JP2000138809A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device, in which even a single storage means can efficiently process input/output of a plurality of image signals at a high speed by means of management data which are as small as possible. SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with a storage means, having at least two sets or over of storage devices 91, 92 each consisting of a primary storage section that stores an image signal from one image input means or more and a secondary storage section that stores the image signal received by the primary storage section, with an image forming means, and with one image output means or more and manages the received image signal by using the secondary storage sections of the storage devices 91, 92 for a single storage area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a digital copying machine,
The present invention relates to an image input / output unit such as a facsimile, a printer, and a scanner, and an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus includes an image input / output function such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and a scanner, and a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions among them. In the image forming apparatus, a plurality of image signals input from an image input unit or an external device are stored in a storage unit, and a plurality of sets of these image signals are output in an order different from the input order (a sort operation is performed. ) Or a function of outputting a plurality of image signals at once (collectively).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-108822 discloses a multi-page document copying apparatus for making a copy of a multi-page document of a multi-page document in which the page is collated with a document. A reader for generating a series of digital signals representing the individual image information of the electronic multi-page memory device for receiving and storing the image information represented by said digital signals;
A printing device corresponding to an electrical signal applied to form an image on a copy sheet; extracting image information from the memory device; converting the information into an electrical signal to which the printing device responds; A processing unit for iteratively adding to the printing device in the collated order;
Accordingly, there is described a document copying apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus makes a plurality of multi-page copies of a multi-page document in the order.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 55-137540 discloses a method of storing a plurality of pages in a copy with little effort by storing each page of an original in a memory and repeatedly reading the stored information. There is described a copying apparatus which can be automatically obtained without attaching a sorter. Further, as image processing devices having an image memory for storing image data and a function of controlling input / output of image data to / from the image memory, there are Imagio DA405 and DA505 manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.

[0005]

A plurality of image signals input from an image input unit or an external device are stored in a storage unit.
In an image forming apparatus having a function of outputting a plurality of sets of these image signals in a different order from the order of input (performing a sorting operation) or outputting a plurality of image signals at once (collectively). The storage capacity required for the storage means for storing image signals increases in accordance with the amount of image signals to be processed. Also, since the total image signal capacity of the plurality of image input / output units differs depending on the difference in the number of quantization of the image (the number of bits per image data), the time required for inputting / outputting the image by the image input / output unit differs. .

[0006] Digital copiers, facsimile machines,
In a multifunction device having an image input / output function such as a printer and a scanner, a parallel operation such as simultaneous input / output of a plurality of image signals is required, such as simultaneous transmission of a facsimile image signal during image output of the printer. You. Conventionally, when such a parallel operation is performed, the parallel operation is often achieved by providing a storage unit for each unit for controlling the input and output of the image signal.

However, as described above, when the storage capacity required for the storage means increases, the storage capacity of the storage means provided in each of the means for controlling the input and output of image signals increases, and the storage device has Control becomes complicated.
Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which a plurality of image signals are input / output to / from a single storage unit, it is essential to centralize control of the storage unit and perform image input / output of a multifunction.

In general, a hard disk (HDD), a magneto-optical disk, or the like is used as a storage medium for inputting a large-capacity image signal. It is known to occur with continuous use. With respect to the storage medium having the defective area, the storage area is secured by alternately assigning a discontinuous storage area. Therefore, when an image signal is input / output to / from a storage area where a defective area exists, an access is made to an alternative part of the defective area, so that the data access time of the storage medium (the seek time of the recording head) is reduced. It costs more than that for a storage area that does not have any.

Recently, by combining single-function image input / output devices, operations such as sorting and aggregation described above are performed, and a large number of image signals are input / output by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Applications for high-speed processing are also increasing. In this case, if the difference between the input speed of the image signal and the output speed of the image signal is large, the input image signal cannot be directly output. Therefore, an operation of temporarily storing the image input signal in the storage device and then outputting the image input signal is required, so that the storage device is required to have higher processing performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of processing input / output of a plurality of image signals with a single storage means at high speed and efficiently with as little management data as possible.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one image input means for inputting an image, and at least one image input means input from the image input means. A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a primary storage unit that stores the image signal of the above and a secondary storage unit that stores the image signal input to the primary storage unit; Image forming means for visualizing the image signal input by the image input means or the image signal stored in the storage device on a recording surface and outputting the image signal, and the image signal input by the image input means or the storage device And at least one image output unit capable of outputting the image signal stored in the storage device to an external device, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is stored in a single storage device. It is intended to manage the input image signal as a pass.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and the plurality of storage areas are selectively provided with image signals. It has means for performing input and output, and manages image signals input to each of the divided storage areas.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, there is provided means for changing a division number of a storage area of a secondary storage unit of the storage device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device is made to match the number of the image input means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the second, third or fourth aspect, individual setting of the size of each divided storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device is performed. It has means that can be changed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one or more image input means for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing an image signal input to the primary storage unit; and an image signal input by the image input unit, or the storage unit Image forming means for visualizing an image signal stored in the device on a recording surface and outputting the image signal, and outputting the image signal input by the image input means or the image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In an image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output units capable of performing the following operations, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and the divided plurality of storage areas is provided. Means for selectively inputting and outputting image signals to and from the area, and means for freely arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit for each of the image input means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit are arranged so as to have a priority order for each of the image input units. It has.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit are arranged so as to have a priority for each of the image input means. In addition, a storage area with a high access speed of the secondary storage unit is arranged for an image input unit frequently used as a condition of the priority order.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one or more image input means for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing an image signal input to the primary storage unit; and an image signal input by the image input unit, or the storage unit Image forming means for visualizing an image signal stored in the device on a recording surface and outputting the image signal, and outputting the image signal input by the image input means or the image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In an image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output units capable of performing the following operations, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and the divided plurality of storage areas is provided. Means for selectively inputting / outputting an image signal with respect to an area, means for freely arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit for each of the image input means,
Means for arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage section with priorities for each of the image input means, and allocating the divided storage areas of the secondary storage section to the respective image input means. When prioritizing and arranging for each input means, as a condition of the priority, the memory is arranged from a storage area having few unwritable defective storage areas in the storage area.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one or more image input means for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing an image signal input to the primary storage unit; and an image signal input by the image input unit, or the storage unit Image forming means for visualizing an image signal stored in the device on a recording surface and outputting the image signal, and outputting the image signal input by the image input means or the image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In the image forming apparatus having at least one image output unit capable of performing the following, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and the divided plurality of storages are stored. A means for selectively inputting / outputting an image signal to / from an area; a means capable of freely arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit for each of the image input means; Means for arranging a plurality of divided storage areas with a priority order for each of the image input means, and assigning a priority order to the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage section for each of the image input means. When placing with
As a condition of the priority, storage areas with a high access speed are arranged in order from the image input means having the largest number of quantization of the image signal.

[0021]

FIG. 2 schematically shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In an automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as ADF) 1, a document bundle in which a document is placed on a document table 2 with its image side up is placed on a start key 44 (see FIG. 3) on an operation unit 40 (see FIG. 3). Is pressed, the lowermost document is fed by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4 to a predetermined position on a document table 5 made of contact glass. The image on the original on the contact glass 5 is read by a reading unit 6 serving as an image input unit having a scanner function.
Is discharged onto the sheet discharge table 8.

When it is detected by the document set detector 9 that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is similarly moved to a predetermined position on the contact glass 5 by the feed roller 3 and the feed belt 4. It is fed to the position. After the image information is read by the reading unit 6, the document on the contact glass 5 is discharged onto the sheet discharge table 8 by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 7. Here, the feeding roller 3,
The feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 7 are transported by a transport motor 51 (FIG. 5).
See).

When the first paper feeder 10, the second paper feeder 11, and the third paper feeder 12 are selected, the first tray 1
3, a transfer material composed of transfer papers stacked on the second tray 14 and the third tray 15 is fed, and the transfer paper is transported by the vertical transport unit 16 to a position where it comes into contact with a photoreceptor 17 as an image carrier. You. The photoconductor 17 is driven to rotate by a main motor 52 (see FIG. 5) using, for example, a photoconductor drum, and is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown).

An image signal read from a document by the reading unit 6 or an external image signal is converted into optical information by a writing unit 22 as writing means via an image processing means described later, and the photosensitive drum 17 is charged. Writing unit 22 after being uniformly charged by
And an image (electrostatic latent image) is written. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 17 is
8 to form a toner image.

The transfer belt 19 also serves as a transfer unit, a transfer bias is applied from a transfer power supply, and the toner on the photosensitive drum 17 is transferred while transferring the transfer paper from the vertical transfer unit 16 at a constant speed to the photosensitive drum 17. The image is transferred to transfer paper. This transfer sheet is fixed by the fixing device 20 with the toner image fixed thereon, and is discharged as a copy by the discharge unit 21 to the finisher 100 as a post-processing device. The photosensitive drum 17 is cleaned by a cleaning device (not shown) after the transfer of the toner image.

Here, the photosensitive drum 17, the charger, the writing unit 22, the developing device 18, the first paper feeding device 10,
Second paper feeder 11, third paper feeder 12, vertical transport unit 16, transport belt 19, fixing device 20, paper discharge unit 2
1. The cleaning device constitutes an image forming means for visualizing and outputting an image signal on a recording surface of a transfer sheet.

The finisher 100 guides the transfer paper discharged by the paper discharge unit 21 of the main body comprising the image forming means and the reading unit 6 by switching the transfer paper between the normal paper discharge direction and the stapling direction by the switching plate 101. Can be. When the switching plate 101 is switched to the upper side, the transfer sheet discharged by the discharge unit 21 of the main body is switched to the normal discharge direction by the switching plate 101 and is conveyed by the discharge rollers 102 and 103, and the normal discharge tray 104 Is discharged to This normal paper ejection tray 10
Reference numeral 4 denotes a paper output tray that can be moved back and forth, and is driven by a driving unit (not shown) to move back and forth for each document or for each copy unit sorted by the image memory, and to simply copy from the main body. Sort.

When the switching plate 101 is switched to the lower side, the transfer paper discharged by the paper discharging unit 21 of the main body is switched by the switching plate 101 in the stapling direction, and is conveyed by the conveying rollers 105 and 106 to be staple. It is discharged to the table 107 and stacked. Each time one sheet of transfer paper stacked on the staple table 107 is discharged to the staple table 107, its end face is aligned by the jogger 108 as a paper aligning means, and is stapled by the stapler 109 when copying of one copy of the document is completed. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 109 is stored in the stapling completion paper discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

When forming images on both sides of the transfer paper,
The branch claw 23 for switching the path is set by switching from the normal lower position to the upper position. The path of the transfer paper fed from any of the paper feed trays 13 to 15 and having an image formed on the surface as described above is switched from the finisher 100 side to the duplex paper feed unit 24 side by the branch claw 23. The sheet is once conveyed to the double-sided sheet feeding unit 24 and is stocked with its front and back reversed.

Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper feed unit 24 is fed again and transported by the vertical transport unit 16 to a position where it comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 17.
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 17 in the same manner as described above is transferred to the back surface, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 20, thereby forming a two-sided copy. Then, the branch claw 23 is set at the normal lower position, and the duplex copy from the fixing device 20 is discharged to the finisher 100 by the paper discharge unit 21. As described above, when an image is created on both sides of the transfer sheet, the duplex sheet feeding unit 24 is used.

Here, the photosensitive drum 17 and the conveyor belt 1
9, the fixing device 20, the paper discharging unit 21, and the developing device 18 are driven by the main motor 52, and each of the paper feeding devices 10 to 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a driving force of the main motor
５５55 (see FIG. 5). The vertical transport unit 16 is driven by the driving force of the main motor 52 being transmitted by an intermediate clutch 56 (see FIG. 5).

Next, the reading unit 6 and the writing unit 22 will be described. The writing unit 22 exposes the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 17 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is converted into optical information by the writing unit 22 and converted to optical information. This is a potential distribution generated on the photosensitive drum 17 by irradiation.

The reading unit 6 includes a contact glass 5 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 25, a first mirror 26, a second mirror 27, a third mirror 28, It comprises a lens 29, an image sensor 30 composed of a CCD and the like. The exposure lamp 25 and the first mirror 26 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 27 and the third mirror 28 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown).

When reading the original image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).
The original on the contact glass 5 is illuminated by the exposure lamp 25, and the reflected light is reflected by the first mirror 26 and the second mirror 2
7, is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor 30 via the third mirror 28 and the lens 29 and read. When the lens 29 and the image sensor 30 are moved in the horizontal direction in FIG. 2, the magnification of the read image changes. That is, the left and right positions of the lens 29 and the image sensor 30 are set in accordance with the designated magnification.

The writing unit 22 is composed of a laser output unit 31, an imaging lens 32, a mirror 33, and the like. Inside the laser output unit 31, there is a laser diode as a laser light source, and a rotating polygon mirror that rotates at a high speed at a constant speed by a motor. (Polygon mirror). The laser diode in the laser output unit 31 is modulated and driven by an image signal, and the laser diode emits a laser beam modulated by the image signal. The laser light emitted from the laser diode is deflected and scanned by a rotating polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 32, is turned back by a mirror 33, and is condensed and imaged on the photosensitive drum 17.

The laser light focused and imaged on the photosensitive drum 17 is scanned by a rotating polygon mirror in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 17, and the image is formed on the photosensitive drum 17. A signal is written line by line to form an electrostatic latent image. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 17 by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photosensitive drum 17.

As described above, the laser beam output from the writing unit 22 is applied to the photosensitive drum 17 of the image forming means, and the beam sensor is disposed at a position near one end of the photosensitive drum 17 where the laser beam is applied. Then, the laser beam from the writing unit 22 is detected by the beam sensor, and the beam sensor generates a main scanning synchronization signal. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting / outputting an image signal described later are performed by a circuit (not shown).

FIG. 3 shows the operation unit 40. The operation unit 40 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 41, numeric keys 42, a clear / stop key 43, a print key (start key) 44,
There is a mode clear key 45, and the liquid crystal touch panel 41 displays a function key 46, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like.

FIG. 4 shows a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel 41. When the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 41, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. Further, when the details of the function (for example, a variable magnification value in the case of variable magnification) must be specified, the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 41 to set the detailed function on the liquid crystal touch panel 41. The screen is displayed. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel 41 uses the dot display device, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at each time.

FIG. 5 shows a control device mainly including a main controller as control means. In the first embodiment,
An image forming apparatus having a digital copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, and the like, and having image input / output means (image input / output function) such as a digital copying function, a printer function, and a scanner function. The main controller 57 controls the entire image forming apparatus having image input / output means (image input / output function) such as a digital copying function, a printer function, and a scanner function. The main controller 57 includes a display for the operator on a liquid crystal display 58 including the liquid crystal touch panel 41, a control of an operation unit 40 for controlling a function setting input by a key input unit 59 including keys 42 to 45 from the operator, a control of the reading unit 6, an image. An image processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as IPU) 60 as an image processing means for performing control of writing a signal to an image memory, control of image formation based on an image signal from the image memory, and a distributed control device such as an ADF 1 are connected. Each decentralized control device and the main controller 57 exchange machine status and operation commands as needed. In addition, the main controller 57 is connected to a transport motor 51, a main motor 52 necessary for paper transport and the like, and various clutches 53 to 56.

Next, the configuration of the IPU 60 will be described with reference to FIG. The light emitted from the exposure lamp 25 irradiates the original on the contact glass 5, and the reflected light is emitted from the first mirror 26, the second mirror 27, the third mirror 28, and the lens 2.
The image is formed on the CCD 30 via the line 9. CCD30
Receives reflected light from a document, performs photoelectric conversion, and outputs the image as an image signal. The image signal from the CCD 30 is A / D
The signal is converted into a digital signal by the converter 71, subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 72, and subjected to MTF correction, γ correction, and the like by the image processing unit 73.

The selector 74 switches the destination of the image signal from the image processing unit 73 to one of the scaling unit 75 and the image memory controller 76. The image signal from the selector 74 to the scaling unit 75 is scaled by the scaling unit 75 in accordance with the scaling ratio, and sent to the writing unit 22. The writing unit 22 modulates the laser diode in line with the image recording start timing based on the main scanning synchronization signal from the beam sensor according to the image signal from the scaling unit 75, and outputs the image signal from the laser diode. And emits a laser beam modulated by.

Image memory controller 76 and selector 7
4, the image signal can be input and output bidirectionally. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 7, the IPU 60
Input and output a plurality of image signals so as to process not only image signals input from the reading unit 6 but also image signals supplied from the outside (for example, image signals output from a data processing device such as a personal computer). Has the function of selecting

The IPU 60 includes a CPU 77 for setting the image memory controller 76 and the like, controlling the reading unit 6 and the writing unit 22, a ROM 78 and a RAM 79 for storing programs and data, and an I / O.
And an O port 80. The CPU 77 can write and read image signals to and from the image memory 81 via the image memory controller 76. Here, the image memory controller 76 and the image memory 81 constitute storage means for storing image signals.

Next, the operation of the selector 74 for an image signal for one page will be described with reference to FIG. The frame gate signal / FGATE is a signal representing an effective period of the image signal of one page in the sub-scanning direction. Main scanning synchronization signal / LS
YNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after the signal / LSYNC rises. The signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is the line gate signal / LGATE.

These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and data of one pixel is sent for one cycle of the pixel clock VCLK. The IPU 60 has a separate frame gate signal / FGATE and a main scanning synchronization signal / LSY for each of the input of the image signal and the output of the image signal.
NC, line gate signal / LGATE, pixel clock V
It has a generation mechanism for generating CL, and by performing phase adjustment and the like in the case of directly outputting a read image, various input / output combinations of image signals can be realized.

Next, the internal details of the memory controller 76 and the image memory 81 in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. However, FIG. 8 shows the details of the individual storage devices of the storage means in the first embodiment, and the image memories are also individually connected to the storage devices. Each storage device and means for controlling input / output of image signals to / from each storage device will be described later. The operation examples of input and output of image signals described below are also applied to individual storage devices.

The data input / output control unit 82 includes an input data selector 83, an image synthesis unit 84, a primary compression / decompression unit 85,
An output data selector 86 and a secondary compression / decompression unit 87 are provided. The setting of the control data in each section 83 to 87 is performed by the CPU.
77. The addresses and data in FIG. 8 are for the image signal, and in FIG.
Data and addresses input / output to / from 7 are not shown.

The image memory 88 is a primary storage unit.
Secondary storage device 89 and secondary storage device 9 as a secondary storage unit
Consists of zero. The primary storage device 89 is configured to write an image signal into a specified area of the memory or read an image signal from a specified area of the memory when reading the image signal, which is substantially equal to the image signal transfer speed required when inputting / outputting an image signal. For example, a memory that can be accessed at high speed, such as a DRAM, is used so that synchronization can be performed. Further, the primary storage device 89 has a configuration (an interface unit with the main controller 76) that can be divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of an image signal to be processed and can simultaneously execute input / output of a plurality of image signals. I have.

The secondary storage device 90 is a large-capacity memory for storing image signals for synthesizing and sorting input image signals. If the primary storage device 89 has a sufficient capacity to process the image signal, 2
Input / output of image signals to / from the next storage device 90 is not performed. 2
If the next storage device 90 can write / read the image signal substantially in synchronization with the image signal transfer speed required at the time of image signal input / output, the input / output image signal is directly written to the secondary storage device 90, Alternatively, it can be read from the secondary storage device 90. In addition, it is possible to perform processing of an image signal without distinction between the primary storage device 89 and the secondary storage device 90.

When the secondary storage device 90 cannot write / read the image signal substantially in synchronization with the image signal transfer speed required at the time of inputting / outputting the image signal, for example, a hard disk Even when a storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk is used, the secondary storage device 9 is used.
By interposing the primary storage device 89 for inputting / outputting the image signal to / from 0, the image signal processing can be performed according to the image signal transfer capability of the secondary storage device 90.

With such a configuration, the storage element can be selected according to the image signal processing speed of the image forming apparatus, and the compression ratio and the expansion ratio differ depending on the image signal (the image signal access to the memory depends on the type of the image signal). Speed is different)
Even if such a method is adopted, it is possible to respond. Compression ratio,
If the expansion rate is variable, the capacity of the storage devices 89 and 90 may be saved.

Next, an operation example of the memory controller 76 will be described. Here, an example in which the secondary storage device 90 cannot perform writing / reading of an image signal substantially in synchronization with an image signal transfer speed required at the time of image signal input / output will be described. <1> Image signal input (storage of image signal in image memory) The input data selector 83 selects an image signal to be written into the image memory 88 (primary storage device 89) from a plurality of input image signals. I do. Input data selector 8
The image signal selected by 3 is supplied to the image synthesizing section 84, and is synthesized with the image signal already stored in the image memory 88 as necessary. The image signal processed by the image synthesizing unit 84 is compressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 85 and written to the primary storage device 89. The image signal written in the primary storage device 89 is further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 87 as necessary, and then the secondary storage device 90
Is stored in <2> Output of Image Signal (Reading of Image Signal from Image Memory 88) When outputting the image signal, the image signal stored in the primary storage device 89 is read. If the image signal to be output is stored in the primary storage device 89, the image signal to be output is read from the primary storage device 89 and
The image is expanded by the next compression / expansion unit 85 and the expanded image signal, or the expanded image signal and the image signal selected by the input data selector 83 are combined by the image synthesis unit 8.
4 are selected by the output data selector 86 and output.

The image synthesizing section 84 synthesizes an image signal read from the primary storage device 89 and expanded by the primary compression / expansion section 85 with an input image signal from the input data selector 83 (image synthesizing section). 84 has the function of adjusting the phase of the image signal), selecting the output destination of the synthesized image signal (image signal output, writing back to the primary storage device 89, simultaneous output to both output destinations is also possible) ).

The image signal to be output is stored in the primary storage device 8.
9 is not stored in the secondary storage device 90, the image signal to be output stored in the secondary storage device 90 is read out from the secondary storage device 90, decompressed by the secondary compression / decompression section 87, and is stored in the primary storage device. After writing in the device 89, the same image signal output operation as described above is performed.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of the storage means in the first embodiment, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show operation timings of an operation example of inputting an image signal to the storage means. The storage means includes two or more storage devices, for example, two storage devices 91,
92, input data selector 93, output data selector 9
The storage device 91 includes the data input / output control unit 82 and the image memory 88 described above, and the storage device 92 includes the data input / output control unit 82 and the data input / output control unit 95 similar to the image memory 88 described above. It comprises an image memory 96. The control data is set in the input data selector 93 and the output data selector 94 by the CPU 77.

The input data selector 93 includes a selector 74
, An image signal is input by the CPU 77, an image signal is input from the storage devices 91 and 92, and these input image signals are selected and output to the storage devices 91 and 92. Input 2 output selector. When image signals from the storage devices 91 and 92 are input to the input data selector 93, the storage device 9
For example, an image signal can be input and output between the storage devices 91 and 92 by outputting the image signal from the storage device 1 to the storage device 92. The output data selector 94 includes storage devices 91 and 9
2 is a two-input, two-output selector that selects these input image signals and outputs them to the selector 74 or the CPU 77. By providing a plurality of storage devices in the storage means, a plurality of image signals can be input and output simultaneously.

FIG. 9 shows the operation when the storage means has one storage device when a plurality of image signals are input to the storage means, and FIG. 10 shows the operation when the plurality of image signals are input to the storage means. The operation when the means has two storage devices is shown. When the storage means has one storage device, a request for a first data input of image signal 1 (data input 1) and a request for first data input of image signal 2 (data input 2) as shown in FIG. Occur simultaneously, since there is only one storage device, one of the data inputs (data input 1 and data input 2 in FIG. 9) in response to two data input requests.
Of these, only data input 1) can be performed, so that the timing for actually executing the input operation in response to the request for data input 2 that occurred at the same time is timing 1 shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the data input operation of the data input 1 cannot be started until the operation of the data input 2 (the first data input) is completed even in response to the request for the second data input of the data input 1. If a plurality of storage devices are provided as in the storage means of the first embodiment, the data input 1 is input to the storage device 91 and the data input 2 is input to the storage device 92 as shown in FIG. The time from input of the image signals to the end of the operation can be greatly reduced.

Next, the image signal data management of the secondary storage device of the storage device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, a hard disk (HDD), a magneto-optical disk,
It is assumed that a large-capacity rewritable storage medium such as a CD-RW is used.

Generally, a storage medium such as an HDD has a storage unit called a sector, and data is read / written in sector units. Therefore, this storage medium stores the used / unused state in units of sectors, secures a plurality of unused (data is not stored) sectors of a capacity required for inputting the image signal, and By inputting and managing the information on the secured position (address) and quantity of the sector, image signals can be managed.

However, the number of sectors of the storage medium becomes very large due to the increase in the storage capacity of the storage medium, and the amount of data (memory capacity) required to manage the state in sector units becomes enormous. . In the image forming apparatus, the time required for inputting / outputting data to / from the storage device is directly related to the productivity of the image forming apparatus (productivity of the image formed product). Therefore, the management data is minimized and the processing time is reduced. This is a problem for improving the productivity of the image forming apparatus.

Therefore, data input / output management is performed by using a storage area having substantially the same size as the size (data amount) of an image signal as a minimum storage unit (usually called a cluster), so that management data is minimized. It is possible to
The processing time can be reduced according to the capacity of the image signal. Also,
If the amount of management data is small, the management data is not written and stored in the storage medium, but is stored in a memory (RAM or the like) directly connected to the CPU 77 that controls the storage device, so that the data can be further referenced. Time can be greatly reduced.

FIG. 12 shows the minimum storage unit (cluster) described above.
2 shows a configuration of a data table (minimum storage unit management data table 302) that manages the state of. The minimum storage unit management data table 302 stores 1-bit data (minimum storage unit management data 30) for one minimum storage unit.
3) and is composed of data of the number obtained by dividing the entire storage area by the minimum storage unit. The minimum storage unit management data 303 stores a state where the target minimum storage unit is unused or unavailable (in use or defective).

FIG. 11 shows the structure of a data table (image signal management data table 300) for managing image signals. This image signal management data table 30
Numeral 0 is composed of a data group (image signal management data 301) necessary for image signal management, and has an array structure capable of inputting image signal management data 301 of the number of input image signals.

The image signal management data 301 has the following data. Image signal ID: a unique number required to identify the image signal. -Storage start address: the start address of the storage area where the image signal is stored. The address is the address of the minimum storage unit in FIG. Storage end address: End address of the storage area where the image signal is stored. The address is the address of the minimum storage unit in FIG. -Image size: The size of the input image. Since the image signal is stored as one-dimensional data in the normal storage area, two-dimensional (vertical and horizontal) size data necessary for reading from the secondary storage device to the primary storage device as two-dimensional data is stored. Is stored. Image attribute data: image attribute data required when outputting the input image data. For example, recording density, image quantization number, etc.

Next, the relationship between the management data and the actual image signal input / output operation will be described. [At the time of image signal input] The CPU 77 secures a storage area required for image input of the image memory based on the image input request. The CPU 77 sets the minimum storage unit management data table 3
02, a plurality of minimum storage units corresponding to the capacity required for unused image input are secured, and the management data 303 of each secured minimum storage unit is set to be unusable. Next, C
The PU 77 stores the start address (storage start address) and the end address (storage end address) of the plurality of secured minimum storage units in the image signal management data 301, and stores other configuration data (image signal ID, image size, image attribute). After the setting of the data, the image signal input / output operation to the storage medium is started. [At the time of image signal output] The CPU 77 searches for an image signal that has been input to the image memory based on the image output request, and
After the image signal is read from the storage medium of the secondary storage device to the primary storage device, the image signal is output from the primary storage device. The CPU 77 searches the minimum storage unit management data table 302 and compares the image signal ID stored in the image signal management data 301 with the image signal ID of the output request. The address, the image size, and the image attribute data are read, and the data is read from the storage medium of the secondary storage device to the primary storage device. The CPU 77 does not update the image signal management data 301 and the minimum storage unit management data 303 when outputting the image signal. [When deleting an image signal] The CPU 77 deletes the image signal management data of the image signal ID to be deleted from the image signal management data table 300 when deleting the image signal, and sets the minimum storage unit to the minimum storage unit management data table 302. Set unused data in the management data. The CPU 77
If necessary, the data in the storage medium is initialized, and the operation of deleting the image signal ends.

The first embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1, and includes a reading unit 6 as at least one or more image input means for inputting an image, an external device (an external device viewed from the image forming apparatus). Device), a primary storage unit 89 as a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input unit, and storing the image signals input to the primary storage unit 89 A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices 91 and 92 each including a secondary storage device 90 as a secondary storage unit for performing image processing, an image signal input by the image input unit,
Alternatively, an image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image signal stored in the storage device on a recording surface and outputting the image signal input by the image input means or the image signal stored in the storage device to an external device ( An image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output means capable of outputting to an external device as viewed from the storage means), wherein the secondary storage unit of the storage apparatus is input as a single storage area. Since the signal management is performed, it is possible to reduce the data required for managing the image signal. Therefore, the management data is stored outside the secondary storage unit (for example, in a memory (RAM) connected to the CPU 77 that controls input / output of signals in the secondary storage unit), and a storage area or a free area of the input image signal is stored. It is relatively easy to speed up the search for. As a result, it is possible to improve the productivity of the image forming apparatus without largely changing the configuration of the image forming apparatus to which the storage unit is connected.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first embodiment is intended to simplify the data search process required for inputting and outputting image signals by controlling the secondary storage device as a single storage area. Means, for example, a printer (imaging means)
When the image data of the input unit (reading unit 6) of the data input and the copy function is managed, if the entire storage area is used for the data input of the printer, the storage unit cannot be used in the copy operation. Can be considered.

The second embodiment solves this problem and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of dividing a storage area of a secondary storage device of a storage device into a plurality of parts and managing image signals. I do. To manage multiple storage areas,
The storage area management data table shown in FIG. 13 is required.

FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a data table (storage area management data table 304) for managing each divided storage area of the secondary storage device. The storage area management data table 304 is composed of a data group (storage signal management data 305) necessary for storage area management, and has an array structure capable of inputting storage area management data of the number of storage areas.

The storage signal management data 305 has the following data. Storage area ID: a unique number required to identify a storage area. . -Storage area start address: Start address of the storage area. The address is the address of the minimum storage unit in FIG. Storage end address: End (end) address of the storage area. The address is the address of the minimum storage unit in FIG. -Minimum storage unit size: The minimum storage unit size of the storage area. Storage area management data: attribute data necessary for management of storage areas other than the above data. For example, the number of defective areas (minimum storage units) of the target storage area, addresses, usable area data, and the like.

Although not particularly shown, by creating an image signal management data table for each storage area, the image signal management data can be individually searched, thereby improving the data processing efficiency. The relationship between the management data and the actual image signal input / output operation when the image signal management data table is created for each storage area will be described below.
In the description of the second embodiment, only the part related to the storage area management data table 304 shown in FIG. 13 will be mainly described, and the description of the part overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. [At the time of image signal input] The CPU 77 secures a storage area required for image input of the image memory based on the image input request. First, the CPU 77 specifies a storage area from the contents of the image input request, and based on the storage area start address and the storage end address in the storage signal management data 305 of the specified storage area, the contents of the minimum storage unit management data table 302. To secure a plurality of minimum storage units of a capacity required for inputting an unused image in the storage area, and set the management data 303 of the secured minimum storage unit management to be unusable.

Next, the CPU 77 stores the start address (storage start address) and end address (storage end address) of the plurality of minimum storage units secured in the image signal management data 301 in the specified storage area, and stores the other addresses. After setting the configuration data, the operation of inputting / outputting the image signal to / from the storage medium is started. [At the time of outputting an image signal] Based on an image output request, the CPU 77 searches for image signal management data in a storage area in which an image signal already input to the image memory is stored. CPU
77 searches the image signal management data table 300,
Image signal ID stored in image signal management data 301
Is compared with the image signal ID of the image output request, and the address of the storage area,
And read out the image size and the image attribute data, and read out the data from the storage medium of the secondary storage device to the primary storage device. The CPU 77 does not update the image signal management data 301 and the minimum storage unit management data 303 when outputting the image signal.

Since the storage area is specified by the image signal output request, the CPU 77 does not refer to the storage signal management data 305 when outputting the image signal. When the search is completed, the CPU 77 outputs the image signal from the primary storage device after reading the image signal from the storage medium of the secondary storage device to the primary storage device. [Deletion of Image Signal] The CPU 77 deletes the image signal management data of the image signal ID to be deleted from the image signal management data table 300 when deleting the image signal, and manages the minimum storage unit of the image signal ID to be deleted. Set unused data in the data. The CPU 77 initializes the data in the storage medium if necessary, and ends the operation of deleting the image signal.

The second embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 2, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the secondary storage section 90 of the storage devices 91 and 92 is provided with a plurality of storage areas. And a CPU 77 as means for selectively inputting and outputting image signals to and from the plurality of storage areas.
Since the image signals input to the divided storage areas are managed, the divided storage areas are allocated to the respective image input means, thereby occupying a specific image input means and securing a usable storage area. And the use efficiency of the image forming apparatus is reduced due to the lack of the storage area by another image input unit (for example, a phenomenon in which the printer cannot use all of the storage area to perform a copy sorting operation). Can be avoided.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a facsimile apparatus is connected to the second embodiment, and the facsimile apparatus uses a secondary storage device. Since this facsimile apparatus must always be able to receive image signals, the storage area of the secondary storage device must always be free. If the division of the storage area of the secondary storage device cannot be changed and the storage area of the secondary storage device is in use, and an image signal input request is received from the facsimile apparatus In this case, since the storage area of the secondary storage device cannot receive the image signal, the image signal cannot be received and the system cannot operate.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage device can be easily reduced to 0 in accordance with the configuration state of the image forming apparatus (the connection state of the facsimile apparatus or the like) in the second embodiment. A storage area division number changing means for changing to 1, 2, 3,... Is provided (the CPU 77 has a function of the storage area division number changing means). For this reason,
In the third embodiment, when a facsimile apparatus is connected, the storage area of the secondary storage apparatus can be secured by the facsimile apparatus storage area by the storage area division number changing unit, and the image signal can always be received. The operation can be guaranteed as a system.

The third embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the secondary storage unit 90 of the storage devices 91 and 92.
CPU 77 as means for changing the number of divisions of the storage area
Therefore, the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit can be changed according to the configuration of the image forming apparatus and the change thereof, and the respective effects of the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be selected. And the control efficiency of an image forming apparatus that can select and connect a plurality of image input units and image output units can be improved.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the above-mentioned third embodiment, the storage area division number changing means matches the number of storage areas of the secondary storage device with the number of image input means to make the storage area equal to the number of image input means. And the image input means are made to correspond to each other, and each storage area of the secondary storage device and each of the image input means correspond to each other so that the corresponding IDs are matched and managed. Accordingly, each image input unit can occupy a unique storage area, and thus each image input unit can use the storage device without interfering with each other.

The fourth embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 4, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device is determined by the Since the number of input means is made equal to the number of input means, each image input means can occupy a unique storage area in addition to the effects of the second and third embodiments.
The individual image input means can use the storage device without interfering with each other.

In each of the fifth embodiments of the present invention, the second
In the embodiments to the fourth embodiment, since the total of the divided storage areas of the secondary storage device only needs to be the total capacity of the secondary storage device, the management of each divided storage area shown in FIG. Data table (storage area management data table 304), storage signal management data 305
Storage capacity changing means for changing the capacity of the
U77 is provided with a function of a storage capacity changing unit), and the storage capacity changing unit considers the frequency of use of each image input unit connected to the image forming apparatus and the like. Set the size. This makes it possible to eliminate the unused storage area of the secondary storage device, and to set the storage area of the storage unit optimally according to the usage of the image forming apparatus.

The fifth embodiment is each embodiment of the invention according to claim 5, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4, the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device Since the CPU 77 is provided as a means for individually setting and changing the size of each divided storage area, each image input means can be used in consideration of the frequency of use of each image input means connected to the image forming apparatus. The size of the storage area to be occupied can be set, the unused storage area of the secondary storage device can be eliminated, and the optimum storage area of the storage means is set in accordance with the use form of the image forming apparatus. It becomes possible.

In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in the second embodiment, the storage area of the secondary storage device is divided for each image input means, and this divided storage area is freely assigned to each image input means. A means for disposing is provided, and the function of this means is provided to the CPU 77.

If the divided storage area of the secondary storage device is managed in the minimum access unit of the storage device, the management data amount becomes enormous and the access occurs frequently, so that the management is controlled as easily as possible. In general, a plurality of minimum access units of a storage device are managed in a unit (cluster).

For example, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG.
01 is 512 kilobytes, and if the data size of the image signal transferred from the image input means after the secondary compression by the secondary compression / decompression unit is 2 megabytes, the image signal after the secondary compression is stored. The area 402 has four used clusters. Therefore, the maximum number of clusters that can be secured in the storage area is the largest in the guaranteed number of storages in the divided storage area. Therefore, as the size of the divided storage area increases, the number of clusters increases and the number of storages increases.

However, if the storage area of the secondary storage device is divided into storage areas for each image input means in order to guarantee the number of stored images in the storage area for each image input means, the division is simply performed. Depending on the characteristics of the secondary storage device, the image formation speed, that is, the so-called C
There are cases where PM cannot be satisfied as specified. For example, there is a hard disk device as a secondary storage device, but the access speed of the hard disk is different between the outer circumference and the inner circumference, and the access speed is slow depending on the specified storage area, so that the CPM as specified cannot be achieved. There is also.

Therefore, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the storage area of the secondary storage device is divided for each image input means, and means for freely arranging the divided storage area in each image input means is provided. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the CPM as specified while securing the guaranteed number of storages in the storage area.
Although the frequency of use of the image input means differs depending on the user, a more optimal system can be provided by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means which is frequently used.

The sixth embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 6, wherein a reading unit 6 as at least one or more image input means for inputting an image, an external device (an external device viewed from the image forming apparatus). Device), a primary storage unit 89 as a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input unit, and storing the image signals input to the primary storage unit. 2 for
A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices 91 and 92 each including a secondary storage device 90 as a next storage unit, and an image signal input by the image input unit or an image stored in the storage device Image forming means for visualizing and outputting a signal on a recording surface, and at least one capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In the image forming apparatus having the above image output means, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and an image signal is selectively input / output to / from the plurality of divided storage areas. Means, and a means capable of freely arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit for each of the image input means, so that the frequency of use of the image input means differs depending on the user. However, by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the frequently used image input means, it is possible to provide a more optimal system.

Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus of each of the above-described embodiments having a plurality of image input / output means, it is desirable that the priority can be set for each image input / output means in accordance with the use situation. For example, when the copying function is mainly used, a storage area used by the copying function is sufficiently secured so that the operation efficiency is not reduced by other image input / output means. It is necessary to take measures to increase the processing speed of input / output of image signals.

Therefore, according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, when dividing the storage area of the secondary storage device according to the sixth embodiment, each image input means is assigned a priority and each storage area is arranged. The CPU 77 has the function of this means. Therefore, when each image input means conflicts with the same storage area when allocating each storage area, the storage areas are assigned by referring to the priority order, so that each image input means competes in the allocation of the storage means. Can be avoided. For this reason, even if the frequency of use of the image input unit differs depending on the user, a more optimal system can be provided by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input unit that is frequently used.

The seventh embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 7, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 6, the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit are stored in the respective image input devices. Since the means for arranging the means with priority is provided for each means, even if the frequency of use of the image input means differs depending on the user, by arranging the storage area having the highest performance in the frequently used image input means, It is possible to provide a more optimal system.

The eighth embodiment of the present invention is different from the sixth and seventh embodiments in that each of the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit has a priority for each image input means. When arranging the image input means, a storage area with a high access speed of the secondary storage unit is arranged for the image input means which is frequently used as a condition of the priority (the image input / output means has a higher access frequency. In a secondary storage device such as a hard disk, which has a storage medium having different access speeds on the outer and inner circumferences, the operator is conscious of the characteristics of the storage device. It is possible to always set the optimal storage area division setting without performing. For this reason, even if the frequency of use of the image input unit differs depending on the user, a more optimal system can be provided by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input unit that is frequently used.

The eighth embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 8, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit are stored in the respective image input devices. When arranging by giving priority to each means,
As a priority condition, a storage area with a high access speed of the secondary storage unit is arranged for an image input unit that is frequently used, so that the frequency of use is high even if the frequency of use of the image input unit differs depending on the user. By arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means, a more optimal system can be provided.

As described above, for example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the cluster unit 401 in which a plurality of minimum access units 400 are grouped is set to 512 kilobytes, and the secondary compression / decompression unit of the image signal transferred from the image input means. Assuming that the data size after secondary compression is 2 megabytes,
The storage area 402 for storing the image signal after the secondary compression uses four clusters. Therefore, the maximum number of clusters that can be secured in the storage area is the largest in the guaranteed number of storages in the divided storage area. Therefore, as the size of the divided storage area increases, the number of clusters increases and the number of storages increases.

However, the hard disk sometimes has a defective area on the disk where image signals cannot be read or written due to scratches on the disk or incomplete portions of the magnetic layer. When the number of defective areas in the hard disk increases, the number of clusters that can be secured also decreases, resulting in a decrease in the number of guaranteed storage.

Therefore, in a ninth embodiment of the present invention, in the above-mentioned seventh embodiment, the secondary storage device comprises a hard disk device, and internally stores a defective area generated during access to the secondary storage device. As a condition for dividing the storage area of the secondary storage device, means for arranging the storage area from the storage area with a small number of defective areas is provided, and the CPU 77 has the function of this means. Can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to allocate a storage area having a smaller number of defective areas to the image input means as the frequency of use thereof increases, and to provide the highest performance to the image input means having a high frequency of use even if the frequency of use of the image input means differs depending on the user. By arranging a storage area having a high storage area, a more optimal system can be provided.

The ninth embodiment is an embodiment of the ninth aspect of the present invention, in which a reading unit 6 as at least one or more image input means for inputting an image, an external device (an external device viewed from the image forming apparatus). Device), a primary storage unit 89 as a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input unit, and storing the image signals input to the primary storage unit. 2 for
A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices 91 and 92 each including a secondary storage device 90 as a next storage unit, and an image signal input by the image input unit or an image stored in the storage device Image forming means for visualizing and outputting a signal on a recording surface, and at least one capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In the image forming apparatus having the above image output means, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and an image signal is selectively input / output to / from the plurality of divided storage areas. Means for arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit freely for each of the image input means; and setting a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit to each of the image input means. Means for arranging the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit with priorities for each of the image input means. As a condition of the order, the storage area is arranged from the storage area having a small number of unwritable storage areas in the storage area, so that even if the frequency of use of the image input means differs depending on the user, the image input means having the highest use frequency has the highest performance. By arranging the storage areas, it is possible to provide a more optimal system.

Although the quantization attribute is an image attribute of the image input means, the data amount differs between a multi-valued image signal and a binary image signal. For example, in the case of a multi-valued image signal, the access speed is different between the outer circumference and the inner circumference of the hard disk due to the characteristics of the hard disk. If the storage area on the inner peripheral side of the slow hard disk is arranged in the image input means for handling multi-valued image signals, the specifications may not be satisfied.

Therefore, a tenth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the seventh embodiment, except that the secondary storage device is a hard disk drive, and a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit are provided for each image input means. When prioritizing and arranging, as a condition of this priority, the storage area on the outer peripheral side of the hard disk is preferentially arranged to the image input means having a large number of quantization of the image signal (the image input means can handle the image to be handled). A means for arranging a storage area on the outer peripheral side of the hard disk as the number of signal quantizations increases is provided, and the function of this means is provided to the CPU 77. It becomes possible. Therefore, the higher the quantization number of the image signal, the more the storage area on the outer peripheral side can be allocated to the image input means. By arranging the storage area with the highest performance, it is possible to provide a more optimal system.

This tenth embodiment is one embodiment of the invention according to claim 10, and includes at least one inputting image.
A reading unit 6 serving as one or more image input units, an external device (an external device as viewed from the image forming apparatus), and a primary storage unit serving as a primary storage unit for storing at least one image signal input from the image input unit There are at least two or more sets of storage devices 91 and 92 each including a primary storage device 89 and a secondary storage device 90 as a secondary storage portion for storing image signals input to the primary storage portion. Storage means, image forming means for visualizing an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device on a recording surface and outputting the image signal, and an image signal input by the image input means Or at least one image output unit capable of outputting an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device. Means for dividing the secondary storage unit into a plurality of storage areas, and selectively inputting and outputting image signals to and from the plurality of divided storage areas; and a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage section. Means that can be freely arranged for each of the image input means, and means for arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit with a priority order for each of the image input means, When arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit with priorities assigned to the respective image input units, the priority order is determined in order from the image input unit having the largest number of image signal quantizations. Since a storage area with a high access speed is arranged, even if the frequency of use of the image input means differs depending on the user, a more optimal system is arranged by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the frequently used image input means. Can provide The ability.

In the ninth and tenth embodiments, the secondary storage device may be a storage device having a storage medium such as an optical disk having different access speeds at the inner circumference and the outer circumference.

[0103]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the above configuration makes it possible to reduce data required for managing image signals, and to store management data outside the secondary storage unit. It is relatively easy to speed up the search of the storage area and the empty area of the stored and input image signal,
As a result, it is possible to improve the productivity of the image forming apparatus without largely changing the configuration of the image forming apparatus to which the storage unit is connected.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, with the above arrangement, each divided storage area is allocated to each image input means, thereby occupying a specific image input means and securing a usable storage area. Thus, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the utilization efficiency of the image forming apparatus due to the lack of the storage area by another image input unit.

According to the third aspect of the invention, with the above configuration, it is possible to change the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit according to the configuration of the image forming apparatus or the change thereof. It is possible to selectively enable the respective effects of the present invention and the invention according to claim 2, and to improve the control efficiency of an image forming apparatus that can select and connect a plurality of image input units and image output units. be able to.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, with the above-described configuration, in addition to the effects of the second and third aspects of the present invention, each image input means can occupy a unique storage area. This makes it possible to use the storage device without the individual image input means interfering with each other.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the size of the storage area occupied by each image input unit is set in consideration of the frequency of use of each image input unit connected to the image forming apparatus. Thus, the unused storage area of the secondary storage device can be eliminated, and the storage area of the storage unit can be optimally set according to the use form of the image forming apparatus.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, with the above structure, even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies from user to user, the storage area having the highest performance is arranged in the image input means with high use frequency. , A more optimal system can be provided.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies from user to user, the storage area having the highest performance is arranged in the image input means having a high use frequency. , A more optimal system can be provided.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, with the above configuration, even if the frequency of use of the image input means differs depending on the user, the storage area having the highest performance is arranged in the image input means having the highest use frequency. , A more optimal system can be provided.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies from user to user, the storage area having the highest performance is arranged in the image input means having a high use frequency. , A more optimal system can be provided.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the storage area having the highest performance is arranged in the frequently used image input means even if the frequency of use of the image input means differs depending on the user. , A more optimal system can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of a selector for an image signal for one page in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an IPU according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a memory controller according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining details of the inside of the image memory.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of inputting / outputting an image signal to / from the storage unit when the storage unit has one storage device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing operation timings of an operation example of inputting / outputting an image signal to / from a storage unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data table (image signal management data table 300) for managing image signals in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data table for managing a state of a minimum storage unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a storage area management data table according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a storage area of a secondary storage device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a storage area of the secondary storage device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 76 memory controller 77 CPU 81, 88, 96 image memory 82, 95 data input / output control unit 89 primary storage device 90 secondary storage device 91, 92 storage device

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Junji Uchigawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Osamu Kizaki 1-3-6, Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Equity In Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Yamazaki Ichi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Company Limited

Claims (10)

[Claims] At least one image input unit for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one image signal input from the image input unit, and an input to the primary storage unit Storage means having at least two or more sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing the image signals stored therein, and an image signal input by the image input means or an image stored in the storage device Image forming means for visualizing and outputting a signal on a recording surface, and at least one capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In the image forming apparatus having the above-described image output means, the image forming apparatus manages an image signal input using a secondary storage unit of the storage device as a single storage area. Apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said secondary storage section of said storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and means for selectively inputting and outputting image signals to and from said plurality of storage areas. An image forming apparatus for managing an image signal input to each of the divided storage areas. 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing a division number of a storage area of a secondary storage unit of said storage device. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device is made to match the number of the image input means. 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for individually setting and changing the size of each divided storage area of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of said storage device. An image forming apparatus comprising: 6. At least one or more image input means for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and an input to the primary storage unit Storage means having at least two or more sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing the image signals stored therein, and an image signal input by the image input means or an image stored in the storage device Image forming means for visualizing and outputting a signal on a recording surface, and at least one capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In the image forming apparatus having the above-described image output unit, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and an image is selectively provided to the plurality of divided storage areas. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for inputting / outputting a signal; and means capable of freely arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit for each of the image input means. 7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of said secondary storage section with priorities assigned to each of said image input means. Image forming apparatus. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit are arranged so as to have a priority order for each of the image input means, the priority order of the plurality of storage areas is determined. An image forming apparatus, wherein a storage area with a high access speed of the secondary storage unit is arranged for an image input unit frequently used as a condition. 9. An image input means for inputting an image, at least one image input means, a primary storage part for storing at least one image signal inputted from the image input means, and an input to the primary storage part. Storage means having at least two or more sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing the image signals stored therein, and an image signal input by the image input means or an image stored in the storage device Image forming means for visualizing and outputting a signal on a recording surface, and at least one capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In the image forming apparatus having the above-described image output unit, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and an image is selectively provided to the plurality of divided storage areas. Means for inputting and outputting signals, means for freely arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit for each of the image input means, and means for dividing the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit Means for arranging a plurality of storage areas of the secondary storage unit with priorities for each of the image input means. An image forming apparatus, wherein as a condition of the priority order, the storage area is arranged from a storage area having a small number of non-writable defective storage areas in the storage area. 10. An image input means for inputting an image, at least one image input means, a primary storage section for storing at least one image signal input from the image input means, and an input to the primary storage section. 2 for storing the obtained image signal
A storage unit having at least two or more sets of storage devices each including a next storage unit; and an image signal input by the image input unit or an image signal stored in the storage device, visualized on a recording surface and output. Image forming means, and at least one or more image output means capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device Means for dividing the secondary storage unit of the storage device into a plurality of storage areas, and selectively inputting and outputting image signals to and from the plurality of divided storage areas;
Means for freely arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the next storage unit for each of the image input means, and giving priority to the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit for each of the image input means. Means for arranging the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit with a priority order for each of the image input means. An image forming apparatus in which storage areas having a high access speed are arranged in order from an image input unit having a large quantization number.