JPH089122A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide an image forming apparatus with expandability capable of constructing an image transfer system by flexibly changing the number of constituents of the system as necessary. [Configuration] When an image signal transmitted from the outside of the device is selected by the control of the CPU in the image memory, the image signal from the outside of the device is stored, and the CCD of the device is stored.
When the image signal read by the (reading means) 101 is selected, the image signal from the CCD 101 of this apparatus is stored. Further, when the destination is designated, the image signal stored in the image memory is transmitted to the designated destination. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to construct an image transfer system by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses to each other via a signal line.

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 such as a digital copying machine, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having expandability capable of constructing an image transfer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Readers / printers constituting a digital copying machine can be used independently as an image reading device / image output device.

Therefore, for example, an external interface device (external I / F device) is used to connect to a general computer system to be used as an image input / output device, or to connect a plurality of reader / printer units separately. A system has been proposed in which a central control means for controlling these is provided and a plurality of printers are simultaneously used to secure a high CV.

[0004]

When considering the system development in the digital copying machine as described above, one of the themes is that "a high output C is simultaneously used by using a plurality of output devices.
"A system configuration that can achieve V" is used.

However, in the conventional method of connecting a plurality of sets of readers / printers and using a central control unit for controlling these, a set of readers / printers that can be connected when the configuration of the central control unit is considered. There was a problem that the number had to be determined, and there was a limit in flexibly expanding the system as needed.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an image forming apparatus having expandability capable of constructing an image transfer system by flexibly changing the number of constituents of the system as needed. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: a reading unit that optically scans a document to read the image signal; a storage unit that stores the read image signal; In an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming an image on an image forming medium based on the image signal stored in the means, the image signal transmitted from outside the apparatus or the image signal read by the reading means is selected. The image signal selected based on the operation is stored in the storage unit, and the image signal stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the outside of the apparatus specified based on the designation operation. To do.

According to another aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the abnormal state detecting means for detecting the abnormal state, the display means for displaying the information, and the information indicating that the abnormal state detecting means detects the abnormal state. Is displayed on the display means,
An abnormal state display notifying means for notifying the sender of the image signal in the receiving state of the image signal and the destination of the image signal in the sending state of the image signal To do.

[0009]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the image signal transmitted from the outside of the apparatus is selected in the storage means by the control of the control means, the image signal from the outside of the apparatus is stored. When the image signal stored and read by the reading unit of the present apparatus is selected, the image signal from the reading unit of the present apparatus is stored. Further, when the destination is designated, the image signal stored in the storage means is transmitted to the designated destination. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to construct an image transfer system by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses to each other via a signal line.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, when an abnormality occurs in the receiving state of the image signal in the apparatus, the abnormal state detecting means detects the abnormal state, and the abnormal state display notifying means notifies the fact. While displaying the information on the display means,
The sender of the image signal is also notified of the information to that effect. Also,
When an abnormality occurs in the transmission state of the image signal in this device, the abnormal state detection means detects the abnormal state, and the abnormal state display notification means displays the information to that effect on the display means and the destination of the image signal. Will also be notified of such information. As a result, it is possible to avoid unnecessary transfer of image signals when an abnormality occurs.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital color copying machine showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

This digital color copying machine is provided with a color reader section 351 for reading a color original document, digital editing processing, etc., and a photosensitive drum (image carrier) 318 as a different image forming medium.
The printer unit 352 reproduces a color image according to the digital image signal of each color sent from the printer unit 352.

As shown in FIG. 1, the color reader unit 351 includes a document table 10 on which a color document is placed, a halogen lamp 11 for exposing a color document (not shown) on the document table 10, and reflection of the color document. It is provided with a photoelectric converter (CCD) 101 as a reading means for picking up an image, and a digital image processing section 353 described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer unit 352 includes a polygon scanner unit 301 for scanning the photosensitive drum 318 with a laser beam, a first-stage magenta (M) image forming unit 302, and a magenta (M) unit. A cyan (C) image forming unit 303, a yellow (Y) image forming unit 304, and a black (K) image forming unit 305 that are configured similarly to the image forming unit 302, and a cassette 30 that stores a transfer member.
9, 310, a sheet feeding unit 308 that supplies the transfer member from the cassettes 309 and 310, an adsorption charger 311 that attracts the transfer member fed by the sheet feeding unit 308 to the transfer belt 306, and rotation of the transfer belt 306. And a transfer belt roller 312 which is paired with the adsorption charging device 311 at the same time to adsorb and charge the transfer member to the transfer belt 306, a discharging charger 324 for facilitating separation of the transfer member from the transfer belt 306, and transfer. A peeling charger 325 that prevents image disturbance due to peeling discharge when the member is separated from the transfer belt 306, and a pre-fixing charger 326, 327 that supplements the toner attraction force on the transfer member after separation to prevent image disturbance.
And a transfer belt discharging charger 322 for discharging the transfer belt 306 and electrostatically initializing the transfer belt 306.
323, a belt cleaner 328 that removes dirt on the transfer belt 306, and fixing that thermally fixes the toner image on the transfer member, which is separated from the transfer belt 306 and recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 326 and 327, on the transfer member. Vessel 307,
The transfer belt 3 is configured by the paper discharge sensor 340 that detects the transfer member on the conveyance path that passes through the fixing device 307 and the paper supply unit 308.
The paper leading edge sensor 329 detects the leading edge of the transfer member fed onto the paper 06.

The detection signal from the paper leading edge sensor 329 is sent from the printer unit 352 to the reader unit 351 and is used to generate a sub-scanning synchronization signal when sending a video signal from the reader unit 351 to the printer unit 352.

The image forming section 302, as shown in FIG.
Photosensitive drum 318 that forms a latent image by exposure to laser light
And a developing device 31 for developing toner on the photosensitive drum 318.
3, a sleeve 314 disposed in the developing device 313 for developing a toner by applying a developing bias, and the photosensitive drum 31.
8 to a desired potential, and a cleaner 317 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 after transfer.
And an auxiliary charger 316 that removes charges on the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 cleaned by the cleaner 317 so that good charging can be obtained by the primary charger 315, and the photosensitive drum 31.
8 and a transfer charger 319 for discharging the toner image on the photosensitive drum 318 to the transfer member by discharging from the pre-exposure lamp 330 and the rear surface of the transfer belt 306.
It has and.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the polygon scanner unit 301.

As shown in the figure, the polygon scanner section 301 detects two polygon mirrors 301a, laser elements 401 to 404 independently driven by MCYK by a laser control section (not shown), and a scanned laser beam. BD detection means 405 to 408 for generating a main scanning synchronization signal are provided, and the laser beams from the laser elements 401 to 404 are scanned on the photosensitive drums 318 of the respective colors. Two polygon mirrors 30 as in this embodiment
When 1a is arranged on the same axis and rotated by one motor, the scanning directions of the main scanning are opposite to each other for the laser beams of M, C and Y, K, for example. Therefore, usually
For one M and C image, the other Y and K image data is a mirror image in the main scanning direction.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the digital image processing unit 353.

In the digital image processing section 353, a halogen lamp 11 is provided for a color original document (not shown) on the original table 10.
The image signal captured by the CCD 101 is input as the reflected image of the color original document.

The digital image processing unit 353 has the CCD 10
From the A / D conversion / S / H unit 102 and the A / D conversion / S / H unit 102 that sample and hold the image signal from No. 1 and perform A / D conversion to generate digital signals of RGB three colors. A shading unit 103 that performs shading and black correction of each color separation data, an input masking unit 104 that corrects a signal input from the shading unit 103 to an NTSC signal, and a selector that selects an image signal of a reflection original or an external image signal. The unit 124 and the image signal selected by the selector unit 124 are used for enlarging or reducing the main scanning, and the result is obtained by using the LOG unit 123 and the selector unit 125 (the signal line 12 by a CPU (not shown)).
Control unit 7) and a LOG unit 1
The output of 23 is inputted and stored as YMC data as video data, and is read out at the timing of each of the four drums, the memory unit 106, and the selector unit 125 (the signal 127 is controlled by a CPU (not shown). ) Output signal masking for 4 colors, UC
A masking / UCR unit 107 that applies R, a γ correction unit 109 that γ-corrects the output signal of the masking / UCR unit 107, and an edge enhancement process to the output signal of the γ-correction unit 109. An edge enhancing unit 110 for outputting, a region generating unit 105, a video interface 205, which will be described in detail later, a video bus selector unit 13 for outputting a video to the outside and inputting an external video.
0 and its peripheral circuit 131.

The area generator 105 outputs the output of the image sensor (DTOP) and the internally generated horizontal synchronization signal (HSN).
C1) or an externally generated horizontal sync signal (HSNC)
2) Based on an external sub-scanning write enable signal from the outside of the paper tip sensor 329, one main scanning write enable signal and one read enable signal 122 for the memory unit 106, and a sub-scanning write enable signal are also supplied. The four sub-scanning read enable signals 121 for each color are generated.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the video bus selector unit 130 and its peripheral circuit 131.

The video bus selector unit 130 and its peripheral circuit 131 include bidirectional buffers (504 and 505),
(514 and 515), (519 and 520), (526 and 527), (524 and 525), and the output buffer 53
0 and signal lines 506, 513, 521, 528, 529 for controlling the bidirectional buffer by a CPU (not shown).
A frequency conversion circuit (implemented by FIFO) 523, a DF / F 507 that receives the outputs of selectors 508 and 508 that select A terminal input or C terminal input, and a selector 510 that selects A terminal input or B terminal input And 51
A DF / F 512 having an output of 0 as an input, a DF / F 518 having outputs of selectors 516 and 516 for selecting a B terminal input or a C terminal input, and an image memory unit (IPU) shown in FIG. Sub-scanning synchronization signal I
It is configured to include a (3-state) output buffer for the TOP2 (531) and the main scanning synchronization signal (532), and an OR gate 542.

Further, VVE1 (533) is a sub-scanning write enable signal to another device (reader printer), 5
36 is a signal line for a sub-scanning write enable signal from another device (master device), 534 is a signal line for a main scanning enable signal to another device, and 541 is a main scanning enable signal (low) from another device. Active) with frequency converter 5
A signal line 535 used as a write enable signal and a write reset signal (inverted signal of 539) of 23 is a signal line for a video clock in the device and to another device, 5
40 is a video clock from another device and a frequency converter 5
A signal line 532 used as a write clock of 23 is an inversion signal of the main scanning synchronization signal, and here is a frequency converter 52.
Signal line used as lead reset signal for 3 and 5
22 and 539 are the places where the binarized data written in the bitmap memory when the bitmap memory is in the device are sent to or from the outside, respectively 529.
528, 537, 506, 509, 511, 513, 5
21, 517 are I / Os set by a PCU (not shown)
Ports 538 are signal lines used as enable signals for the frequency converter.

Further, the A terminal 503, the B terminal 501 and the C terminal 502 are respectively A0 to A in the video selector of FIG.
2, B0 to B2 and C0 to C2.

Next, the flow of the video signal and the setting of the I / O port in each mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[Normal Copy Mode] The flow of video is from CCD 101 to A / D conversion / S /
H section 102 → shading section 103 → input masking section 104 → selector section 124 (0 is set in signal line 126 by a CPU (not shown) and A input is selected) → magnifying section 1
05 → LOG unit 123 → Memory unit 106 → Selector unit 1
25 (0 is set by a CPU (not shown) and A input is selected) → masking / UCR unit 107 → γ correction unit 109 →
The edge emphasis unit 110 is changed to the printer unit 352.

The I / O settings of the video bus selector 130 and its peripheral circuit 131 are respectively set by the signal line 506 →
High “1”, signal line 509 → X, I / O port 511 →
X, I / O port 513 → high “1”, I / O port 5
17 → X, I / O port 521 → X, signal line 528 → high “1”, signal line 529 → high “1”, I / O port 5
37 → High “1” is performed.

[Output Mode to External Interface] The video flow is CCD101 → A / D conversion / S /
H section 102 → shading section 103 → input masking section 104 → selector section 124 (0 is set in signal line 126 by a CPU (not shown) and A input is selected) → magnifying section 1
05-selector section 125 (signal line 127 is set to 1 by a CPU (not shown) and B input is selected) -masking
UCR unit 107 → γ correction unit 109 → edge enhancement unit 110
→ video bus selector unit 130 → video interface 205.

The I / O settings of the video bus selector 130 and its peripheral circuit 131 are respectively set by the signal line 506 →
High “1”, signal line 509 → X, I / O port 511 →
X, I / O port 513 → high “1”, I / O port 5
17 → low “0”, I / O port 521 → low “0”,
The signal line 528 → low “0”, the signal line 529 → low “0”, the I / O port 537 → high “1”.

[Input Mode from External Interface] The flow of video is as follows: video interface 205 → video bus selector section 130 → selector section 124 (1 is set in signal line 126 by a CPU (not shown)) → magnifying section 105 → LOG section 123 → memory section 106 → selector section 125 (0 is set in the signal line 127 by a CPU (not shown)) → masking / UCR section 107 → γ correction section 109 → edge enhancement section 110 → printer section 352 . Here, the signal line 536 input to the area generation unit is used for the sub-scan write enable of the memory unit 106.

The I / O settings of the video bus selector 130 and its peripheral circuit 131 are respectively set by the signal line 506 →
Low “0”, signal line 509 → low “0”, I / O port 511 → X, I / O port 513 → high “1”, I / O
Port 517 → low “0”, I / O port 521 → high “1”, signal line 528 → high “1”, signal line 529 → low “0”, I / O port 537 → low “0” Done.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the video and sync signals in the interface with other devices and in each mode.

The interface is a memory unit (I
PU) interface 201 (IPU interface), other device (copy machine) interface 202
(R interface 1), 203 (R interface 2), CPU interface 2 that controls communication with other devices
04 and an interface 205 (video interface) with the main body.

Further, this block diagram shows tristate buffers 206, 211, 212, 214, 216, bidirectional buffers 207, 209, 210, a special bidirectional buffer 208 described later, and a D having a tristate function.
It consists of flip-flops 213 and 215.

BTCN0 to BTCN10 are I / O ports set by a CPU (not shown), 218 is a communication line (4 bits) between the IPU and the main body, and 219 is a main scanning synchronizing signal HSNC and a sub scanning synchronizing signal ITOP. A signal line 220 is an 8-bit video signal 3 system + binary signal BI + image clock + main scanning enable signal HVE.
A total of 27-bit signal line, 221 is a signal line similar to 219, 222 is a signal line similar to 220, 224 is an 8-bit communication line with another device (copy machine), and 223 is another device (copy machine). ) Is a 4-bit communication line (both communication lines will be described later) 226 is an image clock and a sub-scanning video enable signal VVE 2 bits (signal lines 236 and 22).
(1 bit of 0) signal line, 228 is a video signal 3 system + BI + HVE total 26 bit signal line, 225 is a signal line with signal lines 226 and 228, and 233 is a video signal 3
System + BI + HVE Total 26-bit signal line, 234 is an image clock and sub-scan enable signal Total 2-bit signal line, 235 is an image clock (1 bit of 235) signal line, and 237 is a signal line with 233 and 234. 236
Is a signal line for VVE, 232 is a signal line for an image clock (1 bit in 226), 238 is a signal line 220 and H
SNC, EVE, VVE, and ITOP are 30-bit signal lines in total.

Next, I / O port control and signal flow in each mode will be described. Here, the tristate buffers (206, 214, 216, 211,
212) is enabled at low “0”, high impedance state at high “1”, the bidirectional buffer is, for example, LS
245, G is low “0”, D is low “0”, data flow is B → A, G is low “0”,
When D is high "1", the data flow is from A to B, and when G is high "1", it is in the isolation state. The D flip-flop is enabled when the enable signal is low "0", and is high impedance when it is high "1". To do.

[IPU interface → R interface 1 (mode 1)] I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← high “1”, BTCN1 ← low “0”, respectively.
BTCN2 ← low "0", BTCN3 ← low "0", B
TCN4 ← low “0”, BTCN5 ← X, BTCN6 ←
X, BTCN7 ← high “1”, BTCN8 ← X, BTC
N9 ← high “1”, BTCN10 ← low “0”. However, X is a don't care, but it is assumed that the signals are controlled so as not to collide.

The signal flow is as follows: signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 219 → signal line 221 → IP
It becomes the U interface 201, and the IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → signal line 228 →
The signal line 226 → the signal line 225, and the signal line 238 → the video interface 205 → the signal line 236 + the signal line 22.
0 → signal line 226 → signal line 225 → R interface 1
It becomes (202).

[IPU interface → R interface 2 (mode 2)] I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← high “1”, BTCN1 ← low “0”, respectively.
BTCN2 ← low "0", BTCN3 ← X, BTCN4
← high "1", BTCN5 ← low "0", BTCN6 ←
This is performed as follows: low "0", BTCN7 ← high "1", BTCN8 ← low "0", BTCN9 ← high "1", BTCN10 ← low "0".

The signal flow is as follows: signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 219 → signal line 221 → IP
It becomes the U interface 201, and the IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → signal line 228 →
Signal line 233 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (2
03), and the signal line 238 → video interface 2
05 → signal line 236 + signal line 220 → signal line 226 → signal line 234 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (20
3).

[IPU interface → video interface (mode 3)] I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← high “1”, BTCN1 ← low “0”, BTCN2 ← low “0”, BTCN3 ← X, B, respectively.
TCN4 ← X, BTCN5 ← X, BTCN6 ← X, BT
CN7 ← X, BTCN8 ← X, BTCN9 ← high “1”, BTCN10 ← low “0”.

The signal flow is as follows: signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 219 → signal line 221 → IP
It becomes the U interface 201, and becomes the IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → video interface 205 → signal line 238.

[R interface 1 → R interface 2 (mode 4)] I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← X, BTCN1 ← X, BTCN2 ← X and B, respectively.
TCN3 ← high “1”, BTCN4 ← low “0”, BT
CN5 ← low “0”, BTCN6 ← low “0”, BTC
N7 ← high "1", BTCN8 ← low "0", BTCN
9 ← X, BTCN10 ← high “1”.

The signal flow is the R interface 1 (20
2) → signal line 225 → signal line 238 → signal line 233 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (203), and R
Interface 1 (202) → signal line 225 → signal line 2
26 → signal line 234 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (203).

[R interface 1 → video interface (mode 5)] I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← X, BTCN1 ← high "1", BTCN
2 ← X, BTCN3 ← high "1", BTCN4 ← low "0", BTCN5 ← X, BTCN6 ← high "1", B
TCN7 ← high “1”, BTCN8 ← low “0”, BT
CN9 ← low “0”, BTCN10 ← high “1”.

The signal flow is as follows: R interface 1 (20
2) → signal line 225 → signal line 228 + signal line 226 → signal line 233 + signal line 234 → signal line 220 → video interface 205 → signal line 238, and R interface 1 (202) → signal line 225 → signal line 226 → signal Line 234 → signal line 236 → video interface 205
→ Becomes the signal line 238.

[R interface 2 → R interface 1 (mode 6)] The I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← X, BTCN1 ← X, BTCN2 ← X and B, respectively.
TCN3 ← low "0", BTCN4 ← low "0", BT
CN5 ← high “1”, BTCN6 ← low “0”, BTC
N7 ← low “0”, BTCN8 ← high “1”, BTCN
9 ← X, BTCN10 ← high “1”.

The signal flow is the R interface 2 (20
3) → signal line 237 → signal line 233 → signal line 228 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202), and R
Interface 2 (203) → signal line 237 → signal line 2
34 → signal line 226 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202).

[R interface 2 → video interface (mode 7)] I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← X, BTCN1 ← high "1", BTCN
2 ← 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 as follows: R interface 2 (20
3) → signal line 237 → signal line 233 + signal line 234 → signal line 220 → video interface 205 → signal line 23
8 and the R interface 2 (203) → signal line 23
7 → signal line 234 → signal line 236 → video interface 205 → signal line 238.

[Video interface → IPU interface (mode 8)] I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← low “0”, BTCN1 ← low “0”, BTCN2 ← low “0”, BTCN3 ← X, B, respectively.
TCN4 ← X, BTCN5 ← X, BTCN6 ← X, BT
CN7 ← X, BTCN8 ← X, BTCN9 ← high “1”, BTCN10 ← X and so on.

The signal flow is as follows: signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 220 → signal line 222 → IP
It becomes the U interface 201, and the signal line 238 → the video interface 205 → the signal line 219 → the signal line 221 →
It becomes the IPU interface 201.

[Video interface → R interface 1 (mode 9)] I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← X, BTCN1 ← high "1", BTCN
2 ← 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 signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 220 → signal line 228 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202), and signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 236.
+ Signal line 220 → signal line 226 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202).

[Video interface → R interface 2 (mode 10)] I / O ports are controlled by BTCN0 ← X, BTCN1 ← high "1", BTC, respectively.
N2 ← X, BTCN3 ← X, BTCN4 ← high “1”,
BTCN5 ← low "0", BTCN6 ← low "0", B
TCN7 ← high “1”, BTCN8 ← low “0”, BT
CN9 ← high “1” and BTCN10 ← low “0”.

The signal flow is as follows: signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 220 → signal line 228 → signal line 233 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (20
3), and the signal line 238 → video interface 20
5 → signal line 236 + signal line 220 → signal line 226 → signal line 234 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (20
3).

[Mode 1 + Mode 2 (Mode 11)] I
The control of the / O port is performed by 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 as follows: signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 219 → signal line 221 → IP
It becomes the U interface 201, and the IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → signal line 228 →
The signal line 225 becomes the R interface 1 (202),
IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 2
20 → signal line 228 → signal line 233 → signal line 237 → R
Interface 2 (203), signal line 238 → → video interface 205 → signal line 236 + signal line 220 →
Signal line 226 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (2
02), and the signal line 238 → video interface 2
05 → signal line 236 + signal line 220 → signal line 226 → signal line 234 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (20
3).

[Mode 1 + Mode 3 (Mode 12)] I
The control of the / O port is performed by controlling BTCN0 ← high “1”, BTCN1 ← low “0”, BTCN2 ← low “0”, BTCN3 ← low “0”, BTCN4 ← low “0”, BTCN5 ← X, BTCN6 ← high respectively. "1", B
TCN7 ← high “1”, BTCN8 ← X, BTCN9 ←
The operation is performed as follows: high “1”, BTCN10 ← low “0”.

The signal flow is as follows: signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 219 → signal line 221 → IP
U interface 201, IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → video interface 205 → signal line 238, IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → signal line 22
8 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202), and signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 236 + signal line 220 → signal line 226 → signal line 225
→ It becomes the R interface 1 (202).

[Mode 2 + Mode 3 (Mode 13)] I
The control of the / O port is performed by BTCN0 ← high “1”, BTCN1 ← low “0”, BTCN2 ← low “0”, BTCN3 ← X, BTCN4 ← high “1”, B respectively.
TCN5 ← low “0”, BTCN6 ← low “0”, BT
CN7 ← high “1”, BTCN8 ← low “0”, BTC
N9 ← high “1”, BTCN10 ← low “0”.

The signal flow is as follows: signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 219 → signal line 221 → IP
U interface 201, IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → video interface 205 → signal line 238, IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → signal line 22
8 → signal line 233 → signal line 237 → R interface 2
(203) becomes, and the signal line 238 → the video interface 205 → the signal line 236 + the signal line 220 → the signal line 226.
→ signal line 234 → signal line 237 → R interface 2
(203).

[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" and so on.

The signal flow is as follows: signal line 238 → video interface 205 → signal line 219 → signal line 221 → IP
U interface 201, IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → video interface 205 → signal line 238, IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 238 → signal line 22
5 → R interface 1 (202), IPU interface 201 → signal line 222 → signal line 220 → signal line 238 → signal line 233 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (203), signal line 238 → video interface 205 → Signal line 236 + signal line 220 → signal line 226 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202)
Signal line 238 → video interface 205 →
Signal line 236 + Signal line 220 → Signal line 226 → Signal line 2
34 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (203).

[Mode 4 + Mode 5 (Mode 15)] I
The control of the / O port is BTCN0 ← X, BTC respectively.
N1 ← 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 as follows: R interface 1 (20
2) → signal line 225 → signal line 228 → signal line 233 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (203), and R
Interface 1 (202) → signal line 225 → signal line 2
26 → signal line 234 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (203), and R interface 1 (202) →
Signal line 225 → signal line 226 + signal line 228 → signal line 2
34 + signal line 233 → signal line 220 → video interface 205 → signal line 238, and R interface 1
(202) → signal line 225 → signal line 226 → signal line 23
4 → signal line 236 → video interface 205 → signal line 238.

[Mode 6 + Mode 7 (Mode 16)] I
The control of the / O port is BTCN0 ← X, BTC respectively.
N1 ← high "1", BTCN2 ← X, BTCN3 ← low "0", BTCN4 ← low "0", BTCN5 ← high "1", BTCN6 ← low "0", BTCN7 ← low "0", BTCN8 ← high " 1 ", BTCN9 ← X, B
TCN10 ← High “1” is performed.

The signal flow is as follows: R interface 2 (20
3) → signal line 237 → signal line 233 → signal line 228 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202), and R
Interface 2 (203) → signal line 237 → signal line 2
34 → signal line 226 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202), R interface 2 (203) →
Signal line 237 → signal line 233 + signal line 234 → signal line 2
20 → video interface 205 → signal line 238, R interface 2 (203) → signal line 237 → signal line 234 → signal line 236 → video interface 20
5 → signal line 238.

[Mode 8 + Mode 9 (Mode 17)] I
The control of the / O port is BTCN0 ← low “0”, BTCN1 ← low “0”, BTCN2 ← low “0”, BTCN3 ← low “0”, BTCN4 ← low “0”, BTCN5 ← X, BTCN6 ← X, respectively. , BTCN7
← high "1", BTCN8 ← X, BTCN9 ← high "1", BTCN10 ← low "0".

The signal flow is as shown in the video interface 20.
5 → Signal line 238 → Signal line 219 → Signal line 221 → IP
It becomes the U interface 201, and the video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 228 → signal line 225 →
It becomes the R interface 1 (202), and the video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 220 + signal line 2
36 → signal line 226 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202).

[Mode 8 + Mode 10 (Mode 18)]
I / O port control is performed by BTCN0 ← low “0”, BTCN1 ← low “0”, BTCN2 ← low “0”, BTCN3 ← X, BTCN4 ← high “1”, B, respectively.
TCN5 ← low “0”, BTCN6 ← low “0”, BT
CN7 ← high “1”, BTCN8 ← low “0”, BTC
N9 ← high “1”, BTCN10 ← low “0”.

The signal flow is as shown in the video interface 20.
5 → Signal line 238 → Signal line 219 → Signal line 221 → IP
It becomes the U interface 201, and the video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 220 → signal line 222 →
It becomes the IPU interface 201, and the video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 228 → signal line 23
3 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (203), and video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 220 + signal line 236 → signal line 226 → signal line 234
→ signal line 210 → R interface 2 (203).

[Mode 9 + Mode 10 (Mode 19)]
The I / O port control is BTCN0 ← X, BT respectively
CN1 ← 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 as shown in the video interface 20.
5 → signal line 238 → signal line 228 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202), and video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 228 → signal line 233
→ signal line 237 → R interface 2 (203), video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 220 + signal line 236 → signal line 226 → signal line 225
→ R interface 1 (202) becomes, video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 220 + signal line 236 → signal line 226 → signal line 234 → signal line 237 →
It becomes the R interface 2 (203).

[Mode 8 + Mode 9 + Mode 10 (Mode 20)] The I / O ports are controlled by 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 as shown in the video interface 20.
5 → Signal line 238 → Signal line 219 → Signal line 221 → IP
It becomes the U interface 201, and the video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 220 → signal line 222 →
The IPU interface 201 becomes the video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 228 → signal line 22.
5 → R interface 1 (202), video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 228 → signal line 233 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (20
3), and the video interface 205 → signal line 23
8 → signal line 220 + signal line 236 → signal line 226 → signal line 225 → R interface 1 (202), and video interface 205 → signal line 238 → signal line 220
+ Signal line 236 → signal line 226 → signal line 234 → signal line 237 → R interface 2 (203).

FIG. 6 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 color reader unit 351 or image data from a computer) in the image memory 604 and synchronizes with an external device (here, the color reader unit 351). And has a function of outputting the data stored in the image memory 604 to an external device.

Next, each function will be described.

(Writing to image memory) RGB signals 616 to 618 (8 bits each) input from the external interface 609 set to the input mode are passed through the 3-state buffer 610 and the frequency conversion unit 620 to 622. 613 (where a FIFO is used). At this time, the CPU 603 controls so that the 3-state buffers 610 and 612 are enabled and the 3-state buffer 611 is disabled. Next, in the frequency conversion unit 613, an external clock (1 bit of 618) is used as a write clock signal, an external main scanning synchronization signal (1 bit of 618) is used as a write reset signal, and an external main scanning synchronization is used as a write enable signal. Signal (1 bit of 618),
The internal clock (VCKIP) is used as a read clock signal.
U), and an internal main scanning synchronization signal as a read reset signal (HSYNC generated by the internal SYNC generator 614 by the external main scanning synchronization signal and the internal clock VCKIPU).
CIPU), a read enable signal (ENIPU2 generated by an area enable generator (not shown) by an internal main scanning synchronization signal and an internal clock), and a control signal to synchronize an external image clock with an image clock in the memory unit. Taken (the main scanning synchronization signal used is that of the color reader unit 351),
Output signals 623 to 625 from here are written in the image memory 604 via the data controller 607.
Here, the memory has a capacity of 24 bits of RGB in total for one pixel, and the control of the memory control signal at this time is controlled by the external sub-scanning enable signal (1 bit in 619) or the internal main scanning synchronization signal HSYNCIPU. The address controller 605 (selected by the selector 608) based on

Next, from the computer to the image memory 60
Writing to No. 4 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 603 via the external interface 609 and the signal line 601. Then, the CPU 603 controls the address controller 605, the data controller 607, and the selector 608 to write the image data from the computer in the image memory 604 (the image transfer may use DMA) (to the external device). The data stored in the image memory 604 passes through the data controller 607 and the 3-state buffer 611, and from the external interface of the color reader unit 351, the external interface 609, and the 3-state buffer 612 via the external interface 609. The image is read from the image memory 604 by the address generated by the address controller 606 based on the input main scanning synchronizing signal and sub scanning synchronizing signal. At this time, ENIPU2 is disabled 3
The state buffers 611 and 612 are controlled by the enable state, and 610 is controlled by the disenable CPU 603.

FIG. 7 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 one set of digital copying machines (hereinafter, this one set is called one station), each having 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. Reference numerals 1005, 1006, and 1007 are cables for connecting the tandem system, the contents of which are 101
As shown in 0, it includes 24 RGB video signal lines, 3 video control lines, and 4 serial communication lines. 1
Reference numeral 008 denotes an interface device for connecting these digital copying machines and a general computer 1009.

Further, FIG. 8 shows a connection form of video signals in the system.

1101, 1102, 1103, 1104
Are stations 1001, 1002,
Only the interface part in 1003 and 1004 is extracted. Cables 1105, 1106, 11
07 includes 24 RGB video signal lines and 3 video control lines.

As described above, in the present implementation system, the relationship between the contact points with other stations (1 and 2 in the I / F section) and the system address is 1 for stations with addresses lower than themselves. At the contacts, stations with higher addresses than themselves are connected to the two contacts. By the way, if the above relationship is maintained, inconvenience does not occur even if the system addresses are not necessarily continuous.

FIG. 9 shows the connection form of serial communication lines in the system.

Reference numerals 1201, 1202, and 1203 are extracted from only the interface units in the stations 1001, 1002, and 1003 of FIG. The signal line for serial communication is ATN * (1207), S
iD * (1206), DACK * (1205), OFF
There are four ER * (1204). ATN * is the master station in the tandem system (system address 0
Is defined as)) and the data is transferred 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 to the master station. The slave stations are connected by Wired-Or. DACK
* Is a signal indicating that the data receiving side has completed data reception, and the stations are connected by Wierd-Or. Therefore, when there are multiple stations on the receiving side, the station with the latest data reception completion is DA.
DACK on line when CK * is made inactive
* Is inactive. This synchronizes the data transfer between stations. SiD * is bidirectional serial data, and data is exchanged in synchronization with ATN * (master → slave) and OFFER * (slave → master). The data transfer method is a half-duplex start-stop synchronization method, and the BaudRate and data format are preset at system startup. Interface part (12
01, 1202, 1203), eight signal lines are output to the controller of each station, and TxD
/ RxD is an AT for transmitting / receiving serial communication.
No / DACKo / OFFERo is input I / O port, ATNi / DACKi / OFFERi is output I / O
It is connected to each O port. FIG. 10 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 above-mentioned serial communication line, and the main commands used at that time are shown in FIG.

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
Fix FFER * 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. After the master station issues an interface clear command, it is issued to each slave after a certain period of time. 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 destination 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. 7, it is assumed that four stations A, B, C, and D are connected to a tandem system, and an original document is placed on the reader section original table of station A. After confirming that the stations of B, C, and D can be used without any abnormality by operating the screen shown in FIG. 12 of the reader unit operation panel of station A, all stations of A, B, C, and D are used. Output, and set the number of copies. When the copy start key of station A is pressed, 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, stations B, C, and D set parameters such as the number of copies and paper size that come with this command, and the system address of the issuer of this command and its own system address. The video signal is switched based on the above, and the control for writing to the image memory of its own is controlled by the VIDEO control line (VCLK, HSYN) on the I / F.
C, VE) and enters a state of waiting for an image signal. On the other hand, station A makes settings for image reading, and 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 the image reading operation is performed. To do. B, C, D
Station uses the control signal from station A to write to each image memory. 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 start the printout operation.

By taking the same procedure, A, B,
Even when a document is placed on the reader platen of any of the stations C and D, it is possible to obtain an 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 device 1008).
(Called PU), 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 set to I.
Transfer to PU1008. The IPU 1008 notifies the station (station A in this case) 1001 to which these settings are connected. Upon receiving this notification, the station 1001 issues a print start command to the other stations 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. The station 1001 to which the IPU 1008 is connected transmits the video signal to “IP
After switching to the mode of “input from U1008” and “output to another station”, a command is issued to the IPU1008 to send an image. IPU1008
All VIDEO control signals used for image reading from the station and image writing in the remaining stations are IPU
The whole system is controlled by using the one generated by the station 1001 to which the 1008 is connected. Therefore, the image data read from the IPU 1008 is written in the image memory of the station 1001 and simultaneously written in the image memories of other stations. 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 during the operation of selecting the station to be used.
In this case, it is conceivable that a means such as “determine that the print start command including the number of copies 0 is not selected” is effective. By doing so, it becomes 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.

When copying locally (meaning that other stations are not used together) at one station connected in the tandem system, the interrupt due to 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 so, it is possible to prevent unnecessary interruption processing from occurring during copying and to notify other stations of their own status. When the local copy is completed, the interrupt process by the serial communication in the tandem system is permitted again, and the process returns to the process of issuing the status transfer command in response to the status request command issued by the master station.

The status transfer command issued during local copying includes information indicating that copying is in progress.

In the setting on the screen of FIG. 13, the stations that can be selected are displayed at a glance based on the contents of the status transfer command from each station, but the stations displayed as unavailable are displayed. , Those that are set not to accept the designation as the destination of the image, those that are performing local copy, the station that caused the error, etc. are also included.

FIG. 14 shows the display on the display unit of the image sending source when a paper jam occurs during output in the tandem system. The station that caused the paper jam notifies the station that is the source of the image to that effect, and in response to this, the image source displays the station where the problem occurred. Restarting after solving the problem is possible not only by using the copy start key of the image sending source, but also by using the copy start key of the station causing the problem.

According to this embodiment, in the digital copying machine, the control signal for writing the image data in the page memory can be taken in from the outside of the copying machine, and the image signal can be taken in and out of the copying machine. It is equipped with a means for switching and can store not only the image signals generated by itself but also the image signals generated by other copying machines in the page memory. Device has a means to inform the system locally that it is in use, and the operation setting means of the device in the system that intends to transfer the image can arbitrarily select the device to transfer the image in consideration of that. However, if the image is transferred to another device so that the image can be output from the image forming means of the other device, the system can be output according to the required CV. There is an advantage that it is possible to construct a system with a flexible extensibility capable of changing the beam configuration number.

[0110]

According to the present invention described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image signal from the outside of the apparatus or the image signal from the reading means of the apparatus is stored in the storage means and designated by the control of the control means based on the selection operation. By the control of the control means based on the operation,
Since the image signal stored in the storage means is transmitted to the designated destination, for example, it is possible to construct an image transfer system by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a signal line. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having expandability that allows the image transfer system to be constructed by flexibly changing the number of system components as necessary.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when an abnormality occurs in the receiving state of the image signal in the apparatus, the information indicating the abnormality is displayed on the display means and the source of the image signal is also notified. In addition, the information is notified, and when an abnormality occurs in the transmission state of the image signal in the present apparatus, the information indicating the fact is displayed on the display unit, and the information is transmitted to the destination of the image signal. Since it has been notified, when an abnormality occurs,
Useless transfer of image signals can be avoided, and efficient transfer processing can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital color copying machine showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a polygon scanner unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a digital image processing unit in the reader unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a video bus selector unit and its peripheral circuits in the reader unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a video signal and a sync signal in an interface unit with another device and each mode.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an internal structure of an image memory unit (IPU).

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a system connection form of a digital copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection form related to a video signal.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection form of a serial communication line.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart of each signal during data transmission in serial communication.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a main command system used in serial communication.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an operation panel.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an operation panel.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an operation panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CCD (reading means) 603 CPU 604 Image memory

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A reading unit that optically scans a document to read an image signal thereof, a storage unit that stores the read image signal, and an image forming medium based on the image signal stored in the storage unit. In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming an image, an image signal selected from an image signal transmitted from outside the apparatus or an image signal read by the reading unit based on a selection operation is stored in the storage unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that stores the image signal and that transmits the image signal stored in the storage unit to the outside of the apparatus designated based on a designation operation. 2. An abnormal state detecting means for detecting an abnormal state, a display means for displaying information, and, when the abnormal state detecting means detects an abnormal state, displaying information to that effect on the display means. An abnormal state display notifying means for notifying information to the sender of the image signal in the receiving state of the image signal and to the destination of the image signal in the sending state of the image signal The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.