JP4901781B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image represented by image data received from an image reading apparatus or an external I / F apparatus on a transfer sheet, and can be used in a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile apparatus. One typical embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of applications such as a printer, a scanner, a copy, and a facsimile, and includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a semiconductor memory, an SD card, a DVD-R / RW, a DVD-RAM, and the like. This is a multi-function-printer (MFP) having a storage device for storing documents.

JP 2006-252154 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-078245 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-332997 JP 2000-165655 A.

  In Patent Document 1, in an image processing apparatus capable of executing scanner processing and printer processing, when an executed process is interrupted and dynamically switched to another process having a high priority, the image is divided into rectangles. A method of switching the size according to the remaining capacity of the local memory is described. When interrupting a currently executing thread and starting execution of another thread, the DMA processor inputs the number of loop processes executed by the interrupted thread into the loop calculation circuit. Then, the DMA processor obtains a block size corresponding to the remaining memory capacity from the loop calculation circuit. The later thread transfers the block size data to the local memory and is executed to process it.

  Patent Document 2 describes an image processing apparatus that has no image deterioration even when the image processing apparatus is not equipped with a full-size page memory, and that aims to realize high-speed image output processing. Yes. The CPU communicates with the external device via the interface with the external device the information regarding the image type and the image size, and the coordinate information and the size information of the output medium in order to output the image from the external device on the output medium. By comparing the predetermined preset threshold value, the output medium size communicated with the capacity of the frame memory and the binary image data size, the use form of the frame memory is determined to be less than the memory capacity. In this case, the above memory is used as a page memory. In other cases, it is used as an image registration memory for binary image data. For multi-valued image data, the comparison result between the open capacity of the memory and a threshold value is used. In response, it automatically switches to use as a page memory or an image registration memory.

  Patent Document 3 describes an image processing apparatus that performs high-speed image processing without image deterioration even if the image processing apparatus does not have a full-size memory capacity. The frame memory control unit compares the size of the output medium, which is information related to the output paper size, and the capacity of the frame memory. If the size of the output medium exceeds the capacity of the frame memory, the frame memory control unit uses the frame memory as an image registration memory. In other cases, the frame memory is switched to two use modes of the page memory and the image registration memory so that the frame memory is used as the page memory.

  Patent Document 4 describes an image processing apparatus that can be combined in a variety of ways by dealing with a wider range of scaling factors, and that relaxes the restriction of readable image areas due to the storage capacity of the memory. . A scanner unit that scans and reads an image line by line and outputs the read image, an image scaling unit that scales the read image as necessary, and stores at least a part of the scaled image An image memory unit, a data bus control unit that synthesizes a memory image stored in the image memory unit, and a scanner image directly output from the scanner unit, and a printer that prints the synthesized image. The image scaling unit switches the scaling process for the memory image and the scanner image based on an area signal designating the cut-out area, the pasting area, and the sheet magnification.

  In Patent Documents 1 and 2, however, the resource of the image processing module and the resource of the memory capacity are ingenuity in the processing procedure and memory usage within the design range, and if the resource is insufficient, the image quality, the reading speed, or the printing Speed is limited.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to suppress a delay in image formation of a printer due to a slow image processing speed between various image processing functions in an image data processing apparatus, and to facilitate a function change of the image data processing apparatus. A second object is to suppress delays in image formation due to function changes. A third object is to prevent a wasteful delay in image formation of a printer in both high and low image quality selection.

(1) Storage device (4);
An image writing device (6) for forming an image represented by the image data on the transfer paper;
External I / F device (8, 9) that receives external image data;
A filter processing function for applying a filter process for sharpening or smoothing the image to the image data input from the external I / F device, and converting the filtered image data into recording color image data suitable for the image writing device A color correction processing function, a γ conversion processing function for γ-converting the recorded color image data into image data suitable for image forming characteristics of the image writing device, and the image writing device adapted for the γ-converted image data. It has two or more halftone processing functions for converting into binary or halftone data, and outputs image data input from the external I / F device or image data processed by one of the functions to the storage device Image data processing means (2) having a function of selection output and a function of selection input for inputting the image data of the storage device to another one function or an image writing device And,
A bus control unit for performing data input / output connection for performing the selection output and the selection input; input of image data input from the external I / F unit to the image data processing unit; When image data is transferred between the functions and output from the image data processing means to the image writing device, the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to a difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side. The image forming apparatus (FIG. 1) includes control means (3) for interrupting the output of the image data and storing it in the storage device, and outputting the image data stored in the storage device to the receiving side when the receiving side becomes acceptable. ).

  In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol or corresponding matter of the corresponding | compatible element of the Example shown in drawing and mentioned later in parentheses was added as reference for reference.

  The image data processing means (2) has a function of selective output for outputting image data inputted from an external I / F device or image data processed by one of the two or more functions to the storage device, and image data of the storage device Since it has a function of selection input to input another one of the functions into the image writing device, not only the input stage to the image data processing means and the output stage from the image data processing means, but also the functions in the image data processing means The image data can be stored in the temporary storage device even at the transfer stage. At each of these stages, the control means (3) interrupts the output of the image data to the receiving side and stores it in the storage device when the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side. When the receiving side becomes acceptable, the image data stored in the storage device is output to the receiving side, so that the image processing can be performed flexibly by switching between various image processing functions and the temporary storage flow by the storage device.

  If there is an image processing speed difference between functions for transferring image data in the image data processing means (2), the image data is temporarily stored in the storage device so that the speed difference is automatically absorbed there. In general, the speed difference varies greatly depending on the content of the image data and the processing mode of each processing function. However, according to the present embodiment, the time stored in the storage device is the time corresponding to the speed difference. Compared to the conventional case where the processing speed of each function in the image data processing means (2) is set to a low speed (fixed value) that allows for a safety margin in the expected maximum speed difference, the processing of the image data processing means The speed is improved, and the time from the start of input of image data to the image data processing means until the end of image formation by the image writing device is shortened. In both high and low image quality selection, there is no wasteful delay in image formation by the printer. Even if there is a change in the image processing function of the image data processing apparatus, the image data processing function can be easily changed because the image data is automatically temporarily stored in the storage device corresponding to the difference in processing speed between the processing functions. is there.

(2) Storage device (4);
An image writing device (6) for forming an image represented by the image data on the transfer paper;
An image reading device (1) for reading image data and obtaining electronic image data;
A filter processing function for applying a filter process for sharpening or smoothing an image to the image data input from the image reading apparatus, and a color for converting the filtered image data into recording color image data suitable for the image writing apparatus A correction processing function, a γ conversion processing function for γ-converting the recorded color image data into image data suitable for the image forming characteristics of the image writing device, and a binary value that the image writing device matches the γ-converted image data Or a function of selection output for outputting image data input from the image reading device or image data processed by one of the functions to the storage device. And an image data processing means (2) having a selection input function of inputting the image data of the storage device into another function or an image writing device And,
A bus control device for performing data input / output connection for performing the selection output and the selection input, and the input of the image data input from the image reading device to the image data processing means, between the functions of the image data processing means Image data to the receiving side when the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side in the transfer of the image data and the output from the image data processing means to the image writing device An image forming apparatus (FIG. 1), comprising: control means (3) for interrupting output and storing in the storage device, and outputting the image data stored in the storage device to the receiving side when the receiving side becomes acceptable.

  The image data processing means (2) outputs the image data input from the image reading device (1) or the image data processed by one of the two or more functions to the storage device, and the image of the storage device Since there is a selection input function for inputting data to another one of the functions or the image writing device, not only the input stage to the image data processing means and the output stage from the image data processing means, but also the image data processing means Even in the transfer stage between functions, the image data can be stored in the temporary storage device. At each of these stages, the control means (3) interrupts the output of the image data to the receiving side and stores it in the storage device when the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side. When the receiving side becomes acceptable, the image data stored in the storage device is output to the receiving side, so that the image processing can be performed flexibly by switching between various image processing functions and the temporary storage flow by the storage device.

  If there is an image processing speed difference between functions for transferring image data in the image data processing means (2), the image data is temporarily stored in the storage device so that the speed difference is automatically absorbed there. In general, the speed difference varies greatly depending on the content of the image data and the processing mode of each processing function. However, according to the present embodiment, the time stored in the storage device is the time corresponding to the speed difference. Compared to the conventional case where the processing speed of each function in the image data processing means (2) is set to a low speed (fixed value) that allows for a safety margin in the expected maximum speed difference, the processing of the image data processing means The speed is improved, and the time from the start of input of image data to the image data processing means until the end of image formation by the image writing device is shortened. In both high and low image quality selection, there is no wasteful delay in image formation by the printer. Even if there is a change in the image processing function of the image data processing apparatus, the image data processing function can be easily changed because the image data is automatically temporarily stored in the storage device corresponding to the difference in processing speed between the processing functions. is there.

(3) Storage device (4);
An image writing device (6) for forming an image represented by the image data on the transfer paper;
External I / F device (8, 9) that receives external image data;
An image reading device (1) for reading image data and obtaining electronic image data;
A filter processing function for applying a filter processing for sharpening or smoothing an image to image data input from the external I / F device or the image reading device, and a record in which the image writing device fits the filtered image data. A color correction processing function for converting into color image data, a γ conversion processing function for γ-converting the recorded color image data into image data suitable for image forming characteristics of the image writing device, and the γ-converted image data as the image The writing device has two or more halftone processing functions for converting to binary or halftone data, and image data input from the external I / F device or the image reading device or one of the functions is processed. Function of outputting selected image data to the storage device and the image data of the storage device to another function or image writing device That function of the selection input, the image data processing means having a (2); and,
A bus control device for performing data input / output connection for performing the selection output and the selection input, and inputting the image data input from the external I / F device or the image reading device to the image data processing means; In the transfer of image data between functions of the image data processing means and the output from the image data processing means to the image writing device, the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side. When the image data output to the receiving side is interrupted and stored in the storage device, and the receiving side accepts the image data, the image data stored in the storage device is output to the receiving side. Device (Figure 1).

  The image data processing means (2) outputs the image data input from the external I / F device (8, 9) or the image reading device (1) or the image data processed by one of the two or more functions to the storage device. A selection output function and an input function for inputting the image data of the storage device to another one of the functions or an image writing apparatus, so that an input stage to the image data processing means and an output from the image data processing means The image data can be stored in the temporary storage device not only at the stage but also at the transfer stage between functions in the image data processing means. At each of these stages, the control means (3) interrupts the output of the image data to the receiving side and stores it in the storage device when the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side. When the receiving side becomes acceptable, the image data stored in the storage device is output to the receiving side, so that the image processing can be performed flexibly by switching between various image processing functions and the temporary storage flow by the storage device.

  If there is an image processing speed difference between functions for transferring image data in the image data processing means (2), the image data is temporarily stored in the storage device so that the speed difference is automatically absorbed there. In general, the speed difference varies greatly depending on the content of the image data and the processing mode of each processing function. However, according to the present embodiment, the time stored in the storage device is the time corresponding to the speed difference. Compared to the conventional case where the processing speed of each function in the image data processing means (2) is set to a low speed (fixed value) that allows for a safety margin in the expected maximum speed difference, the processing of the image data processing means The speed is improved, and the time from the start of input of image data to the image data processing means until the end of image formation by the image writing device is shortened. In both high and low image quality selection, there is no wasteful delay in image formation by the printer. Even if there is a change in the image processing function of the image data processing apparatus, the image data processing function can be easily changed because the image data is automatically temporarily stored in the storage device corresponding to the difference in processing speed between the processing functions. is there.

  (4) When the speed of the image reading device (1) is higher than the speed of the image writing device (6), the control means (3) reads the image data read by the image reading device into the image data. The image data is input to the processing means (2) and stored in the storage device (4) before image processing is performed by the image data processing means, and the image data is input again from the storage device to the image data processing means. The image data processing means performs image processing of each function, and outputs the image data after the image processing to the image writing device. When the speed of the image writing device is faster than the speed of the image reading device, The flow of image data depends on the speed difference between the image reading device and the image writing device so that the image data read by the image reading device is input to the image data processing means, processed and output to the image writing device. Switched, the image forming apparatus according to (2) or (3) (Fig. 2, Fig. 3).

  According to this, it is possible to read an image without reducing the reading speed of the image reading device (1). Regardless of the speed difference between the image reading device (1) and the image writing device (6), the image reading device (1) and the image writing device (6) can be incorporated in the MFP, and the configuration of the MFP can be set flexibly. Can change.

(5) The image data processing means (2) includes first and second image data processing means (16, 17);
The control means (3) inputs image data to the first image data processing means (16), transfers image data between functions of the first image data processing means, and the first image data processing means. Output to the image writing device (6), when the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to a difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side, the image data output to the receiving side is interrupted and the storage device (4 When the receiving side becomes acceptable, the image data stored in the storage device (4) is output to the receiving side, the image data is input to the second image data processing means (17), the second In the transfer of image data between the functions of the image data processing means (17) and the output from the second image data processing means (17) to the image writing device (6), the image data passing side and receiving side images The receiving side receives the data processing speed difference. When it becomes impossible to receive, image data output to the receiving side is interrupted and stored in the storage device (4). When the receiving side becomes acceptable, the image data stored in the storage device (4) is output to the receiving side. The image forming apparatus according to (3) (FIG. 4);

  According to this, the input / output image data of the first and second image data processing means (16, 17) is temporarily stored and the inter-function transfer image data in each image data processing means (16, 17) is temporarily stored. A device (4) is used. In either of the image data processing by the first and second image data processing means (16, 17), the effect described in the above item (3) can be obtained.

  (6) The control means (3) performs image processing on the image data read by the image reading device (1) by the first image data processing means (16) and stores the image data in the storage device (4). The image data input from the external I / F device (8, 9) is simultaneously processed by the second image data processing means (17) and output to the image writing device (6). The image forming apparatus according to (5), wherein the image data stored in the storage device (4) is output to the image writing device (6) after the output to the image writing device (6) is completed (see FIG. 5).

  According to this, when there is image reading by the image reading device (1) and input of image data from the external I / F device (8, 9), image data from the external I / F device (8, 9). The image printing by is preferentially performed. During this image printing, the image data output from the image reading device (1) is processed by the first image data processing means (16) and stored in the storage device (4), and the external I / F devices (8, 9) are processed. ) Is printed as soon as the image printing by the image data is completed, the waiting time from image reading to printing by the image reading device (1) is short.

(7) The storage device includes first and second storage devices (4, 18);
The control means (3) inputs image data to the first image data processing means (16), transfers image data between functions of the first image data processing means, and the first image data processing means. In the output to the image writing device (6), when the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side, the image data output to the receiving side is interrupted and the first storage device When the receiving side accepts the image data stored in (4), the image data stored in the first storage device (4) is output to the receiving side and the image data is input to the second image data processing means (17). , Transfer of image data between the functions of the second image data processing means, and output of the image data from the second image data processing means to the image writing device (6), image data processing on the receiving side and receiving side Receiving side due to speed difference When it becomes unacceptable, the image data output to the receiving side is interrupted and stored in the second storage device (18). When the receiving side becomes acceptable, the image data stored in the second storage device (18) is received. The image forming apparatus according to (5) or (6) (FIG. 6).

  According to this, for temporary storage of input / output image data of the first and second image data processing means (16, 17) and temporary storage of inter-function transfer image data in each image data processing means (16, 17), First and second storage devices (4, 18) are used. In either of the image data processing by the first and second image data processing means (16, 17), the effect described in the above item (3) can be obtained.

  (8) The control means (3) performs image processing on the image data read by the image reading device (1) by the first image data processing means (16) and stores it in the first storage device (4). At the same time, the image data input from the external I / F device (8, 9) is subjected to image processing by the second image data processing means (17) and stored in the second storage device (18). The image forming apparatus described in (7) above (FIG. 7) is sequentially output to the image writing device (6) from the image data that has been previously processed by the processing means (16, 17).

  According to this, the image processing of the image data from the external I / F device (8, 9) by the first image data processing means (16) and the image reading device (1) by the second image data processing means (17). Since the earlier printing of the image processing of the image data from is started first, the printing by the image writing device (6) starts earlier, and the printing productivity is improved.

  (9) Setting which of image data input from the image reading device (1) and image data input from the external I / F device (8, 9) is preferentially output to the image writing device Priority mode setting means (7); and the control means (3) performs image processing on the image data read by the image reading device (1) by the first image data processing means (16). The image data stored in the first storage device (4) and simultaneously input from the external I / F device (8, 9) is subjected to image processing by the second image data processing means (17), and then stored in the second storage device. The image data is stored in the apparatus (18), and sequentially output to the image writing apparatus from the image data of the priority set by the priority mode setting means (7); ).

  According to this, the priority mode setting means (7) sets the priority order of image printing based on image data from the external I / F device (8, 9) and image printing based on image data from the image reading device (1). Can be set.

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an overview of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that is a first embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction machine includes a printer function for printing an output document of a personal computer PC, a facsimile machine 12, another MFP 14, an SD card 15 or a first storage device 4 by an image writing device (printer) 6 or storing it in the first storage device 4. Storage function, image reading function (scanning function / scanner distribution function) for sending image data read by the image reading device (original scanner) 1 to the first storage device 4, personal computer PC, facsimile 12, other MFP 14 or SD card 15. And a copy function for reading an original image with the image reading device 1 and printing with the image writing device 6.

  The image reading apparatus 1 includes a line sensor composed of a CCD photoelectric conversion element, an A / D converter, and a drive circuit thereof, and digital image data of 8 bits for each of RGB from the density information of the original obtained by scanning the set original. Is output to the image data processing device 2. The image data processing device 2 performs various image processing on the digital image data from the image reading device 1. Details thereof will be described later.

  The CPU 3 is a microprocessor that controls the entire control of the MFP that is one embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In this embodiment, an integrated CPU obtained by adding a + α function to a single CPU core that has been widespread in recent years is used as the CPU 3. In the CPU 3, a function (bus control device) for connecting a plurality of PCI-Express buses and DIMM memory buses using a crossbar switch is integrated as a + α function. A DIMM memory (Dual Inline Memory Module) is obtained by modularizing a plurality of memory chips.

  The first storage device 4 is a storage device that stores data in order to absorb a difference in processing speed when data is exchanged between devices connected to the CPU 3 (bus control device). In the example, it is a DIMM memory.

  The HDD 41 is a disk drive device with a built-in hard disk, and stores a large amount of image data. Image data generated by the image reading device 1 and image data of an external device such as the PC 13 can be stored and read out as necessary.

  When the image I / F device 5 receives image data of the recording color CMYK used for image formation by the image writing device 6 sent via the CPU 3 (its bus control device: PCI-Express), the writing I / F device 5 A bus bridge process for outputting to the dedicated I / F is performed.

  Upon receiving the CMYK image data, the image writing device 6 forms an image represented by the received image data on a transfer paper (recording paper) by using an electrophotographic process using a laser beam.

  S. B. Reference numeral 10 denotes a chip set used for a personal computer, which is a general-purpose electronic device called a South Bridge. The bus bridge function often used for building CPU systems mainly including PCI-Express and ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) bridges is a general-purpose circuit. Yes.

  The ROM 11 is a memory that stores a program (including a boot program) used when the CPU 3 controls the digital image processing apparatus.

  The operation display device 7 is a portion that performs an interface between the MFP and a user. The operation display device 7 is composed of an LCD device (liquid crystal display device) and a switch device. Is detected. In the present embodiment, the operation display device 7 is connected to the CPU 3 via the PCI-Express bus.

  The line I / F device 8 is a device that connects a PCI-Express bus and a telephone line, and this apparatus enables the MFP to exchange various data via the telephone line.

  The FAX 12 is a normal facsimile, and sends and receives image data to and from the MFP via a telephone line.

  The external I / F device 9 is a device that connects a PCI-Express bus and an external device. This device enables the MFP to exchange various data with the external device. In this embodiment, a network (Ethernet (registered trademark)) and an external media I / F (card reader / writer) are used for the external I / F device 9. That is, a network or external media (such as an SD card) is connected to the MFP via the external I / F device 9.

  The PC 13 is a so-called personal computer, and the user performs various controls, input / output of image data, and control of the MFP through application software and drivers installed in the personal computer.

  The MFP 14 is another multifunction device existing on the network. The external medium 15 is a memory device such as a so-called compact flash (registered trademark) card or SD card and records various electronic data including image data. The user inputs / outputs image data to / from the digital image processing apparatus. It can be carried out.

  The first image data processing block 16 of the image data processing apparatus 2 includes a plurality of image processing modules that perform image processing such as filter processing, color correction processing, γ conversion processing, halftone processing, and the like. The image data being processed can be sent to the first storage device 4, and the image data can be received from the first storage device 4 to any image processing module. The filter processing function performs a filter process for adding a filter process for sharpening or smoothing an image in accordance with a binary (character, line drawing) mode or a halftone (photo) mode specified on the operation display device 7. is there. The color correction processing function converts the filtered RGB image data into YMCK recording color image data suitable for the image writing device 6. The γ conversion processing function γ converts the recorded color image data into image data that conforms to the image forming characteristics of the image writing device 6. The halftone processing function converts the γ-converted image data into binary or halftone data suitable for the image writing device 6.

  In the flow of image data, between the functions in the image data passing relationship, that is, the external I / F 8, 9 or the image reading device 1 / filter processing function, filter processing function / color correction processing function, color correction function / γ conversion processing The CPU 3 controls data transfer between the function, the γ conversion processing function / halftone processing function, and the halftone processing function / image writing device 6. That is, for each of the above data transfer relations, the CPU 3 determines that the downstream side is ready according to the combination of the upstream ready / busy (image data output is possible / not) and the downstream ready / busy (image data is acceptable / not). When the upstream side becomes ready, the image data transfer from the upstream side to the downstream side is set in the bus control device in the CPU 3, and when the image data is transferred from the upstream side to the downstream side and the upstream side turns busy, The other downstream side is ready and the upstream side is set to ready-related data transfer in the bus controller. When the upstream ready and downstream busy continues for a set time in any delivery relationship, the CPU 3 sets image data transfer (memory writing) from the upstream side to the first storage device 4. In this way, when the upstream side transfers the image data to the first storage device 4 and changes to busy, and then the downstream side changes to ready, the image data addressed to the downstream side of the first storage device 4 is transferred to the downstream side.

  As described above, when the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side, the CPU 3 interrupts the output of the image data to the receiving side and stores it in the first storage device 4. When the image data is accepted, the image data stored in the first storage device is output to the receiving side. Therefore, the image processing can be performed flexibly by switching between various image processing functions and the flow of temporary storage by the first storage device 4.

  Generally, the speed difference varies greatly depending on the content of the image data and the processing mode of each processing function. According to this embodiment, the time stored in the first storage device 4 is the time corresponding to the speed difference. Therefore, the first image data is compared with the conventional case where the processing speeds of the respective functions in the first image data processing block 16 are set to a low speed (fixed value) that allows for a safety allowance in the predicted maximum speed difference. The processing speed of the processing block 16 is improved, and the time from the start of image data input to the image data processing block 16 until the end of image formation by the image writing device is shortened. In both high and low image quality selection, no unnecessary delay in image formation by the image writing device 6 occurs. Even if the image processing function of the image data processing block 16 is changed, the image data is automatically stored temporarily in the first storage device 4 in correspondence with the processing speed difference between the processing functions. Easy to change.

  2 and 3 show an outline of the MFP according to the second embodiment of the present invention. When the image reading speed of the image reading device 1 is faster than the printing speed of the image writing device 6, the CPU 3 of the second embodiment reads the image data read by the image reading device 1 as shown in FIG. The image data is input to the image data processing block 16, and the image data is stored in the first storage device 4 before the image processing is performed. First, the reading is completed. When the reading is completed, image data is again input from the first storage device 4 to the image data processing block 16 to perform image processing, and the image data after the image processing is output to the image writing device 6.

  When the printing speed of the image writing device 6 is faster than the image reading speed of the image reading device 1, the image data read by the image reading device 1 is sent to the first image data processing block 16 as shown in FIG. The image is input, processed, and output to the image writing device 6 as it is. The hardware and other functions of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4 shows an outline of the MFP according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The image data processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment has a connection interface that can be added to the first image data processing block 16 and can add a second image data processing block 17, and the second image data processing block 17 is added. . Similar to the first image data processing block 16, the second image data processing block 17 has image processing modules of a filter processing function, a color correction processing function, a γ correction processing function, and a halftone processing function. Image processing equivalent to the processing block 16 can be performed. Any image processing module in the first image data processing block 16 and the second image data processing block 17 can send image data being processed to the first storage device 4, and the first storage device 4 performs image processing. Can be temporarily interrupted to absorb the speed difference between the image reading device 1 and the image writing device 6. The image data stored in the first storage device 4 is input again to the first image data processing block 16 or the second image data processing block 17, and the image processing interrupted from any image processing module is resumed. The hardware and other functions of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of the MFP according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The image data read by the image reading device 1 is subjected to image processing by the first image data processing block 16, and the image data is stored in the first storage device 4. At the same time, image data input from the external I / Fs 8 and 9 is subjected to image processing by the second image data processing block 17 and output to the image writing device 6. The output of the image data input from the image reading device 1 to the image writing device 6 after the image processing is performed when the image processing for the image data input from the external I / Fs 8 and 9 is completed. When the second image data processing block 17 is added to the image processing module resource of the image data processing device 2 in addition to the first image data processing block 16, the image data input from the image reading device 1 and the external I / O Both image data input from F8 and 9 can be processed simultaneously. The hardware and other functions of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.

  FIG. 6 shows an outline of an MFP according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The MFP has an interface for connecting to the second storage device 18 in addition to the first storage device 4, and the second storage device 18 is connected to the interface. The second storage device 18 is also a DIMM memory in this embodiment. When the second storage device 18 is added, the first storage device 4 is used to store the output image data from the first image data processing block 16, and the second storage device 18 is used from the second image data processing block 17. Used to save output image data. Any image processing module in the first image data processing block 16 can send image data being processed to the first storage device 4, and the image processing is temporarily interrupted and stored in the first storage device 4. be able to. Similarly, any image processing module in the second image data processing block 17 can send the image data being processed to the storage device 2, and the image processing is temporarily interrupted and stored in the second storage device 18. can do. The hardware and other functions of the fifth embodiment are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 7 shows an outline of an MFP according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The image data read by the image reading device 1 is subjected to image processing by the first image data processing block 16, and the image data is stored in the first storage device 4. At the same time, the image data input from the external I / Fs 8 and 9 is processed by the second image data processing block 18, and the image data is stored in the second storage device 18. Both image data input from the image reading device 1 and image data input from the external I / Fs 8 and 9 are subjected to image processing at the same time, and the image data after image processing is simultaneously stored in the storage devices 4 and 18. Image data for which image processing has been completed for each page is stored in the first storage device 4 or the second storage device 18. Image data is output from the first storage device 4 or the second storage device 18 to the image writing device 6 in the order in which the image processing is completed. By adding the second image data processing block 17 in addition to the first image data processing block 16 and the second storage device 18 in addition to the first storage device 4, the image data input from the image reading device 1 and the external I Both of the image data input from / F8 and 9 can be processed simultaneously, and the output results can be obtained in the order of completion of the image processing. The hardware and other functions of the sixth embodiment are the same as those of the fifth embodiment.

  FIG. 8 shows an outline of an MFP according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Operation from the operation display device 7 (priority mode setting), which of the image data input from the image reading device 1 and the image data input from the external I / Fs 8 and 9 is preferentially output to the image writing device The CPU 3 controls the bus control device so as to preferentially output the image data set with priority to the image writing device 6.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a structure of 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a structure of 2nd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a structure of 2nd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a structure of 3rd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a structure of 4th Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a structure of 5th Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a structure of 6th Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a structure of 7th Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10: South Bridge 41: Hard disk drive

Claims (9)

Storage device;
An image writing device for forming an image represented by the image data on the transfer paper;
External I / F device that receives external image data;
A filter processing function for applying a filter process for sharpening or smoothing the image to the image data input from the external I / F device, and converting the filtered image data into recording color image data suitable for the image writing device A color correction processing function, a γ conversion processing function for γ-converting the recorded color image data into image data suitable for image forming characteristics of the image writing device, and the image writing device adapted for the γ-converted image data. It has two or more halftone processing functions for converting into binary or halftone data, and outputs image data input from the external I / F device or image data processed by one of the functions to the storage device Image data processing means having a function of selection output and a function of selection input for inputting the image data of the storage device to another one of the functions or an image writing device; And,
A bus control unit for performing data input / output connection for performing the selection output and the selection input; input of image data input from the external I / F unit to the image data processing unit; When transferring image data between functions and outputting from the image data processing means to the image writing device, when the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to a difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side, An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for interrupting output of image data and storing the data in the storage device and outputting the image data stored in the storage device to the receiving side when the receiving side becomes acceptable. Storage device;
An image writing device for forming an image represented by the image data on the transfer paper;
Obtain electronic image data by scanning the original;
A filter processing function for applying a filter process for sharpening or smoothing an image to the image data input from the image reading apparatus, and a color for converting the filtered image data into recording color image data suitable for the image writing apparatus A correction processing function, a γ conversion processing function for γ-converting the recorded color image data into image data suitable for the image forming characteristics of the image writing device, and a binary value that the image writing device matches the γ-converted image data Or a function of selection output for outputting image data input from the image reading device or image data processed by one of the functions to the storage device. And an image data processing means having a selection input function of inputting the image data of the storage device to another function or an image writing device; And,
A bus control device for performing data input / output connection for performing the selection output and the selection input, and the input of the image data input from the image reading device to the image data processing means, between the functions of the image data processing means Image data to the receiving side when the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side in the transfer of the image data and the output from the image data processing means to the image writing device An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for interrupting output and storing in the storage device, and outputting the image data stored in the storage device to the receiving side when the receiving side becomes acceptable. Storage device;
An image writing device for forming an image represented by the image data on the transfer paper;
External I / F device that receives external image data;
An image reading device for obtaining image data obtained by reading a document and digitizing it;
A filter processing function for applying a filter processing for sharpening or smoothing an image to image data input from the external I / F device or the image reading device, and a record in which the image writing device fits the filtered image data. A color correction processing function for converting into color image data, a γ conversion processing function for γ-converting the recorded color image data into image data suitable for image forming characteristics of the image writing device, and the γ-converted image data as the image The writing device has two or more halftone processing functions for converting to binary or halftone data, and image data input from the external I / F device or the image reading device or one of the functions is processed. Function of outputting selected image data to the storage device and the image data of the storage device to another function or image writing device Image data processing means has a function of selecting the input that; and,
A bus control device for performing data input / output connection for performing the selection output and the selection input, and inputting the image data input from the external I / F device or the image reading device to the image data processing means; In the transfer of image data between functions of the image data processing means and the output from the image data processing means to the image writing device, the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side. An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for interrupting output of image data to the receiving side and storing the data in the storage device, and outputting the image data stored in the storage device to the receiving side when the receiving side becomes acceptable.   When the speed of the image reading device is higher than the speed of the image writing device, the control means inputs the image data read by the image reading device to the image data processing means, and the image data processing means The image data is stored in the storage device before processing, the image data is input again from the storage device to the image data processing means, and the image data processing means performs image processing for each function. Image data is output to the image writing device, and when the speed of the image writing device is higher than the speed of the image reading device, the image data read by the image reading device is input to the image data processing means, The flow of image data is switched according to a speed difference between the image reading device and the image writing device so as to perform image processing and output the image processing device to the image writing device. The image forming apparatus according to 2 or 3. The image data processing means includes first and second image data processing means;
The control means inputs image data to the first image data processing means, transfers image data between the functions of the first image data processing means, and the first image data processing means to the image writing device. When the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data delivery side and the receiving side, the image data output to the receiving side is interrupted and stored in the storage device, and when the receiving side becomes acceptable, The image data stored in the storage device is output to the receiving side, the image data is input to the second image data processing means, the image data is transferred between the functions of the second image data processing means, and the second When the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side in the output from the image data processing means to the image writing device 5. The image data output to the storage side is interrupted and stored in the storage device, and when the reception side becomes acceptable, the image data stored in the storage device is output to the reception side; 5. The image forming apparatus described.   The control means performs image processing on the image data read by the image reading device by the first image data processing means, stores the image data in the storage device, and simultaneously inputs images from the external I / F device. Data is processed by the second image data processing means and output to the image writing device. After the output to the image writing device is completed, the image data stored in the storage device is stored in the image writing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs the image. The storage device includes first and second storage devices;
The control means inputs image data to the first image data processing means, transfers image data between the functions of the first image data processing means, and the first image data processing means to the image writing device. When the receiving side becomes unacceptable due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data delivery side and the receiving side, the image data output to the receiving side is interrupted and stored in the first storage device, and the receiving side accepts it. And outputting the image data stored in the first storage device to the receiving side, inputting the image data to the second image data processing means, transferring the image data between the functions of the second image data processing means, and In the output from the second image data processing means to the image writing device, the receiving side cannot accept due to the difference in image data processing speed between the image data passing side and the receiving side. The image data output to the receiving side is interrupted and stored in the second storage device, and the receiving side outputs the image data stored in the second storage device to the receiving side when the receiving side becomes acceptable; The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The control means performs image processing on the image data read by the image reading device, stores the image data in the first storage device, and simultaneously stores image data input from the external I / F device. The image processing is performed by the second image data processing means and stored in the second storage device, and the image data processed by the image data processing means is sequentially output from the image data that has been completed first to the image writing device; Item 8. The image forming apparatus according to Item 7.   Priority mode setting means for setting which of image data input from the image reading device and image data input from the external I / F device is preferentially output to the image writing device; The control means performs image processing on the image data read by the image reading device, stores the image data in the first storage device, and simultaneously stores image data input from the external I / F device in the first storage device. 8. The image processing is performed by the second image data processing means, the image data is stored in the second storage device, and sequentially output from the priority image data set by the priority mode setting means to the image writing device; The image forming apparatus described in 1.

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