force of the toner on the transfer member after separation and prevent image disturbance, and reference numerals 322 and 323 remove the charge from the transfer belt 306 and electrostatically initialize the transfer belt 306. A transfer belt charge eliminator and a belt cleaner 328 removes dirt on the transfer belt 306. Reference numeral 307 denotes a fixing device which is separated from the transfer belt 306 and thermally fixes the toner image on the transfer member recharged by the pre-fixing charging devices 326 and 327 onto the transfer member. 340
Is a paper discharge sensor that detects a transfer member on the conveyance path that passes through the fixing device. Reference numeral 329 is a paper leading edge sensor that detects the leading edge of the transfer member fed onto the transfer belt by the paper feeding portion 308. The detection signal from the paper leading edge sensor is sent from the printer portion to the reader portion, and the reader portion from the printer portion. It is used to generate a sub-scanning synchronization signal when sending a video signal to the.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the interface part with another device and the flow of video and sync signals in each mode.

The interface is a memory unit (I
An interface 201 with an PU (IPU interface), an interface 2 with another device (copier) 2
02 (R interface 1), 203 (R interface 2), a CPU interface 204 that controls communication with other devices, and an interface 205 (video interface) with the main body. Further, this block diagram shows tri-state buffers 206, 211,
212, 214, 216, bidirectional buffers 207, 20
9, 210, a special bidirectional buffer 208 described later, a D flip-flop 213 having a tristate function,
215. BTCN0 to BTCN10 are I / O ports set by a CPU (not shown), 21
8 is a communication line (4 bits) between the IPU and the main body, 219 is a main scanning synchronization signal HSNC and a sub scanning synchronization signal ITOP, 2
20 is 3 bits of 8-bit video signal + binary signal B
I + image clock + main scan enable signal HVE meter 27
Bits, 221 are signals similar to 219, 222 are 220
Signal 224 is an 8-bit communication line with another device (copy machine), 223 is a 4-bit communication line with another device (copy machine) (any communication line will be described later in detail), 226 Image clock and sub-scan video enable signal VVE total 2 bits (1 bit of 236 and 220), 228 video signal 3 system + BI + HVE total 26 bits, 225 2
26, 228, and 233 are three video signal systems + BI + H
VE total 26 bits, 234 is an image clock and sub-scan enable signal total 2 bits, 235 is an image clock (23
237 is 23 in 233 and 234
6 is VVE, 232 is an image clock (1 bit in 226), 238 is 220 and HSNC, HVE, VV
E, ITOP total 30 bits.

Next, I / O port control and signal flow in each mode will be described. Here, tri-state buffers (206, 214, 216, 211, 21
2) is enabled by low "0", high impedance state by high "1", the bidirectional buffer is, for example, LS245.
It is realized by the element like, and G is low "0" and D is low.
When 0 ”, the data flow is B → A, G is low“ 0 ”, D is high“ 1 ”, the data flow is A → B, and G is high“ 1 ”, the isolation state occurs, and the D flip-flop. Is enabled when the enable signal is low “0”, and has high impedance when high “1”.

[IPU interface → R interface 1 (mode 1)] BTCN0 ← high "1" BTCN1 ← low "0" BTCN2 ← low "0" BTCN3 ← low "0" BTCN4 ← low "0" BTCN5 ← X BTCN6 ← X BTCN7 ← high "1" BTCN8 ← X BTCN9 ← high "1" BTCN10 ← low "0" However, X is don't care, but it is assumed that signals are controlled so as not to collide. Signal flow is 238 →
219 → 221, 222 → 220 → 228 → 228 → 2
25 and 238 → 236 + 220 → 226 → 225.

[IPU interface → R interface 2 (mode 2)] BTCN0 ← high "1" BTCN1 ← low "0" BTCN2 ← low "0" BTCN3 ← X BTCN4 ← high "1" BTCN5 ← low "0" BTCN6 ← Low "0" BTCN7 ← High "1" BTCN8 ← Low "0" BTCN9 ← High "1" BTCN10 ← Low "0" Signal flow is 238 → 219 → 221 and 222 → 2
20 → 228 → 233 → 237 and 238 → 236 + 2
It becomes 20 → 226 → 234 → 237.

[IPU interface → video interface (mode 3)] BTCN0 ← high "1" BTCN1 ← low "0" BTCN2 ← low "0" BTCN3 ← X BTCN4 ← X BTCN5 ← X BTCN6 ← X BTCN7 ← X BTCN8 ← X BTCN9 ← high “1” BTCN10 ← low “0” The signal flow is 238 → 219 → 221 and 222 → 2.
It becomes 20 → 238.

[R interface → R interface 2 (mode 4)] BTCN0 ← X BTCN1 ← X BTCN2 ← X BTCN3 ← high “1” BTCN4 ← low “0” BTCN5 ← low “0” BTCN6 ← low “0” BTCN7 ← High "1" BTCN8 ← Low "0" BTCN9 ← X BTCN10 ← High "1" Signal flow is 225 → 238 → 233 → 237, 22
The order is 5 → 226 → 234 → 237.

[R interface 1 → video interface (mode 5)] BTCN0 ← X BTCN1 ← high "1" BTCN2 ← X BTCN3 ← high "1" BTCN4 ← low "0" BTCN5 ← X BTCN6 ← high "1" BTCN7 ← High "1" BTCN8 ← Low "0" BTCN9 ← Low "0" BTCN10 ← High "1" The signal flow is 225 → 228 + 226 → 233 + 23.
4 → 220 → 238, 225 → 226 → 234 → 236
→ It becomes 238.

[R interface 2 → R interface 1 (mode 6)] BTCN0 ← X BTCN1 ← X BTCN2 ← X BTCN3 ← low “0” BTCN4 ← low “0” BTCN5 ← high ”1” BTCN6 ← low “0” BTCN7 ← low "0" BTCN8 ← high "1" BTCN9 ← X BTCN10 ← high "1" The signal flow is 237 → 233 → 228 → 225 and 2
It becomes 37 → 234 → 226 → 225.

[R interface 2 → video interface (mode 7)] BTCN0 ← X BTCN1 ← high "1" BTCN2 ← X BTCN3 ← X BTCN4 ← X BTCN5 ← high "1" BTCN6 ← low "0" BTCN7 ← X BTCN8 ← High “1” BTCN9 ← Low “0” BTCN10 ← X The signal flow is 237 → 233 + 234 → 220 → 23.
8 and 237 → 234 → 236 → 238.

[Video interface → IPU interface (mode 8)] BTCN0 ← low “0” BTCN1 ← low “0” BTCN2 ← low “0” BTCN3 ← X BTCN4 ← X BTCN5 ← X BTCN6 ← X BTCN7 ← X BTCN8 ← X BTCN9 ← high “1” BTCN10 ← X signal flow is 238 → 220 → 222 and 238 → 2
It becomes 19 → 221.

[Video interface → R interface 1 (mode 9)] BTCN0 ← X BTCN1 ← high "1" BTCN2 ← X BTCN3 ← low "0" BTCN4 ← low "0" BTCN5 ← X BTCN6 ← X BTCN7 ← low "0 “BTCN8 ← X BTCN9 ← high“ 1 ”BTCN10 ← low“ 0 ”The signal flow is 238 → 220 → 228 → 225 and 2
38 → 236 + 220 → 226 → 225.

[Video interface → R interface 2 (mode 10)] BTCN0 ← X BTCN1 ← high "1" BTCN2 ← X BTCN3 ← X BTCN4 ← high "1" BTCN5 ← low "0" BTCN6 ← low "0" BTCN7 ← High "1" BTCN8 ← Low "0" BTCN9 ← High "1" BTCN10 ← Low "0" The signal flow is 238 → 220 → 228 → 233 → 23.
7 and 238 → 236 + 220 → 226 → 234 → 23
It becomes 7.

[Mode 1 + Mode 2 (Mode 11)] BTCN0 ← high "1" BTCN1 ← low "0" BTCN2 ← low "0" BTCN3 ← low "0" BTCN4 ← low "0" BTCN5 ← low "0" BTCN6 ← Low "0" BTCN7 ← High "1" BTCN8 ← Low "0" BTCN9 ← High "1" BTCN10 ← Low "0" Signal flow is 238 → 219 → 221, 222 → 22
0 → 228 → 225, 222 → 220 → 228 → 233
→ 237, 238 → 236 + 220 → 226 → 225 and 238 → 236 + 220 → 226 → 234 → 237.

[Mode 1 + Mode 3 (Mode 12)] BTCN0 ← high "1" BTCN1 ← low "0" BTCN2 ← low "0" BTCN3 ← low "0" BTCN4 ← low "0" BTCN5 ← X BTCN6 ← high " 1 "BTCN7 ← high" 1 "BTCN8 ← X BTCN9 ← high" 1 "BTCN10 ← low" 0 "The signal flow is 238 → 219 → 221, 222 → 22
0 → 238, 222 → 220 → 228 → 225 and 23
8 → 236 + 220 → 226 → 225.

[Mode 2 + Mode 3 (Mode 13)] BTCN0 ← high "1" BTCN1 ← low "0" BTCN2 ← low "0" BTCN3 ← X BTCN4 ← high "1" BTCN5 ← low "0" BTCN6 ← low " 0 "BTCN7 ← high" 1 "BTCN8 ← low" 0 "BTCN9 ← high" 1 "BTCN10 ← low" 0 "The signal flow is 238 → 219 → 221, 222 → 22.
0 → 238, 222 → 220 → 228 → 233 → 237
And 238 → 236 + 220 → 226 → 234 → 237
Becomes

[Mode 1 + Mode 2 + Mode 3 (Mode 14)] BTCN0 ← high "1" BTCN1 ← low "0" BTCN2 ← low "0" BTCN3 ← low "0" BTCN4 ← low "0" BTCN5 ← low "0" BTCN6 ← low "0" BTCN7 ← high "1" BTCN8 ← low "0" BTCN9 ← high "1" BTCN10 ← low "0" The signal flow is 238 → 219 → 221, 222 → 22
0 → 238, 222 → 238 → 225, 222 → 220
→ 238 → 233 → 237, 238 → 236 + 220 →
226 → 225 and 238 → 236 + 220 → 226 →
It becomes 234 → 237.

[Mode 4 + Mode 5 (Mode 15)] BTCN0 ← X BTCN1 ← X BTCN2 ← high "1" BTCN3 ← high "1" BTCN4 ← low "0" BTCN5 ← low "0" BTCN6 ← low "0" BTCN7 ← high "1" BTCN8 ← low "0" BTCN9 ← low "0" BTCN10 ← high "1" The signal flow is 225 → 228 → 233 → 237, 22
5 → 226 → 234 → 237, 225 → 226 + 228
→ 234 + 233 → 220 → 238 and 225 → 226
→ 234 → 236 → 238.

[Mode 6 + Mode 7 (Mode 16)] BTCN0 ← X BTCN1 ← high "1" BTCN2 ← X BTCN3 ← low "0" BTCN4 ← low "0" BTCN5 ← high "1" BTCN6 ← low "0" BTCN7 ← Low “0” BTCN8 ← High “1” BTCN9 ← X BTCN10 ← High “1” The signal flow is 237 → 233 → 228 → 225, 23.
7 → 234 → 226 → 225, 237 → 233 + 234
→ 220 → 238 and 237 → 234 → 236 → 238
Becomes

[Mode 8 + Mode 9 (Mode 17)] BTCN0 ← Low "0" BTCN1 ← Low "0" BTCN2 ← Low "0" BTCN3 ← Low "0" BTCN4 ← Low "0" BTCN5 ← X BTCN6 ← X BTCN7 ← high “1” BTCN8 ← X BTCN9 ← high “1” BTCN10 ← low “0” The signal flow is 238 → 219 → 221, 238 → 22.
8 → 225 and 238 → 220 + 236 → 226 → 22
It becomes 5.

[Mode 8 + Mode 10 (Mode 18)] BTCN0 ← low "0" BTCN1 ← low "0" BTCN2 ← low "0" BTCN3 ← X BTCN4 ← high "1" BTCN5 ← low "0" BTCN6 ← low " 0 ”BTCN7 ← high“ 1 ”BTCN8 ← low“ 0 ”BTCN9 ← high“ 1 ”BTCN10 ← low“ 0 ”The signal flow is 238 → 219 → 221, 238 → 22.
0 → 222, 238 → 228 → 233 → 237 and 23
8 → 220 + 236 → 226 → 234 → 210.

[Mode 9 + Mode 10 (Mode 19)] BTCN0 ← X BTCN1 ← high "1" BTCN2 ← X BTCN3 ← low "0" BTCN4 ← low "0" BTCN5 ← low "0" BTCN6 ← low "0" BTCN7 ← high “1” BTCN8 ← low “0” BTCN9 ← high “1” BTCN10 ← low “0” The signal flow is 238 → 228 → 225, 238 → 22.
8 → 233 → 237, 238 → 220 + 236 → 22
6 → 225 and 238 → 220 + 236 → 226 → 23
It becomes 4 → 237.

[Mode 8 + Mode 9 + Mode 10 (Mode 20)] BTCN0 ← Low "0" BTCN1 ← Low "0" BTCN2 ← Low "0" BTCN3 ← Low "0" BTCN4 ← Low "0" BTCN5 ← Low "0" BTCN6 ← low "0" BTCN7 ← high "1" BTCN8 ← low "0" BTCN9 ← high "1" BTCN10 ← low "0" The signal flow is 238 → 219 → 221, 238 → 22
0 → 222, 238 → 228 → 225, 238 → 228
→ 233 → 237, 238 → 220 + 236 → 226 →
225 and 238 → 220 + 236 → 226 → 234 →
It becomes 237.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the image memory unit (IPU). This unit stores an image signal from the outside (image data from the scanner 351 or image data from a computer) in the image memory 604, and synchronizes with an external device (here, the scanner unit 351), It has a function of outputting the data stored in the image memory.

Next, each function will be described.

(Write to image memory) R input from the external interface 609 set in the input mode
The GB signals 616 to 618 (8 bits each) are sent to the frequency conversion unit 613 (here, FIFO is used) via the 3-state buffer 610 and further 620 to 622. At this time, the 3-state buffers 610 and 612
Is enabled and the 3-state buffer 611 is disabled by the CPU 603. Next, in the frequency conversion unit 613, an external clock (1 bit in 618) is used as a write clock signal, an external main scanning synchronization signal (1 bit in 618) is used as a write reset signal, and an external main scanning synchronization signal is used as a write enable signal. (1 bit of 618), an internal clock (VCKIPU) as a read clock signal, and an internal main scanning synchronization signal (external main scanning synchronization signal and internal clock VCKIPU) as a read reset signal.
HSYNCIPU generated in 14), a read enable signal (EN generated by an area enable generator (not shown) according to an internal main scanning synchronization signal and an internal clock.
IPU2) By being used as a control signal, the external image clock and the image clock in the memory unit are synchronized (the main scanning synchronization signal of the scanner 351 is used), and the output signals 623 to 625 from here. It is written in the image memory 604 via the data controller 607.

Here, the memory is RG for one pixel.
The memory control signal at this time has a capacity of 24 bits in total, and the memory control signal at this time is selected by the address controller 605 (selected by the selector 608) based on the external sub-scanning enable signal (1 bit in 619), the internal main scanning synchronization signal HSYNCIPU, etc. Will be done).

Next, writing from the computer to the image memory will be described. From the computer to the CPU 603, for example, image data sent by GPIB or the like is accumulated in the memory in the CPU via the external interface 609 and the signal line 601. Then, the CPU uses the address controller 605, the data controller 607, and the selector 6
Control unit 08 to write image data from the computer in the image memory 604 (image transfer is performed by D
MA may be used).

(Outputting Image Data to External Device) The data stored in the external memory 604 is the data controller 6
07, 3-state buffer 611, external interface 609 via the external interface 609, the external interface 609, the address based on the main scanning synchronization signal and the sub-scanning synchronization signal input from the external interface 609, 3-state buffer 612. It is read from the image memory 604 by the address generated by the controller 606. At this time, the ENIPU2 is disabled and the 3-state buffers 611 and 612 are enabled.
Reference numeral 10 is controlled by the disenable CPU 603.

FIG. 8 shows a system connection form (hereinafter referred to as a tandem system) of the digital copying machine of the present invention.

1001, 1002, 1003, 1004
Are all a set of digital copiers shown in FIG.
This one set is called one station), and each has a system address. This system address is not the same when connected as a tandem system, and must always be 0. Also, the connection order of the system addresses is determined in order to switch the video signals. In this embodiment, the station with the address 0 is placed at the end, and the system address is sequentially increased from there. 1005 ・ 1006 ・ 1007
Is a cable for connecting a tandem system, the content of which is a cable for RGB video signals as shown at 1010, and the content of which is 24 RGB video signal lines as shown at 1010, It includes three video control lines and four serial communication lines. An interface device 1008 connects these digital copying machines and a general computer 1009.

Further, FIG. 9 shows a connection form of video signals in the system.

1101, 1102, 1103, 1104
Are the stations 1001, 1002, ...
Only the interface portion of 1003 and 1004 is extracted. Cable 1105-1106 / 11
07 includes 24 RGB video signal lines and 3 video control lines.

As described above, in the present implementation system, contact points with other stations (1 and 2 of each I / F section)
The system address is such that a station having an address lower than itself is connected to the contact 1 and a station having an address higher than itself is connected to the contact 2. By the way, if the above relationship is maintained, inconvenience does not occur even if the system addresses are not necessarily continuous.

FIG. 10 shows the connection form of serial communication lines in the system.

Reference numerals 1201, 1202 and 1203 are only the interface portions of the respective stations 1001, 1002 and 1003 shown in FIG. The signal line for serial communication is ATN * (1207).
SiD * (1206) / DACK * (1205) / OF
There are four FER * (1204). ATN * is the tandem system master station (system address 0
Is defined as), and a data transfer is performed when ATN * = low. In stations other than the master station (hereinafter referred to as slave stations), the ATN * line is always input. OFFER * is OFFER * = low when the slave station transmits data to the master station, and is always input at the master station. The slave stations are connected by wired OR. DACK * is
This is a signal indicating that the data reception side has completed data reception, and the stations are connected by wired OR. Therefore, when there are a plurality of stations on the receiving side, DACK * on the line becomes inactive when the station that has completed the latest data reception makes DACK * inactive. This synchronizes the data transfer between stations. SiD * is bidirectional serial data, ATN * (master → slave), OFFER
* Data is exchanged in synchronization with (slave → master). The data transfer method is a half-duplex start-stop synchronization method, and the baud rate and data format are preset at system startup. Interface part (1201, 1202,
From 1203), eight signal lines are output to the controller of each station, and TxD / RxD is used for ATN0, DACK0, and
OFFER0 is connected to the input I / O port by ATNi DAC
Ki and OFFERi are respectively connected to output I / O ports. FIG. 11 shows a timing chart of each signal during data transmission.

When a tandem system is constructed using the interface having the above-described structure, communication is performed via the serial communication line described above. FIG. 12 shows the main commands used at that time.

The interface clear command is for resetting the parameters related to the tandem system, and is issued by the master station whose system address is defined as 0 after the initialization of itself is completed and turned off.
Fix ER * to input. Receiving this command, each slave station fixes ATN * as an input and initializes internal parameters.

The status request command is a polling command for collecting information such as the status of slaves connected to the tandem system, and is issued to each slave after a certain period of time has elapsed after the master station issued the interface clear command. It This command includes a request destination address for specifying the slave as a parameter.

The status transfer command is a command for the slave specified by the previous status request command to report its own status to each station in the tandem system. This command must be issued within a certain period of time when the master station nominates it. This command includes its own system address, various flags indicating whether or not there is an error, waiting or copying, and parameters such as the type of paper and the presence or absence of paper.

If the slave appointed by the status request command from the master station does not issue the status transfer command even after a certain period of time, the master station determines that the nominated slave station is not connected in the tandem system. to decide.

The print start command specifies which station the image transfer station uses, how the number of sheets is distributed to each station used, and the like. This is a command to prepare for. This command includes image transfer source address, request address, paper size, number of sheets, etc. as parameters.

The image transfer end command is used by the image transfer source station to report the end of image transfer to another station.

First, a procedure for outputting a document image placed on the document table of one reader using a tandem system from a plurality of printers will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that four stations A, B, C, and D are connected to the tandem system, and a document serving as a document is placed on the reader section document table of station A. Operate the operation panel on the reader section of station A to confirm that the stations B, C, D can be used without any abnormality, and then set all stations A, B, C, D to output. , Set the number of copies. When you press the copy start key of station A,
The station A distributes the set number of copies to each station and issues a print start command to all stations. Upon receiving this print start command, the B, C, and D stations set parameters such as the number of copies and paper size that come with this command, and the system address of the command issuer and its own system address. The video signal is switched based on, and the control for writing to the image memory of itself is VIDE on the I / F.
Switch to O control line (VCLK, HSYNC, VE),
Enters the state of waiting for an image signal. On the other hand, station A makes settings for image reading, switches so that the control signal for writing to its own image memory is also output to the VIDEO control line on the I / F, and starts the image reading operation. To do. The B, C, and D stations use the control signals issued by the station A to write to the respective image memories. When the image reading operation of the station A is completed, the image transfer end command is issued from the station A, and the stations A, B, C, and D enter the printout operation.

By following the same procedure, A ・ B ・
Even when a document is placed on the reader platen of any of the C and D stations, it is possible to obtain output using a plurality of stations by operating the operation panel on that station.

Next, a procedure for outputting the output from the host computer connected to one station connected to the tandem system via an external I / F device such as an IPU using a plurality of stations will be described. .

The states of all stations connected to the tandem system are the external I / F device 1008 (hereinafter, I / F).
(PU is called), and is aggregated in the host computer 1009. By operating the host computer 1009, the station to be used, the number of copies, the paper, etc. are set according to the state of the tandem system, and the output image is IPU.
Transfer to. The IPU is the station (station A in this case) 1001 to which these settings are connected.
To inform. Station 100 that received this notice
1 issues a print start command to the other station used. The station receiving the print start command enters the image signal waiting state by following the same procedure as in the case of outputting the original on the original table. Station 1001 to which the IPU is connected
Issues a command to send an image to the IPU after switching the video signal to the mode of “input from IPU” and “output to other station”. The VIDEO control signals used for image reading from the IPU and image writing for the remaining stations are all generated by the station 1001 to which the IPU is connected to control the entire system. Therefore, the image data read from the IPU is simultaneously written in the image memory of the station 1001 and the image memory of another station. After writing the image, the station 1001 issues an image transfer end command, and the printout operation is started in each station.

In any of the above cases, the print start command is issued to the stations not selected when the station to be used is selected.
In this case, for example, "when the print start command including the number of copies 0 is received, it is determined that the print start command is not selected"
It is thought that such means are effective. By doing this,
It is possible to switch the I / F unit even in a station that is not selected so that the image signal reaches the target station. Since the start request source address is included in the print start command, it is possible to determine how to switch the I / F unit by comparing with the address of the print start command.

In addition, in each station, in the initial environment setting of the station, "the image can be a source of the image, and the designation as the destination of the image from another station is also permitted", "the image transmission It can be the source, but it does not accept designation as an image destination from other stations. "," Although it cannot be the source of images, it is allowed as the destination of images from other stations. Yes, it is not possible to be the image sending source, and the designation as the image sending destination from other stations is not accepted.

Further, when a certain station connected in the tandem system is locally copying (meaning that other stations are not used together), the interrupt due to the serial communication in the tandem system is masked. However, if it is a master station, it issues its own status transfer command and status request command for each slave station at regular intervals, and if it is a slave station, only its own status transfer command. Is set to be issued at regular intervals. By doing this,
It is possible to prevent unnecessary interrupt processing from occurring during copying and to notify other stations of their own status. When the local copy is completed, the interrupt processing by serial communication in the tandem system is permitted again, and the processing is returned to the processing of issuing the status transfer command in response to the status request command issued by the master station.

The status transfer command issued during the local copy contains information indicating that the copy is in progress.

Further, the apparatus which has caused a service error or the like and cannot be used even in the copying machine alone, closes the I / F related to the tandem system at that time. Stations that can be selected based on the contents of the status transfer command from each station are displayed so that they can be seen at a glance, but the stations that are displayed as unavailable cannot accept the designation as the destination of the image. Included are those that have been run, those that are doing a local copy, the station that caused the error, etc.

(Regarding Display Section) FIG. 13 is an external view of the operation panel. 50000 is a numeral key, 50001 is a copy start key, 50002 is a stop key, and 5000.
3 is a preheat key and 50004 is a display unit such as liquid crystal display means. FIG. 14 shows the display unit basic screen of FIG.

As each display of the basic screen of the display unit 50004, 50101 indicates the apparatus state, 50102 indicates the number of copies, 50103 indicates the paper size, 50104 indicates each setting value of the copy magnification, and 50105 indicates the touch key in the tandem mode. Is.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a station selection screen when the display units of a plurality of stations are simultaneously displayed on one display unit in the case of tandem connection.

Further, FIG. 16 shows a legend of the setting key of each station on the setting screen of FIG. Connection information of each station connected in tandem is displayed like a touch key 50301 on the display unit of FIG. There are five types of connection information from 50303 to 50307, and if a touch key 50303 is displayed, for example, it indicates the currently set station itself. 1 connectable to the station
Of the eight stations, the stations that are actually connected in tandem are displayed with the touch keys 50304, and the other unconnected stations are displayed with 50306 on the display unit. A trouble station such as no paper, JAM, and no toner is indicated by 50307. If the display of the other connected station is set to be displayed on the display currently being operated, that station will
The display switches to 0305.

Further, each station connected in tandem is classified by a station number like 50302. For example, station A is displayed as station number 1, and similarly stations B, C, D, ...
Shown as 2, 3, 4, ...

Now, as shown in FIG. 8, four stations A, B, C, and D are connected to the tandem system, and each original is placed on the reader section original table of station A, or station A An image can be taken into the station A through the IPU by the computer connected to the. At this time, the tandem mode of station A is selected. Then, when the simultaneous display mode (50105) is selected on the operation panel of station A, the display unit of station A is switched to that shown in FIG. For example, in FIG. 15, among the 18 connectable stations, four stations including the tandem station A are connected in tandem, and the respective stations A, B, C, D are 1, 2, Displayed as 3, 4. Also, at this time, it is understood that the station D is a station in which some trouble has occurred. Further, stations other than the stations A, B, C and D are not connected.

When displaying the display section of another station on the display section of this station A, when the touch key of the station number is pressed, the display is switched to the display setting station of 50305. In the case of FIG. 15, the station numbers 2 and 3 are set to the simultaneous display setting station. When setting is completed, 50201
When the touch key for ending the setting of is pressed, the display unit of the station A switches to the simultaneous display screen of FIG. Also,
If cancellation of 50202 is selected, the screen returns to the setting screen of FIG. In FIG. 1, 50401 is the station number, 5040
Reference numeral 2 denotes a sheet size, 50403 denotes a magnification, and 50404 denotes the number of copies set by the station A and distributed to each station. Further, a trouble state such as 50405 is displayed on the trouble station. If four or more units are connected to station A, 50406 or 504
07 allows viewing of other simultaneous display setting station states not currently displayed. Also, if you want to change the simultaneous display settings, select the cancellation of 50408.
It returns to the setting screen of No. 5 again and becomes ready to set again.
If the user selects the end of 50409, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 14 showing the display section of station A only.

When the copy start key of the station A is pressed, the copy operation is started. That is, station A issues a print start command to each station. When each station receives this print start command, it sets the parameters such as the number of copies and paper size assigned to each station that comes with this command, and the system address of the command issuer and its own system. The video signal is switched based on the address, and the control for writing to the image memory of its own is controlled by the VIDEO control line (VC) on the I / F.
LK, HSYNC, VE) and enters a state of waiting for an image signal. On the other hand, station A makes settings for image reading, switches so that the control signal for writing to its own image memory is also output to the VIDEO control line on the I / F, and starts the image reading operation. To do. Each station uses the control signal output from station A to write to its image memory. When the image reading operation of the station A is completed, an image transfer end command is issued from the station A, and each station starts a printout operation.

During printout, station A, which is a master station, sends a status request command to each station via a communication line, and trouble information such as copy count (50404) from each station and no paper or no toner. Receive (50405),
When the simultaneous display is set, the status information received in real time is displayed in the portion where the status of the station that is the transmission source of the status information is displayed. Sending a status request from the master to the slave is
Do it every predetermined time, or press the previous page button 50407
Alternatively, if the next page button 50406 or the simultaneous display button 50105 is pressed, it may be performed.

Furthermore, it is possible to make the slave respond to the master with the current print status as status information and display it on the master. By including the number of sheets set as the print status and the number of sheets that have been processed at present, the progress status of the processing can be grasped from the master station.

As described above, by connecting a plurality of digital copying machines, it is possible to quickly output image data read by a reader or created by a computer even if it is a large number.

Further, as described above, the status information of the stations connected by the master station can be confirmed. Therefore, the occurrence of a failure and the progress status of processing can be known from the master without having to look around each station one by one, and a copy system with good operability can be configured.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0091]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus and the image forming system according to the present invention, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to form an image forming system, the plurality of apparatuses are used in parallel. Not only can a highly efficient system be realized, but the state of the entire system can be grasped by one device in the system, so that a system with excellent operability can be configured. Further, since the system status is displayed by using the image forming apparatus in the system, there is an effect that a special device for controlling the image forming apparatus is not required.

[0092]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display example in which the states of a plurality of stations are displayed at the same time.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an interface with the outside in a reader that implements a tandem system.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a reader printer that implements a tandem system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of a polygon scanner in a printer that implements a tandem system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a bus selector in a reader implementing a tandem system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of digital image processing in a reader implementing a tandem system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an internal structure of an image memory unit (IPU).

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection form of a tandem system.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection form related to a video signal in a tandem system.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection form of serial communication lines in a tandem system.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart of each signal during data transmission in serial communication in the tandem system.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a main command system used in serial communication in a tandem system.

FIG. 13 is an external view of a display unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit of a digital copying machine.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a setting screen for displaying the display units of a plurality of stations using the tandem system.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a legend showing a state of each station.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses having communication means connected to each other and forming an image on a print medium based on input image data by the communication means. A master device having print instruction means for instructing the start of print processing and display means for receiving status information indicating the status and displaying the status information so that the sender can be identified; and the print instruction means. And a slave device having a status transmission unit for transmitting status information to the master device in accordance with an instruction from the image forming system. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the master device and the slave device further include storage means for storing image data. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the master device further includes a reading unit that reads a document image. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising an image generating device that generates image data, wherein the master device and the slave device receive the image data from the image generating device. 5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the status information includes a size of paper to be printed, a magnification, a number of copies, paper, that is, a state of running out of toner and running out of paper. 6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein, when displaying the received status information, the master device selects a transmission source and displays information from the selected transmission source. . 7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the master device further includes a distribution unit that distributes image data to the slave device. 8. A receiving unit for receiving image data, a printing unit for printing the image data received by the receiving unit, and a transmitting unit for transmitting a printing state of the printing unit to an external device. A characteristic image forming apparatus. 9. A transmission means for transmitting image data to an external device, a status requesting means for requesting a status of the external device, and a display means for receiving the status of the external device and displaying the status. An image forming apparatus characterized by.