Abstract:
An image forming apparatus connected to an external apparatus, includes a scanner unit to read an image of a document, a printer unit to form an image on the basis of image data read by the scanner unit or image data transmitted from the external apparatus, an input unit to input to operate the scanner unit and the printer unit, a receiving unit to receive an operation request signal of the scanner unit from the external apparatus, a decision unit, when the operation request signal is received by the receiving unit, to decide whether the scanner unit is not used yet and is usable or not, and a reading controller, when it is decided by the decision unit that the scanner unit is not used yet and is usable, on the basis of the operation request signal from the external apparatus, to execute control of enabling the reading operation by the scanner unit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-337352 filed on Nov. 22, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for forming images of a digital multi function peripheral (MFP) to which an external apparatus such as a personal computer is connected.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Conventionally, a digital multi-function peripheral (hereinafter, abbreviated to MFP) having a scanner function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a communication control function is provided.  
         [0006]     In such an MFP, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-319124, an MFP for simultaneously operating the printer function and scanner function, thereby improving the operation efficiency is proposed.  
         [0007]     Further, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-181861, a composite and diffusion system having a reading means, a recording means, a storing means, and a communication control means for controlling composedly the respective means by a control means to execute various functions and controlling diffusively the respective means to execute a plurality of functions at the same time or in real time is proposed.  
         [0008]     Furthermore, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-252556, an MFP, even if a printer unit of a digital MFP is in operation by another image information output device, for performing a document reading operation is proposed.  
         [0009]     However, when executing remote scanning from an external apparatus, even if a scanner resource of the digital MFP is not used yet, if the MFP itself is in use (for example, during printing), before the operation is finished, the remote scanning cannot be started. Namely, when executing the remote scanning from the external apparatus, if the MFP itself is in use, before the operation is finished, the remote scanning cannot be started.  
         [0010]     For example, when the MFP accepts a large amount of print jobs, before all the operations are finished, the remote scanning cannot be started from the external device, thus a problem arises that the MFP cannot be used efficiently.  
         [0011]     As described above, when the MFP accepts a large amount of print jobs, a problem arises that before all the operations are finished, the remote scanning cannot be started from the external device, thus the MFP cannot be used efficiently.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0012]     An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, even if the image forming apparatus having a multi-function is in use, when there is an unused function in the image forming apparatus, for accepting a job of the unused function from the external apparatus and using it efficiently.  
         [0013]     According to the embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus connected to an external apparatus comprising a scanner unit to read an image of a document; a printer unit to form an image on the basis of image data read by the scanner unit or image data transmitted from the external apparatus; an input unit to input to operate the scanner unit and the printer unit; a receiving unit to receive an operation request signal of the scanner unit from the external apparatus; a decision unit, when the operation request signal is received by the receiving unit, to decide whether the scanner unit is not used yet and is usable or not; and a reading controller, when it is decided by the decision unit that the scanner unit is not used yet and is usable, on the basis of the operation request signal from the external apparatus, to execute control of enabling the reading operation by the scanner unit.  
         [0014]     Further, according to the embodiments of the present invention, there is provided An image forming apparatus structured so as to be connected to an external apparatus to execute a scan job and a print job comprising a scanner unit to read an image of a document; a printer unit to form an image on the basis of image data read by the scanner unit or image data transmitted from the external apparatus; a receiving unit to receive an operation request signal from the external apparatus; and a prohibition controller, on the basis of the operation request signal, during execution of the reading operation by the scanner unit, to prohibit acceptance of a new job.  
         [0015]     Further, according to the embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method of an image forming apparatus connected to an external apparatus comprising reading an image of a document by a scanner unit; forming an image by a printer section on the basis of image data read by the scanner unit or image data transmitted from the external apparatus; inputting the image reading and the image forming by an input unit; receiving an operation request signal of the image reading from the external apparatus; deciding whether the scanner unit is not used yet and is usable or not when the operation request signal is received; and executing control of enabling the reading operation by the scanner unit on the basis of the operation request signal from the external apparatus when it is decided that the scanner unit is not used yet and is usable. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the schematic constitution of the MFP relating to the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the control panel installed on the MFP;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a plan view showing the initial display screen as a display example of the liquid crystal display unit;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the constitution of each module for controlling the operation of the digital MFP;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing the operations of the MFP and external apparatus; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a plan view showing the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit of the control panel in the communication connection state between the MFP and the external apparatus; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the operation of the MFP. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic constitution of a digital multi function peripheral (hereinafter, abbreviated to MFP)  3  relating to the present invention.  
         [0025]     The MFP  3  is composed of three CPUs of a main CPU (central processing unit)  31  in a main controller  30 , a scanner CPU  100  of a scanner unit  1 , and a printer CPU  110  of a printer unit  2 .  
         [0026]     The main CPU  31  executes two-way communication with the printer CPU  110  via a common used RAM (random access memory)  35 . The main CPU  31  issues an operation instruction and the printer CPU  110  returns a status. The printer CPU  110  and scanner CPU  100  executes serial communication, and the printer CPU  110  issues an operation instruction, and the scanner CPU  100  returns a status.  
         [0027]     A control panel  40  as an input unit includes a liquid crystal display unit  42  having a touch panel, various operation keys  43 , and a panel CPU  41  to which these parts are connected and the control panel  40  is connected to the main CPU  31 .  
         [0028]     The main controller  30  is composed of the main CPU  31 , a ROM (read only memory)  32 , a RAM  33 , an EVRAM  34 , the common used RAM  35 , an image processing device  36 , a page memory controller  37 , a page memory  38 , and a printer font ROM  121 .  
         [0029]     The main CPU  31  manages overall control. The ROM  32  stores a control program. The RAM  33  temporarily stores data.  
         [0030]     The NVRAM (nonvolatile random access memory: nonvolatile RAM)  34  is a nonvolatile memory backed up by a battery (not drawn) and holds stored data even if the power source is turned off.  
         [0031]     The common used RAM  35  is used to execute two-way communication between the main CPU  31  and the printer CPU  110 .  
         [0032]     The page memory controller  37  stores or reads image information in or from the page memory  38 . The page memory  38  has an area for storing image information of several pages and is formed so as to store data obtained by compressing image information from the scanner unit  1  for each page.  
         [0033]     The printer font ROM  121  stores font data corresponding to print data.  
         [0034]     The scanner unit  1  is composed of the scanner CPU  100  for managing overall control, a ROM  101  for storing a control program, a RAM  102  for storing data, a CCD driver  103  for driving a color image sensor, a scanner motor driver  104  for controlling rotation of a scanning motor, and an image correction unit  105 .  
         [0035]     The printer unit  2  is composed of the printer CPU  110  for managing overall control, a ROM  111  for storing a control program, a RAM  112  for storing data, a laser driver  113  for driving a semiconductor laser oscillator, a polygon motor driver  114  for driving a polygon motor of an exposure device, a conveyor controller  115  for controlling conveyance of sheets of paper by a conveying mechanism, a process controller  116  for controlling the processes of charging, developing, and transferring, a fixing controller  117  for controlling the fixing device, and an option controller  118  for controlling an option. The printer unit  2 , on the basis of image data read by the scanner unit  1  or image data transmitted from an external apparatus  122  which will be described later, forms an image.  
         [0036]     The image processing device  36 , page memory  38 , image correction unit  105 , and laser driver  113  are connected by an image data bus  120 . Furthermore, the image data bus  120  is connected to an external apparatus  122  such as a personal computer.  
         [0037]     The main CPU  31  of the MFP  3  is connected to the external apparatus  122  such as a personal computer.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is an external view of the control panel  40  installed on the MFP  3 . The constitution of the panel surface of the control panel  40  will be explained by referring to  FIG. 2 .  
         [0039]     The control panel  40  is composed of the liquid crystal display unit  42  and operation key unit  43 .  
         [0040]     On the liquid crystal display unit  42 , the condition of the MFP  3 , operation procedure, and various instructions for a user are displayed. Further, the liquid crystal display unit  42  is equipped with a touch panel and the user can execute various instructions for the MFP  3 .  
         [0041]     On the operation key unit  43 , various operation buttons for operating the MFP  3  are installed. As keys for calling a screen for selecting and setting a function, an extension button  43   c , an e-filing button  43   d , a scan button  43   e , a copy button  43   f , and a fax button  43   g  are arranged. In addition, numeral keys  43   h  for set value input and information confirmation are arranged.  
         [0042]     The extension button  43   c  is used when extending the function in the future. The filing box button  43   d  is used when taking out stored image data. The scan button  43   e  is used when using the scan function. The copy button  43   f  is used when using the copy function. The fax button  43   g  is used when using the fax function. The ten-key pad  43   h  is used when inputting numerals.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a drawing showing the initial screen as a display example of the liquid crystal display unit  42 . On the liquid crystal display unit  42 , the function set at that time and function selected at that time and the condition of the MFP  3  are displayed by a message or an illustration.  
         [0044]     On the liquid crystal display unit  42 , a message display area  42   a , an index button area  42   b , and a function setting button area  42   c  are installed.  
         [0045]     In the message display area  42 , together with messages of the machine condition, operation instruction, and precaution, information on the magnification, number of copies, cassette paper size, and date and time are displayed. As shown in  FIG. 3 , as an initial screen, in the message display area  42   a , a message of “Ready for Copy” is displayed.  
         [0046]     In the index button area  42   b , an index button for switching a menu is provided. The kind and number of index buttons depend on the functions of copy, scan, and fax. The function setting button area  42   c  is an area for selecting and setting various functions.  
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a drawing showing the constitution of each module provided in the main CPU  31  for controlling the operation of the MFP  3 .  
         [0048]     The MFP  3  includes a job management module  50 , an external connecting state management module  51 , a network control module  52 , a control panel controller module  53 , and an engine state management module  54 .  
         [0049]     The job management module  50  manages an operation of a job executed by the MFP  3 . The external connecting state management module  51  manages whether the connection of the external apparatus  122  with the control panel  40  is normal or not. The network control module  52  is an interface for controlling transfer of information of an operation request signal and a response signal between the external apparatus  122  and the MFP  3  and functions as a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The control panel controller module  53  receives operation and instruction information and controls the operation of the control panel  40  for displaying a message. The engine state management module  54  manages the operation states of the scanner unit  1  and printer unit  2 .  
         [0050]     Next, an operation example of the MFP  3  in such a constitution will be explained by referring to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0051]     Firstly, when the main CPU  31  of the MFP  3  receives the operation request signal from the external apparatus  122  (ST 1 ), the engine state management module  54  decides whether there is an unused function (for example, the printer unit  2  is during the printing operation and the scanner unit  1  is not used) in the MFP  3  or not (ST 2 ).  
         [0052]     When there is an unused function found at Step ST 2  (for example, the scanner unit  1 ), the main CPU  31  receives a remote scan request signal as a request operation from the external apparatus  122  (ST 3 ).  
         [0053]     The main CPU  31 , upon receipt of the remote scan request signal, decides whether the scanner unit  1  of the MFP  3  is not used but is usable or not (ST 4 ).  
         [0054]     When there is no unused function found at Step ST 2  or when it is decided at Step ST 4  that the scanner unit  1  is in use or is unusable, the main CPU  31  returns a communication non-connection response for the remote scan request from the external apparatus  122  (ST 5 ). Namely, the main CPU 31  transmits a response of operation request refusal to the external apparatus  122 .  
         [0055]     When it is decided at Step ST 4  that the scanner unit  1  is not used and is usable, the main CPU  31  instructs the panel CPU  41  not to accept the scanner operation from the liquid crystal display unit  42  or the operation keys  43  of the control panel  40 . Namely, the panel CPU  41  controls the liquid crystal display unit  42 , changes the initial screen display shown in  FIG. 3 , and then as shown in  FIG. 6 , displays “Remote Connecting” in the message display area  42   a  to inform the user of that it is in the communication state with the external apparatus  122  (ST 6 ). Therefore, in this state, the user cannot execute operation input from the control panel  40  and does not accept input for operating the printer unit  2 . Further, to prevent the user from accepting the scanner operation from the liquid crystal display unit  42  or the operation keys  43 , it is possible to set the liquid crystal display unit  42  in a non-display state not to display anything.  
         [0056]     Then, the main CPU  31  returns a communication connection response to the external apparatus  122  (ST 7 ). The external apparatus  122  receiving the communication connection response can execute remote scanning for the MFP  3  and executes remote scanning by use of the scanner CPU  100 . The operation contents include, for example, changing of various parameters of the scan job and instruction of operation start. At Step ST 8 , in correspondence to the operation by the external apparatus  122 , operation instructions  1 , - - - , and n are transmitted to the MFP  3 . In the MFP  3 , the jobs corresponding to the transmitted operation instructions  1 , - - - , and n are executed.  
         [0057]     During the execution of this remote scan, an operation request for new remote scan execution may be received from the external apparatus  122 . In this case, for the new request, the MFP  3  returns a response of refusal of connection to the external apparatus  122  and at this point of time, the job is finished. During the execution of remote scan like this, the generation of a new job from the control panel  40  is prohibited and acceptance of a new job from the external apparatus is refused. Such a job acceptance prohibition control operation is performed even when the engine unit of the MFP  3  is not in operation.  
         [0058]     Further, at Step ST 8 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , it is possible to display “Remote Connecting” to inform the user of that the panel CPU  41  is in the communication state with the external apparatus  122  and simultaneously display a cancel key  42   d  in the function setting button area  42   c . The cancel key  42   d  is a key to cancel the communication connection state. The user, by operating the cancel key  42   d , can operate the MFP  3  from the control panel  40 .  
         [0059]     During execution of remote scan, in the MFP  3 , for example, when the engine state management module  54  detects an occurrence of an illegible error in the scanner unit  1  (ST 9 ), the liquid crystal display unit  42  displaying “Remote Connecting” is returned to the initial screen display shown in  FIG. 3  under the control of the panel CPU  41  (ST 14 ). As shown in detail in  FIG. 7 , time of X seconds is preset (ST 21 ) to automatically clear the display of the control panel  40 . For example, X=60 seconds. The main CPU  31  judges whether the non-operation time of X seconds for not operating the control panel  40  elapses after the occurrence of an error or not (ST 22 ). When the non-operation time of X seconds elapses, the main CPU  31  further judges whether the panel is occupied by the remote scan or not (ST 23 ). If it is occupied, the main CPU  31  controls the panel CPU  41  so as to cancel the panel occupation condition (ST 24 ).  
         [0060]     Even if the MFP  3  receives a stop signal indicating stop of the remote scan as an operation instruction from the external apparatus  122  (ST 10 ), the liquid crystal display unit  42  displaying “Remote Connecting” is returned to the initial screen display shown in  FIG. 3  under the control of the panel CPU  41  (ST 14 ).  
         [0061]     Even if an error occurs in the external apparatus  122  (ST 11 ), the liquid crystal display unit  42  displaying “Remote Connecting” is returned to the initial screen display shown in  FIG. 3  under the control of the panel CPU  41  (ST 14 ). Whether an error occurs in the external apparatus  122  or not is judged by detecting by the external connecting state management module  51  that an operation instruction signal from the external apparatus  122  is not transmitted for a predetermined period of time. When an error occurs in the external apparatus  122 , the display of the liquid crystal display unit  42  is changed to the initial screen display by the control panel controller module  53  of the main unit. Namely, the liquid crystal display unit  42  is returned to the initial screen display shown in  FIG. 3  under the control of the panel CPU  41 .  
         [0062]     The main CPU  31  decides whether the job of remote scan from the external apparatus  122  is finished or not (ST 12 ). The main CPU  31 , when it is decided at Step ST 12  that the job is finished, transmits a notification indicating communication connection cancel to the external apparatus  122  via the network control module  52  (ST 13 ). Simultaneously, the main CPU  31  returns the screen to the initial screen as shown in  FIG. 3  so as to accept the scanner operation from the control panel  40  (ST 14 ).  
         [0063]     As explained above, according to the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, even if the MFP is in the printing operation, when the scanner resource of the MFP is not used, it can accept remote scan from the external apparatus, thus the MFP can be used more efficiently.  
         [0064]     Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments aforementioned and at the execution stage, within a range which is not deviated from the objects thereof, can be modified variously. Further, the respective embodiments may be combined and executed properly as much as possible and in such a case, good combination results can be obtained. Furthermore, the embodiments aforementioned include inventions at various stages and by proper combination of a plurality of disclosed constituent conditions, various inventions can be extracted.