JPH04298371A - Picture processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable connection of a plurality of picture processing devices to a picture forming device and to provide the picture processing devices and the picture processing system which are capable of processing a picture by a picture forming device through synthesis of output from the picture processing devices. CONSTITUTION:Two or more picture processing devices are interconnected in a cascade throughout a range from a preceding stage to a subsequent stage. Each picture processing device is provided with a function to selectively synthesize an own picture and a picture inputted from the picture processing device at a preceding state and output the synthesized picture to the picture processing device at a subsequent stage or a picture forming device. Thereby, the arbitrary number of picture processing devices are connected to a single picture forming device and the picture of the picture processing device can be outputted to the picture forming device. Further, the output pictures of a plurality of the picture processing devices are synthesized to output the synthesized picture.

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 that outputs 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 that transfer image data generated by an image processing device to an image forming device and output the image.

[0003] The image forming apparatus is, for example, a printer,
The image processing device may be 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 an image processing apparatus 100 and an image forming apparatus 200 of this type are connected on a one-to-one basis, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration connected to an image forming apparatus 104 via a switch box 103. FIG.

In the system shown in FIG. 10, an image forming apparatus 200 is used as a dedicated machine for one image processing apparatus 100. Furthermore, in the case shown in FIG. 11, the switch box 103 connects the two image processing devices 101
The output of 02 is switched and supplied to the image forming apparatus 104.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, even if one unit is capable of supporting multiple types of image processing apparatuses, it is difficult to process the output data from one image processing apparatus at a time. can only be accepted.

Therefore, in the system shown in FIG. 10, if you want to use a different type of image processing device, it is necessary to disconnect the currently connected image processing device and connect another image processing device, which requires a lot of work. It's complicated.

On the other hand, in the system shown in FIG.
There is a limit to the number of image processing devices that can be connected, and since the output of each image processing device can only be selected, there is a drawback that the outputs cannot be combined and output.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device and an image processing system that can connect a plurality of image processing devices to an image forming device, and can combine the outputs of each image processing device and process the combined results in the image forming device. do.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an image processing apparatus that generates a unique image and outputs it to an image forming apparatus, including an image input means for inputting an image from another first image processing apparatus, and an image input means for inputting an image from another first image processing apparatus; effective signal input means for inputting an effective signal from a first image processing device; synthesis means for synthesizing the unique image and the image from the first image processing device based on the effective signal; The present invention is characterized by comprising an image output means for outputting a composite image by the composition means based on the above-mentioned composition information, and a valid signal output means for updating and outputting the valid signal.

The present invention also provides an image processing system in which two or more image processing apparatuses are connected in a cascade form from a front stage to a rear stage, and the last stage image processing apparatus is connected to an image forming apparatus. The image processing devices in the second and subsequent stages of the device include image generation means for generating a unique image in the image processing device, image input means for inputting an image from the previous stage device, and inputting a valid signal from the previous stage device. effective signal input means; synthesis means for synthesizing the unique image with an image from a preceding device based on the effective signal; and image output means for outputting a synthesized image by the synthesizing means to a subsequent device based on the effective signal. and valid signal output means for updating the valid signal and outputting it to a subsequent device.

[0012] With the above configuration, an arbitrary number of image processing devices can be connected to one image forming device, and by exchanging valid signals between each image processing device, images of each image processing device can be processed. It is possible to output images to an image forming apparatus, and also to combine and output images output from any plurality of image processing apparatuses.

[0013]

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

[0014] This image processing system has three image processing devices as the printer 5 as an image forming device.
A FAX adapter 1 connected to a facsimile machine (not shown) and a host computer 4 via an interface 6
An image memory device 2 for storing image information from a document and a scanner 3 for reading image information from a document are connected to each interface 7.
1, 72, and 73 are connected in series.

[0015] Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on the scanner 3, with the image memory device 2 as a front-stage device and the printer 5 as a rear-stage device.

The scanner 3 sends the image information input from the image memory device 2 and the read image information obtained by the original reading means in the scanner 3 to the printer 5, either alone or in combination. printer 5
The image is formed in the image forming apparatus.

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

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

The synchronized image signal (video 1') 38 output from the FIFO memory 39 and the second image signal (video 1') read by the document reading section 11 are
2) 36 is synthesized by the image synthesis section 12, and the synthesized image signal (video3) 35 is sent to the printer 5 via the interface 73.

The first effective signal (enb1) 30 is for indicating the effective area of the first image signal (video1) 34, and is input to the image synthesis section 12 as a synthesis switching signal, and is also input to the OR gate 14. , the logical OR with the second valid signal (enb2) 32 on the scanner 3 side is taken, and the signal is output to the printer 5 as a third valid signal (enb3) 31 indicating the valid area of the composite image signal (video3) 35.
will be sent to.

AND gate 47 outputs a first valid signal (en
b1) This is to invalidate 30, and gate 4
8 is for invalidating the second enable signal (enb2) 32. These AND gates 47 and 48 are controlled by invalidation signals S0 and S1 output from the control section 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.
When the logical sum of b2 is S0=0 and S1=0, enb3 is always 0, that is, it is invalid.

The SYNC signal 29 is a synchronizing signal sent from the printer 5 during printing, and is synchronized with the vertical synchronizer signal Vs.
sync29-1, horizontal synchronization signal Hsync29-2, etc.

During printing, based on this synchronization signal, the area signal generation circuit 13 generates a timing signal 33 to the image reading section 11 and a second valid signal (enb2) 32 to the scanner 3 side.

[0024] The control unit 19 includes a CPU, ROM, and RA.
The entire scanner 3 is controlled by a program stored in the ROM or RAM. Further, the control unit 19
The input/output ports 15 and 16, the communication interfaces 17 and 18, the operation section 40, etc. are controlled via the CPU bus 20.

The RDY11 signal 24 is the image memory device 2
On the other hand, the RDY12 signal 23 is a signal indicating that the scanner 3 is powered on and communication is possible, and conversely, the RDY12 signal 23 is a signal indicating that the image memory device 2 is powered on.

The TXD1 signal 22 is transmitted 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 conversely, the RXD1 signal 21 is a signal for receiving various information from the image memory device 2.

On the other hand, the RDY22 signal 27
On the other hand, the RDY21 signal 28 is a signal indicating that the scanner 3 is powered on and communication is possible, and conversely, the RDY21 signal 28 is a signal indicating that the printer 5 is powered on.

The TXD2 signal 25 is a signal for sending various information from the control unit 19 to the printer 5 via the communication interface 18, and conversely, the RXD2 signal 26
are signals for receiving various information from the printer 5.

As described above, since the signal configuration of the interface 72 to the image memory device 2 and the signal configuration of the interface 72 to the printer 5 are configured the same, by making the connectors the same, the configuration as shown in FIG. , it becomes possible to replace the FAX adapter 1 and the scanner 3, and it also becomes possible to connect image processing devices such as scanners to the printer 5 in a cascade manner.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the synthesis section 12.

Synchronous image signal (v
The video signal (video1') 34 and the image signal (video2) 36 from the document reading section 11 are input to the selector 41, and are selectively combined using a select signal 42 to generate a composite signal (video3) 35.

In the case of 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'
A signal for invalidating the signal, the S3 signal, is a signal for invalidating the enb2 signal. This logic circuit 50
Therefore, ■ video2 is always selected and becomes video3 ■ video1' is always selected and becomes video3 ■ video2 and video1' are switched and combined by enb2 and becomes video3 ■ video2 and video1' are switched and combined by enb1' You can set four compositing modes, including video3.

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

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

The image signal (video 1) sent from the image memory device 2 includes a valid image starting from the second line. Further, the valid signal (enb1) sent from the image memory device 2 becomes active from the second line.

The image signal (video1') is a signal obtained by delaying the image signal (video1) sent from the image memory device 2 by one line by the FIFO memory 39. Similarly, the effective signal (enb1') is a signal obtained by delaying the effective signal (enb1) sent from the image memory device 2 by one line.

In the image signal (video 2) read by the image reading section 11, a valid image comes in from the third line. In addition, the valid signal (enb2) in the scanner 3
is active from the third line.

The select signal (select) of the selector 41
t) 42 in FIG. 3, the valid signal (
enb1') is set to the same signal. Due to this selection signal 42, the image signal (video3) that is the output of the selector 41 becomes a combination of two image signals (video1', video2), as shown in FIG. Also, an enable signal (enb) sent to the printer 5
3) is the logical sum of two valid signals (enb1', enb2) by setting S0 and S1 to "1" in FIG.

As shown in the timing chart of FIG.
The image signal may be delayed by several lines within each image processing device such as the image memory device 2 and the scanner 3, and in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the total amount of delay cannot be ignored. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the printer 5, the image on the nth line (for example, n=3) from the vertical synchronization signal is transferred to the first line of the paper.
I have a promise to form a line. In other words, the vertical synchronization signal 29-1 functions as a paper end warning signal. Based on this promise, the device closest to the printer 5, ie, the scanner 3, sends out the first valid image on the nth line. In this device, when there is a delay of m lines,
One device from this device, that is, the image memory device 3, needs to send out the first effective image at the (nm)th line. In this embodiment, information on these amounts of delay will be referred to as delay information.

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

FIG. 5 shows the 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 to inform that scanner 3 is turned on (S
101).

Next, after initializing the data (S10
2) Checks whether there is a print request REQ1 from the image memory device 2 (S103), and if so, returns to S108.
Move to. Furthermore, if there is no print request REQ1, it is checked whether the print request REQ3 has been instructed by the operator using the operation unit 40 (S104), and if no print request REQ3 has been instructed, the process returns to S103.

Further, 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 device.
outputs a message such as "Printer is in use" (
S107), return to S103.

[0047] Also, if it is not busy, this scanner 3
sets a busy request to use the printer 5 (S106), and if the usage right is acquired, the process moves to S108.

In S108, the process branches depending on the print mode, and mode settings within the scanner 3 are performed.

First, in the case of the standalone 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 standalone mode (S109). Specifically, the S0 signal is
By setting the S1 signal to "1", the S2 signal to "0", the S3 signal to "0", and the S4 signal to "0", the vid
eo3 is the same as video2, and enb3 is also enb
It becomes the same as 2.

Furthermore, in the case of the through mode, that is, the mode in which the image input from the image memory device 2 is sent as is to the printer 5, 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 enb
3 is also the same as enb1'.

Furthermore, in the case of a combination mode, that is, a mode in which both of the above images are combined and printed, each parameter is set to the combination mode (S111). Specifically, S
0 signal is "1", S1 signal is "1", S2 signal is "1"
, by setting the S3 signal to "0" and the S4 signal to "0", the two images are switched and combined by enb1'.

[0052] Also, the S0 signal is set to "1" and 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", so that switching and synthesis can be performed using enb2.

After setting each parameter in this way, a print request REQ2 is sent to the printer 5 (S1
12) Then, in accordance with the synchronization signal sent from the printer 5, the image reading section 11 operates, etc., to execute a printing operation (S113).

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

First, after initializing the communication interface etc. (S201), it is checked whether a command has been received from the image memory device 2 (S202), and if it has been received (S203), processing for each command is executed. conduct.

In the case of a print request command, the scanner 3
This indicates that a print request has occurred on the more upstream device, that is, on the image memory device 2 side, and print request REQ1
Set to "1".

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

Furthermore, in the case of a busy request command (S206), a request is sent from an upstream device asking whether or not to use the printer 5, so the internal data is updated.

On the other hand, if there is no received data, the process branches depending on the value of the internal variable n (S207). In addition, S20
7, mod is an operation to obtain the remainder.

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

Further, if nmod 3 is 1, the print mode sent from the downstream device, that is, the printer 5 is transmitted (S209). This is the print mode determined by the printer 5 in response to the print mode request sent from each image processing device, and is the print mode determined in step S108 in FIG.
It is used in

Further, if nmod 3 is 2, the busy information sent from the downstream device, that is, the printer 5 is transmitted (S210). This is how the printer 5 determines which devices 2 and 3 are available for use in response to busy requests sent from each image processing device.

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

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

In contrast to FIG. 6, information received from upstream is sent to printer 5, and information to be sent upstream is received from printer 5.

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

If the command from the printer 5 is a delay information setting command, the delay information sent from the printer 5 is set in internal data (S304), and if the command is a print mode information setting command, the print from the printer 5 is Mode information is set in internal data (S305). Further, if the command from the printer 5 is a busy information command, the busy information from the printer 5 is set in internal data (S306).

On the other hand, if there is no received data, the process branches depending on the value of internal variable m (S307).

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

Further, if nmod 2 is 1, the busy request sent from the upstream device is sent to the printer 5 (S309).

Next, the internal variable m is increased by 1 (S310).
, determines whether the print request REQ2 has occurred (S
311), if it has not occurred, the process returns to S302.

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

Although the above description has focused on the scanner 3, it is also possible to configure other image processing apparatuses in a similar manner.

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

The scanner 3 in the first embodiment is different from the scanner 3 in that it scans images sent from the host computer 4 via the general-purpose interface 46 and the host computer interface 45, rather than the image read by the image reading section 11 described above. , once held in the image memory 44,
The two points are that this 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 generated. .

[0076] In the first embodiment described above, the effective signal is exchanged by hardware using a dedicated signal line, and it is possible to switch in units of one pixel, but in particular, it is possible to switch in units of rectangles. In cases where only the above information is required, a more general-purpose communication means may be used to exchange software-like information as in the second embodiment. In this case, effective area information is received and transmitted to the downstream side in response to a command from the upstream side. In this configuration, the switching signal enb4 may be generated in the area generating circuit 13 based on the effective area information received from the upstream side, and input directly to the select 41 as shown in FIG. Note that other configurations are given the same reference numerals and explanations are omitted.

[0077] Also, similar to the above switching signal enb4 signal, other signals may be replaced by transmission by communication,
Conversely, the information exchanged through communication may also be exchanged using hardware signals.

[0078]

As explained above, an image processing device that outputs image information to an image forming device receives image information and a valid signal from a preceding device, synthesizes the image information with image information generated within the device itself, By adopting a configuration that sends composite image information and update valid signals to subsequent devices, any number of image processing devices can be connected in a cascade, and images from each image processing device can be sent to one image forming device. In addition, it becomes possible to combine and output images output from any plurality of image processing devices.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a scanner in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of a synthesis section of the scanner in the first embodiment.

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

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the 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 a scanner and a printer in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image memory device in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a part of the combining section of the image memory device in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing 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.

Claims (7)

[Claims] Claim 1: An image processing device that generates a unique image and outputs it to an image forming device, comprising: an image input unit that inputs an image from another first image processing device; effective signal input means for inputting a signal;
a synthesizing means for synthesizing the unique image and the image from the first image processing device based on the valid signal; an image outputting means for outputting a composite image by the synthesizing means based on the valid signal; An image processing device comprising: effective signal output means for updating and outputting a signal. 2. An image processing system in which two or more image processing apparatuses are connected in a cascade form from a front stage to a rear stage, and the last stage image processing apparatus is connected to an image forming apparatus, the image processing system comprising: The image processing devices in the second and subsequent stages include: image generation means for generating a unique image in the image processing device; image input means for inputting the image from the previous stage device; effective signal input for inputting the valid signal from the previous stage device means; synthesis means for synthesizing the unique image and the image from the preceding device based on the effective signal; image outputting means for outputting a synthesized image by the synthesizing means to the subsequent device based on the effective signal; An image processing system comprising: valid signal output means for updating the valid signal and outputting the updated valid signal to a subsequent device. 3. In claim 2, the second and subsequent stage image processing devices have the same signal configuration for inputting and outputting to and from the preceding stage device and the same signal configuration for inputting and outputting to and from the subsequent stage device. An image processing system characterized by: 4. In claim 2 or 3, the second and subsequent stage image processing devices include synchronization signal input means for inputting an image synchronization signal from a subsequent stage device; and synchronization signal output means for outputting an image synchronization signal to the previous stage device. means; delay information input means for receiving delay information from a subsequent device; delay information output means for generating modified delay information based on the delay information and outputting it to the preceding device; An image processing system comprising: image output means for outputting an image to a downstream device at a timing based on received delay information. 5. In any one of claims 2 to 4, the second and subsequent image processing apparatuses exchange print mode information between a print mode information generating means that generates print mode information and a preceding apparatus. a first mode information input/output means for inputting/outputting print mode information; a second mode information input/output means for inputting/outputting print mode information with a subsequent device; and controlling image generation and composition based on the print mode. An image processing system comprising: a control means for controlling; 6. According to any one of claims 2 to 5, the second and subsequent image processing apparatuses include print request generation means for generating a self-print request of the image processing apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes: a print request input means for inputting a first-stage print request from a first-stage device; and a print request output means for outputting a print request corresponding to the self-print request or the first-stage print request to a second-stage device. An image processing system characterized in that image formation is started based on a print request from a last-stage image processing device. 7. In claim 6, the second and subsequent stage image processing devices include: a busy information generation unit that generates busy information; and a first stage device that inputs and outputs busy information between
a second busy information input/output means for inputting/outputting busy information to and from a subsequent device; and a second busy information input/output means for generating a self-print request in the print request generating means based on the respective busy information. An image processing system characterized by controlling.