JP2963226B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for outputting image information to an image forming apparatus and an image processing system having a plurality of image processing apparatuses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various systems have been provided which transfer image data generated by an image processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus and output an image.

An image forming apparatus is, for example, a printer,
The image processing device is a color scanner, a color film scanner, a host computer, or the like.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system configuration in which this type of image processing apparatus 100 and image forming apparatus 200 are connected on a one-to-one basis. FIG. 11 shows two image processing apparatuses 101 and 102 connected. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration connected to an image forming apparatus via a switch box.

In FIG. 10, an image forming apparatus 200 is used as a dedicated apparatus for one image processing apparatus 100. In the configuration shown in FIG. 11, two image processing apparatuses 101, 1
02 is switched and supplied to the image forming apparatus 104.

[0006]

By the way, in the above-described image forming apparatus, even if one apparatus can cope with a plurality of types of image processing apparatuses, output data from one image processing apparatus at a time can be obtained. Can only be accepted.

Therefore, in the system shown in FIG. 10, when it is desired to use a different type of image processing apparatus, it is necessary to disconnect the currently connected image processing apparatus and connect another image processing apparatus. It is complicated.

On the other hand, in the system shown in FIG.
The number of image processing devices that can be connected is limited , and
Exclusive switch box 103 is prepared in addition to the image processing device
And switch button from each image processing device.
It is necessary to connect wiring directly to the
There is a disadvantage that the configuration of the stem is complicated. In addition, the output of each image processing apparatus can only be selected, so that there is a disadvantage that the outputs cannot be combined and output.

According to the present invention, a plurality of image processing apparatuses can be connected to an image forming apparatus by a simple wiring in any combination.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing system capable of arbitrarily outputting an image processed by each image processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus for processing.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a first image processing method.
A first interface for connecting devices, and a second image processing device.
And a second interface for connecting the image forming apparatus.
Process image data that can be printed out
An earthenware pots image processing apparatus, output from the first image processing apparatus
The input image data and valid signal are transmitted to the first interface.
And input means to enter via the Esu, image de in the own device
Generating means for generating data and a valid signal;
Image data and valid signals input by the stage, and
Image data generated by the generation means
Transmitting the signal through the second interface to the second image
Output means for outputting to a processing device, and the first image processing device
The print request arbitrarily generated in the first interface
Receiving means for receiving data via the
Detection means for detecting a self-print request that has occurred
The print request received by the receiving means and the print request
Based on the self-print request detected by the detection means
And controls the output means to output to the second image processing apparatus.
Switching between input image data and valid signal
Means .

Further, the present invention relates to an image processing system in which two or more image processing apparatuses are connected in cascade from an upstream to a downstream through an interface, and an image forming apparatus is connected to a downstream of the last image processing apparatus. And each of the above
The image processing device receives the image data and the image data output from the preceding device.
And valid signals are input via the above interface.
Force means and generate image data and valid signal in own device
And an image data input by the input means.
Data and the valid signal, and the
The generated image data and effective signal are transferred to the interface
Output means for outputting to a subsequent device via a
The print request arbitrarily generated at the
Receiving means for receiving via a source
Detecting means for detecting a self-print request generated in
The print request received by the
Based on the self-print request detected by the intelligent means
Control the output means to output the image to the subsequent device.
Switching means for switching between image data and a valid signal .

With the above arrangement, an arbitrary number of image processing apparatuses can be connected to one image forming apparatus, and a print request or the like is exchanged between the image processing apparatuses, so that the image of each image processing apparatus is exchanged. Output to the image forming apparatus .
It becomes possible. Also, the first image processing is provided to each image processing apparatus.
Combines the image from the processing device (previous device) with the image of the own device
And output it to the second image processing device (subsequent device).
Ri, image by combining the output image at an arbitrary plurality of the image processing apparatus
It is possible to output to an image forming apparatus .

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

In this image processing system, three image processing apparatuses are used for a printer 5 as an image forming apparatus.
FAX adapter 1 connected to a facsimile machine (not shown) and host computer 4 via interface 6
An image memory device 2 for storing image information from a scanner and a scanner 3 for reading image information of a document
1, 72 and 73 are connected in series.

Hereinafter, the image memory device 2 will be described as a first-stage device, and the printer 5 will be described as a second-stage device with the scanner 3 as the center.

The scanner 3 sends the image information input from the image memory device 2 and the read image information obtained by the document reading means in the scanner 3 to the printer 5 singly or by combining both. Printer 5
Is used to form an image.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner 3.

From the image memory device 2, the interface 72
First image signal (video1) sent via
34 is input to the FIFO memory 39 once, where the synchronization deviation in the main scanning direction is corrected.

The synchronous image signal (video 1 ′) 38 output from the FIFO memory 39 and the second image signal (video)
2) 36 is synthesized by the image synthesizing unit 12, and the synthesized image signal (video 3) 35 is sent to the printer 5 via the interface 73.

The first effective signal (enb1) 30 is for indicating an effective area of the first image signal (video1) 34. The first effective signal (enb1) 30 is input to the image synthesizing section 12 as a signal for switching synthesis, and the OR gate 14 Is ORed with the second effective signal (enb2) 32 on the scanner 3 side, and the third effective signal (enb3) 31 indicating the effective area of the composite image signal (video3) 35 is output to the printer 5 as shown in FIG.
Sent to

The AND gate 47 outputs a first valid signal (en
b1) For invalidating 30; AND gate 4
8 is for invalidating the second valid signal (enb2) 32. These AND gates 47 and 48 are controlled by invalidation signals S0 and S1 output from the control unit 19, respectively. That is, if S0 = 0, S1 = 1, enb3 is the same as enb2. If S0 = 1, S1 = 0, enb3 is the same as enb1. If S0 = 1, S1 = 1, enb3 is the same as enb1.
OR of b2 When S0 = 0 and S1 = 0, enb3 is always 0, that is, invalid.

The SYNC signal 29 is a synchronizing signal at the time of printing sent from the printer 5 and includes a vertical synchronizing signal Vs
SYNC 29-1, a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync 29-2, and the like.

At the time of printing, a timing signal 33 to the image reading section 11 and a second valid signal (enb2) 32 for the scanner 3 are generated by the area signal generating circuit 13 based on the synchronization signal.

The control unit 19 includes a CPU, a ROM and an RA
M and the like, and controls the entire scanner 3 by a program in a ROM or a RAM. The control unit 19
Are connected via the CPU bus 20 to the input / output ports 15, 1
6. Control the communication interfaces 17, 18, the operation unit 40, and the like.

The RDY11 signal 24 corresponds to the image memory device 2
On the other hand, a signal indicating that the power of the scanner 3 is on and communication is possible, and an RDY12 signal 23 is a signal indicating that the power of the image memory device 2 is on.

The TXD1 signal 22 is sent from the control unit 19 to the image memory device 2 via the communication interface 16.
The RXD1 signal 21 is a signal for transmitting various information, and the RXD1 signal 21 is a signal for receiving various information from the image memory device 2.

On the other hand, the RDY 22 signal 27
On the other hand, a signal indicating that the power of the scanner 3 is on and communication is possible, and an RDY 21 signal 28 is a signal indicating that the power of the printer 5 is on.

The TXD2 signal 25 is a signal for transmitting various kinds of information from the control unit 19 to the printer 5 via the communication interface 18, and the RXD2 signal 26
Is a signal for receiving various information from the printer 5.

[0029] Thus, since for the signal structure and the printer 5 of the interface 72 to the image memory apparatus 2 and the signal structure of the interface 7 3 are formed on the same, by the connector also the same configuration as in FIG. 1 , The FAX adapter 1 and the scanner 3 can be exchanged, and an image processing apparatus such as a scanner can be connected to the printer 5 in a cascade manner.

The operation unit 40 is used to set operation modes of the scanner 3 and the printer 5 and to start printing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the synthesizing unit 12. As shown in FIG.

The synchronous image signal (v
The video signal (video1 ′) 34 and the image signal (video2) 36 from the document reading unit 11 are input to a selector 41 and selectively combined by a select signal 42 to generate a composite signal (video3) 35.

In this embodiment, the select signal 42 is generated by the logic circuit 50 based on the valid signal (enb1 ') 37 from the image memory device 2 and the valid signal (enb2) 32 inside the scanner 3. .

Here, the S4 signal is a signal for forcibly setting the select signal 42 to "1", and the S2 signal is enb1 '.
The signal for invalidating the signal and the S3 signal are signals for invalidating the enb2 signal. This logic circuit 50
Thus, video2 is always selected and becomes video3. Video1 'is always selected and becomes video3. Video2 and video1' are switched and synthesized by enb2, and video2 and video1 'are switched and synthesized by enb1' and video3 is formed. Can be set.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation timing in the first embodiment.

The vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC indicates the top of the sheet when printing, and the horizontal synchronizing signal HSY
NC indicates the head of one line in the horizontal direction.

The image signal (video 1) sent from the image memory device 2 contains a valid image from the second line. The valid signal (enb1) sent from the image memory device 2 is active from the second line.

The image signal (video 1 ′) is a signal obtained by delaying the image signal (video 1) sent from the image memory device 2 by one line by the FIFO memory 39. Similarly, the valid signal (enb1 ′) is a signal obtained by delaying the valid signal (enb1) sent from the image memory device 2 by one line.

The image signal (video 2) read by the image reading unit 11 contains a valid image from the third line. Also, an effective signal (enb2) in the scanner 3
Is active from the third line.

The select signal (select) of the selector 41
t) 42 is set to the same signal as the valid signal (enb1 ') by setting the S2 signal to "1", the S3 signal to "0", and the S4 signal to "0" in FIG. According to the select signal 42, the image signal (video3) output from the selector 41 is obtained by combining two image signals (video1 'and video2) as shown in FIG. The valid signal (en) sent to the printer 5
b3) sets two valid signals (enb1 ', enb2) by setting S0 and S1 to "1" in FIG.
Is the logical OR of

As shown in the timing chart of FIG.
The image signal may be delayed by several lines in each image processing device such as the image memory device 2 and the scanner 3. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the entire delay amount cannot be ignored. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the image of the n-th line (for example, n = 3) from the vertical synchronization signal is
The promise is to form a line. That is, the vertical synchronizing signal 29-1 functions as a notice signal of the sheet edge. Under this promise, the device closest to the printer 5, ie, the scanner 3, sends the first valid image to the n-th line. In this apparatus, when there is a delay of m lines, it is necessary to send the first effective image to the (nm) th line in one of the apparatuses, that is, the image memory apparatus 3. In the present embodiment, such information on the amount of delay is referred to as delay information.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control unit 19 in the scanner 3.

FIG. 5 shows a main sequence.

First, when the power is turned on, the RDY11 signal and the RDY21 signal are set to "1", and the other devices 1,
2 that the scanner 3 is turned on (S
101).

Next, after the data is initialized (S10
2) It is checked whether a print request REQ1 has been received from the image memory device 2 (S103).
Move on to If there is no print request REQ1, it is checked whether or not a print request REQ3 has been instructed by the operator using the operation unit 40 (S104). If not, the process returns to S103.

When there is an instruction from the operation unit 40, the busy information is checked (S105). Here, the busy information is information indicating whether or not the printer 5 is being used by another image processing apparatus. When the printer 5 is busy, the printer 5 cannot be used.
A message such as "Printer is in use" is output to D (S107), and the process returns to S103.

If the scanner 3 is not busy,
Sets a busy request to use the printer 5 (S106), and moves to S108 when the right to use is acquired.

In S108, the process branches according to the print mode, and the mode in the scanner 3 is set.

First, in the case of the single mode, that is, the mode in which only the image read by the image reading section 11 of the scanner 3 is printed, each parameter in the scanner 3 is set to the single mode (S109). Specifically, by setting the S0 signal to “0”, the S1 signal to “1”, the S2 signal to “0”, the S3 signal to “0”, and the S4 signal to “0”, vi
video3 is the same as video2, and enb3 is also en
It becomes the same as b2.

In the case of the through mode, that is, the mode in which the image input from the image memory device 2 is sent to the printer 5 as it is, each parameter is set to the through mode (S110). Specifically, the S0 signal is set to “1”,
By setting the S1 signal to “0” and the S4 signal to “1”, video3 becomes the same as video1 ′, and en
b3 becomes the same as enb1 '.

Further, in the case of the combination mode, that is, the mode in which the two images are combined and printed, each parameter is set to the combination mode (S111). Specifically, S
By setting the 0 signal to “1”, the S1 signal to “1”, the S2 signal to “1”, the S3 signal to “0”, and the S4 signal to “0”, two images are switched and synthesized by enb1 ′.

Further, the S0 signal is set to "1", the S1 signal is set to "1", the S2 signal is set to "0", the S3 signal is set to "1", and the S4 signal is set to "0". Is also possible.

After setting the parameters as described above, a print request REQ2 is transmitted to the printer 5 (S1).
12) Thereafter, the operation of the image reading unit 11 is performed according to the synchronization signal sent from the printer 5, and the printing operation is performed (S113).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a communication sequence between the scanner 3 and the image memory device 2.

First, after initializing the communication interface and the like (S201), it is checked whether or not a command has been received from the image memory device 2 (S202). When the command has been received (S203), processing for each command is performed. Do.

In the case of a print request command, the scanner 3
This indicates that a print request has occurred on a device located further upstream, that is, on the image memory device 2 side.
Is set to “1”.

In the case of the print mode request command (S205), since the print mode to be set is sent from the upstream device, the internal data is updated.

Further, in the case of the busy request command (S206), a request as to whether or not the user wants to use the printer 5 is sent from the upstream device, so that the internal data is updated.

On the other hand, if there is no received data, the flow branches according to the value of the internal variable n (S207). Note that S20
In FIG. 7, mod is an operation for obtaining a remainder.

First, if nmod 3 is 0, delay information indicating on which line the first valid image should be output is sent to the image memory device 2 (S208).

If nmod 3 is 1, the print mode sent from the downstream device, that is, the printer 5, is transmitted (S209). This is because the printer 5 responds to a print mode request from each image processing apparatus.
Is the determined print mode, which is used in S108 of FIG.

Further, if nmod 3 is 2, the busy information sent from the downstream device, that is, the printer 5, is transmitted (S210). This means that the printer 5 determines which of the devices 2 and 3 can be used in response to the busy request sent from each image processing device.

Next, the internal variable n is incremented by 1 in S211 and the process returns to S202.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a communication sequence between the scanner 3 and the printer 5.

The information received from the upstream is transmitted to the printer 5 and the information to be transmitted from the printer 5 is received symmetrically with FIG.

First, after initializing the communication interface and the like (S301), it is checked whether or not a command has been received from the printer 5 (S302). If the command has been received (S303), processing for each command is performed.

If the command from the printer 5 is a delay information setting command, the delay information sent from the printer 5 is set in the internal data (S304). If the command is a print mode information setting command, printing from the printer 5 is performed. The mode information is set in the internal data (S305).
Further, when the command from the printer 5 is a busy information command, the busy information from the printer 5 is set in the internal data (S306).

On the other hand, if there is no received data, the flow branches according to the value of the internal variable m (S307).

First, if mmod 2 is 0, the printer 5
Then, the print mode request sent from the upstream device is sent (S308).

If nmod 2 is 1, the printer 5
, A busy request sent from the upstream device is sent (S309).

Next, the internal variable m is increased by 1 (S31).
0), it is determined whether or not the print request REQ2 has been generated (S311), and if not, the process returns to S302.

If a print request REQ2 has occurred, a print request is sent to the printer 5 (S
312).

Although the description has been given centering on the scanner 3, the other image processing apparatuses can be similarly configured.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image memory device 2 as a second embodiment of the present invention.

The difference from the scanner 3 in the first embodiment is not the image read by the image reading unit 11 described above, but the image sent from the host computer 4 via the general-purpose interface 46 and the host computer interface 45. , Once stored in the image memory 44,
The point is that it is read out and used in synchronization with the synchronization signal SYNC from the printer 5, and that the print mode is set by a command from the host computer 4 instead of the operation unit 40 and a print request is issued. .

In the first embodiment, the effective signal is exchanged in a hardware manner using a dedicated signal line, and can be switched on a pixel-by-pixel basis. In the case where only information is required, the information may be exchanged as software information by using a more general-purpose communication means as in the second embodiment. In this case, the effective area information is received and transmitted to the downstream side by a command from the upstream side. In this configuration, the switching signal enb4 may be generated by the area generating circuit 13 based on the valid area information received from the upstream side, and may be directly input to the select 41 as shown in FIG. The other components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Further, similar to the switching signal enb4 signal, other signals may be replaced by transmission by communication.
Conversely, information exchanged by communication may be exchanged by hardware signals.

[0078]

As described above , according to the present invention,
Simple wiring of any number of image processing devices in any combination
Can be connected to the image forming apparatus, and
Arbitrarily outputs the processed image to the image forming apparatus,
To provide a highly useful image processing system.
is there.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of a synthesizing unit of the scanner in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing operation timings in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main sequence of the scanner in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a communication sequence between the scanner and the image memory device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a communication sequence between the scanner and the printer in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image memory device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a part of a synthesizing unit of the image memory device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional image processing system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another example of a conventional image processing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. FAX adapter, 2. Image memory device, 3. Scanner, 4. Host computer, 5. Printer.

Continuation of front page (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 21/00 B41J 2/525 B41J 29/38 H04N 1/387

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first interface for connecting a first image processing apparatus.
Interface and a second interface for connecting the second image processing apparatus.
And print out by the image forming apparatus.
An image processing apparatus for processing image data as possible, the image data and outputted from the first image processing apparatus
And input <br/> force means to enter the valid signal through the first interface, generating a hand to generate an image data and a valid signal within the own device
And the image data and the valid signal input by the input means.
And image data generated by the generation means
And a valid signal via the second interface.
An output unit for outputting to the second image processing apparatus; and a print request arbitrarily generated in the first image processing apparatus.
Receiving means for receiving a request via the first interface
And a self-print request that has occurred arbitrarily in the
Detecting means, the print request received by the receiving means,
Based on the self-print request detected by the
And controls the output means so that the second image processing device
Switching between output image data and valid signal
The image processing apparatus characterized by comprising: a e means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first interface and the second interface are different from each other.
An image processing apparatus having the same signal configuration.
Place. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first image processing device is configured to execute the first image processing device based on a valid signal.
The image data of the own device generated by the generating means, and
Input from the first image processing device input by the input means
Synthesizing means for synthesizing image data, and an updating means for updating a valid signal from the first image processing apparatus.
And a switching operation by the switching means.
Image data synthesized by the synthesizing means based on
And the valid signal updated by the updating means
2. An image processing apparatus for outputting to an image processing apparatus
Place. 4. A claim 1, said first, second image processing apparatus, and its own device, together
Images characterized by different types of image processing devices
Processing equipment. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said second image processing apparatus prints out image data.
Image processing apparatus,
Place. 6. An image processing apparatus comprising : two or more image processing apparatuses;
Connected in cascade via interface
And an image forming device connected after the last image processing device.
Above was an image processing system, each of the image processing apparatus, the image data and the valid signal output from the preceding apparatus
Input means for inputting through the interface, and a generating means for generating image data and a valid signal in the own device.
And the image data and the valid signal input by the input means.
And image data generated by the generation means
And the valid signal via the above interface
Output means for outputting the print request arbitrarily generated in the preceding apparatus.
Receiving means for receiving via an interface, and detecting a self-print request arbitrarily generated in the own apparatus;
Detecting means, the print request received by the receiving means,
Based on the self-print request detected by the
And controls the output means to output to the subsequent device.
Switching means for switching between image data and valid signal
And an image processing system comprising: 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the image processing apparatuses includes a first-stage apparatus, an interface,
The interface with the stage device has the same signal configuration
An image processing system, characterized in that: 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein Each of the above image processing devices is Based on the valid signal from the preceding device, the generating means
The image data of the own device generated by
And the image data from the preceding device Synthesize
Synthesis means; Updating means for updating the valid signal from the preceding device.
And The output means is a switching operation by the switching means.
Image data synthesized by the synthesizing means based on
And the valid signal updated by the updating means
An image processing system for outputting to a stage device. 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The image processing devices are different types of image processing devices.
An image processing system, characterized in that: 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein:
hand, Each of the above image processing devices is Image synchronization signal from the subsequent device via the above interface
Synchronization signal input means for inputting An image synchronization signal is sent to the preceding device via the above interface.
Synchronization signal output means for outputting; Receives delay information from the subsequent device via the above interface.
Means for inputting delay information to be removed; Modified delay information is generated based on the delay information, and
Delay information output means for outputting the The delay received from the subsequent device with respect to the image synchronization signal
An image that is output to a subsequent device at a timing based on information
Image output means; An image processing system comprising: 11. The method according to claim 6, wherein:
hand, Each of the above image processing devices is Print mode information generation to generate print mode information
Means, First input / output of print mode information to / from the preceding device
Mode information input / output means, Second input / output of print mode information to / from a subsequent device
Mode information input / output means, Controls image generation and composition based on the print mode.
Control means for controlling Image processing characterized by having
system. 12. The method according to claim 6, wherein:
hand, Each of the above image processing devices is Print request generation to generate self-print request of own device
Means, A print request for inputting a pre-print request from the pre-device
Request input means, In response to the self print request or the preceding print request
Request to output the same print request to the subsequent device
Force means, The image forming apparatus is configured to execute the pre-processing from the last image processing apparatus.
Starting image formation based on a print request.
Image processing system. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein Each of the above image processing devices is Busy information generating means for generating busy information; First busy for inputting / outputting busy information to / from the preceding device
Information input / output means; Second busy for inputting / outputting busy information to / from subsequent device
Information input / output means; Based on each of the busy information,
Controls the generation of self-print requests in the stage.
Image processing system.