JPH06268781A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a copying machine whereby an output can be started or completed at required time by previously reading an original and setting output time when an output device is under use so that printing cannot be executed soon or when the output is required at specified time. CONSTITUTION:A picture input means 10, a storage means 11 storing inputted picture information, a time designating means 12 designating time for outputting picture information, a job storing means 14 storing information concerning designated output time and picture information, a clocking means 15, a job starting means 16 inputting output time stored in the job storing means 14 and the output of the clocking means so as to start a picture information output means at output time and a picture information outputting means 17 which is started by the job starting means 16 so as to read picture information from the picture information storage means 11 and execute printing are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine, and more particularly to a copying machine capable of preliminarily reading a copy original and specifying an output time for output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique relating to copying using a timer, there is an example described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-74557. The technology of the publication is
In order to reduce the operating cost of the copier by using night power, the timer is set, the job is registered, the machine is set to the off mode, and the original is set, and copying is automatically started at night. It is what is done.

[0003]

In the conventional operation by the timer as described above, the reservation of copying can be set only after the work of the day is completed, and the time when the copying is completed is unknown. There was a problem that was. Further, there is a problem that only one manuscript can be reserved.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to read a copy original in advance,
It is to provide a copying machine capable of outputting by designating an output time.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in a copying machine, image information input means, storage means for storing the input image information, time designation means for designating the time when the image information is output, and designation. Inputting the output time and the output of the clock means stored in the job storage means, the clock means, the job storage means for storing the output time and the information related to the image information,
The present invention is characterized by comprising a job starting means for starting the image information output means at the output time, and an image information outputting means for starting the image information storing means, reading the image information from the image information storing means, and printing the image information.

Further, the time designating means inputs the copy output completion time, and sets the copy start time based on the information of the original document inputted from the image information input means so that the copy is completed at the copy completion time. It is characterized by making a decision.

[0007]

With this means, when the output device is in use and cannot be printed immediately, or when it is desired to output at a specific time, the document is read in advance and the output time is set. By setting, the output can be started or completed at a desired time. Therefore, the work efficiency and the operating rate of the copying machine are improved.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. The CPU 1 controls the entire copying machine according to the program stored in the ROM 2. R
The AM 3 stores image information or various control data. At least a part of the RAM is backed up by a battery so that the registered job contents and the like are retained even when the power is turned off.

The panel 4 is composed of, for example, a panel switch for the user to input various instruction information, and a display device such as an LCD display device for displaying the state of the device, the input key information and the like. Clock circuit 5
Is backed up by a battery and always holds current time information, which can be read from the CPU 1 at any time.

The printer 6 prints image information data. The scanner 7 reads a document and outputs image information data.
The bus 8 connects each circuit in the device. In addition, although not shown, a card controller such as a magnetic card or an IC card, a NUC, a modem, a communication control circuit, and the like, for example, a communication control unit for controlling communication of a facsimile, an interface circuit with a host, a hard disk, and a floppy disk. An external storage device such as a disk may be provided.

Next, the outline of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the outline of the present invention. The image information input means 10 inputs an original using a scanner, inputs the number of originals and the size / direction of the original from the panel, and outputs necessary data to the image information storage means 11 and the start time calculation means 13.

The image information storage means 11 is an image information input means 10.
It stores the image information and the accompanying data such as the number of sheets, size / direction, etc., and outputs the accompanying data to the start time calculating means 13. The output completion time designating means 12 inputs the output completion time from the panel and outputs it to the start time calculating means 13.

The start time calculation means 13 outputs the number of copies of the document from the image information input means 10, the output size and the number of sheets information of each page from the image information storage means 11, and the output completion time from the output completion time designating means 12. , And the print output start time is calculated from the print output speed of the device.

The job storage means 14 stores the print output job start time, the number of copies, and the file number corresponding to the job stored in the job storage means. The clock means 15 always outputs the current time information from the battery circuit backed up by the battery.

The job activation means 16 constantly compares the current time information from the clock means 15 with the job start time in the job storage means, and if they match, activates the image information output means 17. The image information output means 17 is the job storage means 14.
The image information of the file number stored in is printed out for the specified number of copies. As a result of being output by such means, printing is completed at the designated output completion time.

Next, the data will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing various information stored in the image information storage means 11 and the job storage means 14. In this example, an original having three pages (5 copies) is read first, and then an original having one page (10 copies) is read.

The image information data read by the scanner is stored page by page in the image information storage section of FIG. 3C. The numbers on the left indicate addresses. With this,
The record (page) storage unit in FIG. 3B stores the head address of each record, the number of bytes, and the size / direction input from the panel as associated data.

In the file storage section of FIG. 3A, the leading record number and the number of records are stored for each document. The job storage unit in FIG. 3D stores the start time output from the start time calculating unit, the file number in FIG. 3A, and the number of copies input from the panel.

Next, the operation will be described in more detail. Figure 4
FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing a job reservation process according to the first embodiment of this invention. In step S1, the number of copies and size information are input from the panel. Step S
In 2, the document is read by the scanner. In step S3, the read image information has an image information storage unit in a predetermined area in the RAM (see FIG. 3C).
Memorized in.

In step S4, it is checked whether or not the input for one page is completed. If not completed, the process returns to step S2 to repeat the reading and storage. When the accumulation of one page is completed in step S4,
The process proceeds to step S5 and is also in the RAM, as shown in FIG.
The page management information is registered in the record (page) storage unit shown in (b). The head address, the number of bytes, and the size / direction are registered as the page management information.

In step S6, it is checked whether or not the original is finished. If the original remains, the process returns to step S2 to read the next page. When the manuscript is completed, the process proceeds to step S7, and file management information is registered in the file storage unit shown in FIG.
The head record number and the number of records are registered as the file management information.

In step S8, the output completion time is input from the panel. In step S9, CP
U1 first obtains the output time of each record from the size / direction of each record (page) of the image information file that has just been input. Next, the time required for output is calculated by summing the time required for each record and further multiplying by the numerical value. Finally, the time required for output is subtracted from the output completion time to obtain the output start time. In step S10, FIG.
The output start time, the file number, and the number-of-copies data are registered in the job storage unit as shown in (d).

FIG. 4B is a flow chart showing the reserved job output process of the first embodiment. Step S20
In, the current time and all reserved job start times are compared. In step S21,
It is checked whether or not the times match, and if they do not match, the process returns to step S20, but if they match, the process proceeds to step S22 and the job is executed.

In step S22, the number of copies and the file number are read from the job storage unit and the number of copies is set in the print control unit. In step S23, the first record and the number of records are read from the file storage unit based on the file number, and the number of records is set as the page number of the print control unit.

In step S24, the size / direction of the original of the first page is read from the record storage section based on the first record number and set in the print control section. In step S25, the print control unit reads the image information from the image information storage unit based on the head address read from the record storage unit and outputs the image information to the printer.

In step S26, it is checked whether or not one page of image information has been output. If one page has not been completed, the process returns to step S25. If it has been completed, the process returns to step S27. Transition. Step S2
In step 7, it is checked whether or not there is a next page, that is, whether or not it is the last page. If not, the process returns to step S24 to shift to the output process of the next page, which is the last page. In that case, the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S28, it is checked whether or not the output of the set number of copies has been completed. If the output is incomplete, the process returns to step S23, and the output is repeated from the first page. finish. With the above processing, printing is completed at the output completion time set by the user.

Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the output start time is set so that the output is completed at the output completion time. However, in the process of step S9 of FIG. 4A, the start time may be set in consideration of a predetermined margin time of, for example, about 3 minutes. In this way, at the output completion time,
The output is completed more reliably.

Further, in the first embodiment, the output start time is calculated by inputting the output completion time, but there are cases where it is desired to set the output start time itself. In such a case, step S in FIG.
In the process of 8, the output start time may be input and step S9 may be omitted. It should be noted that it is possible to select how much margin time is provided or whether to specify the completion time or the start time.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the output processing of the second embodiment.
The reservation process may be the process of the first embodiment or the third embodiment described later.

Steps S30 and S31 are the same as steps S20 and 21 of the first embodiment, and the time of the reserved job and the current time are constantly compared. When the times match, the process proceeds to step S32 to check whether another job is currently being executed. If another job is not being executed, the process proceeds to step S36. If another job is being executed, the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, interruption processing of the job being executed is started. In step S34,
A job interruption state (data such as the number of copies, number of pages, paper size / direction, etc.) is stored in a predetermined area in the memory. In step S35, the process waits until the interruption process is completed, such as when the paper is completely discharged.

In step S36, the user is prohibited from starting a new job from the panel or the like, and the fact is displayed on the display device. In step S37, reserved job output processing is performed. This process is shown in FIG.
This is the same as the processing from step S22 to step S28.

When the output process of the reserved job is completed, the prohibition in step S36 is released in step S38, and the acceptance of other jobs is restarted. Step S
In 39, it is checked whether or not there is an interrupted job stored in step S34. If there is an interrupted job, the process proceeds to step S40 to read the interrupted state and restart the interrupted job.

By performing the above processing, the reserved job can be preferentially executed at the reserved time, and the processing can be completed more reliably at the output completion time.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the reservation process of the third embodiment.
Note that the output processing can be the processing of the first or second embodiment. In step S50, document reading and registration processing are performed. This process is shown in FIG.
This is the same as the processing from step S1 to step S7.

Steps S51 and S52 are the same as steps S8 and S9 in FIG. 4A, and the output start time is calculated by inputting the output completion time. In step S53, it is checked whether or not the time range of the job to be registered this time overlaps with the output time range of the already registered job.

In step S54, if there are overlapping jobs, the process proceeds to step S55, and if there is no overlapping job, the process proceeds to step S56. In step S55, the fact that the job overlaps with another job is displayed on the panel, and the process returns to step S51 to redo the registration process. In step S56, the output start time, the output completion time, the file number, and the copy number data are registered in the job storage unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a job storage unit used in the third embodiment. The difference from the job storage unit of FIG. 3D is that both the start time and the end time are registered. By thus registering the start and end times, it is possible to detect the overlap of jobs.

In the flow chart of FIG. 6, the output start time may be input as in the modification of the first embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, it is necessary to calculate the end time at this time.

Finally, a fourth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is carried out in combination with the first to third embodiments,
The reservation contents are displayed. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the display processing of the fourth embodiment. This process is activated, for example, whenever any key on the panel is pressed.

In step S60, it is checked whether or not an instruction to display the reservation status is issued by pressing the reservation display key. If there is an instruction, the process proceeds to step S61, and it is checked whether or not there is a reserved job in the job storage unit.

If there is no reservation, step S63.
, And display "No reservation" on the display device of the panel. When a reservation is made, the contents of the reservation are displayed on the panel display device. The list may be printed out instead of the panel display.

By adding such processing to the first to third embodiments, the reservation status can be confirmed and a new job can be easily reserved so as not to overlap with other jobs.

Although the four embodiments have been described above, it is clear that the present invention can be applied to, for example, a copying machine which can be controlled by a host, or a multifunction machine in which the functions of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, etc. are integrated. In this case, the job reservation and the reservation content display can be executed from the host.

[0046]

According to the copying machine of the present invention as described above, even when the printer is used, the original can be read in advance and the output can be started or completed at a desired time. Therefore, there is an effect that the working efficiency and the operation rate of the copying machine are improved.

At the reserved job output time, if the reserved job is interrupted and the reserved job is executed, the reserved job can be accurately output. Further, if an overlap is detected at the time of reservation, mistakes in reservation can be prevented, and if the reservation status is displayed, it becomes easy to select an empty time zone.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing various information stored in a memory.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating information in a job storage unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a display process of a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... Panel, 5
... clock circuit, 6 ... printer, 7 ... scanner, 8 ... bus,
10 ... Image information input means, 11 ... Image information storage means, 12 ...
Output completion time designating means, 13 ... start time calculating means,
14 ... Job storage means, 15 ... Clock means, 16 ... Job starting means, 17 ... Image information output means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor, Haya Sakashita, 3-7-1, Fuchu, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture, Fuji Zerox Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshiaki Komachi, 3-7-1, Fuchu, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture Fuji Inside the Xelox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yukio Nakazawa 3-7-1, Fuchu, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture Inside Fuji Zerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ken Ken Kawa 3-7-1, Fuchu, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image information input means, a storage means for storing the input image information, a time designating means for designating a time to output the image information, and a designated output time and information related to the image information. Job storing means for storing, clock means,
The job start means for inputting the output time stored in the job storage means and the output of the clock means, and activating the image information output means at the output time, and the image information stored in the image information storage means. And a image information output means for reading and printing the image. 2. The time designation means inputs a copy output completion time, and sets a copy start time based on the information of the document input from the image information input means so that the copy is completed at the copy completion time. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the copying machine determines. 3. The copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibiting unit that prohibits starting of another job at the output time. 4. The job storage means stores a time range required for copy output, and the time designation means prohibits output time designation overlapping with the already reserved copy output time range. The copying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: 5. The copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the contents of the job storage means.