JPH06301622A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a device capable of changing a command system for one device without requiring the replacement of a ROM and switching based upon an exclusive switch. CONSTITUTION:This picture processor is provided with a bus 5, a host computer 1 connected to the bus 5, a setting means for setting up a device identification(ID) code for identifying a device corresponding to a device connected to the same bus, and a means for selecting a specific command system out of plural command systems corresponding to a device control means built in the device itself. Thus a command system corresponding to the set device ID code can be selected out of plural command systems for the same device by the device ID code setting means for identifying the device. Thereby ROM replacement for switching a command system is made unnecessary and necessity for switching the command system by setting up an exclusive switch or the like for switching the command system can be eliminated.

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 having a plurality of input / output devices connected to the same input / output bus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing system in which a plurality of image reading devices are connected to the same input / output bus as the host computer, the command system sent from the host computer to the image reading device for image reading is one type. It was fixed. When another command system is required, it is necessary to replace the ROM (Read Only Memory) storing the control software of the image reading device with the one storing another command system.

In addition, an R containing a plurality of command systems in advance
Some image reading devices have an OM, but in this type of system, the image reading device is provided with a dedicated switch or the like for switching the command system, and the command system is switched by setting the switch.

[0004]

However, the method of replacing the ROM in the above-mentioned conventional example is very time-consuming and requires skill to replace the ROM, so that users of ordinary devices can easily read the ROM. It has the drawback that it cannot be replaced. Further, the method of providing a dedicated switch has a drawback that the product price increases.

[0005]

The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and has the following structure as one means for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is,
An image processing apparatus in which a plurality of input / output devices are connected to the same input / output bus, and a device identification code setting means for setting a device identification code for identifying the input / output device at least for each input / output device. Command changing means for changing the input / output device control command system in each input / output device according to the set value by the device identification code setting means.

[0006]

In the above structure, a command system corresponding to the device identification code set can be selected from a plurality of command systems for the same input / output device, and the ROM is replaced to switch the command system. There is no need for this, and a dedicated switch or the like for switching the command system is provided, and it is not necessary to switch the command system by setting this switch.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In recent years, SCSI (Small Computer System) has been used as a bus interface for small-scale computers.
Interface) has been established as ANSI X3.131-1986.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention using this SCSI bus. In the figure, 1 is a host computer for system control, and 2 is an external memory consisting of a hard disk, which stores a system control program, image information and the like. Reference numeral 3 denotes an original reading device (hereinafter referred to as scanner) for converting document information of an original placed on an original table into an electric signal by an image pickup device such as a CCD. It is a high-speed printer that records an image on a recording material based on it. A SCSI bus 5 electrically connects the host computer 1, the hard disk 2, the scanner 3 and the printer 4.

As a characteristic of the SCSI bus, up to eight host computers and peripheral devices can be connected on the same bus. In this embodiment, the host computer 1 and the peripheral devices (3, 3) connected to the SCSI bus are used.
In order to identify 4), each device sets a different identification code from "0" to "7". In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the identification code (ID) of the host computer 1 is “0”, the identification code of the hard disk 2 is “1”, the identification code of the scanner 3 is “2”, and the printer 4
Has an identification code of "3".

The image processing operation in this embodiment having the above configuration will be described below. (1) Image reading The host computer 1 first acquires the right to use the SCSI bus 5 and selects the scanner 3 having the identification code “2”.
Next, the host computer 1 sends an image read command to S.
Send to Sukiana 3 via CSI bus 5. Upon receipt of this command, the scanner 3 reads the document placed on the document table and transfers the document image to the host computer 1 via the SCSI bus 5. The host computer 1 stores this document image in the internal memory.

(2) Image Storage The host computer 1 first acquires the right to use the SCSI bus 5 and selects the hard disk 2 having the identification code "1". Next, the host computer 1 transfers the document image stored in the internal memory to the hard disk 2 via the SCSI bus 5. The hard disk 2 writes the transferred document image in a designated area and saves the image.

(3) Image printing The host computer 1 first acquires the right to use the SCSI bus 5 and selects the printer 4 having the identification code "3".
Next, the host computer 1 transfers the document image in the internal memory to the printer 4 via the SCSI bus 5. The printer 4 prints out the transferred image information.

Next, the device selection processing on the SCSI bus in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of selecting an input / output device connected to the SCSI bus 5 shown in FIG. Up to eight devices can be connected to the SCSI bus 5 at the same time, and the devices are selected by the busy signal BSY and the select signal S
EL and data buses DB0 to DB7.

Specifically, a device (hereinafter, referred to as an initiator) that has acquired the right to use the SCSI bus 5 will be first described in FIG.
As shown in (a), wait for t1 time to elapse. Then, after the lapse of t1 time, the initiator assigns the identification code of “0” to “7” corresponding to the device to be selected to the data bus D.
Output to B0-DB7 (b). The initiator is the above t
After 1 hour has elapsed, t2, which is a sufficient time for the identification code output to the data buses DB0 to DB7 to stabilize.
After a lapse of time, the select signal SEL is set (c).

When the select signal SEL is set and the identification code of its own is detected in the data bus DB0-DB7 signals, the selected device (hereinafter referred to as the target) sets and responds with the BSY signal (d). The initiator detects the busy signal BSY of the target and then t3.
After a lapse of time, the select signal SEL is reset (e), and at the same time, the output of the identification code is stopped.

The equipment selection is completed by the above sequence. In this embodiment, if the target does not respond with the busy signal BSY within 250 msec to the selection of the initiator, the selection is not established. This prevents the system from being used less efficiently and prevents hangups. In FIG.
3 shows a detailed configuration of an input device connected to the SCSI bus 5 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an input device corresponding to the scanner 3, for example.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 71 is a central processing unit (CPU) composed of a micro computer, and 72 is a control program of the CPU 71 (scanner control program) written therein. . A RAM (random access memory) 73 is used as a working memory of the CPU 71. Reference numeral 74 denotes an image sensor composed of a CCD or the like, which has a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row and converts document information of a document into an electric signal.

Reference numeral 75 is a driver circuit for driving the image sensor 74. Reference numeral 76 is an amplifier which amplifies the electric signal output from the image sensor 74. Reference numeral 77 is an A / D converter, which converts the analog signal output from the amplifier 76 into a digital signal.
Reference numeral 78 denotes an image processing circuit, which performs image processing such as shading correction, enlargement, reduction, negative / positive inversion, and clipping of the digital image signal output from the A / D converter 77. Reference numeral 79 is a buffer RAM, which is an image memory for a plurality of lines for storing the image signal output from the image processing circuit 78 in a unit of one line for main scanning.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a SCSI controller,
SCSI communication such as image signal transmission, command reception, and status transmission is performed with the host computer via the SI bus 90. A timing circuit 81 generates a timing signal for the driver circuit 75 and the image processing circuit 78. Reference numeral 82 denotes an address controller, which stores an image signal output from the image processing circuit 78 in a buffer RAM 79.
And an address for writing an image signal from the buffer RAM 79 to the SCSI controller 80. 83 is a CPU bus, which is a CPU
71 is electrically connected to the ROM 72, the RAM 73, the image processing circuit 78, the timing circuit 81, the address controller 82, and the like.

Reference numeral 84 is a light source for illuminating a document, and 85 is a power source for turning on the light source 84. The CPU 71 instructs the light source 84 to be turned on and off. Reference numeral 86 is a motor for moving the image sensor 74 in the sub-scanning direction, and 8
Reference numeral 7 is a motor driver for driving the motor 86. Reference numeral 88 is a home position position detection sensor for detecting the reading start position, and 89 is a device identification code setting switch for inputting a scan identification code. 90 is an SC that electrically connects the host computer and the scan analyzer.
It is an SI bus and is the same as the SCSI bus 5 in FIG.

Next, the command system switching process of this embodiment will be described by taking the scanner 3 having the above-mentioned configuration as an example. The desired command system can be switched for the printer 4 by using a similar command switching method. In the following description, referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the command system A and the command system B which the scanner in this embodiment has in the ROM 72 are described.
A process for switching and executing the two command systems will be described. The command system A is a command system for monochrome scanner, and the command system B is a command system for color scanner.

FIG. 4 is a window definition parameter (Define Windo) for setting the scanning area and scanning mode of the scanner.
w Parameters) CDB (command descriptor block) of the command. This CDB is common to the command system A and the command system B. Define Window Parame
The CDB of the ters command consists of 10 bytes. In the figure, bits 7 to 0 are represented in the digit direction and bytes 0 to 9 are represented in the row direction. The host computer sends byte 0 to byte 9 byte by byte to the scanner.

Byte 0 in FIG. 4 indicates an operation code (Operation Code), which is defined by the Fine Window Parameters.
24H (hexadecimal number) indicating that it is a command is set. Bytes 6, 7, and 8 contain a value indicating the parameter length of the parameter list following the CDB of this embodiment, and "48" is set for command system A and "58" for command system B.

FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively show parameter data blocks of the command system A of monochrome scanner and the command system B of color scanner, which are sent from the host computer to the scanner following the CDB of FIG. The main items of the parameter data block of the monochrome scanner of the command system A of FIG. 5 will be described.

In FIG. 5, byte 10 and byte 11 and byte 12 and byte 13 set the reading resolution in the X direction (main scanning direction) and Y direction (sub scanning direction), respectively. Bytes 14 to 17 and bytes 18 to 21 set the origin of reading of the original in the X and Y directions, respectively. Bytes 22 to 25 indicate the reading width (X direction) of the document as byte 1
The reading start origin set in 4 to 17 is set as a reference.
Bytes 26 to 29 set the reading length (Y direction) of the document with reference to the reading start origin set in bytes 18 to 21. The byte 30 sets the lightness when reading a document.
The byte 31 sets a threshold value for binarizing a document. The byte 32 sets the contrast when reading a document. The bytes 35 to 36 set a halftone pattern when the original is read in halftone.

Next, the main items of the parameter data block of the color scanner of the command system B of FIG. 6 will be described. In FIG. 6, up to byte 29, the command system A of FIG. 5 is the same. The brightness of the bytes 30, 31, 32 is expanded for color scanning, and the brightness when reading a document is set separately for red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Similarly, bytes 33-
The threshold values for binarizing the document at 35 are set separately for red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Byte 3
6 to 38, the contrast at the time of reading the original is set separately for red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Also,
Also for the halftone pattern, red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are separately set in the bytes 41 to 46.

As described above, in the color scanner of this embodiment, in addition to the command system B for the color scanner, the command system A for the monochrome scanner is provided for maintaining compatibility. Here, when the identification code input by the identification number setting switch 89 for inputting the identification code of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is "6", the command system A for monochrome scanner is used, and at other times. It is decided to use the command system B for color scanner.

Usually, even when the latest application software for color scanning is used, there are times when it is desired to use application software for monochrome scanning. At this time, if the identification code is set to "6", the command system for monochrome scanner is adopted and it can be used as monochrome scanner. Since the identification codes 0 to 7 can be used, there will be no shortage even if it is decided in this way.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart for selecting a command system by the identification code in this embodiment. When the scanner power is turned on, the control shifts to the control shown in FIG. 7, and the processing is started from step 1. First, in step 1, the identification code set from the identification code setting switch 89 is read.
Then, in the subsequent step 2, it is checked whether or not the identification code is "6". If "6", proceed to step 4, otherwise proceed to step 3.

In step 3, the command system B is adopted. Then go to step 5. On the other hand, in step 4, the command system A is adopted. Then go to step 5. In step 5, the internal initialization setting process of the scanna is performed,
After that, it shifts to the normal process of waiting for a command, and thereafter waits for a command input from the host computer. In this embodiment, two types of command systems, monochrome scanning and color scanning, are selected by the value set by the identification code setting means, but it is of course possible to have a large number of completely different command systems.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the SC
SI bus and host computer connected to it
An image reading device connected to the same SCSI bus,
Setting means for setting a device identification code for identifying the device for the image reading device, and a plurality of command systems for the control means of the image reading device inside the image reading device corresponding to the set identification code. By configuring to select a specific command system from among the above, the device identification code setting means for identifying the image reading device corresponds to the device identification code set for the same device from a plurality of command systems. Command system can be selected, ROM to switch command system
Need not be exchanged, and a dedicated switch or the like for switching the command system is provided, and it is not necessary to switch the command system by setting this switch.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to select a command system corresponding to a set device identification code from a plurality of command systems for the same input / output device. ROM to switch
Need not be replaced, and a dedicated switch or the like for switching the command system is provided, and it is not necessary to switch the command system by setting this switch.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the timing of selection of the SCSI bus of the present embodiment shown in the marrow.

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

[Fig. 4] Sukiyana's Define Command P in this embodiment
It is a figure which shows CDB of an arameters command.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of command system A of Sukiana in this embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the parameter data block of a Define Command Parameters command.

FIG. 6 shows a command system B of Sukiana in this embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the parameter data block of a Define Command Parameters command.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a sequence when a scanner selects a command system from an identification code in this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host Computer 2 Hard Disk 3 Scanner 4 Printer 5.90 SCSI Bus 71 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 72 ROM (Read Only Memory) 73 RAM (Random Access Memory) 74 Image Sensor 75 (Drives Image Sensor 74) Driver Circuit 76 Amplifier (amplifies the electric signal output from the image sensor 74) 77 A / D converter 78 Image processing circuit 79 Buffer RAM 80 SCSI controller 81 Timing circuit 82 Address controller 83 CPU bus 84 Light source (for illuminating an original) 85 Power source 86 (for turning on the light source 84) 86 (Moving the image sensor 74 in the sub scanning direction) Motor 87 (Motor driver for driving the motor 86) 88 Home position position detection sensor 89 Device identification code setting switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising a plurality of input / output devices connected to the same input / output bus, wherein a device identification code for identifying the input / output device is set at least for each of the input / output devices. An image processing apparatus comprising: a device identification code setting means; and a command changing means for changing an input / output device control command system in each input / output device according to a set value by the device identification code setting means.