JPS58170275A - Picture copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the working time, by providing the bypass bypassing a picture memory in addition to a main path via the picture memory, and using properly the bypass instead of the main path. CONSTITUTION:A picture data input unit 10 incorporates an original reader or a character generator and applies a document to be copied in the form of digital picture data. A picture memory unit 11 stores and reproduces the picture data from the unit 10. A picture data output unit 12 copies the picture on a recording medium basing on the digital picture data applied via the memory 11. A control unit 13 performs transmission control of the units 10-12 basing on an instruction signal applied from an operation unit 14. The picture memory unit 11 has the bypass transmitting the data of the unit 10 to the output unit directly not through the picture memory and a switch and the like selecting the bypass, and the changeover between the main and the bypass is executed basing on the instruction of the control unit 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an image copying apparatus that uses a 1iIi image memory to store and reproduce images.

Conventionally, image data supplied from an image data input device such as a document reading device is stored and reproduced using an image memory, and multiple copies of the same document can be made. There is a copying machine. With such conventional devices, copying multiple copies of the same sheet only requires reading the document once or supplying image data once, which reduces the time required to print the document and improves copying efficiency. It has the advantage of being obtainable. However, with such a conventional device, if an abnormality such as a failure occurs in the Iil image memory thread, copying operations will inevitably become impossible.

Also, in the case of single-sheet copying, since the image is stored in the -H image memory and then reproduced before copying, there is a problem that the copying execution time in the case of single-sheet copying is delayed by one.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and to provide a switching means for selecting between a main route passing through the image memory, a bypass route bypassing the image memory, and a single route, and switching according to the copying state, etc. 6. To provide a maw copying device rtII which is capable of copying even if the image memory in the device fails and shortens the copying execution time for /all copying by including a control means for operating the device.6. :a.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Figures 1i and 4i show an example of the configuration of a photocopying apparatus according to the present invention.
Here, /σ is an image data input unit that supplies digitized digital image data, for example, original f:
Read and convert the read information into digital image data and provide it! , has a built-in document reading device-1 or character generator, and supplies documents to be copied in the form of digital image data.This is a so-called word processing sensor (document creation device), etc. This is an image memory unit that stores and reproduces digital images. It forms images on recording media such as records and recording paper based on digital image data supplied through the image memory unit 1lt. @ Image data output unit.

Examples include laser beam printers (LBPs), inkjet printers, and 7mm facsimile devices that send and receive digital images to and from remote locations.

n &s tlJ control unit (mask CPU), which performs transmission control of each of the above-mentioned units 70 to 2 based on the command signal supplied to the operation unit 1. Im production unit #4 has a keyboard type operation console, for example. zsh′! display. Displays such as lamps, etc.
It is a display unit with 1llI control unit/
Information related to control supplied from 3, for example - image data indicating how many copies of the same document the unit 2 is currently copying [the number of copies, whether it is in operation or not, whether it is in an inoperable state or the operation of each unit such as error occurrence rr-I
The system displays information to improve the operator's work efficiency.

As described below, it has a bypass path that detours around the image memory, and a switch that selectively switches to the bypass path.Based on the control unit/30 command, the main path and bypass path are switched. Switching can be done. In addition, since this implementation @ haunt configuration makes it easy to expand the system, there is a huge demand for everything from low-priced, low-function to high-priced and highly functional ones! It has the characteristics that it can be provided according to the needs of users and that it is easy to maintain and manage.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the image memory (image memory) shown in FIG. The first path A and the second path B for transmitting the rt are connected to a switch SW/2 for switching rt selection.

2/ is the image data output unit for digital image data)
/2K is an image data output terminal that outputs digital image data, and is connected to the switching switch ff and switch g via the switching switch 8Wj, which changes the transmission path of digital image data.
Connected to wl. Reference numeral 2 is a buffer circuit connected to the switch 8WJ and the switch 8W, and synchronizes the digital image data input from the input terminal with the image memory main body, which will be described later. J is the first interface circuit C
It is an I/F), and the switching 11J of each switch SW/ to s'w is controlled by commands from the central processing unit (CPU). The CPU is a read-only memo'J (ELOM
) Executes the control program stored in #. 2
1 is random access memory (RAM), and CP
U! The control information is stored as a working memory. 29
It is an interface circuit (I/F) of kS%2, and causes the CPU to perform control corresponding to commands from the operating unit /l supplied via the control unit (I/J) shown in FIG.

30 is a control circuit, 3/ is a dynamic memory (RAM) as the main body of the image memory, and the control circuit 3o&)I
/F2Jf) 754 to control storage and playback of digital image data in RAM J/. 32 is a bypass path, and switches g%Vt and 8W, ? K connection to form a first path At that bypasses RAM J/f. In other words, the first path A consists of the image data input terminal → the inner t-+bypass path n → the inner SWJ → the image data output terminal 1. Also, %1g-route B route image data input terminal It consists of a digital image reproduction path B consisting of the Swift 7 IIW → Swift 8 WJ → the image data output terminal 1.

For example, if an abnormality occurs in the first path A,
Special K RAM Use when J/ breaks down, -! The same method is also used when copying one sheet per image. The first path B is used when copying several copies of the same image gi:lf during normal operation. The switching command for both paths A and B takes place via the control unit /J.

To describe a specific example of a circuit implemented using commercially available elements, CPU! Intel's t-pin CPU for ROTs, ROMJ7 and interface circuit B is Intel's rzrz with built-in ROM and I10 board, and RAM X and interface circuit are built-in ILAM, I10 board, and timer counter circuit. You can also use Intel's rtzz. In addition, the 2777 circuit 3 can use a high-speed memory such as Intel's 2/411 or 14I memory, and can also be used as %RAM Jl. 16th edition,
In addition, as a control circuit, a Dinaic RAM controller such as Intel's TCO A can be used. switch 8w
/ and 8w2, changeover switch 8WJ and 5w
t1 is -rate Schottky'T'rL IC
is available. When using the above five elements, the VC can be configured with a small number of chips and can be provided at a relatively low cost.

3(A) to 3(D) respectively show an example of the switch states of each switch 8W/ to armor 3 of the image memory unit 7// of FIG. , buffer circuit J, and switching switch SW (hereinafter simply referred to as "image memory"). In this figure, in order to simplify the drawing and make it easier to understand, illustrations of the control unit/3, I/F 25, etc. shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are omitted.

FIG. 3 LA) shows the initial state of 1m when the power is turned on or when waiting for the start of copying. : Connect to contact a.

No. J (B) shows the state at the time of copying the first copy of the same image; at this time, the switch 8W is connected via tXI/F2$.
Close / and 8W2. Switch 8W3 connects bypass path 32 PC. Therefore, in this case, the digital image data supplied from the image data input unit 10 is subjected to image recording processing via the first path Af: to the image data output unit/2, and at the same time is stored in the image memory via the first path Brt. be done.

The stripe J diagram (C) shows the state when copying the regular image from the first sheet onward. At this time, the switches S'%vl and 8WJf: are opened via the I/F 11, and the switches S'%vl and 8WJf: are opened. iwJt - contact brc on the B side of the th path is connected.

Therefore, in this case, the digital image data reproduced from the image memory V is supplied to the image data output unit 7 12 a number of times corresponding to the desired number of copies, and is subjected to m-image recording processing.

The switch switching control shown in FIG. 3A is performed in response to power-on, and the switch switching control IX shown in FIGS. J LA) and CB) is performed in accordance with the number of copies instructed by the operating unit /.

FIG. 3(D) shows a situation S when the image memory q is abnormal and data cannot be stored and reproduced, or when only 1 of the same image is to be copied; in this case, the I/F 25
At the same time as closing the switch 8 through
Open WJ and switch 8WJ to bypass path 32
Connect to. Therefore, in this case, the child image data is input (input) // and iii data output is
1 is connected only in the first path, and the digital image data bypasses the image memory and directly outputs the image data.
λ to perform the desired copying. This switch switching control is carried out by direct instructions from the operating unit /#, but it is also preferable to direct the instruction from the control unit (/3) that detected the abnormality. In addition, Iil image memo + J'l
When an OK error occurs, an error 7 lag is set in RAM X, and this flag is switched.
Used to determine l.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the control procedure of the digital image copying apparatus of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and particularly shows only the control procedure directly related to failure #4.

Next, the control procedure rtm in FIG. 3 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D.

First, fs15! When the power is turned on to the device indicated by JK, execute step 8P/I to initialize, for example, the display unit IS, I10 board, etc., and switch 8W/~8WJ f: Figure 3 (A) K Initialize as shown. Therefore, the digital W image data supplied from the image data input unit Ii/θ is cut off, and the digital image data is no longer supplied to the image data output unit 1)/2. Even when the crab unit 12 performs the combing operation, the input/output operation of digital image data was performed (1.Next, in step 8P, a copy start instruction 1, for example, the copy start key is pressed from the operation unit / in FIG. 1). It is determined whether or not there is an operation input, and if the determination is positive, proceed to step 8PJK, and if the determination is negative, waits until the determination is positive.

In Step 8PJ, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the image memory rust based on the presence or absence of the above-mentioned error flag, and if there is no abnormality, VC is Step Mill 4! If rc and M are present, proceed to step 8P20.

In addition, in steps 278F# to 8P/co, the control procedure when the tm image memory function is normal is executed, and in steps SrcoO to
8P here 1c Image memory condition is specific:.

l Execute the instructions.

First, we will explain the control procedure of 8PII-8P/co.

In step 8 PII &1. FIG. 3(B) K: As shown, K 8W/~8WJ E switching, m image data input unit) 10 so that the digital image data is directly supplied to the image data output unit 72, one image memory at a time. 7 will also be memorized.

The next step 8Pj'''C starts the operation of 1 image data input unit 22/δ and image data output unit/2.

Image data output unit 12 is image data input unit)
Image recording is performed by directly inputting digital image data supplied from 10. At the same time, in step SP6, -
In order to store digital image data in the image memory, the changeover switch 5WII in FIG. One page worth of digital image data t-store in image memory Q.

In step 8P7, it is determined whether or not t pages of digital image data have been supplied from -Image Data Input Kaunin)/1, and if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 5pIr, and if the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is positive. .

Note that when the affirmative determination is made, K is 1 (for example, image data output unit)/2 is LBP, etc., the first copy has been completed, and the image memory q has also completed storing one page of digital image data. It is assumed that

In step SP1, it is determined whether or not the copying has been completed, and if the copying has been completed, the step SP1 is the end step 8P/J.
If the copying has not been completed yet, the process advances to step 8P9. If the requested number of copies is 1, the process always jumps from step 8Pt to step 8P/JK.

Step 8P? to step 8P1 are the control procedures for copying multiple sheets.

Ste 278F? Then, stop the image data input unit (10). At this time, if the image data input unit 10 is, for example, a document reading device, a display indicating that the next document can be sected is displayed f:! ! You may also go to show unit.

In the next step 8P10, the switches 8W/-8WJ are switched as shown in FIG. 3(C), and the switch sw+t is switched to the BWJ side, thereby saving 117L worth of digital image data stored in the image memory. The image data output unit 72K can be reproduced and supplied to the image data output unit 72K.

In the following Stella y 5 pit, the digital l! stored from the image memory via the control circuit m! Regenerate the ll1I data, switch the reproduced data, and 8WJ t-
After that, the image data is supplied to the output unit 72 to start the copying operation for the first and subsequent sheets, and the process proceeds to step 8P/co.

In Step 218P/J, it is determined whether or not copying of a predetermined number of sheets has been completed.
/J K Proceed; if not, wait until copying is complete. Therefore, in step 8P/2, when it is determined that *waiting for completion of copying is being performed, one or more digital image data are reproduced and supplied to the image data output unit 12 from the 1iIII image memory v.

In the next step 278P/J, the operations of the image data input, unit 10 and image data output unit/2 are stopped, and in step 8P/4', the switches 8W/ to 8WJ f are turned on as shown in FIG. 3(A)K. :Switch and perform a series of copying operations [After finishing, return to step 8P of waiting and wait at the house where the next copying start instruction is given.

Next, step BP when image memo IJ [is abnormal,
20 to Step 8 The control means shown in P22 will be explained.

Step 8P0"C" switches the switches 8W/-8WJ as shown in FIG. 3CD), thereby separating the image memory and making it irrelevant to the copying operation.

In the next step 8P2/, 1 image data input unit 10 and image data output unit/2 I) Start the operation and transfer the digital image data from the image data input unit 10 directly to the image data output unit 72:
%1 or a plurality of copies are made until it is determined in step 8PJJ that a predetermined number of copies have been completed.

If it is determined in step 8F-λ that the copying is complete, proceed to step 8P/JK and complete the copying work in 05.
.

In addition, even when the number of copies is 1, the digital image data is stored in the image memory function (step 8F4). There's no need, so STETSU7
It is also preferable to provide a procedure for determining the number of copies between 8PJ and 8P4' and proceed to step 5pio so that the digital image data is not stored in the image memory. Also,
It is also preferable to replace the switch 8W/ and the changeover switch gw3 in FIG. 2 with one three-circuit changeover switch.

As explained above, according to the present invention, in addition to the first path passing through the image memory, there is also a first path that bypasses the image memory.
Since it is equipped with a switching means that switches between the path and the two paths according to the condition of the apparatus, such as the condition of the number of copies to be made or the abnormal state of the image memory, even if one image memory is out of order, it is possible to carry out the copying process. In the case of one-sheet copying, the copying execution time can also be shortened.

Further VC%According to the present invention, since it has one transmission path as described above, even when making multiple copies, the first copy of /&l is transmitted through the first path. This can be done using the image data supplied to the data output unit, and at the same time the same image data can be supplied and stored in the image memory via the first path. Compared to conventional devices that copy using reproduced image data, the working time can be significantly reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image copying apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image memory unit in FIG. A block diagram showing an example of the states of the main switches in FIG. 2, and a reference numeral 70-Tyaert showing an example of the control procedure of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown. IO...Image data input unit, //...Image memory unit. 12.--Image data output. /3...control unit, lji...operation unit. /j...display unit, 3...-image data input terminal. 21...Iconic data output terminal % 2DA...Pan 7A circuit, B...Interface circuit (MCI/F). -Central processing unit (CPU) %l...Read-only memory (ROM). 1--Random access memory (RAM)%l...
・Interface circuit (I/F), X...control circuit. J/...-Image memory main body (RAM), 32=
Chang 4tN people'& Poetry, Shun... Image memory system (-image memory), 8W/, 8fW2- switch. 8Wj, 8Wda...- selector switch. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd. Figure 2 Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an image copying apparatus having an image memory that stores and reproduces image data input from an input terminal and supplies the image data to an output terminal, a first path bypasses the image memory and connects the input terminal and the output terminal; A third path connecting the terminal and the output terminal via the image memory 7, and a switching control means for selectively switching between the first path and the second path depending on the state of the image copying device. Characteristic image copying device.