JP2001103270A - Image processing device and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device which enables a user to use its sophisticated image edit function at a reasonable cost or a reasonable running cost and to install an extended image processing function in addition without the need for any additional hardware. SOLUTION: In the image processing device such as a digital color/ monochromatic copying machine that reads a color or monochromatic image to form its copy image, a basic image processing section that realizes a basic copy function and an extended image processing section that conducts image edit and adjustment or the like are realized respectively by software programs. Furthermore, the basic image processing function and all image edit functions are mounted to the image processing device form the beginning of all models. However, all the extended image processing functions such as image edit are not available for all users and the image processing device has a use control means by which a function desired by a user is made available after obtaining permission through a password or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for reading and inputting an image of a color original by image input means such as a color scanner, and performing predetermined image processing such as image quality adjustment and editing processing on the input image. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a digital color copying machine that outputs an image on paper by an image output unit such as an electrophotographic color printer after the image processing, and an image processing system using the image processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image processing apparatus such as a digital color / monochrome copying machine that reads a color image or a monochrome image and forms a duplicate image, the quality of the image to be duplicated is important.

Further, a color / monochrome copying machine generally has not only a function of copying an image but also an image editing function such as adjustment of image quality and color and deformation of an image. Normally, the image processing function for copying an image and the image processing function for realizing image editing are realized by basic image processing hardware for realizing basic copying and extended image processing hardware for performing image editing, respectively. The product form of the copier includes a basic configuration model capable of performing only normal copying with basic image processing hardware, and basic image processing hardware and extended image processing hardware.
An extended configuration model also having various image editing functions is prepared. Then, the user selects and purchases these models according to the purpose of use.

Generally, an extended function model equipped with various image editing functions is set at a considerably higher price than a basic configuration model. Also, since various image editing functions are configured with hardware separate from the basic image processing, hardware that realizes the image editing function can be added as an option to the basic configuration model equipped with only the basic image processing. It can be purchased and additionally implemented, and extended to the extended function model.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional color / monochrome copying machine, in order to realize various image editing functions, it is necessary to purchase hardware for realizing the image editing function. Will be forced to invest heavily. However, the image editing function used by the user is usually only a part of the various installed image editing functions. Therefore, the price of additional hardware for the image editing function to be used becomes considerably high, and as a result, the cost performance is not satisfactory for the user.

On the other hand, it is conceivable that the extended image processing hardware of the image editing function is divided for each image editing function and the product model is subdivided and set so that the user can select only necessary functions. The extended image processing hardware for editing has a common part, and the cost performance is still worse.

[0007] When various editing functions are used repeatedly, the functions provided only from the beginning may become insufficient. In many cases, it is often desired to further expand the functions. The function of the processing unit hardware cannot be expanded, and even if it is expanded,
It is necessary to replace the entire hardware of the extended image processing unit, and even if you only want to expand a part of the function, you have to purchase new hardware for the extended image processing unit, which is considerably expensive Investment.

Further, as described above, the image quality is most important in a color / monochrome copying machine. To realize high image quality, the basic image processing unit is important, and to improve image quality, the basic image processing unit needs to be extended. However, as with the image editing function, it is necessary to replace the entire hardware of the basic image processing unit. You have to buy hardware for the image processing unit and make a considerable investment.

That is, conventionally, since the basic image processing section for realizing the basic copying and the extended image processing section for performing the image editing are constituted by hardware, it is difficult to easily extend the functions at low cost. It has become.

Therefore, the present invention enables a user to use a high-performance image editing function at a reasonable price or running cost, and additionally install an extended image processing function without additional hardware. It is an object to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing system which become the following.

[0011]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: image input means for inputting an image of a document; and image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image input by the image input means. First program storage means for storing a basic image processing program for performing basic image processing executed by the image processing means, and extended image processing such as image editing executed by the image processing means Second storing an extended image processing program for performing
Program storage means, password input means for inputting a password, password determination means for determining whether or not the password input by the password input means is correct, and the basic image processing program in the first program storage means is always executed. Control means for enabling the extended image processing program in the second program storage means to be executable based on the determination result of the password determination means;
Image output means for outputting an image processed by the image processing means.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image input means for inputting an image of a document; an image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image input by the image input means; A first program storing means for storing a basic image processing program for performing basic image processing executed by the means; and a first program storing means for performing extended image processing such as image editing executed by the image processing means. Second program storage means for storing an extended image processing program, password input means for inputting a password, password determination means for determining whether or not the password input by the password input means is correct, and the first program The basic image processing program in the storage means is always executable, and the extended image processing program in the second program storage means is stored. A certain period of time and can be performed at all times,
The image processing apparatus further includes a control unit that can be executed based on the determination result of the password determination unit after a predetermined period has elapsed, and an image output unit that outputs an image processed by the image processing unit.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image input means for inputting an image of a document; an image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image input by the image input means; A first program storing means for storing a basic image processing program for performing basic image processing executed by the means; and a first program storing means for performing extended image processing such as image editing executed by the image processing means. A second program storage unit that stores the extended image processing program, a program usage status storage unit that stores the usage status of the extended image processing program in the second program storage unit, and a program that is processed by the image processing unit. Image output means for outputting an image.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: an image input means for inputting an image of a document; and image processing program information for performing image processing recorded on a recording medium, using the image input means. A program storage unit storing a program for performing a process of extracting an image processing program from the input image processing program information; and executing the extracted image processing program, thereby obtaining the image input unit. And an image output means for outputting an image processed by the image processing means.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: an image input means for inputting an image of a document; and image processing program information for performing image processing recorded on a recording medium using the image input means. A program storing means for storing a program for performing a process of extracting the image processing program from the input image processing program information; a program registering means for registering the extracted image processing program; By executing the image processing program registered by the registration unit, an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing on the image input by the image input unit, and outputs the image processed by the image processing unit Image output means.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has an image input means for inputting an image of a document, and image processing program information for performing image processing recorded on a recording medium, using the image input means. A first program storage unit storing a program for performing a process of extracting the image processing program from the input image processing program information, and a recording medium on which the image processing program is recorded is not illegal. A second program storing means for storing a program for performing a process for confirming the image processing, and executing the extracted image processing program to obtain a predetermined image for the image input by the image input means. The image processing apparatus includes image processing means for performing processing, and image output means for outputting an image processed by the image processing means.

Further, the image processing system of the present invention comprises a program management device for managing image processing program information for performing image processing, and a program transmission means for transmitting image processing program information managed by the program management device. A program receiving means for receiving image processing program information transmitted by the program transmitting means; a program output means for recording and outputting the image processing program information received by the program receiving means on a recording medium; Image input means for inputting,
A program for performing a process of inputting image processing program information on a recording medium recorded and output by the program output unit using the image input unit, and extracting an image processing program from the input image processing program information. A program storage unit that stores the image, a program registration unit that registers the extracted image processing program, and an image input by the image input unit by executing the image processing program registered by the program registration unit. Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image data, and image output means for outputting an image processed by the image processing means.

According to the present invention, a basic image processing unit for realizing basic image processing and an extended image processing unit for image editing are realized by software, respectively.
In all embodiments, the basic image processing function and all image editing functions are provided from the beginning. However, advanced image processing functions such as image editing are not designed to be used by all users, and functions that users want to use (such as passwords) are permitted.
It has use control means which can be used after obtaining.

Some extended image processing functions such as image editing can be used in all cases. In this case, there is provided a means for storing the use status so that billing can be performed only when the functions are used. In this case, for example, at the time of maintenance of the apparatus, it is possible for a serviceman to check the usage status and to charge the user according to the usage status.

In order to enhance the function of the extended image processing function, a function of adding the extended image processing function program by reading the extended image processing program from a recording medium storing the extended image processing program is also provided. Have. In a configuration having this function, image processing software for decoding a program from image information read from a recording medium is mounted.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible for a user to use a high-performance image editing function at a reasonable price or running cost, and to additionally install an extended image processing function without additional hardware. Is also possible. At that time, a special communication interface or medium for installation is not required, and additional installation can be performed only with the function of the image processing apparatus main body.

[0022]

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

FIG. 1 schematically shows an internal configuration of an image processing apparatus such as a digital color copying machine for reading a color image on a document and forming a duplicate image thereof according to the present invention. This image processing apparatus is roughly classified into a color scanner unit 1 as an image reading unit for reading and inputting a color image on a document, and a color printer unit 2 as an image forming unit for forming a duplicate image of the input color image. It is composed of

The color scanner unit 1 has a document table cover 3 on the upper part thereof, and has a document table 4 made of a transparent glass on which the document is set, disposed opposite to the document table cover 3 in a closed state. ing. An exposure lamp 5 for illuminating the original placed on the original table 4, a reflector 6 for condensing light from the exposure lamp 5 on the original, and a reflected light from the original under the original table 4. A first mirror 7 and the like that are bent leftward with respect to the drawing are provided. The exposure lamp 5, the reflector 6, and the first mirror 7 are fixed to a first carriage 8. The first carriage 8 is driven by a pulse motor (not shown) via a toothed belt (not shown) or the like, so as to be translated along the lower surface of the document table 4.

The left side of the first carriage 8 in the figure, that is, the direction in which the light reflected by the first mirror 7 is guided, is driven via a drive mechanism (not shown) (for example, a toothed belt and a DC motor). A second carriage 9 movably provided in parallel with the document table 4 is provided.
On the second carriage 9, there is provided a second mirror 1 for bending the reflected light from the document guided by the first mirror 7 downward in the drawing.
The first and third mirrors 12 that bend the reflected light from the second mirror 11 rightward in the figure are arranged at right angles to each other. The second carriage 9 is driven by the first carriage 8 and is moved in parallel with the first carriage 8 along the document table 4 at a half speed.

An imaging lens 13 for forming an image of the reflected light from the third mirror 12 at a predetermined magnification is disposed in a plane including the optical axis of the light turned back by the second and third mirrors 11 and 12. A CCD type color image sensor (photoelectric conversion element) that converts reflected light given converging properties by the imaging lens 13 into an electric signal in a plane substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the light passing through the imaging lens 13. 15 are provided.

When the light from the exposure lamp 5 is condensed on the original on the original table 4 by the reflector 6, the light reflected from the original is reflected by the first mirror 7, the second mirror 11, the third mirror 12, Then, the light enters the color image sensor 15 via the imaging lens 13, where the incident light is converted into an electric signal corresponding to the three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). .

The color printer unit 2 performs color separation for each color component based on a well-known subtractive color mixing method, ie, yellow (y), magenta (m), cyan (c),
And first to fourth image forming units 10y, 10m, 10c, and 4c for forming images of four colors of black (k), respectively.
10k.

Each of the image forming units 10y, 10m, 10c, 1
Below 0k, a transport mechanism 20 including a transport belt 21 as transport means for transporting the image of each color formed by each image forming unit in the direction of arrow a in the figure is provided.
The conveyor belt 21 is wound and stretched between a drive roller 91 rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow a by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 92 separated from the drive roller 91 by a predetermined distance. It is driven endlessly at speed. The image forming units 10y, 10m, 10c, and 10k are
They are arranged in series along the transport direction of the transport belt 21.

Each of the image forming units 10y, 10m, 10c, 1
Reference numeral 0k includes photosensitive drums 61y, 61m, 61c, and 61k each serving as an image carrier whose outer peripheral surface is rotatable in the same direction at a position in contact with the transport belt 21. Each photosensitive drum 61y, 61m, 61c, 61k
Is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed by a motor (not shown).

Each of the photosensitive drums 61y, 61m, 61c,
61k are arranged such that their axes are at equal intervals from each other, and their axes are arranged so as to be orthogonal to the direction in which the image is conveyed by the conveyor belt 21. In the following description, each photosensitive drum 61y, 6
The axial direction of 1 m, 61 c, 61 k is defined as the main scanning direction (second direction), and the photosensitive drums 61 y, 61 m, 61 c, 6
The rotation direction of 1k, that is, the rotation direction of the transport belt 21 (the direction of arrow a in the figure) is defined as the sub-scanning direction (first direction).

Each of the photosensitive drums 61y, 61m, 61c,
Around 61k, charging devices 62y, 62m, 62c, and 62k as charging devices extending in the main scanning direction, and static eliminators 63y, 63m, 63c, and 63k, and developing devices similarly extending in the main scanning direction. Developing rollers 64y, 6
4m, 64c, 64k, lower stirring rollers 67y, 67m,
67c, 67k, upper stirring rollers 68y, 68m, 68
c, 68k, transfer devices 93y, 93m, 93c, 93k as transfer means similarly extended in the main scanning direction, and a cleaning blade 65 similarly extended in the main scanning direction.
The y, 65m, 65c, 65k and the waste toner collecting screws 66y, 66m, 66c, 66k are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drums 61y, 61m, 61c, 61k.

The transfer devices 93y, 93m, 93
c, 93k are the corresponding photosensitive drums 61y, 61m,
It is disposed at a position where the transport belt 21 is sandwiched between the transport belts 61c and 61k, that is, inside the transport belt 21. Exposure points by the exposure device 50 to be described later are charged devices 62y, 62m, 62c, and 62k, respectively.
The photosensitive drums 61y, 61m, 61c, and 61k are formed between the photosensitive drums 61y, 61m, 61c, and 61k between the developing rollers 64y, 64m, 64c, and 64k.

Below the transport mechanism 20, each image forming unit 1
Paper cassettes 22a and 22b each containing a plurality of sheets P as an image forming medium (recording medium) for transferring an image formed by Oy, 10m, 10c, and 10k are arranged.

At one end of the paper cassettes 22a and 22b and on the side close to the driven roller 92, pick-up rollers 23a, which take out the sheets P stored in the paper cassettes 22a and 22b one by one from the uppermost part thereof, 23b are arranged. Between the pickup rollers 23a and 23b and the driven roller 92, the paper cassettes 22a and 22
A registration roller 24 for aligning the leading end of the sheet P taken out from the photosensitive drum 61y of the image forming unit 10y with the leading end of the y toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 61y is disposed.

The other photosensitive drums 61y, 61m,
The toner image formed on the transfer belt 61c is supplied to each transfer position in accordance with the transfer timing of the sheet P conveyed on the conveyor belt 21.

The registration roller 24 and the first image forming section 1
0y and near the driven roller 92, that is, substantially on the outer periphery of the driven roller 92 with the conveyance belt 21 interposed therebetween, the paper P conveyed at a predetermined timing via the registration roller 24 An attraction roller 26 for providing an electrostatic attraction force is provided. The suction roller 2
The axis 6 and the axis of the driven roller 92 are set to be parallel to each other.

At one end of the transport belt 21 and near the drive roller 91, that is, substantially on the outer periphery of the drive roller 91 with the transport belt 21 interposed therebetween, the position of the image formed on the transport belt 21 is shown. A displacement sensor 96 for detection is provided. The displacement sensor 96 is constituted by, for example, a transmission type or reflection type optical sensor.

On the transport belt 21 on the outer periphery of the drive roller 91 and downstream of the position deviation sensor 96, a transport belt for removing toner adhered to the transport belt 21 or paper residue of the paper P is provided. A cleaning device 95 is provided.

The sheet P conveyed via the conveyor belt 21
Is separated from the driving roller 91 and is further conveyed.
A fixing device 80 for melting the toner image transferred to the sheet P and fixing the toner image to the sheet P is provided. Fixing device 80
Is a pair of heat rollers 81 and oil coating rollers 82 and 8
3, a web winding roller 84, a web roller 85, and a web pressing roller 86. The toner formed on the paper P is fixed on the paper, and the paper discharge rollers 87
Is discharged by

Each photosensitive drum 61y, 61m, 61c,
The exposure device 50 that forms an electrostatic latent image that has been color-separated on the outer peripheral surface of the 61k is converted into image data (Y, M, C, and K) for each color that is color-separated by an image processing unit 36 described later. It has a semiconductor laser oscillator 60 whose emission is controlled based on it. On the optical path of the semiconductor laser oscillator 60, a polygon mirror 51 rotated by a polygon motor 54 for reflecting and scanning the laser beam light, and a polygon mirror 51
Lenses 52 and 53 for correcting the focus of the laser beam reflected by the laser beam and forming an image are sequentially provided.

Lens 53 and each photosensitive drum 61y,
61m, 61c and 61k, the laser beam light of each color passing through the fθ lens 53 is applied to each photosensitive drum 6
First folding mirrors 55y, 55m, 55c that bend toward the exposure positions of 1y, 61m, 61c, and 61k.
55k and first folding mirrors 55y and 55
m and 55c, the second and third folding mirrors 56y and 5 for further bending the laser beam light.
6m, 56c, 57y, 57m, and 57c are arranged.

After being turned by the first turning mirror 55k, the black laser beam is guided onto the photosensitive drum 61k without passing through another mirror.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical connection of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the flow of signals for control. In FIG. 2, the control system includes three CPUs: a main CPU (central processing unit) 91 in the main control unit 30, a scanner CPU 100 in the color scanner unit 1, and a printer CPU 110 in the color printer unit 2. .

The main CPU 91 is connected to the printer CPU 11
0 and a shared RAM (random access memory) 35 for two-way communication.
1 issues an operation instruction, and the printer CPU 110 returns a status status. Printer CPU 110
And the scanner CPU 100 perform serial communication, the printer CPU 110 issues an operation instruction, and the scanner CPU 1
00 returns a status status.

The operation panel 40 includes a liquid crystal display section 42, various operation keys 43, and a panel CP to which these are connected.
It has U41 and is connected to the main CPU91.

The main control unit 30 comprises a main CPU 91, an RO
M (read only memory) 32, RAM 33, NV
It comprises a RAM 34, a shared RAM 35, an image processing section 36, a page memory control section 37, a page memory 38, a printer controller 39, and a printer font ROM 121.

The main CPU 91 controls the entire control. The ROM 32 stores a control program of the main CPU 91 other than the extended image processing program executed by the image processing unit 36, such as a basic image processing program for realizing basic copying. The RAM 33 temporarily stores various data.

An NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 34 is a nonvolatile memory backed up by a battery (not shown), and retains stored data even when the power is turned off. .

The shared RAM 35 is used for bidirectional communication between the main CPU 91 and the printer CPU 110.

The page memory controller 37 stores and reads out image information from and to the page memory 38. The page memory 38 has an area in which image information for a plurality of pages can be stored, and is formed so that data obtained by compressing image information from the color scanner unit 1 can be stored for each page.

The printer font ROM 121 stores font data corresponding to print data. The printer controller 39 converts the print data from the external device 122 such as a personal computer into image data using font data stored in the printer font ROM 121 at a resolution corresponding to the data indicating the resolution given to the print data. It expands to.

The color scanner section 1 includes a scanner CPU 100 for controlling the entire system, a ROM 101 storing a control program and the like, a RAM 102 for storing data, a CCD driver 103 for driving the color image sensor 15, and the first carriage 8 A scanning motor driver 104 that controls the rotation of a scanning motor that moves, and the like, and an image correction unit 105 are included.

The image correction unit 105 converts an analog signal of R, G, and B output from the color image sensor 15 into a digital signal, an A / D conversion circuit, a variation of the color image sensor 15, or an ambient temperature. It comprises a shading correction circuit for correcting a threshold level fluctuation with respect to an output signal from the color image sensor 15 due to a change, etc., and a line memory for temporarily storing a digital signal subjected to shading correction from the shading correction circuit. ing.

The color printer unit 2 includes a printer CPU 110 for controlling the entire system, a ROM 111 for storing a control program and the like, a RAM 112 for storing data, and a laser driver 1 for driving the semiconductor laser oscillator 60.
13, a polygon motor driver 114 for driving the polygon motor 54 of the exposure device 50, a conveyance control unit 115 for controlling the conveyance of the paper P by the conveyance mechanism 20, charging using the charging device, the developing roller, and the transfer device. ,
A process control unit 116 for controlling a process of developing and transferring; a fixing control unit 11 for controlling the fixing device 80
7 and an option control unit 1 for controlling options
18 and the like.

The image processing unit 36 and the page memory 3
8, the printer controller 39, the image correction unit 105, and the laser driver 113 are connected to the image data bus 120.
Connected by

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the image processing section 36 in detail. 3, the image processing unit 36 includes a memory interface 304 having an external RAM 311 as a storage unit therein, an input buffer 305, an output buffer 306, a calculation unit 307, and an instruction RAM 308.

The arithmetic unit 307 is a program-driven arithmetic unit called a so-called CPU (processor), and is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, a calculation unit 307 includes a general-purpose register R designated by an instruction.
Register file 4 for operand consisting of 0 to R31
01, an instruction register (I
R) 402, a program counter (PC) 403 holding an address in the instruction RAM 308 to be executed next, and one source register (Rs
The operation register (A) 404 holding the contents of 1) and the other source register (Rs
2) an operation register (B) 405 holding the contents, an operation register (C) 406 holding the contents to be written to the contents of the destination register (Rd) in the register file 401, and a read / write operation to / from the external RAM 311 During an external RAM memory address register (EM) holding the address of the memory location
AR) 407, an external RAM memory data register (EMD) for holding data passed to and from the external RAM 311.
R) 408, an arithmetic and logic operation unit (ALU1) 409 for executing basic arithmetic operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division and logical operations such as AND / OR, and instruction RAM 30
Instruction RAM Memory Address Register (IMAR) 410, which holds the address of the memory location during read / write operations to
The instruction RAM memory data register (IMDR) 411 for holding the instruction passed between the P.8 and the instruction RAM 308 held in the register 411 is loaded into the instruction register 402 by connecting the P1 and P2 buses. Arithmetic and logic operation unit (ALU2) 41 that executes reading and writing of data between the instruction RAM 408 and each register as an operation by bridging the S1, P1, and P2 buses.
2 and a control unit 413.

The S1 bus 414 is an internal bus to which the arithmetic and logic units 409, 412 and the registers 404, 407, 408 are connected and data is transferred between them. The S2 bus 415 is an internal bus to which the arithmetic logic unit 409 is connected to the registers 402, 405, 407, and 408, and transfers data between them. D
The bus 416 includes arithmetic logic units 409 and 412, a program counter 403, registers 406 and 407,
408 is an internal bus connected to and transferring data between them. The P1 bus 417 and the P2 bus 418 are connected to the arithmetic logic unit 412 and the program counter 40.
3. Registers 402, 410, and 411 are connected, and are internal buses for transferring data among them.

The arithmetic and logic units 409 and 412 operate in parallel, and the arithmetic and logic unit 412 includes an instruction fetch cycle and the arithmetic and logic unit 40.
9 performs an instruction execution (execute) cycle. Except for the branch processing, the arithmetic and logic unit 412 executes one instruction before the instruction executed by the arithmetic and logic unit 409. This avoids bottlenecks on the bus that occur in the Neumann architecture using the same bus for instruction fetch and instruction execution,
High-speed processing becomes possible.

Here, the instruction length and the register length are 32
The description will be made as a bit length word.

The operation in the instruction fetch cycle will be described below.

In the instruction fetch cycle, the value of program counter 403 gives the memory address in instruction RAM 308. The value of the program counter 403 is P1 bus 4
17, are loaded into the memory address register 410 via the arithmetic and logic units 409 and 412 and the P2 bus 418. After a delay depending on the access time of the instruction RAM 308, the memory data bus
11 is loaded with instruction data (assuming a 32-bit word).

Next, the contents of the memory data register 411 are stored in the P1 bus 417, the arithmetic logic unit 412, and the P2 bus.
The instruction is loaded into the instruction register 402 via the bus 418.

At the end of the instruction fetch cycle, the value of program counter 403 is increased by four to point to the address in instruction RAM 308 of the next executable instruction.

The above operation is briefly described below.

IMAR ← PC IR ← IMDR PC ← PC + 4 The operation in the instruction execution cycle will be described below.

The steps of the instruction execution cycle depend on the instruction to be actually executed. In most cases, the operand is the source register Rs in the register file 401.
1, Rs2. Source registers Rs1, R
s2 is selected using the register address specified by the instruction. The contents of these two source registers Rs1 and Rs2 are temporarily loaded into the operation registers 404 and 405.

The above operation is briefly described below.

A ← Ss1 B ← Rs2 Regardless of the type of instruction, the register fields are located at the same position, so that the register identification section can be taken out without performing an instruction decoding operation. That is, one source register is designated by the 16th to 20th bits, and
Another source register is designated by the 15th bit to the 15th bit.

Subsequent steps depend on the type of instruction specified by the operation code. The operation code is decoded by hardware in the control unit 413. Subsequently, the steps of the main operation codes will be described below.

Arithmetic and logical operation instruction register-register type In an arithmetic and logical operation instruction such as ADD R1, R2 and R3 using three registers, the contents of the operation register 404 and the contents of the operation register 405 are stored in the arithmetic and logic operation unit 409. The arithmetic and logic operation is performed to transfer the result, and the operation result is transferred to the operation register 406. The contents of the operation register 404 are transferred to the arithmetic and logic operation unit 409 by using the S1 bus 414, the contents of the operation register 405 are transferred to the arithmetic and logic operation unit 409 by using the S2 bus 415, and the D2 bus 416 is transferred by the arithmetic and logic unit. It is used to transfer the output of the arithmetic unit 409 to the arithmetic register 406. The contents of the operation register 406 are stored in the register file 401.
Is copied to the destination register Rd.

The above operation is briefly described as follows (; indicates simultaneous operation).

S1 bus ← A; S2 bus ← BD D bus ← S1 bus <operation> S2 bus C ← D bus Rd ← C Arithmetic and logical operation instruction register-constant type ADD R1, using two registers and one constant R
Arithmetic and logical operation instructions such as 2,44 differ in that one of the sources is a constant held in the lower 16 bits after the instruction. That is, the lower 16 bits of the instruction register 402
And extract constants from bits.

The above operation is abbreviated as follows.

S1 bus ← A; S2 bus ← IR (15 to 0 bits) D bus ← S1 bus <operation> S2 bus C ← D bus Rd ← C External RAM memory reference (load / store) instruction Load from external RAM 311 For both instructions and store instructions, LD R1,100 [R2] (copy the contents of address R2 + 100 to R1), ST R6,200 [R8]
As in (copying the contents of address R6 to address R8 + 200), the location address in external RAM 311 is obtained by adding the source register Rs1 and the lower 16-bit offset. The arithmetic and logic operation unit 409 is used for this operation, and the operation result is loaded into the memory address register 407. If it is a load instruction, the contents of the specified memory location are transferred from the memory data register 408 to the arithmetic register 406 via the arithmetic and logic operation unit 409. The complete sequence is as follows:

EMAR ← A + IR (15-0 bits) C ← EMDR Rd ← C The same applies to the store instruction, and the sequence is as follows.

EMAR ← A + IR (15 to 0 bits) EMDR ← B Branch instruction In a branch instruction, it is determined whether the condition specified by the instruction is true or false. For example, in BEQR2, R1, L1, R2 = R
If it is 1, the program counter 403 is offset using the arithmetic logic unit 409 by PC + L1, that is, L1 corresponding to the lower 16 bits of the instruction register 402. The sequence is as follows.

Condition ← A <operation> B PC ← PC + IR (15 to 0 bits) Jump instruction The jump instruction is specified as J100 [R1].
This is realized by loading the content of 1 + 100 into the program counter 403. The sequence is as follows.

PC ← A <operation> IR (1
(5 to 0 bits) The above is the basic operation of the arithmetic unit 307 in FIG. 4. The arithmetic unit 307 has the following function different from a general CPU, and can cope with various image processing even if the instruction RAM 308 has a small capacity. be able to. The function is a function of loading a program from the external RAM 311 to the instruction RAM 308. The sequence is briefly described below.

The instruction is ILD R1,100 [R2] (the contents of the external RAM R2 + 100 are stored in the instruction RAM R1
Address). First, the following sequence is executed by the arithmetic and logic operation unit 412.

A ← Rd IMAR ← A In parallel with this, the following sequence is executed by the arithmetic and logic unit 409.

B ← Rs1 EMAR ← B + IR (15 to 0 bits) As a result, the external data R is stored in the memory data register 408.
The contents of the memory specified by the memory address register 407 are loaded from the AM 311. Subsequently, the contents of the memory data register 408 are read by the arithmetic and logic operation unit 412 into the S1 bus 414, the arithmetic and logic operation unit 412, P
The data is loaded into the memory data register 411 via the two buses 418.

IMDR ← EMDR When this loading is completed, the memory address register 410
The content of the memory data register 411 is loaded into the memory address indicated by. By repeating this, the program is loaded from the external RAM 311 to the instruction RAM 308.

Store is also possible, and the instruction is IST
R6, 200 [R8] (copy instruction RAM R6 address to external RAM R8 + 200 address). First, the following sequence is executed by the arithmetic and logic operation unit 409.

B ← Rd EMAR ← B + IR (15 to 0 bits) In parallel with this, the following sequence is executed in the arithmetic and logic unit 412.

A ← Rs1 IMAR ← A Thereafter, an instruction is read from the address indicated by the memory address register 410 into the memory data register 411. When the contents of the memory data register 411 are the P1 bus 417,
The data is copied to the memory data register 408 via the arithmetic logic unit 412 and the D bus 416.

EMDR ← IMDR When the loading is completed, the memory address register 407
Is loaded with the contents of the memory data register 408 at the memory address indicated by. By repeating this, the store from the instruction RAM 308 to the external RAM 311 is performed.

The outline of the operation unit 307 and the external RAM 311 and the instruction RAM 308 associated therewith have been described above.
The arithmetic unit 307 can implement arithmetic processing performed by a general computer. Specifically, there are color conversion processing, high-pass filter processing, low-pass filter processing, inking (UCR, UCA) processing, gamma correction processing, gradation processing (error diffusion method, tissue dither method), and the like. Will be described later.

The input buffer 305 is, for example, a synchronous type FIFO (FIFO) as shown in FIG. 5, and outputs the internal state of the FIFO as a full detection signal FULL in response to the write signal WR from the scanner unit 1. The scanner unit 1 sets the input data DATAIN to FI when it is not full.
Output to the FO, and the FIFO stores this internally. Further, the input buffer 305 is connected to the memory interface 30.
In response to the read signal RD from No. 4, the internal state of the FIFO is output as an empty detection signal ENTTY. The memory interface 304 outputs the output data DA when the FIFO is not empty.
Read DAOUT.

The output buffer 306 is also the input buffer 30
Like FIG. 5, it is a synchronous FIFO as shown in FIG. 6, and outputs the internal state of the FIFO as a full detection signal FULL in response to a write signal WR from the memory interface 304. The memory interface 304 outputs the input data DATAIN to the FIFO when it is not full,
The O side stores this internally. The output buffer 30
6 is a FIFO for the read signal RD from the printer unit 2.
The state inside O is output as an empty detection signal ENTTY.
The printer unit 2 outputs the output data D when the FIFO is not empty.
ADAOUT (that is, image data after image processing) is read.

The memory interface 304 is an interface for connecting the input buffer 305, the output buffer 306, the bus 120, and the arithmetic unit 307, and has a large-capacity external RAM 311 inside.

The memory interface 304 outputs a read signal RD to the input buffer 305. If the input buffer 305 is not empty, the memory interface 304 reads the image data from the input buffer 305 and stores the read image data at a predetermined address in the external RAM 311. This image data is stored.

The memory interface 304 outputs the write signal WR to the output buffer 306, confirms that the output buffer 306 is empty by the empty detection signal EMPTY, and then stores the external buffer 311 in the output buffer 306.
Output data at a predetermined address.

The memory interface 304 reads data from an address position of the external RAM 311 output from the arithmetic unit 307 via the memory address register 407 in response to a read control signal output from the control unit 413. , To the memory data register 408. Similarly, in response to a write control signal output from control unit 413, external RAM 311 output from operation unit 307 via memory address register 407
The contents of the memory data register 408 are stored starting from the address position.

The external RAM 311 is connected to the shared bus 1 by the bus master circuit in the memory interface 304.
20 and is connected to the shared bus 120.
From the external RAM 311.

The configuration of the image processing section 36 has been described above. The present invention is characterized in that the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this will be briefly described.

First, before starting copying, an image processing program previously stored in the external RAM 311 in the memory interface 304 is selected based on information input by the user from the operation panel 40, and the arithmetic unit 307 is selected.
Is loaded into the instruction RAM 308 (S1).

Next, based on the processing start instruction from the operation panel 40, the scanner section 1 starts the reading operation of the original (S2). The image data from the scanner unit 1 by this reading operation is buffered in the input buffer 305 and then output to the memory interface 304 (S
3). In the memory interface 304, the external RAM 3
The image data from the input buffer 305 is stored at eleven pre-designated address positions (S4). The external RAM 311 also stores calculation data used by the calculation unit 307.

The memory interface 304 is connected to an external RA
The image data in M311 is sequentially output according to the read control signal of the arithmetic unit 307 (S5). The calculation unit 307
The image data input from the memory interface 304 is processed based on the program on the instruction RAM 308, and output again as image data to the memory interface 304 (S6).

The memory interface 304 includes the arithmetic unit 3
07 to the external RAM 311
Is stored at a predetermined address, and output to the output buffer 306 from that address (S7). The output buffer 306 outputs image data according to the connected printer unit 2 (S8).

Here, an example of the information input by the user in step S1 will be described. On the liquid crystal display unit 42 on the operation panel 40, for example, three original mode switches for designating original modes of "text original", "text original", and "photo original" are displayed. Select these. The image processing program used in each original mode is different, and is summarized as follows.

Character photo original: identification → color conversion → filter processing → inking → error diffusion method Text original: color conversion → filter processing → inking → error diffusion method Photo original: color conversion → filter processing → inking → error dither If, in step S1, a program corresponding to each original mode is not loaded into the instruction RAM 308 based on this mode information, it is necessary to develop a program on the instruction RAM 308 that satisfies the three original modes simultaneously. Normally, a high-speed operation memory is used as the instruction RAM 308. However, since this is expensive, it has a small capacity (1024 × 32).
Bit) can be implemented. It is difficult to develop a program that satisfies the processing speed and image quality of the three original modes with this small-capacity memory.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, three image processing programs corresponding to each of the three original modes are prepared in the external RAM 311 in advance, and the operation panel 40 is operated according to the original mode in step S1. The loaded image processing program is loaded into the instruction RAM 308. As a result, the command R
Since all areas of the AM 308 can be used, a more complicated program can be performed, and image processing satisfactory in processing speed and image quality can be performed.

Next, the image processing executed by the arithmetic unit 307 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart of the image processing to be executed, and performs image processing on the R, G, and B image signals input from the scanner unit 1 to perform C,
This is a process of outputting M, Y, and K image signals to the printer unit 2, and is executed in the order of color conversion processing, spatial filter processing, inking processing, γ correction processing, and gradation processing.

First, in the color conversion process in step S11, the R, G, and B signals input from the scanner unit 1 are converted by the following equation (1), and the C signal corresponding to the recording signal of the printer unit 2 is converted.
(Cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) signals are obtained.

[0107]

(Equation 1)

Next, the spatial filter processing in step S12 is performed by a low-pass filter and a high-frequency emphasis filter. First, the low-pass filter is processed with, for example, filter coefficients as shown in FIG. The arithmetic expression is as follows.

F ′ (i, j) = f (i−1, j−1) / 9 + f (i, j−1) / 9 + f (i + 1, j−1) / 9 + f (i−1, j) / 9 + f (i, j) / 9 + f (i; 1, j) / 9 + f (i-1, j + 1) / 9 + f (i, j + 1) / 9 + f (i + 1, j + 1) / 9 where f (i, j) indicates an image signal of the target pixel (i, j) (i indicates a pixel position in the main scanning direction, j indicates a pixel position in the sub-scanning direction), and f ′ (i, j) indicates a calculation result.

Next, high-frequency emphasis processing is performed by a high-frequency emphasis filter. The high-frequency emphasizing filter includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a high-frequency component calculating unit 411, a multiplying unit 412 that calculates the weight of the high-frequency component, and a subtracting unit 413 that performs subtraction from the original image. . High frequency component calculation unit 41
Reference numeral 1 denotes, for example, calculating a 3 × 3 Laplacian filter to enhance the high-frequency component of the original image, and includes a filter as shown in FIG. An arithmetic expression for the high-frequency emphasis processing is shown below.

G (i, j) = f (i, j-1) + f (i
−1, j) + f (i + 1, j) + f (i, j + 1) −4
× f (i, j) f ′ (i, j) = f (i, j) −K × g (i, j) where g (i, j) represents a high-frequency component, and K is a weighting factor. Is shown. f '(i, j) is the result of the operation.

Next, the inking process in step S13 is performed by C
(Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Cyan), M (Magenta), and Y (Yellow)
This is a process for generating each signal of (black), for example, by a well-known UCR process represented by the following equation.

K = a × min (C, M, Y) C ′ = CK M ′ = M−K Y ′ = Y−K a: Parameter for determining the amount of black Next, γ correction in step S14 The process is a process used when correcting the density characteristics of the printer unit 2 for each color of C, M, and Y and when the user adjusts the density. The simplest method is to input 8 bits and output 8 bits. LUT.

F '(i, j) = LUT (f (i, j)) Next, the gradation processing in step S15 is performed by converting an 8-bit signal of each of C, M, Y, and K into, for example, 1 bit. This is a process of converting to (binary). A typical method is “error diffusion method”.
There is. The error diffusion method is a method of adding a value obtained by multiplying the density of a target pixel by a weighting coefficient to a binarization error of a peripheral pixel that has already been binarized, and binarizing the pixel with a fixed threshold.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration of a circuit for performing binarization processing by the error diffusion method. In FIG.
511 is an input image signal, 512 is a correction circuit for correcting the image information of the target pixel, 513 is a corrected image signal, 51
Reference numeral 4 denotes a binarization circuit for binarizing the corrected image information of the target pixel, reference numeral 515 denotes a binarized image signal, and reference numeral 516 denotes a binarization error calculation for calculating a binarization error of the binarized target pixel. Part 5,
Reference numeral 17 denotes a binarization error signal, 518 denotes a weight coefficient storage unit that stores a weight coefficient for calculating a weight error, and 519 denotes a binarization error calculated by the binarization error calculation unit 516. A weight error calculating unit 520 for calculating a weight error by multiplying the weight coefficient is a weight error signal, 521 is an error storage unit for storing the weight error calculated by the weight error calculating unit 519, and 522 is an image correction signal.

Hereinafter, the binarization processing by the error diffusion method will be described in detail. The input image signal (the signal after the inking process) 511 is subjected to correction processing in a correction circuit 512 by an image correction signal 522 described later, and a corrected image signal 513 is output. The corrected image signal 513 is supplied to the binarization circuit 514 by a binarization threshold Th (for example, 80
h and h indicate hex in hexadecimal), and if the corrected image signal 513 is larger than the binarization threshold Th, “1” (black pixel) is output as the binarized image signal 515; If smaller, "0" (white pixel) is output.

In the binarization error calculating section 516, the corrected image signal 513 and the binarized image signal 515 (here,
(When the valued image signal 515 is “0”, it is 0h, and when it is “1”, it is ffh), and this is output as a binarized error signal 517. In the weight error calculating section 519, the weighting coefficients A, B, C, and D (where A = 7/16 and B = 1) in the weighting coefficient storage section 518 are added to the binary error signal 517.
/ 16, C = 6/16, D = 3/16) are calculated.

Here, * in the weighting coefficient storage unit 518
The mark indicates the position of the pixel of interest, and the binarization error of the pixel of interest is multiplied by the weighting factors A, B, C, and D, and the pixels surrounding the pixel of interest (corresponding to the positions of the weighting factors A, B, C, and D) Pixel) is calculated.

The error storage section 521 stores the weight error calculation section 51
19 is for storing the weight error signal 520 calculated in step S19, and the weight errors of the four pixels calculated in the weight error calculation unit 519 are represented by eA and e for the target pixel * mark, respectively.
The values are added to the areas B, eC, and eD and stored. The above-described image correction signal 522 is a signal at the position of the mark *, and is a signal in which weight errors of a total of four pixels calculated by the above procedure are accumulated.

In the above description of the gradation processing, the case where the output is binary has been described. However, a plurality of thresholds Th for binarization are prepared and compared with the input image to obtain the same value as in the case of binary. It is possible to perform multi-value processing.

As described above, the operation unit 307 performs the color conversion processing, the spatial filter processing, the inking processing, the γ correction processing, and the gradation processing.

The above is an example of the configuration of the image processing unit 36. The C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) signals processed as described above are output to the printer unit. 2 and recorded and output on paper.

In the above description, the operation related to the normal copying process has been described.
Can restrict the use of the image processing program executed by the image processing unit 36.

In the above description of the operation of the arithmetic unit 307, processing relating to copying has been described. However, the copying machine can process various extended functions. For example, masking / trimming,
Editing functions such as coloring and changing colors, a synthesizing function for fitting an image of another document into a document, negative / positive inversion, mirror image, and repeat processing.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the extended function is enabled when a password for the extended function desired to be used is input from the operation panel 40 and the password is accepted. For example, a list for selecting an extended function as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 42 of the operation panel 80. Here, "Marker
"Masking", "marker trimming",... "Repeat", etc. are displayed. When the user selects “Marker Trimming” and presses the “OK” button, a password input screen shown in FIG. Here, the user inputs the password of the purchased extended function license to determine whether or not the password is correct, and the "marker masking" function can be used only when the password is correct.

The password input screen is cumbersome if an input is required every time it is used. Therefore, if the password is input once, the password is permanently stored in the apparatus. Processing can be continued.

For the operation of the extended function using such a password, the following method can be considered. Some of the extended functions are difficult to understand the effects of the extended functions unless they are actually used. Therefore, after purchasing the device for a certain period (for example,
(One month), as a trial period, all the extended functions can be used without restriction, and the user can freely use the extended functions. After the trial period, you must use a license before you can use it. During the trial period, the extended function is actually tried, and a function considered to be effective by the user can be used by purchasing a license after the trial period and inputting a password.

Further, as another embodiment, the following method can be considered. In the above-described embodiment, the password is input when the extended function is used, but in the present embodiment, the password is not input, and all the extended functions can be used at all times. The count is held in a counter inside the device. In this case, at the time of maintenance of the apparatus, a serviceman checks the counter and charges the user according to the number of times recorded in the counter.

In the above-described embodiment, it is necessary to purchase a license for each extended function. However, in this embodiment, there is no need to purchase a license, and a fee is charged according to the frequency of use. In this case, there is a great advantage in running cost depending on the user.

In the next embodiment, a case where an extended function is further added will be described. This is a case where the user wants to add a function other than the extended function installed at the time of purchasing the device. For example, the "one-touch adjustment" function is used to enhance the saturation and sharpness of the original document, such as "vividness", and to increase the contrast of shading, such as "sharpness". When such an extended function is added, the image processing unit 36 of the apparatus is used.
It is necessary to add a program to the arithmetic unit 307. In the present embodiment, a program sheet is used for adding a program. Hereinafter, the procedure will be described in detail.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a program sheet.
The program sheet 551 records code information 552 of an image processing program executed by the image processing unit 36. The code information 552 is obtained by encrypting / encoding an executable program and expressing the program in binary of “0” and “1”, where “0” is recorded in a white pattern and “1” is recorded in a black pattern. is there. This pattern contains not only the image processing program but also various information (function name, version, etc.) related to the program, the machine number of the device that can execute the program, and error checking when reading the sheet. Various information (sheet orientation,
A checksum for checking a reading error due to sheet contamination etc. is also recorded. The addition of the machine number is necessary to copy the program sheet illegally and to provide a mechanism for preventing the extension function from being registered in other machines without permission.

The image on such a program sheet is
The input is performed using the scanner unit 1. In the image processing unit 36, a program for decoding the program from the read image image of the program sheet is executed.
At this time, processing such as the above-described error check, machine number check, and program sheet tilt check is also performed at the same time.

This program sheet is purchased by the user from an apparatus maker, or, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the user downloads the pattern information via the Internet and outputs it using a printer connected to a personal computer. It is also possible.

In FIG. 16, reference numeral 611 denotes a server as a program management device for managing the image processing program information 612; 613, a communication device for transmitting the image processing program information 612 managed by the server 611 via the Internet 614; Is a personal computer connected to the Internet 614 via a modem and receives image processing program information transmitted from the server 611. 616 is connected to a personal computer 615 and stores the received image processing program information on a sheet as a recording medium. A printer for printing out, 617 is a program sheet on which image processing program information is printed out, and 618 is the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment described above.

Further, a service person or a sales person, not the user, can bring the program sheet and use the program sheet.

As described above, the image processing program read from the program sheet corresponds to the instruction RA in the image processing unit 36.
It is stored in M308 and becomes executable.

[0137]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a user can use a high-performance image editing function at a reasonable price or running cost, and can add an extended image processing function. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing system that can be additionally installed without using an image processing apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of an image processing apparatus such as a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a signal flow for electrical connection and control of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing unit in detail.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a calculation unit in detail.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an input buffer.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an output buffer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing of an image processing unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image processing performed by a calculation unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a low-pass filter.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a high-frequency emphasis filter.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a filter constituting a high-frequency component calculation unit.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a gradation processing unit.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a display example of an extended function selection screen.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a display example of a password input screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a program sheet.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Color scanner part (image input means), 2 ... Color printer part (image output means), 30 ... Main control part (control means), 32 ... ROM, 36 ... Image processing part, 91 ...
... Main CPU, 304 ... Memory interface, 3
05 ... input buffer, 306 ... output buffer, 30
7 arithmetic unit 308 instruction RAM 311 external RAM

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page F-term (reference) CA07

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image input means for inputting an image of a document, an image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on an image input by the image input means, and a basic processing executed by the image processing means. A first program storage unit for storing a basic image processing program for performing image processing; and an extended image processing program for performing extended image processing such as image editing executed by the image processing unit. A second program storage unit, a password input unit for inputting a password, a password determination unit for determining whether the password input by the password input unit is correct, and a basic image processing program stored in the first program storage unit. Can be executed at all times, and the extended image processing program in the second program storage means can be executed by the password determination means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to be executable based on a result of the determination; and an image output unit configured to output an image processed by the image processing unit. 2. An image input means for inputting an image of a document, an image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on an image input by the image input means, and a basic processing executed by the image processing means. A first program storage unit for storing a basic image processing program for performing image processing; and an extended image processing program for performing extended image processing such as image editing executed by the image processing unit. A second program storage unit, a password input unit for inputting a password, a password determination unit for determining whether the password input by the password input unit is correct, and a basic image processing program stored in the first program storage unit. Is always executable, and the extended image processing program in the second program storage means is always executable for a certain period of time. And an image output means for outputting an image processed by the image processing means, the control means enabling execution based on the judgment result of the password judgment means after a lapse of a predetermined period. Processing equipment. 3. Image input means for inputting an image of a document, image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on an image input by the image input means, and basic image processing executed by the image processing means. A first program storage unit for storing a basic image processing program for performing image processing; and an extended image processing program for performing extended image processing such as image editing executed by the image processing unit. A second program storage unit, a program usage status storage unit for storing usage status of the extended image processing program in the second program storage unit, and an image output unit for outputting an image processed by the image processing unit An image processing apparatus, comprising: 4. An image input means for inputting an image of a document, and image processing program information for performing image processing recorded on a recording medium are input using the image input means,
A program storage unit that stores a program for performing a process of extracting an image processing program from the input image processing program information; and executing the extracted image processing program, the input by the image input unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing on a processed image; and an image output unit that outputs an image processed by the image processing unit. 5. An image input means for inputting an image of a document, and image processing program information for performing image processing recorded on a recording medium are input using the image input means,
Program storage means for storing a program for performing processing for extracting an image processing program from the input image processing program information; program registration means for registering the extracted image processing program; An image processing means for executing predetermined image processing on an image input by the image input means by executing an image processing program registered by the image processing means; and an image output for outputting an image processed by the image processing means Means, and an image processing apparatus comprising: 6. An image input means for inputting an image of an original, and image processing program information for performing image processing recorded on a recording medium, are input using the image input means,
First program storage means for storing a program for performing processing for extracting an image processing program from the input image processing program information, and confirming that a recording medium on which the image processing program is recorded is not illegal A second program storage unit that stores a program for performing a process to perform a predetermined image process on the image input by the image input unit by executing the extracted image processing program. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs the image processing; and an image output unit that outputs an image processed by the image processing unit. 7. The image processing program information recorded on the recording medium is extended image processing program information for performing extended image processing such as image editing other than basic image processing. Item 7. The image processing apparatus according to any one of Items 4, 5, and 6. 8. A program management device that manages image processing program information for performing image processing, a program transmission unit that transmits image processing program information managed by the program management device, and a program transmission unit that transmits the image processing program information. Program receiving means for receiving image processing program information, program output means for recording and outputting the image processing program information received by the program receiving means on a recording medium, image input means for inputting an image of a document, Image processing program information on a recording medium recorded and output by the program output means is input using the image input means, and a program for performing a process of extracting the image processing program from the input image processing program information is stored. The program storage means, A program registration unit for registering the extracted image processing program; and an image for performing predetermined image processing on the image input by the image input unit by executing the image processing program registered by the program registration unit. An image processing system comprising: a processing unit; and an image output unit that outputs an image processed by the image processing unit. 9. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the image processing program information is extended image processing program information for performing extended image processing such as image editing other than basic image processing. .