Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6400465?dq=6446111
Timestamp: 2016-02-12 02:16:54
Document Index: 340393204

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'arts 71', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'arts 71', 'art 70', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 70', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 71', 'art 72', 'arts 71', 'art 72', 'art 70', 'art 72', 'Application No. 08', 'Application No. 08', 'Application No. 08', 'Application No. 08']

Patent US6400465 - Shared memory image forming system - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsAn image forming system, wherein a second digital copying machine stores image data temporarily on behalf of a first digital copying machine at its request and returns the stored image data upon receipt of a return request. When the second digital copying machine has not received any return request from...http://www.google.com/patents/US6400465?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6400465 - Shared memory image forming systemAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6400465 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/523,810Publication dateJun 4, 2002Filing dateMar 13, 2000Priority dateFeb 23, 1996Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS6067168, US6141112Publication number09523810, 523810, US 6400465 B1, US 6400465B1, US-B1-6400465, US6400465 B1, US6400465B1InventorsHidetomo Nishiyama, Yasuhiro Nakai, Syoichiro YoshiuraOriginal AssigneeSharp Kabushiki KaishaExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (19), Non-Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (13), Classifications (15), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetShared memory image forming system
US 6400465 B1Abstract
What is claimed is: 1. An image forming system comprising a first image forming apparatus, a second image forming apparatus, and a transmitting apparatus for connecting said first and second image forming apparatuses for mutual image data transmission,
(1) said first image forming apparatus includes: a recording section for forming a visible image based on image data; a command input section for inputting an action command; and a control section for transferring said image data from said first image forming apparatus to said second image forming apparatus through said transmitting apparatus at a command, inputted through said command input section, to issue a store request to said second image forming apparatus to store said image data on behalf of said first image forming apparatus, and (2) said second image forming apparatus includes: a storage section for storing image data; an erasing section for erasing only said stored image data and information related to said stored image data in said storage section; and a control section for storing said transferred image data from said first image forming apparatus into said storage section, and for performing, based on a return request issued by said first image forming apparatus, the operations of returning said stored image data to said first image forming apparatus through said transmitting apparatus without processing said image data, and controlling erasing operations of said erasing section. 2. An image forming system comprising a first image forming apparatus, a second image forming apparatus, and a transmitting apparatus for connecting said first and second image forming apparatuses for mutual image data transmission,
(1) said first image forming apparatus includes: a recording section for forming a visible image based on image data; a command input section for inputting an action command; and a control section for transferring said image data from said first image forming apparatus to said second image forming apparatus through said transmitting apparatus at a command, inputted through said command input section, to issue a store request to said second image forming apparatus to store said image data on behalf of said first image forming apparatus, and (2) said second image forming apparatus includes: a storage section for storing image data; an erasing section for erasing only said stored image data and information related to said stored image data in said storage section; a condition confirming section for confirming an operating condition of said first image forming apparatus; and a control section for storing said transferred image data from said first image forming apparatus into said storage section, and for performing, based on a return request issued by said first image forming apparatus, the operations of returning said stored image data to said first image forming apparatus through said transmitting apparatus without processing said image data, and controlling erasing operations of said erasing section based on the operating condition of said first image forming apparatus confirmed by said condition confirming section. 3. The image forming system as defined in claim 2, wherein:
said condition confirming section has an indicating section for indicating the operating condition of said first image forming apparatus; and said erasing section erases said stored image data when a command to erase said stored image data is inputted through said input section. 4. The image forming system as defined in claim 2, wherein said second image forming apparatus further includes:
a reset section for erasing a content of said storage section in response to a reset signal; an inhibiting section for inhibiting said reset section from erasing said stored image data in said storage section.
This is a Divisional Application of Ser. No. 08/779,722, U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,168 filed Jan. 7, 1997 and the contents are incorporated herein by reference.
The above object is fulfilled by an image forming system furnished with a first image forming apparatus, a second image forming apparatus, and a transmitting apparatus for connecting the first and second image forming apparatuses for mutual image data transmission,
FIG. 12(c) is a front view of an italic setting screen of the above-liquid crystal display device in the control panel;
FIG. 13(b) is a front view of the, above liquid crystal display device in the control panel when S4 of FIG. 15 is being carried out;
The scanner unit 40 includes a first scanning unit 40 a, a second scanning unit 40 b, an optical lens body 43, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 44. The first scanning unit 40 a is composed of a lamp reflector assembly 41 for scanning a sheet of the document on the document table 35 by irradiating light on the sheet surface, and a first reflecting mirror 42 a. The second scanning unit 40 b is composed of a second reflecting mirror 42 b and a third reflecting mirror 42 c. The first through third reflecting mirrors 42 a-42 c are provided to guide light reflected from the sheet of the document to the CCD 44. The optical lens body 43 forms an image on the CCD 44 by converging the reflected light thereon, and the CCD 44 is an element which converts the image formed by the reflected light into an electric image signal.
The laser printer section 32 includes a laser writing unit 46 and an electrophotographic processing portion 47 for forming an image in its upper half region, and a sheet containing-transporting portion 55 in its lower half region. The laser writing unit 46 includes a semiconductor laser for emitting a laser beam in response to the image data from the memory 73, a polygonal mirror for deflecting the laser beam at isometric speed, an f-θ lens for correcting the above deflected laser beam to be deflected at a constant velocity on a photosensitive drum 48 of the electrophotographic processing portion 47, etc.
The electrophotographic processing portion 47 is arranged in a known manner, that is, the same includes the photosensitive drum 48, and around which a charger, a developer, a transferring device, a separator, a cleaner, a fuser 49, etc. are provided. A transportation path 50 is formed in the downstream side of the fuser 49 with respect to a direction in which a sheet is transported to have an image formed thereon. The transportation path 50 branches into two paths: a transportation path 57 and a transportation path 58 that communicate with the post-processing operation device 34 and sheet containing transporting portion 55, respectively.
The sheet containing-transporting portion 55 includes a first cassette 51, a second cassette 52, a two-side copying unit 53, and a multi-manual tray 54. The first and second cassettes 51 and 52 contain piles of sheets of different sizes, respectively. When the operator selects either cassette containing the sheets of the desired size, the sheets are steadily fed to the electrophotographic processing portion 47 one by one from the top of the pile in the selected cassette. The two-side copying unit 53 supplies a sheet having formed an image thereon to the electrophotographic processing portion 47,. either directly or after turning the sheet over.
In the laser printer section 32, the image data retrieved from the memory 73 are outputted from the laser writing unit 46 in the form of a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 48 in the electrophotographic processing unit 47. Then, the electrostatic latent image is turned into a visible toner image, which is electrostatically transferred onto a sheet transported from the sheet containing transporting portion 55. and fused thereon by the fuser 49.
The digital copying machine 30 is under the control of the PCU 74, which is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) . The memory 73 is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, etc., to store the image data.
The image data input portion 70 includes a CCD part 70 a, a histogram processing part 70 b, and an error diffusion processing part 70 c. The image data input portion 70 converts the image data of the original image read by the CCD 44 into binary data, and makes a histogram of digital amount of the binary data to process the image data through the error diffusing method, and stores the resulting data into the memory 73 temporarily.
The CCD part 70 a converts an analog signal representing the contrast of each pixel in the image data into a digital signal, and subsequently carries out an MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) correction, a black-and-white correction, or a gamma correction on the digital signal. Then, the CCD part 70 a outputs the resulting 256-level (8-bit) digital signal to the histogram processing part 70 b. The histogram processing part 70 b produces contrast data (histogram data) by adding up the digital signal outputted from the CCD part 70 a separately in the 256-level pixel contrast. The histogram data thus obtained are sent to the error diffusion processing part 70 c, or to the PCU 74 when occasion demands as pixel data.
The error diffusion processing part 70 c employs the error diffusing method known as a method of pseudo-half-tone processing. To be more specific, an error caused by converting a pixel into binary data is reflected when converting the adjacent pixels into binary data. Thus, an 8-bit/pixel digital signal outputted from the CCD part 70 a is converted into 1-bit (binary data) digital signal and a redistribution computation is carried out to produce a copy image rendering contrast as true as to an original in any specific region.
The image data processing portion 71 includes a multi-value processing parts 71 a and 71 b, a synthesis processing part 71 c, a contrast conversion processing part 71 d, a scaling processing part 71 e, an image processing part 71 f, and an error diffusion processing part 71 g, and a compression processing part 71 h. The image data processing portion 71 is a processing portion that converts input image data into image data the operator desires. Thus, the input image data are processed by the image data processing portion 71 until the final output image data are stored in the memory 73. Note that, however, the aforementioned processing parts in the image data processing portion 71 are arranged to operate separately only when occasion demands.
The multi-value processing parts 71 a and 71 b convert the binary image data from the error diffusion processing part 70 c into 256-level data. The synthesis processing part 71 c carries out a logical computation for every pixel, in other words, it selectively computes an OR, an AND, and an exclusive-OR. The data subject to the logical computation are the image data stored in the memory 73 and bit data from a pulse generator (PG)
The contrast conversion processing part 71 d sets an arbitrary relationship between the input contrast and output contrast for the 256-level data based on a predetermined level converting table. The scale processing part 71 e carries out interpolation processing for a designated magnification based on the known input data to compute the pixel data (contrast value) of the subject pixel after the scaling. Subsequently, the image data are scaled in the sub-scanning direction first, and thence in the main scanning direction based on the pixel data thus computed.
The image processing part 71 f processes the input image data in various manners, and collects data related to data array to extract the feature and the like. The error diffusion processing part 71 g operates in the same manner as the error diffusion processing part 70 c in the image data input portion 70. The compression processing part 71 h compresses the binary data by a coding method known as the run-length. Note that the compression processing part 71 f compressed the final output image in the final processing loop.
The image data output portion 72 includes a restoring part 72 a, a multi-value processing part 72 b, an error diffusion processing part 72 c, and a laser beam output part 72 d. The image data output portion 72 restores the compressed image data stored in the memory 73 to the 256-level data, and diffuses the error in quaternary data which, when formed into an image, renders a smoother half-tone representation than the one formed by the binary data, after which the image data output portion 72 transfers the resulting data to the laser beam output part 72 d. The restoring part 72 a restores the data compressed by the compression processing part 71 h. The multi-value processing part 72 b operates in the same manner as the multi-value processing parts 71 a and 71 b in the image data processing portion 71. The error diffusion processing part 72 c operates in the same manner as the error diffusion processing part 70 c in the image data input portion 70.
The laser beam output part 72 d converts the digital image data into a laser ON/OFF signal based on a control signal from an unillustrated sequence controller. The semiconductor laser in the laser writing unit 46 comes on or goes off based on the above ON/OFF signal to write an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 48.
The PCU 74 manages the foregoing components separately using the sequence control by outputting a control signal to each. The disk-related load 75 is a load of the components other than the digital copying machine 30 main body, that is, a load of the motor of the sorter in the post-processing operation device 34, a clutch, etc. The RADF-related load 76 is a load of the motor, clutch, switch, etc. of the RADF 36. The scanner-related related load 79 is a load of the motor, solenoid, etc. of the scanner unit 40. The printer-related load 80 is a load of the motor, solenoid, high-voltage power source, etc. of the electrophotographic processing portion 47. The sorter control unit 78 includes a CPU and controls the operation of the sorter based on the control signal from the PCU 74.
The memory 73, connected to the image data processing portion 71, is composed of a main memory 73 a made of, for example, a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk 73 b. An image data transmitting unit 81, connected to the main memory 73 a, is provided to allow the mutual transmission between the digital copying machine 30 and the other digital data apparatuses with respect to the image data, image control signal and the like. The image data transmitting unit 81 corresponds, for example, an interface 93 a and a transmission line 96 in a digital copying machine 93 of FIG. 11.
The control substrate unit 77 includes a control panel 90 of FIG. 5 as command input means. The control panel 90 includes a touch panel type display portion at the center as a liquid crystal display device 1. A screen switch command area 1 a is formed in a part of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 1. The screen switch command area 1 a is provided to enable the operator to input a command to switch a display screen to a screen for selecting an image edit function he wishes to use. Although it will be described in detail below, when the operator directly presses the screen switch command area 1 a with his finger, a list of edit functions is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 1 to enable the operator to select his desired edit function. Thus, the operator can set his desired edit function only by pressing the corresponding region on the display area with his finger.
The above liquid crystal display device 1 can display, for example, a basic screen of FIG. 6(a), a first function setting screen of FIG. 6(b) , a second function setting screen of FIG. 6(c), an image quality setting screen of FIG. 7(a), a post-processing operation setting screen of FIG. 7(b), an initial setting screen of FIG. 8(a), a finger print registration screen of FIG. 8(b), a department management setting screen of FIG. 8(c), a limiter setting screen of FIG. 9(a), and a simulation screen of FIG. 9(b), as well as the other screens explained below.
The basic screen includes six areas: a function setting area, an image quality setting area, a post-processing operation setting area, an initial setting area, a set function confirmation manipulation area, and a cassette setting area, which are denoted as setting keys 101 a- 101 f, respectively. The basic screen can additionally display the cassette, contrast, copy quantity, and magnification that have been set. When the operator manipulates the set function confirmation manipulation area, all the functions currently set in the present image forming system are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 1.
The first function setting screen includes six areas for setting edit functions: mirror image, italic, inverse, shadow, trimming, and masking, which are denoted as setting keys 102 a- 102 f, respectively. Further, the first function setting screen includes two control areas: one for returning to the basic screen and the other for advancing to the next page screen. As soon as the operator presses the next page area, the screen switches to the second function setting screen.
The second function setting screen includes four areas: the first and second ones for setting edit functions, namely, synthesis and independent scaling, respectively; the third one for setting a sharpness function to highlight the image; and the fourth one for setting a translation function, which are denoted as setting keys 103 a-103 d, respectively. Further, the second function setting screen also includes two control areas: one for returning to the basic screen and the other for returning to the previous page.
The finger print register screen-includes two input areas for inputting a department code and individual's name, respectively. As soon as the operator inputs the department code and individual's name, the input data are displayed in their respective input areas.
For example, if the operator presses the function setting area, the basic screen switches to the first function setting screen. Further, if the operator presses the control area for advancing to the next page screen, the first function setting screen switches to the second function setting screen (NEXT function setting screen). On the other hand, if the operator presses the control area for returning to the basic screen, the first function setting screen returns to the basic screen. If the operator presses the italic function setting area and inverse function setting area on the first function setting screen, both the italic function setting area and inverse function setting area are displayed with a reversed background as shown in FIG. 12(a), and the first function setting screen switches to the one illustrated in FIG. 12(b). When the operator presses an execute key 112 a on the screen of FIG. 12(b), the screen of FIG. 12(b) switches to the italic setting screen illustrated in FIG. 12(c). The italic setting screen includes a tilting angle input key 106 a as a tiling angle setting area, and a setting end key 106 b as a setting end input area. Further, the italic setting screen displays an example capital letter A tilted by the set angle.
Here, example image edit functions available in the present image forming system by manipulating the setting areas as explained above and the effect of each are set forth in Table 1 below. Note that, however,. the image edit functions are not limited to the examples specified below, and a function for making fair copies of handwritten characters and/or pictures is also a possible option.
SET MAGNIFICATION IN
LATERAL AND LONGITUDINAL
DIRECTIONS INDEPENDENTLY
MAKE A COPY AT THE CENTER
SYNTHESIZE AN ADDRESS
COMBINE MULTIPLE PAGES
IN ONE COPY
TRIM OFF A NON-
MASK A DESIGNATED AREA
MOVE AN IMAGE TO AN ARBI-
TRARY POSITION IN A COPY
SYNTHESIZE MORE THAN
MONOCHROMIC INVERSE
REVERSE NEGATIVE/POSITIVE IN
CROSSHATCH/SHADE
CROSSHATCH/SHADE AN IMAGE
OR ISOLATE AN IMAGE
ON CROSSHATCHED/SHADED
ADD SHADOW TO AN IMAGE
MAKE MULTI-COPY OF AN
IMAGE IN ONE SHEET
MAKE ONE COPY OUT OF TWO
SHEETS OF DOCUMENT
ADD THE DATE TO A COPY
ADD A CENTER MARK TO A COPY
ENLARGE/DIVIDE OUTPUT
DIVIDE AN ENLARGED COPY
INTO A NUMBER OF SHEETS
MAKE A HIGH-QUALITY COPY
The digital copying machine 91 is an inexpensive, low-grade, “memoryless” model furnished with basic edit functions only. “Memoryless” referred herein means that the machine does not include a page memory capable of storing a great volume of image data, but includes at least a line memory which is sufficient to operate as a normal digital copying machine. Also, the basic edit functions means, for example, the monochromic inverse function that can be carried out without using a page memory. The digital copying machine 91 includes the scanner unit 40 of FIG. 2 with the resolution of 400 DPI in monochrome, and has a relatively low operating rate of 20 CPM (Copies Per Minute). The laser printer section 32 of the digital copying machine 91 has also a resolution of 400 DPI in monochrome, and includes an interface (I/F) 91 a. The digital copying machine 92 is a middle-grade model whose scanner and printer have a resolution of 400 DPI in monochrome, respectively, with an operating rate of 40 CPM. The digital copying machine 92 includes various kinds of edit functions, 64M-byte memory (capable of storing up to four Japanese Standard A4 size papers at the resolution of 400 DPI, 8-bit/pixel), and an interface 92 a. The above memory corresponds to the main memory 73 a of FIG. 4.
The digital copying machine 93 is a high-grade model whose scanner and printer has a resolution of 400 DPI in monochrome, respectively with an operating rate as high as 60CPM.
Further, the digital copying machine 93 includes various kinds of edit functions, a character recognition function, a bit data coding function, and a page memory of a capacity as large as 500M bytes (capable of storing up to 100 pages of Japanese standard A4 size papers at the resolution of 400 DPI, 8-bit/pixel at compression ratio of �). Thus, the digital copying machine 93 can change the page order of the input image data, or store the document data in different formats. The above memory corresponds to the main memory 73 a and hard disk 73 b of FIG. 4 combined. The digital copying machine 93 also includes an interface 93 a. The scanner 94 can read a color image at a resolution of 600 DPI. The printer 95 can produce a color image copy at a recording density of 600 DPI. The scanner 94 and printer 95 include interfaces 94 a and 95 a, respectively.
The digital copying machines 91 and 92, scanner 94, and printer 95 are connected to the digital copying machine 93 through their interfaces 91 a-95 a and transmission lines 96, thereby enabling mutual data transmission. Thus, the interfaces 91 a-95 a, transmission lines 96, and PCU 74 of each digital copying machine constitute the transmitting apparatus herein.
Each of the interfaces 91 a-95 a is defined by their own prescribed protocols and transmission rates, and an adequate standard is selected based on the content of the transmission data, such as a data volume, and the position of each machine in relation with the others, such as a distance. Further, in the present image forming system, the machines are connected in one-to-one relationship, while at the same, some of the machines may be connected to the common transmission line 96 like a daisy chain. For this reason, each machine has its address, so that each of the interfaces 91 a-95 a can identify a particular machine to which the image data are addressed. The interfaces 91 a-95 a adopt, for example, an Ethernet, for their standard, which are in effect a network permitting high-speed image data transmission. Alternatively, the interfaces 91 a-95 a may adopt a general standard known as SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) or RS-232C.
TRIMMING-MASKING
INVERSE-CROSS-
HATCH/SHADE
SHADOW.CUTLINE
ITALIC.MIRROR IMAGE
DATED COPY-
To begin with, as soon as the. operator presses the function setting key 101 a in the basic screen of the liquid crystal display device 1 of FIG. 6(a), the screen switches to the first function setting screen of FIG. 6(b). Then, the screen switches to the second function setting screen of FIG. 6(c) when the operator presses the next page key. To select the sharpness function, the operator presses the sharpness key 103 a in the second function setting screen (S1), then the sharpness function setting area is displayed with a reversed background as shown in FIG. 13(a), which enables the operator to confirm that he has selected the sharpness function.
Then, the PCU 74 checks whether or not the sharpness function is provided to its own digital copying machine 91 (S3). Since Table 2 above reveals that the digital copying machine 91 does not have the sharpness function, the checking result is negative in S3. Accordingly, the PCU 74 displays the message “THIS MACHINE HAS NO SHARPNESS FUNCTION” on the liquid crystal display device 1, and directs the operator to select whether the job should be carried out by any other eligible device within the system or not (S4). The display of the screen at this point is illustrated in FIG. 13(b).
As has been described above, since the digital copying machine 91 does not have the sharpness function, if the operator wishes to continue the job, the digital copying machine 91 has to request another machine to carry out the sharpness function on its behalf. Herein, the digital copying machine 91 is arranged to confirm the operator's instruction by displaying the screen of FIG. 13(b). However, if the operator wishes to stop the job, he presses a cancel key 122 b (S5), upon which the PCU 74 cancels the set mode (S6).
On the other hand, when the operator presses a system selection key 122 a (S5) , the PCU 74 selects the digital copying machines 92 and 93 as the devices having the sharpness function within the system. Also, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 1 switches to the sharpness function setting screen of FIG. 13(c).
Next, the operator inputs the desired highlighting level in sharpness using a sharpness input key 116 a, ana presses a setting end key 116 b, upon which the digital copying machine 91 determines, to which of the selected digital copying machines it should issue a job request to process the document data (S7). Herein, as previously mentioned, both the digital copying machines 92 and 93 are selected, and the detailed explanation as to how digital copying machine 91 determines the most eligible digital copying machine will be given below. Next, the digital copying machine 91 gives function control data to each image, and transfers the same to the digital copying machines 92 and 93 after scrambling the data, which also will be described below (S8).
The above image data are transmitted from the main memory 73 a of FIG. 4 of the digital copying machine 91 to both the digital copying machines 92 and 93 through the image data transmission unit 81 and an unillustrated modem. The image data are transmitted together with the function control data composed of a processing code indicating the requested function, namely, the sharpness function herein. As shown in FIG. 11, the transmitted image data are inputted into the digital copying machines 92 and 93 through the interface 91 a, transmission lines 96, and interface 92 a and 93 a, respectively.
Upon receipt of the scrambled image data, the digital copying machines 92 and 93 lift the scramble protection thereof, and confirm the same as being. the image data and function control data specifying the requested function. Accordingly, the digital copying machines 92 and 93 start to process the received image data using the sharpness function as was requested (S9).
Then, the digital copying machine 91 lifts the scramble protection of the received image data (S12) which are steadily supplied to the laser printer section 32 and outputted in the form of an image onto a sheet (S13). The recording operation is carried out in the same manner as was explained with the digital copying machine 30 above.
In the above explanation, only the digital copying machines 91-93 are concerned. However, if the scanner 94 and printer 95 are combined, they can operate in almost the same manner as a digital copying machine and can be used as such. In this case, color image data read by the scanner 94 with a resolution of 600 DPI are sent to the digital copying machine 93 to be processed. Then, the digital copying machine 93 returns the processed image data with a recording resolution of 600 DPI to the printer 95 to be printed out therefrom. Thus, the scanner 94 and printer 95, when combined, can operate almost in the same manner as the above digital copying machines.
By the electronic RDH function, all the image data of a 10-page original document are stored in the memory 73, and retrieved repetitively per page to make, for example, 20 copies. The operator can select the electronic RDH function by pressing the function set key 101 a of FIG. 6(a). As soon as the function set key 101 a is pressed, an electronic RDH function setting key is displayed on the second function setting screen of FIG. 6(c).
To begin with, the operator selects the electronic RDH function in the digital copying machine 92, and sets a 10-page document on the RADF 36 of FIG. 2 (S31) Then, as soon as the operator presses the start key 15 of FIG. 5 (S32), the steady document transportation from the RADF 36 starts and an image on each page of the documents is successively read by the scanner unit 40. The image data thus produced are steadily accumulated in the memory 73 of the digital copying machine 92 (S33) Also, the above image data are subject to processing by the image data processing section 71, such as the contrast conversion and scaling (S34). When the operator presses the electronic RDH function set key, an external memory selection key 121 a is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 1 together with an available memory indicating section 121 b as shown in FIG. 17(a).
While the scanner unit 40 is reading the document, if an available capacity of the memory 73 becomes insufficient to store the image data of the rest of the document (S35), and if the operator has not pressed the external memory selection key 121 a in advance (S36), the liquid crystal display device 1 displays a message warning that an external memory is necessary as is shown in FIG. 17(a) (S37)
As soon as the operator presses the external memory selection key 121 a (S38), the screen switches to the one displaying a message as shown in FIG. 17(b). On the switched screen, the external memory selection key 121 a is displayed with a reversed background to indicate that the same has been pressed, while the available memory indicating section 121 b indicates a total of the available capacities of the memories 73 in both the digital copying machines 92 and 93.
Next, when the operator presses the continue key 121 c by following the message displayed on the screen of FIG. 17(b) (S39) , the digital copying machine 92 starts to transfer the image data to the digital copying machine 93 to store the same in the memory 73 thereof serving as an external memory (S40).
The digital copying machine 92 carries out S33-S40 repetitively until the entire document is read (S41) When the document reading ends, and in case that the external memory is used (S42), the digital copying machine 93 returns the image data to the digital copying machine 92 in the output order, so that the digital copying machine 92 can steadily output the returned image data in the form of an image on a sheet (S43). Herein, the output order is a descending order in page numbers.
The image data are retrieved from each memory 73. in the same manner as the writing operation. To be more specific, the image data are retrieved from the memory 73 of the digital copying machine 92 through a data line within the digital copying machine 92, whereas the image data are retrieved from the memory 73 of the digital copying machine 93 through the transmission line 96.
When a predetermined time limit has passed before the operator presses the external memory selection key 121 a in S38 (S45), the digital copying machine 92 proceeds to S42 and steadily outputs the image data stored in its own memory 73 up to that point onto a sheet in an output order (S46).
As previously explained, the digital copying machine 92 includes the 64M-byte page memory as the memory 73, into which 256-level image data of up to four Japanese Standard A4 size papers can be stored.
A 64M-byte memory is sufficient for an ordinary copying operation where a copy of the document is made after the image data thereof are stored. However, in case that the operator wishes to make several copies of a 10-page document using the electronic RDH function, the image data of 6 pages exceeds the capacity of the memory 73.
The operator determines whether he wishes to use the external memory or not, and if he wishes so, he presses the external memory key 121 a to input an external memory job command. Accordingly, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 1 switches to the one with a message as shown in FIG. 17(b).
As soon as the operator presses the continue key 121 c in the switched screen, the screen again switches to the one as shown in FIG. 17(c) to indicate that the digital copying machine 92 is now carrying out the job using the external memory.
Also, as soon as the operator presses the continue key 121 c, the digital copying machine 92 starts to transfer the image data of the document to the digital copying machine 93 through the transmitting apparatus.
The digital copying machine 93 sets a timer serving as time measuring means when its own memory 73 started to store the image data from the digital copying machine 92 in S52 to manage a time interval (S53). When a predetermined time has passed (S56), the digital copying machine 93 erases the image data stored in its own memory 73 on behalf of the digital copying machine 92 (S57) This arrangement prevents the memory 73 of the digital copying machine 93 from storing the same image data for a considerable period.
On the other hand, if there is no return request from the digital copying machine 92 in S64, whether the predetermine time, 10 minutes, has passed or not is checked (S67). When 10 minuets have passed, the digital copying machine 93 resets the timer (S68), and confirms the operating condition of the request-sender digital copying machine 92 through the transmitting apparatus (S69)
If the digital copying machine 92 is not in operation in S70, the digital copying machine 93 erases the image data stored in its own memory 73 on behalf of the digital copying machine 92 (S72)
As shown in the drawing, the screen displays a table, which contains: “No.” indicating serial numbers of the requests; “request condition” indicating the content of the store request, namely, the size and quantity of the document; “request-sender machine” identifying the digital copying machine that has sent the store request; “operating condition” indicating whether the request-sender machine is in operation or a ready state; and “time lapse” indicating a lapse of time since the transferred image data are stored in the memory 73.
In addition, the state and available capacity of the memory 73 are displayed below the above display areas, so that the operator can confirm the availability of the same. Further, an up key 130 a and a down key 130 b are displayed at the right side of the screen to enable the operator to move a cursor displayed in the left side of the table vertically. Thus, the operator moves the cursor next to the serial No. of the image data he wishes to erase and presses a clear key 132. Then, the corresponding image data are erased from the memory 73.
Therefore, to eliminate this problem, the PCU 74 of the digital copying machine 93 serves as condition confirming means for confirming the operating conditions of the digital copying machine 92, such as “in operation”, “ready”, “power off”, etc. Consequently, the digital copying machine 93 can confirm the operating condition of the digital copying machine 92 through signal transmission by means of the PCU 74.
For example, in case of “in operation”, the digital copying machine 92 is highly likely to issue the return request in the meantime, and in case of “ready” or “power off” when the return request has not been issued yet, the stored image data in question can be judged as being invalid.
To reduce the capacitive burden of the memory 73 of the digital copying machine 93, the digital copying machine 93 can automatically erase the stored image data upon confirming “ready” or “power off” state.
In the present image forming system, the PCU 74 of the digital copying machine 93 serving as the condition confirming means confirms the operating condition of the digital copying machine 92 in the above manner and displays the same in messages, “IN OPERATION”, “READY”, or “POWER OFF”, on the liquid crystal display device 1 which also serves as the condition confirming means.
Referring to FIG. 20, the following description will describe a further example embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, like components are labeled with like reference numerals with respect to the. Embodiments 1 and 2, and the description of these components is not repeated for the explanation's convenience.
Referring to FIG. 21, the following description will describe still another example embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, like components are labeled with like reference numerals with respect to
Embodiments 1-3, and the description of these components is not repeated for the explanation's convenience.
On the other hand, when the time is not up yet in S92 and the operator has manipulated keys (S95), whether the copying operation start key 15 is pressed or not is checked (S96). If so, the digital copying machine 93 resets the timer (S97), and carries out the copying operation (S98). If the start key 15 has not been pressed, the digital copying machine 93 resets the timer (S99) and returns to S91.
As shown in FIG. 22, an image forming system of the present embodiment includes six digital copying machines 201-206, which include interfaces 201 a-206 a, respectively to enable mutual data transmission. The digital copying machine 201 having the largest memory and the digital copying machine 202 having the greatest number of image processing functions constitute a main digital copying machine, namely, the second image forming apparatus.
The digital copying machines 201 serving as a first main digital copying machine and the digital copying machine 202 serving as a second main digital copying machine are connected to each other through their respective interfaces 201 a and 202 a and the transmission line 96. Likewise, the digital copying machine 203-206 are connected individually to the digital copying machine 201 through their respective interfaces 203 a-206 a, 201 a, and the transmission lines 96. Hence, the digital copying machines 202-206 are interconnected through the digital copying machine 201 for mutual data transmission.
As shown in FIG. 23, the alternative image forming system comprises five digital copying machines 211-215, which have their respective transmission interfaces 211 a-215 a. The digital copying machines 211-215 are interconnected through the interfaces 211 a-215 a and the transmission lines 96 to constitute a loop network. Each of the digital copying machines 211-215 is identical with the digital copying machine 30 in structure.
The present image forming system is arranged to operate in the same manner as its counterpart in Embodiment 1. Here, it is not the main digital copying machine that receives a job request from the request-sender digital copying machine, but the digital copying machine having a specific image processing function the operator wishes to use.
Referring to FIGS. 24-27, the. following description will describe still another example embodiment of the present invention.
The scanner 94 and printer 95 are connected to the digital copying machine 93 through interfaces 94 a and 95 a, respectively, so that each can transmit data mutually with the digital copying machine 93. Note that the image data transmission unit 81 of FIG. 4 corresponds to, for example, the interface 93 a alone, or both the interface 93 a and a modem 98 of the digital copying machine 93 of FIG. 24.
The host computer 99 includes a high-speed data processing CPU, a high-speed editing algorithm, a high-speed data recognizing algorithm, a memory with a capacity far larger than the memory 73, various kinds of databases for recognizing paper money or the like, and an interface 99 a. The digital copying machine 93 and host computer 99 are connected to each. other through their respective interfaces 93 a and 99 a and a telephone line 97. Note that the telephone line 97 may be replaced with any other adequate transmission line 96, such as optical fibers. Two general ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)—capable modems (modulator) 98 are provided to the digital copying machine 93 and host computer 99, respectively. Each modem 98 converts a digitalized electric signal into a signal which can be transmitted through the telephone line 97. Each modem 98 adopts the PM (Phase Modulation) method, AM (Amplitude Modulation) method, FM (Frequency Modulation) method, or the like. Herein, the interfaces 91 a-95 a and 99 a, transmission lines 96, telephone line 97, two modems 98 constitute the transmitting apparatus. The kinds of data this device can handle are previously explained.
SYNTHESIS FUNCTION
SHADOW.OUTLINE
DATED COPY-CENTER MARK
The transfer history data are stored in the form of a managing table at a storage area secured for its exclusive use in the memory 73 of the digital copying machine 93, and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 1.
To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 25, the screen displays a table containing: “No.” indicating serial numbers of the requests; “sheet” indicating the size of the document in question; “quantity” indicating the quantity of the document in question; “request-sender machine” identifying the digital copying machine that has sent the store request to store the image data on its behalf; “receipt time” indicating the time at which the transferred image data are stored in the memory 73; “return time” indicating the time at which the image data are returned; and “times” indicating how many times the image data are returned to the request-sender digital copying machine.
In the above example, only one return time is displayed in the “return time” column; however, all the return times may be displayed when the image data have been returned more than once. This arrangement not only makes it possible to learn the image data return cycle, but also facilitates the management using other data, which will be described below.
Of all the above display contents, “receive time”, “latest return time”, “cycle”, and “times” make up the transfer history data. However, the transfer history data are not limited to these contents, and other kinds of data can be contained as well. Each content of the data can be displayed by scrolling the display screen.
Also, the current state of the memory 73 are indicated in an available memory indicating portion 131 in the bottom of the display of FIG. 25 to enable the operator to confirm the current condition and available capacity of the memory 73. An up key 132 a and a down key 132 b are provided in the right side of the display screen. A cursor 133 displayed at the left side of the table can be moved vertically by pressing the up key 132 a and down key 132 b. To erase the respective image data from the memory 73, the operator selects the desired image data by moving the cursor 133 next to the corresponding serial No. and presses a clear key 134.
Next, a case where the digital copying machine 93 erases the image data based on the “times” in the transfer history data will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 26. Assume that the digital copying machine 93 shares its own memory 73 with the digital copying machine 93 herein.
To begin with, the digital coping machine 93 checks whether the operator has pressed the copying switch, namely, the start key 15, (S101). If the operator has pressed the start key 15, the digital copying machine carries out the copying operation (S102), and in the meantime, checks whether a specified quantity of copies are made to end the operation (S103).
To be more specific, the PCU 74 of the digital copying machine 93 checks the “times” in the transfer history data. When the “times” shows 0, the PCU 74 judges that the image data have never been returned, and therefore, the image data can not be erased. When the “times” shows 1, the PCU 74 judges that the image data are returned to the digital copying machine 92 once and have less likelihood of receiving a return request again. Thus, PCU 74 judges that the image data in question can be erased. When the “times” shows 2 or greater, the PCU 74 judges that the digital copying machine 92 is set in a mode that demands the image data repetitively. Thus, it is preferable that the PCU 74 judges that the image data can not be erased.
In S116, the judgment is made based on the “times” in the transfer history data; however, the same can be done based on the “return time”. In other words, the same can be done based on the lapse time since the. image data were returned last time.
Alternatively, the “return time” may be used in the following manner. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, the return time is recorded each time the image data are returned, and a return request cycle is computed based on the recorded data. If no return request is issued within the cycle thus computed since the last return request, it is least likely that another return request will be issued. Thus, the digital copying machine 93 judges that the image data in question can be erased. In the example of FIG. 25, the last five return requests were issued in every one minute, but the latest return request has not been issued more than one minute later since the fifth return request was issued. Thus, if no return request is issued within the time predetermined based on the return request cycle, the corresponding image data are judged as being erasable.
Further, the digital copying machine 93 can always communicate with the request-sender digital copying machine 92 through the transmitting apparatus. Thus, the digital copying machine 93 may be arranged to erase the image data from its memory 73 only when a deterministic condition is satisfied. Example deterministic conditions are: “the digital copying machine 92 has returned a signal acknowledging the receipt of the image data” or “the digital copying machine 92 has outputted the image data and produced a printed record” after the image data were returned.
When the “times” in the transfer history data is adopted, not only the actual number of times the image data returned at request can be confirmed, but also the priority of the erasable image data can be determined.
To be more specific, when the “times” shows 0, the corresponding image data are placed at a lower rank, and when the “times” shows 2 or greater, the corresponding image data are placed at a higher rank. In so doing, the image data can be erased in a more accurate manner.
When the “lapse time” in the transfer history data is adopted, only the invalid image data can be erased in a reliable manner.
Further, when the “cycle” in the transfer history data is adopted, it can be predicted that no more return request will be issued for the particular image data if a return request has not issued within the predetermined cycle since the last return request was issued. Thus, the image data can be erased in a more accurate manner.
According to this arrangement, the digital copying machine 93 does not erase the image data stored in its memory 73 entirely; it erases only the image data that are no longer valid. Consequently, it has become possible to erase the image data in minimum volume while leaving the image data that should be stored in the memory 73 intact.
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