JPH07123218A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To operate a picture processing system efficiently by providing plural modes to set a condition deciding an output picture and a recording medium by different methods for outputting the same picture information from plural picture processing units. CONSTITUTION:Digital copying machines 101-104 each having a specific system address are interconnected in parallel by cables 105-107, a computer address is connected to an interface device to form the multiple system for the copying machines. At first the copying machine (e.g. 101) to which a multiple copy mode is set is used for a manner copying machine, and a 1st operating mode in which magnification of all the copying machines 101-104 and selection of paper are set and a 2nd operating mode in which magnification and paper selection are set to each of the copying machines 102-104 are set to the master copying machine. At the time of multiple copying, the master copying machine recognizes the operating mode of each of the copying machines 102-104 through the cables 105-107 in the event of the multiple-copy, and sets the 1st mode to allow the copying machines 102-104 to provide a desired picture.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system in which a plurality of image processing devices are connected in parallel and the same image information can be output from the plurality of image processing devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image processing apparatus having an image memory and a function of communicating with the outside and capable of developing a system, a multiplex system has been proposed in which a plurality of apparatuses are connected to enable high-speed and large-capacity output. There is.

[0003]

However, in this type of apparatus, when the image processing apparatus enlarges or reduces the image, the operator sets the magnification and the like. However, a plurality of image processing apparatuses having an external input / output device are used. In a multiplex system that is connected and outputs at high speed, the operation becomes complicated if the paper selection and the magnification are set for each device.

On the other hand, if the settings of one device are sent to other devices as they are and are collectively set, it is not possible to output by setting different magnification settings and paper selection in each output device. It was possible.

[0005]

The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and has the following structure as one means for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is, a reading unit that reads image information, a communication unit that transmits and receives image information to and from another device via a communication medium, an image processing unit that processes the image information, and an image processed by the image processing unit is a recording medium. An image processing apparatus having an image output unit for outputting the above is connected in parallel, and at least one image processing apparatus outputs an output image and a recording medium in order to output the same image information from a plurality of image processing apparatuses. It has a plurality of modes for setting the conditions for determining in different ways.

[0006]

In the above structure, in order to output the same image information from a plurality of image processing apparatuses, a plurality of modes for setting conditions for determining an output image and a recording medium by different methods, for example, a magnification and By having a mode in which conditions such as paper selection settings can be collectively operated in any image processing apparatus and a mode in which each copying apparatus can be operated independently, a more efficient image processing system can be operated. .

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a case where a digital color copying machine is used as the image processing apparatus will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and it is also possible to output image data between devices that only form an image or only some of the devices.

[First Embodiment] <Structure of Multiple-slave System> FIG. 1 shows a form of a system in which a plurality of digital copiers according to one embodiment of the present invention are connected (in this embodiment, a "multiple-slave system"). ). Figure 1
In, 101, 102, 103, 104 are all 1
A set of digital copiers (hereinafter, this set is referred to as a "station"), and each station has a unique system address. 105,10
Reference numerals 6 and 107 denote cables for connecting the multiple-line system, and as shown at 110, RGB video signal lines 24
Includes a book, three video control lines, and four serial communication lines. 108 is these stations (digital copier)
And an interface device for connecting a general computer 109.

A connection form of video signals in the system is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, 401, 402, 403,
Reference numeral 404 denotes each of the stations 101 and 10 in FIG.
Only the interface portion of 2, 103, 104 is extracted. The cables 405, 406, and 407 include 24 RGB video signal lines and 3 video control lines.

FIG. 3 shows the connection form of serial communication lines in the system. In FIG. 3, 501, 502,
503 and 504 are the stations 10 of FIG.
Only the interface portion of 1, 102, 103 is extracted. The signal line for serial communication is A
TN * (507), SiD * (506), DACK *
(505) and OFFER (504) *.

ATN * is a master station in a multiplex system (defined as a system address "0").
Is a synchronization signal that represents the data transfer from ATN * = L
When it is ow, data transfer is performed. In stations other than the master station (hereinafter referred to as "slave stations"), the ATN * line is always in the input state.

OFFER * is OFFER * = Low when the slave station transmits data to the master station, and is always input to the master station. The plurality of slave stations are connected by a wired OR. DACK *
Is a signal indicating that the data receiving side has completed data reception, and the stations are connected by a wired OR. Therefore, if there are multiple stations on the receiving side, the station with the latest data reception completion is the DAC.
K * DACK * on line when inactive
Becomes 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. Eight lines are output from the interface unit (501, 502, 503) to the controller of each station. TxD / RxD is for serial communication transmission / reception, and ATNo, DACKo, OFFRo are output I / O. ATNi, DACKi, OFF to O port
ERi is connected to each input I / O port.

In the multiplex system having the above-mentioned configuration, communication is performed through the above-mentioned serial communication. FIG. 4 shows the main commands used in the present duplex system. Figure 4
In the above, the interface clear command is for resetting the parameters related to the multi-spindle system. It is issued by the master station whose system address is defined as "0" after the end of its own initialization processing, and the OFFER Fix * to input. Receiving this command, each slave station fixes ATN * as an input and initializes internal parameters.

The status request command is a command for collecting information such as the status of slaves connected to the multi-spindle system. After the master station has issued the interface clear command, it is issued to each slave after a certain period of time. To be done. 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 multiplex system. The slave must issue this command within a certain period of time when it is nominated by the master station. This command includes the address of the user's system, various parameters such as presence / absence of an error, waiting and copying, and parameters such as presence / 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 appointed slave is not connected in the multiplex system. to decide. The print start command specifies which station the image transfer station uses, how to distribute the number of sheets to each used station, etc., and prepares the station to be used for image reception. Is a command for. This command includes an image transfer source address, a request destination address, the 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. <Structure of Each Station> FIGS. 5 and 6 show the structure of the main body of the digital copying machine which constitutes each station of this embodiment.

<Structure of Reading Unit> FIG. 5 shows the structure of the reading unit in this embodiment. As shown in FIG.
With the CCD 201 provided with the B3 color filter,
The original image is read, and the A / D & S / H unit 202 performs A / D conversion of the original image. Next, the shading correction unit 20
3. The input masking unit 204 corrects the image data properly. The scaling processing unit 205 performs scaling processing on the image data.

The RGB image data sent from the CCD 201 after being subjected to necessary image processing is converted into corresponding CMY data by the LOG conversion unit 206, and the companding unit 2
07 and the selector 211. The companding unit 207 includes an encoder 208, a memory unit 209, and a decoder 210. The compression and decompression processing is performed with four pixels in the main scanning direction,
16 blocks of 4 pixels in the sub-scanning direction are set as one block.

The compressed image data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 20.
9 is read out in synchronism with each color of the printer 300 and masked by the masking / UCR unit 215, and then the γ correction unit 216 and the edge enhancement unit 21.
7, CMYK output image data is generated, and the image is recorded on the recording paper by the printer 300 through the video processing unit 218.

<Printer Unit Configuration> FIG. 6 shows the detailed configuration of the printer unit 300. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a polygon mirror scan for scanning the photosensitive drum with laser light whose emission is controlled based on the image signal generated by the video processing unit 218, 302 denotes a first-stage magenta (M) image forming unit, and 303. , 304, and 305 are image forming units for cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) having the same configuration.

In the image forming unit 302, 318 is a photosensitive drum which forms a latent image by exposure to laser light. Three
Reference numeral 13 is a developing device for developing toner on the photosensitive 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 3.
A primary charger 317 that charges 18 to a desired potential is a cleaner that cleans the surface of the drum 318 after transfer.

Reference numeral 316 denotes an auxiliary charger for removing the charge on the surface of the drum 318 cleaned by the cleaner 317 so that the primary charger 315 can obtain a good charge, and 330 is for removing the residual charge on the drum 318. Exposure lamp, 31
A transfer charger 9 discharges the toner image on the drum 318 onto the transfer member by discharging the transfer belt 306 from the rear surface thereof.

Reference numerals 309 and 310 are cassettes for accommodating transfer members, 308 is a paper feeding portion for supplying the transfer members from the cassettes 309 and 310, and 312 is used for rotating the transfer belt 306, and at the same time, is paired with the adsorption charger 311. become,
A transfer belt roller that attracts and charges the transfer member supplied from the paper feeding unit 308 to the transfer belt 306. Reference numeral 324 denotes a charge removing charger for facilitating separation of the transfer member from the transfer belt 306, 325 is a peeling charger for preventing image disturbance due to peeling discharge when the transfer member is separated from the transfer belt, and 326 and 327 are after separation. This is a pre-fixing charger that compensates for the toner adsorption force on the transfer member and prevents image disturbance. Three
Reference numerals 22 and 323 denote transfer belt discharging chargers for removing charge from the transfer belt 306 and electrostatically initializing the transfer belt 306. Reference numeral 328 denotes a belt cleaner for removing dirt on the transfer belt 306.

307 is separated from the transfer belt 306,
This is a fixing device for thermally fixing the toner image on the transfer portion recharged by the pre-fixing charging devices 326 and 327 onto the transfer member.
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 unit 308. The detection signal from the paper leading edge sensor is sent from the printer unit to the reader unit, and the reader unit prints to the printer. It is used as a sub-scanning synchronizing signal when sending a video signal to the unit.

An external interface unit 332 outputs image information from the document reading device 331 to an external device via an external input terminal 333 and an external output terminal 334 and is sent from the external input terminal 333. Communication is performed to cause the printer unit 300 to output incoming image information. <Magnification and Paper Selection in Double Mode> FIG. 7 shows the operation unit of the digital copying machine used in this embodiment. In FIG. 7, 700 is the overall configuration of the operation unit. Operation unit 700
In the figure, reference numeral 701 denotes a display unit for displaying the current state of the apparatus, the selected cassette, the number of copies, and the like.
A ten-key pad 702 is used for setting the number of copies. Reference numeral 703 is a copy start key.

FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the display unit 701 and the display unit 70.
The display example of the basic screen to 1 is shown. As shown in FIG. 8, in the initial state, the message screen portion 801 of the display screen has
“Ready to copy” is displayed and the background of the multiple mode switch 802 is displayed in white. In this state, when the operator presses the multiplex mode changeover switch 802 in any copying machine, the pressed device itself becomes the command transmitting side (master), and the other devices receive the command receiving side (slave). Becomes If the copy operation is being performed by itself when the switching code for the overlap mode is sent, the overlap mode is set when the operation currently being executed ends.

The display screen at that time is changed from the display example shown in FIG. 8 to the display example shown in FIG. 9, and “Please set the mode” is displayed in the message screen portion 901 of the display screen, as shown in 902. The multi-mode switch is displayed in white. At the same time, two mode switches of mode 1 and mode 2 are displayed as shown at 903 and 904.

The magnification and the paper selection operation in the multi-run mode, which is the operation peculiar to this embodiment, will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 10 shows the operation on the master side, and FIG. 11 shows the operation on the slave side. When in the multiple mode, the master enters the input waiting state shown in step S1 of FIG. 10, and displays the mode selection request screen shown in FIG. 9 as the display screen of the operation unit 700. On the other hand, the slave side device waits for the mode selection from the master shown in step S12 from the input waiting state shown in step S11 and the sending of the sheet magnification setting command accompanying the mode selection.

In this state, if the operator on the master side selects and presses either the "mode 1" or the "mode 2" execution mode of the operation section of FIG. 9, the process proceeds to step S2,
When the sheet is selected at a predetermined magnification, the operation on the master side shifts to the state shown in step S3 or step S4. If "mode 1" is selected here, the process proceeds to step S3 to issue a magnification / paper selection command corresponding to the selected mode 1. That is, when the operator presses the mode 1 selection switch 903 on the screen of the master display unit 701 shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 701 of the master operation unit is displayed.
The display shifts from the display shown in FIG. 9 to the display shown in FIG. In this case, since mode 1 was selected,
As shown in 905, the display screen of "mode 1" is outlined. Further, a paper magnification setting command is issued to the slave device. At this time, a mode signal "0" is sent as this command, and a request to select the operator cassette and the magnification is displayed on the screen. Then, if there is an input from the operator, the setting parameter is sent to the slave, and the setting parameter of the current master is sent to the slave if there is no input, and the state of step S5 in the copy start waiting state in the multiplex mode is set.

At the slave side, at the same time as entering the multiplex mode, the state of step S12 is awaited for input of a sheet magnification selection command from the master. At this time, if the mode signal sent from the master is "0", the mode 1
In the process of step S13, the slave receives the setting parameter signal from the master, and the device parameter is set. When the setting is completed, a screen showing the state of the multiple-line mode shown in FIG. 12 and a screen showing the state of the parameter setting shown in FIG. 12 are displayed on the operation section of the slave, and the copy start waiting in the multiple-line mode shown in step S15 It becomes a state.

On the other hand, when the operator on the master side presses the selection switch 904 which is the selection switch for "mode 2" on the screen shown in FIG. 9, the master enters the state of step S4 and the mode 2 is selected. . In mode 2, the master outputs a mode signal of "1" to the slave. The master transits to the state of step S5 as it is, waits for the copy start in the multiplex mode, the display of the “mode 1” switch on the screen of FIG. 12 is displayed on the operation unit, and “mode 2” shown in 904 of FIG. The switch is displayed in white.

In this case, the slave is in the multiplex mode selection waiting state of step S12 as in the mode 1, and in the case of mode 2, receives the mode signal "1" sent. When this mode signal "1" is received, the slave enters the state of step S14, and if there is an input from the operator on the slave side, the setting parameter is set, or if there is no input, the current setting parameter is set as it is and The state of step S15, which is a state of waiting for a copy start in the mode, is set.

Thereafter, image formation according to this setting,
And printout is performed. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the magnification of all copying machines in the master, the first mode in which the paper selection can be set, and the magnification and the paper selection in each copying machine are set. By having the second mode in which the setting can be made, it is possible to efficiently operate the cascade system of the copying machine.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, the mode is selected each time the multi-run mode is entered. However, a default value is set and the mode selection procedure is performed. You may omit it. A second embodiment according to the present invention having such a configuration will be described below. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the magnification and the paper selection operation on the master side in the overlap mode in the second embodiment according to the present invention. In addition,
In the second embodiment, other hardware configurations, other control operations, and the like are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, when the master side shifts from the state of step S1 in FIG. 13 to the multi-run mode shown in step S22, the master side does not wait for an input from the operator but According to a preset mode before shifting to the continuous mode, the process transits to the state of step S23 or step S24, sends a sheet magnification selection command according to the state, and waits for the start of copying in the multiple mode of step S25. Become.

In this waiting state, when a command for changing the default value of the mode signal is input, the interrupt state step S26 is started, in which the set value of the mode signal is changed according to the operator's input, and the changed mode signal is changed. Is sent to the slave again, the process returns to the state of step S25, and the multiple copy start is awaited. As a result, it is possible to change to the desired setting state immediately before multiple copy output, and it is possible to cause each station to perform the desired operation.

The operation on the slave side is substantially the same as the operation shown in FIG. 11 of the first embodiment described above. However, if a sheet magnification selection command is sent from the master side in the state of step S15, it is received and step S13 is executed.
Alternatively, the process of step S14 is executed, the setting is changed according to the sent mode signal, and control is performed so as to shift to the state of step S15.

In the second embodiment, since the control is performed as described above, it is not necessary to select the mode each time the multiple mode is entered, as compared with the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is adopted. The operation can be further simplified while obtaining the same effect as the example. [Third Embodiment] The above description has been given of an example in which the master side selects the sheet magnification without any condition. But,
In the mode in which the master sets all the conditions, the slave side may independently set the different conditions from the master. The magnification and sheet selection operation in the continuous mode in the third embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 shows the operation on the master side, and FIG.
Is the operation on the slave side. Note that the other configurations and operations of the third embodiment are similar to those of the above-described first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, the operation on the master side will be described. When the master is selected in the input waiting state shown in step S1 of FIG. 14, the master shifts to step S42, and the display unit displays
The mode selection request screen for the multiple mode shown in is displayed. When the operator selects the mode 1 here, the process proceeds to step S43, where the mode signal "0" is output and the same setting parameter as the master is sent to the slave as a magnification paper selection command. Then, the multi-copy copying start waiting state in step S5 is entered.

When the mode 2 is selected in step S42, the process proceeds to step S44, the mode signal "1" is sent to the slave side, the slave parameter setting request screen is displayed on the master display unit, and the mode is input by the operator. Send settings to slave. Then, the multi-copy copying start waiting state in step S5 is entered. When the mode 3 is selected in step S42, the process proceeds to step S45, in which the master sends only the mode signal "2" and waits for the multiple copy start in step S5.

Next, the operation on the slave side will be described. The slave side shifts to step S52 when multiple copy is selected while waiting for input in step S11. Here, when the mode signal “0” or “1” is received, the state of step S53 is entered, the state of waiting for the setting from the master is reached, and after the setting of the selection of the magnification paper sent from the master is performed, the multiplex of step S15 is performed. The copy start wait state is entered.

On the other hand, in step S52, the mode signal "2"
If the operator receives an input, the process proceeds to step S54, and if there is an input from the operator, the input setting is made. If not, the current magnification and paper selection of each device are set, and step S1
It will be in the state of waiting for the start of multiple copying of No. 5. As described above, according to the third embodiment, the slave side can independently set the condition different from that of the master, so that the detailed processing suitable for each station can be performed.

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.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the conditions for determining the output image and the recording medium are set by different methods in order to output the same image information from a plurality of image processing apparatuses. By having a plurality of modes, for example, by having a mode in which conditions such as setting of magnification and paper selection can be collectively operated in any image processing apparatus and a mode in which each copying apparatus can be operated independently. It is possible to operate the image processing system more efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a system in which a plurality of copying machines according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an external input / output device of the system in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication line of the external input / output device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing main commands used for communication in the system of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit of the copying machine of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mechanical portion of the copying machine of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the operation unit of the copying machine of this embodiment.

8 is a diagram showing an appearance of a display unit in the operation unit in FIG. 7 and a display example of a basic screen of the display unit.

9 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit in the operation unit in FIG. 7 in a multiple link mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a magnification and a sheet selection operation on the master side in the continuous mode of the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a magnification and paper selection operation on the slave side in the multiplex mode of this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit when the mode 1 of the present embodiment is selected.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation on the master side showing the magnification and the paper selection operation in the multiplex mode in the second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a magnification and a paper selection operation on the master side in a multiple mode according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a magnification and a paper selection operation on the slave side in the multiple-run mode in the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101-104 Digital copying machine (station) 105-107 Cable 108 Interface equipment 201 CCD 202 A / D & S / H section 203 Shading correction section 204 Input masking section 205 Magnification processing section 206 LOG conversion section 207 Companding section 208 Encoder 209 Memory unit 210 Decoder 215 Masking / UCR unit 216 γ correction unit 217 Edge enhancement unit 218 Video processing unit 300 Printer 301 Polygon mirror scan 302 to 305 Image forming unit 307 Fixer 308 Paper feeding unit 309, 310 Cassette 312 Transfer belt roller 313 Development Device 314 Sleeve 315 Primary charger 316 Auxiliary charger 317 Cleaner 318 Photosensitive drum 319 Transfer charger 322, 323 Transfer belt charge eliminator Charger 324 Charge eliminator Electric appliance 325 Peeling charger 326, 327 Pre-fixing charger 328 Belt cleaner 329 Paper tip sensor 330 Pre-exposure lamp 332 External interface section 333, 334 External input terminal 401-404, 501-504 Interface section 700 Operation section 701 Display section 702 Numeric keypad 703 Copy start key

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A reading unit for reading image information, a communication unit for exchanging image information with another device via a communication medium, an image processing unit for processing the image information, and an image processed by the image processing unit. And an image output device that outputs the image on a recording medium are connected in parallel, and at least one image processing device outputs the same image information from a plurality of image processing devices. An image processing system having a plurality of modes for setting conditions for determining a recording medium by different methods. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the determination condition for the output image and the recording medium is a magnification of the output image with respect to the original image and a size of the recording medium. 3. The plurality of modes are a first mode in which settings of an arbitrary image processing apparatus connected to the image processing system are applied to all image processing apparatuses, and a plurality of modes are connected to the image processing system. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is in a second mode in which each image processing device is set independently. 4. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image information is a color-separated digital full-color image signal. 5. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the reading means optically reads a full-color image signal and converts it into an electric signal. 6. An image coding means for coding image information to obtain image code data, and an image decoding means for decoding image code data to obtain a decoded image signal. Alternatively, the image processing system according to claim 5. 7. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image output means visualizes and outputs the decoded full-color image signal on a recording medium.