JP2001024839A - Composite picture processor, its data processing method, and storing medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a composite picture processor to substantially shorten the processing time required for preparing printing data by executing the preparation of the printing data in parallel on a printer side based on transferred picture data without waiting for the end of picture reading work on a scanner side. SOLUTION: A composite picture processor is constituted in such a way that the processor transfers picture data read one block by one block to a printer 103a in parallel with the picture reading work performed by means of a scanner 102a and a host computer 101a executes the preparation of printing data which can be interpreted by the printer 103 based on the picture data successively transferred one block by one block.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a composite image processing apparatus capable of executing a composite image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium, a data processing method of the composite image processing apparatus, and a computer. Is related to a storage medium storing a readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, when copying has been performed by a composite image processing apparatus, for example, a single scanner and printer connected to a host computer, or an integrated scanner / printer apparatus, one page read by a scanner once. Minute bitmap data is stored in the host computer, and then converted to print data that can be interpreted by the printer.
That is, a copy function is implemented by adding compression means and a command system that can be interpreted by the printer (also referred to as spooling processing), transferring the converted print data to the printer, and printing it out.

[0003] As one of the copy functions, even when overlaying or watermarking is combined with data read by a scanner, an overlay object or a watermark is created at the time of spooling processing on bitmap data once read. A watermark object was generated and synthesized.

On the other hand, in a configuration in which copying is realized by an integrated scanner / printer apparatus without using a host computer, a copy function is realized by transferring bitmap data of one page read by a scanner to a printer as it is. Was realized.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional process, the data reading time by the scanner and the subsequent generation time of the spool data for printing (data that can be interpreted by the printer) based on the read bitmap data. Furthermore, since it takes a lot of time to generate and overlay a print object or a watermark object and to combine them, the time required to complete the total copy is long.

In particular, since a low-end scanner mechanically takes a long time to read data, the time required until the completion of total copying becomes remarkable.

Further, when compression is performed on the scanner side only for the purpose of reducing the time required to transfer data read by the scanner to the host computer, compression processing on the scanner side and decompression processing on the host computer side are required. Therefore, it takes more time until the total copy is completed. In addition, the provision of the circuit only for the copy function itself causes a cost increase.

On the other hand, in the case of a configuration in which copying is realized by an integrated scanner / printer apparatus without using a host computer, many storage units are provided in the apparatus side to store bitmap data for one page read by the scanner. Had to be provided.

When a compression circuit for reading data is inserted in the apparatus in order to save the storage unit, the apparatus includes printer output data for printing output from a host computer and copy output from a scanner. Two types of data analysis circuits and decompression circuits for data are required, and cost reduction cannot be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem. In parallel with image reading by a scanner, the read image data in block units is transferred to a printer, and the sequentially transferred blocks are transferred to a printer. By generating print data that can be interpreted by the printer based on the image data of the unit, the printer can generate print data in parallel based on the transferred image data without waiting for the scanner to finish reading the image. Processing, the processing time required for print data generation can be substantially reduced, the copying processing time between the scanner and the printer can be significantly reduced, and the data transfer processing between the scanner and the printer can be reduced. Large-capacity memory without intervening compression processing on the printer side and decompression processing on the printer side Since data transfer can be performed without the need for a device, the cost of the device can be significantly reduced, and the circuits required for compression processing on the scanner side and decompression processing on the printer side are not required, thus reducing the size of the entire apparatus. In addition, in parallel with the image reading by the scanner, the printer generates print data that can be interpreted by the printer based on the read block-unit image data, and then transfers the generated print data to the printer. The printer can generate print data in parallel based on the image data to be transferred without waiting for the completion of reading, and can substantially eliminate the processing time required for print data generation on the printer side. Can greatly reduce the copying process time, and When the canner / printer is integrally formed, the data transfer process can be further restricted by interposing the host computer only when the memory capacity is insufficient for the copy process, thereby further shortening the copy process time. A composite image processing apparatus and a composite image processing apparatus capable of efficiently processing a composite image of image data input from a scanner and predetermined overlay data or watermark data generated from a watermark object. An object of the present invention is to provide a data processing method and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a scanner (shown in FIG. 1) is connected to a host computer (host computer 101a shown in FIG. 1) via a predetermined communication medium (including a network and an interface). Scanner 102a shown) and a printer (the printer 10 shown in FIG. 1).
3a) a composite image processing apparatus capable of executing composite image processing by connecting the printer to the host computer, wherein the printer can interpret the image data in parallel with the reception of image data output from the scanner in units of blocks. Data processing means (CPU 202 shown in FIG. 2 executes a control program stored in storage unit 204 with respect to image data received via communication control unit 201, so that printer 103a can interpret the image data. (Generate print data).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a generating means (CPU 202 shown in FIG. 2) for generating, on the host computer, synthetic image data to be synthesized with the print data based on an image synthesizing instruction for the print data.
Executes the control program stored in the storage unit 204 with respect to the image data received via the communication control unit 201 to generate composite image data), and outputs the composite image data generated by the generation unit. A synthesizing unit for synthesizing the print data (the image data received by the CPU 202 shown in FIG.
The control program stored in the printer 103a is executed to generate print data interpretable by the printer 103a, and combined with the generated composite image data to generate final print data interpretable by the printer 103). Things.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a scanner (a scanner 10 shown in FIG. 1) is connected to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium (including a network and an interface).
2a) and a printer (the printer 103a shown in FIG. 1)
A composite image processing apparatus capable of executing composite image processing by connecting the printer to the scanner, the print data being interpretable by the printer in parallel with reception of image data output from the scanner in block units. (A CPU 302 shown in FIG. 3 executes a control program stored in a storage unit 304 to
The printer 103a generates print data that can be interpreted by the printer 103a based on the image data input from the printer 05.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a means for generating combined image data to be combined with the print data on the scanner based on an image combining instruction for the print data (by the CPU 302 shown in FIG. 3). Storage unit 3
The control program stored in the printer 10 is executed, and the image data input from the image reading unit 305 is transferred to the printer 10.
3a), and combining means for combining the composite image data generated by the generating means with the print data to generate final print data (shown in FIG. 3). The CPU 302 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 304,
The image data input from the image reading unit 305 is generated when print data interpretable by the printer 103a is generated, and a printer is interpreted as a final print from the combined image data and print data. ).

A fifth invention according to the present invention is configured as a scanner / printer device in which the scanner and the printer are integrated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scanner / printer device (the scanner / printer 104 shown in FIG. 1) in which the scanner and the printer are integrated, and a memory of the scanner / printer device. Judgment means (CPU 302 shown in FIG. 3; CP shown in FIG. 4) for judging whether the resource capacity can store all of the print data.
U402 jointly checks the capacity of the storage unit 404 and the storage unit 304 to perform the determination process), and when the determination unit determines that the storage is not possible, stores the generated final print data in the host computer. (A communication control unit 301 shown in FIG. 3 or a communication control unit 401 shown in FIG. 4).

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the composite image data includes predetermined overlay data or watermark data generated from a watermark object.

According to the eighth and fifteenth aspects of the present invention, a composite image processing capable of executing a composite image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium (including a network and an interface). A data processing method for the apparatus, or a computer-readable program for controlling a compound image processing apparatus capable of executing compound image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium. A data processing step of generating print data interpretable by the printer on the host computer in parallel with reception of image data output from the scanner in block units (see FIG. 6). Steps S601 to S603).

According to a ninth and sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generating step of generating composite image data to be synthesized with the print data on the host computer based on an image synthesizing instruction for the print data (FIG. 8). (Step S805) shown in FIG. 8 and a combining step (Step S806 shown in FIG. 8) of combining the composite image data generated in the generating step with the print data.

The tenth and seventeenth aspects of the present invention relate to a composite image processing apparatus capable of executing composite image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium (network, interface). A data processing method, or storage in which a computer-readable program for controlling a compound image processing apparatus capable of executing compound image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium is stored. A data processing step of generating print data interpretable by the printer on the scanner in parallel with reception of image data output from the scanner in block units (step S100 shown in FIG. 10);
2, S1003).

According to an eleventh and an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, a generation step (FIG. 11) for generating, on the scanner, synthesized image data to be synthesized with the print data based on an image synthesis instruction for the print data. Step S shown
1105) and a synthesizing step of synthesizing the synthesized image data generated in the generating step with the print data to generate final print data (step S11 shown in FIG. 11).
06).

According to the twelfth and nineteenth aspects of the present invention, the scanner and the printer are integrated as a scanner / printer device.

According to a thirteenth and a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the scanner and the printer are configured as an integrated scanner / printer device, and the memory resource capacity of the scanner / printer device stores the print data. A determining step (step S1207 shown in FIG. 12) for determining whether or not all the data can be stored, and a transferring step for transferring the generated final print data to the host computer when it is determined that the data cannot be stored in the determining step. (Step S1208 shown in FIG. 12).

In the fourteenth and twenty-first aspects of the present invention, the combined image data includes predetermined overlay data or watermark data generated from a watermark object.

[0025]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 1, 101a and 101b denote host computers, 102a to 102c denote various scanners,
103a to 103c are various printers, 104 is a printer integrated system, and the scanner 102b and the printer 103
b. In the following description, the printer integrated system is referred to as a scanner / printer device. 105 is a network.

In the printing system thus configured, the host computer 101a controls the locally connected scanner 102a and printer 103a, and the scanner 102c and printer 103c connected via the network 105.

The host computer 101b includes a locally connected scanner 102b and printer 103b.
Controls an integrated system 104, a scanner 102c and a printer 103c connected to a network, and a scanner / printer device connected to a network (not shown).

Hereinafter, the host computer will be generally referred to as 101, the scanner will be generally referred to as 102, and the printer will be generally referred to as 103.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a host computer in the composite image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to the detailed configuration of the host computer 101.

In the figure, a host computer 101
a and 101b are the CPU 2 by the system control unit 205.
02 is controlled based on information in the storage unit 204.

An input unit 203 is a keyboard (not shown).
Controls key input from a pointing device. 2
A display unit 06 controls a display device such as a CRT display.

A communication control unit 201 controls Centronics, USB, IEEE 1394, or various network protocols, and is connected to the scanner 102, the printer 103, and the scanner 102 connected via the bidirectional communication 200.
Data is transmitted to and received from the printer integrated system (scanner printer) 104.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a storage unit which functions as a main memory and a work memory of the CPU 202, a storage area for a program for implementing the present invention, control information, and a program for executing the program of the present invention. It is also used as a necessary work area.

Accordingly, the host computers 101a, 1
01b, the scanner 102, the printer 103, and the scanner printer 104 connected via the communication control unit 200
Transfer of control information to the scanner 102 and the printer 10
3. Acquisition of status from scanner printer 104,
Alternatively, it receives and processes data read by the scanner 102 and the scanner printer 104.

FIG. 3 shows the scanner 102a and the scanner 1 connected to the host computer 101 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram explaining the structure of 02c.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a communication control unit which controls Centronics, USB, IEEE 1394 or various network protocols, and performs data transmission / reception with the host computer 101 connected via the bidirectional communication 300.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a storage unit which functions as a main memory and a work memory of the CPU 302 as well as a storage area for a program for implementing the present invention and control information, and for executing the program of the present invention. It is also used as a necessary work area.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a CPU, which is a host computer 1
Control information from 01 or operation panel 3
The scanner driver 306 is controlled in accordance with an instruction from the controller 03 to read an image from the image reading unit 305, process the read data, and transfer data to the host computer 101 via the communication control unit 301.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the printers 103a and 103c connected to the host computer 101 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a communication control unit which controls Centronics, USB, IEEE 1394 or various network protocols, and transmits and receives data to and from the host computer 101 connected via the bidirectional communication 400.

Reference numeral 404 denotes a storage unit which functions as a main memory and a work memory of the CPU 402, a storage area for a program for implementing the present invention and control information, and a storage unit for executing the program of the present invention. It is also used as a necessary work area.

Reference numeral 402 denotes a CPU, which is a host computer 1
After the print data is analyzed by the print unit 405 according to the control information and print data from the control panel 01 or the setting information from the operation panel 403, the printer drive circuit 406
And outputs print data converted into video data. Further, status information of the printer 103 is transferred to the host computer 101 via the communication control unit 401.

FIG. 5 shows the scanner printer 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device 04. The various control units to be described later have a function of combining the scanner shown in FIG. 3 and the printer shown in FIG. 4, and include a printer driving circuit 503 for controlling the printer, a printing unit 50, and the like.
7. Scanner driving circuit 5 for further controlling the scanner
04, the image reading unit 508 is controlled and managed by the communication control unit 501, the panel unit 506, the storage unit 505, and the CPU 502 which are the only units in the scanner / printer integrated system 104.

[First Embodiment] In the multi-function printing system having the above configuration, an operation control procedure for generating data interpretable by a printer on the host computer side will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a processing procedure on the host computer side. Note that S600 to S604 indicate each step.

The control program of this embodiment, which is stored in the storage unit 204 of the host computer 101 shown in FIG. 2 in advance, receives a copy instruction from the input unit 203 in step S600, or a panel unit ( Information indicating that a key operation for copy execution has been performed from the operation panel 303 shown in FIG. 3 or the panel unit 506 shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted to the communication control unit 201 of the host computer 101 via two-way communication. In step S601, the scanner device 10
It is determined whether the data read in step 2 has been transmitted for one page. This determination is based on whether an identifier indicating the end of one page generated by the scanner 102 has been received.

If it is determined that the reception of one page has not been completed, in step S602, the data read by the scanner 102 is received in the order of reading in blocks of a fixed capacity.

Next, in step S603, step S603
This is a step of converting the data received at 602 into print data that can be interpreted by the connected printer 103.
That is, the print unit of the printer 103 (the printer unit 405 shown in FIG. 4 or the print unit 50 shown in FIG. 5).
In step 7), a print command that can be analyzed is generated and added, and a process of compressing read data that can be expanded by the printer 103 is performed, and the process returns to step S601.

On the other hand, in step S601, if
If it is determined that an identifier notifying that the data transmission for one page has been received has been received, the process advances to step S604 to transmit the print data for one page to the printer 103 and complete the copy processing.

In the present embodiment, step S604
In FIG. 4, print data for one page is transmitted to the printer in a lump.
Storage unit 404 shown in FIG. 5, or storage unit 5 shown in FIG.
05) has a sufficient capacity to store all the print data for one page, or a printer driving circuit of the printer (the printer driving circuit 40 shown in FIG. 4).
6, or if the printer drive circuit 503) shown in FIG. 5 has an ink spray type configuration, the print data is transferred to the printer in block units immediately after step S603 for generating print data, and step S60 is performed.
There is no problem even if the processing of step 4 is deleted. In this case, an effect of suppressing the consumption of the storage unit 204 of the host computer 101 is also added.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure on the scanner device side. In addition, S700 to S704 indicate each step.

The control program of this embodiment, which is stored in advance in the storage unit 304 of the scanner 102 in FIG. 3 or the storage unit 505 of the scanner printer 104 in FIG.
At 700, information indicating that an operation for copy execution has been performed from the input unit 203 of the host computer 101 is transmitted to the communication control unit (the communication control unit 301 of the scanner 102 or the communication of the scanner printer 104) via two-way communication. Control unit 501), or the scanner 10
It is determined whether a key operation for copy execution has been received from the panel unit 2 (the operation panel 303 in FIG. 3 or the panel unit 506 in FIG. 5). The scanner driver 306 shown in FIG. 3 or the scanner driver 504 shown in FIG. 5 executes the processing, and the image reader (the image reader 305 shown in FIG. 3 or the image reader 508 shown in FIG. 5). Start reading data.

In step S701, the image reading unit determines whether data reading for one page has been completed. If it is determined that reading has not been completed, the image reading unit determines in step S702. Scan and
At the stage when a certain amount of data is read, step S703 is executed.
Then, the data is sequentially transmitted to the host computer 101 connected in block units, and the process returns to step S701.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S701 that the reading of all data for one page and the transmission to the host computer 101 have been completed, in step S704,
An identifier indicating the end of the transfer is transmitted to the host computer 101, and the process ends.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
In the composite image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a case has been described in which copy image processing is performed while sequentially transferring image data read from a scanner in predetermined block units to a host computer. The watermark may be configured to be synthesized. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure on the host computer side. In addition, S800 to S807 indicate each step.

The processing on the scanner side is the same as the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. Steps S800 to S80 on the host computer side
The processing up to 2 is the same as the processing from step S600 to step S602 shown in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and thus will be omitted, and the subsequent processing will be described.

In step S 802, when data of a certain block is received from the scanner, in step S 803, the host computer 101 inputs an instruction as to whether or not to overlay or watermark at the time of the copy instruction in step S 800 or before. It is determined whether overlay data or watermark data specified by the user is stored in the storage unit 204 by the unit 203, and if it is determined that an overlay synthesis instruction has been issued, in step S804, step S802 is performed.
The position on the paper where the block data received at
It is determined whether the overlay positions of the overlay data match, and if it is determined that they match, step S805 is performed.
Then, the overlay data stored in the storage unit 203 is converted into data that can be interpreted by the printer 103 connected to the host computer 101.

Next, step S806 is replaced with step S8.
02 is a step of converting the data received at step 02 into print data that can be interpreted by the connected printer 103.
If overlay data and watermark data to be combined have been generated in the previous step, this step S
At 806, a combining process is performed.

The processing after step S806 and the processing of step S807 are the same as the processing of step S603 and subsequent steps and the processing of step S604 shown in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
Although the case where the host computer generates data that can be interpreted by the printer has been described, the scanner device may be configured to generate data that can be interpreted by the printer. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure on the host computer side. In addition, S900 to S903 indicate each step.

The control program of this embodiment, which is stored in the storage unit 204 of the host computer 101 shown in FIG. 2 in advance, receives a copy instruction from the input unit 203 in step S900, or a panel unit of the scanner (see FIG. 2). Information indicating that a key operation for copy execution has been performed from the operation panel 303 shown in FIG. 3 or the panel unit 506 shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted to the communication control unit 201 of the host computer 101 via two-way communication. If accepted, in step S901, it is determined whether the data read by the scanner 102 has been transmitted for one page.
Note that this determination is based on whether an identifier indicating the end of one page generated by the scanner 102 has been received.

If it is determined that the reception of one page has not been completed, in step S902, the data is read by the scanner 102, and the printer connected to the host computer 101 can be interpreted by the scanner. The print data of the fixed capacity converted into the block unit is received, and the process returns to step S901.

On the other hand, in step S901, if
If an identifier notifying that the data transmission for one page has been completed is received, the print data for one page is transmitted to the printer 103 in step S903, and the copy processing is completed.

In the present embodiment, one page of print data is transmitted to the printer at step S903 as in step S604 of the first embodiment. However, the storage unit of the printer (shown in FIG. 4) Storage unit 40
4 or the storage unit 505 shown in FIG. 5 has a sufficient capacity so that all the print data for one page can be sufficiently stored, or a printer driving circuit of the printer (the printer driving circuit shown in FIG. 4). 406, or FIG.
When the printer driving circuit 503) is of the ink spray type, the print data is transferred to the printer in block units in step S902 immediately after the print data is generated, and the processing in step S903 is deleted. Needless to say, the effect can be obtained.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure on the scanner side. In addition,
S1000 to S1005 indicate each step.

The storage unit 30 of the scanner 102 shown in FIG.
4 or the control program of the present embodiment stored in advance in the storage unit 505 of the scanner printer 104 shown in FIG. Is received by the communication control unit (the communication control unit 301 of the scanner 102 or the communication control unit 501 of the scanner printer 104) via two-way communication, or the panel unit of the scanner (the operation panel shown in FIG. 3). It is determined whether a key operation for copy execution has been received from the panel 303 or the panel unit 506 shown in FIG. 5, and when it is detected that a copy instruction has been issued, a scanner driving circuit (306 shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 5 is executed, and the image reading unit (305 shown in FIG. 3 or 305) is executed. Starting the data read from 508) shown in FIG.

In step S1001, it is determined whether data reading for one page has been completed in the image reading unit. If it is determined that reading has not been completed, the image reading unit sequentially determines in step S1002. Data scanning is performed to read a predetermined amount of data. In step S1003, the read block data is interpreted by the connected printer 103 as print data (the print unit of the printer 103 (the print unit 4 shown in FIG. 4).
05 or a print command that can be analyzed by the print unit 507) shown in FIG.
Is converted into data that has been subjected to a compression process that can be decompressed.

Next, in step S1004, the generated print data is transferred to the host computer 101 connected in units of blocks, and sequentially in step S1004.
1 to S1107 are executed, and step S1001 is executed.
Return to

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1001 that the generation of the print data for one page and the transmission to the host computer have been completed, the process proceeds to step S1005.
To the host computer 1 for the identifier indicating the end of the transfer.
01 to end the process.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment,
In the composite image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a case has been described where copy image processing is performed while transferring print data generated on the scanner side to a host computer based on image data read from the scanner in predetermined block units. At the time of the copy shown in FIG. 1, an overlay or a watermark may be composed. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the sixth data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a procedure in which the scanner synthesizes an overlay or a watermark at the time of copying. Note that S1100 to S1105 indicate each step.

The processing on the host computer side is the same as the processing in the flowchart of FIG. 9 shown in the third embodiment. Steps S1100 to S11 on the scanner side
02 up to S10 shown in FIG. 10 of the third embodiment.
Since it is the same as the processing from 00 to S1002, it is omitted.
The subsequent processing will be described.

In step S1102, if data of a certain block has been scanned and read from the image reading unit of the scanner, the process proceeds to step S1103.
At the time of a copy instruction in 1100, or an instruction as to whether to overlay or watermark is specified by the user through the input unit 203 of the host computer 101, and there is an overlay synthesis instruction to the scanner via bidirectional communication. , It is determined whether overlay data or watermark data is stored in the storage unit (the storage unit 304 shown in FIG. 3 or the storage unit 505 shown in FIG. 5), and it is determined that an overlay synthesis instruction has been issued. In this case, in step S1104, step S11
02, it is determined whether the position of the block data read from the image reading unit on the paper to be output matches the combined position of the overlay data on the paper, and if it is determined that they match, step S1105 is performed. The storage unit (FIG. 3)
Storage unit 304 shown in FIG. 5, or storage unit 5 shown in FIG.
05) is converted into data that can be interpreted by the printer 103 connected to the host computer 101.

Next, step S1106 is executed in step S1106.
In step 1102, the data read by the image reading unit is converted into print data that can be interpreted by the printer 103 connected to the host computer 101. In the previous step, overlay data and watermark data to be combined are generated in the previous step. If so, this step S1106
The synthesis process is also performed in.

The processing after step S1106 and the processing at step S1108 are the same as the processing after step S1003 shown in FIG.
Since the processing is the same as the processing in step 1005, the description is omitted.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, in the composite image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, print data generated on the scanner side based on image data read from the scanner in a predetermined block unit. In the case of performing the copy image processing while transferring the image to the host computer, the case where the overlay and the watermark are combined at the time of the copy shown in FIG. 1 has been described. When the capacity is small, the print data may be transferred to the host computer. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the seventh data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a procedure in which the scanner combines the overlay and the watermark at the time of copying. S1200 to S1212 indicate each step.

The processing on the host computer side when the storage capacity of the scanner printer 104 is small and the print data generated by the scanner printer 104 is transferred to the host computer 101 is the same as that shown in FIG. This is the same as the flowchart process of FIG.

The processes in steps S1200 to S1206 on the side of the scanner printer 104 are the same as the processes in steps S1100 to S1106 in FIG. 11 shown in the fourth embodiment, and thus will not be described. I do.

When the print data is generated in step S1206, in step S1207, the control program according to the present embodiment determines the storage capacity of the storage unit 505 of the scanner printer 104 shown in FIG. 5, and determines that the capacity is small. In this case, in step S1208, the print data is transferred to the host computer 101 in the same manner as in step S1107 of FIG. 11 shown in the fourth embodiment.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1207 that the storage capacity is sufficient, then in step S1209,
It is stored in the storage unit 505.

Thereafter, steps S1201 to S12 are sequentially performed.
07, step S1208, or step S120
1 to S1207 and step S1209 are executed. When the processing for one page is completed, the capacity of the storage unit 505 is determined in step S1210, and when it is determined that the capacity is small, the transfer end is indicated in step S1212. The identifier is transmitted to the host computer 101, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1210 that the capacity of the storage unit 505 is sufficient, in step S1211, the print data stored in the storage unit 505 is transferred to the printing unit 5 without passing through the host computer 101.
In step S1211, the printer drive circuit is further executed to print out and the copy is completed.

If the printer driving circuit 503 of the scanner printer 104 has an ink spray type configuration, the print unit 507 analyzes the print data in block units immediately after storing the print data in the storage unit 505 in step S1209. Then, by printing and outputting only the block unit, the processing in step S1211 may be deleted.

In this case, the effect of suppressing the consumption of the storage unit 505 of the scanner printer 104 is also added.

Further, the determination of the storage capacity in S1207 and S1210 is made in advance by the scanner printer 104.
The capacity of the storage unit provided in the storage unit may be determined, or the free capacity of the storage unit provided may be determined.

Sixth Embodiment In each of the above embodiments, a scanner printer having a copy function and a print function has been described as an example of the configuration of a composite image processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this system. For example, a multi-function printing system equipped with a facsimile function in addition to a copy function and a print function can be realized without impairing the effects of the present invention.

[Seventh Embodiment] A compression circuit for generating print data on the scanner 102 side and a decompression circuit for print data on the printer 103 side of the present invention are realized by software according to the control program of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the processing may be performed by hardware using an ASIC or the like. When processing is performed by hardware, the copy completion time is further shortened.

According to each of the above embodiments, the print data is generated in the data reading process from the scanner in the host computer, and the print data is generated in the data reading process in the scanner. The time required for the spool data generation processing time is executed in the background of the data reading processing by the scanner, and the total copy completion time can be reduced by the time of the spool data generation processing.

Further, since the apparatus connected to the host computer does not need a large-capacity storage unit necessary only to realize the copy function or a data format for the copy function including the compression / decompression system, the copy is not required. A compression circuit and a decompression circuit dedicated to the function are not required, and the size and cost of the device can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the copy function is realized by the scanner printer, the copy function can be realized via the host computer only when the capacity of the storage unit of the system is small. Cheap.

Further, even when the copy function is realized without using the host computer, the data format or the like limited to the copy function is not used as described above, so that memory can be saved, the apparatus can be reduced in size, and the cost can be reduced. It is.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and creator, is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 6 to 12 in this embodiment are executed by a program installed from the outside.
It may be performed by a host computer. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, 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, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform 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 instructions of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0107]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the twenty-first to twenty-first aspects, in parallel with the image reading by the scanner, the read image data in block units is transferred to the printer, and the printer can interpret the image data based on the sequentially transferred block unit image data. By executing the print data generation, the printer can perform the print data generation in parallel on the basis of the transferred image data without waiting for the completion of the image reading by the scanner, thereby substantially reducing the processing time required for the print data generation. The time required for copying by the scanner and the printer can be greatly reduced.

Further, in the data transfer processing between the scanner and the printer, the data transfer can be performed without intervening compression processing on the scanner side and decompression processing on the printer side, and without requiring a large-capacity memory device. As a result, the cost of the apparatus can be significantly reduced, and the circuits required for the compression processing on the scanner side and the decompression processing on the printer side are not required, and the entire apparatus can be downsized.

Further, in parallel with the image reading by the scanner, the printer generates print data that can be interpreted by the printer based on the read image data in block units, and transfers the generated print data to the printer, whereby the image reading by the scanner is performed. Without waiting for the end, print data generation can be performed in parallel on the printer side based on the transferred image data, and the processing time required for print data generation on the printer side can be substantially eliminated. Copy processing time can be greatly reduced. Further, when the scanner / printer device is integrally formed, the host computer is interposed only when the memory capacity is insufficient for the copying process, so that the data transfer process can be further restricted and the copying process time can be further reduced. can do.

Further, it is possible to efficiently process a composite image of image data input from a scanner and predetermined overlay data or watermark data generated from a watermark object.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a host computer in the composite image processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner connected to the host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer connected to the host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the scanner printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a fifth example of the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 11 is a sixth view of the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 12 is a seventh view of the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention;
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101a, 101b Host computer 102a-102c Scanner 103a, 103b Printer 104 Scanner printer 202, 302, 402 CPU 203 Input unit 204, 304, 404 Storage unit 205 System control unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B021 AA01 AA02 AA19 CC05 LA01 5B057 AA11 BA02 CA12 CB12 CD14 CE08 5C062 AA13 AA35 AB17 AB22 AB38 AB42 AC21 AC34 AC43 AD06 BA04 5C076 AA12 BA06

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A composite image processing apparatus capable of executing composite image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the composite image processing apparatus outputs a block unit from the scanner to the host computer. And a data processing unit for generating print data interpretable by the printer in parallel with the reception of the image data. 2. A generating means for generating, on the host computer, synthetic image data to be synthesized with the print data based on an image synthesizing instruction for the print data, the synthetic image data generated by the generating means being transmitted to the host computer. 2. The composite image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a combining unit configured to combine the print data with the print data. 3. A composite image processing apparatus capable of executing a composite image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the composite image processing apparatus outputs on the scanner in units of blocks. A data processing unit for generating print data that can be interpreted by the printer in parallel with the reception of the image data. 4. A generating means for generating, on the scanner, synthetic image data to be synthesized with the print data based on an image synthesizing instruction for the print data, and printing the synthesized image data generated by the generating means on the scanner. 4. The composite image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a synthesizing unit that synthesizes the data with the data to generate final print data. 5. The composite image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said scanner and said printer are integrated as a scanner / printer apparatus. And determining means for determining whether or not the memory resource capacity of the scanner / printer device can store all of the print data, wherein the scanner and the printer are configured as an integrated scanner / printer device. When it is determined that the storage is not possible by the determination means,
4. The composite image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a transfer unit configured to transfer the generated final print data to the host computer. 7. The composite image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said composite image data includes predetermined overlay data or watermark data generated from a watermark object. 8. A data processing method for a compound image processing apparatus capable of executing compound image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium, the method comprising the steps of: A data processing method for a composite image processing apparatus, comprising: a data processing step of generating print data that can be interpreted by the printer in parallel with reception of image data output in block units. 9. A generating step for generating, on the host computer, synthetic image data to be synthesized with the print data based on an image synthesizing instruction for the print data; 9. The data processing method according to claim 8, further comprising a combining step of combining with print data. 10. A data processing method for a compound image processing apparatus capable of executing compound image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: A data processing method for a composite image processing apparatus, comprising: a data processing step of generating print data that can be interpreted by the printer in parallel with reception of image data output in units. 11. A generating step of generating composite image data to be synthesized with the print data on the scanner based on an image synthesizing instruction for the print data, and printing the composite image data generated by the generating step on the scanner. 11. The data processing method for a composite image processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a combining step of combining data with data to generate final print data. 12. The data processing method according to claim 8, wherein the scanner and the printer are integrated as a scanner / printer device. 13. A determining step of configuring the scanner and the printer as an integrated scanner / printer device, and determining whether the memory resource capacity of the scanner / printer device can store all of the print data. When it is determined that the storage is not possible in the determination step,
11. The data processing method according to claim 10, further comprising: transferring the generated final print data to the host computer. 14. The data processing method according to claim 9, wherein the composite image data includes predetermined overlay data or watermark data generated from a watermark object. 15. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a composite image processing apparatus capable of executing composite image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium. A data processing step of generating print data that can be interpreted by the printer on the host computer in parallel with reception of image data output from the scanner in units of blocks. A storage medium that stores possible programs. 16. A generating step for generating, on the host computer, synthetic image data to be synthesized with the print data based on an image synthesizing instruction for the print data; 16. The storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 15, further comprising a combining step of combining with print data. 17. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a compound image processing apparatus capable of executing compound image processing by connecting a scanner and a printer to a host computer via a predetermined communication medium. A data processing step of generating print data that can be interpreted by the printer on the scanner in parallel with reception of image data output from the scanner in block units. Storage medium storing various programs. 18. A generating step for generating, on the scanner, synthetic image data to be synthesized with the print data based on an image synthesizing instruction for the print data, and printing the synthesized image data generated by the generating step on the scanner. 18. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 17, further comprising a combining step of combining data with data to generate final print data. 19. The storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 15, wherein the scanner and the printer are configured as an integrated scanner / printer device. 20. A determining step in which the scanner and the printer are integrated as a scanner / printer apparatus, and a determination is made as to whether or not the memory resource capacity of the scanner / printer apparatus can store all of the print data. When it is determined that the storage is not possible in the determination step,
18. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 17, further comprising a transfer step of transferring the generated final print data to the host computer. 21. The storage medium according to claim 18, wherein the composite image data includes predetermined overlay data or watermark data generated from a watermark object.