JP2000354122A - Image processor and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor that efficiently processes an image by taking the operation of a storage device into account in the case that a plurality of applications simultaneously use a plurality of storage means as common resources. SOLUTION: The image processor is provided with a storage means (storage devices 600) that has two image storage sections 700a, 700b or over including primary storage sections 705a, 705b storing one received image signal or over and secondary storage sections 706a, 706b that stores the image signals received by the primary storage sections 705a, 705b, a memory assignment control section 707 that assigns a storage means used by a job to the job, an image forming section operating state detection section 709 that detects whether or not the job requiring the assignment of the storage means is a job that forms an image, a CPU that simultaneously executes two jobs or over that form an image, and a memory assignment state monitor section 708 that monitors the assignment state of the storage means to each job by the memory assignment control section 707. The image processing unit assigns the storage means to each job based on of a received image signal and processes the image to be formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for storing one or more input image signals and processing a signal necessary for image formation from the input image signal or the stored image signal, and an image processing apparatus for the same. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using a processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus called a so-called digital copying machine having a combination of a copy function, a printer function, a storage and printing function of scanned image data, a facsimile function, and the like has been widely used. In this type of apparatus, input image information is temporarily stored in a memory, and is read from the memory in response to a read request to form a predetermined or desired image.

Since image information is once stored in a memory, read out, and used, a memory as a shared resource may be used simultaneously by a plurality of applications. As a memory management method in such a case, a technique disclosed in, for example, JP-A-10-74163, JP-A-7-175916, or JP-A-7-273957 is known.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-74163 discloses that, in addition to a copy application, a plurality of applications such as a printer application and a facsimile application, and each unit constituting a copying machine are managed as shared resources by function unit. In a digital copying machine having a system controller that arbitrates when one shared resource is used by a plurality of applications simultaneously, a memory unit arranged as one of the shared resources and a memory controller that controls input / output of the memory unit are provided. The system controller is configured to perform arbitration when the system controller uses the memory controller and the memory unit simultaneously in a plurality of applications. As a result, the memory unit can be handled as a shared resource, and the effect of reducing the cost of the device and effectively using the memory can be obtained.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-175916 discloses a comparison between the memory capacity required by a corresponding function and the current free space in a memory, and when the former is larger, a file of an unused function is temporarily stored. There is disclosed a technique in which each function can be processed in parallel without greatly increasing the memory capacity for executing the function by saving the function to an external storage device.

Further, JP-A-7-273957 describes a storage area in which the storage capacity of the page memory section is allocated for each of a facsimile transmission / reception function, a LAN transmission / reception function, an electronic sort copy function, an image registration and an image search function. A technique is disclosed in which the use situation of a storage area for each function is stored, and the content of storage capacity allocation for each function is changed according to the use situation. According to this technology, when the page memory section is shared and used for various functions, it is possible to change the use area of the page memory according to the use situation of each function, and the effective use of the page memory is improved. The effect is that it can be.

[0007]

In each of the above-mentioned prior arts, an image forming apparatus having a combination of a copy function, a printer function, a scan image data storage and print function, a facsimile function, etc., has a plurality of memories as shared resources. Related to a management method in the case of simultaneous use in other applications. However, in these known techniques,
There is only one memory (storage means), and there is no mention of a memory management method or a memory management method when a plurality of shared memories exist. In addition, since there is no mention of these management directions, naturally, there is no disclosure about the assignment of the storage device as the storage destination of a plurality of jobs when there are a plurality of storage units.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently use a plurality of storage means as a shared resource in a plurality of applications in consideration of the operation of the storage device. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing image processing.

Another object is to provide an image forming apparatus having such an image processing apparatus and capable of forming images efficiently.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a primary storage unit for storing one or more input image signals, and storing the input image signals in the primary storage unit. A storage unit having two or more sets of image storage units including a secondary storage unit, an allocation unit for allocating storage units to be used by a job, and whether a job requiring allocation of the storage unit is a job for performing image formation Processing device for providing image processing for forming an image based on an input image signal, provided with a detection unit for detecting the image and a control unit for simultaneously executing the job between two or more jobs for forming an image It is what it was.

In this case, it is preferable to further provide monitoring means for monitoring the allocation state of the storage means to each job by the allocation means. Further, examples of the job for forming an image include a job including any one of a job for printing simultaneously with reading of an image, a job for printing image data input from the outside, and a job for printing a stored file. .

[0012] Further, if the newly executed job is a job for forming an image, it is detected by the detecting means. If the job being executed includes the job for forming the image, The means allocates the newly executed job to storage means storing the job being executed. However, when the newly executed job is a job for forming an image signal stored in the secondary storage unit, the allocating unit does not perform the allocation.

[0013] It is also possible to provide an image forming means for forming an image in the image processing apparatus and to constitute an image forming apparatus having an image processing function of the image processing apparatus.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. 1. First Embodiment 1.1 Schematic Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1.1.2 Mechanical Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG.
Called "ADF". 2) When the start key 34 on the operation unit 30 (FIG. 2) is pressed, the document bundle placed on the document table 2 of the The sheet is fed to a predetermined reading position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding belt 4. After reading the image data of the document on the contact glass 6 by the reading unit 50, the read document is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection sensor 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the next document is fed onto the contact glass 6 like the previous document. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transport motor 26 as shown in FIG.

The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeding device 11, the second sheet feeding device 12, and the third sheet feeding device 13, respectively. ,
The sheet is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor by the laser light from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. The toner on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is being conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. After that, the image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 17, and is discharged by the discharge unit 18 to the discharge tray 19 of the post-processing device.

When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper,
The transfer paper fed and imaged from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is not guided to the paper discharge tray 19, but is set by setting the branching pawl 112 for path switching to the upper side, thereby temporarily setting the duplex paper feed unit 111. And stock it in the unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the double-sided paper supply unit 111 is sent from the double-sided paper supply unit 111 to the vertical transport unit 14 to transfer the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 15 again, and is re-fed and transferred. After an image is formed on the back side of the paper, the reversing claw 112 is set on the lower side and guided to the paper discharge tray 19. When an image is formed on both sides of a transfer sheet as described above, the duplex sheet feeding unit 111 is used.

The photoconductor 15, the conveyor belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18 and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25 (FIG. 4). The transmission is controlled by the paper feed clutches 22, 23, 24, respectively. The transmission of the driving force of the main motor 25 to the vertical transport unit 14 is controlled by the intermediate clutch 21.

1.1.2 Operation Unit FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation unit 30. In the figure, the operation unit 30 is provided with a liquid crystal touch panel (display) 31, numeric keys 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a mode clear key 35, and an initial setting key 38. A mode setting function key 37, a message indicating the number of copies, the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like are displayed.

FIG. 3 shows a liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30.
It is a figure which shows an example of a display. As can be seen from the figure, when the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. Further, when it is necessary to specify the details of a function such as a scaling value at the time of performing scaling, by touching a key, a detailed function setting screen is displayed. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses the dot display device, the optimum display at that time can be graphically performed.

1.1.3 Control Configuration FIG. 4 shows a control device centering on the main controller. In FIG. 1, a main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus.
0 is an image for performing operations such as display to an operator, control of input of function setting from the operator, control of a scanner, control of writing a document image in an image memory, control of image formation from an image memory, and the like. A distributed control device such as a processing unit (IPU) 49 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 is connected. Each decentralized control device and the main controller 20 are connected to the state of the machine,
Exchanging operation commands. Further, a main motor 25 and a conveyance motor 26 necessary for paper conveyance and the like, and various clutches 21 to 24 are also connected.

1.2 Operation Hereinafter, an operation of reading an image and forming a latent image on the recording surface of the photoconductor in the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described. Here, the latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating the image on the surface of the photoconductor.

The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53,
It comprises a CD image sensor 54, a second mirror 55, a third mirror 56 and the like. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document, the first carriage and the second carriage are moved so that the optical path length does not change.
The carriage is mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).

The original image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, and is converted from an optical signal to an electric signal and processed. The image magnification can be changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 left and right in FIG. That is, the position of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in the figure is set corresponding to the designated magnification.

The writing unit 57 comprises a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59 and a mirror 60.
Inside the laser output unit 58, there is provided a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant high speed by a motor and a laser diode as a laser light source.

The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is deflected by the polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through the imaging lens 59, is turned back by the mirror 60, and is condensed on the surface of the photosensitive member to form an image. . The deflected laser light is exposed and scanned in a so-called main scanning direction orthogonal to the direction in which the photoconductor 15 rotates.
4, the recording of the image signal output in line units is performed. An image, that is, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photoconductor.

The laser light output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the photosensitive member 15 of the image forming system. The main scanning synchronization signal is applied to the irradiation position of the laser light near one end of the photosensitive member 15 (not shown). Is provided. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal output from the beam sensor, control of image recording timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for input / output of an image signal described later are performed.

1.3 Image Processing Unit The configuration of the image processing unit (IPU) 49 will be described with reference to FIG.

The illumination light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 irradiates the document surface and is reflected by the document surface. The reflected light is imaged by an imaging lens (not shown), enters the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 54, is photoelectrically converted, and is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction by a shading correction unit 62, and then MTF correction and γ correction are performed by an image processing unit 63. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 72 is scaled according to the scaling factor and sent to the selector 64. In the selector 64,
Write γ correction unit 71 or image memory controller 6
5, the destination of the image signal is selected. The image signal that has passed through the writing γ correction unit 71 has its writing γ corrected in accordance with the image forming conditions, and is sent to the writing unit 57.

Image memory controller 65 and selector 6
The four sections are configured to be able to input and output image signals in both directions. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 5, the image processing unit 49
Is provided with a function of selecting input / output of a plurality of data so that image data supplied from the outside in addition to image data input from the reading unit 50 can be processed. The image data supplied from the outside is data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer. Therefore, the input signal includes an input signal from an external device in addition to a signal read by the scanner. The image processing unit 49 includes a CPU 68 that performs settings for the image memory controller 65 and the like and controls the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57,
A ROM 69 and a RAM 70 for storing 68 programs and data are provided. The CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the image memory controller 65. Each of these units communicates with the outside via an I / O port 67.
This is performed via the O port 67.

1.4 Storage Device 1.4.1 Configuration FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the memory controller 65 and the image memory 66 in FIG. 5 in detail. Storage device). In the figure, the memory controller 65
Of the input data selector 6
51, an image synthesizing unit 652, a primary compression / expansion unit 653, an output data sector 654, and a secondary compression / expansion unit 655. The setting of control data to each of these parts is
This is done by U68. The addresses and data shown in FIG.
Data and addresses connected to 8 are not shown.

The image memory 66 stores the primary and secondary storage devices 6
61,662. The primary storage device 661 can perform data writing to a specified area of the memory or data reading from a specified area of the memory at the time of image output, substantially in synchronization with the input / output of image data and the next required data transfer speed. As described above, a memory such as a DRAM that can be accessed at a high speed is used. In addition, the primary storage device 661 includes an interface unit with a memory controller that can divide the image data into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data to be processed and simultaneously execute input and output of the image data.

The secondary storage device 662 is a large-capacity nonvolatile memory, and is used for synthesizing and sorting input images and storing data. If the primary storage device 661 has a sufficient capacity for processing image data and is non-volatile, there is no need to input and output data to and from the secondary storage device 662. Further, if the secondary storage device 662 can write / read data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed required at the time of image input / output, it is possible to directly write / read data to / from the secondary storage device 662. It is. In such a case, data processing can be performed without distinction between primary and secondary.

The secondary storage device 662 writes / writes data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer rate required at the time of image input / output.
If reading is not possible, for example, the secondary storage device 662
Even when a storage medium such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk is used for the input / output of data to / from the secondary storage device 662, the primary storage device 661 is interposed, and the data transfer capability of the secondary storage device 662 is determined. Can be processed. 1.4.2 Usage example of storage device corresponding to application A specific usage example of the primary storage device 661 and the secondary storage device 662 in each application is as follows, for example.

(1) 1 in copy application
Copy In the case of one copy, first, the reading unit (scanner)
From 50, the image data is input to the primary storage device 661. Then, at substantially the same timing, the writing unit 57
(Image forming device), but at the same time, the secondary storage device 662
The read image data is stored. When the image formation is completed normally, the data stored in the secondary storage device 662 is erased without being used.
By reading the image data from the next storage device 662, it is not necessary to read the image from the reading unit 50 after the occurrence of the jam.

(2) Sorting in Copy Application (Multiple Copy) In the case of two or more copies, first, image data is input from the reading unit (scanner) 50 to the primary storage device 661. The copy of the first copy is 1 as in the case of (1).
From the next storage device 661 to the writing unit (image forming device) 5
7, the read data is also stored in the secondary storage device 662 at the same time. The image data of the second copy and thereafter is transferred from the secondary storage device 662 to the primary storage device 661 and output from the primary storage device 661 to the image forming device side. This eliminates the need for the scanner to read the second and subsequent copies. When the required number of copies are completed, the image data stored in the secondary storage device 662 at that time is deleted.

(3) Image Storage from Scanner (Reading Unit) Image data from the scanner (reading unit) 50 is stored in the secondary storage device 662 via the primary storage device 661. In this case, the image data remains stored unless intentional erasure is performed.

(4) Printing from an External Input Device When image (print) data is input from an external input device, for example, a personal computer, and the input image data is printed, the scanner in (1) and (2) above is used. The same processing is performed only when the read data from the device becomes transfer data from the external input device.

(5) Image storage from external input device In this case, the input source is an external input device such as a scanner or a personal computer, and the only difference is whether image data is read data or transfer data from the external input device. This is the same as the above (3).

(6) Printing of Stored Image When printing the image stored in (3) and (5), the image data is transferred from the secondary storage device 662 to the primary storage device 661, and Image formation is executed by outputting image data from the storage device 661 to the image forming device side.

1.4.3 Operation of Memory Controller The operation of the memory controller 65 is, for example, as follows. Here, this is an example in which the secondary storage device 662 cannot write / read data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed required at the time of image input / output.

(1) Image Input (Saving to Image Memory) The input data selector 651 selects one of a plurality of data
The image data to be written to the image memory 66 (primary storage device 661) is selected. Input data selector 65
The image data selected by 1 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 652, and the image is synthesized as needed. The image data processed by the image synthesizing unit 652 is subjected to data compression by the primary compression / expansion unit 653, and the compressed data is written to the primary storage device 661. The data written in the primary storage device 661 is further compressed by the secondary compression / expansion unit 655 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage device 662.

(2) Image Output (Read from Image Memory) At the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 661 is read. If the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 661, the primary compression /
The decompression unit 653 decompresses the image data from the primary storage device 661, and performs image synthesis of the decompressed data or the decompressed data and the input data in the image synthesis unit 652.
The data after image synthesis is selected by the output data selector 654 and output. The image to be output is the secondary storage device 66
2, the image data to be output, which is stored in the secondary storage device 662, is expanded by the secondary compression / expansion unit 655, and the expanded data is stored in the primary storage device 6.
After writing the image data in the primary storage device 61, the image data is read from the primary storage device 661, and the above operation is performed to output the image data from the output data selector 654.

1.5 Allocation of Storage Devices When Using Multiple Storage Devices FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example when handling image data using a plurality of storage devices. In the figure, first and second storage devices 700 indicated by storage device 1 and storage device 2
The internal configuration of each of a and 700b is the storage device 600 shown in FIG. In the storage device of FIG. 6, the input data selector 651 is included in the data input / output control unit since image data selected from a plurality of image data only needs to be connected to one storage device 66. In the example shown in FIG. 7, since two storage devices 700a and 700b are provided, an allocation control unit 707 is provided for connecting (allocating) to one of the storage devices, and furthermore, an allocation control unit 707. An allocation status monitoring unit 708 for monitoring the allocation status of the image data by an image forming unit and an image forming unit use job detection unit 709 described below are provided.

That is, in this example, the storage device 600 includes first and second storage devices 700a and 700b, an input data selector 701, and an output data selector 702.
It is basically composed of first and second abnormality detection units 707a and 707b. The first storage device 700a is a first data input / output control unit 704 indicated by a data input / output control unit 1, a primary storage unit 1, and a secondary storage unit 1 in the figure.
a, first primary storage unit 705a, second primary storage unit 70
Similarly, the second storage device 700b includes a second data input / output control unit 704 indicated by a data input / output control unit 2, a primary storage unit: 2, and a secondary storage unit: 2 in the figure.
b, first secondary storage unit 705b, second secondary storage unit 70
6b.

The first data input / output control unit 704a and the first
The primary and secondary storage units 705a and 706a are connected by a data bus and an address bus, respectively, and a second data input control unit 704b and a second primary and secondary storage unit 70
5b and 706b are also connected by a data bus and an address bus, respectively. The memory allocation control unit 707 is connected to the input data selector 701 and the output data selector 702, and the memory allocation state monitoring unit 708 is connected to the memory allocation control unit 707 and the image forming unit use job detecting unit 709. The image forming unit use job detecting unit 709 is also connected to a memory allocation control unit 707.

The memory allocation control unit 707 monitors storage device allocation status information from the memory allocation status monitoring unit 708 that monitors the current allocation status of the storage devices 600 (allocated storage device information allocated to jobs), The allocation of the storage device 600 is determined in consideration of the job information from the image forming unit use job detecting unit 709 which determines whether the job uses the image unit (plotter).

1.6 At least 2 using imaging means
FIG. 8 shows an example in which two jobs are simultaneously executed when a print job is generated from a printer during execution of a copy operation by sharing an image forming unit between two or more jobs. FIG.

The detailed operation will be described below.

1: A copy job of one copy is generated for five originals in copying. 2: The storage device 1 (700a) is allocated to the copy job, and the job is executed using the storage device 1 (700a). Be executed. At this time, printing is performed using the plotter (writing unit 57) while reading the original.

3: Since only the copy job exists for the third copy, the storage device 1 (700a) and the plotter (57) are always occupied by the copy job.

4: A case where a print job is generated from the printer during execution of the copy job will be considered. At this time, a print job that allocates the storage device 2 (700b) is executed for printer printing.

5: The copy job and the print job are executed simultaneously, but since the plotter (57) is a single device, the plotter (57) is shared and used for the copy job and the printer print job.

6: More specifically, as shown in the plotter use state diagram, during the period when the original copy is used for the fourth copy, the use of the plotter (57) is suppressed, and the copy job is used for the printer print job instead. Let it.

Thereafter, the plotter (5
By using 7), two jobs can be simultaneously executed (intermittently executed in parallel). There are other ways of giving the plotter (57) to two jobs, such as time sharing.

The actual operation procedure for performing this operation is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

The flowchart of FIG. 9 shows the storage device 1 (7
00a), the processing procedure for the timing for allocating a job to the storage device 2 (700b) and the timing for releasing the allocation are shown. In this process, if there is a request to execute a new job (S101), it is determined whether the new job is a job that uses the storage device 600 (S102). If the new job needs to be assigned to the storage device 600, the storage device 600 used by the job is assigned in S103. This allocation is performed by the memory allocation control unit 707 described above. Details of the processing are shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the allocation is completed (S104), the job is executed (S105). When the job is completed, the storage device 600 is deallocated from the job (S10).
6).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the above-described subroutine of S103. In this subroutine, steps S201 to S204 are condition processes for examining the contents of the currently executing job and the next new job, reflecting the result in allocation to storage devices, and performing optimum storage device allocation. First, as a condition for optimal allocation of the storage device 600, it is determined whether the plotter (57) can be shared and jobs can be simultaneously executed between the two or more jobs (S201). In S202 and S203, the combination of the content of the job currently being executed and the attribute of the content of the new job to be executed next is checked. Specifically, it is a condition that both jobs are jobs using a plotter. Therefore, if the job does not use the plotter, S20
From S1, S202, and S203, the normal allocation processing of the storage device 600 is performed (S205). If the jobs can be simultaneously executed by using the plotter shared, the running job is a job that uses the plotter, and the new job is also a job that uses the plotter, the new job is stored in the storage device 600 in S204. Checks if the job is to print data already stored in.
By this check, even if the plotter job is used, the storage device 60
If the job is to print the data stored in 0,
Since the storage devices 700a and 700b to be used have already been fixedly determined, the storage devices 700a and 700b are excluded from the optimization target of the storage device allocation, and the storage device (70
0a or 700b) (S20).
7). On the other hand, if the new job is not a print job of the storage device data, the same storage device (700a or 700b) as the job currently being executed is allocated in S206.

An example in which optimization is achieved will be described with reference to the explanatory diagrams of FIGS. FIG. 11 shows a state where the processing is performed under the same job conditions as the job of FIG. 8 and the processing of the subroutine of S103 is performed when the storage device is allocated at the time of the printer print job.

Looking at the allocation status of the storage device and the usage status of the plotter, the usage status of the plotter is the same (the performance for printing is the same).
There is a difference with respect to the allocation of the storage device 2 (7
00b) is empty, and even if the next job occurs (3)
The storage allocation can be done without any problem (even if the second job overlaps). This means that resources can be effectively used for the generation of a new third job.

That is, when jobs using a plotter (imaging means) are started at the same time, in a system having only one plotter, only one of the jobs can be used when using the plotter. In a system having only one plotter "and a system having" at least two sets of storage devices 600 ",
"Storage device 6" between two or more jobs using a plotter.
The storage device may be allocated so that there is no problem even if the “00” is shared.

The following describes an example of the job pattern assumed this time and a combination of the jobs, that is, an example of optimizing the storage device allocation by a combination of a currently executing job and a new job to be executed next.

1) Assumed Basic Job Pattern Here, the following jobs are assumed, and a case where these jobs are activated simultaneously will be exemplified.

The operation of each job is as follows.

Job: S → M: fetches input data from scanner and stores it in memory Job: S → M → P: fetches input data from scanner, stores it in memory, and outputs it at the same time with a plotter. In the first copy, the input data is fetched from the scanner, stored in the memory and output by the plotter at the same time, and in the second copy and thereafter, the stored data is output from the memory by the plotter.

Job: Outside → M: External I / F (PC
Etc.) and store in memory Job: Outside → M → P: Capture input data from external I / F (PC etc.), store in memory and output with plotter at the same time, so-called printer output job: M → P: The data stored in the memory is output by the plotter. The job is the example of the above (1), the job is the example of the above (2) and (3), and the job is the example of the above (4). The job corresponds to the above-described example (5), and the job corresponds to the above-described example (6).

Based on the above-described basic job pattern assuming the above operation, the combination pattern when the “next job” is started for the “job that is operating first” and the allocation to the storage device 600 at that time The pattern will be described.

<Assignment when the start of the second job overlaps during the execution of one job> Type 1 When the following job is started during job execution (using storage device 1 (700a)) 1) Job: Unexecutable (when there is one scanner 50) 2) Job: Unexecutable (when there is one scanner 50) 3) Job: Stored because the job is using the storage device 1 (700a) Use device 2 (700b) (storage device 1
If (700a) is used, contention for the storage device 600 will occur and productivity will be reduced.) 4) Job: Since the job is using the storage device 1 (700a), the storage device 2 (700b) is used (storage device 1).
If (700a) is used, contention of the storage device 600 will occur and productivity will be reduced.) 5) Job: fixed to the storage device storing data.-Type 2 job is being executed (storage device 1 (700a) 6) Job: The job is a scanner (reading unit 5).
0) If the job is in use, execution is impossible (when there is only one scanner 50). If the job has been used and the plotter 57 is in use, the storage device 2 (700b) is used (storage device 1).
If (700a) is used, contention of the storage device 600 will occur and productivity will be reduced.) 7) Job: If the job is in use of the scanner 50, the job cannot be executed (when only one scanner 50 is used). If the plotter 57 is in use, the storage device 1 (7
00a) (Effective use of storage device 2 (700b) is possible) 8) Job: Use storage device 2 (700b) (Use of storage device 1 (700a) causes contention of storage device 600 and increases productivity. 9) Job: The storage device 1 can be used because the plotter 57 outputs data alternately (the storage device 2 (700b) can be used effectively). 10) Job: The storage device in which data is stored is fixed. Storage device allocation pattern when the following job is started during job execution (using storage device 1 (700a)). 11) Job: Storage device 2 (700b) is used because the job is using storage device 1 (700a). Use (use of the storage device 1 (700a) causes contention for the storage device 600 and lowers productivity) 12) Job: Since the job is using the storage device 1 (700a), the storage device 2 (Use of the storage device 1 (700a) causes contention of the storage device 600 and lowers productivity.) 13) Job: Since the job is using the storage device 1 (700a), the storage device 2 ( (Use of the storage device 1 (700a) causes contention of the storage device 600 and lowers productivity.) 14) Job: Since the job is using the storage device 1 (700a), the storage device 2 ( 700b) (Use of the storage device 1 (700a) causes contention of the storage device 600 to cause a decrease in productivity) 15) Job: Fix the storage device in which data is stored. Storage device allocation pattern when the following job is started in (using storage device 1 (700a)) 16) Job: Storage device 2 because job is using storage device 1 (700a) (Use of the storage device 1 (700a) causes contention of the storage device 600 and lowers productivity.) 17) Job: The storage device 1 (700a) can be used because it is output alternately by the plotter 57. (Storage device 2 (700b)
18) Job: Since the job is using the storage device 1 (700a), the storage device 2 (700b) is used (if the storage device 1 (700a) is used, the contention of the storage device 600 occurs and the productivity is increased). 19) Job: The storage device 1 (700a) can be used because the plotter 57 alternately outputs (the storage device 2 (700b)
20) Job: Fixed storage device storing data. Type 5 Storage device allocation pattern when the following job is started during job execution (using storage device 1 (700a)) 21 ) Job: Since the job is using the storage device 1 (700a), the storage device 2 (700b) is used (the storage device 1).
If (700a) is used, contention of the storage device 600 will occur and productivity will be reduced.) 22) Job: The storage device 1 (700a) can be used because the plotter 57 outputs alternately (storage device 2 (700b)
23) Job: Since the job is using the storage device 1 (700a), the storage device 2 (700b) is used (the storage device 1).
If (700a) is used, contention of the storage device 600 occurs and productivity is reduced.) 24) Job: Since the plotter 57 alternately outputs, the storage device 1 (700a) can be used (storage device 2 (700b)
25) Job: Fixing the storage device in which data is stored As described above, according to the present embodiment, the plotter (imaging means)
If jobs using
In a system having only one plotter, only one of the jobs can be used when using the plotter. However, when there are two or more storage devices, the storage devices can be shared. Therefore, when one job is executed using one storage device, the other storage device is in an unused state, so that it is possible to allocate another job to this unused storage device. Become. Therefore, a plurality of jobs can be executed in parallel if two or more storage devices are properly assigned to the job operation in accordance with the operation and the usage state of the storage device.

[0069]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is necessary to allocate storage means having two or more sets of image storage units, allocation means for allocating storage means used by a job, and allocation of storage means. Since there are provided a detecting means for detecting whether the job to be formed is a job for forming an image and a control means for simultaneously executing the job between two or more jobs for forming an image, a plurality of storage means When a plurality of applications simultaneously use a shared resource, image processing can be efficiently performed in consideration of the operation of the storage device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the monitoring means for monitoring the allocation status of the storage means for each job by the allocation means is further provided, it is possible to grasp the use status of the storage means. As a result, storage devices can be efficiently allocated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a job for forming an image is a job for printing simultaneously with reading of an image, a job for printing image data input from the outside,
Since it includes any of the jobs for printing the stored files, the storage means can be allocated most efficiently according to the contents of the job.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is detected by the detecting means that the newly executed job is a job for forming an image, and the job being executed includes the job for forming an image. In this case, the allocating unit allocates the newly executed job to the storage unit storing the job being executed, so that the unused storage unit can be allocated to another job, and the effective use of the storage device as a resource is enabled. It can be utilized.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the newly executed job is a job for forming an image signal stored in the secondary storage unit, the job is already allocated,
Since the assigned image signal is read out and the job is executed, no new assignment is performed. This eliminates useless operations.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since an image forming means for forming an image is provided in addition to the image processing apparatus of the first to fifth aspects, the effective use of the storage device as a resource can be achieved. After that, image formation can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image processing apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display state of a liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control device of the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating details of an image processing unit in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing in detail a system configuration of a memory controller and an image memory in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image memory when a plurality of storage devices are used.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which two jobs are simultaneously executed when a print job from a printer occurs during execution of a copy operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for allocating and deallocating a job in a storage device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing content of a subroutine of step S103 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing processing contents by a subroutine of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 main controller 30 operation unit 49 image processing unit (IPU) 63 image processing unit 65 memory controller 66 image memory 68 CPU 69 ROM 70 RAM 600 storage device 650 data input / output control unit 661 primary storage device 662 secondary storage device 700a First storage device 700b Second storage device 705a First primary storage unit 705b Second primary storage unit 706a First secondary storage unit 706b Second secondary storage unit 707 Memory allocation control unit 708 Memory allocation Monitoring unit 709 Imaging unit use job detection unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yamazaki Saki ▼ 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Norio Michiya 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 6 Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Hattori 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term (Reference) 2H027 EE08 FD08 5B021 AA01 AA19 DD09 DD10 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB22 AB38 AB41 AB42 AB53 AC21 AC58 BA02 5C073 AB04 BA02 CB01 9A001 BB06 HH23 KK16 KK42 LL09

Claims (6)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus for performing image processing for forming an image based on an input image signal, a primary storage unit storing one or more input image signals, and the primary storage unit 2 to save the image signal input to
A storage unit having at least two sets of image storage units including a next storage unit; an allocation unit that allocates storage units used by a job; and a determination whether the job that requires allocation of the storage unit is a job that performs image formation. An image processing apparatus comprising: detecting means for detecting; and control means for simultaneously executing the job between two or more jobs for forming an image. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a monitoring unit that monitors an allocation state of the storage unit to each job by the allocation unit. 3. The job for forming an image includes one of a job for printing at the same time as reading an image, a job for printing image data input from the outside, and a job for printing a stored file. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. When the detecting means detects that a newly executed job is a job for forming an image, and the job being executed includes the job for forming the image, the allocating means includes: The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the newly executed job is assigned to a storage unit that stores the currently executed job. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the allocating unit does not perform the allocation when the newly executed job is a job for forming an image signal stored in the secondary storage unit. Item 2. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising: the image processing apparatus according to claim 1; and image forming means for forming the image.