JP2000278492A - Simple operation type image reader and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a hand scanner small-sized and light in weight without bringing about a drastic cost increase and to allow a user to confirm the state of use of a memory. SOLUTION: A hand scanner B is composed independently and in a communicable way with a device main body A having a displaying part 14 and can accumulate image data obtained by reading from manuscript paper in a transfer memory B2 to transfer it to the body A, and a control part B1 has a function detecting a use situation, such as the memory residual quantity of the memory B2. The part B1 also transmits a display control signal, together with a memory situation to the body A in order to show the memory situation detected in that way. In the body A, the memory residual quantity of the memory B2 or the like is shown in the part 14, when the display control signal is received.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a simple operation type image reader called a so-called hand scanner, which is detachable or portable from a facsimile apparatus body, and the simple operation type image reader. The present invention relates to an image processing device such as a facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called hand scanner, which is detachable from a facsimile apparatus main body or portable, has a transfer memory for transferring image data obtained by reading from a document sheet to the facsimile apparatus main body. This type of transfer memory tends to have a large capacity in order to read a plurality of original sheets at once and transfer a large amount of image data.

In addition, since a recent general hand scanner is required to be reduced in size and weight in addition to cost reduction, only a limited number of LEDs indicating an operation mode and the like are provided. It has a very simple configuration.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional hand scanner, a plurality of original sheets can be read with the increase in the capacity of the transfer memory, but the transfer memory decreases as the number of read sheets increases. The user could not confirm the remaining amount. It is very convenient for the user if such a remaining memory can be confirmed. However, if a display means for displaying the remaining memory is provided in the hand scanner, not only does the cost increase, but also the hand scanner becomes smaller and lighter. There was a problem that was contrary to.

[0005] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and enables a reduction in size and weight without incurring a significant increase in cost, and allows a user to confirm the use status of a memory. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple operation type image reader and an image processing apparatus provided with the simple operation type image reader.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a simple operation type image reader according to the present invention is independently constituted so as to be able to communicate with another apparatus main body having a display means. A simple operation type image reader capable of storing image data obtained by reading from an original sheet in a transfer memory and transferring the image data to the other apparatus main body, wherein a memory status detection for detecting a use status of the transfer memory; Means, and memory status transmitting means for transmitting the memory status detected by the memory status detecting means to the other device main body.

[0007] According to such a simple operation type image reader, there is no need to provide a display means in itself, and the memory status is displayed on the display means of another apparatus main body which has received the use status of the transfer memory. Therefore, the size and weight can be reduced without significantly increasing the cost of providing a display unit in the image reader, and the user can confirm the use status of the transfer memory by using another apparatus main body. be able to.

[0008] Further, a simple operation type image reader according to a second aspect of the present invention is the simple operation type image reader according to the first aspect, wherein the memory status detecting means comprises:
When reading the original paper, the remaining amount of the transfer memory, which decreases as the number of read sheets increases, is detected as the memory status.

According to such a simple operation type image reader, in addition to the effect of the simple operation type image reader according to the first aspect, the remaining amount of the transfer memory at the time of reading the original paper is reduced. Since the information is displayed on the display means of the apparatus main body, the user using the image reader can perform the reading operation conveniently while confirming the displayed remaining amount of memory and the number of sheets read.

Further, a simple operation type image reader according to a third aspect of the present invention is the simple operation type image reader according to the first or second aspect, wherein the memory status transmitting means comprises: The memory status is transmitted to the other apparatus main body when the image reading device itself is changed from the readable state of the original paper to the non-use state, or is changed from the non-use state to the readable state. ing.

According to such a simple operation type image reader, in addition to the effect of the simple operation type image reader according to claim 1 or 2, the image reader itself can read the original paper. When the state is changed from the normal state to the non-use state, the memory status is displayed on the display means of the other apparatus main body for a predetermined time, for example, so that in a specific usage state, the image reader is placed in a predetermined holder or the like. By returning to the non-use state, the memory status can be checked at a glance as needed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a simple operation type image reader according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the memory status transmission is performed. The means transmits the memory status in response to an instruction from the other device main body.

According to the image reader of the simple operation type, in addition to the effect of the image reader of the simple operation type according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in addition to the effect of the image reader of another apparatus, Since the memory status is displayed on the display means of the main body of the apparatus in response to the instruction, it is not necessary to provide a key or the like for instructing the display of the memory status on the image reader side, and the image reader becomes smaller and lighter. Can be further improved.

Further, a simple operation type image reader according to the invention of claim 5 is the simple operation type image reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The memory status transmitting means transmits a display control signal for instructing the display means of the other device main body to immediately display the memory status together with the memory status.

According to such a simple operation type image reader, in addition to the effect of the simple operation type image reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the display means of the apparatus main body is controlled. Since the display control signal to be transmitted is transmitted together with the memory status, the apparatus main body can reliably display the memory status in response to the reception of the display control signal.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to perform various kinds of data processing and to provide a display unit for displaying related information during such processing, and to communicate with the apparatus main body. And an image reader of a simple operation type, which is configured to be independent of the image forming apparatus and is capable of storing image data obtained by reading from an original sheet in a transfer memory and transferring the image data to the apparatus main body. A memory status detecting means for detecting the use status of the transfer memory by the operation type image reader, a memory status transmitting means for transmitting the memory status detected by the memory status detecting means to the apparatus main body, The memory status from the memory status transmission means is received by the device main body,
A memory status display control means for displaying the memory status on the display means in the apparatus main body.

According to such an image processing apparatus, it is not necessary to provide a display means in the image reader of the simple operation type, and the memory status is displayed on the display means of the apparatus main body which has received the use status of the transfer memory. , Without incurring a significant cost increase such as providing a display means in the image reader.
The size and weight of the image reader can be reduced, and the user can confirm the use status of the transfer memory by using the apparatus main body.

Further, the image processing device according to the present invention is the image processing device according to the present invention, wherein the memory status detecting means is configured to be configured such that each time the number of read sheets increases when reading a document sheet, The decreasing remaining amount of the transfer memory is detected as a memory condition.

According to such an image processing apparatus, in addition to the effect of the image processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the remaining amount of the transfer memory at the time of reading the original paper is displayed on the display means of the apparatus main body. Therefore, the user using the image reader can perform the reading operation conveniently while confirming the displayed remaining memory capacity and the number of read sheets.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the memory status transmitting means is configured such that the image reader itself is a document sheet. The memory status is transmitted to the main body of the apparatus by changing from the readable state to the non-use state or from the non-use state to the readable state.

According to such an image processing apparatus, in addition to the effects of the image processing apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the image reader itself is changed from a state in which the original sheet can be read to a non-use state. Then, for example, the memory status is displayed on the display means of the apparatus main body for a predetermined second, for example, in a specific usage status, the image reader is returned to a predetermined holder or the like to be in a non-use state, The memory status can be checked at a glance as needed.

Further, an image processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the memory status transmitting means is provided from the apparatus main body side. Is transmitted in response to the instruction.

According to such an image processing apparatus, in addition to the effects of the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the memory status is changed in accordance with an instruction from another apparatus main body. Since the image is displayed on the display means of the apparatus main body, there is no need to provide a key or the like for instructing the display of the memory status on the image reader side, and the size and weight of the image reader can be further reduced.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus as an embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. Here, as the image processing apparatus, a facsimile apparatus provided with a so-called hand scanner (simple operation type image reader) is applied, but in the following description, an image reading function using the hand scanner will be emphasized. It shall be explained in. The facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment is a multifunctional peripheral apparatus having a function as a peripheral input / output device such as a personal computer, or a function as a copy machine used alone in addition to a facsimile transmission / reception function for main use.

As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus comprises:
The apparatus includes an apparatus main body A and a hand scanner B that can be detached independently of the apparatus main body A. The apparatus main body A includes a CPU 1, an NCU 2, a RAM 3, a modem 4,
It has a ROM 5, an EEPROM 6, a gate array 7, a codec 8, a DMAC 9, a recording unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and the like. CPU1, NCU2, RA
M3, modem 4, ROM 5, EEPROM 6, gate array 7, codec 8, and DMAC 9 are connected to bus 1
5 are interconnected. The bus line 15 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line.
The gate array 7 includes a hand scanner B, a recording unit 12,
The operation unit 13 and the display unit 14 are connected. The hand scanner B has a control unit B1, a transfer memory B2, an image reading unit B3, and the like, which are connected to each other. The hand scanner B is connected to the apparatus main body A by a cable or a wireless system.

In the apparatus main assembly A, the CPU 1
The operation of the apparatus main body A is mainly controlled. The NCU 2 is connected to the public telephone line 16 and performs network control. RAM3
The power supply is backed up by a rechargeable battery or the like, and provides a work area for the CPU 1 and a storage area for various data. The modem 4 modulates and demodulates facsimile data. The ROM 5 stores various programs and data such as set values. The EEPROM 6 stores various flags, setting data, and the like. The gate array 7
It functions as an input / output interface of the CPU 1 and can be connected to a personal computer or the like via the gate array 7. The codec 8 performs encoding and decoding of facsimile data. DMAC 9 has R
Write and read data to and from AM3.

The recording section 12 has a function of reproducing an image on a recording sheet by a printing means such as an ink jet method or a thermal transfer method. The operation unit 13 includes a group of key switches such as numeric keys and character keys, and transmits a signal input and operated by the user to the CPU 1 as necessary. The display unit 14 is a display device such as an LCD, and displays various operation states under the control of the CPU 1.

In the other hand scanner B, a control section B1 is an electronic circuit for controlling the operation of the entire scanner B. The control section B1 exchanges image data and various signals with the apparatus main body A. Interface function for performing the operation. The transfer memory B2 is, for example, a RAM
A storage device that can read and write at a relatively high speed, and is provided for temporarily storing a large amount of image data obtained from a plurality of original sheets and transferring the image data to the apparatus main body A. Have been. The image reading unit B3 reads an original sheet to generate image data, and includes a line image sensor, an encoder, and the like. That is, the hand scanner B reads the image by being manually operated facing the original paper, and transmits the image data corresponding to the read number obtained by the reading to the apparatus main body A via the transfer memory B2. . Note that the hand scanner B is provided with a start / stop key for notifying the control unit B1 of the start or stop of reading by the user, and a data transfer key and a memory status confirmation key, which will be described later, are provided. As a means, an LED for indicating the operation mode is simply provided.

Briefly explaining the gist of the present invention,
The device main body A is provided with a display section 14 as a display means, while the hand scanner B is not provided with any display means other than the LEDs. Then, when reading the original sheets one by one using the hand scanner B, the image data of the read number is transmitted to the apparatus main body A at a time via the transfer memory B2. The transmitted image data is handled as facsimile transmission data in the apparatus main body A, scanned data to be taken into a personal computer, or simply copied data.

While the original sheets are read one by one in this manner, the image data is accumulated in the transfer memory B2 of the hand scanner B every time the number of read sheets increases, so that the remaining amount of the transfer memory B2 decreases. Becomes
After the use status of the transfer memory B2 is detected by the control unit B1, it is transmitted to the apparatus main body A together with a display control signal via the control unit B1. Upon receiving the display control signal, the CPU 1 of the apparatus main body A displays the memory status transmitted from the hand scanner B, that is, the remaining amount of the transfer memory B2 in the hand scanner B, the number of readings according to the remaining memory amount, and the like. Displayed at 14. As a result, the user can perform the reading operation while confirming the remaining amount of the transfer memory B2 and the number of read sheets in the hand scanner B on the display unit 14 of the apparatus main body A.

That is, the control unit B1 of the hand scanner B transmits a memory status detecting means for detecting the use status of the transfer memory B2 and the memory status detected by the memory status detecting means to another apparatus main body A. And a memory status transmission unit.

Further, the CPU 1 in the apparatus main body A receives the memory status from the memory status transmitting means in the apparatus main body A and displays the memory status on the display means in the apparatus main body A. Has been realized.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus having the above-described configuration, particularly, the operation procedure for reading an image from a document sheet using the hand scanner B will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a data receiving process for receiving various data from the hand scanner B in the apparatus main body A. As shown in FIG. First, the device body A
It is determined whether or not is ready to transmit and receive data to and from the hand scanner B (S10). This determination is made based on a sensor signal transmitted when the hand scanner B is mounted on a mounting table or holder (not shown), for example.
It is performed by When data transmission and reception are performed by connecting both with a connection code or the like, it can be determined by detecting whether or not the connection is made with this connection code. When data is transmitted and received wirelessly, it can be determined by confirming whether or not the hand scanner B is within an area where data can be transmitted and received by transmitting and receiving temporary signals.

If the mode is the data reception mode (S10: Y
ES), the CPU 1 proceeds to a process of waiting for reception of a signal from the hand scanner B (S11).

In the signal waiting process, when a display control signal described later is received from the hand scanner B (S1).
2: YES), the CPU 1 temporarily stores the data regarding the memory status sent with the display control signal in the RAM 3.
To be stored. Then, based on the data, the CPU 1
Switches the display state at that time on the display unit 14 and causes the display unit 14 to display the use status of the transfer memory B2 in the hand scanner B (S13). At this time, the signal regarding the memory status transmitted from the hand scanner B includes information indicating the remaining amount of the transfer memory B2. As an example, the display unit 14 displays the remaining memory amount of the transfer memory B2 as “ A message such as "memory remaining: 60%" or message information such as "5 pages are being read" based on the remaining memory is displayed. Note that these pieces of message information may be alternately displayed. Also, such a display control signal is
It may be issued by operating a predetermined key on the operation unit 13 of the apparatus main body A.

During the display process of the memory status, the CPU 1 determines whether there is a request to end the display of the memory status due to a timeout of the display time or another operation performed by the user (S14). . here,
Other operations by the user include, for example, pressing a predetermined key and removing the hand scanner B from the mounting table or holder. That is, in a situation where the user has read a plurality of documents using the hand scanner B, there is a case where the user wants to know how much memory is remaining in the hand scanner B. In such a case, the processes of S11 to S13 are executed by temporarily stopping the reading operation and returning the hand scanner B to the mounting table. Thereby, the user can use the display unit 14 of the apparatus main body A.
, The remaining amount of memory can be recognized, and if the remaining amount is sufficient, the hand scanner B can be removed from the mounting table again to resume reading, and the display on the display unit 14 also ends accordingly. It will be.

If it is determined that there is a memory status display end request (S14: YES), the CPU 1 ends the display of the message information on the memory status on the display unit 14 (S14).
15) While returning the display unit 14 to the original display state again,
Returning to step 11, the signal waiting process is continued. Such display of the memory status on the display unit 14 is performed within a short time span of a predetermined second. This allows the user to check at a glance the memory status such as the remaining memory capacity as needed.

If it is determined in S14 that there is no request to end the display of the memory status (S14: NO), the CPU 1 proceeds to S14.
13, the display of the message information relating to the memory status is continued. That is, the memory status is displayed on the display unit 14 until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the display.

If no display control signal is received from the hand scanner B in S12 (S12: NO), the CPU
Reference numeral 1 denotes a transfer request for image data stored in the transfer memory B2 of the hand scanner B in response to a data transfer key being operated by the user on the hand scanner B or a transfer operation of the user on the apparatus main body A. It is determined whether or not there is (S16).

When there is a request for data transfer (S1
6: YES), the CPU 1 receives the image data transmitted from the hand scanner B accordingly (S1).
7).

Then, the CPU 1 shifts to a process for outputting the received image data (S18), and ends the operation relating to the data receiving process. In the data output process of S18, for example, image data is transmitted from the recording unit 12 by facsimile transmission, output to a personal computer as scanning data, or treated as simple copy data.

In S16, when there is no data transfer request (S16: NO), the CPU 1 returns to S11 and continues to wait for reception of a signal from the hand scanner B.

In S10, if the mode is not the data reception mode (S10: NO), CPU 1 waits without starting the data reception processing.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flow charts showing an operation procedure when the image reading process and the data transfer process are performed separately as an example of the processing operation performed by the hand scanner B. Such an image reading process and a data transfer process are performed separately. The hand scanner B is taken out to a place where data cannot be transmitted / received to / from the apparatus main body A, and the data is read therefrom. It is assumed that the remaining amount is checked.

First, in the image reading process shown in FIG.
The control unit B1 of the hand scanner B determines whether the user has operated the start key (S20).
When the start key is operated, the control unit B1 determines that the reading of the document sheet has been started by the user.

When the start key is operated (S20:
YES), the control section B1 performs a process of reading an image from one document sheet until a stop key described later is operated by the user (S21). In the image reading process for one sheet, the image data read by the raster scanning method is sequentially transferred to the transfer memory B2 via the image reading unit B3.
Is accumulated in

In the image reading process for one sheet, the control section B1 determines whether or not the user has operated the stop key (S22).

When the stop key is operated (S22: Y
ES), the control unit B1 sets the image data read at the time of operation of the stop key as one image data to the transfer memory B
2 (S23).

After storing one sheet of image data in the transfer memory B2, the control unit B1 detects the remaining memory in the transfer memory B2 (S24), and ends the operation related to the image reading processing. The memory remaining amount thus detected indicates the storage capacity necessary for storing the image data of the next and subsequent sheets. By repeating this series of processing, a plurality of sheets can be read. Accompanying this, data relating to the remaining memory is also updated one after another.

If the stop key is not operated in S22 (S22: NO), the control section B1 returns to S21 and continues the image reading processing for one sheet until the stop key is operated.

When the start key is not operated in S20 (S20: NO), the control section B1 waits until the user operates the start key.

After the image data is stored in the transfer memory B2 as described above, the data transfer process shown in FIG. 4 is performed. In this data transfer process, the hand scanner B
The control unit B1 determines whether or not data can be transferred to the apparatus main body A (S30). This judgment is shown in FIG.
Is the same as the judgment of the CPU 1 in the apparatus main body A shown in FIG.

When data transfer is possible (S30: Y
ES), the control unit B1 determines whether or not there is a memory status confirmation request to the display unit 14 of the apparatus main unit A in response to the operation of the memory status confirmation key by the user or the elapse of a predetermined time. Is determined (S31).

If it is determined that there is a memory status confirmation request by operating a memory status confirmation key or the like (S31: Y
ES), the control unit B1 transmits the remaining memory amount detected in S24 of FIG. 3 to the apparatus main unit A, and displays a memory status regarding the remaining memory amount on the display unit 14. Is transmitted to the apparatus body A (S3
2). This S32 corresponds to the processing when S12 shown in FIG. 2 is YES. The memory status confirmation key is
It may be provided in the operation unit 13 of the apparatus main body A without being provided in the hand scanner B. Then, the size and weight of the hand scanner B can be further reduced. Further, as described above, the display control signal and the like may be transmitted by setting the hand scanner B on the mounting table or the holder again without operating the memory status confirmation key or the like.

Further, the control unit B1 receives a request to transfer the image data stored in the transfer memory B2 in response to the operation of the data transfer key by the user or the transfer operation of the user in the apparatus main body A. It is determined whether or not (S33).

When there is a request for data transfer (S3
3: YES), the control unit B1
2 is transmitted to the apparatus main body A (S34), and the operation related to the data transfer processing ends. This S34 corresponds to the process of S17 shown in FIG.

In S33, if there is no request for data transfer (S33: NO), the control section B1 returns to S30 again and enters the standby state.

If it is determined in S31 that there is no memory status confirmation request without operating the memory status confirmation key or the like (S31: NO), the control section B1 skips S32 and proceeds to S33. When a display control signal is automatically transmitted after a lapse of a predetermined time from the state in which data can be transferred, the control unit B1 performs display for displaying the memory status on the display unit 14 without skipping S32. The control signal may be transmitted to the apparatus main body A.

In S30, when data transfer is not possible (S30: NO), control unit B1 waits without starting this data transfer process.

On the other hand, as another example of the processing operation performed by the hand scanner B, a case where the image reading processing and the data transfer processing are performed consecutively as shown in FIG. 5 is also assumed. In this case, the hand scanner B and the apparatus main body A are in a state where data can be transmitted and received to and from each other. The processing operation of the hand scanner B in such a state will be described below. Note that processing operations similar to those in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be briefly described.

As an operation based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the control section B1 of the hand scanner B determines whether or not the user has operated the start key (S40).

When the start key is operated (S40:
YES), the controller B1 performs a process of reading an image from one document sheet until a user operates a stop key described later (S41).

In the image reading process for one sheet, the control section B1 determines whether or not the user has operated the stop key (S42).

When the stop key is operated (S42: Y
ES), the control unit B1 sets the image data read at the time of operation of the stop key as one image data to the transfer memory B
2 (S43).

After one image data is stored in the transfer memory B2 in this way, the controller B1 detects the remaining memory in the transfer memory B2 (S44).

After detecting the remaining amount of memory, the control unit B1 operates the display unit 14 of the apparatus main unit A according to the operation of the memory status confirmation key by the user or the elapse of a predetermined time.
It is determined whether or not there is a memory status confirmation request for (S45).

If it is determined that there is a memory status confirmation request by operating the memory status confirmation key or the like (S45: Y
ES), the control section B1 transmits the remaining memory amount detected in S44 to the apparatus main body A, and transmits a display control signal for displaying the memory status regarding the remaining memory amount on the display section 14 to the apparatus main body A. A is transmitted to A (S46).
This S46 corresponds to the processing when S12 shown in FIG. 2 is YES. As described above, the display control signal and the like may be transmitted by, for example, setting the hand scanner B on the mounting table or the holder again without operating the memory status confirmation key or the like.

Further, the control unit B1 receives a request to transfer the image data stored in the transfer memory B2 in response to the user's operation of the data transfer key or the user's transfer operation on the apparatus body A. It is determined whether or not (S47).

It is assumed that there is a data transfer request (S4
7: YES), the control unit B1
2 is transmitted to the apparatus main body A (S48), and the operation related to the image reading process is terminated. This S48 corresponds to the process of S17 shown in FIG.

In S47, if there is no request for data transfer (S47: NO), the control section B1 returns to S40 again and repeats a series of processing up to S46. This allows
The reading process is continued for the next and subsequent original sheets, and the transfer memory B2 accumulates the image data obtained by reading the next and subsequent pages following the first sheet. Becomes At this time, in the apparatus main body A, the processing of S13 shown in FIG. 2 is executed in response to the processing of S46, and the display unit 14 of the apparatus main body A displays the remaining memory of the transfer memory B2 every time one document sheet is read. The amount is displayed, or the number of read sheets at the present time is displayed. As a result, the user can read the original sheets one by one using the hand scanner B while checking how many more sheets can be read.

If it is determined in S45 that there is no memory status confirmation request without operating the memory status confirmation key or the like (S45: NO), the controller B1 skips S46 and proceeds to S47. When a display control signal is automatically transmitted after a predetermined time has elapsed from the detection of the remaining memory capacity, the control unit B1 controls the display unit 14 to display the memory status on the display unit 14 without skipping S46. The display control signal may be transmitted to the apparatus main body A. In such a case, each time the document sheet is read, the display unit 14 of the apparatus main body A displays the memory status such as the remaining memory amount for a predetermined period of time.

If the stop key is not operated in S42 (S42: NO), the control section B1 returns to S41 and continues the image reading processing for one sheet until the stop key is operated.

If the start key is not operated in S40 (S40: NO), the control section B1 waits until the user operates the start key.

Therefore, according to the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration and operation, the hand scanner B itself does not have an LCD or the like which requires a considerable space, and the remaining memory of the transfer memory B2 can be reduced by the other apparatus main body A. Of the hand scanner B can be further reduced in size and weight without incurring a significant cost increase such as providing an LCD. The user can check the usage status such as the remaining memory capacity of B2. That is, the user who operates the hand scanner B is
It is possible to conveniently perform the reading operation while checking the remaining memory amount and the like displayed on the display unit 14.

In the above embodiment, the hand scanner B with a built-in line image sensor mainly for reading manuscript paper has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a hand scanner B. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to various system forms such as a combination form of a computer and a printer main body, or a combination of an image input device as a peripheral device and a personal computer.

The remaining memory of the transfer memory B2 in the hand scanner B is displayed as necessary in a situation where the hand scanner B is used in a place different from the apparatus main body A and can communicate with the apparatus main body A. Is displayed every time one document sheet is read when using the hand scanner B.
The recording may be performed on recording paper in step 2. further,
The remaining amount of memory and the like may be displayed in real time while the hand scanner B can communicate with the apparatus main body A.

[0079]

As described above, according to the simple operation type image reader according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is no need to provide a display means on its own, and other image receiving apparatuses which receive the use status of the transfer memory can be used. Since the memory status is displayed on the display unit of the apparatus main body, it is possible to reduce the size and weight without incurring a significant cost increase such as providing the display unit in the image reader, and use another apparatus main body. By doing so, the user can confirm the usage status of the transfer memory.

According to the simple operation type image reader according to the present invention, in addition to the effect of the simple operation type image reader according to the first aspect, the transfer at the time of reading the original paper is performed. Since the remaining amount of the memory is displayed on the display means of the other apparatus main body, the user using the image reader can easily read the data while checking the displayed remaining amount of the memory and the number of readings. Work can be done.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, an image reader is provided. When the state of the document itself is changed from a readable state to a non-use state, the memory status is displayed on display means of another apparatus main body, for example, for a predetermined second.
In a specific use situation, by returning the image reader to a predetermined holder or the like and setting it in a non-use state, the memory situation can be checked at a glance as needed.

Further, according to the image reader of the simple operation type of the invention described in claim 4, claims 1 to 3 are provided.
In addition to the effect of the simple operation type image reader described in any of the above, the memory status is displayed on the display means of the device main body in response to an instruction from another device main body side,
It is not necessary to provide a key or the like for instructing the display of the memory status on the image reader, so that the size and weight of the image reader can be further reduced.

Further, according to the simple operation type image reader of the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effects of the simple operation type image reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Since the display control signal for controlling the display means of the device main body is transmitted together with the memory status, the device main body can reliably display the memory status in response to the reception of the display control signal.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, there is no need to provide a display means in the simple operation type image reader, and the display means of the apparatus main body which has received the use status of the transfer memory does not need to be provided. Since the memory status is displayed, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the image reader without significantly increasing the cost of providing a display unit in the image reader, and by using the apparatus main body. The user can check the use status of the transfer memory.

Further, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the image processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, the remaining amount of the transfer memory at the time of reading the original paper is reduced by the apparatus main body. Since the information is displayed on the display means, the user using the image reader can perform the reading operation conveniently while confirming the displayed remaining amount of memory and the number of read sheets.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the image processing apparatus of the sixth or seventh aspect, the image reader itself can read the original paper. When the state is changed to the non-use state,
For example, the memory status is displayed on the display means of the apparatus main body for a predetermined period of time.In a specific usage status, the image reader is returned to a predetermined holder or the like to be in a non-use state, so that it can be used as needed. At a glance to check the memory status.

According to the image processing apparatus of the ninth aspect, in addition to the effects of the image processing apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, an instruction from another apparatus main body side is provided. The memory status is displayed on the display means of the main body of the apparatus in accordance with the above, so there is no need to provide a key or the like for instructing the image reader to display the memory status,
The size and weight of the image reader can be further reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus as an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a data receiving process for receiving various data from a hand scanner in the apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an image reading process as an example of a processing operation performed by a hand scanner.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a data transfer process as an example of a processing operation performed by the hand scanner.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in a case where image reading processing and data transfer processing are continuously performed as another example of the processing operation performed by the hand scanner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 NCU 3 RAM 4 Modem 5 ROM 6 EEPROM 7 Gate array 8 Codec 9 DMAC 12 Recording unit 13 Operation unit 14 Display unit A Device body B Hand scanner B2 Transfer memory

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A simple operation which is configured to be able to communicate with another apparatus main body having a display means and is capable of communicating image data obtained by reading from a document sheet in a transfer memory and transferring the image data to the other apparatus main body. Memory status detecting means for detecting the use status of the transfer memory; and memory status transmitting means for transmitting the memory status detected by the memory status detecting means to the other apparatus main body. And a simple operation type image reader. 2. The simple operation type according to claim 1, wherein said memory status detecting means detects, as a memory status, a remaining amount of said transfer memory, which decreases as the number of read sheets increases when reading a document sheet. Image reader. 3. The memory status transmission means according to claim 1, wherein the image reader itself is set to a non-use state from a state in which a document sheet can be read, or to a state in which the image reader is readable from a non-use state. 3. The image reader according to claim 1, wherein the status is transmitted to the other apparatus main body. 4. The simple operation type image according to claim 1, wherein said memory status transmitting means transmits a memory status in response to an instruction from said another apparatus main body. Reader. 5. The memory status transmitting means transmits a display control signal for instructing the display means of the other device main body to immediately display the memory status together with the memory status. 4. The image reader of the simple operation type according to any one of 4. 6. An apparatus main body provided with display means for performing various data processing and displaying related information at the time of such processing, and independently constituted so as to be able to communicate with the apparatus main body, and obtained by reading from manuscript paper. A simple operation type image reader capable of accumulating the transferred image data in a transfer memory and transferring the image data to the apparatus main body, wherein the simple operation type image reader uses the transfer memory. Memory status detecting means for detecting the status; memory status transmitting means for transmitting the memory status detected by the memory status detecting means to the device main body; and memory status from the memory status transmitting means to the device main body. And a memory status display control means for displaying the memory status on the display means of the apparatus main body. Equipment. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said memory status detecting means detects, as a memory status, a remaining amount of said transfer memory which decreases as the number of read sheets increases when reading a document sheet. . 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory status transmitting unit changes the state of the image reader itself from a readable state to a non-use state or from a non-use state to a readable state. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the memory status is transmitted to the apparatus main body. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said memory status transmitting means transmits a memory status in response to an instruction from said apparatus main body.