JPH1146273A - Image forming method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In an electronic sort copy job, while a document image is being stored in a memory such as a hard disk (HD), even if the memory becomes full, the remaining document image that could not be stored is transferred to a copier. Provided is an image forming method and apparatus which can be connected and can be stored in another device such as an MO. SOLUTION: HD (hard disk) 304 of the copying machine
b while writing the original image on the HD 304b
Is full of memory (memory full), the remaining original image that could not be stored in the HD 304b is stored in the MO (magneto-optical disk) of the external device 311 connected to this copying machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus for processing a document image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image is read out of an image of all originals to be copied, the image data is temporarily stored in a memory such as a hard disk, and image data of an arbitrary original is repeatedly read out from the memory and printed out. 2. Description of the Related Art Digital copying machines having a sorting function are known. Accordingly, it is possible to discharge the copy sheets in a sorted state without having a sorter device having a plurality of sort bins.

However, the storage capacity of a memory such as a hard disk for storing image data is limited, and the number of documents that can be stored is limited in advance. For example, if the memory is 100 sheets of A4 size and the document bundle is 102 sheets of A4 size, 100 sheets of original can be stored in the memory, but 2 sheets of original cannot be stored. I will.

On the other hand, conventionally, a SCSI (small computer system interface) is connected from a host computer to a copying machine, and an image scanned by the copying machine is sent to
A SCSI scanner function of a copying machine designed to transfer the data to the host computer via a CSI line is known. This is the SCSI from the host computer.
According to the command, the original image on the platen glass of the copying machine is scanned and developed once in the memory of the copying machine. Thereafter, the image is DMA-transferred (direct memory access) to the host computer by the SCSI command. The host computer stores the received image on a hard disk (HD) in the host computer or displays the received image on a display.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional example, if a memory full condition occurs in which the storage capacity becomes full while an image is being stored in the memory, the copy job is conventionally executed. You have to do electronic sort only for the originals that you canceled or memorized,
The user could not execute the desired electronic sort copy job.

[0006] Also, original images to be electronically sorted have not been transferred to a host computer that is SCSI-connected to a copying machine or another SCSI device such as an MO disk (magneto-optical disk).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the conventional technology, and has as its object to store an original image in a memory such as a hard disk (HD) in an electronic sort copy job. While remembering
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming method and apparatus capable of storing the remaining document image that could not be stored even when the memory becomes full, in another device such as an MO which can be connected to a copying machine, for example, an MO. .

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method comprising: a first storage step of storing a document image in a first memory; and a first storage step. A first image forming step of reading a document image stored in the first memory to form an image, a connecting step of connecting the first memory to an external device by connecting means, and a connecting step of connecting by the connecting step. A second storage step of storing a document image in a second memory of the external device,
A second image forming step of reading an original image stored in the second memory and forming an image by the storing step; and storing the original image in the first memory by the first storing step. When the storage capacity is full, the second
A first control step of controlling to store the remaining document image that has not been completely stored in the first memory by the storage step, and the first and second control steps by the first control step.
A second control step of selectively reading out an original image stored in the memory of the first and second image forming steps by the first image forming step and the second image forming step so as to form an image. I do.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the first control step has a storage capacity full while the original image is being stored in the first memory by the first storing step. , The copy job is temporarily interrupted and the copy job is canceled, the copy job is continued with respect to the original image stored in the first memory, or the first memory is stored in the second memory. The remaining document images that could not be stored in the first memory in the storing step are stored, and control is performed so that the user can select whether to continue the copy job.

[0010] Further, in order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the first control step is such that the storage capacity is full while the original image is being stored in the first memory by the first storage means. The copy job is temporarily interrupted, and the copy job is automatically restarted when the second storage means is ready to store the original image in the second memory. Is controlled.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fourth aspect.
The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is a SCSI (small computer system interface) connection unit.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a semiconductor device comprising:
An image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the first memory is a hard disk.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, a sixth aspect of the present invention is provided.
An image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the first memory is a random access memory (RAM).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
An image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the first memory is a magneto-optical disk.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
An image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the second memory is a hard disk.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
In the image forming method described in the first aspect, the second memory is a RAM (random access memory).

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
0. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the second memory is a magneto-optical disk.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the first aspect, the external device is a computer.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the first aspect, the external device is a magneto-optical disk drive.

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first storage unit stores a document image, the first image forming unit reads a document image stored in the first storage unit and forms an image, and Connection means for connecting the storage means to an external device; second storage means for the external device connected by the connection means; and a second means for reading a document image stored in the second storage means and forming an image. Image forming means, and when the original image is stored in the first storage means, when the storage capacity of the original image is full, the remaining storage in the second storage means which could not be completely stored in the first storage means. A first control unit for controlling to store an original image, and an original image stored in each of the storage units by the first control unit, by the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit. Selectively read out and form an image Characterized by comprising a second control means for controlled so.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when the first storage means is full of storage while the original image is being stored in the first storage means, Whether the copy job is temporarily interrupted and the copy job is canceled, or the copy job is continued with respect to the document image stored in the first storage means, the second storage means, the first storage means The remaining document images that could not be stored are stored, and control is performed so that the user can select whether to continue the copy job.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first control unit is configured to store the original image in the first storage unit when the storage capacity of the original image is full. When the copy job is temporarily suspended and the document image can be stored in the second storage means, control is performed so that the copy job is automatically restarted.

[0023] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the connection unit is a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) connection unit.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the first memory is a hard disk.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect is provided.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, the first memory is a RAM (random access memory).

[0026] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is provided.
An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the first memory is a magneto-optical disk.

[0027] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to claim 2.
0. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second memory is a hard disk.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, the second memory is a RAM (random access memory).

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the second memory is a magneto-optical disk.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the external device is a host computer.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the external device is a magneto-optical disk drive.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises:
It is a copying machine having an electronic sorting function.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which 100 is a copying machine main body, and 180 is a circulating automatic document feeder (RDF).
It is. 101 is a platen glass as a document placing table,
A scanner 102 includes a document illumination lamp 103 and scanning mirrors 104, 105, and 106. And
The scanner 102 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light of the original is scanned by scanning mirrors 104 to 106.
Through the lens 108 to form an image on the CCD image sensor 109.

An exposure control unit 107 includes a laser, a polygon scanner, and the like.
The laser light emitting unit 12 is converted into an electric signal at 9 and modulated based on an image signal subjected to predetermined image processing described later.
The photosensitive drum 110 is irradiated with a laser beam 129 from 0. Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 11
2, a developing device 121, a transfer charger 118, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided.

In the image forming section 126, the photosensitive drum 110 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a motor (not shown), and is charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112. Is irradiated, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is developed by the developing device 121 and is visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the copying machine main body 100 by the feed rollers 135 and 136, and is transferred to the transfer belt 130 by the registration rollers 137. The fed and visualized toner image is transferred to transfer paper by the transfer charger 118. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 110 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning device 116, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 114.

The transfer paper after the transfer is separated from the transfer belt 130, the toner image is recharged by pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, sent to a fixing device 141, and fixed by pressurizing and heating. Is discharged to the outside of the copying machine main body 100.

Reference numeral 119 denotes an attraction charger, which is a registration roller 1
The transfer paper sent from the printer 37 is attracted and charged to the transfer belt 130. Reference numerals 130a and 130b denote transfer belt rollers which are used to rotate the transfer belt 130 and, at the same time, make a pair with the suction charger 119 to suction-charge the transfer paper to the transfer belt 130.

The copying machine main body 100 is equipped with a deck 150 capable of storing, for example, 4000 transfer sheets.
The lifter 151 of the deck 150 includes a paper feed roller 152
Is increased according to the amount of the transfer sheet so that the transfer sheet always contacts the sheet. Further, a multi-bypass tray 153 capable of accommodating 100 transfer sheets is provided.

Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 154 denotes a paper discharge flapper for switching the path between the double-side recording side or the multiple recording side and the paper discharge side. Then, the transfer paper sent from the paper discharge roller 142 is switched to the double-sided recording side or the multiple recording side by the paper discharge flapper 154. Also, 1
Reference numeral 58 denotes a lower transport path, which guides the transfer paper sent from the paper discharge roller 142 to the re-feed tray 156 by turning the transfer paper upside down via the reversing path 155. Reference numeral 157 denotes a multiplex flapper that switches the path between the double-sided recording side and the multiplexed recording side. By inverting the path to the left, the transfer paper is led directly to the lower transport path 158 without passing through the reversing path 155. 159
Reference numeral denotes a paper feed roller, which feeds the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 110 through the transport path 160.

Reference numeral 161 denotes a discharge roller disposed near the discharge flapper 154, which discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the discharge flapper 154 to the outside of the copying machine main body 100. At the time of double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiple recording (multiplexed copying), the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, and the copied transfer paper is re-fed upside down via the reversing path 155 and the lower transport path 158. Tray 156
To be stored. At this time, at the time of double-sided printing, the multiplex flapper 157 is tilted to the right, and at the time of multiplex printing, the transfer paper stored in the re-feeding tray 156 is moved one by one from the bottom along the transport path 160 by the feeding roller 159. Through the registration roller 137 of the copying machine main body 100.

When the transfer paper is inverted and discharged from the copying machine main body 100, the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward,
The multi-flapper 157 is tilted rightward to convey the copied transfer paper to the reversing path 155, and after the rear end of the transfer paper has passed the first feed roller 162, the second feed roller is driven by the reverse roller 163. The transfer paper is conveyed to the side 162 a, and the transfer paper is turned over by the discharge roller 161 and discharged outside the copying machine main body 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG.
Denotes an image reading unit, which includes a CCD image sensor 109, an analog signal processing unit 202, and the like.
The document image formed on the CCD image sensor 109 via the CCD is converted into an analog electric signal by the CCD image sensor 109. The image information converted into the electric signal is input to the analog signal processing unit 202, and the sample &
After the hold and the dark level are corrected, analog / digital conversion (A / D conversion) is performed. The digitalized signal is input to the electronic sorter unit 203 after shading correction (variation of a sensor that reads a document and correction of the light distribution characteristics of the document illumination lamp 103) and scaling processing.

The electronic sorter section 203 performs necessary correction processing in an output system such as γ correction, smoothing processing, edge processing, processing, and the like, and outputs the result to the printer section 204.

The printer unit 204 includes the exposure control unit 1 shown in FIG.
20, an image forming unit 126, a transfer sheet transport control unit, and the like, and records an image on the transfer sheet according to an input image signal.

The CPU circuit unit 205 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 206, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 207, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 208
The image reading unit 201, the electronic sorter unit 2
3 and the printer unit 204 to control the sequence of the copying machine in a comprehensive manner.

The PDL processing unit 209 develops PDL (page description language) input from an external host computer into a bitmap image, and inputs the bitmap image to the electronic sorter unit 203 as image data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the electronic sorter unit 203. 2, the image sent from the image reading unit 201 in FIG. 2 is input as black luminance data and sent to the log conversion unit 301. lo
The g conversion unit 301 stores an LUT (look-up table) for converting the input luminance data into density data, and outputs a table value corresponding to the input data to convert the luminance data into density data. Convert to data.

Thereafter, the density data is sent to the binarizing section 302. The binarization unit 302 binarizes the multi-valued density data, and the density value becomes “0” or “225”. The binarized 8-bit image data is converted into 1-bit image data of "0" or "1", and the amount of image data stored in the memory is reduced.

However, when the image is binarized, the number of gradations of the image is changed from 256 to two. Therefore, image data having a large number of halftones such as a photographic image is generally degraded by binarization. Is remarkable. Therefore, it is necessary to perform pseudo halftone expression using binary data. Here, an error diffusion method is used as a method of simulating halftone expression using binary data. According to this method, when the density of a certain image is larger than a certain threshold, it is determined that the density data is “255”, and when the density is less than a certain threshold, the density data is “0”. In this method, the difference between the actual density data and the binarized data is distributed to surrounding pixels as an error signal. The distribution of the error is performed by multiplying a weight coefficient on a matrix prepared in advance by the error generated by the binarization, and adding the result to surrounding pixels. As a result, the average density value of the entire image is stored, and the halftone can be represented in a pseudo binary manner.

The binarized image data is supplied to the control unit 303.
Sent to Further, the bitmap image data obtained by expanding the PDL from the host computer input from the PDL processing unit 209 is sent to the control unit 303 as it is because the PDL processing unit 209 has processed it as binary image data.

In the control unit 303, in response to a command from the copier main body 100 via the copier communication unit 312, a document read from the circulating automatic document feeder 180 or a PDL from the remote host via the PDL processing unit 209. The developed bitmap image is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 304, or image data is sequentially read from the image storage unit 304 and output.

The image storage unit 304 has an HD SCSI controller 304a and a hard disk (memory) 304b, and writes image data to the hard disk 304b in accordance with a command from the HD SCSI controller 304a. The plurality of image data stored on the hard disk 304b are printed in an order according to the editing mode specified by the operation unit of the copying machine. For example, when a PDL image sent from the first page is printed in reverse order and electronically sorted, bitmap images of PDL of all pages sent from the host computer are temporarily stored in the hard disk 3.
After storing the image in the page 04b, the images are read from the hard disk 304b in order from the last page to the first page, and printed face-up. This is repeated for the number of copies requested by the host computer, thereby realizing electronic sorting.

The image data called from the image storage unit 304 and the image data not stored in the image storage unit 304 are sent to the smoothing unit 305. The smoothing unit 305 first converts 1-bit data into 8-bit data, and sets the image data signal to a state of “0” or “255”.

The converted image data is replaced with a weighted average value obtained by summing the values obtained by multiplying the coefficients on the predetermined matrix by the density values of the neighboring pixels. As a result, the binary data is converted into multivalued data according to the density value of the neighboring pixel, and an image quality closer to the read image can be reproduced. The smoothed image data is input to the gamma correction unit 306. When outputting the density data, the γ correction unit 306 performs conversion using an LUT in consideration of the characteristics of the printer, and adjusts the output according to the density value set by the operation unit.

The external SCSI controller 310 is a controller for performing SCSI communication with the external device 311. For example, if the copier is a scan device and the external device is a personal computer (personal computer),
The personal computer becomes the initiator and the copier becomes the target. In this case, the electronic theta 203 is transmitted from the personal computer 311.
When an instruction is issued to the external SCSI controller 310 to scan the original on the platen glass 101, the electronic theta 203 transmits the instruction to the copier via the copier communication unit 312 to perform the scanning operation. Let it. The image scanned by this scanning operation is transmitted to the personal computer as the external device 311 via the log conversion unit 301, the binarization unit 302 and the control unit 303, and also through the external SCSI controller 310 as described above.
MA transfer is performed.

If the external device 311 is a magneto-optical disk (MO) drive, the MO is the target,
The copying machine serves as an initiator. For example, an image read from the scanner 102 of the copying machine is input to the MO set in the MO drive of the external device 311 by the operation of the operation unit of the copying machine, and the log conversion unit 301, the binarization unit 302, and the control unit 303 are provided. And through the external SCSI controller 310 and stored in the MO which is the external device 311, the image stored in the MO as described above is transmitted to the control unit 303 via the external SCSI controller 310. Printing can also be performed through the smoothing unit 305 and the γ correction unit 306.

Next, the control procedure of the copying machine, which is the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6 are executed by the CPU 206 according to the program stored in the ROM 207 shown in FIG.

First, the processing of FIG. 4 will be described. In step S401, a document is set on the circulating automatic document feeder 180, the number of copies to be electronically sorted is input from the operation unit of the copying machine, it is determined whether the copy start key of the operation unit is pressed, and the copy start key is determined. Wait until is pressed. When the copy start key is pressed, one of the documents set in the circulating automatic document feeder 180 is pulled onto the platen glass 101 in step S402, and the document is scanned by the scanner 102. Next, in step S403, the document image scanned in step S402 is
The data is stored in the HD 304b via the value conversion unit 302, the control unit 303, and the HD SCSI controller 304a.

Next, in step S404, the HD 304
It is determined whether or not b has become full of storage capacity (memory full). If the storage capacity is not full, step S40
5, and if the storage capacity is full, the process proceeds to step S406.

In step S405, all the originals set in the circulating automatic original feeder 180 are scanned, and it is determined whether or not the original images are stored in the HD 304b. Then, the original images of all the originals are
If not stored in step S401, the process returns to step S401, and the process of storing the document image in the HD 304b is repeated. If the original images of all the originals have been stored in the HD 304b, the process proceeds to the print processing of FIG. 6 described later.

In step S406, the HD 304
When the storage capacity becomes full, the user is inquired on the display of the operation unit whether or not to cancel the job. When the user performs a key input for canceling the job from the operation unit, the processing operation ends without performing any processing. In step S406, if the user inputs a key from the operation unit not to cancel the job, the external device 311 stores the remaining documents that the user could not store in the HD 304b in step S407. The information is stored in a means (memory), for example, an MO (magneto-optical disk), and the user is inquired on the display of the operation unit whether or not to continue the electronic sorting. Then, when the user performs a key input to store the remaining originals in the MO using the operation unit and continue the electronic sorting, the process proceeds to an MO storage process in FIG. 5 described later. If the user inputs a key not to store the remaining documents in the MO and continue the electronic sorting with the operation unit, the HD 30
The processing shifts to the print processing of FIG. 6 described later so that only the document stored in the area 4b is repeatedly printed and electronically sorted.

Next, the MO storage processing of FIG. 5 will be described. First, in step S501, it is determined whether an MO is set in the MO disk drive, which is the external device 311 in FIG. 3, and the process waits until the MO is set. When the MO is set, one of the remaining documents set in the circulating automatic document feeder 180 is pulled onto the platen glass 101 in step S502.
The original is scanned by the scanner 102. Next, in step S503, the original image scanned in step S502 is converted to a log conversion unit 301 and a binarization unit 3 shown in FIG.
02, control unit 303 and external SCSI controller 3
The data is stored in the MO of the MO disk drive that is the external device 311 via the external device 3.

Next, in step S504, it is determined whether or not the MO has become full of storage capacity (memory full). If the storage capacity is not full, the process proceeds to step S505, and if the storage capacity is full, the process proceeds to step S506.

In step S505, it is determined whether or not the scanning has been completed for all the originals set in the circulating automatic original feeder 180. If the scanning has not been completed for all the documents set in the circulating automatic document feeder 180, the process proceeds to step S502.
When the processing is completed, the processing shifts to the printing processing of FIG. 6 described later.

In step S506, when the storage capacity of the MO is full, the user is inquired on the display of the operation unit whether or not to cancel the job. When the user performs a key input for canceling the job from the operation unit, the processing operation ends without performing any processing. In step S506, if the user inputs a key not to cancel the job from the operation unit, the process proceeds to the printing process of FIG.
For the originals stored in the D304b and the MO, electronic sorting is performed for the required number of copies.

Next, the printing process of FIG. 5 will be described. This printing process is a process of reading and printing the document stored in the HD 304b or MO arbitrarily a required number of times and performing electronic sorting.

First, it is determined whether or not the storage location of the original read in step S601 is the HD 304b. If the storage destination of the read document is the HD 304b, the image of the document read from the HD 304b in step S602 is transmitted to the HD SCSI controller 304a, the control unit 303, the smoothing unit 305, and the γ correction unit 306 in FIG. After printing, the process proceeds to step S603. The storage location of the original read in step S601 is HD
If it is MO instead of 304b, step S605
The image of the original read out from the MO at
SI controller 310, control unit 303, smoothing unit 30
5. After printing via the γ correction unit 306, the process proceeds to step S603.

In step S603, it is determined whether all the originals stored in the HD 304b or MO have been read. If all of the originals have not been read, the process returns to step S601 to repeat the above processing. If all the originals have been read, step S
In step 604, it is determined whether all necessary copies have been printed. If all the required copies have not been printed, the process returns to step S601 to repeat the above-described processing. If all the required copies have been printed, this processing operation ends.

[0071]

As described in detail above, according to the image forming method and apparatus of the present invention, when an original image is written in the first memory of the image forming apparatus in the electronic sort copy job, the first When the memory becomes full (memory full), the remaining document images that could not be stored in the first memory are stored in the second memory of the external device connected to the document forming apparatus. Thereby, there is an effect that the memory full can be avoided. In addition, since the original images stored in the first memory and the second memory can be selectively read and a job such as an electronic sort can be performed, a copy job desired by the user can be reliably realized. To play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic sorter unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a processing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a processing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a processing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Image forming apparatus main body (copier main body) 101 Platen glass 102 Scanner 103 Original illumination lamp 104 Scanning mirror 105 Scanning mirror 106 Scanning mirror 107 Exposure control unit 108 Lens 109 CCD image sensor 110 Photosensitive drum 112 Primary charger 114 Pre-exposure lamp 116 Cleaning device 118 Transfer charger 119 Adsorption charger 120 Laser light emitting unit 121 Developing unit 126 Image forming unit 129 Laser light 130 Transfer belt 131 Upper cassette 132 Lower cassette 133 Pickup roller 134 Pickup roller 135 Feed roller 136 Feed roller 137 Resist Roller 139 Charger before fixing 140 Charger before fixing 141 Fixing device 142 Discharge roller 150 Deck 151 Lifter 153 Multi manual feed 15 4 Discharge flapper 155 Reverse path 156 Refeed tray 157 Multiple flapper 158 Lower transport path 159 Feed roller 160 Transport path 161 Discharge roller 162 First feed roller 162a Second feed roller 163 Reverse roller 201 Image reading unit 202 Analog Signal processing unit 203 Electronic sorter unit 204 Printer unit 205 CPU circuit unit 206 CPU (Central processing unit) 207 ROM (Read only memory) 208 RAM (Random access memory) 209 PDL processing unit 301 Log conversion unit 302 Binarization unit 303 Control unit 304 Image storage unit 304a HD SCSI controller 304b HD (hard disk) 305 Smoothing unit 306 γ correction unit 310 External SCSI controller 311 External device 312 Copy machine communication unit

Claims (25)

[Claims] A first memory for storing an original image in a first memory;
A first image forming step of reading a document image stored in the first memory by the first storing step to form an image, and connecting the first memory to an external device by a connecting means. A connection step of connecting, a second storage step of storing a document image in a second memory of an external device connected by the connection step, and a document stored in the second memory by the second storage step A second image forming step of reading an image and forming an image, and a second storing step when the original image is stored in the first memory by the first storing step and the storage capacity is full. A first control step of controlling to store the remaining document image that has not been completely stored in the first memory, and a document image stored in the first and second memories by the first control step. The first An image-forming method, comprising by comprising selectively read out by said image forming step the second image forming step and a second control step of controlling so as to image formation. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first control step temporarily suspends a copy job when a storage capacity of the original image is stored in the first memory during the first storage step. Either cancel the copy job, continue the copy job for the original image stored in the first memory, or fail to store in the second memory in the first memory by the first storage step. 2. A control method according to claim 1, wherein the remaining original images are stored and the user is allowed to select whether to continue the copy job.
The image forming method as described in the above. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first control step includes: suspending a copy job when the storage capacity of the original image is full while the original image is being stored in the first memory by the first storage means; 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein when the original image is stored in the second memory by the second storage unit, a copy job is automatically restarted. Image forming method. 4. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein said connection unit is a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) connection unit. 5. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the first memory is a hard disk. 6. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the first memory is a RAM (random access memory). 7. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein said first memory is a magneto-optical disk. 8. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the second memory is a hard disk. 9. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein said second memory is a random access memory (RAM). 10. An image forming method according to claim 1, wherein said second memory is a magneto-optical disk. 11. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a computer. 12. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a magneto-optical disk drive. 13. A first storage device for storing a document image, a first image forming device for reading a document image stored in the first storage device and forming an image, and the first storage device. Connecting means for connecting to an external device, second storage means for the external device connected by the connecting means, and second image formation for reading a document image stored in the second storage means and forming an image Means for storing the remaining original images which could not be completely stored in the first storage means when the storage capacity of the original image was full while the original images were being stored in the first storage means. A first control unit for controlling to store, and a document image stored in each of the storage units by the first control unit, selectively by the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit. Control to read and form image An image forming apparatus, comprising: 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit temporarily suspends a copy job and cancels the copy job when the storage capacity of the first storage unit is full while the original image is being stored. Continuing the copy job for the document image stored in the first storage means, or storing the remaining document image which could not be stored in the first storage means in the second storage means, 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein control is performed such that the user can select whether to continue the copy job. 15. The first control means, when the storage capacity of the original image is full while the original image is being stored in the first storage means, temporarily suspends a copy job, and executes the second storage means. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when the document image is ready to be stored, the copy job is automatically restarted. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said connection unit is a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) connection unit. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first memory is a hard disk. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first memory is a random access memory (RAM). 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first memory is a magneto-optical disk. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said second memory is a hard disk. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said second memory is a RAM (random access memory). 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said second memory is a magneto-optical disk. 23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said external device is a computer. 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said external device is a magneto-optical disk drive. 25. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said image forming apparatus is a copying machine having an electronic sorting function.
25. The image forming apparatus according to 3 or 24.