JP2001136328A - Image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing unit that does not have a user going to make a copy of an original image wait for a long time even when copy processing of the original image and other processing occur at the same time between a removable storage medium and an internal image storage device. SOLUTION: In the image processing unit that is provided with an image storage means, a read/write means that reads/writes image information to/from a removable storage medium and an image information transfer means that transfers image information between the image storage means and the storage medium and that executes at least either of the image forming processing that forms an image on the basis of image information read from the image storage means or the image input processing to input the image information to the image storage means, when a main controller 70 discriminates that both the image forming processing or the image input processing and the image information transfer are started, a CPU 88 in an IPU 80 uses an image memory controller 86 to execute the image forming processing or the image input processing with priority according to an instruction from the main controller 70.

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 such as a digital copier, and more particularly to a read / write means for reading image information such as image data from a removable storage medium and writing the information on the storage medium, and a document. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus provided with an image storage unit for storing image data read from a printer, image information transferred from the read / write unit, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a digital copying machine has a built-in semiconductor memory or a large-capacity hard disk for storing original image data to be copied. It is possible to do so, or to enable electronic sorting that outputs in page order. In addition, image data read from a scanner or image data in which character codes are developed (bit-mapped) can be stored in the large-capacity hard disk, and the stored image data can be output at a later date. Further, the image data in the hard disk is transferred to a storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the digital copying machine, thereby enabling backup and long-term storage of image information in the hard disk inside the copying machine. That is, an external image storage device that reads image information from a removable storage medium or writes image information to the storage medium, and stores image data read from a document, image data transferred from the external image storage device, and the like. An internal image storage device is provided. The removable storage medium is a writable CD.
-R, a rewritable CD-RW, and a large-capacity storage medium such as a large-capacity DVD and a data tape are used.

For example, an image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-146555 is one of the image processing apparatuses described above, and includes information necessary for copying in addition to image data on a removable storage medium. And an operation procedure program are stored to improve operability. Further, in the digital copying machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-146567, when image data is written to a removable storage medium, a reduction process is performed according to the remaining capacity of the storage medium, and continuous image data is output. Avoid straddling multiple storage media. Further, in the copying apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-205270, when a removable storage medium for storing image data and copy processing mode information is mounted, a sensor detects that the storage medium is mounted, The above information can be efficiently written to the storage medium. In a copying machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-311375, image data is encrypted and stored in a removable storage medium. As described above, a large number of image processing apparatuses that can use a removable storage medium have been conventionally provided. In such an image processing apparatus, a storage medium between a removable storage medium and an internal image storage apparatus is used. When copying or moving image data, etc., if the copy process and the print output process of the original image are performed simultaneously, the image data transfer with the storage medium and the image data transfer for the copy process of the original image overlap. I will. Therefore, in the prior art including the prior art shown in each of the above publications, a plurality of processes are performed in a time-division manner in order to prevent such a collision between reading and writing of image data at the time of transferring image data. Naturally, processing in a time-division manner slows down each processing speed, and the user has to wait a long time until the processing is completed.

Further, when image information is transferred between the internal image storage device and the removable storage medium, and when the internal image storage device is used for the image forming function, the internal image storage device and the image to be used are used. Conventional techniques using independent internal storage devices and image paths for each processing are also provided so as not to collide with each other in a path (transfer path of image data). However, in such a conventional technique, the image processing apparatus is large. It is disadvantageous not only in terms of cost but also in terms of cost, and since the image information transferred to the storage medium is mainly stored in the internal image storage device for image formation,
It is also very difficult to make the internal image storage device completely independent by function as described above. For example, assuming that there is an internal image storage device A and an internal image storage device B, when the image information in the internal image storage device A is transferred to the external image storage device, the internal image storage device B is copied in the original image copy processing. Even when the internal image storage device B is used in the copy process, the image information previously stored in the internal image storage device B in the copy process of the original image can be attached to and detached from the storage medium. In this case, the internal image storage device B being used in the copying process of the original image at that time is accessed at the same time, and a conflict in the image path occurs.

[0005]

As described above, in the prior art, copying and movement of image data and the like between a removable storage medium and an internal image storage device and copy processing of a document image overlap. In such a case, the respective processing speeds become slow, and there is a problem that a user who copies a document image has to wait for a long time until the processing is completed. In addition, there is also a problem that when they are overlapped as described above, reading and writing of the storage medium and the internal image storage device are adversely affected.
The object of the present invention is to solve such problems of the prior art,
Even when copying or moving image data between the removable storage medium and the internal image storage device and copying of the original image overlap, the user who copies the original image waits a long time until the processing is completed. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus which does not need to be performed, and which can avoid an adverse effect of vibration on reading and writing of the storage medium and the internal image storage device.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image storage means for storing image information, and a read / write means for reading and writing image information in a removable storage medium. An image information transfer unit that transfers image information between the image storage unit and the storage medium via the read / write unit, and forms an image on a recording medium using the image information read from the image storage unit. In an image processing apparatus capable of executing at least one of an image forming process and an image input process of inputting image information to the image storage unit, the image forming process or the image input process and the image information transfer by the image information transfer unit are both performed. A control unit is provided for executing the image forming process or the image input process with priority when the system is activated. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit is executing the image forming process or the image input process, and an access to the image storage unit occurs in the process. The transfer by the image information transfer means is performed at a timing not performed. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit performs the transfer by the image information transfer unit at a timing when the image forming process or the image input process is not performed. . Further, in the invention according to claim 4, image storage means for storing image information, reading and writing means for reading and writing image information on a removable storage medium, and the image storage means and the storage medium via the reading and writing means Image information transfer means for transferring image information between the image storage means and an image forming process for forming image information read out from the image storage means on a recording medium or inputting image information to the image storage means In an image processing apparatus capable of executing at least one of the processes, a determination unit that determines whether the image input process or the image formation process is being performed, and the image information is only generated when the determination unit determines that the process is not being performed. And control means for permitting transfer by the transfer means.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 5, according to claim 4,
In the described invention, it is determined that the device is not being executed by the determination unit when the device is in a power saving state,
When a transfer request is generated by the image information transfer unit in the power saving state, a power supply unit is provided for supplying power only to a location necessary for transfer. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the determination unit determines that the image forming process or the image input process is not being executed when the image forming process or the image input process is in an unexecutable state. did. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the determination unit determines that the apparatus is not executing when the apparatus is in a standby state. In the invention according to claim 8, image storage means for storing image information, read / write means for reading / writing image information on a removable storage medium, and the image storage means and the storage medium via the read / write means Image information transfer means for transferring image information between the image storage means and an image forming process for forming image information read out from the image storage means on a recording medium or inputting image information to the image storage means In the image processing apparatus capable of executing at least one of the processes, the image information transfer unit is at a timing during which the image forming process or the image input process is being executed and the access to the image storage unit is not caused by the process. A first mode in which the image information is transferred by the image information transfer means at a timing when the image forming process or the image input process is not executed. The provided selection means for selecting one of a second mode for transferring that.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. With the configuration shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus of this embodiment includes an automatic document feeder (A
DF) The document bundle is placed on a document table 2 above the document surface 1 with the image surface facing upward, and when a start key on an operation unit described later is pressed, the lowermost portion of the document bundle is The originals are fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 in order from the original. It has a counting function for counting up the number of documents when the feeding of one document is completed. The image of the document on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 20, and the read document is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, the original table 2 is detected by the original set detection 7.
Is detected, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The transfer papers stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are supplied to the first paper feeder 11, the second paper feeder 12, and the third paper feeder 12, respectively.
The paper is fed by the paper feeding device 13 and transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it comes into contact with the photoconductor 15. Then, the image data read by the reading unit 20 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser light from the writing unit 27, and passes through the developing unit 31 to form a toner image. Further, the photosensitive member is transported by the transport belt 16.
The toner image on the photoreceptor 15 is transferred onto transfer paper conveyed at the same speed as the rotation of 15, then the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged to the finisher 40 which is a post-processing device by the discharge unit 18. You.

The finisher 40 can guide the discharged transfer sheet toward the discharge roller 42 or toward the stapling section. By switching the switching plate 41 upward, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 44 side via the discharge conveyance roller 42 and the discharge conveyance roller 43, or by switching the switching plate 41 downward, the conveyance roller Via 45, 46,
It is transported to the staple table 47. The transfer paper stacked on the staple table 47 is aligned by a paper alignment jogger 48 every time one sheet is discharged, and is bound by a stapler 49 when one copy is completed.
Then, the transfer paper group bound by the stapler 49 is stored in the stapling completed paper discharge tray 50 by its own weight.
The normal paper discharge tray 44 is a paper discharge tray that can move forward and backward. Such a paper discharge tray 44 moves back and forth for each document or for each automatically sorted copy copy, and sorts the discharged copy paper. When forming an image on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 and the formed transfer paper is not guided to the finisher 40 side.
By setting the branch claw 52 for path switching on the upper side, the stock is temporarily stored in the double-sided paper feeding unit 51. afterwards,
The transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper supply unit 51 is re-fed from the duplex paper supply unit 51 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 again, and thereafter, the path set on the lower side is used. The branching claw 52 for switching guides toward the switching plate 41.

The photoconductor 15, the conveyor belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18, and the developing unit 31 are driven by a main motor, and each of the paper feeding devices 11, 12, and 13 is driven by a driving force of the main motor. It is transmitted and driven by the clutch. Further, the vertical transport unit 14 is driven by a driving force of a main motor being transmitted by an intermediate clutch. The reading unit 20 is provided with a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed.
The scanning optical system comprises an exposure lamp 21, a first mirror 22, a lens 23, a CCD image sensor 24, and the like. The exposure lamp 21, the first mirror 22, the second mirror 25, and the third mirror 26 are fixed on a carriage (not shown). This scanning optical system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 24, converted into an electric signal, and processed. The writing unit 27 includes a laser output unit 28, an imaging lens 29, and a mirror 30. Inside the laser output unit 28, a polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a high speed at a constant speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor. ) Is provided. A laser beam is output from the writing unit 27, and the laser beam is applied to the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. Although not shown, a beam sensor for generating a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position near one end of the photoconductor 15 where the laser beam is irradiated.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the operation unit 60. As shown, the operation unit 60 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 61, a numeric keypad.
62, Clear / Stop key 63, Print key 64, Preheat key 65, Reset key 66, Initial setting key 67, Copy key 6
8, Copy server key 69, LCD touch panel 61
Displays a function key, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the image processing apparatus, and the like. By pressing the initial setting key 67 in the operation unit 60 configured as described above, the initial state of the image processing apparatus can be arbitrarily customized.
Also, the size of the paper stored in the image processing apparatus can be set, the state set when the mode clear key of the copy function is pressed can be set arbitrarily, and the priority can be given when there is no operation for a certain period of time. It is also possible to set an application to be selected, set a transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star Program, and set a transition time to an auto-off / sleep mode. Also,
When the preheating key 65 is pressed, the image processing apparatus shifts from the standby state to the power reduction state (power saving state, low power state), lowers the fixing temperature, and turns off the display of the operation unit 60. Here, the preheating state means a low power state referred to in the International Energy Star Program. To release the preheat state, off state / sleep state, and shift to the standby state,
The preheating key 65 is pressed again. When the copy key 68 is pressed, the original image can be copied. The copy server key 69 is used to move the image data stored in the internal image storage device to the external image storage device or to execute a copy server function for copying. The details of the copy server operation will be described later.

FIG. 3 shows a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel 61 of the operation unit 60. This is a display example displayed when the copy server key 69 is pressed. When the user touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 61 in such a display state, the function indicated by the key is selected, and the key is highlighted in black. Also, when it is necessary to specify the details of the function (for example, when specifying printing conditions)
By touching a predetermined key, a detailed function setting screen is displayed. Since the liquid crystal touch panel 61 uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically display an appropriate display according to the situation at that time, as described above. As described above, the display screen shown in FIG.
Is a display example displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 61 when the copy server key 69 shown in FIG. 1 is pressed, and in the display area, as image management information for specifying image data already stored in the internal image storage unit. A user ID (user identification code), a document name, the number of pages, an accumulation time, a printing order, and a size (data amount) are displayed. Since the user ID is assigned in the printer driver of the personal computer connected to this image processing apparatus, it is displayed only when the image is stored by the printer function. A document name is given each time an image is stored. The number of pages is the number of stored document images. The storage time is the time when the image data was stored, and the printing order is the printing order given when printing the stored plurality of image data. Note that the displayed image management information is stored in the nonvolatile memory NV.
-The image management information is held in the RAM, and is kept held even when the power is turned off. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit display screen includes a [Copy Document to External Media] key which is a key for copying image information (image data and image management information) to the external image storage device. Is displayed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control device including the main controller 70 and the like. The illustrated main controller 70 controls the entire image processing apparatus. The main controller 70 includes an operation unit 60 that controls display displayed to the user and input of function settings from the user, control of the scanner, control of writing original image data in the image memory, and image data stored in the image memory. An image processing unit (IPU) 80 for performing image formation control and the like, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1, and the like are connected. Further, a main motor 32 and various clutches 34, 35, 36, and 37 necessary for paper conveyance and the like are also connected. FIG. 5 shows an image processing unit (IPU) 80
It is a block diagram of a structure of. With such a configuration, the image processing unit 80 photoelectrically converts the reflected light of the light emitted from the exposure lamp 21 by the CCD image sensor 24 and converts the reflected light into a digital signal by the A / D converter 81. The image data converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 82, and then subjected to MTF correction, γ correction, and the like by the image processing unit 83. Then, the image data that has passed through the scaling unit 84 is enlarged or reduced in accordance with the scaling ratio, and flows to the selector 85. The selector 85 switches the destination of the image data to the write γ correction unit 89 or the image memory controller 86. The image data that has passed through the writing γ correction unit 89 is corrected for writing γ in accordance with the image forming conditions, and is sent to the writing unit 27. Between the image memory controller 86 and the selector 85,
The image data can be input and output in both directions.
Further, a CPU 88 for setting the image memory controller 86 and the like and controlling the reading unit 20 and the writing unit 27, and an R for storing programs and data thereof.
An OM 90, a RAM 91, and an NV-RAM 92 are provided. CP
U88 can write and read data in the image memory 87 via the image memory controller 86.

The image data sent to the image memory controller 86 is compressed by an image compression device in the image memory controller 86 and sent to the image memory 87. Although it is possible to write the data of 256 gradations of the maximum image size as it is without compression to the image memory 87, the reason for compressing the image data in this embodiment is that the image compression is limited by performing image compression. This is because the memory can be used effectively. Further, since a large amount of document image data can be stored at one time, the document image data can be output in page order using this image memory 87 when, for example, the sorting function is used. In this case, the image data in the image memory 87 is output while being sequentially expanded by the expansion device in the image memory controller 86. Further, by using the image memory 87, it is also possible to sequentially read a plurality of original image data into an area obtained by dividing an area for one transfer sheet of the image memory 87. For example, four original images are sequentially written into four equally divided areas of one transfer paper in the image memory 87, so that the four originals are combined into one transfer paper image and the aggregated copy output is obtained. It is possible to obtain. Such a function is generally called “aggregated copy”. The image data in the image memory 87 is accessible from the CPU 88. For this reason, it is possible to process the contents of the image data in the image memory 87, and for example, it is possible to perform a thinning process of the image data, a cutout process of the image, and the like. At the time of processing, image data is processed by writing control data into a register in the image memory controller 86. Also,
The processed image data is stored again in the image memory 87.

The image memory 87 is divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data to be processed, and is configured to be able to simultaneously execute input and output of image data. An image memory controller 86 is provided to enable input and output of image data to each of the divided areas in parallel.
Are connected to two sets of address / data lines for reading and writing. Thus, an operation of outputting (reading) image data from area 2 while inputting (writing) image data to area 1 is enabled. Further, the image data in the image memory 87 can be read by the CPU 88 and transferred to the operation unit 60 via the I / O port 93. Since the screen display resolution of the operation unit 60 is generally low, the original image data in the image memory 87 is thinned out and sent to the operation unit 60. Since a large amount of image data is stored in the image memory 87, a hard disk device 94 may be separately provided for reasons of storage capacity. The use of the hard disk drive 94 also has a feature that image data can be permanently retained even when the power is turned off. In the configuration including the hard disk device 94, the image memory 87 and the hard disk device 94 constitute an internal image storage device serving as image storage means, and in the configuration without the hard disk device 94, the image memory 87 serves as an internal image storage device. . In order to read and hold a plurality of fixed originals (format originals) with a scanner, the hard disk device 94 is generally used.

Also, a CD-ROM is used as the external image storage means.
An external image storage device 95 having a removable storage medium such as an R, a CD-RW, or a DVD having a larger storage capacity is provided. The bus of the external image storage device 95 is controlled by a step SC step SI controller 96 and executes writing and reading of image data. At the time of writing and reading, the image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 87 in order to absorb a difference from the processing speed of image formation and image reading from the scanner. That is, when writing the image data from the scanner to the external image storage device 95, the data is always written via the image memory 87. When sending image data from the external image storage device 95 to the writing unit 27, the image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 87 and then sent to the writing unit 27. Reading and writing of image data with respect to the image memory 87 for storing image data, the hard disk device 94, and the external image storage device 95, image data input from a scanner (such as the reading unit 20), and output of image data to be sent to the writing unit 27 are all performed. The image path can be determined by the image memory controller 86. FIG. 7 shows an example of an input / output combination of image paths. When the CPU 88 determines the input source and output destination of the image data, the image memory controller 86 connected to the CPU 88 can switch the flow of the image data.

The transfer timing of one page of image data in the selector 85 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, / FGATE represents an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. The / L step SYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image data becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. A signal indicating that image data in the main scanning direction is valid is / LGATE. These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and data of 8 bits (256 gradations) per pixel is sent for one cycle of VCLK. In this embodiment, the writing density on the transfer paper is 400 dpi, and the maximum number of pixels is 4800 pixels in the main scanning direction and 6800 pixels in the sub-scanning direction.
Pixel. In this embodiment, the image data is 25
Assume that the closer to 5, the whiter the image becomes. FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram of the image processing apparatus. As shown in the figure, the function of operating the image data stored in the internal image storage device exists as a copy server application processing unit, and is activated in the same line as the copy application processing unit and the printer application processing unit, and each operates independently. It shall be. The operation unit, the peripheral device, the image processing unit, the image reading unit, and the memory unit, which are shared resources, are arbitrated by the system controller. Each application processing unit can write the respective operation screen information in a virtual screen area (memory area corresponding to the real screen) provided by the operation unit. The operation unit develops and displays the operation screen information of the virtual screen area specified by the system controller on the real screen. In the case where the external image storage device 95 is provided externally, the external image storage device 95 is connected to the connection port of the SI controller 96 in step SC shown in FIG. This is performed by the SI controller 96.
In this embodiment, the read / write means described in the claims is realized by an external image storage device, the image information transfer means is realized by an image memory controller 86, a CPU 88, a data bus, and the like, and the control means is a main controller.
70, an image memory controller 86, a CPU 88 and the like. Further, the image information described in the claims is simply the image data or information including at least the image data.

Next, an image memory 87 in the image processing apparatus is used.
An operation example when copying the image data stored in the external image storage device 95 to the external image storage device 95 will be described. FIG. 8 shows an example of an operation screen of a copy application (copy of a document image) mounted as one of the applications of the image processing apparatus. Since the copy application is known, the detailed description is omitted. FIG.
2 shows an example of an initial setting screen of the image processing apparatus.
Although it has been described that the initial state of the image processing apparatus can be arbitrarily customized by pressing the initial setting key 67 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 9 shows a case where the hard disk drive 94 and the CD-R in the external image storage device 95 are used. 5 shows an example of selecting the image data transfer timing. “Application priority processing”, “processing during power saving”, and “processing during standby” can be selected. The set value is held in the non-volatile memory NV-RAM 92, and is kept held even when the power is turned off. If “application priority processing” is selected in the display state as described above, for example, when a copy application (copy of an original image) is used, writing to the external image storage device 95 by the copy server is executed. By controlling the image path by the image memory controller 86, the image processing time of the image processing for the copy processing or the external image storage after the completion of the copy processing can be performed without disturbing the flow of the copy processing of the original image. Writing to the device 95 is performed.

FIG. 10 shows the state of the application priority processing.
As illustrated, when an instruction to transfer image data to the external image storage device 95 is issued by the copy server after an instruction to start copying from a document, the image processing apparatus first reads a document image in order to give priority to a copy application. Figure
In 10, there are four originals, four scan operations are performed, and the read image data is written to the image memory 87 and simultaneously written to the hard disk drive 94.
In this copy operation, the image data is transferred to the hard disk drive 94 without using the copy and sort functions for a plurality of sheets.
This is because jam recovery is performed using the image data temporarily stored in the hard disk device 94. After a series of copying processes is completed, the transfer of image data from the hard disk device 94 to the CD-R by the copy server which has been waiting is started. When the technique according to the present invention is not used, the first image of the copy is scanned, and the image data is stored in the hard disk drive 94. The reading is delayed, and the copy productivity is reduced accordingly.

FIG. 11 is different from FIG. 10 in that the use of the image path in the copy operation and the access to the image memory 87 and the hard disk drive 94 are performed by using the interval between the image paths used in the copy operation for the transfer image data. This is a time chart showing how the image data to be transferred stored in the hard disk device 94 is temporarily written to the image memory 87 and processed at a time without any hindrance. In the process of copying a plurality of originals, writing image data read from the original to the image memory 87 and reading from the image memory 87 for image transfer to a CD-R overlap, but as described above, This is possible because the image memory 87 can be divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data so that input and output of image data can be performed simultaneously. However, when the storage capacity of the image memory 87 is only one A3 size, for example, it is necessary that the original for reading the copy is A4 and the image transferred to the CD-R is A4 size. That is, the size of the image to be processed simultaneously must be within the maximum size of the image memory 87. By performing the processing as described above, it is possible to simultaneously transfer the image data to the external image storage device while securing the copy productivity.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the operation flow shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, a CD-R is used as a removable storage medium. In this embodiment, the system controller constituted by the main controller 70 and the like and the IPU 80
Periodically executes this CD-R image path control flow. With such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the image forming process or the image input process is being performed, and the access to the internal image storage device associated with the process has not occurred. Hard disk drive with timing
A mode (first mode) in which image data is transferred between the hard disk drive 94 and the CD-R at a timing when the image forming process or the image input process is not performed. Transfer timing selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of modes such as a transfer mode (second mode) is provided, and image data transfer is executed at the timing selected by the transfer timing selecting means. The transfer timing selecting means is constituted by the initial setting means as shown in FIG. 9, and performs the image path control as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 according to the set value. That is, when entering the operation flow shown in FIG. 13, the main controller 70 transfers the transfer timing information set in the initial setting as shown in FIG.
Obtain from 2. If the “application priority process” is set (Yes in step S31), the operation flow (image path control 1) shown in FIG. 14 is executed (step S32).
If "process during power saving" is set (step S33)
Yes), the operation flow shown in FIG. 15 (image path control 2)
Is executed (step S34). If the setting is not one of the above (No in step S33), the operation flow (image path control 3) shown in FIG. 16 is executed (step S33).
35).

When entering the image path control 1 of the operation flow shown in FIG. 14, the main controller 70 executes application processing such as copy processing of a document image using the image path, ie, stores image data in the image memory 87. It is determined whether any of the image input processing for inputting the image data and the image forming processing for reading image data from the image memory 87 (these are the priority jobs) is in the active state (including executing) (step S1). For example, regarding the copy application processing unit shown in FIG. 12, when a copy application operation is started by a predetermined key selection or the like in the operation unit 60, the copy application is activated in a predetermined area in the RAM 91. The startup state information shown is set, and the CPU 88 operating as a system controller refers to the predetermined area to determine whether the priority job is running. And
If it is determined that it is running (Yes in step S1),
At that time, if the image path has not been given to the job yet, the CPU 88 in the IPU 80
The control data for setting the image path for the job is set in the register inside the register. Then, the image memory controller 86 controls the logic circuit. As a result, the image data input via the CCD image sensor 24, the selector 85, etc. is written into the image memory 87 via the image memory controller 86, and is also written. The written image data is written to the writing unit 27 via the image memory controller 86 and the selector 85.

On the other hand, the main controller 70 continues to monitor the activation state information of the predetermined area. For example, the copy application processing unit must complete the image forming processing of one or a plurality of copies of a job. For example, since the activation state information of the predetermined area is not cleared, the application process (priority job) occupies the image path during that time. On the other hand, if the application processing as described above is not performed or is terminated, the activation state information of the predetermined area indicates that the priority job has not occurred (No in step S1). The main controller 70 determines whether a CD-R use request has been issued (step S2). For example, the copy server application unit monitors the remaining storage capacity of the internal image storage device, and when the remaining storage capacity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the storage time of the internal image storage device which is older is stored in each image data. Judgment is made from the time information, and the image data whose storage time is old is automatically moved to the CD-R, that is, the external image storage device 95. Therefore, in one such case, a CD-R use request is generated. Alternatively, according to a user's instruction, movement or copying from the internal image storage device to the CD-R, or movement or copying in the opposite direction occurs, and a CD-R use request is generated. Then, in such a case, the copy server application processing unit writes the activation state information indicating the fact to another predetermined area of the RAM 91, and the main controller 70 refers to the predetermined area to determine whether or not there is a CD-R use request. Is determined. As a result, if it is determined that there is no CD-R use request (No in step S2), the process returns to step S1, and the above operation is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a CD-R use request (Yes in step S2), the CPU 88 sets control data in the image memory controller 86, and transfers the image path to the copy server as described above. This is given to the application processing, and the image data for one page is transferred between the hard disk drive 94 and the CD-R by occupying the image path (step S3). When the transfer of the image data for one page is completed, the process returns to step S1, and the main controller 70 again determines whether or not the priority job is in the activated state.
o) If a CD-R request has occurred (Ye in step S2)
s) That is, if there is, for example, the next page, image data transfer is continuously performed between the hard disk drive 94 and the CD-R (step S3). On the other hand, if the priority job is in the activated state (Yes in step S1), the transfer between the hard disk drive 94 and the CD-R is interrupted even if the next page is transferred, and the image data transfer of the priority job is completely performed. Until the page transfer is completed. However, if the image data transfer of the priority job is not executed due to some cause, for example, paper end, the priority job may remain in the activated state, for example, even if copying of all pages has not been completed. , Image data can be transferred between the hard disk drive 94 and the CD-R.

Also, in the embodiment of the present invention, even when the image processing apparatus is in a power saving state such as at night, if there is image information transfer, power supply means for enabling the transfer, and whether or not the image processing apparatus is in the power saving state Is determined, and when in the power saving state, it is determined that the image input processing or the image forming processing is not being executed, and the image data transfer is permitted. For example, the power supply lines to the image memory controller 86, the image memory 87, the CPU 88, the ROM 90, the RAM 91, the step SC and the step SI controller 96 shown in FIG. Also, power is supplied to the main controller 70 and the CD-R
When the image information is transferred, the power supply means is configured to supply power to the respective units such as the main controller 70 and the image memory controller 86, the hard disk device 94 and the external image storage device 95. The power saving state is entered when the preheating key 65 is pressed, and when the standby state continues for a predetermined time or more. Then, when entering the flow of the image path control 2 shown in FIG.
The main controller 70, which is also a judging means for judging whether or not it is in the power saving state, judges whether or not it is in the power saving state (step S11). When the main controller 70 as the system controller is in the power saving state, by setting power state information (flag) indicating the power saving state in a predetermined area in the RAM 91 and referring to the power state information, It is determined whether or not it is in the power saving state. If it is determined that the camera is in the power saving state (step S
11), it is determined whether or not there is a CD-R use request (step S12). If it is determined that there is a CD-R request (Yes in step S12), the hard disk drive 94 or the external image storage device is determined. Power is also supplied to the HDD 95 and the like, and image data is transferred between the hard disk drive 94 and the CD-R as in the first embodiment (step S13). On the other hand, when it is determined that the state is not the power saving state (step S11).
No), and when it is determined that there is no CD-R use request (No in step S12), whether or not there is a power saving state (step S11) and whether there is a CD-R use request (step S12) To monitor.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a judging means for judging whether the image input processing or the image forming processing is in an unexecutable state where it cannot be executed due to an abnormality, or the image processing apparatus is in a standby state. In the non-executable state or the standby state, it is determined that the image input processing or the image forming processing is not being executed, and the execution of the image information transfer is permitted.
Note that the determination means is realized by the main controller 70. Also, the standby state is a state in which the operation provided by the image processing apparatus to the user such as copying is not performed,
In such a case, it is also possible to set the power saving state. Then, when entering the flow of the image path control 3 shown in FIG.
It is monitored whether it is in an execution impossible state where copying of a document image or the like is not possible and whether or not the image processing apparatus is in a standby state. That is, whether or not it is paper end (step S21) and whether or not it is toner end (step S2)
2) Whether the original or transfer paper is in a jam state (step S2)
3) It is monitored whether there is any other abnormal state in which image data can be transferred between the hard disk drive 94 and the CD-R (step S24), and whether the apparatus is in the standby state (step S25). Then, in any state, the CD-R
It is determined whether there is a use request (step S26), and the CD
If it is determined that there is an -R request (Ye in step S26)
s), the hard disk drive 9 as in the first embodiment.
4 and image data transfer between the CD-R (step S
27). Thus, according to this embodiment, appropriate image path control can be performed according to the situation.

Further, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, copying and movement of image data and the like between the external image storage device and the internal image storage device and the copy process of the original image are both activated. In this case, the copy process of the original image can occupy the image path preferentially, so that the user who copies the original image does not have to wait a long time until the process is completed. In addition, since the copying of the original image and the reading and writing on the removable storage medium do not overlap, there is no vibration when reading and writing on the image storage means, and therefore, the reliability of the reading and writing is improved. Since the processing using the external image storage device involves the user and has few processes requiring urgency, there is little problem even if the processing is postponed. Further, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, since the process using the external image storage device is not performed when copying the original image, the copy process of the original image can occupy the image path with priority, The user who copies the original image does not have to wait a long time until the processing is completed, and the reading and writing processing using the external storage device can be performed in an environment with little vibration,
Therefore, reliability is also improved. In addition, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the processing using the external image storage device is not performed when the image processing apparatus is not in the executable state in which the original image can be copied or in the standby state of the image processing apparatus. The process can occupy the image path preferentially, the user who copies the original image does not have to wait for a long time until the process is completed, and the reading and writing processes using the external storage device can be performed in an environment with little vibration, Therefore, reliability is also improved. Further, since the processing using the external image storage device is performed when the original image cannot be copied, the image processing device can be effectively used. In the operation flow examples shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, when the determining unit determines that the image forming apparatus is in the power saving state, the non-executable state, or the standby state, it is determined that the image input processing or the image forming processing is not being performed. Then, the transfer by the image information transfer unit is permitted, but the state in which it is determined that the image information is not being executed is not limited to each of the above states. For example, a state in which the user instructs not to be executing using the operation unit is also a state in which the user is not executing. Further, instead of selecting one of the image path control 1 shown in FIG. 14, the image path control 2 shown in FIG. 15, and the image path control 3 shown in FIG.
A configuration in which at least one can be executed is also possible, or a configuration in which any two are provided so that the user can select from the two is also possible.

[0028]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the image forming process or the image inputting process and the image information transfer by the image information transferring means are both activated, the image forming process or the image forming process is started. Since the image input processing is executed with priority, the image forming processing or the image input processing can occupy the image path with priority, so that the user who performs copying of the original image does not have to wait for a long time until the processing is completed. I'm done. In addition, since the copying of the original image and the reading and writing on the removable storage medium do not overlap, there is no vibration when reading and writing on the image storage means, and therefore, the reliability of the reading and writing is improved. Also, in the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, the image forming process or the image input process is being executed, and the access to the image storage unit accompanying the process is not generated at the timing. Since the transfer by the image information transfer means is performed, the effect of claim 1 is obtained, and the reading and writing when the copy of the original image and the reading and writing on the removable storage medium overlap with each other are performed. Ends earlier than. In the invention according to claim 3,
2. The image information transfer means according to claim 1, wherein if the image formation processing or the image input processing is started but is not executed for some reason, the image information transfer means performs the transfer at that time. The transfer by the user does not needlessly wait.

According to the present invention, it is determined whether an image input process or an image forming process is being executed, and the transfer by the image information transfer means is permitted only when it is determined that the image input process or the image forming process is not being executed. Therefore, the copying of the original image and the reading and writing of the removable storage medium do not overlap, so that the user who performs the copying of the original image does not have to wait for a long time until the processing is completed, Since there is no vibration at the time of reading / writing, the reliability of the reading / writing is also improved. Also, in the invention according to claim 5, in the invention according to claim 4, when a transfer request is generated by the image information transfer means in the power saving state,
Since power is supplied only to a portion necessary for the transfer and the transfer by the image information transfer means is permitted, the same effect as the invention according to the fourth aspect can be obtained by effectively utilizing the power saving state. . Further, in the invention according to claim 6, in the invention according to claim 4, the transfer by the image information transfer means is permitted when the image forming process or the image input process is in an unexecutable state. Since the same effects as those of the invention can be obtained, and reading / writing to / from a removable storage medium is performed when a document image cannot be copied, the image processing apparatus can be used effectively.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the transfer by the image information transfer means is permitted when the apparatus is in a standby state, so that the same effect as the sixth aspect of the present invention is obtained. Obtainable. Further, in the invention according to claim 8, the image information transfer unit performs the transfer at a timing during which the image forming process or the image input process is being executed and the access to the image storage unit is not caused by the process. Either the first mode or the second mode in which the image information transfer unit performs transfer at a timing when the image forming process or the image input process is not performed is selected. Path control can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a screen view of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main part of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is another block diagram of a main part of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a timing chart of a main part of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is another screen view of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is another screen view of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another timing chart of a main part of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another timing chart of a main part of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is another operation flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is another operation flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is another operation flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 Reading unit 24 CCD image sensor 27 Writing unit 60 Operation unit 61 LCD touch panel 62 Numeric keys 67 Initial setting key 68 Copy key 69 Copy server key 70 Main controller 80 Image processing unit 85 Selector 86 Image memory controller 87 Image memory 88 CPU 90 ROM 91 RAM 92 NV-RAM 94 Hard disk drive 95 External image storage

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image storage means for storing image information, a read / write means for reading and writing image information on a removable storage medium, and an image information between the image storage means and the storage medium via the read / write means. Image information transfer means for transferring the image information, wherein at least one of image formation processing for forming an image on the recording medium of the image information read from the image storage means or image input processing for inputting the image information to the image storage means In the executable image processing apparatus, when the image forming process or the image input process and the image information transfer by the image information transfer unit are both activated, the image forming process or the image input process is preferentially executed. An image processing apparatus comprising a control unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to execute the transfer by the image information transfer unit at a timing during which the image forming process or the image input process is being performed and the access to the image storage unit is not caused by the process. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing is performed. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the transfer by the image information transfer unit at a timing when the image forming process or the image input process is not performed. 4. An image storage means for storing image information, a read / write means for reading and writing image information on a removable storage medium, and an image information between the image storage means and the storage medium via the read / write means. Image information transfer means for transferring the image information, wherein at least one of image formation processing for forming an image on the recording medium of the image information read from the image storage means or image input processing for inputting the image information to the image storage means In an executable image processing apparatus, a determination unit that determines whether the image input process or the image formation process is being performed, and the transfer by the image information transfer unit only when the determination unit determines that the image input process or the image formation process is not being performed. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit for permitting. 5. The determination means determines that the apparatus is not executing when the apparatus is in a power saving state, and when a transfer request is issued by the image information transfer means in the power saving state, the transfer is not performed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a power supply unit that supplies power only to a necessary place. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines that the image forming process or the image input process is not being executed when the image forming process or the image input process is in an unexecutable state. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines that the apparatus is not being executed when the apparatus is in a standby state. 8. An image storage means for storing image information, a read / write means for reading / writing image information from / to a removable storage medium, and an image information between the image storage means and the storage medium via the read / write means. Image information transfer means for transferring the image information, wherein at least one of image formation processing for forming an image on the recording medium of the image information read from the image storage means or image input processing for inputting the image information to the image storage means An executable image processing apparatus, wherein the image information transfer unit performs transfer at a timing during which the image forming process or the image input process is being performed and the access to the image storage unit is not generated in the process. A second mode in which the image information is transferred by the image information transfer unit at a timing when the image forming process or the image input process is not performed. An image processing apparatus provided with a selection unit for selecting one of the modes.