JP2003338890A - Image forming apparatus and method of controlling image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To implement a printer function in a facsimile device or the like by loading the operation unit of the printer into a facsimile device or the like, reduce the communication speed, etc., and make an inquiry interval of button press information of the operation unit. Even if the button becomes long, it is possible to perform a button operation close to the operation feeling intended by the operator. SOLUTION: An operating means for operating, an image forming means for forming an image, a recording means for recording an image formed by the image forming means on a recording paper, and receiving the image data from a PC or the like, and A printer controller for converting the signal into a signal recordable by the means, an operation interface for operating the printer controller, and an external controller control means including an interface for transmitting a signal formed by the printer controller to the recording means.

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 to which an external controller is connected and which controls the connected external controller by using the operating means of the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Print data from a PC (personal computer)
In order to print with a facsimile machine, a printer controller for converting the page description language into image data is incorporated in the facsimile machine.

The recording section and the display section of the facsimile machine side
If the operation unit can be used by the external controller, the cost can be reduced and the installation space can be made efficient.

As described above, in order to realize the function of the printer apparatus by the facsimile apparatus, the portion exchanged between the printer controller and the operation section of the printer is taken into the facsimile apparatus side, whereby the printer function is obtained. To the facsimile device.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional example, the printer function can be realized by incorporating the operation unit of the printer into the facsimile device side.
In the facsimile device, the original operation process of the facsimile device and the operation process for realizing the printer function are executed, and the communication speed between the printer controller and the operation unit is reduced according to the processing capability of the CPU.

As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the communication speed between the printer controller and the operating section is lowered, the response of the operation is deteriorated and the reaction intended by the operator cannot be obtained. .

That is, the information of the button pressed by the operation unit provided in the facsimile apparatus is transmitted in response to the inquiry about the button pressing state sent from the printer controller side, but the communication speed is reduced. In this case, the inquiry interval becomes longer, and the information of the button pressed during that time may not be transmitted to the printer controller side, so the response of the operation deteriorates and the reaction intended by the operator cannot be obtained. There is a problem.

The above problem also occurs when the other image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is used instead of the facsimile apparatus.

According to the present invention, when the operation unit of the printer is incorporated into a facsimile apparatus or the like to realize the printer function in the facsimile apparatus or the like, the inquiry interval of the button pressing information of the operation unit may be reduced by lowering the communication speed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method of the image forming apparatus, which allow a button operation close to the operation feeling intended by the operator even when the length becomes long.

[0010]

According to the present invention, an operating means for operating, an image forming means for forming an image, a recording means for recording an image formed by the image forming means on a recording paper,
A printer controller that receives image data from a PC or the like and converts the image data into a signal that can be recorded by the recording means; an operation interface that operates the printer controller;
And an external controller control unit including an interface for transmitting a signal formed by the printer controller to the recording unit.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an external controller 30 (printer controller) according to an embodiment of the present invention and a facsimile apparatus FS1 connected thereto.

The CPU 1 is a system control unit and controls the entire apparatus. The ROM 11 stores the control program of the CPU 1.

The RAM 12 is composed of an SRAM or the like and stores program control variables and the like. The RAM 12 also stores transmission destinations and various setting values registered by the operator, management data of the apparatus, and various work buffers.

The external display unit 3 is a unit that notifies the user of the display by means of an LCD, an LED or the like. The MODEM unit 4 is for performing modulation / demodulation of a transmission / reception signal of a facsimile.
The U5 has a function of sending a selection signal (dial pulse or tone dialer) to the communication line 7 via the line control unit 6, and also performs an automatic incoming call operation by detecting a ringing tone. The operation unit 2 is composed of a keyboard, a touch panel, etc., and an operator performs various input operations.

The external control unit 8 is a so-called expansion interface, which connects the external controller 30 and adds a new function when various functions are expanded.

The external controller 30 is an example of a printer controller, and is connected to the host computer 20 to receive a print request and print data from the host computer and transfer the data to the recording unit 13. .

The recording unit 13 is an engine portion of the printer, has a function of receiving an image signal and printing it on recording paper,
It has a function of controlling the paper discharge unit 14 and discharging the recording paper after printing.

The image reading unit 15 includes a contact sensor and C
Using the CD, the image information is read from the document under the control of the CPU 1.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

First, the operation of the facsimile machine FS1 and the external controller 30 connected to the facsimile machine FS1 will be described.

The external controller 30 is a so-called printer controller, and includes LIPS, PCL, and Post.
A controller that receives data described in a page description language such as Script from a PC via IEEE1284, USB, or a network, develops the image data, sends the image data to a recording unit, and prints.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the external controller 30.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of the operation unit 2 in the above embodiment.

The external controller 30 includes a printer controller 31, an operation unit (printer panel) 32, a panel IF 32P, and a recording unit (printer engine) 33.
And a video IF 33V.

The printer controller 31 is essentially the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer panel 32 as a display / operation unit and the printer engine 33 as a recording unit are connected to operate as one printer, but are connected to the facsimile apparatus FS1 as an external controller 30. By doing so, the facsimile apparatus FS1 can have a printer function.

The display / operation of the printer controller 31 is performed by the operation unit 2 and the external display unit 3 of the facsimile apparatus FS1.
The external controller 30 and the external control unit 8 are connected between the main body of the facsimile apparatus FS1 and the printer controller 31 in order to execute the above.

The printer controller 31 and the external controller 8 are connected by the following three I / Fs. 1) Display / operation control signal 2) Image / image formation control signal 3) External controller control signal 1) Display / operation control signal is originally the external controller 3
Panel I / F to which the operation panel connected to 0 is connected
32P, data and commands displayed on the panel, information on the buttons of the panel, and the like are communicated.

2) The image / image formation control signal is a video I / F to which the external controller 30 and the printer engine 33 are connected, and is an image data signal or a signal for controlling the printer engine.

3) When the external controller control signal is connected to the facsimile apparatus FS1, the external controller 3
0 and the facsimile apparatus FS1 exchange information that needs to be newly communicated. The above 1),
In 2), information that is not exchanged is communicated. In this embodiment, the signal for resetting the printer controller 31 is
Through this interface, the printer controller 3
Send to 1.

Other than the external controller control signal, the signals are used even when the printer functions as a single unit, and are connected without any hardware change.

<Panel I / F 32P> The display / operation control signals exchanged between the printer controller 31 and the operation unit (panel) 32 are commands and data.
And status.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the exchange between the printer controller 31 and the operation unit 2.

When a command or data following the command is transmitted from the external controller 30, the operation unit 2 (panel) side, if a status in response thereto is required,
The status is transmitted as shown in FIG.

Therefore, there are the following three types of exchanges. 1) command only 2) command-status 3) command data -...- status These command data and status are a 16-bit data string between the printer controller 31 and the operation unit 2 (panel). And it is exchanged.

Next, a rough processing flow of command data and status in the panel I / F 32P will be described.

4 to 14 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the above embodiment.

The facsimile apparatus FS1 side initializes the parameters relating to the panel (S701) and waits for a command from the printer controller 31 (S70).
2) When a data string is received from the printer controller 31 (S501), the command data is analyzed (S501).
502).

At the beginning, since it starts with a command, the first data string is analyzed as a command (S504). As a result of this analysis, for example, if it is an LCD control command, L
The CD control command is analyzed (S505). Since the LCD command has subsequent data, it is processed as data in step F502 when the next data string is received.

When the receiving process is completed, the process proceeds to the transmitting process (S703). In this transmitting process, if there is data to be transmitted (S602), it is determined whether the status is transmitted according to the data string to be transmitted. (S603) Also, it is determined whether the switch data is transmitted (S6).
04), the data string is transmitted.

Next, how the command data of the panel transmitted from the printer controller 31 via the panel I / F 32P is processed on the side of the facsimile apparatus FS1 will be described in relation to button operation. .

[Button Operation] (Explanation of Hardware Configuration) When the switching operation to the printer screen is performed by the operation unit 2 of the facsimile apparatus FS1, the function keys provided on the display unit 3 are used for the printer. Become the key.

FIG. 5 shows a dedicated panel of the printer.
It is a figure which shows an online state.

FIG. 6 shows a dedicated panel of the printer.
It is a figure which shows an offline state.

FIG. 7 shows a printer dedicated panel.
It is a figure which shows a cursor mode.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the dedicated panel of the printer is equipped with an online key, a discharge key, a utility key, a setup key operation mode key, a reset / execute key, and a paper feed selection key.

The online key is a key for switching the printer between the online state and the offline state, and the discharge key is pushed out of the body by pressing when the paper remains in the path of the recording paper in the printer engine. The key to eject. The utility key is a key to enter a menu for outputting a status print for checking the setting state of the printer and a list of built-in fonts. The setup key is a key for entering a menu for changing printer settings, and the operation mode key is a key for entering a menu for changing printer operations.

The reset / execute key is a key that is pressed when deciding each setting and operation and is also used when resetting the printer. The paper feed selection key is a key for selecting a cassette to feed paper.

The above seven keys are provided on a dedicated panel of the printer.

However, there are cases where the number of buttons used on the printer-dedicated panel does not match the number of buttons provided on the operation unit of the facsimile apparatus FS1.
Further, although the printer-dedicated panel can detect that each button is pressed, it is possible to detect that a plurality of buttons are pressed simultaneously due to the hardware limitation of the operation unit of the facsimile apparatus FS1. Sometimes you can't.

Next, the facsimile apparatus F according to the present embodiment.
In S1, since the number of buttons is smaller than that of the printer-dedicated panel, it may not be possible to detect the pressed state of a plurality of buttons due to hardware restrictions. This case will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation unit 2 of the facsimile apparatus FS1.

The switches on the operation unit 2 of the facsimile apparatus FS1 cannot detect a plurality of simultaneous presses.

In the present embodiment, a mode called a cursor mode is provided for the buttons called function keys F1 to F4 provided on the operation section 2, and the function key role is changed by turning the cursor mode ON / OFF. Depending on the button on the panel dedicated to the printer,
The operation unit 2 corresponding to one to one is realized.

Specifically, in the online state, F1
= Online key, F2 = Eject key, F3 = Cursor mode, F4 = Paper feed selection key. Further, in the online state, keys other than the online key are invalid, so the display is changed.

On the other hand, when the offline state is set, F2,
The F4 key performs the same operation as that of the printer dedicated panel.

When F3 = cursor mode key is pressed, F1 = operation mode, F2 = utility,
F3 = reset / execute, F4 = change to setup,
It operates according to each key press.

To return from the cursor mode to the original state,
"Return" key provided on the operation unit 2 of the fax machine,
Alternatively, by pressing the "reset" and "stop" keys, the cursor mode is returned to the original state.

By switching between three states of the online state, the offline state and the cursor mode,
It realizes the operation unit 2 of the printer.

The relationships among the online state, the offline state, and the cursor mode are shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, respectively.

In the online state where data can be received,
Conventionally, it is not possible to change the printer operation settings or perform status printing for printing the status of the apparatus.

When changing the settings of the device, the operator
By pressing the "online" key once, it is necessary to set the printer to the offline state (the state in which data from the PC cannot be received).

Therefore, when another key is pressed in the online state on the dedicated panel of the printer, an error sound or the like sounds and the operator is informed that the key input is invalid.

In the facsimile apparatus FS1, taking advantage of the fact that the printer operation unit 2 is created with a bitmap,
In the online state, in order to visually convey that the other keys are invalid, in the online state, as shown in FIG. 5, "Eject", "Cursor", and "Paper feed selection" are displayed. make it thin.

As a result, the operator can know that these keys are invalid in the current state without pressing the keys each time.

By switching the cursor mode,
The single button input can be operated in the same way as the printer dedicated panel.

(Method of Notifying Button Pressed State) Next, the operation of notifying the button pressed state to the printer controller 31 side will be described in detail.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an outline of the operation in the above embodiment.

When the initialization process is completed and the steady state is reached,
As shown in FIG. 9, communication on the panel I / F 32P is executed with the printer controller 31 by alternately executing the reception process and the transmission process.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the receiving process in the above embodiment.

In the reception process shown in FIG. 10, when the "switch sense request command" is received (S507), the switch data held is transmitted in the subsequent transmission process to notify the button pressing state.

First, how to hold the switch data will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of holding the switch data in the above embodiment.

In the "key pressing state process" which is periodically performed, when the printer operating key is pressed on the printer screen, the switch data is rewritten and held.

When it is determined that the printer operating key is not pressed (S206), the switch data is cleared and nothing is pressed.

When the key for printer operation is pressed on the printer screen by this "key press state processing",
The switch data is retained.

Next, the processing after receiving the "switch sense request command" will be described.

When the "switch sense request command" is received, the switch data is transmitted in the next transmission process.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the transmission processing in the above embodiment.

Specifically, in the transmission process shown in FIG. 11, it is determined that the transmission target is switch data (S602), and the process proceeds to the switch data transmission process.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the switch data transmission process in the above embodiment.

In the "switch data transmission process", the switch data held by the "key press state process" is transmitted (S401), and then the switch data is initialized (S402).

In this embodiment, since the pressed state of the switch is held, if the switch data is held as it is even after the switch data is transmitted, the switch is pressed until another key is pressed next time. The switch data is initialized to prevent the switch from being left stuck and the switch being kept pressed.

In this embodiment, "key press state processing"
The detection interval of the key press state in is very shorter than the interval at which the request command of the switch press state is sent from the printer controller 31.

Therefore, "switch data transmission process"
After that, when the operator presses the same key, the switch data initialized after the transmission process is rewritten to the pressed switch data by the above “key press state process”, so that no contradiction occurs. .

FIG. 14 shows the notification of the switch pressing state in the prior art and the notification of the switch pressing state in the present embodiment.
It is a figure compared and shown along with the flow of time.

In FIG. 14, valid data (data indicating that the switch is pressed) is transmitted at the timing indicated by the arrow.

As can be seen from FIG. 14, in the above-mentioned embodiment, even when the switch is pressed by the operator in the related art, but valid switch data is not transmitted, the switch data is transmitted to the printer controller 31 side. Has been sent.

That is, in the above embodiment, the switch data that is close to the actual operator's sense is the printer controller 3.
It will be transmitted to the 1st side.

[0089]

According to the present invention, when the printer function is realized by the image forming apparatus by incorporating the operation unit of the printer into the image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine,
Even if the communication interval is lowered and the inquiry interval of the button press information of the operation unit becomes long, the button operation similar to the operation feeling intended by the operator can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external controller 30 that is an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a (printer controller) and a facsimile apparatus FS1 connected to it.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an external controller 30.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of an operation unit 2 in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an online state on a dedicated panel of the printer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an off-line state on a dedicated panel of the printer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cursor mode on a dedicated panel of the printer.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an exchange between the printer controller 31 and the operation unit 2.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a reception process in the above embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a transmission process in the above embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of holding switch data in the above embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a switch data transmission process in the above embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the notification of the switch pressed state in the related art and the notification of the switch pressed state in the present embodiment in comparison with each other in the order of time.

[Explanation of symbols]

FS1 ... Facsimile device, 1 ... CPU, 2 ... Operation part, 3 ... External display, 8 ... External control unit, 13 ... Recording section, 20 ... Host computer, 30 ... External controller.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An operation unit for operating an image forming apparatus, a display unit for displaying a state of the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit for forming an image, and an image formed by the image forming unit are provided in a predetermined manner. A recording means for recording on recording paper, a printer controller for receiving image data from a PC or the like and converting it into an image signal recordable by the recording means, the printer controller and the image forming apparatus are connected, and the printer controller is connected. The operation interface for exchanging the display information from the operation means and the operation information from the operation means, the operation information storage means for holding the information operated by the operation means, and the image signal formed by the printer controller An external controller control means having an interface for transmitting to the means, the external controller control means receiving The display request from the printer controller is displayed on the display unit, and the information operated by the operation unit is transmitted to the printer controller in response to the operation information request from the printer controller, thereby displaying the display. Means for operating and setting the printer controller by means of the operating means and the operating means, the operation information storing means until the inquiry about the button pressed by the operating means is received from the printer controller. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an information holding control unit that holds the information on a button; and a sending unit that sends information on a button pressed by the operating unit in response to an operation information request from the printer controller. 2. An operation step of operating the image forming apparatus, a display step of displaying a state of the image forming apparatus, an image forming step of forming an image, and an image formed in the image forming step, A recording step of recording on a recording sheet, a printer controller for receiving image data from a PC or the like and converting it into an image signal which can be recorded in the recording step, the printer controller and the image forming apparatus are connected, and the printer controller is connected. For exchanging display information from the operation information with the operation information from the operation step, an operation information storage step for holding information operated in the operation step in operation information storage means, and an image signal formed by the printer controller. Is transmitted to the recording means, and an external controller control step is provided, and the external controller control step is performed. The received display request from the printer controller is displayed in the display step, and the information operated in the operation step is transmitted to the printer controller in response to the operation information request from the printer controller. In the control method of the image forming apparatus for operating and setting the printer controller in the display step and the operation step, the information of the button pressed in the operation step, until the inquiry of the operation information is received from the printer controller,
An information holding control step held by the operation information storage means;
A transmission step of transmitting information on a button pressed in the operation step in response to an operation information request from the printer controller; and a control method of the image forming apparatus.