Image formation system Number:7,385,711 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent An image formation system comprises a color image formation unit of a color image formation apparatus and a black-and-white image formation unit of a black-and-white image formation apparatus. A determining unit determines whether each page in an input job having both color pages and black-and-whites pages is a color page or black-and-white page. A control unit controls the color image formation unit to form the color pages, and the black-and-white image formation unit to form the black-and-white pages, based on results from the determining unit. In the event that both color pages and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, a selecting unit selects between a first mode wherein all pages are formed with the color image formation unit, and a second mode wherein the color pages are formed with the color image formation unit and the black-and-white pages are formed with the black-and-white image formation unit.<H formation, system, Image, formation, 7385711.html, Patent, pto, 7385711

Title: Image formation system

Abstract: An image formation system comprises a color image formation unit of a color image formation apparatus and a black-and-white image formation unit of a black-and-white image formation apparatus. A determining unit determines whether each page in an input job having both color pages and black-and-whites pages is a color page or black-and-white page. A control unit controls the color image formation unit to form the color pages, and the black-and-white image formation unit to form the black-and-white pages, based on results from the determining unit. In the event that both color pages and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, a selecting unit selects between a first mode wherein all pages are formed with the color image formation unit, and a second mode wherein the color pages are formed with the color image formation unit and the black-and-white pages are formed with the black-and-white image formation unit.

Patent Number: 7,385,711 Issued on 06/10/2008 to Watanabe

Inventors: Watanabe; Masao (Ibaraki, JP)
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo, JP)

Appl. No.: 10/600,449

Filed: June 23, 2003

Foreign Application Priority Data


Jul 02, 2002 [JP]			2002-193598

Current U.S. Class: 358/1.12 ; 358/1.11; 358/1.13; 358/1.15; 358/1.4; 358/2.1; 709/201

Field of Search: 358/1.12,2.1,1.13,1.15,1.4,1.11 709/201

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


5850478	December 1998	Suzuki et al.
2001/0021036	September 2001	Nimura et al.

Foreign Patent Documents


2000-112688	Apr., 2000	JP
2000-112702	Apr., 2000	JP
2000112688	Apr., 2000	JP
2000-222148	Aug., 2000	JP
2000222148	Aug., 2000	JP
2002-086852	Mar., 2002	JP
2002086852	Mar., 2002	JP
2002-157102	May., 2002	JP

Primary Examiner: Vo; Quang N.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An image formation system including a color image formation apparatus and a black-and-white image formation apparatus, the image formation system comprising: a color image forming section provided in the color image formation apparatus, for forming a color image; a black-and-white image forming section provided in the black-and-white image formation apparatus, for forming a black-and-white image; a determining section for determining whether each of pages in an input job in which both a color page and a black-and-white page exist is a color page or a black-and-white page; a controller for controlling the color image forming section to form an image for the color page and controlling the black-and-white image forming section to form an image for the black-and-white page according to the determination result of the determining section; and a selecting section for selecting one of a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being a mode in which, in a case where both a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, images for all the pages to be formed on the single sheet are formed by the color image forming section, the second mode being a mode in which, in a case where both a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, an image for the color page to be formed on the single sheet is formed by the color image forming section and an image for the black-and-white page to be formed on the single sheet is formed by the black-and-white image forming section, wherein the selecting section selects the first mode in a case where sheets having images formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section are mixed without passing through the black-and-white image forming section, and selects the second mode in a case where the sheets are mixed with passing through the black-and-white image forming section.

2. The image formation system according to claim 1, further comprising: a merging path where sheets on which images are to be formed by the color image forming section or sheets on which images have been formed by the color image forming section, and sheets on which images are to be formed by the black-and-white image forming section or sheets on which images have been formed by the black-and-white image forming section merge; and a sheet feeder for feeding a sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section or a sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the black-and-white image forming section to the merging path, wherein the selecting section selects one of the first mode and the second mode depending on the type of the sheet feeder used.

3. The image formation system according to claim 2, wherein the merging path is located at a position where the sheets on which images are to be formed by the color image forming section and the sheets on which images are to be formed by the black-and-white image forming section merge after completion of image formation, and wherein the selecting section selects the first mode when the sheet feeder that feeds a sheet to the merging path is used.

4. The image formation system according to claim 2, wherein the merging path is located at a position where the sheets on which images are to be formed by the color image forming section or the sheets on which images are to be formed by the black-and-white image forming section merge before completion of image formation, and wherein the selecting section selects the second mode when the sheet feeder that feeds a sheet to the merging path is used.

5. The image formation system according to claim 1, wherein the job in which both a color page and a black-and-white page exist is input from a computer connected to the image formation system.

6. The image formation system according to claim 1, wherein the job in which both a color page and a black-and-white page exist is input from a scanner connected to the image formation system.

7. The image formation system according to claim 1, wherein the color image formation apparatus and the black-and-white image formation apparatus receive the same job.

8. The image formation system according to claim 1, wherein the case where both a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed a single sheet is one of a case where one side of a sheet having images formed on both sides thereof is a black-and-white page and the other side is a color page, wherein a case where both a color page and black-and-white page are imposed on a single sheet in saddle-stitch book binding, and wherein a case where both a color page and a black-and-white page exist in a single sheet in a reduced layout in which a plurality of reduced pages are arranged on a sheet.

9. A color image formation apparatus connected via a network to a black-and-white image formation apparatus including a black-and-white image forming section, the color image formation apparatus comprising: a color image forming section for forming a color image on a sheet; a receiving section for receiving image information; and a selecting section for selecting one of a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being a mode in which, in a case where both a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, images for all the pages to be formed on the single sheet are formed by the color image forming section, the second mode being a mode in which, in a case where both a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, an image for only the color page to be formed on the single sheet is formed by the color image forming section, wherein the selecting section selects the first mode in a case where sheets having images formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section are mixed without passing through the black-and-white image forming section, and selects the second mode in a case where the sheets are mixed with passing through the black-and-white image forming section.

10. The color image formation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein sheets on which images are to be formed or have been formed by the black-and-white image forming section provided in the black-and-white image formation apparatus, and sheets on which images are to be formed or have been formed by the color image forming section merge at a merging path, wherein a sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section or a sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the black-and-white image forming section is fed to the merging path by a sheet feeder, wherein the receiving section receives sheet feeder information indicating which sheet feeder is to be used, and wherein the selecting section selects one of the first mode and the second mode according to the sheet feeder information received by the receiving section.

11. The color image formation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the merging path is located at a position where the sheets on which images are to be formed by the color image forming section and the sheets on which images are to be formed by the black-and-white image forming section merge after completion of image formation, and wherein the selecting section selects the first mode when the sheet feeder that feeds a sheet to the merging path is used.

12. The color image formation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sheet feeder is an inserter or a collator.

13. The color image formation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sheet feeder is provided in the black-and-white image formation apparatus, and is configured to feed the sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section, wherein the color image formation apparatus further comprises a determining section for determining whether a received page is a color page or a black-and-white page based on the image information received by the receiving section, and wherein it is determined whether the received page is black-and-white or color according to the determination result of the determining section.

14. The color image formation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sheet feeder is provided in the color image formation apparatus, and is configured to feed the sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the black-and-white image forming section, and the receiving section receives information indicating a color page or a black-and-white page, the color image formation apparatus further comprising: a sheet loading section for loading sheets; and a determining section for determining a color page or a black-and-white page based on the information received by the receiving section, wherein, when the determining section determines that only a black-and-white page is to be formed on a single sheet, the sheet having the black-and-white image formed thereon is fed by the sheet feeder, and when the determining section does not determine that only a black-and-white page is to be formed on a single sheet, a sheet is fed from the sheet loading section, and an image is formed on the sheet by the color image forming section.

15. The color image formation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the merging path is located at a position where the sheets on which images are to be formed by the color image forming section or the sheets on which images are to be formed by the black-and-white image forming section merge before completion of image formation, and wherein the selecting section selects the second mode when the sheet feeder that feeds a sheet to the merging path is used.

16. The color image formation apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the sheet feeder is a hand feed unit.

17. The color image formation apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the sheet feeder is provided in the black-and-white image formation apparatus, and is configured to feed the sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section, wherein the color image formation apparatus further comprises a determining section for determining whether a received page is a color page or a black-and-white page based on the image information received by the receiving section, and wherein it is determined whether the received page is black-and-white or color according to the determination result of the determining section.

18. The color image formation apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the sheet feeder is provided in the color image formation apparatus, and is configured to feed the sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the black-and-white image forming section, and the receiving section receives information indicating a color page or a black-and-white page, the color image formation apparatus further comprising: a sheet loading section for loading sheets; and a determining section for determining a color page or a black-and-white page based on the information received by the receiving section, wherein, when the determining section determines that only a color page is to be formed on a single sheet, a sheet is fed from the sheet loading section, and an image is formed on the sheet by the color image forming section, when the determining section determines that only a black-and-white page is to be formed on a single sheet, the sheet having the black-and-white image formed thereon is fed from the sheet feeder, and wherein, when the determining section determines that both a color page and a black-and-white page exist on a single sheet, the sheet is fed by the sheet feeder, after which an image for the color page is formed by the color image forming section.

19. A black-and-white image formation apparatus connected via a network to a color image formation apparatus including a color image forming section, the black-and-white image formation apparatus comprising: a black-and-white image forming section for forming a black-and-white image on a sheet; a receiving section for receiving image information; and a selecting section for selecting one of a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being a mode in which, in a case where both a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, no image is formed by the black-and-white image forming section, the second mode being a mode in which, in a case where both a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, an image for only the black-and-white page to be formed on the single sheet is formed by the black-and-white image forming section, wherein the selecting section selects the first mode in a case where sheets having images formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section are mixed without passing through the black-and-white image forming section, and selects the second mode in a case where the sheets are mixed with passing through the black-and-white image forming section.

20. The black-and-white image formation apparatus according to claim 19, wherein sheets on which images are to be formed or have been formed by the black-and-white image forming section, and sheets on which images are to be formed or have been formed by the color image forming section provided in the color image formation apparatus merge at a merging path; wherein a sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section or a sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the black-and-white image forming section is fed to the merging path by a sheet feeder, wherein the receiving section receives sheet feeder information indicating which sheet feeder is to be used, and wherein the selecting section selects one of the first mode and the second mode according to the sheet feeder information received by the receiving section.

21. The black-and-white image formation apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the merging path is located at a position where the sheets on which images are to be formed by the color image forming section and the sheets on which images are to be formed by the black-and-white image forming section merge after completion of image formation, and wherein the selecting section selects the first mode when the sheet feeder that feeds a sheet to the merging path is used.

22. The black-and-white image formation apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sheet feeder is an inserter or a collator.

23. The black-and-white image formation apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sheet feeder is provided in the color image formation apparatus, and is configured to feed the sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the black-and-white image forming section, wherein the black-and-white image formation apparatus further comprises a determining section for determining whether a received page is a color page or a black-and-white page based on the image information received by the receiving section, and wherein it is determined whether the received page is black-and-white or color according to the determination result of the determining section.

24. The black-and-white image formation apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sheet feeder is provided in the black-and-white image formation apparatus, and is configured to feed the sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section, the receiving section receives information indicating a color page or a black-and-white page, the black-and-white image formation apparatus further comprising: a sheet loading section for loading sheets; and a determining section for determining a color page or a black-and-white page based on the information received by the receiving section, wherein, when the determining section determines that only a black-and-white page is to be formed on a single sheet, a sheet is fed from the sheet loading section, and an image is formed on the sheet by the black-and-white image forming section, and wherein, when the determining section does not determine that only a black-and-white page is to be formed on a single sheet, the sheet having the color image formed thereon is fed by the sheet feeder.

25. The black-and-white image formation apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the merging path is located at a position where the sheets on which images are to be formed by the color image forming section or the sheets on which images are to be formed by the black-and-white image forming section merge before completion of image formation, and wherein the selecting section selects the second mode when the sheet feeder that feeds a sheet to the merging path is used.

26. The black-and-white image formation apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the sheet feeder is a hand feed unit.

27. The black-and-white image formation apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the sheet feeder is provided in the color image formation apparatus, and is configured to feed the sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the black-and-white image forming section, wherein the black-and-white image formation apparatus further comprises a determining section for determining whether a received page is a color page or a black-and-white page based on the image information received by the receiving section, and wherein it is determined whether the received page is black-and-white or color according to the determination result of the determining section.

28. The black-and-white image formation apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the sheet feeder is provided in the black-and-white image formation apparatus, and is configured to feed the sheet having an image formed thereon beforehand by the color image forming section, and the receiving section receives information indicating a color page or a black-and-white page, the black-and-white image formation apparatus further comprising: a sheet loading section for loading sheets; and a determining section for determining a color page or a black-and-white page based on the information received by the receiving section, wherein, when the determining section determines that only a black-and-white page is to be formed on a single sheet, a sheet is fed from the sheet loading section, and an image is formed on the sheet by the black-and-white image forming section, wherein, when the determining section determines that only a color page is to be formed on a single sheet, the sheet having the color image formed thereon is fed from the sheet feeder, and wherein, when the determining section determines that both a color page and a black-and-white page exist on a single sheet, the sheet is fed by the sheet feeder, after which an image for the black-and-white page is formed by the black-and-white image forming section.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image formation system wherein a color image formation apparatus and a black-and-white image formation apparatus are connected to a network.

2. Description of the Related Art

With regard to image formation of jobs containing color pages and black-and-white (hereafter may be also referred to as "monochrome" or may be abbreviated as "B/W" particularly in the drawings) pages, an apparatus proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-112688 is known as an image formation system which can automatically switch between a color image formation apparatus and a black-and-white image formation apparatus for forming images.

However, with the conventional method, image formation of jobs that include both color pages and black-and-white pages can be handled by forming the color pages with a color image formation apparatus, forming the black-and-white pages with a black-and-white image formation apparatus, and collating using an inserter, collator, hand feed tray, etc. However, in the event that there is both a color page and a black-and-white page to be formed on the same sheet, the image formation apparatus to be used for forming the images cannot be automatically determined. Also, even if the image formation apparatus to be used for forming images containing a color page and a black-and-white page on the same sheet could be automatically determined, the control of the color image formation apparatus and the black-and-white image formation apparatus needs to be changed according to the mixing method with the inserter, collator, hand feed tray, etc., and accordingly, such an arrangement could not be readily realized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in light of such problems, and accordingly, it is an object thereof to provide an image formation system that automatically judges whether a color image formation apparatus or a black-and-white image formation apparatus should be used to form a sheet that includes both a color page and a black-and-white page, and that control of the color image formation apparatus and the black-and-white image formation apparatus can be automatically changed according to the mixing method of an inserter, collator, hand feed tray, or the like.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image formation system, consisting of a color image formation apparatus and a black-and-white image formation apparatus, includes: a color image formation unit forming color images with the color image formation apparatus, a black-and-white image formation unit forming black-and-white images with the black-and-white image formation apparatus, and a determining unit determining whether each page in an input job, in which both a color page and a black-and-white page exist, is a color page or a black-and-white page. The image formation system further includes a control unit that controls the color image formation unit to form images for the color page, and controls the black-and-white image formation unit to form images for the black-and-white page, based on the determination results from the determining unit, and a selecting unit that selects between a first mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, all pages to be formed on that sheet are formed with the color image formation unit, and a second mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, the color page to be formed on that sheet is formed with the color image formation unit, and the black-and-white page to be formed on that sheet is formed with the black-and-white image formation unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a control method, for an image formation system consisting of a color image formation apparatus and a black-and-white image formation apparatus, includes: forming color images with the color image formation apparatus, forming black-and-white images with the black-and-white image formation apparatus, and determining whether each page in an input job, in which both a color page and a black-and-white page exist, is a color page or a black-and-white page. The control method further includes controlling the color image formation step to form images for the color page, and controlling the black-and-white image formation step to form images for the black-and-white page, based on the determination results in the determining step, and selecting between a first mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, all pages to be formed on that sheet are formed in the color image formation step, and a second mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, a color page to be formed on that sheet is formed in the color image formation step, and black-and-white page to be formed on that sheet is formed in the black-and-white image formation step.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a color image formation apparatus includes: a color image formation unit forming color images on sheets, a reception unit receiving image information, and a selecting unit selecting between a first mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, all pages to be formed on that sheet are formed with the color image formation unit, and a second mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, only a color page to be formed on that sheet is formed with the color image formation unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a black-and-white image formation apparatus includes: a black-and-white image formation unit forming a black-and-white image on a sheet, a reception unit receiving image information, and a selecting unit selecting between a first mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, no image formation is performed by the black-and-white image formation unit, and a second mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, only the black-and-white page to be formed on that sheet is formed with the black-and-white image formation unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a program is executed by an information processing apparatus connected to a color image formation apparatus and a black-and-white image formation apparatus, so as to cause the information processing apparatus to execute selection procedures for selecting one of a first mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, all pages to be formed on that sheet are formed with the color image formation unit, and a second mode where, in the event that both a color page and black-and-white page are to be formed on a single sheet, the color page to be formed on that sheet is formed with the color image formation apparatus, and the black-and-white page to be formed on that sheet is formed with the black-and-white image formation apparatus.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an image formation system, consisting of a color image formation apparatus and a black-and-white image formation apparatus, includes: a color image formation unit for forming color images with the color image formation apparatus, and a black-and-white image formation unit for forming black-and-white images with the black-and-white image formation apparatus. In the event that a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed on a sheet, all pages to be formed on the sheet are formed by the color image formation unit, and in the event that only color pages are to be formed on a single sheet, all pages to be formed on the sheet are formed by the color image formation unit. Further, in the event that only black-and-white pages are to be formed on a single sheet, all pages to be formed on the sheet are formed by the black-and-white image formation unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, with regard to a color image formation apparatus comprising a color image formation unit for forming color images on sheets, in the event that a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed on a sheet, all pages to be formed on the sheet are formed by the color image formation unit. In the event that only color pages are to be formed on a single sheet, all pages to be formed on the sheet are formed by the color image formation unit, and in the event that only black-and-white pages are to be formed on a single sheet, no images are formed on the sheet by the color image formation unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, with regard to a black-and-white image formation apparatus comprising a black-and-white image formation unit for forming black-and-white images on sheets, in the event that a color page and a black-and-white page are to be formed on a sheet, no images are formed on the sheet by the black-and-white image formation unit. In the event that only color pages are to be formed on a sheet, no images are formed on the sheet by the black-and-white image formation unit, and in the event that only black-and-white pages are to be formed on a single sheet, all pages to be formed on the sheet are formed by the black-and-white image formation unit.

Thus, according to the present invention, forming both color pages and black-and-white pages on a single sheet can be carried out either by both the color image formation unit and the black-and-white image formation unit or by the color image formation unit alone. Further, the present invention can handle all methods for collating color pages and black-and-white pages.

Another advantage is that in the event of forming both color pages and black-and-white pages on a single sheet, it can be automatically selected whether the color image formation unit or the black-and-white image formation unit is to be used for image formation and printing, without requiring instructions from the user.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall system of an embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image formation apparatus in its entirety;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a scanner unit of the image formation apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an IP unit of the image formation apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a FAX unit of the image formation apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an NIC/PDL unit of the image formation apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a core unit of the image formation apparatus;

FIG. 8A is a block diagram illustrating a PWM unit of the image formation apparatus, and FIG. 8B depicts the waveforms generated in the PWM unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the printer unit of a color image formation apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the printer unit of a black-and-white image formation apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a display unit of the image formation apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a finisher unit of the image formation apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of a collator;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a finisher unit of the collator;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a printer driver;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of utility software;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating control of a server computer;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating control of a color MFP;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating control of a color MFP when using an inserter or collator;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating control of a color MFP when using a hand feed tray;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating control of a black-and-white MFP;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating control of a black-and-white MFP when using an inserter;

FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram of mixing color and black-and-white pages when using an inserter;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating control of a black-and-white MFP when using a collator;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating control of a black-and-white MFP when using a hand feed tray;

FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram of mixing color and black-and-white pages when using a collator; and

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating control of the collator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[Overview of the System]

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A computer 102 connected to a network 101 is a server computer, and computers 103a and 103b are client computers. Many other client computers (not shown) may also be connected thereto. Hereafter, the client computers will be represented by a reference numeral 103.

Further connected to the network 101 are MFPs (Multi-Function Printer) 104 and 105. Reference numeral 104 denotes a color MFP which is capable of scanning, printing, etc., in full-color, while 105 denotes a black-and-white MFP which performs monochrome scanning, printing, etc. Also, though not shown in the drawings, are other MFPs, scanners, printers, facsimiles, and other like devices which are also connected to the network 101.

Application software for carrying out what is known as DTP (Desktop Publishing) is run on the client computer 103, creating and editing various types of documents and images. The client computer 103 converts the created documents and images into PDL (Page Description Language), which is sent to the MFPs 104 and 105 via the network 101 and printed out.

The MFPs 104 and 105 both have communication means enabling exchange of information with the computers 102 and 103 via the network 101, and computers 102 and 103 are kept notified of the information and status of the MFPs 104 and 105. Further, the computers 102 and 103 have utility software to operate upon reception of such information, so that the MFPs 104 and 105 can be managed by the computers 102 and 103.

[Configuration of MFPs 104 and 105]

The configuration of the MFPs 104 and 105 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 12. The difference between MFP 104 and MFP 105 is that one is a full-color apparatus while the other is a black-and-white apparatus, and the configuration of the full-color apparatus encompasses the configuration of the black-and-white apparatus in many ways, except for color processing. Accordingly, description will be made with regard to the full-color apparatus and description of the black-and-white apparatus will be added as necessary.

MFPs 104 and 105 each comprise a scanner unit 201 for reading images, an IP (image processing) unit 202 for processing image data thereof, a FAX unit 203 such as a facsimile or the like for transmitting and receiving images using telephone lines, a NIC (Network Interface Card) unit 204 for exchanging image data and device information using the network, and a PDL unit 205 for rendering the PDL transmitted from the client computer 103 into image signals. A core unit 206 temporarily holds the image signals, determines paths, etc., according to how the MFPs 104 and 105 are being used.

The image data output from the core unit 206 is sent to a printer unit 208, via a PWM (pulse width modulation) unit 207, for image formation. The sheets that have been printed at the printer unit 208 are sent to a finisher 209 where the sheets are sorted and finished.

Also, a display unit 210 is used for confirming the contents of images without printing out the image, or checking the way the image looks before printing, i.e., previewing.

[Configuration of Scanner Unit 201]

The configuration of the scanner unit 201 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Reference numeral 301 denotes an original table glass, where an original 302 to be read is placed. Light is cast onto the original 302 by an illumination lamp 303, the light reflected therefrom is reflected off of mirrors 304, 305, and 306, and is imaged onto a CCD 308 by a lens 307. A first mirror unit 310 including the mirror 304 and the illumination lamp 303 moves at a speed v, and a second mirror unit 311 including the mirrors 305 and 306 moves at a speed 1/2 v, so as to scan the entire face of the original 302. The first mirror unit 310 and the second mirror unit 311 are driven by a motor 309.

[Configuration of Image Processing Unit 202]

The IP unit 202 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Input optical signals are converted into electric signals by the CCD sensor 308. The CCD sensor 308 has three RGB line color sensors, and image signals of each of R, G, and B are input to an A/D converting unit 401. The image signals are subjected to gain adjustment and offset adjustment here, and then are converted into 8-bit digital image signals R0, G0, and B0, for each color signal, at the A/D converter. Subsequently, known shading correction using a reference white plate is performed for each color at the shading correcting denoted by reference numeral 402. Further, the line sensors of the CCD sensor 308 for each color are positioned with a predetermined distance between one another, so spatial offset in the sub-scanning direction is corrected at a line delay adjustment circuit (line interpolation unit) 403.

Next, an input masking unit 404 serves as a unit for converting read color space, which is determined by the spectral properties of the RGB filter of the CCD sensor 308, into standard NTSC color space, and performs 3 by 3 matrix computation using a constant, unique to the device, which takes into consideration various properties such as the sensitivity properties of the CCD sensor 308 and the spectrum properties of the illumination lamp, and converts the input signals (R0, G0, and B0) into standard signals (RGB).

A luminance/level converting unit (LOG converting unit) 405 is configured of lookup table (LUT) RAM, and converts the RGB luminance signals into level signals C1, M1, and Y1.

Reference numeral 406 denotes an output masking/UCR circuit unit, for converting the M1, C1, and Y1 signals into Y, M, C, and K signals which are the toner colors of the image formation apparatus, using matrix computation, and corrects the C1, M1, Y1, and K1 signals based on the RGB signals read in by the CCD sensor 308 into CMYK signals based on the spectral distribution properties of the toner, and outputs the signals.

At a gamma correction unit 407, the image signals are converted into CMYK data for image output using the lookup table (LUT) RAM, taking the color properties of the toner into account, and at a spatial filter 408, the CMYK data subjected to sharpness or smoothing processing, and then sent to the core unit 206.

In the event of performing black-and-white image processing with the MFP 105, a monochrome single line CCD sensor may be used for A/D conversion and shading for one color, following which input/output making, gamma conversion, and spatial filtering are carried out in that order.

[Configuration of FAX Unit 203]

The FAX unit 203 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. First, at the time of receiving, data coming over the telephone line is received with an NCU unit 501 and voltage conversion is performed, A/D conversion and demodulation operations are performed by a demodulator 504 in a modem unit 502, following which the data is rendered into raster data with an expanding unit 506. Generally, run-length or a like method is used for compression/expanding with facsimiles. The image converted into raster data is temporarily held by a memory unit 507, and following confirmation that are no transfer errors in the image data, sent to the core unit 206.

At the time of transmission, image signals in the form of a raster image coming from the core unit are subjected to compression by run-length or the like at a compression unit 505, and following D/A conversion and modulation operations at a modulating unit 503 within the modem unit 502, are sent over the telephone line via the NCU unit 501.

[Configuration of NIC Unit 204]

The NIC unit 204 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The NIC unit 204 which serves as an interface to the network 101 functions to obtain external information using an Ethernet cable such as 10 Base-T/100 Base-TX or the like for example, and for providing information externally.

In the event of obtaining external information, the obtained data is first subjected to voltage conversion at a transformer unit 601, and sent to a LAN controller unit 602. The LAN controller unit 602 which has a first buffer memory (not shown) judges whether the data is necessary or not, and sends the data to a second buffer memory (not shown), following which the signals are sent to the PDL unit 205.

In the event of providing information externally, necessary information is added to the data sent from the PDL unit 205 at the LAN controller unit 602. The data is then sent onto the network 101 via the transformer unit 601.

[Configuration of PDL Unit 205]

The PDL unit 205 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The image data created by an application software running on the client computer 103 is configured of text, shapes, photographs, etc., and more specifically, is made up of text code, shape code, and raster image data and the like, as a combination of image description components This is what is known as a PDL (Page Description Language), the most well-known being the PostScript language from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

The PDL unit 205 converts the PDL data into raster image data. First, the PDL data sent from the NIC unit 204 is temporarily stored in a large-capacity memory 604 such as a hard disk (HDD) or the like via the CPU unit 603, where each job is managed and saved. Next, the CPU unit 603 performs rasterizing image processing called RIP (Raster Image Processing) as necessary, to render the PDL data into a raster image. The rendered raster image data is stored in increments of color components CMYK for each page for each Job, in memory 605 which can be accessed at high speeds, such as DRAM or the like, and is sent to the core unit 206 via the CPU unit 603 according to the status of the printer unit 208.

[Configuration of Core Unit 206]

The core unit 206 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. A bus selector unit 701 of the core unit 206 serves to direct traffic for usage of the MFPs 104 and 105. In other words, the bus selector unit 701 switches the bus according to the functions of the MFPs 104 and 105, such as photocopying functions, network scanning, network printing, facsimile transmission/reception, display, etc.

The following is a list of switching patterns for the bus for executing the functions. Photocopying functions: scanner unit 201.fwdarw.core unit 206.fwdarw.printer unit 208 Network scanning: scanner unit 201.fwdarw.core unit 206.fwdarw.NIC unit 204 Network printing: NIC unit 204.fwdarw.core unit 206.fwdarw.printer unit 208 Facsimile transmission functions: scanner unit 201.fwdarw.core unit 206.fwdarw.FAX unit 203 Facsimile reception functions: FAX unit 203.fwdarw.core unit 206.fwdarw.printer unit 208 Display functions: scanner unit 201 or FAX unit 203 or NIC unit 204.fwdarw.core unit 206.fwdarw.display unit 210

Next, The image data which has passed through the bus selector unit 701 is sent to the printer unit 208 (PWM unit 207) or display unit 210 via a compressing unit 702, memory unit 703 made up of a hard disk (HDD) or like large-capacity memory, and an expanding unit 704. Any commonly-used compression method may be used at the compressing unit 702, such as JPEG, JBIG, ZIP, and so forth. The compressed image data is managed in increments of jobs, and is stored along with attached data such as file name, creator, date and time of creating, file size, and so forth.

Further, providing a job No. and password and storing these together allows personal box functions to be supported. This is a function to allow data to be temporarily stored, and to prevent print-outs (reading out from the HDD) to be made by anyone other than a specified individual. In the event that a command is given to print out a stored job, the memory unit 703 is called up following verification by the password, the image is expanded and restored to a raster image, and sent to the printer unit 208. [Configuration of PWM unit 207]

The PWM unit 207 will be described with reference to FIG. 8A. Image data that has been subjected to color separation, into the four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) (monochrome in the case of the MFP 105), is sent from the core unit 206, and the four colors pass through respective PWM units 207 to be formed into images. Reference numeral 801 denotes a triangular wave generating unit, and 802 denotes a D/A converter (D/A converting unit) for converting digital image signals input thereto into analog signals. The signals from the triangular wave generating unit 801 (denoted by "a" in FIG. 8B), and the signals from the D/A converter 802 (denoted by "b" in FIG. 8B) are subjected to magnitude comparison at a comparator 803; and become signals, such as denoted by "c" in FIG. 8B, and are sent to a laser driving unit 804, where each of the C, M, Y, K, are converted into laser beams by respective laser devices 805.

The laser beams are each scanned with a polygonal scanner 913, and irradiated on respective photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929.

[Configuration of Printer Unit 208 (Case of MFP 104)]

FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the printer unit 208a of the color MFP 104. Reference numeral 913 denotes a polygonal scanner, which receives the four laser beams emitted by the four semiconductor laser devices 805. Of these, one is reflected off of the mirrors 914, 915, and 916, and scans the photosensitive drum 917, the next one is reflected off of the mirrors 918, 919, and 920, and scans the photosensitive drum 921, the next one is reflected off of the mirrors 922, 923, and 924, and scans the photosensitive drum 925, and the next one is reflected off of the mirrors 926, 927, and 928, and scans the photosensitive drum 929.

On the other hand, reference numeral 930 denotes a developer for supplying yellow (Y) toner, which forms a yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 917 according to the laser beam. Reference numeral 931 denotes a developer for supplying magenta (M) toner, which forms a magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 921 according to the laser beam. Reference numeral 932 denotes a developer for supplying cyan (C) toner, which forms a cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 925 according to the laser beam, and reference numeral 933 denotes a developer for supplying black (K) toner, which forms a black toner image on the photosensitive drum 929 according to the laser beam. Subsequently, toner images of the four colors Y, M, C, and K are transferred onto a sheet, thus yielding a full-color output image.

Sheets supplied from one of the sheet cassettes 934 or 935, or a hand feed tray 936, pass over a resist roller 937 and adhere to a transfer belt 938, and thus are transported. Sheets fed from the sheet cassette 934 or 935 and sheets fed from the hand feed tray 936 merge at a merging path 980. The hand feed tray 936 comprises a sheet detecting sensor 970 for detecting whether or not sheets have been loaded thereupon. Toner images of each color have been developed on the photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929, synchronously with the timing of feeding the sheet, and the toner is transferred onto the sheet as the sheet is transported. The sheet upon which toner of each color has been transferred is separated, transported by a transporting belt 939, and the toner is fixed on the sheet by a fixing unit 940. The sheet which has passed through the fixing unit 940 is temporarily guided downwards by a flapper 950, and following the trailing end thereof passing through the flapper 950, the sheet is switched back and discharged. The sheet is discharged in a face-down state, so the pages are in the proper order when printed from the beginning.

Note that the four photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929 are positioned at equal intervals of a distance "d". The sheet is transported at a constant speed "v" by the transporting belt 939, and the four semiconductor lasers 805 are driven by being synchronized according to the timing of the photosensitive drums thus spaced and the transporting speed.

[Configuration of Printer Unit 208 (Case of Black-And-White MFP 105)]

FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of the printer unit 208b of the black-and-white MFP 105. Reference numeral 1013 denotes a polygon mirror, which receives laser beams emitted by the semiconductor laser device 805. The laser beams are reflected off of the mirrors 1014, 1015, and 1016, and scan a photosensitive drum 1017. On the other hand, reference numeral 1030 denotes a developer for supplying black toner, which forms a black toner image on the photosensitive drum 1017 according to the laser beams. The toner image is then transferred onto a sheet, thus yielding an output image.

Sheets supplied from one of the sheet cassettes 1034 or 1035, or the hand feed tray 1036, pass over a resist roller 1037 and adhere to a transfer belt 1038, and thus are transported. Sheets fed from the sheet cassette 1034 or 1035 and sheets fed from the hand feed tray 1036 merge at a merging path 1080. The hand feed tray 1036 comprises a sheet detecting sensor 1070 for detecting whether or not sheets have been loaded thereupon. A toner image has been developed on the photosensitive drum 1017, synchronously with the timing of feeding the sheet, and the toner is transferred onto the sheet as the sheet is transported. The sheet upon which toner has been transferred is separated, and the toner is fixed on the sheet by a fixing unit 1040. The sheet which has passed through the fixing unit 1040 is temporarily guided downwards by a flapper 1050, and following the trailing end thereof passing through the flapper 1050, the sheet is switched back and discharged. The sheet is discharged in a face-down state, so the pages are in the proper order when printed from the beginning.

[Configuration of Display Unit 210]

FIG. 11 shows the display unit 210. Image data output from the core unit 206 is CMYK data, and accordingly must be converted into RGB data at an inverse LOG conversion unit 1101. Next, output conversion using a lookup table is performed at a gamma converting unit 1102 in order to match the color properties of a display device 1104, which is a CRT or the like to which output is to be made. The converted image data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 1103, and is displayed by the display device 1104 such as a CRT or the like.

The display unit 210 is used for preview functions for confirming output images beforehand, proofing functions for verifying whether an image to be output is what the operator intended, and preventing waste of printing sheets in the event that confirming images regarding which printing is unnecessary.

[Configuration of Finisher Unit 209]

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the finisher unit 209. Sheets exiting from the fixing unit 940 or 1040 of the printer unit 208 enter the finisher unit 209. The finisher unit 209 includes a sample tray 1201 and a stack tray 1202. Discharge of sheets is switched between these according to the type of job and the number of sheets to be discharge.

There are two types of sorting, one being bin sorting where multiple bins are provided and the sheets are sorted into the bins, and shift sorting which involves later-described electronic sorting functions with bins (or trays) being shifted back and forth so as to sort the output sheets by job. The electronic sorting function is called a collator, and in the event that the apparatus is provided with the large-capacity memory described earlier with reference to the core unit, electronic sorting functions can be supported by using this memory and changing the order of pages or the discharge order thereof of the pages buffered therein so as to realize collating functions. Next, group functions are functions for sorting by page, whereas the sorting functions sort by job.

Further, in the event of discharging to the stack tray 1202, sheets before being discharged can be accumulated on an intermediate tray 1212 by job, and bound by a stapler 1205 immediately before being discharged

Moreover, a Z-folder 1204 for Z-folding sheets and a puncher 1206 for punching two (or three) holes for filing are disposed on the way to the above two trays, and execute their respective processing according to the type of job.

Further, a saddle stitcher 1207 binds two positions at the center of the sheets, then nips the center portion of the sheets with a roller so as to fold the sheets in half, and makes booklets like magazines or pamphlets. The sheets bound by the saddle stitcher 1207 are discharged onto a booklet tray 1208.

Further yet, while not shown in the drawings, functions such as binding by gluing, or trimming the side opposite to the bound side for alignment after binding, etc., may be added as well.

Also, an inserter 1203 is used for sending sheets set on the tray 1210 to one of the trays 1201, 1202, and 1208, without passing through the printer. Sheets supplied from the inserter 1203, and the sheets sent to the finisher 209 (sheets transported in the direction indicated by the arrow "a" in FIG. 12) merge at the merging path 1213. Thus, sheets set in the inserter 1203 can be inserted between the sheets sent to the finisher 209. A sheet detecting sensor 1209 for detecting whether or not sheets are loaded is provided to the tray 1210 of the inserter 1203, and with sheets set on the tray 1210 by the user in a fact-up state, sheets are fed by a pick-up roller 1211 in order from the topmost sheet. Accordingly, the sheets from the inserter 1203 are transported to the trays 1201 and 1202 as they are, and discharged in a face-down state. In the event of sending the sheets to the saddle stitcher 1207, the sheets are first sent toward the puncher 1206 and then switched back so as to match the faces.

[Configuration of Collator 106]

FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of the collator 106. The collator 106 is made up of input bin units 1301 and 1302 for setting sheet bundles discharged from the color MFP 104 and black-and-white MFP 105, a finishing unit 1303 for subjecting the sheets sent from the input bin units 1301 and 1302 to finishing processing, and a sorting bin unit 1305 for sorting the collated sheet bundles by job. The input bin units 1301 and 1302 have respective sheet detecting sensors 1306 and 1307 for detecting whether sheets have been loaded thereupon.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the finishing unit 1303. At the finishing unit 1303, sheets can be accumulated by job before discharging to the sorting bin 1305, and bound by a stapler 1315 immediately before discharging.

Also, a Z-folder 1314 for Z-folding sheets and a puncher 1316 for punching two (or three) holes for filing are provided, and execute their respective processing according to the type of job.

Further yet, while not shown in the drawings, functions such as binding by gluing, or trimming the side opposite to the bound side for alignment after binding, etc., may be added as well.

[Driver window]

Next, description will be given regarding a driver window screen. In the event of printing a job where a color page and black-and-white page both exist within a single job from the client computer 103 and server computer 102, a driver program, which is software installed in and running on the server computer 102 and/or client computer 103, having a display screen such as shown in FIG. 15, initially transfers the job to the color MFP 104. Here, reference numeral 1501 denotes the driver window displayed on the screens of the computers 102 and 103, and for items to be set therein. Reference numeral 1502 denotes a color printer selection column for selecting a color printer (color MFP 104). Reference numeral 1503 denotes a black-and-white printer selection column for selecting a black-and-white printer (black-and-white MFP 105). Reference numeral 1504 denotes a page setting column for selecting output pages from the job. Reference numeral 1505 denotes a number-of-copies setting column for specifying the number of copies to be made. Reference numeral 1506 denotes a job color mode column for instructing sectioning of color/black-and-white images with regard to a job containing both color and black-and-white images. Reference numeral 1507 denotes an OK key for starting printing. Reference numeral 1508 denotes a cancel key for canceling the printing, and reference numeral 1509 denotes a properties key for further detailed settings.

Reference numeral 1510 denotes a pop-up menu for selecting the method of mixing the sheets printed at the color printer and the sheets printed at the black-and-white printer following sectioning thereof, with one of the finisher inserter, hand feed tray, and network collator being selected here. The process of taking sheets that have been separately printed for color and monochrome and putting the sheets back into the original order will be referred to as mixing.

The job color mode column 1506 allows selection of one mode from automatic sectioning, manual sectioning, all pages color, and all pages monochrome. Automatic sectioning is a mode wherein the user does not specify which of the color printer and black-and-white printer will be used to print, and the decision is automatically made. On the other hand, manual sectioning is a mode that the user decides which of the color printer and black-and-white printer will be used to print by selecting which pages will be output from which MFP. All pages color is a mode wherein all pages are printed with the color printer, and all pages monochrome is a mode where all pages are printed with the black-and-white printer. Also, in the event that all pages monochrome or all pages color is selected at the job color mode column 1506, there is need for mixing, so selection of the mixing method in 1510 is disabled.

[Description of the Network Utility Software]

Description will now be made regarding the utility software running on the client computer 103 and server computer 102. A standardized database called a MIB (Management Information Base) is configured in the network interface unit (a combination of the NIC unit 204 and the PDL unit 205) in the MFPs 104 and 105, so as to communicate with computers on the network using a network management protocol called SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), thereby managing MFPs 104 and 105, and also other devices connected to the network, such as scanners, printers, facsimiles, and so forth.

On the other hand, software programs called utilities run on the client computer 103 and server computer 102, so as to exchange necessary information using the MIB by SNMP over the network.

The user can confirm information regarding the MFPs 104 and 105 connected to the network on the client computer 103 and server computer 102 by using the MIB, such as detecting whether or not the finisher 209 is connected to the MFPs 104 and 105 as equipment information thereof, detecting whether or not printing is currently available as status information, entering or changing or confirming the names and installation locations and the like of the MFPs 104 and 105, and so forth. Also, such information can be provided with read-write restrictions which are different between the server computer 102 and the client computer 103.

Accordingly, using these functions allows the user to obtain various types of information, such as equipment information for the MFPs 104 and 105, apparatus status, network settings, job histo