JP2000358151A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently composite usual image data and attached information image data. SOLUTION: In the image processor, a data input output control section 71 or 72 writes required attached information image data stored in a storage device 201 or 202 being a secondary storage section to a primary storage section under an instruction of a CPU prior to input of usual image data by a scanner or an external device. Then the data input output control section 71 or 72 outputs the attached information image data stored in a storage device 201 or 202 being the primary storage section to an image composite section 93 via an output data selector 84 under the instruction of the CPU synchronously with start of the input of the usual image data. The image composite section 93 composites the received usual image data and the attached information image data and provides the output of the composite data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a function of storing a plurality of input image data and selectively outputting them, that is, a digital copier, a facsimile apparatus, a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like. The present invention relates to an image processing device used for an image input device such as an image forming device or a scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of input image data are stored,
A sort function that outputs multiple sets of such image data to the printer in an order different from the input order and prints them on each transfer paper, and outputs multiple image data to the printer only once and prints them on one transfer paper In an image processing apparatus having an aggregating function, the storage capacity required for image storage means for storing image data increases according to the amount of image data to be processed.

In an image processing apparatus of a multifunction peripheral having image input / output functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function, image data is transmitted (output) by the facsimile function during output of image data to a printer. And the simultaneous operation of simultaneously inputting and outputting a plurality of image data. Conventionally, means for controlling input / output of a plurality of image data (input / output control means)
In many cases, the above-described parallel operation is achieved by providing an image storage unit.

[0004]

However, in the case where the image storage means is provided in the input / output control means, if the storage capacity required for the image storage means is increased as described above, the storage capacity is increased. As a result, the control of the image storage means becomes complicated. Therefore, by adopting a configuration for inputting / outputting a plurality of image data to / from a single image storage unit, it is essential to centralize control of the image storage unit and input / output image data of a multifunction. .

Further, recently, there is also a function of synthesizing and outputting image data of additional information (additional information image data) such as date information and page information to the input normal image data. In addition to high-speed processing, high processing efficiency of generation (synthesis) of additional information image data is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is directed to an image processing apparatus having a function of storing a plurality of input image data and selectively outputting each of the image data. An object of the present invention is to efficiently combine data and additional information image data.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image input means for inputting image data, and an image for synthesizing normal image data input by the means with additional information image data such as date information and page information. A synthesizing unit, and 1 for storing normal image data input by the image input unit or image data synthesized by the image synthesizing unit.
Image storage means having a plurality of storage devices each including a secondary storage section and a secondary storage section for storing image data stored in the primary storage section, and normal image data input by the image input section Alternatively, an image processing apparatus comprising: an image output unit that outputs image data stored or stored in a primary storage unit or a secondary storage unit of at least one storage device in the image storage unit. In order to achieve, it is as follows.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image synthesizing unit, wherein the normal image data input by the image input unit and the additional information previously stored in the primary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices in the image storage unit. It is provided with means for synthesizing image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, at least one of the normal image data input by the image input means or the image data synthesized by the image synthesis means is stored in the image storage means. A write control unit is provided for writing data in an area of the primary storage unit of the storage device which is different from the already stored additional information image data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, an additional information image memory for storing a plurality of pieces of additional information image data is provided outside the image storage means, and an image input means is provided to the image synthesizing means. Means for synthesizing normal image data inputted by the means and required additional information image data stored in the additional information image memory.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, an additional information image memory for storing a plurality of pieces of additional information image data is provided outside the image storage means, and the image storage means is provided with an image storage means. Means for synthesizing the image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit or the secondary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices in the means and the required additional information image data stored in the additional information image memory It is provided.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a mechanical section of a digital copying machine having an image processing unit (image processing apparatus) embodying the present invention.

In this digital copying machine, a document bundle placed with its image side up on a document table 2 provided in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as "ADF") 1 is operated by an operation unit 30 shown in FIG. When the upper print key 34 is depressed, the original is fed from the lowermost document to the predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feed roller 3 and the feed belt 4 and stopped.

Thereafter, a scanner (reading unit) 5
At 0, the image of the document on the contact glass 6 is read, and the document that has been read 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 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 (not shown).

The transfer papers stacked on the first paper feed tray 8, the second paper feed tray 9, and the third paper feed tray 10 are respectively transferred to the first paper feed tray 8, the second paper feed tray 9, and the third paper feed tray 10.
The paper is fed by the paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, and is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 15. In practice, any one of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is selected, and the transfer paper is fed therefrom.

On the other hand, the image data read (input) by the scanner 50 is sent as it is, or after temporarily stored in the image memory group 66 in FIG. The laser beam is written as a laser beam on a pre-charged surface of the photoconductor drum 15 (charged by a charger (not shown)), and the portion passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image thereon. .

The transfer paper fed from the selected paper feed tray is conveyed by a conveyor belt (transfer belt) 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photosensitive drum 15, and is transferred onto one surface of the photosensitive drum 15. Is transferred, and the fixing unit 17 thermally fixes the toner image. Thereafter, the transfer paper is fed to the finisher 1 as a post-processing device by the paper discharge unit 18 in the one-sided copy mode.
00, and is selectively guided to the stacker transport roller 102 side or the stapler transport roller 105 side by the branch deflecting plate 101.

That is, when the branch deflecting plate 101 is switched upward, the transfer paper from the copying machine main body is transferred to the stacker transport roller 102 and the stacker discharge roller 10.
3 can be discharged to the stacker tray 104. The stacker tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can be moved back and forth, and moves back and forth for each document or for each copy unit sorted by using the image memory group 66 to easily transfer the discharged transfer paper (copy paper). It is to sort.

When the branch deflecting plate 101 is switched downward, the transfer paper from the copying machine main body is transferred to the stapler transport roller 105 and the stapler discharge roller 10.
7, and can be discharged to the staple tray 108. Each time one sheet of transfer paper is discharged on the staple tray 108, its end is aligned by a jogger (drop stopper) 109 for alignment, and is stapled by the stapler 106 upon completion of copying of one copy. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completed discharge tray (fall tray) 110 by its own weight.

On the other hand, in the double-sided copy mode, transfer paper fed from any one of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and subjected to image forming processing in the same manner as described above is
By setting the branch claw 112 for path switching upward (a position indicated by a virtual line), the finisher 100
To the double-sided paper feeding unit 111,
It is stocked there once.

Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper supply unit 111 is re-fed from the duplex paper supply unit 111 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 15 again, and further for path switching. Branch claws 112
Is set downward (at the position indicated by the solid line), thereby being guided to the finisher 100. As described above, when performing the image forming process on both sides of the transfer sheet, the duplex sheet feeding unit 1 is used.
11 is used.

The photosensitive drum 15 and the conveyor belt 1
6, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18, and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25 shown in FIG. 5, and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 is driven by the main motor 25 by a paper feeding clutch 22 to 24 shown in FIG. It is transmitted and driven. The vertical transport unit 14 is driven by the drive of the main motor 25 being transmitted by the intermediate clutch 21 in FIG. Each unit for image forming processing including the above-described writing unit 57 constitutes the printer 80 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram showing a configuration example of the operation unit of the digital copying machine. The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal display 31, numeric keys 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a mode clear key 35,
And an initial setting key 36. The liquid crystal display 31 has a touch panel on its surface, and can display function keys, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the machine, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a normal screen of the liquid crystal display 31. When the operator (user) touches any of the function keys displayed on the liquid crystal display 31, the function displayed in the frame of the function key is selected, and the monochrome display is inverted.
If the details of the function need to be specified (for example, a variable magnification value in the case of variable magnification), a detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the function key. Since the liquid crystal display 31 uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically display an optimum display at that time.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the digital copying machine. Main controller 20
Controls the entire digital copying machine. The main controller 20 includes an operation unit 30 for controlling the display to the operator and key input by the operator, an image processing unit (IP) for controlling the driving unit of the scanner 50, and controlling the reading and writing of image data to and from the image memory.
U) 49, a distributed control device such as an ADF 1 for performing a document feeding / discharging operation is connected.

Each of the distributed control devices and the main controller 20 exchange information indicating the state of the machine and operation commands as needed. The main controller 20 is also connected with various clutches 21 to 24 and a main motor 25 necessary for paper conveyance and the like.

Next, the operation of reading an image of a document by the scanner 50 and forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 will be described with reference to FIG. The electrostatic latent image is a potential distribution generated by writing image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 (the surface charged by the charger) with a laser beam.

The scanner 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, and a CC.
It is composed of a D image sensor 54 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 the image of the original, make sure that the first
The carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1. The optical scanning system is driven by a drive unit such as a scanner drive motor (not shown).

The scanner 50 optically reads an image of a document and converts it into image data (electric signals). That is, the image surface of the document is illuminated by the exposure lamp 51 of the optical scanning system, and the reflected light image from the image surface is reflected by the first mirror 5.
2, an image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 54 via the second mirror 55, the third mirror 56, and the lens 53, and the CCD image sensor 54 converts the image into image data. At this time, the image magnification is changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the horizontal direction in FIG. That is, the positions of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction are set in accordance with the designated copy magnification.

The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, a mirror 60, and the like.
Inside the laser output unit 58, a laser diode as a laser light source and a polygon mirror (rotating polygon mirror) that rotates at a high speed at a constant speed by a motor are provided. The laser beam emitted from the laser output unit 58 is polarized by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 59, is turned back by a mirror 60, is focused on the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 15, and is imaged. You.

That is, the polarized laser beam is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photosensitive drum 15 rotates, and an image output from the image processing unit 49 (image processing apparatus) in FIG. Data is written in line units. By repeating the main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed of the photoconductor drum 15 and the scanning density (recording density), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged surface of the photoconductor drum 15.

The laser beam immediately before scanning on the photosensitive drum 15 is detected by a synchronous detection sensor (beam sensor) not shown. Then, a laser write control unit (not shown) uses the main scanning synchronization signal output from the synchronization detection sensor to generate a control signal for turning on the laser diode and inputting / outputting image data for each scanning using a main scanning synchronization signal. .

FIG. 6 shows an image processing unit (IPU) 49.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of FIG. The reflected light image (image) from the document surface is converted into image data by the CCD image sensor 54, and further converted from an analog value to a digital value by the A / D converter 61. The image data converted into digital values is subjected to shading correction by a shading correction unit 62,
3, image processing such as MTF correction and γ correction is performed.

The selector 64 switches the destination of the image data. That is, the magnification unit 67 or the memory controller 65 is set as the destination of the image data. The image data that has passed through the scaling unit 67 is enlarged or reduced in accordance with the designated copy scaling ratio, and sent to the writing unit 57 of the printer 80. Between the memory controller 65 and the selector 64, image data can be input and output in both directions.

The CPU 68 is a central processing unit, which writes and reads image data to and from the image memory group 66 via the memory controller 65, and controls the scanner 50 and the writing unit 57. RO
M69 is a read-only memory, and stores various fixed data including a control program for operating the CPU 68. The RAM 70 is a readable and writable memory, and temporarily stores various data.

Note that the memory controller 65 and the image memory group 66 constitute an image storage means. Further, the image processing unit 49 has a circuit for inputting a plurality of image data so as to process image data sent from an external device such as a personal computer or a facsimile machine in addition to the image data input from the scanner 50. (Image data input means). Further, a circuit (image data output means) for outputting the input image data or the image data stored in the image memory group 66 (described later) to the printer 80 or an external device is provided.

Here, the image data and control signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to FIG. / FGATE ("/" indicates low active)
Denotes a frame gate signal, which represents an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. / LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image data becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. /
LGATE is a line gate signal, and indicates an effective period of image data in the main scanning direction.

These signals correspond to the pixel clock signal VCL
K, and data of one pixel is sent for one cycle. The image processing unit (IPU) 49
Separate / F for image data input and output
It has a GATE, / LSYNC, / LGATE, and VCLK generation circuit. By performing phase adjustments when performing direct output of read image data, various input / output combinations of image data can be realized. become.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of a part of the memory controller 65 and the image memory group 66 (a part constituting one storage device). Note that the CPU 6
The illustration of the address bus 8 is omitted.

The memory controller 65 shown in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of data input / output control units 71 and 72. The data input / output control units 71 and 72 respectively include an input data selector 81, an image synthesizing unit 82, and a primary compression unit. / Decompression unit 83, output data selector 84, secondary compression / decompression unit 85, etc. The setting of control data to them is performed by the CPU 68.

The image memory group 66 in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of image memories 73 and 74, each of which has a primary storage section 86 and a secondary storage section 87. The primary storage unit 86 is requested to write data to a specified area of the memory when inputting image data or read data from a specified area of the memory when outputting image data when inputting or outputting image data. For example, a memory that can be accessed at high speed, such as a DRAM, is used so that the data transfer can be performed substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed.

The primary storage unit 86 includes a circuit (an interface unit with the memory controller 65) capable of simultaneously executing input / output of image data by dividing the image data into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed. Have. The secondary storage unit 87 performs processing such as combining, sorting, and rearranging a plurality of pieces of image data (input from the scanner 50 or from the outside) stored in the primary storage unit 86.
This is a large-capacity memory for storing such image data.

Here, if the primary storage unit 86 has a sufficient capacity for processing image data, the input / output of image data to / from the secondary storage unit 87 is not performed. If the secondary storage unit 87 can perform writing / reading of image data substantially in synchronization with a data transfer rate required at the time of input / output of image data, the input / output image data is directly stored in the secondary storage unit 87. And can be read from the secondary storage unit 87. Further, it is possible to perform processing of image data without distinction between the primary storage unit 86 and the secondary storage unit 87.

If the secondary storage unit 87 cannot write / read the image data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed required when inputting / outputting the image data, for example, a hard disk ( HDD, and a storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk.
The input / output of image data to / from the secondary storage unit 87 is performed by the primary storage unit 86
, The processing according to the data transfer capability of the secondary storage unit 87 can be performed.

With this configuration, the storage unit (memory) can be selected according to the image data processing speed of the digital copying machine, and the compression ratio and expansion ratio differ depending on the image data (data access to the memory depends on the type of data). (Speeds are different), it is possible to respond. If the compression rate and the decompression rate are variable, the capacity of the storage unit may be saved.

Next, an operation example of a part of the memory controller 65 will be described. Here, an example is shown in which the secondary storage unit 87 cannot write / read image data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer speed required when inputting / outputting image data.

<1> Input of image data (image memory 73
Or 74) The input data selector 81 is a primary storage unit 86 or a secondary storage of the image memory 73 or 74 among image data input from the scanner 50 or an external device via each unit of the image processing unit 49. Image data to be written into the section 87 is selected.

The image data selected by the input data selector 81 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 82 of the data input / output control unit 71 or 72, where it is already stored in the primary storage unit 86 or 2 of the image memory 73 or 74 as required. Next storage unit 87
After being combined with the image data stored or stored in
A compression (variable length compression) process is performed by the primary compression / decompression unit 83, and written and stored in the primary storage unit 86. The image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 is further subjected to a compression process by the secondary compression / decompression unit 85 as necessary, and then written and stored in the secondary storage unit 87.

<2> Output of Image Data (Image Memory 73
If the image data specified as the output target image data is stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the image memory 73 or 74, after the image data is read, the data input / output control is performed. Decompression processing is performed by the primary compression / decompression section 83 of the section 71 or 72, and synthesis processing of the decompressed image data or the image data and the image data input from the scanner 50 or an external device is performed. The subsequent image data is selected by the output data selector 84 and output.

The image synthesizing unit 82 of the data input / output control unit 71 or 72 is a primary storage unit 86 of the image memory 73 or 74.
Of the image data input from the scanner 50 and the image data input from the scanner 50 or the external device (having a function of adjusting the phase of the image data), selecting the output destination of the image data after the synthesis (output of the image data, For example, write-back to the primary storage unit 86, simultaneous output to both output destinations, and the like are performed.

When the image data designated as the output target image data is stored (saved) in the secondary storage unit 87 instead of the primary storage unit 86 of the image memory 73 or 74, the image data is read out. After that, the decompression process is performed in the secondary compression / decompression unit 85 of the data input / output control unit 71 or 72, and the decompressed image data is temporarily stored in the primary storage unit 8
6 and thereafter the same output operation as described above is performed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of another part of the memory controller 65 and the image memory group 66 (part relating to the present invention). In this embodiment, the data input / output control unit 71 and the image memory 73 described above are used.
The storage device 201 (having the primary storage unit 86 and the secondary storage unit 87) is used as the storage device 201, and the data input / output control unit 72 and the image memory 74 (including the primary storage unit 86 and the secondary storage unit 87) are used as the storage device 202. And these constitute an image storage means.

The memory controller 65 includes an input data selector 91, an output data selector 92, and an image synthesizing unit 9 in addition to the data input / output control units 71 and 72 described above.
3, and an additional information image memory 94.

The input data selector 91 is a selector having four inputs and two outputs, and includes image data (input data 1) from the scanner 50, image data (input data 2) from the external device, and image data from the storage device 201. , Storage device 2
02 is selectively input (however, two image data from the scanner 50 and the external device side can be input simultaneously) and selectively or simultaneously output to the storage device 201 or 202. Therefore, the storage device 2 outputs image data from the storage device 201 to the storage device 202, for example.
It is possible to input and output image data between 01 and 202.

The output data selector 92 is a two-input two-output selector, and selectively or simultaneously outputs image data from the storage device 201 and image data from the storage device 202. Thus, the plurality of storage devices 201, 202
Is provided, it is possible to simultaneously input and output a plurality of image data.

Here, the image data by the memory controller 65 in one storage device (assuming that only the storage device 201 exists) and in two cases (in this embodiment, the storage devices 201 and 202 exist) Will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In this example, it is assumed that the image data is simultaneously written into the primary storage unit 86 and the secondary storage unit 87 by the input processing of one image data.

When the number of storage devices is one, a request for inputting first data of image data (input data 1) from the scanner 50 and a request for inputting first data of image data from the external device are made simultaneously. Even if this occurs, only the input processing (data input 1) of one of the image data (in this example, the image data from the scanner 50 side) can be performed in response to the two requests.

Therefore, in response to the image data input request from the external device which is generated at the same time, the timing at which the image data input processing (data input 2) is actually executed is the timing 1 shown in FIG. Become. Thereafter, even when a second data input request of the image data is continuously issued from the scanner 50 side, the scanner 50 side does not execute the image data input processing (data input 2) from the external device side. The input processing (data input 1) of the second data of the image data cannot be started.

However, in this embodiment, since a plurality of storage devices 201 and 202 are actually provided, as shown in FIG. 9B, the image data (input data 1) from the scanner 50 side is not stored. By transferring image data (input data 2) from the external device side to the storage device 201 to the storage device 202, a plurality of image data input processes (data inputs 1 and 2) can be performed simultaneously, and the input process is performed. The time until completion can be significantly reduced.

In the memory controller 65, an image synthesizing section 93 (image synthesizing means) is arranged at a stage preceding the input data selector 91 and the output data selector 92, and the image synthesizing section 93 stores the image input to the storage device 201 or 202. Data (input image data), image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87 of the image memory 73 of the storage device 201, or the primary storage unit 86 of the image memory 74 of the storage device 202 or A process of selectively combining image data stored or stored in the secondary storage unit 87 is performed. That is, the following processes (a) to (m) are selectively executed.

(A) Input image data and storage device 201
Is synthesized with the image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 and output. (B) The input image data and the image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 202 are combined and output. (C) The image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 201 and the image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 202 And output the combined image data.

(D) Input image data and storage device 201
Is combined with the image data stored in the primary storage unit 86, and is written to an area of the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 201 that is different from the image data already stored. (E) The input image data is combined with the image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 201, and the same area as the image data already stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 201 is synthesized. Write to (overwrite).

(F) Input image data and storage device 201
Is combined with the image data stored in the primary storage unit 86, and written to the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 202. (G) The image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 201 and the image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 202 And the image data stored in the storage device 201.
Is written to an area of the primary storage unit 86 different from the image data already stored.

(H) Image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 201 and the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 8 of the storage device 202
The image data is combined with the image data stored or stored in the storage device 7, and is written (overwritten) in the same area as the already stored image data in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 201. (I) The input image data is combined with the image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 202, and an area different from the image data already stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 202 is synthesized. Write to.

(J) Input image data and storage device 202
Is combined with the image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 and written (overwritten) in the same area of the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 202 as the already stored image data. (K) The input image data is combined with the image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 202 and written to the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 201.

(L) Image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 201 and the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 8 of the storage device 202
7 is combined with the image data stored or stored in the storage device 202, and written in a different area of the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 202 from the image data already stored.

(M) The image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 201 and the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 8 of the storage device 202
7, and writes (overwrites) the same area of the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 202 as the already stored image data.

In the memory controller 65, additional information image data such as date information, page information (page number, etc.), company information (company name, address, etc.), and information for managing the number of output copies are stored in the image synthesizing section 93. Is connected to an additional information image memory 94 for storing a plurality of. That is, the additional information image memory 94 is provided outside the image memory group 66.
Is provided. The additional information image memory 94 is necessary for realizing the processing according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention described later, but is not required for realizing the processing according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. Therefore, it may be deleted.

Hereinafter, the processing directly related to the present invention by the memory controller 65 will be described. First, the processing shown in the above (a) and (b), which is the processing according to the first aspect of the present invention, performed by the memory controller 65 will be described more specifically. In this case, the image synthesizing unit 93 in FIG. 1 has a function as an image synthesizing unit according to claim 1.

(A1) Prior to input of normal image data by the scanner 50 or an external device, the data input / output control unit 71 or 72 outputs necessary additional information image data to be synthesized with the normal image data in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 68. Generate. This additional information image data is generated by expanding (decoding) the image data stored in advance in the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 201 or 202 by the secondary compression / expansion unit 85 based on the additional information. This is performed by writing to the next storage unit 86.

For example, when date information image data is generated as required additional information image data to be combined with normal image data, the number information or the like stored in the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 201 or 202 is used. Date information image data can be generated by decompressing the character image data by the secondary compression / decompression unit 85 based on the date information and writing it to the primary storage unit 86.

When the image data of special additional information such as a company name is generated as the additional information image data to be combined with the normal image data, the image data of the special additional information is previously stored using the scanner 50. Input and storage device 201
Alternatively, the image data of the special additional information is decompressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 85 and stored in the secondary storage unit 87 of the primary storage unit 8 when the image synthesis processing is performed.
6, the image data of special additional information can be generated.

(A2) When the generation of the required additional information image data is completed, preparations are made for inputting normal image data. (A3) The required additional information image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 201 or 202 is transferred to the data input / output control unit 71 in synchronization with the start of input of normal image data.
Or 72 outputs to the image synthesizing unit 93 via the output data selector 84 in accordance with the instruction of the CPU 68.

(A4) The image synthesizing section 93 synthesizes the input ordinary image data and required additional information image data and outputs the synthesized image data. At this time, the combined image data is output, and at the same time, the storage device 2 is input via the input data selector 91.
01 or 202, it is also possible to write to the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87.

With the above processing, the storage devices 201 and 202 for inputting and outputting image data are shared, and the normal image data and the additional information image data that are efficiently input with a relatively simple configuration are used. The synthesis can be performed.

Next, of the processes (d), (g), (i) and (l), which are processes according to the second aspect of the present invention, performed by the memory controller 65, the processes shown in (d) and (i) This will be described more specifically with reference to an example. In this case, the image synthesizing unit 93 and the data input / output control units 71 and 72 in FIG. 1 have functions as the image synthesizing unit and the writing control unit in the first and second aspects.

(B1) Prior to input of normal image data by the scanner 50 or an external device, the data input / output control unit 71 or 72 generates necessary additional information image data to be synthesized with the normal image data in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 68. Generate. The generation of the additional information image data is performed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 85 based on the additional information based on the additional information, in the same manner as in (A1) above, by using the image data stored in the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 201 or 202 in advance. Decompress and 1
This is performed by writing to the next storage unit 86.

(B2) When the generation of the required additional information image data is completed, preparations are made for inputting normal image data. (B3) The required additional information image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 201 or 202 is transferred to the data input / output control unit 71 in synchronization with the normal start of input of image data.
Or 72 outputs to the image synthesizing unit 93 via the output data selector 84 in accordance with the instruction of the CPU 68.

(B4) The image synthesizing section 93 synthesizes the input ordinary image data with required additional information image data, and uses the synthesized image data as an input data selector 91.
Is written to the primary storage unit 86 by transferring to the storage device 201 or 202 via the. At this time, an area different from the area where the additional information image data is stored is designated as the area for storing the image data after the combination.

By transferring the combined image data to the storage device 201 or 202, the image data can be written in an area of the primary storage section 86 different from the already stored additional information image data. The additional information image data before the combination can be stored in the primary storage unit 86 as it is. (B5) The combined image data stored in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 201 or 202 is written and stored in the secondary storage unit 87.

As shown in (B4), when the additional information image data is left in the primary storage unit 86 of the storage device 201 or 202 so as to be synthesized with normal image data again, Since the processing shown in (B1) becomes unnecessary, the processing speed is improved in the case where a plurality of normal image data are input and the processing for sequentially synthesizing them with the additional information image data is performed. In the processing shown in (B4), image data of additional information that does not need to be changed for each input ordinary image data such as company information (company name, address, etc.) and date information is synthesized as additional information image data. This is effective when (adding).

By transferring the input normal image data as it is to the storage device 201 or 202 in addition to the image data after the combination, the additional information image data already stored in the primary storage unit 86 is stored. Alternatively, the data may be written in an area different from the area. Thereby,
The additional information image data can be stored in the primary storage unit 86 as it is.

Next, the processing according to the third aspect of the present invention performed by the memory controller 65 will be specifically described. In this case, the image synthesizing section 93 of FIG. 1 has a function as the image synthesizing means of the first and third aspects. Further, the image synthesizing unit 93 and the data input / output control units 71 and 72 may have a function as a writing control unit.

The processing according to the third aspect of the present invention is the processing according to the first aspect.
Alternatively, in the processing according to the second aspect of the invention, as additional information image data, a process of quickly synthesizing (adding) image data of additional information (page information and information for managing the number of output copies) that differs for each input normal image data. Is added.

A plurality of additional information image data are stored in advance in the additional information image memory 94 of FIG. Character and image information necessary for generating required (used) additional information image data is stored in the additional information image memory 94 in advance, and a control unit (not shown) selectively outputs the information. By doing so, it is also possible to generate and output the required additional information image data.

Thus, the image synthesizing section 93 synthesizes the input ordinary image data with the required additional information image data stored in the additional information image memory 94 (or output from the control section not shown). You can also.

For this reason, one of the storage devices 201 or 202
An area for storing the additional information image data in the next storage unit 86 can be made unnecessary. In addition, since the area available for storing normal image data is expanded, when synthesizing additional information image data with a large amount of input image data, the processing speed is greatly improved. Becomes possible.

Next, the processing according to the fourth aspect of the present invention performed by the memory controller 65 will be specifically described. In this case, the image synthesizing unit 93 in FIG. 1 has a function as an image synthesizing unit according to the first and fourth aspects. Further, the image synthesizing unit 93 and the data input / output control units 71 and 72 may have a function as a writing control unit.

The processing according to the invention of claim 4 is the same as that of claim 1
In the processing according to the second aspect, the primary storage unit 86 or 2 of the storage device 201 or 202 may be used as additional information image data.
This is a process in which image data of additional information (information for managing page information and the number of output copies) different for each image data stored or stored in the next storage unit 87 is combined (added) at high speed.

The additional information image memory 94 of FIG. 1 stores a plurality of additional information image data in advance. Character and image information necessary for generating required (used) additional information image data is stored in the additional information image memory 94 in advance, and a control unit (not shown) selectively outputs the information. By doing so, it is also possible to generate and output the required additional information image data.

As a result, the image synthesizing section 93 is connected to the primary storage section 86 or the secondary storage section 8 of the storage device 201 or 202.
7 and required additional information image data stored in the additional information image memory 94 (or output from a control unit (not shown)).

Therefore, one of the storage devices 201 or 202
An area for storing the additional information image data in the next storage unit 86 can be made unnecessary. Also, the secondary storage unit 8
Since the area available for storing the image data from the storage device 7 is expanded, the large amount of image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit 86 or the secondary storage unit 87 of the storage device 201 or 202 is In the case where the additional information image data is synthesized by using this method, the processing speed can be greatly improved.

The embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the image processing apparatus (image processing unit 49) used in the digital copying machine has been described. The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus used for an image forming apparatus or an image input apparatus such as a scanner.

[0094]

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the normal image data input by the image input means by the image synthesizing means and at least one of the image storage means. Since the additional information image data previously stored in the primary storage unit of the storage device can be synthesized, the normal image data and the additional information image data can be combined without adding a complicated means for extending the function. The synthesis can be performed efficiently.

According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect,
The same processing as in the first aspect of the present invention can be performed by the image synthesizing means, and the normal image data input by the image input means by the writing control means or the image data synthesized by the image synthesizing means can be stored in the image storage means. By writing to the primary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices in an area different from the already stored additional information image data, the additional information image data can be stored in the primary storage unit as it is. .

Therefore, in addition to the same effects as those of the first aspect, the following effects can be obtained. That is,
When combining with normal image data again, the pre-processing for writing the additional information image data stored in advance in the secondary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices in the image storage unit into the primary storage unit is performed. Since the processing can be made unnecessary, the processing speed is improved when a process of sequentially inputting a plurality of normal image data and sequentially combining them with the additional information image data is performed.

According to the image processing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the same processing as in the first aspect of the present invention, the normal image data input by the image input means and the additional information stored in the additional information image memory provided outside the image storage means are provided by the image synthesizing means. Since the processing for synthesizing the image data can be performed, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention.

That is, it is possible to eliminate the need for an area for storing the additional information image data in the primary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices in the image storage means. In addition, since the area available for storing normal image data is expanded, when synthesizing additional information image data with a large amount of input image data, the processing speed is greatly improved. Becomes possible.

According to the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect,
In addition to the processing similar to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data and additional information stored or stored in the primary storage unit or the secondary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices in the image storage unit Since the processing for synthesizing the required additional information image data stored in the image memory can be performed, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention.

That is, it is possible to eliminate the need for an area for storing the additional information image data in the primary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices in the image storage means. Further, since the area available for storing the image data from the secondary storage unit is expanded, it is stored or stored in the primary storage unit or the secondary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices in the image storage unit. When the additional information image data is combined with a large amount of image data that has been processed, the speed of the processing can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of another part (a part according to the present invention) of a memory controller 65 and an image memory group 66 of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a mechanical section of a digital copying machine including an image processing unit (image processing apparatus) embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit of the digital copying machine illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a normal screen of the liquid crystal display 31 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the digital copying machine illustrated in FIG. 2;

6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing unit (IPU) 49 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of image data and control signals for one page in the selector 64 of FIG. 6;

8 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of a part of the memory controller 65 and the image memory group 66 (a part forming one storage device) in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining image data input processing by the memory controller 65 of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 20: Main controller 30: Operation unit 31: Liquid crystal display 34: Print key 49: Image processing unit 50: Scanner 65: Memory controller 66: Image memory group 68: CPU 69: ROM 70: RAM 71, 72: Data input / output control Units 73, 74: Image memory 80: Printer 81, 91: Input data selector 82, 93: Image combining unit 83: Primary compression / expansion unit 84: Output data selector 85: Secondary compression / expansion unit 86: Primary storage Unit 87: secondary storage unit 92: output data selector 94: additional information image memory 201, 202: storage device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Junji Uchigawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Osamu Kizaki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yamazaki Saki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. 5B057 BA02 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CC01 CE08 CH11 CH12 5C073 AA04 BB03 5C076 AA12 AA14

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image input means for inputting image data,
Image synthesizing means for synthesizing normal image data input by the means and additional information image data such as date information and page information, and normal image data input by the image input means or synthesized by the image synthesizing means Storage unit for storing the obtained image data, and 2 for storing the image data stored in the primary storage unit.
An image storage unit having a plurality of storage devices each including a next storage unit; and a primary storage unit or 2 of normal image data input by the image input unit or at least one storage device in the image storage unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image output unit that outputs image data stored or stored in a next storage unit; wherein the image combining unit includes a general image data input by the image input unit and the image storage unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: means for synthesizing the additional information image data previously stored in a primary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the normal image data input by the image input means or the image data synthesized by the image synthesis means is stored in at least one of the image storage means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a writing control unit that writes data in an area of the primary storage unit of the apparatus that is different from the already stored additional information image data. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an additional information image memory for storing a plurality of the additional information image data outside the image storage unit; An image processing apparatus comprising: means for synthesizing normal image data input by means and required additional information image data stored in the additional information image memory. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an additional information image memory for storing a plurality of the additional information image data outside the image storage unit; Means for combining the image data stored or stored in the primary storage unit or the secondary storage unit of at least one of the storage devices in the means with the required additional information image data stored in the additional information image memory An image processing apparatus comprising: