JP3554316B2 - Image reading apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus connected to another device via a local network and a control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some digital copies composed of a digital scanner and a digital printer have not only a single copy function but also a facsimile function. In such a digital copy, a facsimile is used to transfer image data with another device. Transmission / reception with a function, transfer of a file using a medium such as a floppy (R), data transfer to a local network via a local network connection adapter or the like has been performed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When it is desired to transmit image data obtained by reading a document image with a scanner via a telephone line by facsimile or the like, the digital copy itself must have a facsimile communication function, and a facsimile function is required for use by many users. Therefore, it is necessary to install a plurality of digital copies having the above, and the cost of the system is increased.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to realize an office system at a low cost. Specifically, a reading unit for reading a document image, a connecting unit for connecting to a local network, and the reading unit Destination information for causing the data processing device having a communication function of communicating image data from at least via a telephone line connected to the local network and a file function of filing image data to be transmitted by the communication function, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus having a file name for filing by a filing function and a transmission means for transmitting the file name via the connection means.
[0005]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described using preferred embodiments.
[0006]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing system according to the present invention. Reference numerals 131 and 132 denote scanners for reading a document image and a printer for recording an image, respectively, and digital copy having an image transmission / reception function, and reference numeral 133 denotes a personal computer having an image file, display, transmission / reception functions, and the like.
[0007]
The digital copies 131 and 132 and the personal computer 133 are connected by a local network 134, and exchange control data and image data via the local network 134. FIG. 13 illustrates two digital copies and one personal computer. However, the present invention is not limited to this system configuration, and the number of digital copies and personal computers and the network configuration are appropriately set.
[0008]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the digital copies 131 and 132 of FIG.
[0009]
Reference numeral 101 denotes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) for reading a document, which has light receiving elements for one line in the main scanning for reading (A4210 × 400 / 25.4 = 3307). Then, an image of the original is read in units of one line by a reading optical system (not shown), and an image for one page is read by a sub-scanning mechanism (not shown).
[0010]
An A / D converter 102 converts an analog output from the CCD 101 into a digital signal. Further, a shading correction process is performed according to a correction value such as shading input from the CPU I / O 118, and the corrected digital multi-valued image data is output together with a synchronization signal such as a pixel synchronization clock, a line synchronization signal, and a page signal. Further, in accordance with the instruction of the CPU I / O 118, the output value is changed for adjusting the reading density at the time of outputting the scanner, and the scanning clock is changed to output at a resolution such as 400 dpi / 200 dpi. Is done.
[0011]
Reference numeral 103 denotes an image processing unit which performs digital data reduction or enlargement processing as necessary at the time of copying, and outputs multi-valued data at the time of copying. Binarization is performed by pseudo halftone processing such as diffusion, and reduction or enlargement processing is performed as necessary, and output as binary data. These mode settings are instructed by the CPU 112 via the CPU I / O 118.
[0012]
The scan line buffer 104 has a memory having a capacity of one main scanning line, and can store 3307 bits in binary for A4 size and 26456 bits (3307 × 8) in multi-level for the A4 size. Get output timing synchronization. The image data from the scan line buffer 104 is output to the print line buffer 107 during copying, and is output from the CPU bus 117 to the image codec 114 during output from the scanner. These mode settings are instructed from the CPU 112 via the CPU I / O 118.
[0013]
Reference numeral 105 denotes a digital scanner including a CCD 101, an A / D converter 102, an image processing unit 103, and a scan line buffer 104.
[0014]
The operation panel 106 has a display unit for displaying characters and figures necessary for an operator's operation and a key switch, and exchanges operation parameter data with the CPU 112 via the CPU I / O 118. In addition, a communication report of a personal computer described later written in the RAM 113 is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 106.
[0015]
The print line buffer 107 is a memory capable of storing input image data for one line of main scanning at the time of printing, and is configured by a memory having the same capacity as the scan line buffer 104.
[0016]
The image processing unit 108 performs multi-value processing on the binary image data input from the local network 119 by simple multi-value processing or area interpolation, and further multi-values data to optimize the print density of the printer. Performs gamma correction on input data.
[0017]
The D / A converter 109 converts the input digital multi-value data into analog data and outputs it.
[0018]
The laser driver 110 performs a laser scan according to the input analog data, and obtains a print output by an optical system (not shown) and a known electrostatic latent image process.
[0019]
Reference numeral 111 denotes a digital printer including a print line buffer 107, an image processing unit 108, a D / A converter 109, and a laser driver 110.
[0020]
The CPU 112 is a CPU composed of a microcomputer or the like for controlling the entire digital copy, includes a timer, a DMAC, and the like, and is connected to each unit by a CPU bus 117 and a CPU I / O 118.
[0021]
The RAM 113 reads and writes work data at the time of program processing by the CPU 112, image data of one page compressed by a common coding method among devices, and attribute information. In addition, a communication report described below received from another personal computer is written, and the communication report is displayed on the operation panel 106.
[0022]
The image codec 114 performs compression and decompression using a common encoding method between devices. The image codec 114 receives binary image data from the digital scanner 105, compresses the image data using a common encoding method between the devices, and stores one page in the RAM 113. accumulate. External image data input from the local network 119 is stored in the RAM 113, and the read image data is expanded by the image codec 114 and output to the digital printer 111.
[0023]
The ROM 115 stores CPU program data and necessary data. The local network interface 116 executes an interface with the local network 119 and a network protocol, performs data communication in packet units, and executes application level data transfer with the RAM 113 by DMA transfer.
[0024]
The CPU bus 117 is a bus signal of the CPU 112, and includes an address, data, a control signal, an interrupt signal, and the like.
[0025]
The CPU I / O 118 is an I / O control bus for the CPU 112.
[0026]
The local network 119 corresponds to the local network 134 in FIG. 13 and is a network to which other personal computers and digital copies are connected.
[0027]
Next, an outline of a copy operation, a facsimile operation, and an electronic file operation of the digital copy according to the configuration of FIG.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to the copy operation.
[0029]
In step 201, the designated document size, copy magnification, and copy density are fetched by an operation of the operator from the operation panel 106, and the necessary units for the corresponding units from the A / D converter 102 to the D / A converter 109 are acquired. Specify the parameters.
[0030]
In step 202, the scanner 105 is instructed to start a scanning operation for reading a document. In step 203, a print start instruction is issued to the printer 111.
[0031]
In step 204, the end of the page is awaited by counting the line synchronization signal from the CCD 101.
[0032]
In step 205, when the image reading by the scanner 105 is completed, the end processing of each unit is performed, and the operation panel 106 returns to the standby state.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to processing in the facsimile and electronic file modes.
[0034]
In step 301, the document size, the reading magnification, and the reading resolution, which are input from the operation panel 106 by the operation of the operator, are fetched, and the parameters required for each unit from the A / D converter 102 to the A / D converter 106 corresponding thereto are read. Make instructions.
[0035]
In step 302, facsimile and / or electronic file modes are selected according to the operation of the operator from the operation panel 106, and a destination telephone number or a file name is specified.
[0036]
In step 303, the scanner 105 is instructed to start a scanning operation for reading a document.
[0037]
In step 304, the image codec 114 is activated, and the binary image data from the scan line buffer 104 is compressed and stored in the RAM 113.
[0038]
In step 305, the end of the page is waited by counting the line synchronization signal from the CCD 101. When the reading of one page is completed, the process branches at step 306 according to each mode designated at step 302.
[0039]
That is, in step 307, the necessary parameters and facsimile attribute information designated in step 301 are written in a designated area of the RAM 113 in a data format for communication via a local network, which will be described later.
[0040]
In step 308, the necessary parameters designated in step 301 and the attribute information of the facsimile and the electronic file are written in a designated area of the RAM 113 in a data format for communication over a local network, which will be described later.
[0041]
In step 309, the necessary parameters specified in step 301 and the attribute information of the electronic file are written in a specified area of the RAM 113 in a data format for communication via a local network, which will be described later.
[0042]
In step 310, a communication start instruction is issued to the local network interface 116 to set communication with another personal computer. In step 311, the data format and the image data written in the RAM 113 are read and transmitted to the local network 119.
[0043]
When the transmission of one page of data is completed, the local network interface is caused to perform communication termination processing in step 312, and the communication of the local network 119 is disconnected.
[0044]
In step 313, it is determined whether there is a next page to be transmitted. If there is, the process returns to step 303 to start reading the next page in the same manner. On the other hand, if there is no next page, end processing is performed in step 314, and the operation panel 106 is returned to the standby state.
[0045]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the personal computer 133 shown in FIG.
[0046]
The CPU 401 is a CPU of a personal computer, executes processing of a program, and performs overall control.
[0047]
The ROM 402 stores an OS program and default value data. Further, application programs and work data are read and written into the RAM 403, and store image data and attribute information during communication via the local network 419.
[0048]
The DMAC 404 is controlled so as to perform memory I / O and data transfer between memories by performing DMA transfer without application of the CPU 401 during data transfer during application execution.
[0049]
The VRAM 405 stores display data for one screen or more, and the data is used as refresh data for the display 407. The video interface 406 reads data from the VRAM 405 and interfaces with the display 407 using NTSC signals. The display 407 receives and displays this NTSC signal.
[0050]
The facsimile codec 408 compresses and decompresses image data using a coding method (MH, MR, MMR) required for G3 facsimile communication. The facsimile codec 408 operates in conjunction with a video codec 410 described later. When outputting a facsimile-received image, the facsimile image data is read out from the hard disk 414 in page units, decompressed by the facsimile codec 408, and transmitted between the devices by the image codec 410. The data is compressed by a common coding method and written into the RAM 403. Further, facsimile document image data transferred from the digital copy of FIG. 1 via the local network is read out from the RAM 403, decompressed by an image codec 410 according to a common coding method between devices, and compressed to facsimile code by a facsimile codec 408, The data is stored in the hard disk 414.
[0051]
The G3 facsimile modem 409 executes the G3 facsimile protocol, and interfaces with the telephone network (PSTN) 418 via the modem to communicate with other devices. That is, the protocol data in the data at the time of transmission and reception is processed by the CPU 401, and the facsimile image data is transferred to and from the hard disk interface 413.
[0052]
The image codec 410 compresses and decompresses image data using a common coding method between devices communicated on the local network 419. When transmitting the image data to another device using the local network 419, the image data is compressed and written into the RAM 403. When the image data is received, the compressed image data is read from the RAM 403 and decompressed.
[0053]
The hard disk interface 413 transfers the data transferred from the CPU bus 417 to the hard disk 414 and accumulates the data.
[0054]
The hard disk 414 reads and writes the electronic file document data and facsimile document data, and stores application program data such as facsimile and electronic files, which are downloaded to the RAM 403 when the system starts up.
[0055]
The keyboard 415 has key switches for the operator to operate, and transfers predetermined data to the CPU 401.
[0056]
The local network interface 416 executes the interface of the local network 419 and the network protocol, performs data communication in packet units, and executes DMA transfer of data with the RAM 403.
[0057]
A CPU bus 417 is a system bus of the CPU 401, and includes an address, data, a control signal, an interrupt signal, and the like. The telephone network (PSTN) 418 is a public line. The local network 419 corresponds to the local network 134 in FIG. 13 and is a network connected to another personal computer or digital copy.
[0058]
Next, the operation of the personal computer having the above configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart.
[0059]
FIG. 5 shows a case where facsimile or electronic file document data is received from a digital copy via the local network 419.
[0060]
In step 501, when the local network interface 416 receives a signal from the local network 419, the CPU 401 performs an interrupt operation. In step 502, the CPU 401 performs a reception interrupt process so that the DMA transfer from the local network interface 416 to the RAM 403 is performed. Is set to DMAC404.
[0061]
In step 503, the data received in packet units is DMA-transferred to the RAM 403 in application-level data units by the local network interface 416. In step 504, the DMA transfer is performed until the page-based communication on the local network is completed. It is repeated.
[0062]
In step 505, attribute information at a predetermined address in the RAM 403 is read.
[0063]
In step 506, it is determined whether the document is a facsimile document or an electronic file based on the attribute information. Then, in step 507, if it is a facsimile, the DMAC 404 is set, and the image codec and the facsimile codec 408 are activated. 414.
[0064]
On the other hand, if the file is an electronic file, the DMAC 404 is set in step 509, and in step 510, the document image data written in the RAM 403 is stored on the hard disk 414 via the heart disk interface 413.
[0065]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 at the time of facsimile reception via the G3 facsimile modem 409.
[0066]
In step 601, when an incoming call is received from the telephone network (PSTN) 418, the G3 facsimile modem 409 executes a facsimile reception protocol, a reception interrupt is input to the CPU 401, and the CPU 401 performs a DMA transfer from the G3 facsimile modem 409 to the hard disk interface 413. DMAC 404 is set as follows.
[0067]
In step 602, the facsimile image data is stored on the hard disk 414 in page units. Then, in step 603, accumulation in the hard disk 414 is repeated until reception of one communication is completed.
[0068]
In step 604, when the reception is completed, the G3 facsimile modem 409 performs a facsimile operation end process and notifies the CPU 401. In this case, the facsimile reception document is immediately output, except for documents that need to be stored, such as confidential data. Therefore, in step 605, the facsimile codec 408 and the image codec 410 are activated, and in step 606, the received document is read from the hard disk 414 and the facsimile image The data is converted into image data and written in a predetermined area of the RAM 403.
[0069]
In step 607, when the writing of the standard data for one page to the RAM 403 is completed, the attribute information at the time of facsimile reception is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 403.
[0070]
Step 608 instructs the local network interface 416 to initiate communication with the destination digital copy.
[0071]
In step 609, data is read from the predetermined area written on the 403 RAM by the local network interface 416 in packet units of local network communication, and transmitted to the destination digital copy via the local network 419.
[0072]
In step 610, the destination digital copy rejects the reception of the next document via the local network until the processing of the received document of one page is completed.
[0073]
In step 611, it is determined whether the document for one facsimile reception has been completed. When all the document transmissions have been completed, in step 612, the local network interface 416 performs the termination processing of the local network 419 and ends.
[0074]
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an electronic file document output operation in the personal computer of FIG.
[0075]
In step 701, a document to be printed out is searched by the electronic file search software of the personal computer in accordance with the instruction of the operator.
[0076]
In step 702, the DMAC 404 is set and DMA transfer is performed from the hard disk 414 to the RAM 403 via the hard disk interface 413. Then, in step 703, the corresponding electronic file document is read from the hard disk 414 and written to the RAM 403.
[0077]
In step 704, when the writing of one page of document data to the RAM 403 is completed, the attribute information of the electronic file document corresponding to a predetermined area of the RAM 403 is written.
[0078]
Step 705 instructs the local network interface 416 to start communicating with the destination digital copy.
[0079]
In step 706, data is read from the predetermined area written on the RAM 403 by the local network interface 416 in communication packet units and transmitted to the destination digital copy via the local network 419.
[0080]
In step 707, the destination digital copy refuses to accept the next document via the local network until the processing of the received document of one page is completed.
[0081]
In step 708, it is determined whether or not all the corresponding documents in the electronic file have been completed. In step 709, when all of the documents have been completed, the local network interface 416 performs local network termination processing and terminates.
[0082]
Next, FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for transmitting a communication report from the personal computer of FIG. 4 to the digital copy of FIG. This routine is started when image data reception from the digital copy is completed or when image data is transmitted to the digital copy.
[0083]
In step 801, the type of report to be transmitted is determined. In the case of the report at the end of reception, in step 802, a report indicating the end of image data reception from the digital copy is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 403. On the other hand, in the case of the report at the time of image data transmission, in step 803, a report indicating the start of image data transmission to the digital copy is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 403.
[0084]
In step 804, attribute information indicating the communication report is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 403.
[0085]
In step 805, the local network interface 416 is instructed to start communication with the destination digital copy.
[0086]
In step 806, data is read from the predetermined area written on the RAM 403 by the local network interface 416 in communication packet units, and transmitted to the destination digital copy via the local network 419.
[0087]
In step 807, the local network interface 416 performs local network termination processing and ends.
[0088]
FIG. 9 illustrates a data format configuration transferred between devices via a local network.
[0089]
Each data is composed of a byte or a plurality of bytes. The scanner local network address indicates the local network address of the source scanner. Facsimile / electronic files require either or both processes. The destination telephone number indicates a telephone number of the telephone network in the facsimile mode. The file name indicates a file name at the time of storage in the electronic file mode. The document page number indicates the current page number. The read image information indicates setting information of the scanner at the time of reading, that is, information such as resolution and document size. The image data size indicates the size of the image data to be transmitted. The image data is compressed image data.
[0090]
FIG. 10 shows and describes the format of the image data format transmitted from the personal computer to the digital copy via the local network.
[0091]
Each data is composed of a byte or a plurality of bytes. The printer local network address indicates a local network address assigned to the digital copy printer of the transmission destination. The print image information indicates print image data, output paper size, resolution, and the like. The image data size indicates the size of the image data to be transmitted. The image data is compressed image data.
[0092]
Next, FIG. 11 shows and describes a data format configuration of a communication report transmitted from a personal computer to a digital copy via a local network. In the digital copy, a report is displayed on the operation panel 106 according to the communication report.
[0093]
Each data is composed of a byte or a plurality of bytes. The copy local network address indicates a local network address assigned to the digital copy printer of the transmission destination. The communication report indicates communication report data. The report size indicates the data size of the communication report to be transmitted. The communication report is a communication report represented by codes such as ASCII and JIS.
[0094]
FIG. 12 shows an example of a communication report displayed on the operation panel 106 of the digital copy.
[0095]
(A) shows a report display at the end of image data transmission from a digital copy to a personal computer. That is, a display indicating that the reception of the image data has been completed and the local network address of the personal computer to which the image data is transmitted are displayed.
[0096]
(B) shows a report display when image data is transmitted to the digital copy. That is, the display that the image is being output and the local network address of the personal computer that is the source of the image data are displayed.
[0097]
In this way, the digital copy side can recognize the situation relating to the reception or recording operation of the personal computer connected via the local network. The communication report is not limited to these, and displays various data such as an error state relating to transmission and reception of image data and image processing date and time.
[0098]
(Other embodiments)
In FIGS. 1 and 4, the common code system is generated between the devices communicated on the local network by the image codecs 114 and 410. However, it is also possible to use the facsimile codec to make the common code system between the devices. it can.
[0099]
Further, in FIG. 4, the G3 facsimile modem 409 and the PSTN 418 may use ISDN-compatible line control units.
[0100]
In FIG. 4, a magneto-optical disk can be used as the hard disk 414.
[0101]
According to the embodiment described above, a digital scanner that reads a document and outputs image data, a digital printer that prints out the output and image data, an operation panel operated by an operator, and a digital copy having a local network interface, In an image processing system that is interfaced with a digital copy on a local network, has a public network interface and a facsimile communication function, and has a host device such as a personal computer that has an electronic file function, the operator can use the operation panel to perform facsimile transmission with the digital copy. When selected, the set original is read in page units, the read image data is compressed, and attribute information indicating facsimile transmission, electronic file, or both is displayed. Only, to send to a PC via a local network on a page-by-page basis. The attribute information includes a local network address of the digital scanner, a facsimile mode, an electronic file mode, a destination telephone number, a document page number, and read image information. Further, the personal computer performs a facsimile transmission operation and / or filing of the image data received from the digital copy based on the attribute information received from the digital copy. When the data transmission from the digital copy to the personal computer is completed, a completion report is transmitted from the personal computer to the digital copy and displayed on the operation panel of the digital copy, and further, when the document data is transmitted from the personal computer to the digital copy. The communication report is sent and displayed on the digital copy operation panel.
[0102]
As a result, it is possible to realize not only a copy function by digital copy, but also a facsimile function and electronic file function via a personal computer, and a composite function of printout from a personal computer.Furthermore, a plurality of digital copies and a personal computer can be connected to a local network. By doing so, an office system can be realized at low cost.
[0103]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, image data is transmitted via a telephone line to a data processing apparatus having a communication function and a filing function connected to an image reading apparatus via a local network, and filing is performed. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for the image reading device to have a communication function and a filing function, and to use the functions of the data processing device from the image reading device connected to the local network, thereby enabling a low-cost office system. Can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital copy to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of a copy operation.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of facsimile / electronic file operation.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a personal computer to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of local network reception.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of facsimile reception.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of outputting an electronic file.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of outputting a communication report.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data format.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a configuration of a format of image data.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data format of a communication report.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a communication report.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 CCD
105 Scanner
106 Operation panel
111 Digital Printer
116 Local network interface
119 Local Network

Claims (5)

Reading means for reading a document image, connecting means for connecting to a local network, a communication function for communicating image data from the reading means via at least a telephone line connected to the local network, and a file for filing the image data An image reading apparatus comprising: a data processing apparatus having a function of transmitting data via the connection means together with destination information for transmission by the communication function and a file name for filing by the filing function. apparatus. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication function is a facsimile communication function, and the destination information is a telephone number for facsimile transmission. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication function and the file function can designate both or one of them. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a designation unit that designates a reading parameter when the reading unit reads a document image. A method for controlling an image reading device connectable to a local network, comprising: a reading step of reading a document image and generating image data; a communication function for communicating via at least a telephone line connected to the local network; A data processing device having a file function of filing the data, and transmitting the data via the connection means together with destination information for transmission by the communication function and a file name for filing by the filing function. A method for controlling an image reading apparatus.

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