JP2007068012A - Image processing method, image processor and image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To commonly treat image processing corresponding to the respective characteristics of a digital multi-functional peripheral (MFP), and to simplify processing control, and to increase a speed. <P>SOLUTION: This image processor is provided with an image reader 101 for reading an original, and for acquiring image data, an image writer 103 for printing out the image data on a recording medium, an external I/F control unit 107 for transmitting/receiving the image data to an external part PC 109, an image processor 102 for applying image processing to the image data according to output characteristics, and a memory 105 and an HDD 106 for storing the read or image-processed image data and an image data extension bus control unit 104 for operating the transfer control of each means connected to a data bus. When it is necessary to apply image processing several times to the stored image data according to the output characteristics, the image data extension bus control unit 104 executes the image processing several times to the image processor 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing method for printing out or distributing a stored image, an image processing apparatus for executing the image processing method, and an image forming apparatus including the image processing apparatus.

  With the development of a line sensor reading device composed of a CCD unit and a laser writing device, digital copying machines that process digitized image data have become widespread. Since digital copiers make copies of images by digital processing, in addition to copy functions, digital copiers have been developed into digital multi-function machines by incorporating digitally processable scanner functions, printer functions, facsimile functions, etc. . As this digital multi-function peripheral can control multi-functions as it is called MFP (Multi Fundtion Peripheral), it can be easily connected to a network, and its output data is stored in this device. It is stored in a certain HDD. Therefore, image data stored in the HDD can be easily transmitted to an external device via a network or received from the external device.

  In addition, the use of MFPs in offices has been diversified and diversified. For example, a small MFP that is installed in pairs next to a PC and allows each employee to easily use the functions of a copier / facsimile / printer / scanner. In a medium-sized MFP that can use functions such as productivity, sorting, punching, and stapling, a department that concentrates copying-related work in a company, or a company that produces copying-related work itself, it has high productivity and high quality. Multifunctional large-scale MFPs are used according to applications. Although MFPs have been diversified from small to large, there are functions that are strongly demanded for each class instead of functions that can be shared across classes. For example, large MFPs require post-processing of paper after plotting, such as punching, stapling, and paper folding, and electronic filing at the same time as copying operations, while small MFPs include enhancements such as Internet FAX and PC-FAX, and personal As a typical purpose of use, high-quality image printing on dedicated paper is required.

  In the MFP market, which has been diversified and diversified as described above, a system having a set of functions required for each class has been constructed, sold, and provided. The importance of information value in business has already been recognized, and it is required not only to convey information quickly, accurately and reliably, but also to convey it in an easy-to-understand and effective manner. With the speeding up / spreading of communication technology, memory capacity increase / cost reduction / miniaturization, and high performance of PC, new functions for efficiently handling information using digital data have been provided. The provision and integration of new functions is also desired for MFPs that handle digital image data that is part of digital data.

  Here, as described above, output in the MFP includes output to paper like a copy, and transmission in electronic data like a scanner or FAX transmission. Even in transmission by electronic data, the output format differs depending on the application. For example, FAX and the like are in a monochrome binary image data format, while a scanner and the like are, for example, color RGB image data. As described above, image data is output to the MFP by various output means. At this time, each output means has different output characteristics. For paper output, there are various characteristics such as the characteristics of the writing unit, and for scanner distribution, the characteristics of the display to be displayed.

  Therefore, it is necessary to perform image processing in the MFP in accordance with each characteristic, but conventionally, a unit for performing image processing in accordance with each characteristic is usually provided. This is realized by having optimum image processing for each, but it is necessary to provide a unit for executing the processing as a pair at each output destination, and hardware for that is required, leading to an increase in cost. ing.

  On the other hand, as this type of technology, for example, the invention described in Patent Document 1 or 2 is known. Among these, Patent Document 1 relates to an image processing apparatus that controls multi-functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a printer function, and a facsimile function, and an output control method thereof. For the purpose of improving hand separation and obtaining an optimum image quality, it has an input processing means for performing predetermined processing on the input image from the image reading means, and a storage means for temporarily storing the image from the input processing means. The image processing apparatus includes: an image processing unit that performs another process on the image; and an image output unit that outputs an image according to the image processed by the image processing unit. Detection means for detecting attribute data of an image, and transmission means for transmitting the attribute data together with the input image to the image processing means, wherein the image processing means The image processing apparatus, characterized in that to be stored in the storage unit to the input image and the transmitted the attribute data by performing said further processing is described.

In addition, Patent Document 2 aims to provide an input / output device that transfers or prints out data that has been input from different lines with different transfer methods to a designated transfer destination. A transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from the connected network, a print output unit for outputting print data to the printing device, and an input / output unit for inputting / outputting data The storage unit for storing data, the data input from the transmission / reception unit and the input / output unit are stored in the storage unit, and the data stored in the storage unit is output to the transmission / reception unit, the input / output unit, or the print output unit An input / output control unit, and when the received processing instruction is instructed in color or monochrome printing, and color or monochrome printing is impossible, data can be printed in a predetermined color or monochrome Describes input and output apparatus for transferring apparatus, in the output device, it converts the scanner color space specific to the standard color space, and so as to convert the standard color space to the printer color space specific.
JP 2001-223828 A JP 2001-251522 A

  By the way, the component level of each image processing on the image general-purpose bus, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, an image reading unit 301, a γ processing unit 302, a filter processing unit 303 that performs smoothing and MTF correction, and a color that performs color space conversion. The general-purpose common bus B1 in which the conversion processing unit 304, halftone processing unit 305, image writing unit 307, external I / F unit 308, image area separation processing unit 309, memory unit 310, and the like are controlled by the image data expansion bus control unit 306 There is a device that performs image processing by connecting to the.

  However, in such a case, the control of the image data expansion bus control unit 306 and the control of the memory unit 310 used as the common image data bus B1 are performed according to the use, and the processing order is changed. Is complicated to control. In addition, since the memory unit 310 is shared, the image data that has been processed once is stored in the memory unit 310 and is operated to the next processing, resulting in a reduction in processing speed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a plurality of output units such as a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP), and commonly handle image processing corresponding to each output characteristic. This makes it possible to simplify processing control and speed up processing.

  In order to achieve the object, the first means includes a first step of storing input image data, and a second step of performing image processing on the image data stored in the first step. A third step of storing the image data processed in the second step, and a fourth step of performing image processing different from the second step on the image data stored in the third step A step, a fifth step of storing the image data processed in the fourth step, and a sixth step of outputting the stored image data processed in the second or the fourth step. The image processing method is provided.

  The second means is characterized in that, in the first means, the inputted image data is image data obtained by reading a document.

  The third means is characterized in that, in the first means, the fourth and fifth steps are executed a plurality of times.

  The fourth means is characterized in that, in the first means, the sixth step is print output and / or distribution to the outside.

  The fifth means is an image reading means for reading a document and obtaining image data, an image writing means for printing out the image data on a recording medium, and an external I / F for transmitting / receiving the image data to / from an external device. Control means, image processing means for performing image processing on the image data in accordance with characteristics to be output, storage means for storing read or image processed image data, and each means connected to a data bus And an image processing apparatus including a control unit that performs transfer control of each of the connected units, wherein the control unit performs a plurality of times of image processing according to the characteristics to be output with respect to the stored image data. When it is necessary to perform the processing, the image processing means is caused to execute the image processing for the number of times.

  A sixth means is the fifth means wherein a plurality of image processes are set in the image processing means, and a processing order of at least two of the plurality of image processes is determined in advance. It is characterized by that.

  Seventh means is that in the fifth or sixth means, when the control means outputs the image data stored in the storage means to two or more output destinations, image processing corresponding to the output destination is processed. When it is the same from the start to the middle, the image data subjected to the same image processing is temporarily stored, and the subsequent image processing is separately performed based on the stored image data.

  The eighth means is characterized in that the image forming apparatus includes the image processing apparatus according to any one of the fifth to seventh means.

  In the embodiment described later, the image reading unit is the image reading unit 101, the image writing unit is the image writing unit 103, the image processing unit is the image processing unit 102, the storage unit is the memory 105, the HDD 106, and the control unit is Each corresponds to the image data expansion bus control unit 104.

  According to the present invention, when it is necessary to perform a plurality of times of image processing on the accumulated image data according to the characteristics to be output, the image processing unit is caused to execute the number of times of image processing. Therefore, it is possible to handle image processing corresponding to a plurality of output characteristics in common, and simplification of processing control and speeding up can be achieved.

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

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This digital copying machine is a so-called multi-function machine (MFP) as an image processing system and apparatus that can realize a plurality of functions and perform image processing corresponding to each function.

  In FIG. 1, the MFP transmits each application of the image reading unit 101, the image processing unit 102, and the image writing unit 103 connected to the image data expansion bus B1, and image data processed by these applications to the external PC 109. Or a distribution control unit 100 that receives and processes from the external PC 109. The distribution control unit 100 includes an image data expansion bus control unit 104 and an external I / F control unit 107, which are respectively connected to the image data expansion bus B1. The image data expansion bus control unit 104 controls the image data expansion bus B1, and is connected to the memory 105 and the HDD 106. The external I / F control unit 107 is connected to a NIC (Network Interface Controller) 108, a FAX unit 110, and an operation unit 111. The NIC 108 is further connected to an external PC 109 via a network, and the FAX unit 110 performs FAX communication via a public communication line.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, an outline of each part of the digital copying machine and details of a series of processes from reading the original to printing out when the original is copied will be described. Since the MFP described here implements the image processing system of the present invention, the MFP performs predetermined processing as described later based on the image data. First, a process from reading a document to outputting it on a sheet (recording medium) will be described. The process (processing procedure) is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
The image reading unit 101 includes a line sensor composed of a CCD photoelectric conversion element, an A / D converter, and a drive circuit thereof, and scans (optically scans) a set original 401, thereby converting the density information of the original into each RGB color. The image data is converted into 8-bit digital image data and output (step S402). The read image data is temporarily stored in the memory 105 (or HDD 106) (steps S403 and S404) and input to the image processing unit 102 (step S405).

  As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the image processing unit 102 includes an image area separation processing unit 201, a filter processing unit 202, a color conversion processing unit 203, a resolution conversion processing unit 206, a γ processing unit 204, and a halftone processing unit 205. The separation information of the image area separation processing unit 201 is input to each of the units 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206, respectively. That is, in the image processing apparatus 102, first, the image area separation processing unit 201 extracts a characteristic area of the document. For example, extraction of halftone dots formed by general printing, extraction of edge portions such as characters, determination of chromatic / achromatic of the image data, determination of white background whether the background image is white, etc. I do. The image data input to the image processing unit 102 is input to the filter processing unit 202. The filter processing unit 202 plays a role of converting the spatial frequency of the image data. Further, using the result determined in the image area separation process 201, a characteristic filter process is performed for each extracted portion. For example, in an area detected as a halftone dot portion, smoothing processing is performed to smooth the halftone dot. If the edge portion is a white background, the area is estimated to be a character portion, and the MTF characteristic is Apply edge enhancement to improve the image.

  The image data processed by the filter processing unit 202 in this way is transferred to the color conversion processing 203 and subjected to color conversion processing suitable for the output characteristics. This time, in order to perform paper output, the characteristics of the image writing process and the input RGB signals of the scanner are converted into CMYK. Also here, processing is performed using the separation result of the image area separation processing unit 201. For example, if the character portion is achromatic, it can be assumed that the character is black, and based on this, black processing can be performed when performing CMYK conversion. The image signal processed in the color conversion process 203 is subjected to an arbitrary scaling process in the resolution conversion process 206, and then transmitted to the γ process 204 to perform γ conversion of input characteristics to output characteristics. Also, using the data after the γ process 204, the halftone process 205 performs a gradation process that matches the characteristics of the image writing unit 103. For example, dither processing or error diffusion processing. In addition, the gradation depth (number of bits) of the image writing unit 103 is also converted here. For example, if the output is 1 bit, it is converted to 1 bit while performing dither processing on the input 8-bit signal (step S405). Thus, the signal processed by the image processing unit 102 is once input to the memory or the HDD (step S406) and then input to the image writing unit 103 (step S408). When digital image data composed of CMYK is received, a laser beam is emitted. The image data received on the transfer paper is output using the electrophotographic process used (step S409).

  Here, when data is transferred to the image reading unit 101, the image processing unit 102, and the image writing unit 103, input / output is performed via the image data expansion bus B1. At that time, depending on the timing at which these are controlled, for example, even if the image data applied by the image processing unit 101 is output by the image writing unit 103, the engine plotter is still ready for paper output. There may not be. In such a case, the image data is temporarily stored in the storage device (memory 105 or HDD 106). Further, since the image data expansion bus B1 shares each module, their input / output is adjusted or controlled by the image data expansion bus control unit 104. Here, the above-described storage devices (memory 105 and 106) are also connected to the image data expansion bus control unit 104.

  The writing of the image data to the memory 105 is actually read by the line scanner in the image reading unit 101 and transferred to the image processing unit 102, and the transfer speed and the processing at that time, for example, reading by the image reading unit 101 This is performed when another process is being performed in the image processing unit 102. Thereafter, the image data is stored in the HDD 106 and used for data reuse or the like as necessary.

  In this way, the processing procedure of image processing for the purpose of paper output only has been described, but image data obtained by reading a document may be stored. Therefore, an image processing system for storing data in a device-independent format for reuse will be described.

  First, the processing procedure up to accumulation in a device-independent format is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this processing procedure, the processed data is temporarily stored in the memory (steps S501 to S504), and then converted into device-independent image data in the image processing unit 102 (step S505). The characteristic of the image data independent of the device is, for example, Lab, which is a standard color space, AdobeRGB space, or a predetermined RGB space if it is a color space. It also defines the spatial frequency. Conversion is performed using the image processing unit 102 so as to obtain such characteristics. Thereafter, the data is stored in the HDD 106 via the image data expansion bus B1 (steps S506 and S507).

  Next, the processing procedure up to paper output using the accumulated image data is shown in the flowchart of FIG. The accumulated image data is stored in the HDD 106 and transferred to the image processing unit 102 via the memory 105 and the expansion bus control unit 104 (steps S600 to S603). At this time, since the purpose is paper output, the image processing unit 102 performs image processing conversion suitable for the characteristics of the image writing unit 103 from the characteristics of the device-independent format (step S603). After that, once through the memory 106, paper output is performed by the image writing unit 102 (steps S604 to S608).

  Similarly, image data delivery processing to the external PC 109 can be performed using the stored image data. The processing procedure at this time is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows that the process of FIG. 6 is executed after the process of FIG. 5 and can be output to an external PC. Also in this case, the image data accumulated by reading the original (steps S501 to S506 and S507) is transferred to the image processing unit 102 (step S603). If an output in sRGB is set in advance by the user by the operation unit 111, conversion to the sRGB space is performed. Further, the spatial frequency is also converted into characteristics suitable for the display, for example, and the processed image data is once held in another area of the memory 105 again (steps S604 and S605), and in the case of print output, the image data Data is transferred to the writing unit 103 (step S607), and paper output is performed (step S608). On the other hand, when transferring to the external PC 109, the data to be transferred is read from the memory 105, and delivered to the network from the NIC 1083 (step S610) via the external I / F control unit 107 (step S609) (step S611). ).

  Here, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the image processing unit 102 refers to conversion from the read characteristic to the internal storage characteristic (step S505), and conversion from the internal storage characteristic to the characteristic of the external output format (step S603). Has two types of roles. In this example, the image processing unit 102 is used twice, but by going back and forth between the memory 703 and the image processing unit 102 in this way, the characteristic conversion processing is performed on the same hardware as many times as necessary. It becomes possible. Such transfer control is executed by the image data expansion bus control unit 104.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 described when reading and outputting paper, the processing procedure of the image processing unit 102 is set in advance. Therefore, in this MFP, a processing procedure for image processing having the highest use case is set in advance. By doing so, in the case of the most used case, in this image processing apparatus, the processing for the image processing unit 102 is converted into the final output format with the minimum required number of processing (once in FIG. 4). It becomes possible to do.

  In the present embodiment, the input image data is subjected to image processing according to the type of document, and thus is intended for image data read by the image reading unit 101. However, if image processing is necessary, the input image data is transferred from an external PC. Needless to say, it may be image data.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
1) An image processing unit capable of performing image processing according to characteristics for outputting image data is provided, the image processing unit can perform image processing according to each output characteristic, and output When performing image processing according to the characteristics, the same processing unit can be passed twice or more. As a result, a single processing unit may be used as a common configuration, and hardware for each type of processing is unnecessary, so that the hardware configuration can be reduced.

2) When performing processing as necessary, the image processing unit may only need to be operated once, and when performing processing twice or more, general-purpose bus control repeats the same operation. Since it is good, the control configuration can be simplified.

3) By predetermining the processing order when performing image processing, the most frequently used image processing according to the characteristics of the output unit or the image processing that requires processing speed It is possible to apply an image processing configuration.

4) When changing the processing order according to the processing characteristics, the processing order is determined in advance as the hardware configuration, so that the image processing unit repeats the processing OFF / ON operation and the control bus repeats the same operation. The control only needs to be performed, and the control configuration can be simplified.

There are effects such as.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Since the configuration of the image processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus itself is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted and only different points will be described.

  Here, a case where a certain user selects two output methods at the same time will be described. For example, the operation unit 111 is set to perform scanner distribution to the external PC 109. At this time, it is assumed that two settings are set to output: distribution at 600 dpi: sRGB and distribution at 200 dpi: sRGB. In such a case, first, the document is read by the image reading unit 101 (steps S701 and S702). The image data at this time is assumed to be in the case of CCD 600 dpi. First, this image data is read from the memory 105 (HDD 106) and enters the image processing unit 102 (steps S703, S704, and S705). Here, as two common image processing procedures, first, image area separation, filter processing, and color conversion are performed simultaneously. As a result, the information is temporarily stored in the memory 105 (steps S704 and S707). Further, the image processing unit 102 performs processing again using the stored image data (step S709). What is processed at this time is only conversion from 600 dpi to 200 dpi in the resolution conversion process. The converted data is stored in the memory 105 (HDD 712) (steps S711 and S712), and transferred from the NIC 108 to the external PC 109 via the network (steps S713 and S714).

  In the case of this processing procedure, the image data once read in step S705 is accumulated in the memory 105 (steps S703 and S704), and an sRGB: 600 dpi image and an sRGB: 200 dpi image are obtained using the data. It is possible to create by operating the image processing unit 102. However, in this case, the image data read in step S702 needs to be held in the storage device (memory 105, HDD 106, and so on) until the two processes are completed. Strictly speaking, in order to create image data of sRGB: 200 dpi, it is necessary to hold it until it is transferred to the image processing unit 102. Further, it is sufficient that the transfer of the image data of sRGB: 600 dpi is completed. However, since it cannot be guaranteed that the transfer is also completed, it is necessary to store the image data in the storage device. As a result, in this case, image data for three pages is held for one original, leading to an increase in memory.

  Also, in order to avoid an increase in the memory, sRGB: 600 dpi data is temporarily stored in the HDD 106, and after all image processing is completed, the data is expanded in a memory such as a RAM and passed through the NIC 108. However, in this case, after the data is once stored in the HDD 106, it may be read again, and the data distribution to the external PC 109 may not be performed until the image processing data is completed.

  In the current processing procedure, when the image data of sRGB: 600 dpi has been accumulated in the memory 105 (step S706), the image data accumulated in the memory 105 in step S703 becomes unnecessary. In addition, if it is desired to accumulate as another application, it is excluded in that case. For example, if the user wants to store it for later use, it can be stored in the HDD 704. Therefore, using the image data stored in the memory 105, distribution to the external PC 109 (steps S708 and S710) and re-image processing can be performed to create another image data (step S709). Data can be shared in the memory 105, and the capacity of the memory can be reduced.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the same accumulated data is converted into image data having different characteristics as a processing configuration, if the same operation is performed up to an intermediate stage, image processing up to the same operation is performed. Can be stored once, it is possible to share processing and shorten processing time when distributing the same image to a plurality of outputs.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanical configuration of a multifunction machine to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, a digital multifunction peripheral is for monochrome image formation, and includes a main body 400, an image reading device 500 installed on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 400, and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as an automatic document feeder) mounted thereon. , “ADF”) 550, a large-capacity paper feeding device 700 disposed on the right side of the image forming apparatus main body 400 in the same figure, and a sheet post-processing device disposed on the left side of the image forming apparatus main body 400 in the same figure. 800 is basically composed.

  The image forming apparatus main body 400 includes an image writing unit 410, an image forming unit 420, a fixing unit 430, a duplex conveying unit 440, a paper feeding unit 450, a vertical conveying unit 460, and a manual feeding unit 470.

  The image writing unit 410 modulates the LD, which is a light source, based on the image information of the document read by the image reading device 500, and writes laser on the photosensitive drum 421 by a scanning optical system such as a polygon mirror and an fθ lens. is there. The image forming unit 420 includes a photosensitive drum 421 and known electrophotographic imaging elements such as a developing unit 422, a transfer unit 423, a cleaning unit 424, and a charge eliminating unit provided along the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 421. Consists of.

  The fixing unit 430 fixes the image transferred by the transfer unit 423 on the transfer paper. The double-sided conveyance unit 440 is provided downstream of the fixing unit 420 in the transfer sheet conveyance direction, and includes a first switching claw 441 that switches the transfer sheet conveyance direction to the sheet post-processing device 800 side or the double-side conveyance unit 440 side, , The reverse conveying path 442 guided by the switching claw 441, the image forming side conveying path 443 that conveys the transfer paper reversed by the reverse conveying path 442 to the transfer unit 423 again, and the reverse transfer paper after the sheet post-processing device 800. A second switching claw 445 is disposed at a branch portion between the image forming side conveying path 443 and the post processing side conveying path 444.

  The sheet feeding unit 450 includes four sheet feeding stages, and the transfer sheets stored in the sheet feeding stages selected by the pickup roller and the sheet feeding roller are drawn out and guided to the vertical conveyance unit 460. The vertical conveyance unit 460 conveys the transfer paper fed from each paper feed stage to the registration roller 461 immediately upstream in the paper conveyance direction of the transfer unit 423, and the registration roller 461 provides a visible image on the photosensitive drum 421. The transfer paper is fed into the transfer unit 423 in time with the leading edge. The manual feed portion 470 includes an openable and closable manual feed tray 471, and opens the manual feed tray 471 as needed to supply transfer paper manually. Also in this case, the transfer timing of the transfer paper is taken by the registration roller 461 and is transported.

  The large-capacity paper feeding device 700 supplies a large amount of transfer paper of the same size, and the bottom plate 702 rises as the transfer paper is consumed, so that the paper can always be picked up from the pickup roller 701. ing. The transfer paper fed from the pickup roller 701 is conveyed from the vertical conveyance unit 460 to the nip of the registration roller 461.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus 800 performs predetermined processing such as punching, alignment, stapling, and sorting. In this embodiment, the punch 801, the staple tray (alignment) 802, the stapler 803, and the shift tray 804 are used for the above functions. I have. In other words, the transfer paper carried from the image forming apparatus 400 to the paper post-processing apparatus 800 is punched one by one with the punch 801 when punching, and then if there is no particular processing, the proofing is performed. When sorting, stacking, and sorting to the tray 805, the sheets are discharged to the shift tray 804, respectively. In this embodiment, the sorting is performed by the reciprocating movement of the shift tray 804 by a predetermined amount in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. In addition, sorting can be performed by moving the paper in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction on the paper transport path.

  In the case of alignment, the transfer paper that has been punched or not punched is guided to the lower transport path 806, and the staple tray 804 is aligned in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction by the rear end fence. In the jogger fence, alignment in the direction parallel to the paper transport direction is performed. Here, when binding is performed, a predetermined position of the aligned sheet bundle, for example, a predetermined position such as a corner portion or two central positions is bound by the stapler 803 and discharged to the shift tray 804 by the discharge belt. In this embodiment, a pre-stack conveyance path 807 is provided in the lower conveyance path 806, and a plurality of sheets are stacked at the time of conveyance to avoid interruption of the image forming operation on the image forming apparatus main body 400 side during post-processing. Be able to.

  The image reading apparatus 500 is guided onto the contact glass 510 by the ADF 600, optically scans the stopped original, and reads the image formed by the imaging lens through the first to third mirrors, such as a CCD or CMOS. Read by the photoelectric conversion element. The read image data is subjected to predetermined image processing by an image processing circuit (not shown) and temporarily stored in a storage device. Then, it is read from the storage device by the image writing unit 410 during image formation, modulated according to the image data, and optical writing is performed.

  The ADF 550 has a double-sided reading function, and is attached to the contact glass 510 installation surface of the image reading device 500 so as to be freely opened and closed. In the ADF 550, the document placed on the document placement table 551 is automatically sent onto the contact glass 510 when the document is read.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the image processing apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital copying machine conventionally implemented. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing the contents of a series of processes from reading an original and printing it out when copying the original in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence until it accumulate | stores in the format independent of a device in 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure until paper output is performed using accumulated image data according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which performs 2 types of different image processes in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mechanical structure of the digital multi-functional peripheral of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image reading part 102 Image processing part 103 Image writing part 104 Image data expansion bus control part 105 Memory 106 HDD
107 External I / F control unit 108 NIC
109 External PC
110 FAX section 111 Operation section

Claims (8)

A first step of storing input image data;
A second step of performing image processing on the image data accumulated in the first step;
A third step of storing the image data processed in the second step;
A fourth step of performing image processing different from the second step on the image data accumulated in the third step;
A fifth step of storing the image data processed in the fourth step;
A sixth step of outputting the image data processed and accumulated in the second or fourth step;
An image processing method comprising:   2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the input image data is image data obtained by reading a document.   The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the fourth and fifth steps are executed a plurality of times.   The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the sixth step is print output and / or distribution to the outside. Image reading means for reading an original and obtaining image data;
Image writing means for printing out the image data on a recording medium;
An external I / F control means for transmitting / receiving the image data to / from an external device;
Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data according to output characteristics;
Storage means for storing read or image processed image data;
Each of the means is connected to a data bus, and control means for performing transfer control of the connected means;
In an image processing apparatus comprising:
The control means causes the image processing means to perform the image processing for the number of times when it is necessary to perform the image processing a plurality of times according to the characteristics to be output on the accumulated image data. An image processing apparatus.   6. The image processing according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of image processes are set in the image processing means, and a processing order of at least two of the plurality of image processes is determined in advance. apparatus.   When outputting the image data stored in the storage means to two or more output destinations, if the image processing corresponding to the output destination is the same from the start to the middle of the processing, the control means 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image data subjected to the processing is temporarily stored, and the subsequent image processing is separately performed based on the stored image data.   An image forming apparatus comprising the image processing apparatus according to claim 5.

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