JP3865490B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

【００５７】
システム制御部１０１が持つリソースの状態は、表２のように、読み取り装置、画像形成装置の使用可否状態を設ける。ここでは、○が使用可能、×が使用不可とする。
【００５８】
【表２】

【００５９】
システム制御部１０１は、リソース使用要求を受けたときに、表３のようなリソース要求を待ちテーブルへ優先順位の順になるようにソートして登録する。
【００６０】
【表３】

【００６１】
そして、テーブルの上から順に使用要求された全てのリソースが使用可能か否かを表２のリソース状態に基づいて判定し、使用可能であればその要求を表４のようなリソース獲得テーブルに移す。
【００６２】
【表４】

【００６３】
つぎに、図９を参照して出力動作について説明する。電源がオンになると例えば定着器の温度が所定温度に達したり、ジャムが発生していない給紙可能状態まで待機し（ステップ９０１）、アプリケーションの出力要求を受け付けた後、予め設定された優先順位のアプリケーションのソート処理を行う（ステップ９０２）。次いで、そのアプリケーションがバックグランドからの出力を許可されているか否かを判別し（ステップ９０３）、許可されている場合にはステップ９０４以下に進み、許可されていない場合にはステップ９１２に分岐する。
【００６４】
ステップ９１２ではそのアプリケーションがフォアグランドの場合にステップ９０９に進んで出力を開始し、次いで給紙不可能状態に設定し（ステップ９１０）、受け付けた残りの出力要求を待ち状態にし（ステップ９１１）、ステップ９０１に戻る。また、ステップ９１２においてそのアプリケーションがフォアグランドでない場合にはステップ９１３に分岐して実行待ち状態にし、次いでステップ９１５に進んで受け付けた要求の処理が終了した場合にはステップ９０１に戻り、未だ終了していない場合にはステップ９０３に戻る。
【００６５】
ステップ９０３においてそのアプリケーションがバックグランドからの出力を許可されている場合には、そのアプリケーションが利用者制限に設定されているか否かを判別し（ステップ９０４）、設定されていない場合にはステップ９０５以下に進み、設定されている場合にはステップ９１２に分岐する。
【００６６】
また、ステップ９０５では割り込みモードが設定されているか否かを判別し、設定されていない場合にはステップ９０６以下に進み、設定されている場合にはステップ９１２に分岐する。ステップ９０６ではフォアグランドアプリケーションがソートまたはスタックモードを選択していて、かつフォアグランドアプリケーションがアイドル状態でないか否かを判別し、ＹＥＳの場合にステップ９１２に分岐し、ＮＯの場合にはステップ９０７以下に進む。
【００６７】
ステップ９０７では同一優先順位であって直前に給紙されたアプリケーションと同一の書込み密度の要求があるか否かを判別し、同一のものがある場合にはステップ９０９に進んでそのアプリケーションの出力を行い、同一のものがない場合にはステップ９０８以下に進む。ステップ９０８では直前に給紙された書込み密度と同じ要求か否かを判別し、ＮＯの場合にはステップ９０９に進んでそのアプリケーションの出力を行い、他方、ＹＥＳの場合にはステップ９１４に分岐して実行待ち状態にし、ステップ９１５に進む。
【００６８】
引き続き、システム制御部１０１が行う図９のステップ９０２で実行するリソース要求待ちテーブルのソート処理の処理手順を図１０のフローチャートを参照して説明する。
【００６９】
この処理では、まず、ステップ１００１で変数ｎに「１」をセットし、ステップ１００２でｎ番テーブルにリソース使用要求が登録されているかどうかをチェックする。リソース使用要求が登録されていれば、ステップ１００３に進み、登録されていなければステップ１００６に進む。ステップ１００３では、ｎ番テーブルの優先度が、要求のあったアプリケーションの優先度より高いかどうかをチェックする。このチェックで、ｎ番テーブルの優先度が高ければ、ステップ１００４で変数ｎを「１」増加させてステップ１００２に戻る。一方、ｎ番テーブルの優先度が低ければ、ステップ１００５でｎ番以降のテーブルを全て下に１つずらす。そして、ステップ１００６で、要求をｎ番目に登録する。
【００７０】
登録が終了すると、ステップ１００７で、変数ｋに「１」を設定し、さらに、ステップ１００８でｋ番テーブルの使用リソースが全て使用可能などうかをチェックする。もし、ｋ番テーブル使用可能であれば、ステップ１０１１に進み、使用不能であればステップ１００９に進む。ステップ１００９では、番号「ｋ］が最終テーブル番号以上かどうかをチェックし、最終テーブル番号以上であれば、この処理を終了し、未満であればステップ１０１０で「ｋ」を「１」増加させてステップ１００８以降の処理を繰り返す。一方、ステップ１０１１では、ｋ番テーブルを実行バッファに移し、ステップ１０１２で「ｋ＋１」番以降のテーブルを全て上に１つずらして処理を終える。
【００７１】
また、システム制御部１０１は登録されている各アプリケーションから受信したカラーモードをアプリケーションごとに表５のようなアプリケーションカラーモード情報として記憶しておく。
【００７２】
【表５】

【００７３】
なお、コピーアプリケーションにおけるカラーモード選択時の操作部表示は図１６に示すようになっている。さらにシステム制御部１０１は、表６に示すような操作部使用権情報を持っている。
【００７４】
【表６】

【００７５】
ユーザが意図的にアプリケーションを切り替えた場合は、システム制御部が、現在使用権に切り替えられたアプリケーションを記憶する。これと同時に、操作部コントローラ２１に対し、現在使用権に記憶されているアプリケーションの仮想画面を表示するように指示を出し、これをフォアグラウンドアプリとする。
【００７６】
これを具体的に説明する。各アプリケーションのカラーモードが、コピーはシアンモード、プリンタはブラック、ＦＡＸはブラックの場合、システム制御部１０１のアプリケーションカラーモード情報は、表７のようになっている。
【００７７】
【表７】

【００７８】
今、フォアグランドアプリがコピーとすると、操作部使用権情報は表８のようになっている。
【００７９】
【表８】

【００８０】
今、シアントナーとブラックトナーがエンドになっていて、コピーアプリケーションのシアンカラーモードでのコピー動作が終了したとすると、画像形成装置は受信しているシアンカラーモードで使用するシアントナー収容器を交換位置にして動作を停止する。カラーモードと使用するトナー色の関係は表９に示すようになっている。
【００８１】
【表９】

【００８２】
画像出力中にトナーエンドになった場合、画像形成装置４はアプリケーションから要求された画像出力の中断後、要求処理を終了させる。これを受け、アプリケーションは残りの画像出力をやめ、使用中のリソース解放する。これによってリソース獲得テーブルに登録されていたアプリケーションの獲得情報は削除される。一方、使用要求待ちテーブルも１番目から再度チェックされ、使用要求リソースが使用可能となっていれば、そのテーブルがリソース獲得テーブルに移される。
【００８３】
コピーアプリケーションは使用していた画像形成装置４と読み取り装置３を解放し、リソース状態の画像形成装置４と読み取り装置は表１０に示すように未使用になる。
【００８４】
【表１０】

【００８５】
次に、アプリケーションが行う処理について図１１のフローチャートを参照して説明する。
【００８６】
この処理では、まず、ステップ１１０１でスタート待ちを行い、スタートであればリソース使用要求を発行する（ステップ１１０２）。そして、ステップ１１０３でステップ１１０２で要求した処理の終了を待つ。要求した処理が終了すると、ステップ１１０４で残ジョブがあるかどうかをチェックし、残ジョブがなければステップ１１０５で使用リソースの解放を発行してステップ１１０１に戻り、残ジョブがあれば、ステップ１１０６で使用トナーがエンドかどうかをチェックする。トナーエンドであれば、ステップ１１０７で使用リソースの解放を発行し、ステップ１１０８でトナーエンド表示を行った後、ステップ１１０９で画像形成装置の復帰待ち状態を発行し、ステップ１１０６に戻る。
【００８７】
一方、ステップ１１０６で使用トナーがエンドでなければ、ステップ１１１０で復帰待ちかどうかをチェックする。もし、チェック待ちでなければステップ１１０１に戻り、復帰待ちであれば、ステップ１１１１でトナーエンド表示をオフし、ステップ１１１２で復帰待ち解除を行ってステップ１１０１に戻る。
【００８８】
シアントナーエンドでコピーアプリケーションが画像形成リソースを解放すると、システム制御部１０１は、操作部使用権を有するコピーアプリケーションのカラーモードシアンを送信する。画像形成装置４はシアントナー収容器を交換位置にしているので何もしない。このとき、操作部２には、図１７のようにシアントナーの交換要求メッセージが表示される。
【００８９】
ここでシステム制御部１０１がリソースの解放時に行う処理を図１２のフローチャートに示す。この処理では、ステップ１２０１で画像形成装置４が解放されたかどうかをチェックし、解放されていれば、ステップ１２０２で操作部使用権を持っているアプリケーションのカラーモードを画像形成装置４に送信して処理を終了し、一方、ステップ１２０１で解放されていなければそのままこの処理を終える。その後、ユーザがブラックでプリント出力をしようとしたとする。プリンタアプリケーションはカラーモードブラックをシステム制御部１０１に送信する。
【００９０】
システム制御部１０１がアプリケーションけらのカラーモード受信時に行う処理を図１３のフローチャートに示す。この処理では、まず、ステップ１３０１でカラーモードを受信したかどうかをチェックし、受信していればステップ１３０２でアプリケーションカラーモード情報に受信したカラーモードを記憶してこの処理を終了する。一方、受信していなければ何もせずにこの処理を終える。
【００９１】
その後、プリンタアプリケーションは画像形成装置４の使用要求を行い、画像形成装置４にブラック印刷ジョブを発行する。しかし、ブラックトナーがトナーエンドになっているので、画像形成装置４はジョブをすぐ中断し、プリンタアプリケーションは画像形成装置４を解放する。このとき、操作部使用権がコピーアプリケーションになっているので、プリント出力ユーザはブラックトナーだけを補給したいことから、操作部２を操作してプリンタアプリケーションに切り替えたとする。これにより、操作部使用権がプリンタアプリケーションに切り替わるので、操作部使用権は表１１のようになる。
【００９２】
【表１１】

【００９３】
システム制御部１０１は、画像形成装置４にプリンタのカラーモードであるブラックを送信する。このとき、操作部使用権がプリンタとなり、操作部２には図１８に示すようにブラックトナーの交換要求メッセージが表示される。
【００９４】
システム制御部１０１が操作部２からの操作入力情報によりアプリケーションを切り替える処理を図１４のフローチャートに示す。この処理では、ステップ１４０１でコピーアプリケーションの選択かどうかをチェックし、コピーアプリケーションであれば、ステップ１４０２で操作部使用権をコピーアプリケーションに切り替え、ステップ１４０７に進む。一方、ステップ１４０１でコピーアプリケーションの選択でなければ、ステップ１４０３でプリンタアプリケーションの選択かどうかをチェックする。プリンタアプリケーションの選択であれば、ステップ１４０４で操作部使用権をプリンタに切り替え、ステップ１４０７に進む。ステップ１４０３のチェックでプリンタアプリケーションが選択されていたのでなければ、ステップ１４０５でＦＡＸアプリケーションの選択かどうかをチェックし、ＦＡＸアプリケーションが選択されていたのであれば、ステップ１４０６で操作部使用権をＦＡＸアプリケーションに切り替えてステップ１４０７に進む。ステップ１４０５のチェックでＦＡＸアプリケーションが選択されたのでなければ、何もせずにステップ１４０７に進む。ステップ１４０７では、画像形成装置４を使用中であるかどうか確認し、使用中であれば前記アプリケーションでは使用できないので、そのまま処理を終了する。使用中でなければ、ステップ１４０８で操作部使用権を持つアプリケーションのカラーモードを画像形成装置４に送信し、この処理を終える。
【００９５】
画像形成装置４はシステム制御部１０１からカラーモードブラックを受信すると、ブラックトナー収容器を交換位置に移動させる。現在のトナー収容器交換位置色と移動先色のリボルバ移動角度は、表１２に示すようになっている。
【００９６】
【表１２】

【００９７】
また、複数のトナーがエンド、またはニアエンドになっている場合、トナー収容器を交換位置に移動する色の優先順位は、
（１）トナーエンド＞ニアエンド
（２）ブラック＞シアン＞マゼンタ＞イエロー
の順となる。色の優先順位は使用頻度の点から黒を最優先とし、その他の色はリボルバ現像器の配置順に決定している。
【００９８】
画像形成装置４がシステム制御１０１からカラーモードを受信したときの処理を図１５フローチャートに示す。この処理では、ステップ１５０１でカラーモードを受信したかどうかをチェックし、受信していればステップ１５０２で自身が稼働中であるかどうかをチェックする。もし、稼働中でなければステップ１５０３で受信したカラーモードを記憶し、ステップ１５０４で交換位置に移動させるトナー収容器の色を検索する。次いで、ステップ１５０５でステップ１５０４で検索したトナー収容器が現在の交換位置にすでに移動しているかどうかをチェックし、移動していればこの処理を終了し、移動していなければ、前述の角度表（表１２）に基づいてリボルバを移動（回転）させ、ステップ１５０４で検索したトナー収容器を交換位置に移動させてこの処理を終える。なお、ステップ１５０１でカラーモードを受信していない場合、ステップ１５０２で画像形成装置４が稼働中であった場合には、そのまま何もせずに処理を終了する。
【００９９】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、各アプリケーションごとのカラーモード情報と、各アプリケーションごとの前記画像形成装置及び前記読み取り装置の使用状態とに基づき、画像形成装置が未使用の場合には、操作部を使用するアプリケーションのカラーモード情報を選択して当該選択されたカラーモード情報を画像形成装置に送信し、画像形成装置は受信したカラー情報に応じて交換すべきトナー収容器を検索し、検索されたトナー収容器を交換位置に移動させるので、操作部上の補給メッセージと実際に補給できるトナーの色とを一致させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係るディジタル画像形成装置システムの一実施例を示すブロック図である。
【図２】図１のディジタル画像形成装置システムの概略的構成を示す説明図である。
【図３】図１のディジタル画像形成装置システムのハードウエアの一例を示すブロック図である。
【図４】図１のディジタル画像形成装置システムのハードウエアの他の例を示すブロック図である。
【図５】図１のディジタル画像形成装置システムにおいてアプリケーション層とシステム制御層の関係を示す説明図である。
【図６】図１のディジタル画像形成装置システムにおいてコピーアプリケーションとプリンタアプリケーションのインターリーブ動作を示す説明図である。
【図７】図１のディジタル画像形成装置システムにおいてファクシミリアプリケーションとプリンタアプリケーションの並列動作を示す説明図である。
【図８】図２の操作部の一例を示す説明図である。
【図９】図１のディジタル画像形成装置システムの動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図１０】図９のステップ９０２で実行するリソース要求待ちテーブルのソート処理の処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１１】アプリケーションが実行する処理の処理手順を示す行うフローチャートである。
【図１２】画像形成装置の解放処理の処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１３】カラーモード受信の処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１４】アプリケーション切り替えの処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１５】画像形成装置がシステム制御部からカラーモードを受信したときの処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１６】コピーアプリケーションにおけるカラーモード選択時の操作部の表示例を示す図である。
【図１７】シアントナー交換要求メッセージを表示した操作部の表示例を示す図である。
【図１８】ブラックトナー交換要求メッセージを表示した操作部の表示例を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
２ 操作部
３ 画像読み取り装置
４ 画像形成装置
４ｃ リボルバ
１０ ＣＰＵ
８１、８２、８３、８４ アプリケーション
１００ システム制御層
１０１ システム制御部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital copying machine system that converts an original image into an electrical signal and restores the image by an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a digital copying machine system in which a plurality of applications share resources.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, this type of digital copying machine converts an original image into an electrical signal, so that the image signal is subjected to various image processing and then visualized and restored by an image forming apparatus. Can have an extended function, that is, an application such as a scanner or a file system. In this case, as resources shared by a plurality of applications, there are an image reading device, an image forming device, an operation unit, a memory, and a peripheral device (a document feeder (DF) or a sorter).
[0003]
In recent years, there has been proposed a multitask type image forming system in which a plurality of applications such as a copy, a printer, and a facsimile share and selectively use resources such as an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus. A digital copying machine system is generally used for this type of image forming system.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Some of these digital copying machines perform full-color image formation. In such color copying machines, toner is consumed as a result of image formation, and the so-called toner end that cannot perform image formation due to toner shortage is present. appear. Thus, for example, consider the case where black and cyan toner ends occur. When the copy application has the right to use the operation unit and the printer is set to cyan mode and the user prints in black using the printer application in the background, conventionally, the toner is stored only by the color information of the image forming resource. Since the toner accommodation color at the container replacement position has been determined, the printer application will move the last black image formed to the toner container replacement position, and the toner toner supply message on the operation unit can be actually supplied. Unlike the color, inconvenience occurred.
[0005]
Similarly, if the user wants to print in black using the printer application in cyan mode, conventionally, the copy application cyan must be replenished with toner first, then the next black must be replenished with toner and printing should start. I had to.
[0006]
For example, when a black and cyan toner end occurs, the copy application has the right to use the operation unit, and if the user wants to print using the printer application in black in cyan mode, Printing had to be started after cyan was first replenished and the next black was replenished or the color mode of the copy application was changed to black and replenished with black toner.
[0007]
In addition, in a device in which multiple applications operate using a common resource, operation information is basically issued collectively at the time of operation so as not to cause inconsistency in operation command data among the applications. I have to. However, since the toner replenishment color cannot be selected by a user operation, it is necessary to transmit color information when the user presses a key, not during operation.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art. Eyes The target , Manipulation An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of matching the replenishment message on the cropping section with the color that can actually be replenished.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
in front Note In order to achieve the objective, the first means stores a plurality of movably installed developing devices and toner replenished in each of these developing devices, and is detachably attached to the plurality of developing devices. An image forming apparatus capable of exchanging only a toner container located at a preset exchange position, an image reading apparatus for reading an image, and an operation unit for inputting a user operation. A plurality of applications each performing different processing, and arbitration means for receiving use requests and release requests from the respective applications, and arbitrating the use orders of the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus in accordance with a preset priority order; , In the image forming system, the mediation unit includes a color for each application. mode Based on the information and the usage state of the image forming apparatus and the reading apparatus for each application, the color of the application using the operation unit when the image forming apparatus is not used mode Select information and the selected color mode Information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus receives the received color mode The toner container to be replaced is searched according to the information, and the searched toner container is moved to the replacement position.
[0014]
According to a second means, in the first means, the operation unit includes means for selecting and inputting color mode information, and the application is configured to select the color according to information from the input means. mode It is characterized by switching information.
[0015]
First 3 means in the first or second means, the operation From the department concerned operation The application that uses Switching information Is entered ,in front Tone Stop means is the input That uses the operation unit based on the switched information It is characterized by switching.
[0017]
The fourth means is the first or third In the means, the application includes a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital image forming system as an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital image forming system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of hardware of the digital image forming system, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of hardware of the digital image forming system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an application layer in the digital image forming system of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the interleaving operation of a copy application and a printer application in the digital image forming system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a facsimile application and a printer application in the digital image forming system of FIG. Explanatory diagram showing parallel operation of Figure 8 is an explanatory view showing an example of an operation unit of FIG. 1, FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the system control unit.
[0019]
A digital image forming system in FIG. 2 includes a document feeding device 1, a reading device 3, an image forming device 4, and a paper feeding device including first, second, and third three-stage paper feeding cassettes 7a, 7b, and 7c. And a paper discharge sorting device 6. The reading device 3 captures an original image into a CCD through exposure paper and a mirror, decomposes it into image data signals composed of black Bk, magenta M, cyan C, and yellow Y components and transfers them to the image forming device 4. .
[0020]
The image forming apparatus 4 is capable of forming a full-color image. The image forming apparatus 4 transfers the image onto the intermediate transfer belt 4d, a charging process of the photoconductor 4a, a laser exposure process, a developing process using toner that performs development by a revolver developing method, and 1 The toner image on the transfer paper conveyed in the fixing process after the secondary transfer process, the secondary transfer process for transferring the toner image on the primary transfer belt to the transfer paper whose timing is adjusted by the resist roller, and the cleaning process is thermally fixed. After fixing, it is discharged outside the machine. When forming a full-color image, the charging, exposure, development, and primary transfer processes are performed four times for black Bk, magenta M, cyan C, and yellow Y. For the alignment of each color, a belt mark attached to the intermediate transfer belt 4d is detected by a detection means such as a light reflection sensor to generate timing.
[0021]
The inside of the revolver developing device 4c is divided into four, and developing devices for four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are arranged. Each developing device holds a toner container that contains toner corresponding to each color in a detachable manner. The toner container is disposed in the vicinity of each color developing device and moves in conjunction with each developing device. The revolver developing device is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 by a specified angle by pulse motor drive control (not shown) under the control of the image reading apparatus.
[0022]
The duplex unit 5 is configured to reverse the front and back sides of the sheet of paper that has been fed from the paper feed cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus 4 and has an image formed on one side thereof, and is fed again to the image forming apparatus 4. As a result, images can be formed on both sides of one sheet. In this type of duplex unit 5, there are known a unit that re-feeds one sheet immediately and a unit that stacks a plurality of sheets and sequentially re-feeds from the top sheet. The paper on which the image is formed by the image forming device 4 is sorted by the page order or page by the paper discharge sorting device 6 and discharged.
[0023]
The extended function (application) shares the resources of the document feeding device 1, the operation unit 2, the image reading device 3, the image forming device 4, the duplex unit 5, the paper discharge sorting device 6 and the paper feed cassette 7, for example as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, it is composed of various other applications 81, 82, 83, 84 such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile (FAX), a scanner, and a file system.
[0024]
Here, in this specification, the extended function is expressed as “application”, and the image signal photoelectrically converted by the image reading device 3, the image signal input to the image forming device 4, and the synchronization signal of the image signal are summarized. And expressed as “video signal”. Further, a signal for exchanging the “video signal” between the image reading device 3 and the image forming device 4 and the applications 81 to 84 is a “control signal” or a “command”. " It expresses. In addition, a digital copying machine having a plurality of applications 81 to 84 is expressed as “system”, and a controller for controlling the “system” is expressed as “system controller” or “system controller”.
[0025]
Next, the operation unit (and display unit) 2 will be described. Even in such a system in which a plurality of applications 81 to 84 are mounted, there are many cases where the operation unit (and the display unit) has only a limited operation unit. In some cases, it is necessary to yield the operation unit 2 for the application used by the user. Therefore, in the present invention, a screen prepared for each of the applications 81 to 84 is expressed as a “virtual screen”. Therefore, although there are a plurality of “virtual screens”, only one is actually displayed on the operation unit 2 at all times.
[0026]
The application to which the display right of the operation unit 2 is given is expressed as “foreground application”. The “foreground application” is notified of almost all key inputs from the system, and also has a “virtual screen” only for itself. Is displayed on the operation unit 2. On the other hand, an application having no display right is expressed as a “background application”, and this “background application” does not interrupt the operation only with no display right, and a limited key is received from the system control unit 101. Be notified. Therefore, for example, even if the printer application 82 is in the background, if there is print data from an external host personal computer (not shown) if the image forming apparatus 4 is free, output by the image forming apparatus 4 is attempted. You can also.
[0027]
In addition, a state in which the resources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the image forming apparatus 4 and the like are free is expressed as an “idle state”, and the system control unit 101 performs this in units of resources 1 to 7. I manage the idle state. Furthermore, an application that is initially given a screen display right from the system control unit 101 when the power is turned on is expressed as a “launch application”.
[0028]
Next, “insertion output” or “interleave” will be described. This term is mainly used in the description of the operation when outputting an image, which will be described later. For example, in recent digital copying machines, some functions are combined, and for example, a combination of a copying machine and a facsimile or printer or more is integrated into one unit. In general, for example, output is performed in function units (= job units) so as to switch to printer output after the copying function is completed. On the other hand, the output of one job inserted into another job is expressed as “interleave”, which means that, for example, printer output can be realized without stopping the machine during the output of a copier. To do.
[0029]
“Mode” indicates that the application has a display right. For example, when the printer application has a display right, this digital copier is expressed as a printer mode. Further, the time point when the mode is switched is expressed as “mode transition” or “mode transition”, which is controlled by the system control unit 101.
[0030]
Here, when the system becomes complicated, it becomes necessary to individually handle the application for each user. However, it is impossible to satisfy all of these responses at the time of factory shipment, so the state where the application has been shipped to the market. It is essential to respond in Therefore, in the present invention, a nonvolatile RAM is provided and a system setting function is provided according to the customer's request. This function is expressed as “user setting”.
[0031]
In addition, when the image forming apparatus 4 is an electrophotographic process method using a laser beam, the writing density can be selected to some extent. Therefore, this function is designated as “VR: Variable Resolusion (variable density)” or “MR: MultiResolusion ( "Multiple density)". Furthermore, since there are many consumables in the electrophotographic process type copying machine, there are cases where the user is not allowed to use it indefinitely, which is expressed as “user restriction”. In this “user restriction”, “coin rack”, “key counter”, “key card”, “password”, etc. are used to identify, restrict and manage users.
[0032]
In this way, when configuring a multitask type system in which each of the resources 1 to 7 is shared and selectively used by a plurality of applications 81 to 84, the system is controlled by the system control layer 100 as shown in FIG. This system control layer 100 is configured by a system control unit 101 and controllers 21, 31, 41, 61 of peripheral devices such as the operation unit 2, the image reading device 3, the image forming device 41, and the paper discharge sorting device 6. Is done.
[0033]
The device control layer 110 converts a logical instruction such as a command and a control signal from the system control layer 100 to drive and input mechanical inputs / outputs such as a clutch, a sensor, and a motor that actually drive the device. . Applications 81 to 84 coexist in the application layer 80 due to the functions provided from the system control layer 100.
[0034]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the hardware of such a system is provided with CPUs 81 a, 82 a, and 83 a for each of the applications 81 to 83, and for the operation unit 2 that is a resource, the image reading device 3, and the image forming device 4. By providing one CPU 10, the system control layer 100 and the device control layer 110 can be controlled by one CPU 10. The printer application 82 and the facsimile application 83 are provided with page memories 82b and 83b, respectively.
[0035]
As other hardware, as shown in FIG. 4, CPUs 81a to 83a, 101a, 21a, 31a, and 41a are provided for the applications 81 to 83, the system controller (controller) 101, and the resources 2 to 4, respectively. The CPU 101a of the system control unit 101 can be configured to transmit commands from the CPUs 81a to 83a and 21a to 41a via the control signal lines, and thus the hardware configuration of the present invention can be freely configured. be able to.
[0036]
Next, virtual resources will be described with reference to FIGS. When viewed from the application layer 80, the system control layer 100 provides a function in which virtual resources exist for all the applications 81 to 84 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. There is no need to manage the system state, and the system control layer 100 can manage all the applications 81 to 84 under the same conditions.
[0037]
That is, each application 81 to 84 sends a use request to the system control layer 100 when a resource to be used is generated, and the system control layer 100 sends a result determined from the resource use status at that time to the request source application. The request source application determines whether it can be executed based on the result, and executes it if possible. The system control layer 100 basically manages the execution rights of the applications 81 to 84 in the same procedure.
[0038]
Here, since there is only one actual resource 2 to 4 as shown in FIG. 2, the system control layer 100 passes the actual use right of the resource 2 to 4 when the virtual resource use requests compete. Therefore, it is necessary to perform exclusive control or time division allocation. Whether exclusive control is performed or time-sharing allocation is performed differs depending on the resource type and user settings.
[0039]
In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the virtual resource indicated by a broken line indicates a case where the application does not have the execution right, and the resource indicated by a solid line indicates a case where the application has the execution right. FIG. 6 shows an interleave operation between the copy application 81 and the printer application 82, that is, a state in which another job output is inserted into the output of one job and output. In this example, the copy application 81 includes the operation unit 2 and the image reading device. 3 and the image forming apparatus 4 are executed with the right to execute all the resources. When a use request for the image forming apparatus 4 is generated from the printer application 82 in this state, the interleave mode is set by the user setting. In this case, the system control layer 100 assigns the image forming apparatus 4 to the copy application 81 and the printer application 82 in a time division manner.
[0040]
In this time-sharing allocation control, the resource execution right is dynamically changed among a plurality of applications, and the output of the image forming apparatus 4 is a mixture of the output of the copy application 81 and the output of the printer application 82. become. Accordingly, the waiting time of the copy application 81 and the printer application 82 can be minimized without stopping the image forming apparatus 4.
[0041]
FIG. 7 shows a parallel operation of the printer application 82 and the facsimile application 83 as another operation example. The facsimile application 83 uses only the operation unit 2 and the image reading device 3 at the time of transmission, while the printer application 82 requires only the image forming device 4. Therefore, even if the resource use requests of the printer application 82 and the facsimile application 83 are generated at the same time, no resource contention occurs. Therefore, the requests of the two applications 82 and 83 can be accepted without performing exclusive control or time division allocation. Therefore, facsimile transmission and printer output can be performed simultaneously.
[0042]
Next, the operation of the plotter (image forming apparatus 4) will be described. In the present invention, each application 81 to 84 is configured so that the priority order can be registered by a predetermined operation method. Specifically, a user-set program mode is entered by a key combination operation on the operation unit 2, and each application 81 to 84 is entered. Is registered. Also, the priority order registered here is input as a numerical value from “1” to “9”. When output requests from a plurality of applications 81 to 84 are generated at the same time, priority is given to the output of the application having a higher priority. Therefore, an application with a low priority waits for output until the next paper feed executable timing.
[0043]
For example, when the user who wants to output the facsimile reception output with the highest priority registers the facsimile application 83 with the highest priority over the other applications 81, 82, 84, for example, when the facsimile reception output is possible even during copying. The facsimile reception output is output in an interleaved manner, and the copy output is resumed at the timing when the next paper feeding is possible.
[0044]
For example, when the user sets the priority order of two or more applications to the same, if output requests from the applications having the same priority order are generated at the same time, the output right is alternately assigned to these applications in a so-called round robin. Given.
[0045]
For example, when the same priority order is set for the copy application 81 and the printer application 82, and each of them performs continuous output, that is, when the paper is transported once, the next output is performed at the timing when the next paper feed can be executed. When performing the above, the outputs of the applications 81 and 82 are alternately performed as follows: copy output → printer output → copy output → printer output. Further, by separating the bins for each application by the paper discharge sorting device (sorter) 6, it is possible to prevent confusion when the user of each application takes out the paper.
[0046]
Therefore, when a plurality of users share and use one copying machine, the right to use can be given fairly among the users. In the above example, the case where the same priority is set for the two applications 81 and 82 has been described. However, three or more applications may be set. It should be noted that it is naturally possible that output requests from two or more applications do not occur at the same time, but in this case, the system controller 101 outputs the application requested first. That is, when one user uses only one application, the operation is the same as that of a conventional copying machine or application.
[0047]
Here, when the image forming apparatus 4 performs writing by an electrophotographic process method using a laser beam, the writing density can be changed in a plurality of stages by changing the rotation speed of the polygon mirror (MR). On the other hand, the optimum writing density may differ depending on the application. Therefore, as described above, the rotation speed of the polygon mirror must be changed every time three or more applications output in the so-called round robin with the same priority. .
[0048]
However, if the rotation speed of the polygon mirror is changed, it usually takes about 3 seconds to stabilize at the rated rotation. Therefore, every time the application is switched, an extra time of about 3 seconds is required, and the throughput of the entire system is lowered. Therefore, in the present invention, when an output request is generated from two or more applications, the right to use is sequentially given from an application having a high write density, and in the case of the same priority, the application of the application fed immediately before is given. By prioritizing the application that requested the output with the same writing density, it is possible to prevent a decrease in throughput. Even when MR is performed, interleaved output can be realized with a minimum switching time.
[0049]
In the present invention, it is also possible to set the permission / prohibition of interleaving for entering the print output of another application while executing the print output of a certain application by executing the user combination program mode by the key combination operation on the operation unit 2. ing. Here, in the case of interleaving permission, the same effect as the priority order setting described above can be obtained. However, when the paper discharge sorting device (sorter) 6 is not equipped, one application sheet is used. The user is confused by being mixed on the paper discharge tray.
[0050]
Therefore, in principle, the output of a background application that does not have display rights is prohibited, and the user consciously selects an application mode that the user desires to output on the operation unit 2, or the foreground application having display rights is in an idle state. Only in this case, the above problem can be solved by automatically switching the background application to the foreground application for output.
[0051]
Further, it is configured such that an application for which user restriction is set is prohibited from being output from the background application, and output is performed only after the user consciously selects the foreground application. This is because the second user can output from the background application while the first user is outputting using a user restriction device such as a coin rack, key card, or key counter in the foreground application. Then, it is counted up to the user restriction device of the first user. This user restriction can be set for each application.
[0052]
Furthermore, when the background application starts output, it is configured to display and notify the user who is using the foreground application. FIG. 8 shows an example, and LEDs 81c, 82c, 83c, and 84c are provided for copying, printer, facsimile, and other applications 81 to 84. In this example, the LED 83c for facsimile is turned on as the foreground, and the background is used as the background. The LED 82c for the printer being output is blinking. This blinking is performed until the paper discharge is completed after the background paper feeding is started.
[0053]
In addition, instead of blinking the LED when outputting as a background, a guidance such as “FAX priority output” may be displayed on the LCD 2a of operation 2, and the foreground application is used in this case as well. It is possible to alert the middle user not to mistake the paper ejected by the background application.
[0054]
Further, the interrupt copy can be set to the highest priority. That is, since the interrupt copy is positioned to be executed by the user with urgency, the user's usability can be improved by setting the highest priority.
[0055]
Next, main parts of the operation of the system control unit 101 will be described.
Table 1 shows usage request resources of the image forming apparatus of the reading apparatus for each application of the copy 81, the facsimile 83, the printer 82, and the scanner. When each of the applications 81 to 84 performs processing, it issues a request to the system control unit 101 as to whether to use the reading device and the image forming apparatus. Here, it is assumed that ○ is a use request and × is not used.
[0056]
[Table 1]

[0057]
As shown in Table 2, the status of the resource possessed by the system control unit 101 is set to indicate whether or not the reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus can be used. Here, ◯ is usable and x is unusable.
[0058]
[Table 2]

[0059]
When receiving a resource use request, the system control unit 101 sorts and registers the resource requests as shown in Table 3 in the waiting table in order of priority.
[0060]
[Table 3]

[0061]
Then, it is determined based on the resource state in Table 2 whether or not all the resources requested to be used are available in order from the top of the table, and if available, the request is moved to the resource acquisition table as shown in Table 4. .
[0062]
[Table 4]

[0063]
Next, the output operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the power is turned on, for example, the temperature of the fixing device reaches a predetermined temperature or waits for a paper feed ready state where no jam has occurred (step 901). After receiving an application output request, a preset priority order is set. The application is sorted (step 902). Next, it is determined whether or not the application is permitted to output from the background (step 903). If permitted, the process proceeds to step 904 and thereafter, and if not permitted, the process branches to step 912. .
[0064]
In step 912, if the application is in the foreground, the process proceeds to step 909 to start output, then set to a paper feed impossible state (step 910), and waits for the remaining output request received (step 911). Return to step 901. If the application is not in the foreground in step 912, the process branches to step 913 to wait for execution, and then proceeds to step 915 to return to step 901 when processing of the accepted request is completed. If not, the process returns to step 903.
[0065]
If the application is permitted to output from the background in step 903, it is determined whether or not the application is set to user restriction (step 904). If the application is not set, step 905 is executed. Proceed to the following, and if set, branch to step 912.
[0066]
In step 905, it is determined whether or not the interrupt mode is set. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step 906 and thereafter, and if it is set, the process branches to step 912. In step 906, it is determined whether or not the foreground application has selected the sort or stack mode and the foreground application is not in an idle state. If YES, the process branches to step 912. If NO, step 907 and the subsequent steps are performed. Proceed to
[0067]
In step 907, it is determined whether or not there is a request for the same writing density as that of the application having the same priority and that is supplied immediately before. If there is the same request, the process proceeds to step 909 and the output of the application is output. If there are no identical items, go to step 908 and thereafter. In step 908, it is determined whether or not the request is the same as the writing density fed immediately before. If NO, the process proceeds to step 909 to output the application, while if YES, the process branches to step 914. To wait for execution and proceed to step 915.
[0068]
Next, the processing procedure of the sort processing of the resource request waiting table executed by the system control unit 101 in step 902 of FIG. 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0069]
In this process, first, “1” is set to the variable n in step 1001, and it is checked in step 1002 whether a resource use request is registered in the n-th table. If the resource use request is registered, the process proceeds to step 1003, and if not registered, the process proceeds to step 1006. In step 1003, it is checked whether the priority of the nth table is higher than the priority of the requested application. If the priority of the n-th table is high in this check, the variable n is incremented by “1” in step 1004 and the process returns to step 1002. On the other hand, if the priority of the nth table is low, all the tables after the nth are shifted down by 1 in step 1005. In step 1006, the request is registered nth.
[0070]
When the registration is completed, in step 1007, “1” is set to the variable k, and further, in step 1008, it is checked whether all the used resources of the k-th table can be used. If the k-th table can be used, the process proceeds to step 1011. If the k-th table cannot be used, the process proceeds to step 1009. In step 1009, it is checked whether or not the number “k” is greater than or equal to the final table number. If the number is greater than or equal to the final table number, the process ends. If less, the step “10” is incremented by “1”. The processing after step 1008 is repeated. On the other hand, in step 1011, the k-th table is moved to the execution buffer, and in step 1012, all the tables after “k + 1” are shifted up by one and the process is finished.
[0071]
Further, the system control unit 101 stores the color mode received from each registered application as application color mode information as shown in Table 5 for each application.
[0072]
[Table 5]

[0073]
The operation unit display when the color mode is selected in the copy application is as shown in FIG. Further, the system control unit 101 has operation unit usage right information as shown in Table 6.
[0074]
[Table 6]

[0075]
When the user intentionally switches the application, the system control unit stores the application that has been switched to the current usage right. At the same time, the operation unit controller 21 is instructed to display the virtual screen of the application currently stored in the usage right, and this is set as the foreground application.
[0076]
This will be specifically described. When the color mode of each application is cyan mode for copying, black for the printer, and black for FAX, the application color mode information of the system control unit 101 is as shown in Table 7.
[0077]
[Table 7]

[0078]
Now, assuming that the foreground application is a copy, the operation unit usage right information is as shown in Table 8.
[0079]
[Table 8]

[0080]
If the cyan toner and black toner are at the end, and the copy operation in the cyan color mode of the copy application is completed, the image forming apparatus replaces the cyan toner container used in the received cyan color mode. Stop to move to the position. Table 9 shows the relationship between the color mode and the toner color used.
[0081]
[Table 9]

[0082]
If the toner end occurs during image output, the image forming apparatus 4 terminates the request processing after interrupting the image output requested by the application. In response to this, the application stops outputting the remaining images and releases the resources in use. As a result, the application acquisition information registered in the resource acquisition table is deleted. On the other hand, the use request waiting table is again checked from the first, and if the use request resource is available, the table is moved to the resource acquisition table.
[0083]
The copy application releases the image forming apparatus 4 and the reading apparatus 3 that have been used, and the image forming apparatus 4 and the reading apparatus in the resource state become unused as shown in Table 10.
[0084]
[Table 10]

[0085]
Next, processing performed by the application will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0086]
In this process, first, in step 1101, a start is waited. If it is a start, a resource use request is issued (step 1102). In step 1103, the process waits for completion of the process requested in step 1102. When the requested processing is completed, it is checked in step 1104 whether there is a remaining job. If there is no remaining job, a release of used resources is issued in step 1105 and the process returns to step 1101. If there is a remaining job, in step 1106 Check if used toner is end. If it is a toner end, a release of used resources is issued in step 1107, a toner end display is performed in step 1108, a return waiting state of the image forming apparatus is issued in step 1109, and the process returns to step 1106.
[0087]
On the other hand, if the used toner is not the end in step 1106, it is checked in step 1110 whether to wait for return. If it is not waiting for the check, the process returns to Step 1101, and if it is waiting for the return, the toner end display is turned off in Step 1111, the return waiting is canceled in Step 1112, and the process returns to Step 1101.
[0088]
When the copy application releases image forming resources at the cyan toner end, the system control unit 101 transmits the color mode cyan of the copy application having the operation unit use right. The image forming apparatus 4 does nothing because the cyan toner container is in the replacement position. At this time, a cyan toner replacement request message is displayed on the operation unit 2 as shown in FIG.
[0089]
Here, the processing performed when the system control unit 101 releases resources is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this process, it is checked in step 1201 whether or not the image forming apparatus 4 has been released. If it has been released, the color mode of the application having the operation unit use right is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 4 in step 1202. On the other hand, if not released in step 1201, the process is terminated as it is. Thereafter, it is assumed that the user tries to print out in black. The printer application transmits color mode black to the system control unit 101.
[0090]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the system control unit 101 when receiving a color mode including an application. In this process, first, it is checked in step 1301 whether or not the color mode has been received. If it has been received, the received color mode is stored in the application color mode information in step 1302 and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it has not been received, this process is finished without doing anything.
[0091]
Thereafter, the printer application requests use of the image forming apparatus 4 and issues a black print job to the image forming apparatus 4. However, since the black toner is at the toner end, the image forming apparatus 4 immediately suspends the job, and the printer application releases the image forming apparatus 4. At this time, since the right to use the operation unit is the copy application, the print output user wants to replenish only the black toner, and therefore, the operation unit 2 is operated to switch to the printer application. As a result, the operating unit usage right is switched to the printer application, and the operating unit usage right is as shown in Table 11.
[0092]
[Table 11]

[0093]
The system control unit 101 transmits black, which is a color mode of the printer, to the image forming apparatus 4. At this time, the right to use the operation unit becomes the printer, and a black toner replacement request message is displayed on the operation unit 2 as shown in FIG.
[0094]
A process in which the system control unit 101 switches an application based on operation input information from the operation unit 2 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this process, it is checked in step 1401 whether or not the copy application is selected. On the other hand, if the copy application is not selected in step 1401, it is checked in step 1403 whether the printer application is selected. If the printer application is selected, the operation unit usage right is switched to the printer in step 1404, and the process proceeds to step 1407. If the printer application is not selected in the check in step 1403, it is checked in step 1405 whether the FAX application is selected. If the FAX application is selected, in step 1406, the right to use the operation unit is set in the FAX application. To step 1407. If the FAX application is not selected in the check in step 1405, the process proceeds to step 1407 without doing anything. In step 1407, it is confirmed whether or not the image forming apparatus 4 is in use. If it is in use, it cannot be used in the application, and the processing is ended as it is. If not in use, in step 1408, the color mode of the application having the operation unit use right is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 4, and the process is terminated.
[0095]
Upon receiving the color mode black from the system control unit 101, the image forming apparatus 4 moves the black toner container to the replacement position. Table 12 shows the current revolver movement angles of the toner container replacement position color and the destination color.
[0096]
[Table 12]

[0097]
In addition, when a plurality of toners are at the end or near end, the priority of the color for moving the toner container to the replacement position is
(1) Toner end> Near end
(2) Black>Cyan>Magenta> Yellow
It becomes the order of. As for the priority order of colors, black is given the highest priority in terms of frequency of use, and the other colors are determined in the arrangement order of the revolver developing devices.
[0098]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing when the image forming apparatus 4 receives the color mode from the system control 101. In this process, it is checked in step 1501 whether or not the color mode has been received. If it has been received, it is checked in step 1502 whether or not it is operating. If it is not in operation, the color mode received in step 1503 is stored, and in step 1504, the color of the toner container to be moved to the replacement position is retrieved. Next, in step 1505, it is checked whether or not the toner container searched in step 1504 has already been moved to the current replacement position. If it has been moved, this processing is terminated. Based on (Table 12), the revolver is moved (rotated), the toner container searched in step 1504 is moved to the replacement position, and this processing is completed. If the color mode is not received in step 1501 or if the image forming apparatus 4 is operating in step 1502, the process ends without doing anything.
[0099]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, color for each application mode If the image forming apparatus is not used based on the information and the usage state of the image forming apparatus and the reading apparatus for each application, the color of the application using the operation unit mode Select information and the selected color mode The information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus searches for the toner container to be replaced according to the received color information, and moves the searched toner container to the replacement position. And the color of the toner that can be actually supplied can be matched.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital image forming apparatus system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital image forming apparatus system of FIG. 1;
3 is a block diagram showing an example of hardware of the digital image forming apparatus system of FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a block diagram showing another example of hardware of the digital image forming apparatus system of FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an application layer and a system control layer in the digital image forming apparatus system of FIG. 1. FIG.
6 is an explanatory diagram showing an interleaving operation between a copy application and a printer application in the digital image forming apparatus system of FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is an explanatory diagram showing a parallel operation of a facsimile application and a printer application in the digital image forming apparatus system of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit in FIG. 2;
9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital image forming apparatus system of FIG. 1;
10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for sorting processing of a resource request waiting table executed in step 902 of FIG. 9; FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of processing executed by an application.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a release process of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of color mode reception.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an application switching processing procedure;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when the image forming apparatus receives a color mode from a system control unit.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation unit when a color mode is selected in a copy application.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation unit displaying a cyan toner replacement request message.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation unit displaying a black toner replacement request message.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Operation part
3 Image reading device
4 Image forming device
4c revolver
10 CPU
81, 82, 83, 84 Application
100 System control layer
101 System control unit

Claims (4)

A plurality of developing units movably installed, and a plurality of toner storage units that store toner replenished in each of these developing units and are detachably mounted on the plurality of developing units, and set in advance An image forming apparatus capable of exchanging only the toner container located at the exchange position, an image reading apparatus for reading an image, an operation unit for inputting a user operation,
Each different processing multiple applications and use request from the application to perform, receives the release request has, an arbitration means for arbitrating use order of the image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus according to the preset priority In an image forming system,
The arbitration unit uses an operation unit when the image forming apparatus is not used, based on color mode information for each application and usage states of the image forming apparatus and the reading apparatus for each application. Select the color mode information of the application and send the selected color mode information to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus searches for a toner container to be replaced according to the received color mode information, and moves the searched toner container to an exchange position. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes means for selecting and inputting color mode information, and the application switches the color mode information in accordance with information from the input means.   The switching means switching the application using the operation unit based on the input switching information when switching information for switching an application using the operation unit is input from the operation unit. 3. The image forming system according to 1 or 2.   4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the application includes a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile.

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