JP4074201B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to perform linked printing, and the image data is transferred to another connected image forming apparatus to be shared between a master machine and a slave machine. In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that copes with occurrence of an abnormality when performing linked printing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an image forming apparatus that outputs a print image, another image forming apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus that prints out, and the two image forming apparatuses are operated as a master unit (master unit) and a slave unit (slave unit). There is. In such a connection mode, a print image can be output continuously from these two image forming apparatuses (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 below).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-220945
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-322533
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2000-188651 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the techniques disclosed in the above patent documents, if an abnormality occurs in the slave machine while the image forming apparatus is printing in the connection mode, the master machine also stops printing. After that, in order to make the remaining copy, the user manually canceled the connection mode and started the remaining printing on the master machine again, so it was necessary to perform complicated operations to obtain the desired copy. .
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the purpose of the present invention is to cope with the occurrence of an abnormality in a slave machine during linked printing performed by connecting image forming apparatuses to each other. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily take measures after occurrence.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that functions as a master machine to which a slave machine is connected, and reads an image on a document and outputs it as image data. Reading means, image storage means for storing the image data, image printing means for printing the stored image data, means for receiving information on occurrence of abnormality from the slave unit, operation command, information on occurrence of abnormality , A communication unit that communicates image data and the like with the slave unit, and an image forming mode, and the stored image data is transferred to the slave unit via the connection unit and printed out. Connected image forming mode setting means capable of setting a connected image forming mode, and a plurality of images including printing of the connected image forming mode An image forming job accepting unit capable of registering an image forming job, and a print order control unit for performing image printing in the order in which the image forming job is received, and is in a state set to the connected image forming mode, and the connected image forming mode The connected image forming mode setting means cancels the connected image forming mode when receiving information related to the occurrence of an abnormality in the slave device during the setting operation in the connected image forming mode. The display means displays that the linked image forming mode cannot be set.
[0007]
According to this invention, it is possible to quickly perform processing for substituting the master machine for a job assigned to the slave machine. Further, the slave machine can be released from the job, and the recovery work of the slave machine can be started immediately. In addition, it is possible to perform processing for quickly substituting the master machine for a job to be assigned to the slave machine. Further, the slave machine can be released from the job, and the recovery work of the slave machine can be started immediately. Furthermore, since the operator can easily grasp that the linked image forming mode has been canceled by the display, it is possible to cope with it promptly.
[0012]
Further, in the image forming apparatus, when the linked image forming mode setting unit of the master machine cancels the linked image forming mode, the master machine substitutes the image forming job whose assignment is registered in the slave machine. It is characterized by performing processing for execution.
[0013]
According to the present invention, when the master machine cancels the linked image forming mode with the slave machine, the master machine performs a process for substituting the master machine for the job to be assigned to the slave machine, thereby improving the efficiency of the printing process. Can be achieved. Further, the slave machine can be released from the job, and the recovery work of the slave machine can be started immediately.
[0014]
Further, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the abnormality in which the continuous image forming mode cannot be continued is based on the interruption of power supply such as turning off the main power of the image forming apparatus.
[0015]
According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately cope with the case where the continuous image forming mode cannot be continued due to the occurrence of power interruption.
[0016]
Further, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the abnormality in which the continuous image forming mode cannot be continued is based on a system error of the image forming apparatus.
[0017]
According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately cope with the case where the connected image forming mode cannot be continued due to a system error.
[0018]
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the abnormality in which the continuous printing cannot be continued is based on a communication error between the image forming apparatuses.
[0019]
According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately cope with the case where the connected image forming mode cannot be continued due to a communication error.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an image forming apparatus of the present invention. A document stack is placed on the document table 2 at the top of the automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1 with the image surface of the document facing up.
[0021]
When the print key 34 on the operation unit 30 (see FIG. 2) is pressed, the uppermost document is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. The image data of the document on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50, and the document that has been read is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection unit 7 detects that there is a next document on the document table 2, it is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feeding roller 3, the feeding belt 4, and the discharging roller 5 are driven by a conveyance motor 26 (see FIG. 3).
[0022]
The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 below the apparatus are fed by the first sheet feeder 11, the second sheet feeder 12, and the third sheet feeder 13, respectively. Then, the sheet is conveyed to a position where it abuts on the photoconductor 15 by the vertical conveyance unit 14. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged to the finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus by the paper discharge unit 18.
[0023]
The finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus can guide the transfer paper in the normal paper discharge roller 102 direction and the lower staple processing unit direction. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103. Further, by switching the switching plate 101 downward, it can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper loaded on the staple table 108 is aligned by the paper jogger 109 every time one sheet is discharged, and is bound by the stapler 106 upon completion of partial copying. The group of transfer sheets bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight.
[0024]
On the other hand, the normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can be moved back and forth. The normal paper discharge tray 104 that can be moved back and forth moves back and forth for each original or each copy section sorted by the image memory, and sorts copy paper that is simply discharged.
[0025]
When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and imaged is not guided to the normal paper discharge tray 104 side, and the branching claw 112 for path switching is used. Is set on the upper side, and once stocked in the duplex feeding unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 15 again, and the branching claw 112 for switching the path. Is set to the lower side and guided to the normal paper discharge tray 104. The double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is used when creating images on both sides of such transfer paper.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a preheat key 35, a reset key 36, a new reservation key 38a, a job list key 38b, an initial setting key 39, and the like. On the liquid crystal touch panel 31, a key for mode setting described later, a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like are displayed.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the image forming apparatus. The photoconductor 15, the conveyance belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the development unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25. 24 is driven to transmit. The vertical conveyance unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor 25 by the intermediate clutch 21. The main controller 20 performs overall control of these. In addition, connection for a linked printing operation is performed with another image forming apparatus via an image processing unit (IPU) 49 and a linked I / F 48.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel 31 provided in the operation unit 30. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in black. In addition, when it is necessary to specify the details of the function (for example, if it is variable magnification, the variable magnification value, etc.), the detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. Since such a liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.
[0029]
In FIG. 4, a message area 41a for displaying messages such as “Ready to copy” and “Please wait” is displayed on the upper left, and a copy number display section 41b for displaying the set number is displayed on the right. . An automatic paper selection key 41c for automatically selecting a transfer paper is displayed below the message area 41a. In the right center, a sort key 41d for designating a process for arranging copies in order of pages one by one, a stack key 41e for designating a process for sorting copies by page, and a staple for designating a process for binding the sorted one part at a time A key 41f is provided.
[0030]
Under the automatic paper selection key 41c, an equal magnification key 41g for setting the magnification to the same magnification, a scaling key 41h for setting the enlargement / reduction magnification, a duplex key 41i for setting the duplex mode, a binding margin mode, and the like are set. An edit key 41j and a cover / interleaf key 41k for setting a cover / interleaf mode are provided. In addition, a connection mode key 41m is provided on the upper part to divide and print out a large amount of printing operations through a network of a digital copying machine (image forming apparatus). In addition, a paper feed tray state corresponding to the number of paper feed trays is displayed, and a key 41n for manually setting a paper feed tray is displayed for each paper feed tray.
[0031]
Next, operations from reading an image of a document to forming a latent image on a recording surface will be described with reference to FIG. A latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into light information and irradiating it on the surface of the photoreceptor. The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. Yes. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown).
[0032]
When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electrical signal, and processed. The image magnification is changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in FIG. That is, the positions of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 are set in the left-right direction corresponding to the designated magnification.
[0033]
The writing unit 57 is composed of a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a rotating polygon mirror (polygon) that rotates at a constant high speed by a laser diode and a motor as a laser light source. Mirror). The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is polarized by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 59, is folded by a mirror 60, and is focused and imaged on the surface of the photoreceptor.
[0034]
The polarized laser light is exposed and scanned in the direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the direction in which the photosensitive member 15 rotates, and the line-by-line recording of the image signal output from the selector 64 of the image processing unit described later is performed. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotational speed and recording density of the photosensitive member 15.
[0035]
As described above, the laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the image forming photoconductor 15. Although not shown, a beam sensor for generating a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position where a laser beam near one end of the photoconductor 15 is irradiated. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting / outputting an image signal described later are performed.
[0036]
Next, the configuration of the image processing unit 49 (reading unit 50 and writing unit 57) will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image processing unit 49. The light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 illuminates the original surface, and the reflected light from the original surface is imaged and received by a CCD image sensor 54 with an imaging lens (not shown), and is photoelectrically converted. The digital signal is converted by the D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 62, and then subjected to MTF correction, γ correction, etc. by the MTF / γ correction unit 63, and is subjected to scaling processing by the scaling processing unit 72. The The selector 64 switches the image signal destination to the writing γ correction unit 71 or the memory controller 65.
[0037]
The image signal that has passed through the writing γ correction unit 71 is sent to the writing unit 57. Between the memory controller 65 and the selector 64, an image signal can be input and output bidirectionally. The image processing unit (IPU) 49 is supplied with image data other than the image data input from the reading unit 50 from the outside (data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer) via the connection I / F 48. A function of selecting input / output of a plurality of data is provided.
[0038]
The image processing unit 49 includes a CPU 68 for setting the memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57, and a ROM 69 and a RAM 70 for storing programs and data thereof, and other I / O ports 67 are also provided. It is connected. The CPU 68 writes and reads data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65. In addition, an HDD 73 for saving or saving the contents of the image memory 66 is provided.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an image signal for one page in the selector 64. / FGATE in FIG. 6B represents a valid period in the sub-scanning direction of one page of image data. / LSYNC in FIG. 6A is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. The / LGATE in FIG. 6E is a signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid. These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK in FIG. 6C, and the data of one pixel in FIG. 6D is sent for one cycle of VCLK. The image processing unit (IPU) 49 has separate generation mechanisms for / FGATE, / LSYNC, / LGATE, and VCLK for each of image input and output, and various image input / output combinations can be realized. .
[0040]
In order to share the work, it is necessary to exchange image data and commands with other digital copying machines (image forming apparatuses). In this embodiment, an IEEE1394 connection interface is used for image data transmission / reception and a serial communication line is used for command transmission / reception, and the memory controller 65 shown in FIG. 5 realizes this via the connection I / F 48. .
[0041]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen during the copy operation. When the print key 34 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, the display on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 is switched from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the display screen shown in FIG. This in-copying screen is a screen showing the setting state of the copy currently in operation. Since the next copy reservation (hereinafter referred to as reserved copy) to be performed is not registered, an automatic paper selection key 41c, an automatic density key 41p, and a key 41n for manually setting a paper feed stage. The density is inverted, and the magnification display portion 41q displays the same magnification (100%) state, and the operation mode according to these settings is displayed.
[0042]
FIG. 8 shows a reserved copy operation screen. A screen for registering a reserved copy is shown. This is displayed when the new reservation key 38a shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, and when the print key 34 is pressed, the reservation is registered, and the document reading operation starts. Further, the reserved copy can be canceled by depressing the cancel key 41r shown in the figure, and the screen during the copy operation shown in FIG. 7 can be returned. In the display screens shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the job number 41s is displayed in the message area 41a at the upper center of the screen. The job number 41 s is a number for identifying a job and is incremented by 1 every time a reservation is made.
[0043]
In the reserved copy mode, the operation unit 30 is opened during the execution of the copy operation, and the operation input of the next job is enabled. This is an operation mode in which the scanner (including ADF1) is opened and the original destination reading operation of the next job is enabled when the original reading operation of the job during the copying operation is completed.
[0044]
FIG. 9 shows a job list screen. Lists the status of the currently printing copy and reserved copy. The job list screen is displayed when the job list key 38b of the operation unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed. Each displayed job is a key, and when pressed, the selected state is displayed, and is highlighted. When pressed again in the inverted state, the inversion is canceled and the state returns to the non-selected state. FIG. 9 shows that three reserved jobs are registered in addition to the job being printed, and a state in which reservation 2 is highlighted by selection is shown.
[0045]
After selection for each job, the next key becomes valid. When the “Previous” key 41t for changing the reservation order is pressed, the reservation order is advanced by one. However, it does not go before the job being printed. Further, the reservation order is decremented by one by pressing the “back” key 41u. In FIG. 9, when the “Previous” key 41t is pressed, the job number “003” is moved up to the reservation 1 on the job list screen as shown in the job list screen of FIG.
[0046]
Further, by pressing the content display key 41v, the mode can be changed to a mode selection screen for the selected job, and the copy mode can be changed. In FIG. 9, when the content display key 41v is pressed, the screen changes to the reservation standby screen shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the user can return to the job list display screen (FIG. 9) by pressing the “return to list” key 41w.
[0047]
Next, a software control module configuration, image transfer, and print control in the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a software module configuration of the image forming apparatus. The job information set in the application layer 80 is transferred to the control service layer 81 using a start key or the like as a trigger. The control service layer 81 interprets job information from the application layer 80 and requests process information for operating the handler layer 82 from the handler manager 82a.
[0048]
The handler manager 82a operates the individual handlers 82b to 82d according to the process information. The handler includes a scanner handler 82b for controlling the reading unit, an image memory handler 82c for controlling input / output of image data to / from the image memory, and a plotter handler 82d for controlling the writing unit and paper conveyance and post-processing peripheral devices. The software modules cooperate to perform processing from reading to storage in the image memory and image formation.
[0049]
Further, the image forming apparatus (master unit 90) includes a connection I / F 48 for connecting to another image forming apparatus (slave unit 91), and image data and command information are connected via the connection I / F 48. And device status information can be exchanged.
[0050]
In the single copy job, the procedure is to read and store an image and print the stored image. In the linked copy job, the following control is added to the above procedure. The linked copy job generated on the parent device 90 side is a process of storing the image read by the scanner in the image memory after the job information is interpreted in the control service layer 81 of the parent device 90 and the child device 91. Each process is divided into processes to be transferred to the image memory.
[0051]
When the transfer of the necessary image is completed, the control service layer 81 of the slave unit 91 generates a printing process that refers to the image data that has been transferred in advance according to the information received from the control service layer 81 of the master unit 90. Request printing to the handler manager 82a of the machine 91.
[0052]
Then, the control service layer 81 of the child device 91 sequentially notifies the parent device 90 of the print job processed by the own device to the parent device 90. In accordance with this information, the control service of the parent device 90 monitors the progress of the print job of the own device (parent device) 90 and the print job of the child device 91, and performs necessary printing.
[0053]
Next, the printing operation in the connection mode with the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, there are two image forming apparatuses connected by a wired cable 92, and the side that sets the mode and shares the work is the master unit 90, and the side that is assigned the work is the slave unit 91. Call it.
[0054]
(1) When an error occurs on the slave unit 91 side when the connection mode is set
In this case, the occurrence of abnormality is transmitted from the slave unit 91 to the master unit 90 via the connection I / F 48, and when the master unit 90 receives it, the master unit 90 releases the connection mode. At the same time, the master unit 90 displays on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 on the operation unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 informing that the connection mode has been released. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display for canceling the connection mode. In the example shown in the figure, “An error has occurred at the link destination. Linked copy is released.” Is displayed. This message may be displayed under the message “Can copy” in the message area 41a shown in FIG. Further, the message content of “An error has occurred at the connection destination” may be a specific content such as “the main power supply is turned off at the connection destination”. The same processing is performed when the main power supply of the slave unit 91 is turned off as a cause of occurrence of an abnormality, or when a system error, a communication error due to disconnection of the wired cable 92, or the like occurs.
[0055]
As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, if an abnormality that prevents the continuous printing from continuing in the slave unit 91 occurs when the connection mode is selected, the master unit 90 automatically cancels the connection mode. At the same time, a display is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 to notify the operator that the connection mode has been released. As a result, the operator can easily know that the connection mode has been canceled, and can quickly perform a process for replacing the job assigned to the child device 91 with the parent device 90.
[0056]
(2) When an error occurs on the slave unit 91 while setting the operating condition of the job to be reserved or while reserving the job under the connection mode setting
Also in this case, when an error occurrence is transmitted from the slave unit 91 to the master unit 90 via the connection I / F 48 and received by the master unit 90, the master unit 90 cancels the connection mode of the job for which the connection mode is selected. Then, the connection disabling display as shown in FIG. 14 is performed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30 on the base unit 90 side. The same processing is performed when a main power OFF, a system error, or a communication error due to disconnection of the wired cable 92 occurs as a cause of the occurrence of an abnormality.
[0057]
In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, even when an abnormality in which the linked printing cannot be continued occurs in the slave unit 91 during the reservation of the linked mode, the master unit 90 automatically cancels the linked mode and the liquid crystal touch panel. A display for notifying the operator that the connection mode has been released is displayed at 31. As a result, the operator can easily know that the connection mode has been released, and can quickly perform processing for replacing the job to be assigned to the child device 91 with the parent device 90.
[0058]
Note that the control related to image processing including the connection mode described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.
[0059]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in this embodiment, and can be changed or improved based on the description of the scope of claims.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
According to this invention, it is possible to quickly perform processing for substituting the master machine for a job assigned to the slave machine. Further, the slave machine can be released from the job, and the recovery work of the slave machine can be started immediately. In addition, it is possible to perform processing for quickly substituting the master machine for a job to be assigned to the slave machine. Further, the slave machine can be released from the job, and the recovery work of the slave machine can be started immediately. Furthermore, since the operator can easily grasp that the linked image forming mode has been canceled by the display, it is possible to cope with it promptly. In particular, even if an abnormality occurs in the slave unit during job reservation in the connection mode, there is an effect that it is possible to quickly cope.
[0063]
According to the present invention, the linked image forming mode setting means of the master machine is a process for substituting the master machine for a job to be assigned to the slave machine when the linked image forming mode is canceled. Therefore, it is possible to perform the required printing process and improve the efficiency of the printing process. Further, the slave machine can be released from the job, and the recovery work of the slave machine can be started immediately.
[0064]
Further, according to the present invention, the abnormality in which the connected image forming mode cannot be continued is based on the interruption of the power supply such as turning off the main power of the image forming apparatus. When the continuation of the image forming mode becomes impossible, an appropriate countermeasure can be taken.
[0065]
In addition, according to the present invention, the abnormality in which the connected image forming mode cannot be continued is based on the system error of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the continuous image forming mode cannot be continued due to the occurrence of the system error. When it becomes possible, it can be dealt with appropriately.
[0066]
In addition, according to the present invention, the abnormality in which continuous printing cannot be continued is based on a communication error between the image forming apparatuses. Therefore, the continuous image forming mode cannot be continued due to the occurrence of a communication error. When it becomes possible, it can be dealt with appropriately.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a liquid crystal touch panel provided in an operation unit.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing image signals for one page in the selector.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen during a copy operation.
FIG. 8 shows a reserved copy operation screen.
FIG. 9 illustrates a job list screen.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a job list screen.
FIG. 11 is a view showing a screen in a reservation standby state.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a module configuration of software of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in which two image forming apparatuses are connected.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display for canceling the connection mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
2 Document table
3 Feeding roller
4 Feeding belt
5 Discharge roller
8 First tray
9 Second tray
10 Third tray
11 First paper feeder
12 Second paper feeder
13 Third paper feeder
14 Vertical transport unit
15 photoconductor
17 Fixing unit
18 Paper discharge unit
20 Main controller
27 Development unit
30 Operation unit
31 LCD touch panel
32 numeric keypad
33 Clear / Stop key
34 Print key
35 Preheating key
36 Reset key
38a New reservation key
38b Job list key
39 Initial setting key
48 Linked I / F
49 Image Processing Unit (IPU)
50 reading unit
57 Writing unit
65 Memory controller
66 Image memory
68 CPU
69 ROM
70 RAM
90 Master unit
91 handset
92 Wired cable
100 finisher
104 Normal paper output tray
106 Stapler
108 Staple table
111 Duplex paper feed unit

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that functions as a master machine to which a slave machine is connected ,
Reading means for reading an image on a document and outputting it as image data, image storage means for storing the image data, image printing means for printing the stored image data, and information relating to the occurrence of an abnormality from the slave device And a communication means for communicating an operation command, information on occurrence of an abnormality, image data, and the like with the slave unit, and setting an image forming mode, and storing the stored image data via the connection communication means and connecting the image forming mode setting means capable of setting a connected image forming mode for printing output is transferred to the slave machine, it registered an image forming job receiving a plurality of image forming jobs including a print of the connected image forming mode And a printing order control means for performing image printing in the order in which the image forming job is received,
When information related to the occurrence of an abnormality in the slave device is received when the connected image forming mode is set and the camera is operating in the connected image forming mode or during the setting operation in the connected image forming mode. ,
The connected image forming mode setting means cancels the connected image forming mode and displays on the display means that the setting of the connected image forming mode is impossible .   The linked image forming mode setting unit of the master machine performs processing for executing the image forming job whose assignment is registered in the slave machine instead of the master machine when the linked image forming mode is canceled. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality is based on a power supply interruption such as turning off a main power supply of the slave machine.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality is based on a system error of the slave device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality is based on a communication error between the master machine and the slave machine.

Images