JP2000050001A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide an image forming system that performs efficient print output by managing information on the remaining amount of recording paper from a digital PPC device and a plurality of printers with a personal computer. An image forming system according to the present invention includes printers 1, 2, and 3, a PC 4, and a digital PPC device 5. The PC 4 compares the remaining amount of recording paper held by the printers 1 to 3 with the number of originals received by the FAX function of the digital PPC device 5. As a result of the comparison, a printer that is determined to have more recording sheets than the number of received originals is selected, and image data of the received original is transferred to the printer to perform printing processing. For example, if the plurality of printers 1 to 3 do not have the required number of recording papers,
The digital PPC device 5 prints out. If the remaining number of recording papers that can be processed alone is not possessed, digital PPC
By designating the apparatus 5 and the printers 1, 2, and 3 one after another as a print output destination, efficient print output can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming system that can be controlled by a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional example, when image data received by an arbitrary facsimile machine cannot be printed,
A facsimile apparatus which transfers and outputs received image data to another facsimile apparatus reserved in advance is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-304771.

[0003]

However, in the facsimile apparatus shown in the above-mentioned conventional example, the substitute output destination is another facsimile apparatus. There was a problem that had to be.

In addition, when the output destination is another department, there is a problem that the original of another department is mixed in and the management of the original is difficult.

An object of the present invention is to manage the number of received originals at the time of facsimile reception and the remaining amount of recording paper of a plurality of printers and digital PPC devices connected on a network by a personal computer so that the recording paper can be used. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system capable of selecting an optimum substitute output destination even when the image forming apparatus is short or has a failure.

[0006]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a digital PPC device having a facsimile function; a plurality of printers; and a personal computer connected via a network. In the system, the plurality of printers have first recording paper remaining amount notifying means for notifying the personal computer of the remaining number of recording papers held by each printer.
The PC device has a received document number notification unit for notifying the personal computer of the number of documents received by the facsimile function, and the personal computer determines the remaining number of recording sheets notified by the first recording sheet remaining amount notification unit. A comparing means for comparing the number of received originals notified by the received number of originals notifying means, and an arbitrary printer holding recording sheets equal to or larger than the number of received originals based on a result of comparison by the comparing means. Printer selection means for selecting, and transfer means for transferring the image data of the received document to any one of the printers selected by the printer selection means, wherein the image data transferred by the transfer means is transferred by the printer selection means. The print processing is performed by one selected printer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, any one of the printers selected by the printer selection means sends the recording paper to the personal computer after the printing of the image data is completed. It has a second recording paper remaining amount notifying means for notifying the remaining number of sheets.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the digital PPC apparatus notifies the remaining amount information of the recording paper held in the digital PPC apparatus to the personal computer. If there is no printer that has more than the number of received originals as a result of comparison by the comparing means, the digital PP
The printing process is performed by the C apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at least one or more digital PPC devices and three or more printers are connected on a network, and the number of received originals notified by the received original number notification means can be processed independently. Digital P
When the PC device and the printer do not exist, the image data is transferred to the digital PPC device and the printer as a plurality of output destinations to perform a printing process.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printer 1, a printer 2, a printer 3,
, PC (personal computer) 4 and digital P
It is composed of a PC device 5.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital PPC device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
In the digital PPC device 5, the scanner unit 51
, A plotter unit 52, an operation display unit 53, a system control unit 54, an image memory unit 55, and a PC-IF control unit 5.
6 and a FAX option 60.

The scanner unit 51 reads a document, performs digital image processing, and outputs binarized or multi-valued image data. The plotter unit 52 records the received image or the copy image on a recording sheet. The operation display unit 53 performs various key operations for operating the apparatus, and informs an operator of an operation state of the apparatus by an LCD (liquid crystal display), an LED (light emitting diode), or the like. The system control unit 54 includes a CPU for controlling each unit, a system RO
M, and a system RAM. System RAM
The storage state of the recording paper of the digital PPC device or the printer connected to the LAN is also stored in the storage area. Image memory unit 55
Accumulates binarized or multi-valued image data read by the scanner unit 1 and used for editing during copying, electronic sorting, and the like. In the case of the facsimile operation, the read image information is temporarily stored for each page for transmission to the memory, and is also used for storing the document received in the memory. The PC-IF control unit 56 includes the digital PPC device 5
From the PC to the PC 4 to transfer memory reception data and exchange commands.

The FAX option 60 includes an encoding / decoding unit 61, a FAX transmission / reception image memory unit 62, a communication control unit 63, a modem 64, and a network control unit 65.

The encoding / decoding section 61 compresses transmission image information by various encoding methods, and decodes and reproduces the received encoded reception image information. The FAX transmission / reception image memory 62 stores the transmission image information encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 61 and the reception image information demodulated by the modem 64. The communication control unit 63 sends the receiving capability from the receiving side to the opposing facsimile apparatus connected to the line, and if the transmitting side determines an appropriate communication mode by comparing with the transmitting capability, it sends various commands to it. The transmission and reception of various procedure signals for transmission control are performed, and the communication procedure is executed. The modem 64 modulates the transmission image data encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 6 into a fixed frequency and a predetermined phase in order to put the transmission image data on a carrier wave and the received image information modulated by the modem of the opposing facsimile apparatus. The modulation and demodulation are performed as both functions of the demodulation to return to the signal of. The network control unit 65 is attached to the modem 64 and is connected to a telephone line. A selection signal (dial pulse) is transmitted manually by an operator, and when a call is received, a call signal is automatically detected to form a communication line with a telephone exchange.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the PC 4 and each of the printers 1, 2, and 3 are connected by a LAN and exchange data with each other. The PC 4 and the digital PPC device 5 are connected by a bidirectional interface, and exchange data similarly. During a normal copying operation, the scanner 51
After the signal read by the line sensor is subjected to A / D conversion, digital image processing is performed, binarization or multi-value processing is performed, and printing is performed by the plotter unit 52. In the case of fax transmission, the binary data is transferred to the encoding / decoding unit 61. In the case of FAX reception, the network control unit 6 at the time of direct reception
5, data is transferred to the plotter unit 52 via the modem 64 and the encoding / decoding unit 61. At the time of storage in the memory, image data is temporarily stored in the facsimile transmission / reception image memory unit 62 from the encoding / decoding unit 61, and when a write command is issued, the data is transferred to the plotter unit 52, and writing processing on recording paper is performed. .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart when the scanner unit in the digital PPC apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention reads digital image data of an original of two colors, black and white. First, it is detected whether or not fixed white or black bits exist in the read data (step S1). In step S1, if it exists, the sensor is abnormal (step S2). If it does not exist, the input image data is expressed as "the amount of information output from the scannerχ ≧ the amount M of white bits.
It is detected whether or not the condition of “{amount of black bit N}” is satisfied (step S3). In step S3, if the condition is satisfied, it is determined that the light source is out of light or the light source is abnormal (step S3).
4) If not satisfied, "the amount of information output from the scannerχ
> Amount of white bit ”is detected (step S5). In step S5, if the condition is satisfied, the reading operation is performed normally (step S9). If the condition is not satisfied, it is detected whether or not the condition of “change from white to black 変 化 change from black to white” is satisfied. (Step S
6). In step S6, it is detected whether or not the condition of “change from white to black≪change from black to white” is satisfied if the condition is satisfied (step S8). S7). Step S
At 7, the peak detection is abnormal if the condition is satisfied (step S10), and the reading is performed normally if the condition is not satisfied (step S9).

An operation example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The PC 4 makes a request to each of the printers 1, 2, and 3 on the LAN to confirm the remaining number of recording papers provided in each of the printers. Each of the printers 1, 2, and 3 responds to a request from the PC 4 with the remaining number of recording sheets (pn1, pn2, p
n3). The PC 4 similarly checks the remaining number of recording papers for the digital PPC device 5 and confirms that the number of remaining recording papers (dn1) and the plotter unit 52 are normal for the digital PPC device 5 to the PC 4. Notify.

When the digital PPC device 5 receives the memory, the PC 4 is notified of the memory reception together with the number of received documents.

In the PC 4, the number of originals (rn) received by the memory is the number of sheets (dn1) held by the digital PPC device 5.
If it is larger, or if there is an abnormality in the plotter unit 52 of the digital PPC device 5, the printer 1 on the LAN,
The printer having the largest remaining number of recording sheets among the printers 2 and 3 is designated as the substitute output destination printer.

When rn (the number of originals received in the memory)> dn1 (the number of remaining recording papers in the digital PPC device 5), after the output by the digital PPC device 5 is completed, the digital PPC device 5 sends the data to the PC 4 via the bidirectional I / F. To transfer image data. The image data is transferred to L via PC4.
The data is transferred to the designated printer on the AN. Digital P
If the plotter unit 52 of the PC device 5 is out of order,
The first sheet is transferred from the digital PPC device 5 to the PC 24 via the bidirectional I / F, and further to the output designated printer via the LAN. After the printing of the original by the output designated printer is completed, the printer notifies the PC 4 of the remaining number of recording sheets (pn1) and that there is no abnormality in the plotter section of the printer, and terminates a series of proxy output operations.

Next, an operation example of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. For example, for the printer 1,
When the n-page original output command is issued, the remaining number of recording sheets (pn1) of the printer 1 is checked on the PC 4.

If cn ≦ pn1, printing is executed as it is. If cn> pn1, the digital PPC device 5
Is checked for the number of remaining recording papers (dn1). cn ≦
In the case of dn1, the digital PPC device 5 is designated as the output device. When cn> dn1, after the print output by the printer 1 is completed, printing is performed in the digital PPC device 5. After the original printing is completed, both the digital PPC device 5 and the printer 1 send the remaining number of recording papers (dn) to the PC 4.
1, pn1).

Next, an operation example of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. For example, if the first selected printer 1 does not have enough recording paper, the PC 4 selects the other printer 2 equipped with the largest number of remaining recording papers at that time, and, similarly to the first, the digital PPC. Bidirectional I from device 5
The image data is transferred to the PC 24 via the / F and further to the printer 2 via the LAN. If the first designated printer 2 runs out of recording paper, the printer 1 is continuously designated, and printing is performed while changing the designated destination one after another until output of all originals is completed.

After the printing of the original document by the printer 1 is completed, the printer 1 sends the remaining number of recording sheets (pn1) to the PC 4.
Is notified that there is no abnormality in the plotter section of the printer 1, and a series of proxy output operations ends.

An example of the operation example of the first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 4, when the PC 4 is notified that there is an abnormality in the plotter unit 52 of the digital PPC device 5 (step S11, Yes), the PC 4 selects a printer selected from the plurality of printers 1, 2, and 3 to be connected. The image data received as a print designation destination is transferred and printed (step S12). In step S12, when the printing process is completed, dn1 (remaining recording paper information of the digital PPC device) and pn1 (remaining recording paper information of the printer) are sent from the printer and the digital PPC device 5 designated as the print destination to the PC4. ) And the status information of each plotter unit is notified (step S14).

In step S11, when the PC 4 is notified that there is no abnormality in the digital PPC device 5 (step 11, No), the reception stored in the facsimile transmission / reception image memory 62 of the digital PPC device 5 is performed. The number of originals (rn) thus obtained is compared with the number of remaining recording papers (dn1) held by the digital PPC device 5 (step S13), and when it is determined that rn> dn1, it is determined (step S13, Yes). ), The process proceeds to step S12, and the above-described processing is performed. If it is determined that rn> dn1 is not satisfied (step S13, No), the digital PPC
The printing process is performed by the device 5 (step S15), and the process proceeds to step S14 to perform the above-described process.

[0027]

As is clear from the above description, according to the image forming system of the present invention, the F of the digital PPC device
Since the number of documents received by the AX function and the number of remaining recording papers of a plurality of printers on the LAN can be ascertained by a personal computer, the printing function of the digital PPC device breaks down or the recording paper runs out. Also LA
N can select a printer on N and perform proxy output, without impairing the work efficiency. Also, since a printer with sufficient replenishment of recording paper can be preferentially selected, paper breakage may occur during printing. Since there is no document, document output can be performed efficiently.

Further, according to the image forming system of the present invention, when the printer on the LAN does not hold the required number of recording sheets, printing can be performed by the digital PPC apparatus, thereby reducing the work efficiency. The original can be output without the need.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, the number of originals received by the digital PPC device and the number of remaining recording papers of a plurality of printers on the LAN can be grasped by a personal computer. , A printer and a digital P which can output the number of received documents independently when a large number of proxy receptions are performed
Even when there is no PC device, by switching the output target one after another and outputting the output, the original can be output efficiently without running out of paper during printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital PPC device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart when the scanner unit of the digital PPC apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention reads digital image data of a black-and-white bicolor original.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 printer 2 printer 3 printer 4 PC (personal computer) 5 digital PPC device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system in which a digital PPC device having a facsimile function, a plurality of printers, and a personal computer are connected via a network, wherein the plurality of printers are configured to control recording paper held by each printer. The digital PPC device further includes a first document remaining amount notifying unit that notifies the personal computer of a remaining number of sheets, and a received document number notifying unit that notifies the personal computer of the number of documents received by the FAX function. Comparing means for comparing the remaining number of recording papers notified by the first remaining amount of recording paper notification means with the number of received originals notified by the received original number notification means. Based on the result of the comparison by the comparing means, Printer selection means for selecting any one printer holding the recording paper; and transfer means for transferring the image data of the received document to the one printer selected by the printer selection means. An image forming system, wherein the image data transferred by the transfer unit is printed by the arbitrary one of the printers selected by the printer selection unit. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arbitrary one of the printers selected by the printer selection unit notifies the personal computer of a remaining number of recording sheets after the printing process of the image data is completed. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a remaining amount notifying unit. 3. The digital PPC device has a recording paper remaining amount information notifying unit for notifying the personal computer of the remaining amount information of the recording paper held by the digital PPC device, and the comparison unit compares the recording paper remaining amount information. As a result, if there is no printer holding the received number of recording papers or more,
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the digital PPC device performs a printing process. 4. A digital PPC device comprising: at least one digital PPC device and at least three printers connected to the network, the digital PPC device being capable of independently processing the received document number notified by the received document number notification means. PPC
4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein when the apparatus and the printer do not exist, the image data is transferred to the digital PPC apparatus and the printer as a plurality of output destinations and subjected to print processing.