JPH08139837A - Image forming system and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To allow another image forming device to form an image of image data received by an image forming device by means of data transfer in which image forming is disable by providing an output means providing an output of image data by number of image output sheets not formed separately. CONSTITUTION: An image forming device includes a color reader section 351 reading a color original and conducting edit processing or the like and a printer section 352 having a different image medium and reproducing a color image depending on digital image signals in each color sent from the reader section 351. While any of the plural image devices is forming an image, whether or not an image forming device whose operation is insufficient is arisen is discriminated. When there is any image forming device whose operation is insufficient, image data by number of image output sheets not formed in the image forming device whose operation is insufficient are transferred to other image forming device. The image forming device receiving the image data from the faulty image forming device provides an output of the image data with a commanded number in an identification enable way and formed the received image data in an identification enable way.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system and method for inputting original image data to form an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Each of a reader unit / printer unit constituting a digital copying machine can be independently used as an image reading device / image printing device. For example,
Using an external interface (I / F) device, these readers or printers can be connected to general computer equipment to be used as image data input / output devices, or a plurality of readers / printers can be separated. There has been proposed a system in which a central control device for controlling these components is provided by connecting the printers to each other and a plurality of printer units can be used at the same time for printing.

When a plurality of reader / printer units are connected as in the prior art and these are controlled by a central processing unit,
The number of reader / printer sets that can be connected must be determined, and it cannot be expanded to a flexible system in which the system configuration can be changed as necessary.

In recent years, along with the increase in speed of digital copying machines, digital copying machines equipped with a full page memory capable of storing read image data have begun to appear. In such a digital copying machine, the read image data is once stored in the page memory and is read out at the time of output. Therefore, it can be said that the timing of the reading operation of the original image and the writing operation of the image data is more flexible than that of a copying machine having a general configuration. Therefore, in the above digital copying machine, the control signal for writing the image data in the page memory can be taken in from the outside of the copying machine, and the control signals can be output from the copying machine together with the image signal, Configure to be able to switch to input to. As a result, in addition to the image signals generated by the copier itself, the image signals generated by other copiers etc. are input and stored in the page memory of the own machine, so that the system can be configured according to the required number of copies. You can change the number of copying machines
It is possible to build a system having flexibility and expandability (hereinafter, referred to as a "double connection system").

[0005]

However, in such a multiplex system, an image signal from an image reading section of one image forming apparatus or an external storage device is transferred to a plurality of image forming sections. When printing out, the number of copies allocated to each machine becomes a problem. For example, if a new copier that can be overlapped is added to the coupling system, or if a copier that cannot perform coupling occurs due to an error or a jam, it is necessary to transfer the copier to the connectable copier. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and is an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to each other, and image data for an image forming apparatus in which an image cannot be formed is transferred to another image forming apparatus. It is to provide an image forming system and a method thereof that can be formed by transferring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus,
The image data that was originally assigned to form an image and the image data that was originally assigned to another image forming apparatus and was sent because that apparatus was unable to form an image can be formed so as to be distinguishable. An image forming system and a method thereof are provided.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses for inputting an image signal to form an image are connected, whether or not an inoperable image forming apparatus appears during image formation by any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Determining means, an output means for distributing and outputting the image data of the unformed image output number in the inoperable image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus, and the distributed image forming apparatus, And an output unit for identifiably outputting the image data for the designated number of output sheets.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming method of the present invention includes the following steps. That is, it is an image forming method for forming an image by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses that form an image by inputting an image signal, and inoperable image forming is performed during image formation by any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A step of determining whether or not the apparatus has appeared, a step of distributing and transmitting the image data of the unformed image output number in the inoperable image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus, and the distributed image The forming apparatus has an output step of distinguishably outputting the image data for the instructed output number.

[0010]

With the above structure, it is determined whether or not an inoperable image forming apparatus appears during image formation in any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and if there is an inoperable image forming apparatus, the operation is performed. The image data of the number of unformed images output by the impossible image forming apparatus is distributed to the other image forming apparatuses and transmitted, and the distributed image forming apparatus can identify the image data of the instructed output number. Works to output to.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a structural sectional view showing a schematic structure of the copying machine of this embodiment. A color reader unit 351 that reads a color original document and further performs digital editing processing, and a different image carrier, and reproduces (prints) a color image according to a digital image signal of each color sent from the reader unit 351.
And a printer unit 352 that operates.

<Structure of Reader Unit 1> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the digital image processing unit in the reader unit 351 of this embodiment.

A color original (not shown) on the original table 361 (FIG. 2) is exposed by a light source 360 (FIG. 2) such as the halogen lamp shown in FIG. A reflected image of the light reflected from the original is formed on the CCD 101 to be picked up, sampled and held by the A / D converter 102, and then converted into a digital signal. In this way, digital color image signals of RGB (8 bits each) are generated. The color separation data of this digital color image signal is subjected to shading correction and black correction in the shading circuit 103. Further, by the input masking circuit 104, NT
A correction is applied to the SC signal. The selector 124 is C
The image signal of the reflection original from the CD 101 and the image signal from the outside are input, and one of them is selected according to the signal 126 and output to the scaling circuit 105. Scaling circuit 105
Is a part for enlarging or reducing in the main scanning direction, and the result of scaling is a logarithmic conversion circuit (LOG) 123 and a selector 125 (a selection signal 12 from a CPU (not shown)).
7 controlled). Furthermore, LOG12
3 is input to the memory unit 106, and the memory unit 1
Video data is stored in 06. This memory unit 106
Is stored as YMC data and is read at the timing of forming latent images on the four drums of the printer unit 352 of FIG.

Reference numeral 107 is a masking / UCR processing circuit,
Selector 125 (selection signal 12 from CPU not shown)
Output is selected by 7),
Masking and undercolor removal (UCR) for 4 colors are applied. 109 is a γ correction circuit, 110 is an edge enhancement circuit, 1
An add-on unit 19 performs image processing through the add-on units and outputs the image to the color printer unit 352.

Reference numeral 116 is a signal group including the output DTOP of the image sensor, the horizontal synchronizing signal HSNC1 generated internally, or the horizontal synchronizing signal HSNC2 generated externally, the output ITOP1 of the paper edge sensor, etc. Based on these signal groups 116 and an external sub-scanning write enable signal, the unit 128 outputs one signal 122 for each of the main-scanning write enable and the read enable signal of the memory unit 106, and further the sub-scanning write enable signal. And four sub-scanning read enable signals 1 for each color
21 is generated. Further, 129 is a special manuscript judging section, 2
A video bus selector unit 30 outputs a video signal to the outside and inputs a video from the outside.

<Description of Video Bus Selector 130> FIG. 3
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video bus selector 130 and its peripheral portion according to the present embodiment.

Buffer 504, buffer 505, buffer 514, buffer 515, buffer 519 and buffer 520, buffer 526 and buffer 527, buffer 5
24, the buffer 525, and the output buffer 530 are connected to signal lines 506, 513, 5 from the CPU (not shown).
The output is controlled by each of 21, 528 and 529. 523 is a frequency conversion circuit (implemented by FIFO),
A selector 508 selects either the output of the buffer 519 or the output of the buffer 515 according to the selection signal 509 and outputs it to the D type flip-flop 507. The selector 510 responds to the selection signal 511 by the buffer 504.
Alternatively, one of the outputs of the buffer 519 is selected and output to the D type flip-flop 512. Further, the selector 516 responds to the selection signal 517 by the buffer 504.
Alternatively, the output of the buffer 515 is selected and output to the D type flip-flop 518. Reference numeral 531 is a sub-scanning synchronization signal ITOP2, 532 of the memory unit (IPU) output from the image area generation unit 128, and main scanning synchronization signal (H).
SNC *), these signals are input to the 3-state output buffer 530. Reference numeral 542 is an OR gate.

The VVEI from the image area generator 128
(533) is a sub-scanning write enable signal to another device (reader / printer), 536 is a sub-scanning write enable signal from another device (master device), and this signal is sent to the image area generator 128 of FIG. Has also been entered. 534 is a main scanning enable (HVE) signal to another device, 541
Is a main scan enable signal (low active) from another device and is used for write enable (E) of the frequency converter 523.
W) signal and write reset (RST) signal (signal 53
9 is a video clock (VCK) to and from another device, and 540 is a video clock from another device, which is used as a write clock of the frequency converter 523. Reference numeral 532 is an inverted signal (HSNC *) of the main scanning synchronization signal, which is used here as a read reset signal of the frequency converter 523. Reference numerals 522 and 539 denote signals which are binarized and written in the bit map memory when the bit map memory is present in the device and are sent to or from the outside, respectively. 529, 528, 537, 506, 509,
511, 513, 517 and 521 are CPUs (not shown)
The I / O port control signal 538 set in step 1 is a signal used as the enable signal (IEN *) of the frequency converter 523. Further, the A terminal 503 is the terminals A1 to A3 of the video bus selector 130 of FIG. 1, the B terminal 501 is the terminals B1 to B3 of the video bus selector 130, and the C terminal 502.
Corresponds to the terminals C1 to C3 of the video bus selector 130.

<Explanation of Signal Flow and Sync Signal in Each Mode> The video signal flow and I / O port setting in each mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

[Normal Copy] Flow of Video Signal CCD 101 → A / D converter 102 → Shading 1
03 → input masking 104 → 1 selector 24 (selection signal 126 sets logic “0” by a CPU (not shown) to select A input) → magnifying circuit 105 → LOG conversion circuit 123 → memory unit 106 → selector 125 (The selection signal 127 is set to "0" by the CPU (not shown) to select the A input) → masking UCR 107 → gamma correction 109 → edge enhancement 110 → add-on circuit 119 →
Input / output setting of the LBP printer 352 video bus selector 130 and its peripheral circuits Signal 506 → high “1” output of buffer 505 High impedance signal 509 → X signal 511 → X signal 513 → high “1” output of buffer 514 High impedance signal 517 → X signal 521 → X signal 528 → High “1” ... Output of buffer 527, 525 High impedance signal 529 → High “1” ... Output of buffer 530 High impedance signal 537 → High “1” ... OR circuit Output of 542 is high level [output to external interface] Flow of video signal CCD 101 → A / D converter 102 → shading 1
03 → input masking 104 → selector 124 (selection signal 126 is set to “0” by CPU (not shown) to select A input) → magnifying circuit 105 → selector 125
(The selection signal 127 is set to "1" by a CPU (not shown).
Is set and B input is selected) → Masking / UCR1
07 → gamma correction 109 → edge enhancement 110 → video bus selector 130 → video interface 205 setting of input / output of the video bus selector 130 and its peripheral circuits signal 506 → high “1” ... Output high impedance signal of buffer 505 signal 509 → X Signal 511 → X signal 513 → high “1” ... output high impedance of buffer 514 signal 517 → low “0” ... selector 516A input selection signal 521 → low “0” ... output enable signal 528 → low “0” of buffer 521 ... output enable signal 529 → low "0" of buffer 525, 527 ... output enable signal 537 of buffer 530 → high "1" ... output of OR circuit 542 is high level [input from external interface] Video signal flow Video interface Two 5 → video bus selector 1
30 → selector 124 (selection signal 126 is set to “1” by a CPU (not shown) (selection of A input)) → magnifying circuit 105 → LOG123 → memory section 106 → selector 125 (selection signal 127 is not shown in CPU) And "0"
Is set (B input selection)) → masking 107 →
Gamma correction 109 → edge enhancement 110 → add-on 119
→ Printer unit 352 Further, here, the sub-scan write enable of the memory unit 106 uses the signal 536 input to the area generation unit 128.

Input / output setting of the video bus selector 130 and its peripheral circuits Signal 506 → Low “0” ... Output enable signal 509 → Low “0” ... Selector 508 selects A input signal 511 → X signal 513 → High “1” ... Output high impedance signal 517 → Low “0” ... A input selection signal 521 → High “1” of selector 516 High output signal 528 → High “1” of buffer 521 → Buffer 525 Output high impedance signal 528 → low “0” ... Output enable signal 537 of buffer 530 → low “0” ... Output of OR circuit 542 is I
EN * <Configuration of Printer Unit 352> Next, the configuration of the printer unit 352 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 301 is a polygon scanner (rotary polygonal mirror) for scanning a laser beam on a photosensitive drum, and 302 is a magenta (M) color image forming section.
In the same configuration, image forming units for cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) are denoted by 303, 304, and 305 in the recording paper conveyance direction.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the reflection of laser light on the polygon scanner 301.
Scans the photosensitive drum of each color with laser beams from the laser elements 401 to 404 independently driven for each color of MCYK by a laser control unit (not shown). 405-4
Reference numeral 08 denotes a BD detection unit that detects a scanned laser beam and generates a main scanning synchronization signal. The polygon scanner 301 of this embodiment has two polygon mirrors arranged on the same axis and rotated by one motor.
The main scanning directions of the Y and K laser beams are opposite to each other. Therefore, usually one of M and C
The laser light is output so that the other Y, K image data is a mirror image of the image in the main scanning direction.

Next, the configuration of the image forming units 302 to 305 will be described in the case of the magenta image forming unit 302.

Reference numeral 318 is a photosensitive drum for forming a latent image by exposure to laser light, and 313 is a developing device for developing toner on the drum 318. A developing bias is applied to the developing device 313 for developing toner. A sleeve 314 is provided. 315 is a primary charger, which is a photosensitive drum 318
Is charged to the desired potential. A cleaner 317 cleans the surface of the drum 318 after transfer. Reference numeral 316 denotes an auxiliary charger, which removes the charge on the surface of the drum 318 cleaned by the cleaner 317 so that the primary charger 315 can obtain good charge. 330 is a pre-exposure lamp, which is the drum 31
The residual charge on 8 is erased. A transfer charger 319 discharges electricity from the rear surface of the transfer belt 306 to discharge the drum 318.
The upper toner image is transferred to the transfer member.

Reference numerals 309 and 310 are cassettes for accommodating transfer members (recording sheets), and 308 is a cassette 309, 31.
A paper feeding unit that supplies a transfer member from 0. An adsorption charger 311 attracts the transfer member fed from the sheet feeding unit 308. A transfer belt roller 312 is provided for the transfer belt 30.
At the same time it is used to rotate 6, the transfer belt 306 is paired with the suction charging device 311 to charge the transfer member by suction. Numeral 324 is a charge eliminating charger, which is used to transfer the transfer member to the transfer belt
Static electricity is removed to facilitate separation from 06. A peeling charger 325 prevents image disturbance due to peeling discharge when the transfer member is separated from the transfer belt 306. 326, 32
Each of 7 is a pre-fixing charger, which supplements the attraction force of the toner on the transfer member after the transfer member is separated from the transfer belt 306 to prevent image disturbance. Each of 322 and 323 removes charge from the transfer belt 306,
Is a transfer belt charge eliminator for electrostatically initializing the transfer belt. A belt cleaner 328 removes dirt on the transfer belt 306. A transfer belt 306 is a fixing device 307.
The toner image on the transfer member, which is separated from the toner image and recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 326 and 327, is thermally fixed on the transfer member. A paper discharge sensor 340 detects a transfer member on the conveyance path passing through the fixing device 307. Reference numeral 329 denotes a paper leading edge sensor, which detects the leading edge of the transfer member fed onto the transfer belt 306 by the paper feeding unit 308.
The detection signal from the printer unit 352 is read by the reader unit 351.
And is used to generate a sub-scanning synchronization signal when the video signal is sent from the reader unit 351 to the printer unit 352. A sorter 341 accommodates printed recording paper (transfer member). This sorter can be moved in the vertical direction, and a bin (paper discharge tray) containing the recorded recording paper can be switched and selected according to image data, for example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the interface section between the reader section 351 and other devices and the flow of video and sync signals in each mode.

The interface unit includes an interface 201 (IPU interface) with a memory unit (IPU), interfaces 202 (R interface 1) and 203 (R interface 2) with another device (copier), and another device. Interface 204 for controlling the communication of the computer and the interface 20 with the main body
5 (video bus interface). Further, in this block diagram, tristate buffers 206, 211, 212, 214, 216, bidirectional buffers 207, 209 and 210, a special bidirectional buffer 208 described later, and D flip-flops 213 and 215 having a tristate function are shown. I have it. Also, BTCN
0 to BTCN10 are I / O ports set by a CPU (not shown), 218 is a communication line (4
(Bit) 219 is a signal line including a main scanning synchronization signal HSNC and a sub scanning synchronization signal ITOP, and 220 is an 8-bit video signal 3 system + binary signal BI + image clock +
A signal line of 27 bits in total including the main scan enable signal HVE, 221 is a signal similar to the signal line 219, 222 is a signal similar to the signal line 220, and 224 is another device (copier).
8-bit communication line for communication with other devices (copiers) 223 is a 4-bit communication line for communication with other devices (copying machines) (details of both communication lines will be described later) 226 for image clock and sub-scan video A signal line of a total of 2 bits (1 bit of 236 and 220) of the enable signal VVE, a signal line 228 of a total of 26 bits of video signal 3 systems + BI + HVE, 22
5 is the same as the signal lines 226 and 228, 233 is a signal line of a total of 26 bits consisting of three video signal systems + BI + HVE, 234 is a signal line of a total of 2 bits of an image clock and a sub-scanning enable signal, and 235 is an image clock (of 235 1 bit), and 237 is signal lines 233 and 234.
Similarly, 236 is VVE, 232 is an image clock (22
238 is the signal line 220 and the HSN.
It is a 30-bit signal line composed of C, HVE, VVE, and ITOP.

Next, I / O port control and signal flow in each mode will be described. Here, tri-state buffers (206, 214, 216, 211, 21)
In 2), when the enable signal is low level “0”, it is enabled, and when it is high level “1”, it is in a high impedance state. The bidirectional buffer is realized by an element such as LS245, and when the G terminal is low level “0”, the D terminal is Is low level "0", the data flow is B → A, when the G terminal is low level "0" and the D terminal is high level "1", the data flow is A → B, and the G terminal is high level "1". In the isolation state, the D flip-flop enables its output when the enable signal is low level "0", and sets it to high impedance when it is high level "1".

[IPU interface 201 → R interface 1 (mode 1)] signal BTCN0 ← high “1” signal BTCN1 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction A → B signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... Output enable signal BTCN3 ← low “0” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← X signal BTCN6 ← X signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← X signal BTCN9 ← high “1” ... Buffer 212 disable enable signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... buffer 211 enable However, Here, X is a don't care (any may be used), and it is assumed that the signals are controlled so as not to collide with each other. The resulting signal flow is 238 → 219 →
221, 222 → 220 → 228 → 228 → 225 and 238 → (236 + 220) → 226 → 225.

[IPU interface 201 → R interface 2 (mode 2)] signal BTCN0 ← high “1” signal BTCN1 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction A → B signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... Output enable signal BTCN3 ← X signal BTCN4 ← high “1” signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” ... Buffer 214, F /
F213 disenable signal BTCN8 ← low “0” ... Buffer 216, F /
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← high "1" ... buffer 212 disenable signal BTCN10 ← low "0" ... buffer 211 enable The signal flow by this is 238 → 219 → 221 and 222 → 220 → 228 → 233 → 237 and 238 →
(236 + 220) → 226 → 234 → 237.

[IPU interface 201 → video interface (mode 3)] signal BTCN0 ← high “1” signal BTCN1 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction A → B signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... Output enable signal BTCN3 ← X signal BTCN4 ← X signal BTCN5 ← X signal BTCN6 ← X signal BTCN7 ← X signal BTCN8 ← X signal BTCN9 ← high “1” Signal BTCN10 ← high “1” ... Buffer 211 disenable The signal flow due to this is 238 → 219 → 221 and 222 → 220 → 238.

[R interface 202 → R interface 2 (mode 4)] signal BTCN0 ← X signal BTCN1 ← X signal BTCN2 ← X signal BTCN3 ← high "1" signal BTCN4 ← low "0" ... Bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction A → B signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” buffer 216, F / F
215 enable signal BTCN9 ← X signal BTCN10 ← high “1” The signal flow by this is 225 → 228 → 233 → 2
37, 225 → 226 → 234 → 237.

[R interface 202 → video bus interface (mode 5)] signal BTCN0 ← X signal BTCN1 ← high “1” signal BTCN2 ← X signal BTCN3 ← high “1” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction A → B signal BTCN5 ← X signal BTCN6 ← high “1” signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” ... buffer 216, F /
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← low “0” ... buffer 212 enable signal BTCN10 ← high “1” The signal flow due to this is 225 → (228 + 226)
→ (233 + 234) → 220 → 238, 225 → 22
6 → 234 → 236 → 238.

[R interface 203 → R interface 1 (mode 6)] signal BTCN0 ← X signal BTCN1 ← X signal BTCN2 ← X signal BTCN3 ← low “0” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← high “1” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction A → B signal BTCN7 ← low “0” ... Buffer 214, F
F213 enable signal BTCN8 ← high “1” signal BTCN9 ← X signal BTCN10 ← high “1” The signal flow by this is 237 → 233 → 228 → 2
25 and 237 → 234 → 226 → 225.

[R interface 203 → video bus interface (mode 7)] signal BTCN0 ← X signal BTCN1 ← high "1" signal BTCN2 ← X signal BTCN3 ← X signal BTCN4 ← X signal BTCN5 ← high "1" signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction A → B signal BTCN7 ← X signal BTCN8 ← high “1” signal BTCN9 ← low “0” ... buffer 212 enable signal BTCN10 ← X signal flow due to this is 237 → (233 + 234)
→ 220 → 238 and 237 → 234 → 236 → 238
Becomes

[Video bus interface 205 → I
PU interface 201 (mode 8)] signal BTCN0 ← low “0” signal BTCN1 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction B → A signal BTCN2 ← low “0” buffer 206 enable signal BTCN3 ← X signal BTCN4 ← X signal BTCN5 ← X signal BTCN6 ← X signal BTCN7 ← X signal BTCN8 ← X signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← X The signal flow due to this is 238 → 220 → 222 and 238 → 219 → 221.

[Video bus interface 205 → R
Interface 1 (Mode 9)] signal BTCN0 ← X signal BTCN1 ← high “1” signal BTCN2 ← X signal BTCN3 ← low “0” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← X signal BTCN6 ← X signal BTCN7 ← low “0” ... Buffer 214, F /
F213 enable signal BTCN8 ← X signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... Buffer 211 enable The signal flow by this is 238 → 220 → 228 → 2
25 and 238 → (236 + 220) → 226 → 225
Becomes

[Video bus interface 205 → R
Interface 203 (Mode 10)] signal BTCN0 ← X signal BTCN1 ← high “1” signal BTCN2 ← X signal BTCN3 ← X signal BTCN4 ← high “1” signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... bidirectional Buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” buffer 216, F /
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... Buffer 211 enable The signal flow by this is 238 → 220 → 228 → 2
33 → 237 and 238 → (236 + 220) → 226
→ 234 → 237.

[Mode 1 + Mode 2 (Mode 11)] signal BTCN0 ← high “1” signal BTCN1 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction A → B signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... buffer 206 enable signal BTCN3 ← low “0” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” buffer 216, F /
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... Buffer 211 enable The signal flow due to this is 238 → 219 → 221, 2
22 → 220 → 228 → 225, 222 → 220 → 22
8 → 233 → 237, 238 → (236 + 220) → 2
26 → 225 and 238 → (236 + 220) → 226
→ 234 → 237.

[Mode 1 + Mode 3 (Mode 12)] signal BTCN0 ← high "1" signal BTCN1 ← low "0" ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction A → B signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... buffer 206 enable signal BTCN3 ← low “0” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← X signal BTCN6 ← high “1” signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← X signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... Direction buffer 211
Enable The signal flow due to this is 238 → 219 → 221, 2
22 → 220 → 238, 222 → 220 → 228 → 22
5 and 238 → (236 + 220) → 226 → 225.

[Mode 2 + Mode 3 (Mode 13)] signal BTCN0 ← high "1" signal BTCN1 ← low "0" ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction A → B signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... buffer 206 enable signal BTCN3 ← X signal BTCN4 ← high “1” signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” buffer 216, F /
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... Buffer 211 enable The signal flow due to this is 238 → 219 → 221, 2
22 → 220 → 238, 222 → 220 → 228 → 23
3 → 237 and 238 → 236 + 220 → 226 → 23
It becomes 4 → 237.

[Mode 1 + Mode 2 + Mode 3 (Mode 14)] signal BTCN0 ← high “1” signal BTCN1 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction A → B signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... buffer 206 enable signal BTCN3 ← low “0” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” buffer 216, F /
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... Buffer 211 enable The signal flow due to this is 238 → 219 → 221, 2
22 → 220 → 238, 238 → 228 → 225, 22
2 → 220 → 228 → 233 → 237, 238 → (23
6 + 220) → 226 → 225 and 238 → (236+
220) → 226 → 234 → 237.

[Mode 4 + Mode 5 (Mode 15)] signal BTCN0 ← X signal BTCN1 ← X signal BTCN2 ← high “1” signal BTCN3 ← high “1” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction A → B signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” buffer 216, F /
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← low “0” ... buffer 212 enable signal BTCN10 ← high “1” The signal flow due to this is 225 → 228 → 233 → 2.
37, 225 → 226 → 234 → 237, 225 → (2
26 + 228) → (234 + 233) → 220 → 238
And 225 → 226 → 234 → 236 → 238.

[Mode 6 + Mode 7 (Mode 16)] Signal BTCN0 ← X signal BTCN1 ← high "1" signal BTCN2 ← X signal BTCN3 ← low "0" signal BTCN4 ← low "0" ... Bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← high “1” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction A → B signal BTCN7 ← low “0” ... Buffer 214, F
F213 enable signal BTCN8 ← high “1” signal BTCN9 ← X signal BTCN10 ← high “1” The signal flow by this is 237 → 233 → 228 → 2
25, 237 → 234 → 226 → 225, 237 → (2
33 + 234) → 220 → 238 and 237 → 234 →
It becomes 236 → 238.

[Mode 8 + Mode 9 (Mode 17)] Signal BTCN0 ← Low “0” Signal BTCN1 ← Low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction B → A signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... buffer 206 enable signal BTCN3 ← low “0” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← X signal BTCN6 ← X signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← X signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... the buffer 211 is enabled. 238 → 219 → 221, 2
38 → 228 → 225 and 238 → (220 + 236)
→ 226 → 225.

[Mode 8 + Mode 10 (Mode 18)] Signal BTCN0 ← Low “0” Signal BTCN1 ← Low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction B → A signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... Buffer 206 enable signal BTCN3 ← X signal BTCN4 ← high “1” signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” ... Buffer 216, F
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... Buffer 211 enable The signal flow due to this is 238 → 219 → 221, 2
38 → 220 → 222, 238 → 228 → 233 → 23
7 and 238 → (220 + 236) → 226 → 234 →
It becomes 237.

[Mode 9 + Mode 10 (Mode 19)] Signal BTCN0 ← X signal BTCN1 ← high "1" signal BTCN2 ← X signal BTCN3 ← low "0" signal BTCN4 ← low "0" ... Bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” buffer 216, F /
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... Buffer 211 enable The signal flow by this is 238 → 228 → 225, 2
38 → 228 → 233 → 237, 238 → (220 + 2
36) → 226 → 225 and 238 → (220 + 23)
6) → 226 → 234 → 237.

[Mode 8 + Mode 9 + Mode 10 (Mode 20)] Signal BTCN0 ← Low “0” Signal BTCN1 ← Low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 207
Data direction B → A signal BTCN2 ← low “0” ... buffer 206 enable signal BTCN3 ← low “0” signal BTCN4 ← low “0” ... bidirectional buffer 209
Data direction B → A signal BTCN5 ← low “0” signal BTCN6 ← low “0” ... Bidirectional buffer 210
Data direction B → A signal BTCN7 ← high “1” signal BTCN8 ← low “0” buffer 216, F /
F215 enable signal BTCN9 ← high “1” signal BTCN10 ← low “0” ... Buffer 211 enable The signal flow due to this is 238 → 219 → 221, 2
38 → 220 → 222, 238 → 228 → 225, 23
8 → 228 → 233 → 237, 238 → (220 + 23
6) → 226 → 225 and 238 → (220 + 236)
→ 226 → 234 → 237.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a system connection configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is a station 100.
Each of 1 to 1004 is configured as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, 1001, 1002, 10
Each of 03 and 1004 is one set of digital copying machine (hereinafter, this one set is called one station).
Each has a different system address. This system address is not the same when connected as a multi-strip system, and it is necessary that there is always "0". Also, the connection order of the system addresses is determined in order to switch the video signals. In this embodiment, the station with the address "0" is placed at the end, and connections are made so that the system address is increased from that station. Each of 1005, 1006, and 1007 is a cable for connecting the multi-strip system, and its content is 10
As shown in FIG. 10, 24 RGB video signal lines,
It includes three video control lines and four serial communication lines.
An interface device 1008 connects these digital copying machines and a general computer device 1009.

Further, FIG. 7 shows a connection form of video signals in the system of this embodiment.

In FIG. 7, 1101, 1102, 11
03 and 1104 are the stations 10 of FIG.
Only the interface part of 01, 1002, 1003, 1004 is extracted. Also, cable 1
Reference numerals 105, 1106, and 1107 include 24 RGB video signal lines and 3 video control lines.

As described above, in this embodiment, the relationship between the contact points (the respective I / F units 1 and 2) with other stations and the system address is "1" for the station having an address lower than itself. The station with a higher address than itself is connected to the contact of "2". Incidentally, if the above relationship is maintained, the system addresses do not necessarily have to be consecutive.

FIG. 8 shows the connection form of the serial communication line in the system of this embodiment.

In FIG. 8, 1201, 1202, 12
Each of 03 is the station 10 of FIG.
Only the interface part of 01, 1002, 1003 is extracted and shown. Signal lines for serial communication are ATN * (1207), SiD (120
6), DACK * (1205), OFFER * (120
4) of 4). ATN * is the master of the heavy chain system
AT is a synchronization signal indicating that data is being transferred from a station (defined as a system address "0").
Data transfer is performed when N * is low level. Stations other than the master station (slave
(Called a station), the ATN * line is always an input. OFFER * becomes low level when the slave station transmits data to the master station, and is always input at the master station. Multiple slave stations are connected by wired-OR. DACK * is a signal indicating that the data reception side has completed data reception, and the stations are connected by wired OR.

Therefore, when there are a plurality of stations on the receiving side, the station having the latest data reception completion is the DAC.
When K * is deactivated, DACK * on the line is deactivated. This synchronizes the data transfer between stations. SiD is bidirectional serial data, ATN * (master → slave), OFF
Data is exchanged in synchronization with ER * (slave → master). The data transfer method is a half-duplex start-stop synchronization method, and its baud rate and data format are preset at system startup. Interface unit (1201, 120
2, 1203), eight signal lines are output to the controller of each station, and TxD /
RxD is ATN for each transmission / reception of serial communication.
0, DACK0, OFFER0 are input I / O ports,
ATNI, DACKi, and OFFERi are connected to output I / O ports, respectively.

FIG. 9 shows a timing chart of each signal during data transmission.

When a multi-spindle system is constructed using the interface having the above-described structure, communication is performed via the above-mentioned serial communication line, and the main commands used at that time are shown in FIG. .

The interface clear command (code "10") is for resetting the parameters related to the multiplex system, and the system address is "0".
Issued after the master station defined in 1) completes initialization of itself and fixes OFFER * to the input.
Each slave station receives this command and A
Fix TN * to input and initialize internal parameters.

Status request command (code "0
3 ”) is a polling command for collecting information such as the status of slaves connected to the tandem system. After the master station issues an interface clear command, it is issued to each slave after a certain period of time. This command includes the request destination address for specifying the slave as a parameter.

Status transfer command (code "0
5 ") is a command for the slave specified by the previous status request command to report its own status to each station in the tandem system. If there is a designation from the master station, The slave station must issue this command within a certain period of time.This command includes its system address, various flags indicating whether or not there is an error, waiting or copying, paper type and paper Includes parameters such as with / without.

If the slave station appointed by the status request command from the master station does not issue the status transfer command even after a certain period of time, the master station determines that the nominated slave station is in the cascade system. Judge that it is not connected.

Print start command (code "0
1 ") specifies which station the image transfer station uses, how to distribute the number of sheets to each station used, etc., and prepares the image reception station for the image reception. This command is for sending the image transfer source address,
The request address, paper size, number of sheets, etc. are included as parameters.

Image transfer end command (code "06")
Is for the image transfer source station to report the end of image transfer to another station.

Next, a procedure for reading a document image placed on the document table of the reader unit 351 of a certain station and outputting it from a plurality of printers will be described first using the multiplex system.

As shown in FIG. 6, four stations A, B, C and D are connected to the multiplex system, and an A4 size document is placed on the document table of the reader unit 351 of the station A. Suppose Then, by operating the operation panel of the reader unit 351 of the station A, the stations A, B, C, and D can be used without any abnormality, and A4 size copy paper is set in each of the stations A, B, C, and D. Check if it has been done.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the type of copy paper set in each station is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 570 on the operation panel of the station A.

Here, since the A4 size (horizontal) copy paper is not set in the station D, when the operator of the station A selects the A4 size copy paper from the scanning panel, the station A excluding the station D is selected. , B, C are automatically selected.

FIG. 12 shows how A4 size sheets are set in each of the stations A, B and C.

Next, a command for setting the number of copies is sent from station A to each station.
Now, when you press the copy start key of station A,
Station A distributes the set number of copies to each station and issues a print start command to all stations.

In this case, this print start command is also issued to the station (station D in this example) that was not selected during the operation of selecting the station to be used. Here, for example, “when a print start command for which the number of copies is“ 0 ”is received, it is determined that the station is not selected” is effective. By doing so, it becomes possible to switch the I / F section so that the image signal reaches the target station even in the station which is not selected. Further, since the print request command includes the start request source address, the print start command is compared with its own address to determine the I / F.
You can determine how to switch between departments.

Upon receiving the print start command, each of the stations B, C, and D sets its own parameters such as the number of copies and the paper size, which are sent together with this command, and sets this command. The video signal is switched based on the system address of the issuer and the system address of the device itself. Then, the control for writing to the image memory of its own is performed by the VIDEO control line (VCLK, HSYNC, VE) of the interface.
To switch to the state of waiting for an image signal.

On the other hand, the station A makes the settings for image reading, and the control signal for writing the image data in its own image memory is the VI of the interface.
The image reading operation is started by switching the output to the DEO control line. Each of the stations B, C, and D uses the control signal output from the station A to write to its image memory. When the image reading operation in the station A is completed, the station A issues an image transfer end command. Each of the stations A and B, C, and D has a VIDEO control line (VCLK,
The main scanning synchronizing signal generated from the BD detection unit and the VE generated in each station are switched to, and the printout operation is started.

If the individual stations cannot perform the printing operation (for example, during beat-up, there is no copy paper, there is no toner, etc.), each station prints as soon as it returns to the operable state. Take action.

By performing the same procedure, even when there is a document on the document table of the reader unit 351 of any of the stations A, B, C, and D, a plurality of stations can be operated by operating the operation panel on that station. Can be used to make a copy. Next, a procedure for outputting the output from the host computer, which is connected to one of the stations connected to the multiplex system as described above, via an external I / F device such as an IPU, using a plurality of stations. Will be explained.

The states of all the stations connected to the cascade system are the external I / F device 1008 (hereinafter,
It is totaled in the host computer 1009 via the IPU). A station that is used according to the state of the cascade system by operating the host computer 1009.
Set the number of copies, paper, etc., and output image to IPU1
Transfer to 008. The IPU 1008 notifies these setting information to the connected station (station A in this case) 1001. Upon receiving this notification, the station 1001 issues a print start command to the other stations used. The station receiving this print start command enters the image signal waiting state by following the same procedure as in the case of outputting the original on the original table.

The station A 1001 to which the IPU 1008 is connected switches the video signal to the modes of “input from IPU 1008” and “output to another station”, and then issues a command to the IPU 1008 to send an image. To do. The VIDEO control signals used for image reading from the IPU 1008 and image writing for the remaining stations are all created using the signals generated by the station 1001 to which the IPU 1008 is connected, thereby controlling the entire system.
Therefore, the image data read from the IPU 1008 is written in the image memory of the station A 1001 and at the same time written in the image memory of another station. After this image writing, the station A 1001 issues an image data transfer end command, and the printout operation is started in each station.

In this case, as in the case described above, the print start command is also issued to the stations that were not selected during the operation of selecting the station to be used. A print start command including the number “0” is sent, which allows the interface unit to be switched even in a station not selected so that the image signal reaches the target station. Also, this print start command includes
Since the start request source address is included, it is possible to determine how to switch the interface unit by comparing it with its own address.

Further, when copying locally (meaning that other stations are not used together) at one station connected in the multiplex system,
If the master station masks an interrupt due to serial communication in the duplicate system, it issues its own status transfer command and status request command to each slave station at regular intervals. On the other hand, in the case of a slave station, it is set to issue only its own status transfer command at regular time intervals. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary interruption processing from occurring during copying, and also to notify other stations of their own status. When the local copy is completed, the interrupt processing by serial communication in the multiplex system is permitted again, and the status request command issued by the master station is returned to the processing for issuing the status transfer command.

In the case where the copy operation is disabled in a station, the copy operation is lost or an unexpected trouble such as a paper jam occurs during the continuous operation in such a system. A description will be given of a case where the station B becomes inoperable for some reason after the completion of the 8th copy in the multiplex operation in which the original is set and 20 sheets are copied to each station.

At the station B, after the copy operation for the twelfth sheet is completed, the station A, which is the master, is notified that "the copy operation has become impossible". As a result, the station A prints the remaining 12 sheets of the station B at the station after the copy processing of "20 sheets" for its own copy is completed, and outputs the printed recording sheets by distinguishing the sorters.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the processing in the master station A of the multiplex system of this embodiment.

First, in step S1, when the number of prints, the paper size, and various print conditions are input from the operation panel or the like, the process proceeds to step S2, where an initialization command is issued to each slave station to send a status to each slave station. To request. As a result, a slave station capable of printing is selected based on the status information sent from each slave station. When the station to be used for printing is determined in this way, the process proceeds to step S3, and a print start command is issued to all connected stations. At this time, the number of prints "0" is sent to the stations not selected in step S2.

Next, in step S4, reading of the original image is started and the read image data is transmitted to the slave station. In step S5, it is determined whether or not an abnormality (error) has occurred in the printing station. If no abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step S6, and it is determined whether or not the transfer of the image data is completed. When the transfer is completed, the printing process is ended. If not, the process returns to step S4 to repeat the above-mentioned operation.

On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in step S5, the process proceeds to step S7, a printable station is searched for, and printing is performed by the newly selected station for the number of sheets that could not be printed at the abnormal station. Thus, in step S8, the image data is transmitted to the newly assigned station for printing, and this processing is executed until all printing is completed in step S9. In addition, also in steps S8 and S9, when an error similar to step S5 occurs and printing cannot be performed, another station is selected in the same manner as in step S7 and subsequent steps.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the processing in the slave station based on the flow chart of FIG.

First, in step S11, initialization is performed by the interface clear command sent from the master station. When a print start command is received from the master station in step S12, the flow advances to step S13 to check whether the number of prints is "0". If it is "0", the print processing in the own machine is not necessary, so the process proceeds to step S23, and the interface mode as described above is set so that the image signal and the control signal are through.

On the other hand, if the number of sheets is not "0" in step S13, the process proceeds to step S14 to wait for the reception of the image signal from the master station, and the printing process is executed in step S15. When an error occurs in step S16, the process proceeds to step S18, the master station is notified, and the process ends. As a result, the processing of the master station is performed from step S5 to step S5 in FIG.
Move to 7.

When the printing of the first allocated portion is completed without any error, the process proceeds from step S17 to step S18. In step S18, for example, when another station becomes incapable of printing and is instructed to perform further printing, the process proceeds to step S20, the newly received number of sheets and print instruction, and further,
Printing is performed according to the allocated image signal. The recording paper thus printed is stored in a bin different from the bin of the sorter in which the previously recorded recording paper was stored. Such an operation is repeatedly executed until printing is completed in step S22.

Incidentally, the exchange of these status signals between the master station and the slave station may be carried out when an abnormal situation occurs, or the slave station periodically transmits them to the master station. Is also good.

Besides this, it is also possible to perform printing (copying) using any of the other slave stations C and D, and to output the sorters separately. Alternatively, all the copyable stations A, C, and D can be used to perform printing (copying) in a divided manner to shorten the entire copying time.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. The present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, among the plurality of connected copying machines, the remaining number of copies in the copying machine that is inoperable is distributed to another copying machine that is operable to perform copying. You can

Further, the number of copies originally assigned to each copying machine and the copy result assigned by another device are
By identifiably outputting, the complicated work for the operator to total the copy results can be omitted.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected, the image data to the image forming apparatus in which image formation is impossible is transmitted to another image forming apparatus. There is an effect that it can be transferred and formed.

Further, according to the present invention, in each image forming apparatus,
The image data that was originally assigned to form an image and the image data that was originally assigned to another image forming apparatus and was sent because that apparatus was unable to form an image can be formed so as to be distinguishable. There is an effect that can be done.

[0099]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reader unit of a copying machine according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a structural cross-sectional view showing the structure of the copying machine of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram mainly showing a configuration of a video bus selector of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a polygon scanner of a printer unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a bus selector in the reader unit of the copying machine of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection form of a tandem system in which a plurality of stations of this embodiment are connected.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection form of video signals in the tandem system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection form of serial communication lines in the tandem system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of each signal during serial communication in the tandem system of this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating commands in the tandem system of this embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example on the operation panel of the reader section of the master station of the tandem system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the reader unit in the master station of the tandem system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing in the master station of this embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing in another station of this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CCD 106 memory unit 128 image area generation unit 130 video bus selector 301 polygon scanner 302 to 305 image forming unit 351 reader unit 352 printer unit 1001 to 1004 station 1009 host computer

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. In an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses for inputting an image signal to form an image are connected, an inoperable image forming apparatus appears during image formation by one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Determination means for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus is inoperable, output means for distributing and outputting the image data of the number of unformed image outputs in the inoperable image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus, and the distributed image forming apparatus Then, an image forming system comprising: an output unit that outputs the instructed image data for the number of output sheets in a distinguishable manner. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit that optically reads a document image and converts the image into an electric signal. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit stores the formed and instructed formed image in another accommodation unit. 4. The image forming apparatus has an encoding means for encoding the image signal read by the image reading means, and a decoding means for decoding the encoded image data to obtain an image signal. The image forming system according to claim 2, which is characterized in that. 5. The image forming apparatus obtains a full-color image output by sequentially transferring the decoded image signals in a plurality of image forming units for each color so as to be superimposed on the medium. The image forming system described. 6. An image forming method for forming an image by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses for inputting an image signal to form an image, wherein the image forming apparatus is inoperable during image formation by any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A new image forming apparatus has appeared, a step of distributing the number of unformed image output sheets in the inoperable image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus, and transmitting the image forming apparatus. And a step of outputting the designated number of output images in an identifiable manner, the image forming method. 7. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus optically reads a document image and converts it into an electric signal. 8. The image forming apparatus obtains a full-color image output by sequentially superposing and transferring the decoded image signals for each color on a medium in a plurality of image forming units. The image forming method described. 9. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein, in the output step, the formed and instructed formed image is stored in another storage unit.