Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Input/output command process
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-06
2001-01-09
Lee, Thomas C. (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Input/output command process
C710S005000, C710S006000, C358S001160, C358S001170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173338
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image output system and an image output method for visually providing image data that are transmitted, for example, by a computer terminal.
2. Related Background Art
Recently, a system has been proposed wherein a host computer for editing images, an image processing apparatus for managing images, and a printer, such as a color copying machine, are connected together, and whereby PDL image data are transmitted by the host computer, via a network, to the image processing apparatus whereat they are translated, the resultant image data being transmitted thereafter to the color copying machine to be used to provide high quality images on paper, etc.
The functions of current color copying machines have been enhanced, double side copying and sorting/stapling functions, for example, now being provided for copying machines, and consequently, the procedures required of image processing apparatuses to control the printing processes performed by color copying machines have become complicated. In addition, the engine speeds of the copying machines have been increased compared with the speeds of the previous conventional color copying machines.
However, the following problems have arisen for the efficiency of the above prior art. Although the cost per sheet for color printing is high, printing failures at color copying machines occur frequently.
The translation of PDL image data and the transfer of the resultant image data to a color copying machine, tasks which are performed by an image processing apparatus, may not be performed rapidly enough to keep up with the sequential printing speed available with a color copying machine. In other words, during the printing of a plurality of sheets, the engine of a color copying machine may have to be halted temporarily to wait until data can be received from an image processing apparatus.
In this case, the color copying machine can not proceed to the execution of another process, and its work efficiency is very low.
In addition, if an operator is dissatisfied with the results of a printing run, image data must be re-transmitted by the host computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide an image output system and an image output method to resolve the above described problems.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image output system and an image output method for temporarily holding received image data and for outputting them after an output condition has been designated.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an image output system and an image output method for developing received image data, and for beginning to output the image data after an output condition has been designated.
The above objects and other objects of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, given while referring to the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of an image processing apparatus in an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a block diagram illustrating the entire physical arrangement of the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a diagram for explaining the structure of a digital color copying machine used for the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of a client computer in the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5
is a flowchart showing the control process performed by the image processing apparatus in the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6
is a flowchart showing the control process performed by the digital color copying machine in the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7
is a flowchart showing the control process performed by an image processing apparatus in an image processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a flowchart showing the control process performed by a digital color copying machine in the image processing system according to the second embodiment of present invention;
FIG. 9
is a flowchart showing the control process performed by an image processing apparatus in an image processing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10
is a flowchart showing the processing for the printing, under a different print condition, of image data that are accumulated in the image processing apparatus; and
FIG. 11
is a flowchart showing the processing for the selection of an appropriate output mode for printing data.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4819077 (1989-04-01), Kikuchi et al.
patent: 5087971 (1992-02-01), Sakata et al.
patent: 5485554 (1996-01-01), Lowitz et al.
patent: 5502580 (1996-03-01), Yoda et al.
patent: 5610726 (1997-03-01), Nonoshita et al.
patent: 5892844 (1999-04-01), Fujisawa
patent: 5894545 (1999-04-01), Fukuta
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Cao Chun
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Lee Thomas C.
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