JPH09288554A - Image forming system and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system which improves the convenience and operability of the system. SOLUTION: When an application for copy is activated by a host computer 102, the number of copies or a control panel for performing expansion/reduction or the like is displayed on a display and after prescribed setting is performed, start is instructed. Thus, the reading of an original is started by an image scanner 104 and image data are inputted to the host computer 102, outputted to a printer 105 and printed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system using a normal computer system such as a host computer, an image input device and an image forming device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of system, in order to output image data captured by an image input device (scanner) to an image forming device (printer), the image data is first read from the image input device into a host computer. Further, a method of outputting the data to the image forming apparatus is adopted.

[0003]

Therefore, in the above-described conventional example, when outputting a target document as an image, first, an application for reading the document is activated to read the document, and then the image is printed on the image forming apparatus. I needed to start the application and print.

Further, when two image forming apparatuses for black and white and color are connected, it is necessary to select an image forming apparatus for outputting depending on whether the original is black and white or color.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system with improved system convenience and operability.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming system including an external device, an image input device and an image forming device connected to the external device. An instruction means for instructing input and image formation and a control means for controlling the image input device and the image forming apparatus based on an instruction from the instruction means are provided.

In the above-mentioned structure, the operation of instructing the input of image data and image formation and controlling the image input apparatus and the image forming apparatus based on the instruction is performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for controlling an image forming system, which comprises an external device, an image input device and an image forming device connected to the external device. It has an instruction step of instructing input and image formation, and a control step of controlling the image input device and the image forming apparatus based on the instruction in the instruction step.

[0009]

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

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the arrangement of an image forming system according to the first embodiment. In the figure, 101 is the whole system, 102
Is a host computer, 103 is an interface line or network line, 104 is an image scanner which is an image input device, and 105 is a printer which is an image forming device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control panel displayed on the display of the host computer 102. In the figure, 201 is an enlargement / reduction ratio display. Two
02 is an enlarge / reduce button, which can be set in 1% increments. Reference numeral 203 is a copy number display. Reference numeral 204 is a ten-key pad, which is used when inputting the number of copies. Reference numeral 205 denotes a clear and stop button, which is used when clearing the number of copies or interrupting or canceling copying.
And 206 is a start button.

The copy operation in the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the copy operation of the first embodiment. User is image scanner 1
Put the original you want to copy on 04
When the copying application is started in 02, the process proceeds to step S301, and the image scanner 104 waits for the start of reading. At the same time, the host computer 1
In 02, the control panel as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, and the user sets the number of copies, enlargement / reduction, etc. with the mouse, and clicks start 206, and the process proceeds to step S302. As a result, the image scanner 1
In 04, the reading of the original is started, and the read image data is input to the host computer 102 via the interface line 103.

Next, in step S303, the host computer 102 sequentially outputs the image data depending on whether the connected printer 105 is a serial printer or a page printer, or waits for input of one page before outputting. As a result, in step S304, the printer 30
4 starts printing the input image data. And
In step S305, it is determined whether or not there is a document to be read by the image scanner 104, and if there is a document, step S30.
Returning to step 2, the above operation is repeated. If there is no document, the process proceeds to step S306 to determine whether printing is completed. If not, the process returns to step S304.
If it is finished, the above-mentioned copy operation is finished.

As described above, the image scanner 104 and the printer 105 connected to the host computer 102.
By using, it is possible to copy a necessary manuscript as if it were a digital copying machine.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the second embodiment, a black-and-white printer and a color printer are provided, and the user can select the printer according to the original.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system according to the second embodiment. In the figure, 401 is the entire system, 402 is a host computer, 403 is an interface line or network line, 404 is an image scanner which is an image input device, 405 is a monochrome printer which is an image forming device, and 406.
Is a printer B which is an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control panel displayed on the display of the host computer 402. As shown in the figure, in the second embodiment, a printer selection button 507 is added to the control panel of FIG. 2 showing the above-described first embodiment. That is, 501 to 506 shown in FIG. 5 correspond to 201 to 206 shown in FIG. 2, respectively.

A copy operation in the second embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the copy operation of the second embodiment. Image scanner 4
Put the original you want to copy on 04
When the copying application is started in 02, the process proceeds to step S601, the image scanner 404 waits for the reading start, and the host computer 402 displays a control panel as shown in FIG. Here, when the user sets the number of copies, enlargement / reduction, etc. with the mouse and selects a desired printer, step S602 is performed.
If the start button 506 is clicked, the process proceeds to step S603. As a result, the image scanner 404
Then, reading of the original is started, and the read image data is input to the host computer 402 via the interface line 403.

Next, in step S604, the host computer 402 sequentially outputs the image data or waits for one page of input depending on whether the selected printer is a serial printer or a page printer. As a result, in step S605, printing of the input image data is started by the selected printer. And step S
In 606, it is determined whether or not there is a document to be read by the image scanner 404, and if there is a document, the process returns to step S603,
The above operation is repeated. If there is no document, the process proceeds to step S607, and it is determined whether or not the printing is completed. If it is not completed, the process returns to step S605, but if it is completed, the copy operation described above is completed.

As described above, the image scanner 404 and the printer 40 connected to the host computer 402.
By using 5,406, a necessary manuscript can be output as if it were a digital copying machine.

If the original is color, the operation of the color copying machine can be reproduced at low cost by selecting a color printer.

<Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the third embodiment, the printer is automatically selected according to whether the original image is monochrome or color.

The system configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted. The control panel displayed on the display is shown in FIG.

The copy operation in the third embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the copy operation of the third embodiment. Image scanner 4
Put the original you want to copy on 04
When the copy application is started in 02, the process proceeds to step S701, and the image scanner 404 waits for the start of reading. At the same time, the host computer 4
In 02, the control panel as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, and the user sets the number of copies, enlargement / reduction, etc. with the mouse and clicks start 206, and the process proceeds to step S702. As a result, the image scanner 4
In 04, the reading of the original is started, and the read image data is input to the host computer 402 via the interface line 403. And step S
At 703, it is determined whether the input image data is monochrome data or color data, and the monochrome printer 405 or the color printer 406 is selected according to the determination result.

Next, in step S704, the host computer 402 sequentially outputs the image data or waits for the input of one page and outputs it according to whether the selected printer is a serial printer or a page printer. As a result, in step S705, printing of the input image data is started by the selected printer. And step S
In 706, it is determined whether or not there is a document to be read by the image scanner 404, and if there is a document, the process returns to step S702,
The above operation is repeated. If there is no document, the process proceeds to step S707 to determine whether printing is completed. If it is not completed, the process returns to step S705. If it is completed, the above-described copy operation is completed.

As described above, in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments, the optimum image output result is automatically obtained by selecting the monochrome printer or the color printer according to the read original image. be able to.

<Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the fourth embodiment, an original in which a black-and-white image and a color image are mixed in one original is copied.

The system configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted. The control panel displayed on the display is shown in FIG.

The copy operation in the fourth embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the copy operation of the fourth embodiment. Image scanner 4
Put the original you want to copy on 04
When the copying application is started in 02, the process proceeds to step S801, and the image scanner 404 waits for the start of reading. At the same time, the host computer 4
In 02, a control panel as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, and the user sets the number of copies, enlargement / reduction, etc. with the mouse and clicks start 206, and the process proceeds to step S802. As a result, the image scanner 4
In 04, the reading of the original is started, and the read image data is input to the host computer 402 via the interface line 403. And step S
At 803, the monochrome printer 405 is selected.

Next, in step S804, the host computer 402 sequentially outputs image data or waits for input of one page before outputting depending on whether the monochrome printer 405 is a serial printer or a page printer. As a result, the monochrome printer 405 starts printing the monochrome image data. Then, in step S805, it is determined whether or not there is a document to be read by the image scanner 404, and if there is a document, the process returns to step S802 and the above operation is repeated.
If there is no document, the process proceeds to step S806, and it is determined whether or not printing is completed. If it is not completed, the process returns to step S804, but if it is completed, the process proceeds to step S807.

Here, the printing paper printed by the black-and-white printer 405 is fed to the color printer 406, and when the start 206 is clicked, the process proceeds to step S808. As a result, the image scanner 404 starts reading the original, and the read image data is input to the host computer 402 via the interface line 403. Then, in step S809, the color printer 406 is selected.

Next, in step S810, the host computer 402 sequentially outputs the image data depending on whether the color printer 406 is a serial printer or a page printer, or waits for input of one page before outputting. As a result, the color printer 406 starts printing the color image data. Then, in step S811, it is determined whether or not there is a document to be read by the image scanner 404, and if there is a document, the process returns to step S808 and the above operation is repeated. If there is no manuscript, the process proceeds to step S812,
It is determined whether or not printing is finished. If it is not finished, the process returns to step S810, but if it is finished, the above-mentioned copy operation is finished.

As described above, in addition to the effects of the first to third embodiments, a hybrid image can be easily created by the high-quality black-and-white printer 405 and the inexpensive color printer 406. As a result, it is possible to form a higher quality image.

Even when the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (for example, copying machine, facsimile) Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium having a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus, and to supply the computer (CPU or MP) of the system or apparatus.
It goes without saying that U) is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

Further, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. It is needless to say that this also includes a case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects can be obtained.

(1) Connected to a host computer,
By using the image input device and the image forming device, a necessary manuscript can be copied as if it were a digital copying machine.

(2) If the connected printer is a color printer, the operation of the color copying machine can be reproduced at low cost.

(3) If the connected printer is both black and white and color, the optimum image output result can be automatically obtained.

(4) A hybrid image can be easily created with a high-quality black and white image forming apparatus and an inexpensive color image forming apparatus. This makes it possible to form a higher quality image.

(5) When the maximum paper size of the connected printers is different, the optimum printer can be automatically selected.

[0053]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control panel displayed on a display of a host computer 102.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a copy operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a second exemplary embodiment.

5 is a diagram showing a control panel displayed on a display of a host computer 402. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a copy operation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a copy operation according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a copy operation according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 image forming system 102 host computer 103 interface line or network line 104 image scanner 105 printer

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system comprising an external device and an image input device and an image forming device connected to the external device, an instruction means for instructing image data input and image formation, and the instruction means. An image forming system, comprising: a control unit that controls the image input apparatus and the image forming apparatus based on the instruction in 1. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising selection means for selecting one image forming apparatus from a plurality of image forming apparatuses. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the selecting unit selects a desired image forming apparatus by a user. 4. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the selecting unit automatically selects a predetermined image forming apparatus according to image data. 5. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of image forming units is a color image forming apparatus. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein in the case of image data in which black and white and color are mixed, the image is formed by a black and white and color image forming apparatus. 7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit issues an instruction from a display screen of an external device. 8. A method of controlling an image forming system comprising an external device and an image input device and an image forming device connected to the external device, an instruction step of instructing input of image data and image formation, And a control step of controlling the image input device and the image forming apparatus based on the instruction in the instruction step.