JP2005001180A - Image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent duplicate execution of image formation when turning on a power supply again in the case where the power supply of a printing controller is turned off in an image formation system with the printing controller and an image formation device connected through communication with each other. <P>SOLUTION: In a copying machine 2 as the image formation device, image data of a plurality of pages for image formation of a plurality of sets is received from the printing controller 1 via a communication network 3. In the case where the power supply off of the printing controller 1 is detected before the image data is completely received, image formation by the plurality of sets is carried out up to the last page of normally received image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a print controller that controls image formation of the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there has been an image forming apparatus that records and outputs image data on a recording medium such as recording paper. The image forming apparatus includes a print controller that controls image formation and a print engine that performs image formation. The print controller and the print engine built in the image forming apparatus are supplied with power from the same power source.
[0003]
There is also an image forming system in which a print controller is connected to a communication network separately from the image forming apparatus, and the print controller remotely controls an image forming apparatus having a printer engine connected to the communication network. In this case, the print controller and the print engine are supplied with power from different power sources.
[0004]
In the image forming system, a print controller transmits image data of a plurality of pages to a print engine via a communication network, and the print engine sequentially receives each page of the image data and sequentially forms an image on a recording medium. It was. As described above, when the print controller and the print engine are separate, the print controller may be turned off while the print engine is operating. If the power of the print controller is turned off while the print engine is receiving the image data of the plurality of pages, for example, communication between the print controller and the print engine becomes impossible, and the image data being received by the print engine becomes unavailable. Reception cannot be continued.
[0005]
In this case, conventionally, the print engine interrupts the image formation of the image data, and when the power source of the print controller is turned on again, the print engine starts an image forming operation again from the first page of the image data.
[0006]
When the print controller (server) is turned off while the print engine (printer) in the image forming system is receiving image formation job data (image data or the like), the print engine is switched to the print controller. A configuration in which transmission of an inquiry signal is interrupted is considered (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to this configuration, a load applied to the communication network is reduced without transmitting a useless packet signal on the communication network.
[0007]
Also, when the print engine executes a predetermined image formation job (interrupted job) and executes an interrupt image formation job (interrupt job) during the execution, the print engine is turned off and the function stops. Suppose that When the printer engine is turned on again, if an interrupt job has already started before the function stopped, the interrupt job will be executed and then the interrupted job will start. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). If the function is stopped before the execution of the interrupt job is started, the execution of the interrupted job is resumed. According to this configuration, the job remaining immediately before the function stop is executed without being left unattended.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-167474
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-91247 A
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional configuration, in a conventional image forming system capable of forming an image by sending image data to the print engine, the image data is newly formed from the first page when the print controller is turned off and then turned on again. Therefore, there is a possibility that useless pages are formed in which images are formed before and after the print controller is turned off.
[0010]
And even with the configuration described in Patent Document 1 for reducing the load on the communication network, the above-mentioned problems with different purposes cannot be resolved. Further, Patent Document 2 assumes a configuration in which a print controller and a print engine are provided in an integrated image forming apparatus. While the print controller is turned off, the print engine is also turned off at the same time. The above-mentioned problem when only the controller is turned off is not solved.
[0011]
Further, in a conventional image forming system capable of forming an image by transmitting a plurality of image data to the print engine, if the print controller is turned off while the print engine is receiving the plurality of image data, the first image is displayed. Since the image is newly formed from the data, there is a possibility that useless image data in which the image is formed before and after the print controller is turned off is generated.
[0012]
In an image forming system in which a print controller and a print engine (image forming apparatus) are communicatively connected to each other, an object of the present invention is to prevent duplicate image formation when a print controller is turned off. That is.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, and a print controller that is connected to the image forming apparatus and controls image formation of the image forming apparatus. In an image forming system comprising:
The print controller
A first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus;
A first control unit that transmits image data to be imaged to the image forming apparatus via the first communication unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication unit for communicating with the print controller;
A print unit for forming image data on a recording medium;
Receiving a plurality of pages of image data for forming a plurality of copies from the print controller via the second communication unit, detecting power on / off of the print controller, and completing the reception of the image data A second control unit that causes the print unit to form the plurality of copies of images up to the last page of image data that has been normally received when power off of the print controller is detected before. To do.
[0014]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a plurality of pages of image data for forming a plurality of copies are received from the print controller, and the power supply of the print controller is turned off before the completion of the reception of the image data. When OFF is detected, a plurality of copies of images are formed up to the last page of the image data received normally. For this reason, when the print controller is turned on again, the image data of the page that has not been normally received is instructed to form a plurality of copies and the image forming apparatus forms an image. Therefore, it is possible to form a plurality of copies, and to prevent duplicate image formation. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the configuration of the print controller can be simplified.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium; and a print controller that is connected to the image forming apparatus and controls image formation of the image forming apparatus.
The print controller
A first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus;
A first control unit that transmits image data to be imaged to the image forming apparatus via the first communication unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication unit for communicating with the print controller;
A print unit for forming image data on a recording medium;
An operation unit that accepts an operator's operation input;
Receiving a plurality of pages of image data from the print controller via the second communication unit, detecting the on / off of the power of the print controller, and turning on the power of the print controller before completing the reception of the image data. When OFF is detected, an operation input indicating whether or not to continue image formation of the received image data is received from the operation unit, and when continuation of image formation of the image data is input, When the print unit has formed an image up to the last page of the image data up to the received page and the image data continuation stop is input, the image formation of the received image data is performed in the print unit. And a second control unit to be stopped.
[0016]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a plurality of pages of image data for forming a plurality of copies is received from the print controller, and the power supply of the print controller is turned off before the completion of the reception of the image data. When OFF is detected and continuation of image formation of the received image data is input, image formation is performed up to the last page of image data received normally. For this reason, it is possible to select whether or not to continue the image formation of the received image data, and when the print controller is turned on again after the selection and execution of the continuation of the image formation, the page that has not been normally received is selected. By instructing the image forming apparatus to form a plurality of copies of the image data and causing the image forming apparatus to form an image, it is possible to form a plurality of copies of the original image formation target image data without waste and to prevent duplicate image formation from being executed. Can do. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the configuration of the print controller can be simplified.
[0017]
The invention described in claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 2,
The image forming apparatus includes a display unit that performs screen display,
The second control unit displays on the display unit that the print controller is turned off when the print controller is turned off before the completion of the reception of the image data. To do.
[0018]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the print controller is turned off before completion of the reception of the image data, the fact that the print controller is turned off is displayed. It is possible to visually confirm that the controller power is off.
[0019]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium; and a print controller that is connected to the image forming apparatus and controls image formation of the image forming apparatus.
The print controller
A first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus;
A first control unit that transmits image data to be imaged to the image forming apparatus via the first communication unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication unit for communicating with the print controller;
A print unit for forming image data on a recording medium;
A plurality of image data is received from the print controller via the second communication unit, and on / off of the print controller is detected, and the print controller before the completion of the reception of the plurality of image data. A second control unit that causes the print unit to form an image up to normally received image data and to cause the print unit to stop the image formation of the image data that is being received when power-off of the printer is detected. It is characterized by providing.
[0020]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of image data is received from the print controller and the power supply of the print controller is detected before the completion of the reception of the plurality of image data, the image data is normally received. The image is formed up to the first image data, and the image formation of the image data being received is stopped. For this reason, when the print controller is turned on again, the image forming apparatus instructs the image forming apparatus to form image data that has not been received normally, and the image forming apparatus forms an image. This can prevent execution of duplicate image formation. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the configuration of the print controller can be simplified.
[0021]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium; and a print controller that is connected to the image forming apparatus and controls image formation of the image forming apparatus.
The print controller
A first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus;
A first control unit that transmits image data to be imaged to the image forming apparatus via the first communication unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication unit for communicating with the print controller;
A print unit for forming image data on a recording medium;
An operation unit that accepts an operator's operation input;
A plurality of image data is received from the print controller via the second communication unit, and on / off of the print controller is detected, and the print controller before the completion of the reception of the plurality of image data. When it is detected that the power is turned off, an operation input as to whether or not to continue image formation of the received image data is received from the operation unit, and continuation of image formation of the received image data is input. In the case where the image data that has been normally received up to the page in the middle of reception is formed on the print unit, and the continuation of image formation of the received image data is input, the image data has been received normally. A second control unit that causes the print unit to form an image of image data and causes the print unit to stop forming an image of image data that is being received. To.
[0022]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image data is received from the print controller, the power-off of the print controller is detected before the completion of the reception of the plurality of image data, and image formation of the image data is continued. Is input, when the image data that has been normally received up to the page that is being received is image-formed, and when the continuation of image formation of the received image data is input, the image that has been normally received Data is image-formed, and image formation of image data being received is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to continue the image formation of the received image data, and after the selection and execution of the continuation of the image formation, when the print controller is turned on again, the image that has not been received normally By instructing data to form an image and causing the image forming apparatus to form an image, it is possible to form an image of a plurality of image data to be initially formed without waste, and to prevent duplicate image formation. In addition, even when the selection and execution of the continuation of image formation of the received image data is input, only the image data that has been normally received is formed normally, and when the print controller is turned on again, By instructing the image forming apparatus to form image data that was not received in the first step and causing the image forming apparatus to form an image, a plurality of image data initially targeted for image formation can be formed without waste, and execution of duplicate image formation is prevented. be able to. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the configuration of the print controller can be simplified.
[0023]
A sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to the fifth aspect,
The image forming apparatus includes a display unit that performs screen display,
The second control unit displays on the display unit that the print controller is turned off when the print controller is turned off before the reception of the plurality of image data is completed. Features.
[0024]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when it is detected that the print controller is turned off before the completion of reception of all the image data, the fact that the print controller is turned off is displayed. Can visually confirm that the print controller is turned off.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, first to fourth embodiments and modifications according to the present invention will be described in detail in order with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.
[0026]
(First embodiment)
A first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the features of the apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the print controller 1. FIG. 3 shows an internal configuration of the copying machine 2.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 100 includes a print controller 1 for remotely operating a copying machine, a copying machine 2 as an image forming apparatus, and a client PC 4 as an external device. Communication connection is established by the communication network 3. In the present embodiment, a case where the copying machine 2 is used as a print engine for the print controller 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, the print engine is described as being a copier, but an image forming apparatus having at least a print function may be used.
[0028]
The communication network 3 is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), but is not limited thereto, and may include a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the like, and may include a telephone line network, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). ) A configuration including a line network, a dedicated line, a communication satellite line, and an Internet service provider connected to them may be used.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, the print controller 1 includes a CPU 11 that centrally controls each unit, an operation unit 12 that receives input from an operator, a RAM 13 that temporarily stores data, and a display unit 14 that displays display data. A storage unit 15 for storing data, and a communication unit 16 as a first communication unit connected to the communication network 3 and communicating with devices on the communication network 3, and each unit is connected by a bus 17. The
[0030]
The CPU 11 develops a program designated from various programs stored in the storage unit 15 in the work area of the RAM 13 and executes various controls in cooperation with the program on the RAM 13. The main body of various controls in this configuration is a control unit 111 as a first control unit. Here, the control unit 111 has been described as being provided as software, but may be configured as hardware.
[0031]
The operation unit 12 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and includes a pointing device such as a mouse. The operation unit 12 outputs to the CPU 11 a pressing signal pressed by the operator using the keyboard and a position signal of the pointing device. The display unit 14 includes a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the like, and performs screen display according to a display signal from the CPU 11.
[0032]
The storage unit 15 includes a recording medium (not shown) in which various programs, various data, and the like are stored or writable in advance, and the recording medium is a magnetic or optical recording medium or a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor. The CPU 11 is a readable recording medium. As the recording medium, a fixed hard disk, a flash ROM, etc., a CD + RW, a DVD-RAM, a memory card, a portable hard disk, a large capacity information recording medium using a blue laser, etc. can be detachably mounted. A portable type is used. The storage unit 15 may include a ROM that stores a program and the like so as to be readable.
In particular, the storage unit 15 stores in advance a job data transmission program for transmitting job data for printing image data to the copying machine 2.
[0033]
The communication unit 16 includes a network card, a modem, a TA (Terminal Adapter), a router, and the like for communicating with external devices (for example, the copier 2 and the client PC 4) via the communication network 3.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, the copying machine 2 includes a CPU 21 that centrally controls each unit, an operation unit 22 that receives input from an operator, a RAM 23 that temporarily stores data, and a display unit 24 that displays display data. A storage unit 25 that stores data, a communication unit 26 as a second communication unit that is connected to the communication network 3 and communicates with devices on the communication network 3, a scanner unit 27 that scans an image on a document, And a print unit 28 for recording an image on a recording medium. Each unit is connected by a bus 29.
[0035]
Each part of the copier 2 having the same name as each part of the print controller 1 generally has the same configuration as each part of the print controller 1. For this reason, portions different from the respective portions of the print controller 1 will be mainly described.
[0036]
The CPU 21 develops a program designated from various programs stored in the storage unit 25 in the work area of the RAM 23 and executes various controls in cooperation with the program on the RAM 23. The main body of various controls in this configuration is a control unit 211 as a second control unit.
[0037]
The storage unit 25 stores image data received from the communication unit 26, image data scanned by the scanner unit 27, and the like in a readable / writable manner. The storage unit 25 stores in advance a job data reception program that receives job data and a first print management program that manages printing when the print controller 1 is powered off.
[0038]
The operation unit 22 includes a keypad having numeric input keys and various function keys, and the operation unit 22 outputs to the CPU 21 a press signal that is pressed by the operator using the keypad. The display unit 24 is configured by an LCD or the like, and performs screen display according to a display signal from the CPU 21. The operation unit 22 may be configured as a touch panel integrally with the display unit 24.
[0039]
The scanner unit 27 includes a light source, an image pickup device such as a CCD, and a scanning mechanism, reflects light from the light source on the original, scans the original with the scanning mechanism, and scans the reflected light by the image pickup device. The electrical signal is digitized, converted into image data, and output. The scanner unit 27 is not limited to such a reflective scanner, and may be a transmissive scanner.
[0040]
The printing unit 28 forms and outputs an image of image data on a recording medium such as recording paper or an OHP sheet by a laser method, an ink jet method, a dot impact method, a thermal transfer method, or the like.
[0041]
The client PC 4 transmits job data including image data for causing the copying machine 2 to form an image to the print controller 1 via the communication network 3 by an operation of the operator. When the print controller 1 receives the job data via the communication unit 16, the print controller 1 transmits the job data to the copying machine 2 to form an image. The device that causes the image data to be transmitted to the print controller 1 is not limited to the client PC 4 and may be another device such as a scanner. Further, although the client PC 4 is shown as one in FIG. 1, it is not limited to this number.
[0042]
Next, the operation of the image forming system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows job data transmission processing executed in the print controller 1. FIG. 5 shows job data reception processing executed in the copying machine 2. FIG. 6 shows a first print management process executed in the copying machine 2.
[0043]
First, the job data transmission process executed by the print controller 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the print controller 1, the CPU 11 reads out the job data transmission program stored in the storage unit 15 and develops it in the RAM 13. Job data transmission processing is performed in cooperation with the job data transmission program in the RAM 13 and the CPU 11 triggered by reception of job data from the client PC 4 or input of a job execution start instruction from the operation unit 12 by the operator. Is executed. Unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the process execution subject is the control unit 111.
[0044]
Hereinafter, the job refers to a job for printing image data (image formation) on the copying machine 2. In the present embodiment, a job for printing a plurality of copies of image data consisting of a plurality of pages (number of copies = N (N: integer greater than or equal to 2)) is considered. The image data is black and white or color data or a combination thereof.
[0045]
First, reception of job data including image data from the client PC 4 via the communication network 3 and the communication unit 16 is completed, or image data stored in the storage unit 15 is read out from the job data or the stored data. The job data for the copying machine 2 is created from the image data and the job execution start instruction input from the operation unit 12 (step S12).
[0046]
Then, the job data created in step S11 is transmitted to the copying machine 2 via the communication unit 16 and the communication network 3 (step S12), and the job data transmission process is ended.
[0047]
Next, processing on the copier 2 side will be described. First, the job data reception process executed by the copying machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In the copying machine 2, the CPU 21 reads out the job data reception program stored in the storage unit 25 and develops it in the RAM 23. The job data reception process is executed in cooperation with the job data reception program in the RAM 23 and the CPU 21, triggered by the start of reception of job data from the print controller 1 via the communication network 3 and the communication unit 26. Further, unless otherwise mentioned, it is assumed that the process execution subject of each step is the control unit 211, and the same applies to the description of the print management process described later.
[0048]
First, it is determined whether or not the job data started to be received can be continuously received (step S21). Here, the determination is made based on the progress of image data printing, the printing speed, the free space of the RAM 23, and the like. If the job data cannot be continuously received (step S21; NO), the process proceeds to step S21.
[0049]
When the job data can be continuously received (step S21; YES), the unreceived portion of the job data is continuously received from the print controller 1 via the communication network 3 and the communication unit 26, and the received job data is stored in the RAM 23. (Step S22). The job data stored in the RAM 23 in step S22 is read from the RAM 23 and printed out in the page order of the image data by the print unit 28, for example, triggered by reception of all the single job data.
[0050]
Then, it is determined whether or not the job data has been received in step S22 (step S23). If the job data has not been received (step S23; NO), the process proceeds to step S21. If the job data has been received (step S23; YES), the job data reception process is ended.
[0051]
Next, the first print management process executed by the copying machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The first print management process is periodically executed at predetermined intervals. In the copying machine 2, the first print management program stored in the storage unit 25 is read out by the CPU 21 and developed in the RAM 23. In cooperation with the first print management program in the RAM 23 and the CPU 21 triggered by the start of execution of the job data reception process or the elapse of a predetermined interval after the previous execution of the first print management process. The first print management process is executed.
[0052]
First, it is determined whether or not the print controller 1 is powered off (step S31). For example, when there is no response to the print controller 1 for a predetermined time via the communication network 3 and the communication unit 26, it is determined that the power source of the print controller 1 has been turned off. If the power is not turned off (step S31; NO), the first print management process is terminated.
[0053]
When the power is turned off (step S31; YES), it is determined whether or not job data reception processing is being executed and job data is being received (step S32). If job data is not being received (step S32; NO), the first print management process is terminated. This is because it is determined that the power has been turned off after the job data has been received. For the job data that has been received, printing of all the image data of the job data is completed in the printing unit 28 regardless of whether the print controller 1 is turned on or off.
[0054]
If job data is being received (step S32; YES), it is determined whether or not there is a page that has been successfully received in the image data of the job data (step S33; YES). If there is no normally received page (step S33; NO), the job data stored in the RAM 23 is deleted (step S34), and the first print management process is terminated. This is because the job data stored in the RAM 23 has no data for at least one page.
[0055]
If there is a page that has been normally received (step S33; YES), one copy of the image data of the job data stored in the RAM 23 is printed by the printing unit 28 (step S35). That is, the last page of image data received normally is set as the last page to be printed, and one copy is printed from the first page to the last page.
[0056]
The image data of the job data stored in the RAM 23 printed in step S35 is printed by the printing unit 28 so that the total number of copies is N (step S36), and the first print management process is completed. Is done. Through steps S35 and S36, N copies of normally received job data pages are printed.
[0057]
Here, a specific print example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a normal print example, (a) shows a print example of up to one copy, and (b) shows a print example of a plurality of copies. FIG. 8 shows a print example at the time of abnormality, (a) shows a print example of up to one copy, and (b) shows a print example of a plurality of copies.
[0058]
First, a case where the print controller 1 operates normally without being turned off during transmission of job data will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that job data having image data of all five pages is transmitted from the print controller 1 to the copying machine 2 and three copies of the same image data are printed. As shown in FIG. 7A, by executing the job data transmission process and the job data reception process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the image data of the fifth page is transmitted from the print controller 1 to the copying machine 2, and copying is performed. Image data received by the machine 2 is sequentially stored in the RAM 23. Further, each page of the image data stored in the RAM 23 is sequentially printed by the printing unit 28.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 7B, when the image data of page 5 from the print controller 1 is transmitted to the copying machine 2 and stored in the RAM 23, a plurality of copies of the image data can be printed and stored in the RAM 23. The printed image data is sequentially printed by the printing unit 28 for each number of pages.
[0060]
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a case will be described in which the print controller 1 is turned off during transmission of job data under the printing conditions in FIG. When the job data transmission process and job data reception process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the first print management process shown in FIG. 6 are executed, the print controller 1 is turned off. As shown in FIG. 8A, in the copying machine 2, when the power is turned off during the reception of the fourth page of the image data of the job data, the RAM 23 has received the first to third pages of the image data. Is remembered. When the image data is color, the first to third pages of the image data stored in the RAM 23 are sequentially printed by the printing unit 28 corresponding to step S36 of the first print management process.
[0061]
As shown in FIG. 8B, when the power is turned off, the third page in the RAM 23 becomes the last page, and the first page of the image data stored in the RAM 23 corresponds to step S37 of the first print management process. The second to third pages are sequentially printed by the printing unit 28.
[0062]
When the power of the print controller 1 is turned off again after printing shown in FIG. 8, it is sufficient to input an operation from the print controller 1 so that only the fourth and fifth pages of the image data are printed on the copying machine 2.
[0063]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the copying machine 2 receives job data including image data of a plurality of pages for forming a plurality of copies from the print controller 1, and the print controller before the completion of the reception of the job data. When the power-off of 1 is detected, a plurality of copies are printed up to the last page of image data received normally.
[0064]
For this reason, when the power of the print controller 1 is turned on again, a plurality of copies of image data of pages that have not been normally received are instructed to be printed by the copying machine 2 so that a plurality of image data to be initially printed can be printed without waste. The number of copies can be printed, and execution of duplicate printing can be prevented. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller 1 to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the apparatus configuration of the print controller 1 can be simplified.
[0065]
In addition, when the image data is in color, the capacity of the image data is large, and the printing time is longer and the printing cost is higher than in black and white. large. In the case of black and white, even if printing is performed in duplicate, there is little influence on the cost and time required for printing. Therefore, in the first print management process of FIG. 9, if YES in step S33, it is detected whether or not the image data is color. If the image data is color, the process proceeds to step S35, and the image data is If the color is not selected, the process may be shifted to step S34. In this case, in the case of color data with a long printing time and high cost, a plurality of copies of the image data originally scheduled to be printed can be printed without waste, and execution of duplicate printing can be more effectively prevented.
[0066]
(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows a second print management process executed by the copying machine 2. In the second embodiment, a second print management process is executed instead of the first print management process in the first embodiment. Therefore, a different part from 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.
[0067]
In this embodiment, an image forming system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used. The storage unit 25 of the copying machine 2 stores a second print management program instead of the first print management program.
[0068]
Next, the second print management process executed by the copying machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The second print management process is periodically executed at predetermined intervals. In cooperation with the second print management program in the RAM 23 and the CPU 21 triggered by the start of execution of job data reception processing or the elapse of a predetermined interval after the execution of the second print management processing of the previous time. Second print management processing is executed.
[0069]
Steps S41 to S43 shown in FIG. 9 are the same as steps S31 to S33 shown in FIG. When there is a page that has been normally received (step S43; YES), an input screen for selecting whether or not to continue printing is displayed on the display unit 24, including that the power of the print controller 1 has been turned off. (Step S45). Then, based on the input screen displayed on the display unit 24, operation input information indicating whether or not to continue printing input by the operator via the operation unit 22 is accepted (step S46).
[0070]
Then, it is determined whether the operation input information input in step S47 indicates whether to continue printing (step S47). When printing is not continued (step S47; NO), the process proceeds to step S44. When the printing is continued (step S47; YES), the process proceeds to step S48. Steps S48 and S49 shown in FIG. 9 are the same as steps S35 and S36 shown in FIG.
[0071]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the copying machine 2 receives job data including image data of a plurality of pages for printing a plurality of copies from the print controller 1, and the print controller 1 before the completion of the reception of the job data. When the power-off of the image data is detected and the continuation of printing of the received image data is input, the last page of the image data received normally is printed. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to continue the image formation of the received image data, and after the selection and execution of the continuation of the image formation, when the print controller 1 is turned on again, it has not been received normally. By instructing the copier 2 to print a plurality of copies of page image data, a plurality of copies of image data to be initially printed can be printed without waste, and execution of duplicate printing can be prevented.
[0072]
Further, when the power supply of the print controller 1 is detected before the completion of the reception of the job data, the display unit 24 displays that the print controller 1 is turned off. It can be visually confirmed that the power is off.
[0073]
(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows a third print management process executed by the copying machine 2. In the third embodiment, a third print management process is executed in place of the first print management process in the first embodiment. Therefore, a different part from 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.
[0074]
In this embodiment, an image forming system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used. The storage unit 25 of the copying machine 2 stores a third print management program instead of the first print management program. Further, the copying machine 2 is configured to receive a plurality of job data, store them in the RAM 23, and print the image data of each job data stored in the RAM 23 sequentially by the printing unit 28.
[0075]
In the job data transmission process executed in the job controller 1, a plurality of job data is transmitted from the job controller 1 to the copying machine 2. In the job data reception process executed in the copying machine 2, a plurality of job data transmitted from the job controller 1 is received and stored in the RAM 23. At this time, the plurality of job data stored in the RAM 23 are sequentially printed by the printing unit 28.
[0076]
Next, a third print management process executed by the copying machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The third print management process is periodically executed at predetermined intervals. In cooperation with the second print management program in the RAM 23 and the CPU 21 triggered by the start of job data reception processing or the elapse of a predetermined interval after the previous execution of the third print management processing. A third print management process is executed.
[0077]
Steps S61 and S62 shown in FIG. 10 are the same as steps S31 and S32 shown in FIG. If job data is being received (step S62; YES), it is determined whether there is received and unprinted job data in the RAM 23 (step S63). That is, it is determined whether there is unprinted job data before the job data immediately before the currently received job data.
[0078]
If there is received and unprinted job data (step S63; YES), the received and unprinted job data in the RAM 23 is printed by the printing unit 28 (step S64). Then, the job data stored in the RAM 23 during the reception is deleted (step S65), and the third print management process is ended. If there is no received unprinted job data (step S63; NO), the process proceeds to step S65.
[0079]
Here, a specific print example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows a print example when the third print management process is executed. Here, job data having image data of all 5 pages (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and job data having image data of all 3 pages (A, B, C) are copied from the print controller 1. Assume that the data is sequentially transmitted to the machine 2 and printed one by one. As shown in FIG. 11, the image data of page 5 and the image data of page 3 are sequentially transmitted from the print controller 1 to the copier 2 by executing the job data transmission process and the job data reception process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The image data of the five pages that have been received by the copying machine 2 are sequentially stored in the RAM 23. Further, each page of the image data stored in the RAM 23 is sequentially printed by the printing unit 28.
[0080]
Assume that the power of the print controller 1 is turned off when the first page of the three pages of image data is transmitted to the copying machine 2. By executing the third print management process shown in FIG. 10, in the copying machine 2, the image data of 5 pages in the RAM 23 is printed by the printing unit 28 corresponding to step S <b> 64 of the third print management process. In the copying machine 2, the received first page (A) of the job data being received is deleted from the RAM 23 in response to step S65 of the third print management process.
[0081]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of job data including image data of a plurality of pages is received from the print controller 1, and the power on / off of the print controller 1 is detected, and all job data have been received. When the power-off of the print controller 1 is detected before, the image data that has been normally received is printed, and the image formation of the image data being received is stopped. Therefore, when the power of the print controller 1 is turned on again, the job data that has not been normally received is instructed to be printed, and the copying machine 2 forms an image so that a plurality of job data to be initially printed can be printed without waste. It is possible to prevent duplicate prints from being executed. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller 1 to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the apparatus configuration of the print controller 1 can be simplified.
[0082]
(Fourth embodiment)
With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 shows a fourth print management process executed by the copying machine 2. FIG. 13 shows an input screen 41 displayed on the display unit 24. In the fourth embodiment, a fourth print management process is executed instead of the third print management process in the third embodiment. Therefore, a different part from 3rd Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.
[0083]
In this embodiment, an image forming system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used. The storage unit 25 of the copying machine 2 stores a fourth print management program instead of the third print management program.
[0084]
Next, a fourth print management process executed by the copying machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The fourth print management process is periodically executed at predetermined intervals. In cooperation with the fourth print management program in the RAM 23 and the CPU 21 triggered by the start of job data reception processing or the elapse of a predetermined interval after the previous execution of the fourth print management processing. The fourth print management process is executed.
[0085]
Steps S71 to S74 shown in FIG. 12 are the same as steps S61 to S64 shown in FIG. If there is received and unprinted job data (step S73; YES), or whether or not to continue printing job data that is being received, including the fact that the print controller 1 is powered off after execution of step S74 An input screen for selecting whether or not is displayed on the display unit 24 (step S75). The input screen is, for example, the input screen 41 shown in FIG. The input screen 41 has a selection dialog 411 for selecting and inputting whether or not to continue printing of the job data being received.
[0086]
Then, on the basis of the input screen displayed on the display unit 24, the operation input information indicating whether or not to continue printing of the job data being received input by the operator via the operation unit 22 is accepted (step). S76). For example, in the selection dialog 411 on the input screen 41 in FIG. 13, the “YES” button is determined and input when printing is continued by selection and determination using the cursor key of the operation unit 22 or touch operation on the touch panel, and printing is continued. If not, the “NO” button is determined and input.
[0087]
Then, it is determined whether the operation input information input in step S76 indicates whether to continue printing the job data being received (step S77). If printing of the job data being received is not continued (step S77; NO), the job data stored in the RAM 23 during the reception is deleted (step S78), and the fourth print management process is terminated.
[0088]
When the printing of the job data being received is continued (step S77; YES), the image data of the job data stored in the RAM 23 during the reception is printed by the printing unit 28 (step S79), and the fourth print management process Is terminated.
[0089]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of job data including image data of a plurality of pages are received from the print controller 1, and the power on / off of the print controller 1 is detected to receive all job data. When the power-off of the print controller 1 is detected before completion and the continuation of printing of job data is input, the job data received normally up to the page being received is printed, and the received job data When the continuation of printing is input, the job data received normally is printed, and the printing of the job data being received is stopped.
[0090]
For this reason, it is possible to select whether or not to continue the image formation of the received job data, and after the selection and execution of the print continuation, when the print controller 1 is turned on again, the job that has not been received normally By instructing the data to be printed and causing the copying machine 2 to form an image, it is possible to print a plurality of image data to be initially printed without waste, and to prevent duplicate printing. Even when selection and execution of image formation continuation cancellation of received image data are input, only normally received job data is printed normally, and when the print controller is turned on again, By instructing the copying machine 2 to print job data that has not been received, a plurality of job data that are initially printed can be printed without waste, and execution of duplicate printing can be prevented.
[0091]
Further, when the power supply of the print controller 1 is detected before the reception of all the job data is completed, the display unit 24 displays that the print controller 1 is turned off. It can be visually confirmed that the power of 1 is turned off.
[0092]
(Modification)
Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the modification of the 1st-4th embodiment which concerns on this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 14 shows a configuration of an image forming system 200 according to this modification. This modification differs from the first to fourth embodiments in the communication configuration, and the different parts will be mainly described.
[0093]
An image forming system 200 according to the present modification includes a print controller 1, a copying machine 2, and a client PC 4 as an external device. The print controller 1 and the client PC 4 are connected to the communication network 3. The print controller 1 and the copying machine 2 are communicatively connected via a dedicated cable 5.
[0094]
The communication unit 16 of the print controller 1 not only communicates with the client PC 4 via the communication network 3 but also communicates with the copier 2 via the dedicated cable 5. The communication unit 26 of the copying machine 2 communicates with the print controller 1 via the dedicated cable 5. The communication format between the print controller 1 and the copying machine 2 is not limited to a specific communication method. Further, although the client PC 4 is shown as one in FIG. 14, it is not limited to this number.
[0095]
The operation of the image forming system 200 is the same as the operation of the image forming system 100 in the first to fourth embodiments. However, communication between the print controller 1 and the copying machine 2 is performed via the dedicated cable 5 instead of the communication network 3.
[0096]
Note that the descriptions in the above-described embodiments are examples of suitable image forming systems 100 and 200 according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a plurality of pages of image data for forming a plurality of copies are received from the print controller, and the power supply of the print controller is turned off before the completion of the reception of the image data. When OFF is detected, a plurality of copies of images are formed up to the last page of the image data received normally. For this reason, when the print controller is turned on again, the image data of the page that has not been normally received is instructed to form a plurality of copies and the image forming apparatus forms an image. Therefore, it is possible to form a plurality of copies, and to prevent duplicate image formation. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the configuration of the print controller can be simplified.
[0098]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a plurality of pages of image data for forming a plurality of copies is received from the print controller, and the power supply of the print controller is turned off before the completion of the reception of the image data. When OFF is detected and continuation of image formation of the received image data is input, image formation is performed up to the last page of image data received normally. For this reason, it is possible to select whether or not to continue the image formation of the received image data, and when the print controller is turned on again after the selection and execution of the continuation of the image formation, the page that has not been normally received is selected. By instructing the image forming apparatus to form a plurality of copies of the image data and causing the image forming apparatus to form an image, it is possible to form a plurality of copies of the original image formation target image data without waste and to prevent duplicate image formation from being executed. Can do. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the configuration of the print controller can be simplified.
[0099]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the print controller is turned off before completion of the reception of the image data, the fact that the print controller is turned off is displayed. It is possible to visually confirm that the controller power is off.
[0100]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of image data is received from the print controller and the power supply of the print controller is detected before the completion of the reception of the plurality of image data, the image data is normally received. Up to the image data is formed, and the image formation of the image data being received is stopped. For this reason, when the print controller is turned on again, the image forming apparatus instructs the image forming apparatus to form image data that has not been received normally, and the image forming apparatus forms an image. This can prevent execution of duplicate image formation. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the configuration of the print controller can be simplified.
[0101]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image data is received from the print controller, the power-off of the print controller is detected before the completion of the reception of the plurality of image data, and image formation of the image data is continued. When image data that has been normally received up to the page that is being received is image-formed, and the image formation of the received image data is input to continue image formation, Is formed, and the image formation of the image data being received is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to continue the image formation of the received image data, and after the selection and execution of the continuation of the image formation, when the print controller is turned on again, the image that has not been received normally By instructing data to form an image and causing the image forming apparatus to form an image, it is possible to form an image of a plurality of image data to be initially formed without waste, and to prevent duplicate image formation. In addition, even when the selection and execution of the continuation of image formation of the received image data is input, only the image data that has been normally received is formed normally, and when the print controller is turned on again, By instructing the image forming apparatus to form image data that was not received in the first step and causing the image forming apparatus to form an image, a plurality of image data initially targeted for image formation can be formed without waste, and execution of duplicate image formation is prevented. be able to. In addition, since it is not necessary to cause the print controller to perform recovery processing when the power is turned on again, the configuration of the print controller can be simplified.
[0102]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when it is detected that the print controller is turned off before the completion of reception of all the image data, the fact that the print controller is turned off is displayed. Can visually confirm that the print controller is turned off.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the print controller.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the copying machine 2;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating job data transmission processing executed in the print controller 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing job data reception processing executed in the copying machine 2;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first print management process executed in the copying machine 2;
7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an example of printing in a normal state. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of printing up to one copy. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of printing with a plurality of copies.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a print example at the time of abnormality, FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a print example of up to one copy, and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a print example of a plurality of copies;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second print management process executed by the copying machine.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third print management process executed by the copying machine.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a print example when a third print management process is executed.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a fourth print management process executed by the copying machine 2;
13 shows an input screen 41 displayed on the display unit 24. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system 200 according to a modified example of the invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 200 ... Image forming system
1 ... Print controller
2 ... Copier
11,21 ... CPU
111, 211 ... control unit
12, 22 ... RAM
13, 23 ... operation unit
14, 24 ... display section
15, 25 ... Storage unit
16, 26 ... communication part
17, 29 ... Bus
27. Scanner unit
28 ... Print section
3. Communication network
4 ... Client PC
5 ... Dedicated cable

Claims (6)

An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium; and a print controller that is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus and controls image formation of the image forming apparatus.
The print controller
A first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus;
A first control unit that transmits image data to be imaged to the image forming apparatus via the first communication unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication unit for communicating with the print controller;
A print unit for forming image data on a recording medium;
Receiving a plurality of pages of image data for forming a plurality of copies from the print controller via the second communication unit, detecting power on / off of the print controller, and completing the reception of the image data A second control unit that causes the print unit to form the plurality of copies of images up to the last page of image data that has been normally received when power off of the print controller is detected before. Image forming system. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium; and a print controller that is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus and controls image formation of the image forming apparatus.
The print controller
A first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus;
A first control unit that transmits image data to be imaged to the image forming apparatus via the first communication unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication unit for communicating with the print controller;
A print unit for forming image data on a recording medium;
An operation unit that accepts an operator's operation input;
Receiving a plurality of pages of image data from the print controller via the second communication unit, detecting the on / off of the power of the print controller, and turning on the power of the print controller before completing the reception of the image data. When OFF is detected, an operation input indicating whether or not to continue image formation of the received image data is received from the operation unit, and when continuation of image formation of the image data is input, When the print unit has formed an image up to the last page of the image data up to the received page and the image data continuation stop is input, the image formation of the received image data is performed in the print unit. And an image forming system, comprising: a second control unit that causes the second control unit to stop. The image forming apparatus includes a display unit that performs screen display,
The second control unit displays on the display unit that the print controller is turned off when the print controller is turned off before the completion of the reception of the image data. The image forming system according to claim 2. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium; and a print controller that is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus and controls image formation of the image forming apparatus.
The print controller
A first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus;
A first control unit that transmits image data to be imaged to the image forming apparatus via the first communication unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication unit for communicating with the print controller;
A print unit for forming image data on a recording medium;
A plurality of image data is received from the print controller via the second communication unit, and on / off of the print controller is detected, and the print controller before the completion of the reception of the plurality of image data. A second control unit that causes the print unit to form an image up to normally received image data and to cause the print unit to stop the image formation of the image data that is being received when power-off of the printer is detected. An image forming system comprising: An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium; and a print controller that is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus and controls image formation of the image forming apparatus.
The print controller
A first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus;
A first control unit that transmits image data to be imaged to the image forming apparatus via the first communication unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication unit for communicating with the print controller;
A print unit for forming image data on a recording medium;
An operation unit that accepts an operator's operation input;
A plurality of image data is received from the print controller via the second communication unit, and on / off of the print controller is detected, and the print controller before the completion of the reception of the plurality of image data. When it is detected that the power is turned off, an operation input as to whether or not to continue image formation of the received image data is received from the operation unit, and continuation of image formation of the received image data is input. In the case where the image data that has been normally received up to the page in the middle of reception is formed on the print unit, and the continuation of image formation of the received image data is input, the image data has been received normally. A second control unit that causes the print unit to form an image of image data and causes the print unit to stop forming an image of image data that is being received. Image forming system. The image forming apparatus includes a display unit that performs screen display,
The second control unit displays on the display unit that the print controller is turned off when the print controller is turned off before the reception of the plurality of image data is completed. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein:

Images