JP2001239708A - Imaging apparatus and method of controlling the same and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent lacking of an image where an image itself inputted and stored temporarily is overwritten through delay of reading caused by instantaneous lowering of transfer rate of a bus in a transfer system asynchronous with an input unit. SOLUTION: An input buffer controller 20221 determines the volume of data occupied by a data buffer section 20222 and, based on the determination results, read out of image data being transferred to an RAM from the data buffer section 20222 is switched between a main buffer and a subbuffer while limiting writing in the subbuffer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input unit for reading a document and converting the image data into image data, a storage unit for storing image data input from the input unit, and recording image data transferred from the storage unit. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having output means for outputting on a medium, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image forming apparatus has a data transfer system synchronized with an input device, and performs data transfer in response to an input request signal from an input device such as a scanner.

A conventional image forming apparatus has a data transfer system synchronized with an output device, and performs data transfer in response to an output request signal from an output device such as a printer.

[0004]

In recent years, there has been provided a data transfer system capable of performing higher-speed transfer asynchronously with an input device, and the conventional high-speed data transfer system requires a plurality of data transfer systems. An image forming apparatus that satisfies a sufficient data transfer speed while reducing the cost of the system by using a single data transfer system in a time-sharing manner by utilizing the technique has been proposed.

However, since the data transfer system asynchronous with the input device is a so-called bus type in which a plurality of functions are used in a time-division manner, a problem is that the transfer speed on the data bus is momentarily reduced. No. In this case, since the input device inputs data at a certain speed, the image cannot be transferred instantaneously, and the input image itself is overwritten and lost, which greatly affects the input image quality. There was a problem that things were concerned.

Further, a data transfer system capable of performing higher-speed transfer asynchronously with an output device is provided, and a single data transfer system is utilized by utilizing the high-speed performance, which conventionally required a plurality of data transfer systems. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus that satisfies a sufficient data transfer rate while reducing the cost of the system by using the system in a time-sharing manner.

However, since the data transfer system asynchronous with the output device is a so-called bus type in which a plurality of functions are used in a time-division manner, the transfer speed on the data bus is instantaneously reduced. Can be In this case, since the output device outputs data at a certain speed, the image cannot be transferred instantaneously, and there is no correct data to be output, which may have a great effect on the output image quality. There was a problem that it was done.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the first to twenty-third inventions according to the present invention is to provide a main storage capable of simultaneously writing the same data. And an auxiliary storage unit for determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data input from the input device, and storing the data in the temporary storage means based on the data occupancy determination result. The read of the image data to be transferred to the storage unit is switched by the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit, and the writing to the auxiliary storage unit is restricted. The second object is to prevent the image input and the temporarily stored image itself from being overwritten due to the read delay caused by the reduction in the transfer speed of the bus, and to simultaneously write the same data. Determines the data occupancy quantity in the temporary storage means for temporarily storing the image data to be transferred from said storage means have an auxiliary storage unit write capable main storage unit,
Based on the data occupancy determination result, the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit switches reading of image data to be output to the output device stored in the temporary storage unit, so that the data is asynchronously transferred to the output device. The third object is to prevent image loss in which an image to be output is lost due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous decrease in the transfer speed of the bus of the system, and a third object is to temporarily store image data input from the input device. The data occupancy of the temporary storage means for temporarily storing the data is determined, and the writing position of the image data input from the input device to the temporary storage means is changed based on the data occupancy determination result. The input and temporarily stored image itself is overwritten due to the readout delay caused by the instantaneous bus transfer speed reduction of the transfer system asynchronous to the device. To prevent image missing would be to provide a control method and a storage medium of the image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus can.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means (scanner 2070 shown in FIG. 1) for reading a document and converting the image data into image data. Temporary storage means (data buffer unit 20222 shown in FIG. 11) for temporarily storing the image data, storage means (RAM 2002 shown in FIG. 1) for storing the image data transferred from the temporary storage means, and transfer from the storage means. Output means (printer 2095 shown in FIG. 1) for outputting image data to a recording medium; and image data transfer from the temporary storage means to the storage means for asynchronously performing writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. Transfer means (image bus I / F controller 2021 shown in FIG. 8) for controlling transfer of image data from the storage means to the output means; Determining means for determining the data occupancy of the time storage means (input buffer controller 20221 shown in FIG. 11); It has control means (a buffer selector 20224 shown in FIG. 13 or a buffer write controller 21001 shown in FIG. 12) for controlling.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input unit (scanner 2070 shown in FIG. 1) for reading a document and converting the image data into image data, and a storage unit (FIG. 1) for storing image data transferred from the input unit. RAM 2002) shown in FIG.
Temporary storage means (data buffer unit 20 shown in FIG. 17) for temporarily storing image data transferred from the storage means.
232), output means (printer 2095 shown in FIG. 1) for outputting image data read from the temporary storage means to a recording medium, and image data transfer from the input means to the storage means. Transfer means for controlling transfer of image data from the storage means to the temporary storage means, which is performed asynchronously with reading of image data to be output to the output means from the temporary storage means (image bus I shown in FIG. 16). / F controller 2021) and determination means for determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage means (FIG. 17)
And a control unit (a buffer selector 2203 shown in FIG. 19) for switching and controlling the image data reading method of the temporary storage unit based on the data occupancy determination result of the determination unit.
4).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means (scanner 2070 shown in FIG. 1) for reading a document and converting the same into a main storage (main buffer shown in FIG. 13) capable of simultaneously writing the same data. 22001) and an auxiliary storage unit (sub-buffer 22002 shown in FIG. 13) for temporarily storing image data input from the input unit (the data buffer unit 20 shown in FIG. 11).
222), and storage means for storing image data transferred from the temporary storage means (RAM 2002 shown in FIG. 1).
Output means for outputting image data transferred from the storage means on a recording medium (printer 2095 shown in FIG. 1)
Transfer means for controlling image data transfer from the temporary storage means to the storage means and image data transfer from the storage means to the output means, which is performed asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. (Image bus I / F controller 2021 shown in FIG. 8), determination means for determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage means (input buffer controller 20221 shown in FIG. 11), and data occupancy determination results of the determination means. Control means for switching the reading of the image data to be transferred to the storage means stored in the temporary storage means in the main storage part or the auxiliary storage part and restricting the writing to the auxiliary storage part (FIG. 13) 122004 or the data buffer controller 22003 shown in FIG. La 21002, and has a buffer write controller 21001) and.

[0012] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the determining means determines that the data occupation amount of the image data stored in the temporary storage means is a predetermined threshold value (in a threshold storage part 21006 shown in FIG. 12). (A stored threshold value) is determined (by a comparator 21007 shown in FIG. 12).

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the control means includes a step of storing the data written in the temporary storage means in a state where the data occupation amount of the temporary storage means does not exceed a predetermined threshold value. Data read from the storage unit and written in the temporary storage unit when the data occupation amount of the image data stored in the temporary storage unit exceeds a predetermined threshold is read out from the auxiliary storage unit. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the control means, the read line of the input means is provided when the data occupancy of the image data stored in the temporary storage means exceeds a predetermined threshold. When a plurality of lines are consecutive, the image data for one line stored in the auxiliary storage unit is continuously read.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a threshold specifying means (operation unit 2012 shown in FIG. 1) for setting the predetermined threshold.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input unit (scanner 2070 shown in FIG. 1) for reading a document and converting the image data into image data, and a storage unit (FIG. RAM 2002) shown in FIG.
It has a main storage unit (main buffer 22031 shown in FIG. 19) and an auxiliary storage unit (sub-buffer 22032 shown in FIG. 19) capable of simultaneously writing the same data, and temporarily stores image data transferred from the storage means. A temporary storage unit (a data buffer unit 20232 shown in FIG. 17; an output unit (printer 2095 shown in FIG. 1) for outputting image data read from the temporary storage unit to a recording medium);
From the storage unit to the temporary storage unit, the transfer of the image data input from the input unit to the storage unit and the reading of the image data to be output to the output unit from the temporary storage unit are performed asynchronously. Transfer means for controlling the image data transfer (image bus I / F shown in FIG. 16)
Controller 2021), determining means (output buffer controller 20231 shown in FIG. 17) for determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage means, and the data stored in the temporary storage means based on the data occupancy determination result of the determining means. Control means (buffer selector 220034 shown in FIG. 19) for controlling switching of reading of image data to be output to the output means in the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the determining means determines that a data occupancy of the image data stored in the temporary storage means is a predetermined threshold value (a threshold storage unit 21036 shown in FIG. 18). (Compared threshold value) is determined (by a comparator 21037 shown in FIG. 18).

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the control means determines that the data occupancy of the image data stored in the temporary storage means is not less than a predetermined threshold value. Reading the image data to be transferred to the output unit from the main storage unit, and determining by the determination unit that the data occupancy of the image data stored in the temporary storage unit is below a predetermined threshold value if you did this,
The image data to be transferred to the output unit is read from the auxiliary storage unit.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the control means determines that the data occupancy of the image data stored in the temporary storage means is less than a predetermined threshold value. The reading of the image data to be transferred to the output means is performed one line before the read line of the input means which has been read from the main storage part of the auxiliary storage part and from the same position in the line.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a threshold value specifying means (operation unit 2012 shown in FIG. 1) for setting the predetermined threshold value.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means (scanner 2070 shown in FIG. 1) for reading a document and converting the image data into image data, and a temporary storage for temporarily storing image data input from the input means. Means (data buffer unit 20222 shown in FIG. 11) and storage means (R in FIG. 1) for storing image data transferred from the temporary storage means.
AM 2002), output means (printer 2095 shown in FIG. 1) for outputting image data transferred from the storage means to a recording medium, and temporary storage performed asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. Transfer means (image bus I / F controller 2021 shown in FIG. 8) for controlling image data transfer from the storage means to the storage means and image data transfer from the storage means to the output means; Determining means (input buffer controller 20221 shown in FIG. 11) for determining the data occupation amount;
Control means (buffer write controller 21001 shown in FIG. 12) for controlling a write position of the image data input from the input means in the temporary storage means based on the data occupancy determination result of the determination means It is.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the determining means determines that the data occupation amount of the image data stored in the temporary storage means is a predetermined threshold value (in a threshold storage part 21006 shown in FIG. 12). (A stored threshold value) is determined (by a comparator 21007 shown in FIG. 12).

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the control means determines that the data occupancy of the image data stored in the temporary storage means has exceeded a predetermined threshold value. The writing position of the image data for one line read by the input means is controlled to be overwritten with the position where the image data for the previous line is written.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a threshold value designating means (operation unit 2012 shown in FIG. 1) for setting the predetermined threshold value.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the temporary storage means has a plurality of memory planes, and can perform writing and reading independently of different memory planes.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means for reading a document and converting it into image data, and a main storage part and an auxiliary storage part capable of simultaneously writing the same data, and input from the input means. Temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data, storage means for storing image data transferred from the temporary storage means, output means for outputting the image data transferred from the storage means to a recording medium, Transfer means for controlling image data transfer from the temporary storage means to the storage means and image data transfer from the storage means to the output means, which is performed asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. In the method of controlling an image forming apparatus having the above, a determining step of determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage unit (Steps S105 and S10 in FIG. 15)
7), the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit switches reading of the image data to be transferred to the storage unit stored in the temporary storage unit based on the data occupancy determination result (step in FIG. 15). (S106, S108) and restrict writing to the auxiliary storage unit (not shown).
And a process.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means for reading a document and converting it into image data, a storage means for storing image data transferred from the input means, and a main storage capable of simultaneously writing the same data. A temporary storage unit having a storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit for temporarily storing image data transferred from the storage unit; an output unit for outputting image data read from the temporary storage unit onto a recording medium; Means for transferring the image data input from the means to the storage means, and for reading the image data to be output to the output means from the temporary storage means in an asynchronous manner with the image from the storage means to the temporary storage means. In the method of controlling an image forming apparatus having a transfer unit for controlling data transfer, a determining step of determining a data occupancy of the temporary storage unit (FIG. 21) And step S205, S207),
Based on the data occupancy determination result, a switching step of switching the reading of the image data to be output to the output unit stored in the temporary storage unit in the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit (step S206 in FIG. 21, S208)
And

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means for reading a document and converting the read image data into image data; a temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data input from the input means; Storage means for storing the transferred image data; output means for outputting the image data transferred from the storage means onto a recording medium; and temporary storage which is performed asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. In a control method of an image forming apparatus having a transfer unit for controlling transfer of image data from a storage unit to the storage unit and transfer of image data from the storage unit to the output unit, the data occupation amount of the temporary storage unit is A determination step (step S304 in FIG. 22) and the one of the image data input from the input device based on the data occupancy determination result. Writing step for changing the writing position to the storage means are those having a (step S305 in FIG. 22).

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there are provided input means for reading a document and converting the same into image data, and a main storage part and an auxiliary storage part capable of simultaneously writing the same data, and input from the input means. Temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data, storage means for storing image data transferred from the temporary storage means, output means for outputting the image data transferred from the storage means to a recording medium, Transfer means for controlling image data transfer from the temporary storage means to the storage means and image data transfer from the storage means to the output means, which is performed asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. Image forming apparatus having
A determining step of determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage unit (steps S105 and S107 in FIG. 15); and an image to be transferred to the storage unit stored in the temporary storage unit based on the data occupancy determination result. Data reading is switched between the main storage unit and the auxiliary storage unit (FIG. 15).
(Steps S106 and S108) and a step of restricting the writing to the auxiliary storage unit (not shown) are stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means for reading a document and converting it into image data, a storage means for storing image data transferred from the input means, and a main storage capable of simultaneously writing the same data. A temporary storage unit having a storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit for temporarily storing image data transferred from the storage unit; an output unit for outputting image data read from the temporary storage unit onto a recording medium; Means for transferring the image data input from the means to the storage means, and for reading the image data to be output to the output means from the temporary storage means in an asynchronous manner with the image from the storage means to the temporary storage means. A determination step (FIG. 21) for determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage means in an image forming apparatus having a transfer means for controlling data transfer.
Steps S205 and S207), and switching between reading of the image data to be output to the output means stored in the temporary storage means in the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit based on the data occupancy determination result. A program for executing the steps (steps S206 and S208 in FIG. 21) is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided input means for reading a document and converting the image data into image data, temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data inputted from the input means, and Storage means for storing the transferred image data; output means for outputting the image data transferred from the storage means onto a recording medium; and temporary storage which is performed asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. A determination is made to determine the data occupancy of the temporary storage means in an image forming apparatus having a transfer means for controlling image data transfer from a storage means to the storage means and image data transfer from the storage means to the output means. Based on the process (step S304 in FIG. 22) and the data occupancy determination result, the image data input from the input unit is written to the temporary storage unit. (Step of Fig. 22 S305) a write step of changing the write position a program for executing the one in which the computer storage medium was readable manner.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, the device of the present invention and its operation will be described in detail.

[Hardware] <Overall Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 2000 denotes an image control unit (Co).
A controller unit (controller unit)) is connected to a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device, and on the other hand, a local area network (LAN) 2011
Or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input and output image information and device information.

A CPU 2001 is a controller for controlling the entire system based on a program stored in the ROM 2003 or another storage medium (not shown). Reference numeral 2002 denotes a RAM, which is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001 and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. ROM 2003 is
A boot ROM in which a system boot program is stored.

An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 2004 stores system software, image data, and the like. An operation unit I / F 2006 includes an operation unit (UI) 201.
The interface unit 2 outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Also,
It plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.

Reference numeral 2010 denotes a network control unit (Network
(ork) to connect to the LAN 2011 and input / output information. Reference numeral 2050 denotes a modem (Modem), which is a public line 2
051 to input and output information. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

Reference numeral 2005 denotes an image bus interface (Image Bus I / F).
7 is a bus bridge that connects the image bus 2008 for transferring image data at high speed and converts the data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a high-speed bus such as a PCI bus or IEEE1394.

The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

Reference numeral 2060 denotes a raster image processor (R
In IP), a code (PDL code) described in a page description language is developed into a bitmap image. Reference numeral 2020 denotes a device I / F, which is a scanner 2 serving as an image input device.
070 and a printer 2095 as an image output device and the controller unit 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

Reference numeral 2080 denotes a scanner image processing unit which corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 converts the print output image data into
Perform printer correction, resolution conversion, etc. An image rotation processing unit 2030 rotates image data. Reference numeral 2040 denotes an image compression processing unit which performs compression / expansion processing of JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

<Image Input / Output Unit> FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an image input / output device including the scanner 2070 serving as the image input device and the printer 2095 serving as the image output device shown in FIG.

In the figure, a scanner 2070, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper as a document and
By scanning a D-line sensor (not shown), the image data is converted into electric signals as raster image data.

In the scanner unit 2070, reference numeral 2072 denotes a document feeder (document feeder), which feeds document sheets set on the tray 2073 one by one and performs a document image reading operation.

The operation of reading a document image will be described below.

The original sheet is set on the tray 2073 of the original feeder 2072, and the apparatus user issues a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG.
2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2070 (reference numeral 2071 shown in FIG. 1), and the original feeder 2072
The document is fed one by one and the reading operation of the document image is performed.

Printer 2095 which is an image output device
Is a part for converting raster image data 2096 into an image on paper, which is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ejecting ink from a micro nozzle array to directly form an image on paper. There is an ink jet system for printing, but any system may be used.

In the printer 2095, 2101-2
Reference numeral 104 denotes a paper cassette which stores paper of different paper sizes or paper directions. Printer 209
5 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and corresponding paper cassettes 2101 to 2104 are set. Reference numeral 2111 denotes a paper discharge tray for receiving printed paper.

Hereinafter, the printing operation will be described.

The printing operation is started by the CP shown in FIG.
Starting with an instruction 2096 from U2001, printing is performed on a sheet fed from any of the sheet cassettes 2101 to 2104, and the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray 2111.

<Operation Unit> FIG. 3 shows the operation unit 2 shown in FIG.
It is a top view explaining the composition of 012.

In the figure, reference numeral 2013 denotes an LCD display unit.
A touch panel sheet is stuck on the LCD to display an operation screen of the system, and when a displayed key is pressed, the position information is transmitted to the CPU 2001. 2
A start key 014 is used to start a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key 2014 is a two-color LED 2018 of green and red, which indicates whether or not the start key 2014 is ready for use.

Reference numeral 2015 denotes a stop key, which functions to stop the operation during operation. An ID key 2016 is used to input a user ID of a user. A reset key 2017 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

<Scanner Image Processing Unit> FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 2081 denotes an image bus I / F controller which is connected to the image bus 2008 to control a bus access sequence and to control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080.

Reference numeral 2082 denotes a filter processing unit which performs a convolution operation using a spatial filter. Reference numeral 2083 denotes an editing processing unit that recognizes a closed region surrounded by a marker pen from input image data and performs image processing such as shadowing, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed region. .

Reference numeral 2084 denotes a scaling unit for performing enlargement and reduction by performing an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image when changing the resolution of the read image. Image magnification line sensor (not shown) for zooming in the sub-scanning direction
By changing the scanning speed.

Reference numeral 2085 denotes a table conversion unit which performs table conversion for converting image data which is read luminance data into density data. Reference numeral 2086 denotes a binarization processing unit which binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing. The image data that has been subjected to the binarization processing in the binarization processing unit 2086 is transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2081 again.

<Printer Image Processing Unit> FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 2091 denotes an image bus I / F controller which is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence and to control and timing of each device in the printer image processing unit 2090.

Reference numeral 2092 denotes a resolution conversion unit,
1 or a resolution conversion for converting the image data coming from the public line 2051 into the resolution of the printer 2095. Reference numeral 2098 denotes a smoothing processing unit which performs processing for smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary such as an oblique line) of the image data after resolution conversion.

<Image Compression Processing Unit> FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the image compression processing unit 2040 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 2041 denotes an image bus I / F controller, which is connected to the image bus 2008 and controls the bus access sequence thereof.
2. It performs timing control for exchanging data with the output buffer 2045, and control such as mode setting for the image compression unit 2043.

Hereinafter, the image compression processing operation will be described.

The CPU 200 via the image bus 2008
1 to the image bus I / F controller 2041 for setting for image compression control. With this setting, the image bus I /
The F controller 2041 makes settings necessary for image compression (for example, MMR compression, JBIG
Settings such as expansion). After the necessary settings have been made, the CPU 2001 sends the image bus I / F controller 204 again.
1 is permitted to transfer image data.

In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041 operates the RAM 2002 or the image bus 200
The transfer of image data from each device on 8 starts. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043.

At this time, the input buffer 2042 determines whether or not image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043.
When reading of image data from the image bus 2008 and writing of an image to the image compression unit 2043 are impossible, control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshake). ).

The image compression section 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing performed when performing image compression, and several lines of image data are prepared in order to perform the first one-line compression. This is because image compression cannot be performed unless the image is compressed.

The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045. Output buffer 2045
Then, handshaking with the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043 is performed, and the image data is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 2041. The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred compressed (or decompressed) image data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008.

This series of processing is performed until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from the image compression unit 2043 (errors during compression and decompression are generated). Time etc) is repeated.

<Image Rotation Processing Unit> FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the structure of the image rotation processing unit 2030 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 2031 denotes an image bus I / F controller which is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus sequence, to control the image rotation unit 2032 to set a mode and the like, and to control the image rotation unit 2032 to control the image rotation. It performs timing control for transferring data.

Hereinafter, the image rotation processing operation will be described.

The image bus I / F controller 2031 that has received the image data subjected to the rotation processing has a continuous addressing function, and the RAM 2002 or the image bus 200
8 to each device.

Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (until the processing of the required number of pages is completed).

<Device I / F Unit> FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of device I / F unit 2020 shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. is there.

In the figure, reference numeral 2021 denotes an image bus I / F controller which is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence and to control and timing each device in the device I / F unit 2020. . The external scanner 2070 and the printer 20
95 to generate a control signal.

Reference numeral 2022 denotes a scanner interface (scanner I / F) unit,
The image data transferred using the control signal 2024 synchronized with the image bus 70 is temporarily stored, and is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 2021 with the control signal 2025 synchronized with the image bus 2008 (asynchronous with the scanner 2070).

Reference numeral 2028 denotes a buffer full signal, which is a signal when the buffer in the scanner I / F 2022 becomes full.
This is transmitted to the F controller 2021.

Reference numeral 2023 denotes a printer interface (printer I / F), which is an image bus I / F controller 202.
1 to the image bus 2008 (the printer 2095
The image data transferred using a control signal 2027 (asynchronous with the printer) is temporarily stored, and is transferred to the printer 2095 by a control signal 2026 synchronized with the printer 2095.

The procedure for scanning an image will be described below.

The image data sent from the scanner 2070 is stored in a buffer in the scanner I / F unit 2022 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2070. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when the buffer contains image data of 32 bits or more, the image data is converted into 32-bit image data on a first-in first-out basis, and the image bus I / F controller The image data is transferred to the image bus 2008 via the interface 2021.

The image bus 2008 is connected to the IEEE 139
In the case of 4, the image data in the buffer is converted into serial image data on a first-in first-out basis, and transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2021.

The processing procedure when printing an image is described below.

When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, the image bus I / F controller 2021 receives the 32-bit image data sent from the image bus and decomposes the image data into image data of the number of input data bits of the printer 2095. Is stored in a buffer in the printer I / F unit 2023.

The image bus 2008 is connected to the IEEE 139
In the case of No. 4, the serial image data sent from the image bus 2008 is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 2021.
And converts the image data into image data of the number of input data bits of the printer 2095, and stores the image data in a buffer in the printer I / F unit 2023.

The image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 2095 on a first-in first-out basis in synchronization with a timing signal sent from the printer 2095.

[Software] <Overall System> FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the overall configuration of a network system to which the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

An image forming apparatus 1001 includes a scanner 2070, a printer 2095, and an image controller 20 shown in FIG.
00, the image read from the scanner 2070 can be sent to the local area network (LAN) 2011, and the image received from the LAN 2011 can be printed out by the printer 2095.

The image read from the scanner 2070 is transmitted to the PSTN or ISDN 1030 by a facsimile transmitting means (not shown),
N can be printed out by the printer 2095.

A database server 1002 manages the binary image and the multi-valued image read by the image forming apparatus 1001 as a database. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a database client of the database server 1002, which can browse / search image data stored in the database server 1002.

Reference numeral 1004 denotes an electronic mail server which can receive an image read by the image forming apparatus 1001 as an electronic mail attachment. Reference numeral 1005 denotes an e-mail client, which can receive and browse the e-mail received by the e-mail server 1004, and transmit e-mail. Reference numeral 1006 denotes a World Wide Web (WWW) server that provides an HTML document to the LAN, and H provided by the image forming apparatus 1001 on the WWW server.
Print out TML documents. 1007 is DNS
Server.

A router 1011 connects the LAN 2011 with the Internet / intranet 1012. An image forming apparatus 1023 similar to the above-described database server 1002, WWW server 1006, e-mail server 1004, and image forming apparatus 1001 is connected to the database server 102 on the Internet / intranet.
1. WWW server 1022, e-mail server 1024
It is linked as.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1001
Alternatively, the facsimile apparatus 1031 via the ISDN 1030
Can be sent and received. Also, a printer 1040 is connected to the LAN 2011, and the image forming apparatus 10
01 is configured to be able to print out the read image.

<Overall Configuration of Software Block> FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 15, reference numeral 1501 denotes a user interface module (UI), which manages a user interface, and which mediates with an apparatus when an operator performs various operations and settings of the image forming apparatus. This module transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, and requests processing or sets data in accordance with the operation of the operator.

Reference numeral 1502 denotes an address book (Address)
s-Book), which is a database module for managing data transmission destinations, communication destinations, and the like. Address-B
The contents of the book 1502 are used to add, delete, and acquire data by an operation from the UI 1501, and to send data to each module, which will be described later, and to provide communication destination information by an operation of an operator.

Reference numeral 1503 denotes a web server module (We
b-Server) is used to notify management information of the image forming apparatus in response to a request from a Web client (not shown). This management information is read through a control API module 1518 described later, and is notified to a Web client via an HTTP module 1512, a TCP / IP communication module 1516, and a network driver 1517 described later.

Reference numeral 1504 denotes a universal send module (Universal-Send), which is a module for managing data distribution, and transmits data specified by the operator via the UI 1501 to communication (output) similarly specified.
It is distributed first. When the operator instructs to generate distribution data using the scanner function of the image forming apparatus, the device is operated via a control API module 1518 described later to generate data.

Reference numeral 1505 denotes a printer module (P55)
0), which is executed when a printer is designated as an output destination in the universal send module 1504.

Reference numeral 1506 denotes an e-mail module (E-Ma).
il), the module is executed when an E-mail address is specified as a communication destination in the universal send module 1504.

Reference numeral 1507 denotes a database module (D
The module is executed when a database is designated as an output destination in the universal send module 1504 in B).

Reference numeral 1508 denotes a DP module (DP) which is executed when a device similar to the present image forming apparatus is designated as an output destination in the universal send module 1504.

Reference numeral 1509 denotes a remote copy scan module (Remote-Copy-Scan) which uses the scanner function of the present image forming apparatus, sets another image forming apparatus connected via a network or the like as an output destination, and designates the image forming apparatus alone. This is a module that performs processing equivalent to the copy function realized by.

Reference numeral 1510 denotes a remote copy print module (Remote-Copy-Print), which uses the printer function of the present image forming apparatus as an input destination to another image forming apparatus connected via a network or the like, and This is a module that performs processing equivalent to the Copy function realized by.

Reference numeral 1511 denotes a web-pull-print module which reads out and prints information on various homepages on the Internet or an intranet.

Reference numeral 1512 denotes an HTTP module (HTT
P) is a module used when the image forming apparatus communicates by HTTP, and is a TCP / IP 15
16, the Web-Server 1503, We
It provides communication to the b-Pull-Print 1511.

Reference numeral 1513 denotes an lpr module (lpr)
Then, the above-mentioned Univ by TCP / IP1516 described later
This provides communication to the printer module 1505 in the personal-Send 1504.

Reference numeral 1514 denotes an SMTP module (SMT
P), and the above-mentioned Un by TCP / IP 1516 described later.
E-Mail1 in versal-Send1504
506 to provide communication.

Reference numeral 1515 denotes Salutation-Man.
ager module (SLM), TCP / IP described later
1516, the above-mentioned Universal-Send1
504, a database module 1517, a DP module 1508, and a Remote-Copy-Sca
n1509, Remote-Copy-Print15
10 to provide communication.

Reference numeral 1516 denotes a TCP / IP communication module (TCP / IP).
Network communication is provided by the network-Driver.

Reference numeral 1517 denotes a network driver module (Networkprk Driver) for controlling a portion physically connected to the network.

Reference numeral 1518 denotes a control API module (Control-API), which is a Universal API module.
-Provides an interface to a downstream module such as Job-Manager 1519 described later for an upstream module such as Send1504, and reduces dependency between the upstream and downstream modules and enhances their applicability. .

A job manager module (Job-Manager) 1519 interprets a process instructed by the above-mentioned various modules via the Control-API 1518, and gives an instruction to each module described later. Further, this module centrally manages hardware processing executed in the image forming apparatus.

Reference numeral 1520 denotes a codec manager module (CODEC-Manager).
It manages and controls various types of compression / decompression of data in the process specified by the aggregator 1519.

Reference numeral 1521 denotes an FBE encoder module (FBE-Encoder), which is a Job-Mana
ger1519, Scanner-Manager15
The data read by the scan processing executed by the H.24 is compressed in the FBE format. 1522 is a JPEG codec module (JPE
G-CODEC), Job-Manager 151
9. Scan processing performed by Scan-Manager 1524, and Printer-Manager
In the print processing executed by 1526, JPEG compression of the read data and JPEG expansion processing of the print data are performed.

Reference numeral 1523 denotes an MMR codec module (MMR-CODEC), which is a Job-Manager 1
519, Scan processing executed by Scan-Manager 1524, and Print-Manager
In the printing process executed by 1526, MMR compression of the read data and MMR decompression of the print data are performed.

Reference numeral 1524 denotes a scan manager module (Job-Manager).
er1519 manages and controls the scanning process.

Reference numeral 1525 denotes a SCSI driver module (SCSI) for performing communication between the Scan-Manager 1524 and the scanner unit internally connected to the image forming apparatus.

Reference numeral 1526 denotes a print manager module (Print-Manager).
It manages and controls the printing process specified by ger1519.

Reference numeral 1527 denotes an engine interface driver module (Engine-I / F).
-It provides an interface between the Manager 1526 and the printing unit.

Reference numeral 1528 denotes a parallel boat driver (Pa
ralle), Web-Pull-Print15
Reference numeral 11 denotes an I / F for outputting data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel boat.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image processing method in the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The present invention has a general-purpose image bus I / F for transferring an image and command data therein as shown in FIG. 1, and a scanner 2 in the device I / F unit 2020 shown in FIG.
070 / printer 2095 and an image forming apparatus having an image processing system and a controller which connect the CPU 2001 and can exchange image data between them.

FIG. 1 shows the basic flow of image data.
This will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The image data read from the scanner 2070 is transmitted to the image bus 2 via the device I / F unit 2020.
008. The device I / F unit 2020 has an I / F controller as shown in an image bus 2008 I / F controller 2021 in FIG. 8, and can transmit and receive image data by specifying an address on the image bus.

It is also possible to specify an address on the system bus 2007 via the image bus I / F 2005, and the RAM 2002 on the system bus 2007 can be specified.
(Which also serves as a system memory and an image memory).

Image data from the device I / F unit 2020 is transferred to the image bus 2008, the image bus I / F 2005,
RAM 2002 via each system bus 2007
Stored above. The above is the flow of image data when the image is stored in the RAM 2002 when the image is read from the scanner.

When an image is transferred from the device I / F unit 2020, the image is processed by the scanner image processing unit 2080 and then the image is transferred to the RAM 20 by the same route.
02 can also be transferred.

Next, the flow of images when transferring image data to the printer 2095 will be described.

The image data taken into the RAM 2002 is stored in the system bus 2007 and the image bus I / F 200.
5. Device I / F unit 202 via image bus 2008
0 is transferred. It is also possible to perform image data processing by the printer image processing unit 2090 during this process.

The image data transferred to the device I / F unit 2020 can be output by transferring the image in synchronization with the printer 2095.

When transferring image data to the printer 2095 as described above, the device I / F 2020 actually reads the image from the RAM 2002, and the address on the RAM 2002 is changed to the device I / F 2
By specifying 020, an image is output.

Next, the inside will be described with reference to the internal block diagram of the device I / F unit 2020.

First, the scanner side will be described.

The image data read by the scanner 2070 is transferred to the scanner I / F unit 2022 using a control signal 2024 synchronized with the scanner. Scanner I /
The image data is temporarily stored in the F section 2022, transferred by a control signal 2025 synchronized with the image bus 2008 (asynchronous with the scanner 2070), and is transferred to the image bus I / F.
This is sent to the controller 2021.

Next, the printer will be described.

The image data transferred via the image bus 2008 in response to the transfer request issued by the image bus I / F controller 2021 is transferred to the printer I / F unit 2023 via the image bus I / F controller 2021.
Is forwarded to At this time, the image data is transferred to the image bus 2008.
Is transferred by a control signal 2027 synchronized with the control signal (asynchronous with the printer 2095).

The image data is temporarily stored in the printer I / F unit 2023 and transferred in synchronization with a control signal 2026 synchronized with the printer 2095.

Next, the image bus I / F controller 2021
Will be described.

The image bus I / F controller 2021 stores the data input from the scanner 2070 and the printer 20
Both data to be output to the data 95 are time-divisionally transferred in the opposite direction (writing and reading to and from the RAM 2002). For this reason, transfer requests from the scanner I / F unit 2022 and the printer I / F unit 2023 are arbitrated, and when transfer with any one of the I / F units is ready, the transfer request in one of the I / F units is prepared. Data transfer is performed between the data buffer and the image bus 2008.

In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the present embodiment proposes an image data controller capable of transferring image data between an image processing unit and an image memory. A device I / F unit 2 for transferring input image data
When image data is temporarily stored inside the image bus 020 and the data is transferred to the image bus 2008, the image bus 2008
When the upper part is in a state where data cannot be temporarily transferred, writing and reading of data to and from a means (data buffer) for temporarily storing image data in the device I / F unit are automatically switched. This makes it possible to transfer image data input at a constant speed without any apparent loss of the image.

<Scanner I / F Unit> FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the scanner I / F unit 2022 shown in FIG. 8, and the same components as those in FIG. is there.

In the figure, reference numeral 20221 denotes an input buffer controller, which is a control signal (to mainly exchange reference signals and permission signals in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction) 2024 with the scanner 2070 and an image bus I / F controller 202.
1 and control signals necessary for data transfer (image bus 20
08, a transfer request signal or a transfer permission signal 2025 for performing data transfer) is generated.

The input buffer controller 2022
1 generates a control signal (write signal 20223, read signal 20224) for actually writing and reading data in the data buffer unit 20222.
The write signal 20223 is a control signal for writing data from the scanner 2070 in scanner synchronization.
The read signal 20224 is a control signal for reading in synchronization with the image bus 2008.

The input buffer controller 2022
Reference numeral 1 denotes a buffer full signal 2028 when the buffer in the scanner I / F unit 2022 becomes full.
F controller 2021 and data buffer unit 202
22.

The data buffer section 20222 temporarily stores image data. The data buffer section 20222 can perform writing and reading asynchronously, and has an internal portion so that writing and reading can be performed simultaneously. It is divided into a plurality of buffer plane blocks. Each buffer plane block is connected to the scanner 2
070 has the capacity to write data equal to or more than one line of image data.

<Input Buffer Controller> FIG.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an input buffer controller 20221 illustrated in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 21001 denotes a buffer write controller, which is a write address signal 2 necessary for writing image data to the data buffer unit 20222.
0225 and a write permission signal 20226 are generated. The buffer write controller 21001 generates a control signal 2024 necessary for data transfer with the scanner 2070, and enables data transfer with the scanner. Further, the buffer write controller 21001 outputs a write count value signal 21003 indicating how much data has been written to the data buffer unit 20222.

Reference numeral 21002 denotes a buffer read controller which generates a read address signal 20227 and a read permission signal 20228 necessary for reading image data from the data buffer section 20222. Further, the buffer read controller 21002 controls the control signal 202 necessary for data transfer with the image bus I / F controller 2021.
5 is generated and data transfer is performed. Further, the buffer read controller 21002 controls the data buffer unit 202
Then, a counter value signal 21004 indicating how much data has been read from the counter 22 is output.

Reference numeral 21005 denotes a subtractor which calculates a difference value between the read count value signal output from the buffer read controller 21002 and the write count value signal output from the buffer write controller 21001.
The result of this operation is the amount of data currently stored in the data buffer unit 20222.

Reference numeral 21006 denotes a threshold value storage unit which is composed of a register or the like, and stores a threshold value. By writing an arbitrary value, a buffer full signal 202 described later is written.
It is possible to change the timing at which 8 is generated. Also, the threshold value storage unit 21006 does not necessarily need to be a register, and may be any hardware that stores a fixed value. Further, the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 21006 is read from the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG.
It may be configured such that it can be set arbitrarily within a range not exceeding 2001.

Reference numeral 21007 denotes a comparator which compares the difference value signal output from the subtractor with the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 21006, and when the difference value signal becomes larger than the threshold value, A buffer full signal 2028 is output.

<Data Buffer Unit> FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of data buffer unit 20222 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 22001 denotes a main buffer, which is a data buffer normally used. Reference numeral 22002 denotes a sub-buffer which is a buffer having a smaller capacity than the main buffer 22001 and stores data for several lines. Image data input from the scanner 2070 is simultaneously written into both data buffers (main buffer 22001, sub-buffer 22002). The sub-buffer 22002 operates in synchronization with an input from the scanner 2070. That is, each line of data is written as one unit in synchronization with the synchronization signal of each line. As described above, since the sub-buffer 22002 has a small capacity, data of the latest several lines is constantly updated.

Reference numeral 22003 denotes a data buffer controller which includes a main buffer 22001 and a sub buffer 22.
002 for generating a control signal for writing image data. In the present embodiment, the main buffer 22001,
Since writing is performed simultaneously on both buffers of the sub-buffer 22002, the write enable signal is common. In addition, the main buffer 22001, the sub buffer 2
Since both buffers 2002 have different buffer configurations, the write addresses for each buffer are different, and the data buffer controller 22003
Also generates these two addresses respectively.

Reference numeral 22004 denotes a buffer selector which can read data from either the main buffer 22001 or the sub buffer 22002. Also, the buffer selector 22004 generates two types of read addresses for the main buffer 22001 and the sub-buffer 22002 so that the two can be switched and read in real time, and the two buffers can be read in response to the input of the buffer full signal 2028. It is possible to switch from which of them is read.

In the present embodiment, the buffer full state occurs when the speed of reading data from the main buffer 22001 becomes slow for some reason. Therefore,
In this case, all the data for the latest one line does not enter the main buffer 22001. If the line written to the main buffer 22001 is read as it is in a buffer full state, the portion that did not enter the main buffer 22001 is lost. As a result, image quality is adversely affected.

In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, when the buffer becomes full, the image data written in the sub-buffer 22002 is stored as it is (do not overwrite it until it is read out), and the buffer becomes full. By switching the read destination of the line written in the state from the main buffer 22001 to the sub-buffer 22002, the data is used instead of the data of the line that has not entered the main buffer 22001.

That is, the data buffer section 20222 is composed of a main buffer 22001 having a large capacity and a sub-buffer 22002 having a capacity of several lines. When the buffer full occurs in the main buffer 22001, the sub-buffer 22002 saves the data of the line being written when the full signal is received (so that the data is not overwritten until it is read). On the other hand, if the buffer full signal is not received until the line has been written, the main buffer 22001
The line written in the sub-buffer 22002 is discarded (overwritten).

At this time, the buffer selector 220
04 or a memory (not shown) inside the data buffer controller 22003 stores the line (for example, information on the number of the line) where the buffer full signal is generated, and reads the data of the line from the main buffer 22001. In this case, by switching the read destination so as to read the data stored in the sub-buffer 22002 instead, data that could not be written to the main buffer 22001 due to buffer fullness can be complemented.

If the buffering period occurs continuously for a certain number of lines, the data of the line is stored in the sub-buffer 22002 as much as possible, and the data is read out sequentially in the main buffer. The line which could not be written in the 22001 may be completely complemented, or only the data of the first line is stored in the sub-buffer for the second and subsequent lines. Subsequent reading of the same data from the sub-buffer 22002 may reduce the capacity of the sub-buffer 22002.

FIG. 14 is a memory map showing an image data storage address image on the RAM 2002 shown in FIG. 1, and shows simply how one page of image data is stored in the RAM 2002. It is.

In the figure, A is the head address of this image data, which is represented as a continuous data stream from this. Assuming that the data length in the horizontal direction of the image is B, the head address of the second line is A + B, and is represented by an arithmetic progression of the first term A and the tolerance B.

The image data is written to or read from the RAM 2002 by specifying the above address on the image bus 2008.

At this time, the access to the RAM 2002 is normally performed by DMA (Direct Memory Accesses).
s) Transfer is used. Further, memory access may be performed by burst access as seen in a PCI bus.

Hereinafter, the data transfer processing operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control processing program of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which corresponds to a data transfer processing procedure. In addition, S101-
S108 shows each step.

When the data transfer sequence starts, first,
In step S101, various transfer settings for transfer (including setting of the image bus I / F controller 2021 and the scanner 2070, setting of the transfer length, and the like) are performed.

In step S102, a transfer is permitted. Normally, the drive permission of the scanner 2070 is performed after the transfer permission of the image bus I / F controller 2021 is performed.

After the processing up to this point has been performed, image data is input from the scanner 2070 and the image bus 2008
, The image transfer to the RAM 2002 is automatically continued in hardware.

Next, in step S103, it is determined whether transfer of all image data has been completed. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not the register for setting the transfer length and the counter among the various settings set in step S101 have counted up.

If it is determined in step S103 that transfer of all image data has been completed, the data transfer sequence ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that transfer of all image data has not been completed,
In step S104, it is determined whether the buffer from which data is currently being read is the sub-buffer 22002. If it is determined that the buffer is currently being read from the sub-buffer 22002, the buffer full signal 2028 is released in step S105. It is determined whether or not the line written in the written state is read.

If it is determined in step S105 that the line (data) written in a state where the buffer full signal 2028 has not yet been released is read, the process returns to step S103.
If it is determined that the line (data) written after the buffer full signal 2028 has already been released is read, in step S106, the buffer from which data is read is switched from the sub buffer 22002 to the main buffer 22001. The process returns to S103.

Since the data from the scanner 2070 can be already written in the main buffer 22001 when the buffer full is released, the line written at this time can be read from the main buffer 22001. . At this time, since the data buffer controller 22003 knows from which position of the main buffer 2001 the normal data is written, the buffer selector 22004 receives this information from the main buffer 22001, and Read the following data.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the buffer from which data is currently being read is not the sub-buffer 22002, then in step S107,
It is determined whether or not the line written when a buffer full (buffer full signal 2028) occurs is read out.
If it is determined that the line is read in a state where the buffer full has not occurred, step S1
03, when it is determined that the line is read in a state where the buffer is full, in step S108, the buffer to be read is changed from the main buffer 22001 to the sub buffer 2201.
Switch to 02.

At this time, since the buffer selector 22004 manages to which position in one line of the main buffer 22001 the data has been read, at this time, the image at the same position one line before in the sub buffer 22002 is stored. The read address is output to read the data.

Thus, the buffer full signal 202
Since the data of one line written in the main buffer 22001 at the time of occurrence of 8 is likely to not contain correct image data and data cannot be read out as usual, the sub-buffer 22
By reading the data stored in 002, even when the buffer full signal 2028 is generated, there is no loss of the image, and image reading and image formation are guaranteed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temporary data in the data transfer system is prevented so that the image is not lost (the image itself is overwritten and lost due to the read delay caused by the instantaneous decrease in the transfer speed of the bus). The data occupancy in the storage means (data buffer) is monitored, and when the data occupancy exceeds a certain threshold value, the image reading is switched from the data buffer reading method to the final image storing memory writing method. To prevent this, in order to realize this, a data buffer having a transfer controller for exchanging data with the data transfer system and temporarily storing data input from the input device,
Occupancy determining means for determining the occupancy inside the data buffer; signal generating means for generating a buffer full signal in accordance with the determination content of the occupancy determining means; A data buffer control unit that switches reading of data from the data buffer; and a data transfer control unit that transfers image data between the image data storage unit on the data transfer system, and monitors a state inside the data buffer. However, by switching the method of reading from the data buffer and the method of writing to the image data storage means, the image is lost (the image itself is overwritten and lost due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous drop in bus transfer speed). It is to prevent.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
It monitors the data occupancy inside the data buffer unit 20222 which is a temporary storage unit in the device I / F unit 2020 for controlling the data transfer from the scanner 2070 to the RAM 2002, and when the data occupancy exceeds a certain threshold, the main buffer 2
When reading the data written in 2001, the reading from the data buffer 2022 is switched from the main buffer 22001 in the data buffer unit 20222 to the sub buffer 22002, and the image data input from the scanner 2070 is transferred to the RAM 2002 without loss. Although the configuration has been described, the device I / F that controls data transfer from the RAM 2002 to the printer 2095 is described.
Data buffer unit 2 as a temporary storage unit in the unit 2020
The data occupancy inside the data buffer unit 2222 is monitored, and when the data occupancy falls below a certain threshold value, the reading from the data buffer unit 20222 is switched from the main buffer inside the data buffer unit 20222 to the sub buffer, and the image data stored in the RAM 2002 is switched. May be transferred to the printer 2095 without loss. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

<Device I / F Unit> FIG. 16 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the device I / F unit 2020 (shown in FIG. 1) according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Those are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 2038 denotes a buffer empty signal. The printer I / F unit 2023 monitors the data occupancy of the internal buffer. This is transmitted to the F controller 2021.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image processing system in the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The present invention has a general-purpose image bus I / F for transferring an image and command data therein as shown in FIG. 1, and a scanner 2 in the device I / F unit 2020 of FIG.
070 / printer 2095 and an image forming apparatus having an image processing system and a controller which connect the CPU 2001 and can exchange image data between them.

FIG. 1 shows the basic flow of image data.
This will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The image data read from the scanner 2070 is transferred to the image bus 2 via the device I / F 2020.
008. The device I / F unit 2020 has an I / F controller as shown in an image bus I / F controller 2021 in FIG.
It is possible to send and receive image data by specifying the above address.

It is also possible to specify an address on the system bus 2007 via the image bus I / F 2005, and the RAM 2002 on the system bus 2007 can be specified.
(Which also serves as a system memory and an image memory).

Image data from the device I / F unit 2020 is transferred to the image bus 2008, the image bus I / F 2005,
RAM 2002 via each system bus 2007
Stored above. The flow of the image data when the image is stored in the RAM 2002 when the image is read from the scanner 2070 has been described above.

When an image is transferred from the device I / F unit 2020, the image is processed by the scanner image processing unit 2080 and then the image is transferred to the RAM 20 by the same route.
02 can also be transferred.

Next, the flow of an image when transferring image data to the printer 2095 will be described.

The image data taken into the RAM 2002 is transferred to the system bus 2007 and the image bus I / F 200.
5. Device I / F unit 202 via image bus 2008
0 is transferred. It is also possible to perform image data processing by the printer image processing unit 2090 during this process.

The image data transferred to the device I / F 2020 can be output by transferring the image in synchronization with the printer 2095.

When transferring image data to the printer 2095 as described above, the device I / F unit 2020 actually reads the image from the RAM 2002, and the address on the RAM 2002 is changed to the device I / F unit 2.
By specifying 020, an image is output.

Next, the inside will be described with reference to the internal block diagram of the device I / F section 2020.

First, the scanner side will be described.

The image data read by the scanner 2070 is transferred to the scanner I / F unit 2022 using a control signal synchronized with the scanner 2070. Scanner I /
The image data is temporarily stored inside the F unit 2022, transferred by a control signal synchronized with the image bus 2008 (asynchronous with the scanner 2070), and sent to the image bus I / F controller 2021.

Next, the printer will be described.

The image data transferred via the image bus 2008 in response to the transfer request issued by the image bus I / F controller 2021 is transferred to the printer I / F unit 2023 via the image bus I / F controller 2021.
Is forwarded to At this time, the image data is transferred to the image bus 2008.
Is transferred by a control signal synchronized with the control signal (asynchronous with the printer 2095).

The image data is temporarily stored in the printer I / F unit 2023 and transferred in synchronization with a control signal synchronized with the printer 2095.

Next, the image bus I / F controller 2021
Will be described.

An image bus I / F 2021 is a scanner 207.
0 and the data to be output to the printer 2095 are both time-divided and
(Writing and reading to and from 2002). Therefore, the scanner I / F unit 2022 and the printer I / F 2
The transfer request from the H.023 is arbitrated, and when the transfer with any of the I / F units is ready, the data transfer is performed between the data bus inside one of the I / F units and the image bus 2008. .

In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the present embodiment proposes an image data controller capable of transferring image data between an image processing unit and an image memory, and sends the image data to a printer 2095 serving as image output means. When transferring image data to be output to the image bus 2008 and temporarily storing the data in the device I / F 2020, the device bus 2008 cannot temporarily transfer the data. In case of status,
Image data is transferred to the RAM 20 via the device bus 2008.
By automatically repeating the readout position for reading out the image data 02, it is possible to transfer the output image data output at a constant speed without any apparent loss of the image.

FIG. 17 shows the printer I / F shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a unit 2023, and FIG.
The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 20231 denotes an output buffer controller, which is a control signal (to mainly exchange reference signals and permission signals in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction) 2026 with the printer 2095, and an image bus I / F controller 202.
1 and control signals necessary for data transfer (image bus 20
08, a transfer request signal or a transfer permission signal 2027 for performing data transfer).

The output buffer controller 2023
1 generates a control signal (read signal 20233, write signal 20234) for actually writing and reading data in the data buffer unit 20232.

The read signal 20233 is a control signal for reading data to the printer in synchronization with the printer, and the write signal 20234 is a control signal for writing in synchronization with the image bus 2008.

The output buffer controller 2023
1 indicates that the printer I / F unit 2023 monitors the data occupancy of the internal buffer, and outputs an empty signal 2038 when the data occupancy falls below a certain threshold to the image bus I / F controller 2023.
21 and the data buffer unit 20232.

[0209] The data buffer section 20232 temporarily stores image data. The data buffer section 20232 can perform writing and reading asynchronously, and has an internal portion so that writing and reading can be performed simultaneously. It is divided into a plurality of buffer plane blocks. Each buffer plane block is connected to the printer 2
095 has the capacity to write data equal to or more than one line of image data.

<Output Buffer Controller> FIG.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an output buffer controller 20231 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 21031 denotes a buffer read controller, which is a read address signal 2 necessary for reading image data from the data buffer section 20232.
0235 and a read permission signal 20236 are generated. The buffer read controller 21031 generates a control signal 2026 required for data transfer with the printer 2095, and enables data transfer with the printer 2095. Further, the buffer read controller 21031
Outputs a read counter value signal 21033 indicating how much data has been read from the data buffer unit 20232.

Reference numeral 21032 denotes a buffer write controller which generates a write address signal 20237 and a write permission signal 20238 necessary for writing image data into the data buffer unit 20232. Also, the buffer write controller 21032 controls a control signal 2027 necessary for data transfer with the image bus I / F controller 2021.
Is generated, and data transfer with the image bus I / F controller 2021 is enabled. Further, the buffer write controller 21032
Count signal 2 indicating how much data was written to
1034 is output.

[0213] Reference numeral 21035 denotes a subtractor which calculates a write count value signal 21034 output from the buffer write controller 21032,
Read count value signal 21033 output from 031
Is calculated. This calculation result is the data amount currently stored in the data buffer unit 20232.

[0214] Reference numeral 21036 denotes a threshold value storage unit which is composed of a register or the like and stores a threshold value. An arbitrary value is written to change a timing at which a buffer empty signal 2038 described later is generated. It is possible. The threshold storage unit 21036 is not necessarily a register, and may be any hardware as long as it stores a fixed value. Further, the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 21036 is transmitted from the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG.
It may be configured such that it can be set arbitrarily within a range not exceeding 2001.

Reference numeral 21037 denotes a comparator, and a subtractor 21035
Value signal output from the storage unit and the threshold value storage unit 21036
Is compared with the threshold value stored in the buffer empty signal 2 when the difference value signal is smaller than the threshold value.
038 is output.

<Data Buffer Unit> FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of data buffer unit 20232 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 22031 denotes a main buffer, which is a data buffer normally used. Reference numeral 22032 denotes a sub-buffer which is a buffer having a smaller capacity than the main buffer 22031 and stores data for several lines. Image data input from the image bus I / F controller 2021 is simultaneously written to both data buffers (main buffer 22031 and sub-buffer 22032).

Reference numeral 22033 denotes a data buffer controller, which is a main buffer 22031 and a sub buffer 22.
032, a control signal for writing image data to both of them is generated. In the present embodiment, the main buffer 22031,
Since writing is performed simultaneously on both buffers of the sub-buffer 22032, the write enable signal is common. Further, the main buffer 22031 and the sub buffer 2
Since both buffers 2032 have different buffer configurations, the write addresses for each buffer are different, and the data buffer controller 22033
Also generates these two addresses respectively.

Reference numeral 22034 denotes a buffer selector which can read data from either the main buffer 22031 or the sub buffer 22032. The buffer selector 22034 generates two types of read addresses for the main buffer 22031 and the sub-buffer 22032 so that the two can be switched and read in real time, and the buffer empty signal 2032.
It has a configuration in which it is possible to switch from which of the two buffers to read in accordance with the input of 38.

FIG. 20 is a memory map showing an image data storage address image on the RAM 2002 shown in FIG. 1, and shows simply how one page of image data is stored in the RAM 2002. It is.

In the figure, A is the head address of this image data, which is represented as a continuous data stream from this. Assuming that the data length in the horizontal direction of the image is B, the head address of the second line is A + B, and is represented by an arithmetic progression of the first term A and the tolerance B.

The above image data is written to or read from the RAM 2002 by specifying the above address on the image bus 2008.

At this time, access to the RAM 2002 is normally performed by DMA (Direct Memory Accesses).
s) Transfer is used. Further, memory access may be performed by burst access as seen in a PCI bus.

Hereinafter, the data transfer processing operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the second control processing program of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which corresponds to a data transfer processing procedure. In addition, S201-
S208 shows each step.

When a data transfer sequence is started, first,
In step S201, various transfer settings for transfer (including setting of the image bus I / F controller 2021 and the printer 2095, setting of the transfer length, and the like) are performed.

In step S202, transfer is permitted. Normally, the drive of the image bus I / F controller 2021 is permitted after the transfer of the printer 2095 is permitted.

With the processing up to this point, image data is input from the RAM 2002 via the image bus 2008, and the image transfer to the printer 2095 is automatically continued in hardware.

Next, in step S203, it is determined whether the transfer of all image data has been completed. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not the register and the counter for setting the transfer length have counted up among the various settings set in step S201.

If it is determined in step S203 that all the image data has been transferred, the data transfer sequence is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that transfer of all image data has not been completed,
In step S204, it is determined whether the buffer from which data is currently being read is from the sub-buffer 22032. If it is determined that the buffer is currently being read from the sub-buffer 22032, then step S205 is performed.
In, it is determined whether or not the buffer empty signal 2038 has been released.

If it is determined in step S205 that the buffer empty signal 2038 has not yet been released, the process returns to step S203, while the process returns to step S203.
If it is determined in 205 that the buffer empty signal has already been released, in step S206, the buffer for reading data is switched from the sub-buffer 22032 to the main buffer 22031, and the process returns to step S203. At this point, the main buffer 2203 has already been set.
Since a sufficient amount of image data is stored inside 1 and data can be read out as usual, it is possible to switch to reading out from the main buffer 22031. At this time, since the data buffer controller 22033 knows from which position of the main buffer 22031 the data is to be read, the buffer selector 22034 receives this information from the main buffer 22031 and reads the subsequent data from this address.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S204 that the buffer from which data is currently being read is not the sub-buffer 22032, then in step S207,
Buffer empty (buffer empty signal 203
It is determined whether or not 8) has occurred. If it is determined that buffer empty has not occurred, step S20 is performed.
Returning to the process of step 3, when it is determined that the buffer empty has occurred, in step S208, the buffer to be read is switched from the main buffer 22031 to the sub buffer 22032.

At this time, since the buffer selector 22034 manages to which position in one line of the main buffer 22031 data has been read, at this time, the image at the same position one line before in the sub buffer 22032 is stored. The read address is output to read the data.

As described above, when the buffer empty signal 2038 is generated, a sufficient amount of image data is not stored in the main buffer 22031, and data cannot be read out as usual. By reading the data one line before from the buffer 22032, image formation can be ensured without image loss even after the generation of the buffer empty signal 2038.

As described above, the present embodiment is designed to temporarily store data in the data transfer system so as not to cause image loss (a loss of an image to be output due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous reduction in bus transfer speed). The data occupancy inside the storage means (data buffer) is monitored, and when the data occupancy falls below a certain threshold value, the reading position from the data buffer is switched to prevent image loss, and in order to realize this, A data buffer having a transfer controller for exchanging data with the data transfer system, and temporarily storing data output to the output device; and an occupancy determining unit for determining an occupancy inside the data buffer; Signal generating means for generating a buffer empty signal in accordance with the determination content of the occupancy determining means; Switching means for switching a method of reading data from the image data storage means when a signal is generated, monitoring the state of the data buffer and switching the method of reading data from the image data storage means. This is intended to prevent chipping (the loss of an image to be output due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous drop in the transfer speed of the bus).

[Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 13, a main buffer 22001 and a sub-buffer 22002 are provided in the data buffer unit 20222, and image data input from the scanner 2070 is written in the main buffer 22001 and the sub-buffer 22002, and a buffer full occurs. Has described a configuration in which the read buffer is switched from the main buffer 22001 to the sub-buffer 22002. However, a buffer having at least three buffer planes is provided in the data buffer unit 20222. Even if the writing to the buffer plane being written is completed, the writing address may not be updated so that the data for one line is overwritten without automatically changing the writing to another buffer plane. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

The device I / F unit 2020 of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 of the embodiment, the input buffer controller 2022
Reference numeral 1 denotes the configuration shown in FIG. 12 of the first embodiment, and the data buffer unit 20222 can perform writing and reading asynchronously, and is internally divided into at least three buffer plane blocks. Can be performed simultaneously. Each buffer plane block has a capacity capable of writing data equal to or more than one line of image data of the scanner 2070.

Hereinafter, the data transfer processing operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the third control processing program of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which corresponds to a data transfer processing procedure. In addition, S301-
S306 shows each step.

When starting the data transfer sequence, first,
In step S301, various transfer settings for transfer (setting of the image bus I / F controller 2021 and the scanner 2070, setting of the transfer length, and setting of one of the scanners 2070) are performed.
(Including the data length of the line).

In step S302, transfer is permitted. Normally, drive permission of the scanner 2070 is permitted after transfer permission of the image bus I / F controller 2021 is performed.

The image data is input from the scanner 2070 by the above processing, and the image bus 2008
, The image transfer to the RAM 2002 is automatically continued in hardware.

Next, in step S303, it is determined whether transfer of all image data has been completed. More specifically, the determination is made based on whether the register for setting the transfer length and the counter among the various settings set in step S301 have counted up.

If it is determined in step S303 that transfer of all image data has been completed, the data transfer sequence ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S303 that transfer of all image data has not been completed,
In step S304, it is determined whether or not buffer full (buffer full signal 2028) has occurred. If it is determined that buffer full has not occurred, the process returns to step S303 to determine that buffer full has occurred. If it is determined, in step S305, it is determined whether the data currently being written has been written for one line. Here, the buffer write controller 210
01, the written data length is counted by a counter (not shown) inside, and compared with the register for setting the data length of one line among the various settings set in step S301, the data currently being written becomes 1 It is determined whether data has been written for the line.

In the normal operation, when the writing to the buffer is completed, the writing destination is automatically switched to another buffer plane. However, when the buffer becomes full, no more data can be written. Therefore, in this case, only one line of data is overwritten without writing to another buffer plane.
The buffer write controller 21001 does not update the write address. Specifically, the threshold storage unit 2
Since the buffer full signal is generated in advance by the data amount set in 1006, the writing of the data by the threshold value counts up the write address,
Thereafter, the count-up of the write address is stopped.

If it is determined in step S305 that the data currently being written has not yet been written for one line, that is, while the data for one line is being written, the process of step S305 is repeated. Wait until the data is written, and when one line is written,
In step S306, a process of changing the written buffer plane to another buffer plane is performed.
However, when data is read from the image bus 2008 to another buffer plane other than the buffer plane to which the data has been written, the data is written to another buffer plane. That is, in the present embodiment, the data buffer unit 20222 needs at least three buffer planes. In addition, the buffer plane for writing needs a data capacity of one or more lines.

After performing the process of switching the buffer plane for writing in step S306, the process proceeds to step S30.
Returning to the process of step 3, the data transfer from the scanner 2070 is continued.

In the above-described flowchart, the processing for transitioning only to the state when the buffer full signal 2028 occurs is described above. Even when the buffer full signal 2028 does not occur (always branches to NO in step S304), Needless to say, when the writing to the buffer plane currently being written is completed, the writing destination is automatically switched to another buffer plane.

Thus, the buffer full signal 202
Since the correct image data may not be stored in the data of one line written at the time of occurrence of 8 and the data cannot be read out as usual, the buffer write controller 21001 operates when the buffer full occurs. In addition, even if writing to the buffer plane currently being written is completed, writing to another buffer plane is not automatically performed and the write address is not updated so as to overwrite one line of data, thereby achieving buffer fullness. An image after the generation of the signal 2028 can be guaranteed.

As described above, the present embodiment is designed to temporarily store data in the data transfer system so as not to cause image loss (the image itself is overwritten and lost due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous reduction in bus transfer speed). The data occupancy inside the storage means (data buffer) is monitored, and when the data occupancy exceeds a certain threshold value, the method of writing to the data buffer and the method of reading from the data buffer are switched to prevent image loss. A data buffer for temporarily storing data input from the input device, and determining the degree of occupancy inside the data buffer. Occupancy determination means, and signal generation means for generating a buffer full signal in accordance with the determination content of the occupancy determination means Data buffer control means for switching between writing of data to the data buffer and reading of data from the data buffer when the buffer full signal is generated, and monitoring the internal state of the data buffer; By switching the transfer method, it is possible to prevent image loss (the image itself is overwritten and lost due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous reduction in bus transfer speed).

[Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment,
Data buffer unit 202 in scanner I / F unit 2022
A buffer having at least three buffer planes is provided in the buffer 22. If a buffer full occurs, the write buffer is not changed to another buffer plane even if the writing of the currently written buffer is completed. A case has been described in which the write address is not updated so as to overwrite the data for the line. However, at least three buffer planes are stored in the data buffer unit 20232 in the printer I / F unit 2023 shown in FIG. When a buffer empty occurs, even if the reading of the currently read buffer is completed, the read buffer of the buffer read controller 21031 is not changed to another buffer plane and the data for one line is re-read. Read address to read It may be configured so as not new.

In this way, the data occupancy inside the data buffer, which is the data temporary storage means in the data transfer system, is monitored so that the image data to be transferred to the printer 2095 does not suffer from image loss. In the case of, the read address of the data buffer is not updated and the data for one line is read again,
Image missing can be prevented.

The printer 2095 may be of an electrophotographic type, an ink jet type, a sublimation type, a thermal transfer type, or another type.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, or the like.
Image processing may be performed on an input digital image and output to a device on a network.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data subordinate to various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, if the programs and data to be installed are compressed,
A program for decompressing may also be stored.

FIGS. 15, 21, and 2 in this embodiment.
The function shown in FIG. 2 may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As storage media for supplying program codes, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon disk and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0269]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, the determining unit determines the data occupancy of the temporary storage unit that temporarily stores the image data input from the input unit, and based on the data occupancy determination result of the determining unit, the control unit Since the image data reading method or the writing method of the temporary storage means is controlled, the input and temporarily stored image itself is overwritten due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous reduction in bus transfer speed of the transfer system asynchronous to the input means. It is possible to prevent the image from being lost.

[0270] According to the second invention, the judging means judges the data occupancy of the temporary storage means for temporarily storing the image data transferred from the accumulating means. The control means controls the switching of the image data reading method of the temporary storage means on the basis of the image data to be output due to the read delay caused by the instantaneous reduction in the bus transfer speed of the transfer system asynchronous to the output means. Can be prevented from being lost.

According to the third to seventh aspects of the present invention, the data of the temporary storage means having the main storage part and the auxiliary storage part capable of simultaneously writing the same data and temporarily storing the image data inputted from the input means. The occupancy is determined by the determination unit, and based on the data occupancy determination result of the determination unit, the control unit reads out the image data to be transferred to the storage unit stored in the temporary storage unit in the main storage unit or Since switching is performed by the auxiliary storage unit and writing to the auxiliary storage unit is limited, the image itself input and temporarily stored due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous drop in the transfer speed of the bus in an asynchronous transfer system to the input unit is lost. It is possible to prevent the image from being overwritten.

According to the eighth to twelfth aspects, the temporary storage means having a main storage part and an auxiliary storage part capable of simultaneously writing the same data and temporarily storing image data transferred from the storage means. The determination means determines the data occupancy of the
Based on the data occupancy determination result of the determination unit, the control unit switches the reading of the image data to be output to the output unit stored in the temporary storage unit in the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit. It is possible to prevent an image lack in which an image to be output disappears due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous decrease in transfer speed of a bus in a transfer system asynchronous to an output unit.

According to the thirteenth to seventeenth aspects, the determining means determines the data occupancy of the temporary storage means for temporarily storing the image data inputted from the input means, and the data occupancy determining result of the determining means is obtained. The control means controls the write position of the image data input from the input means to the temporary storage means on the basis of the above. It is possible to prevent an image lacking in which an image input and temporarily stored due to a reading delay is overwritten.

According to the eighteenth and twenty-first inventions, there is provided a temporary storage means having a main storage part and an auxiliary storage part capable of simultaneously writing the same data and temporarily storing image data inputted from the input means. The data occupancy is determined, and based on the data occupancy determination result, reading of the image data to be transferred to the storage unit stored in the temporary storage unit is switched by the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit. Since writing to the auxiliary storage unit is restricted, images that are input and temporarily stored are prevented from being overwritten due to read delay caused by an instantaneous drop in bus transfer speed of the transfer system that is asynchronous to the input device. can do.

According to the nineteenth and twenty-second aspects, the temporary storage means having a main storage part and an auxiliary storage part capable of simultaneously writing the same data and temporarily storing image data transferred from the storage means. The data occupancy is determined, and reading of the image data to be output to the output unit stored in the temporary storage unit is switched by the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit based on the data occupancy determination result. In addition, it is possible to prevent an image lacking in which an image to be output disappears due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous lowering of a transfer speed of a bus in a transfer system asynchronous to an output device.

According to the twentieth and twenty-third aspects, the data occupancy of the temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data inputted from the input means is determined, and the input occupancy is determined based on the data occupancy determination result. Since the writing position of the image data input from the means to the temporary storage means is changed, the image input and temporarily stored due to the read delay caused by the instantaneous reduction in the bus transfer speed of the transfer system asynchronous to the input means. It is possible to prevent an image chip from being overwritten.

Therefore, an image which is input and temporarily stored is overwritten due to a read delay caused by an instantaneous reduction in the transfer speed of the bus in a transfer system asynchronous to the input device. It is possible to prevent the image to be output from being lost due to the read delay caused by the instantaneous decrease in the bus transfer speed of the system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image input / output device including a scanner as an image input device and a printer as an image output device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer image processing unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image compression processing unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image rotation processing unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a device I / F unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network system to which the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner I / F unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an input buffer controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data buffer unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a memory map showing an image data storage address image on a RAM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first control processing program of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a device I / F unit (shown in FIG. 1) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer I / F unit illustrated in FIG.

18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the output buffer controller shown in FIG.

19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data buffer unit illustrated in FIG.

20 is a memory map showing an image data storage address image on the RAM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second control processing program of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third control processing program of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 2001 CPU 2002 RAM 2003 ROM 2008 Image bus 2020 Device I / F unit 2070 Scanner 2095 Printer 2021 Image bus I / F controller 2022 Scanner I / F unit 2023 Printer I / F unit 20221 Input buffer controller 20222 Data buffer Unit 20231 output buffer controller 20232 data buffer unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA03 BA02 BA03 BB10 BC02 BC06 BD24 BD40 2H027 DA38 EC20 ED06 EE02 EE07 EE08 EF06 EF09 EJ13 EJ15 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB22 AB42 AB46 AB53 AC22 AC43 AC58 BA00 5C073 BC02 BC02 HZ27 JJ13 JJ35 JZ01 JZ14 KK42

Claims (23)

[Claims] An input unit for reading a document and converting the read image data into image data; a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing image data input from the input unit; and storing image data transferred from the temporary storage unit. Storage means, output means for outputting image data transferred from the storage means on a recording medium, and writing from the temporary storage means to the storage means asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. Transfer means for controlling image data transfer and image data transfer from the accumulation means to the output means; a judgment means for judging the data occupancy of the temporary storage means; and a data occupancy judgment result of the judgment means. Control means for controlling a method of reading or writing image data in the temporary storage means. 2. An input unit for reading a document and converting the image data into image data; a storage unit for storing image data transferred from the input unit; and a temporary storage for temporarily storing image data transferred from the storage unit. Means, output means for outputting image data read from the temporary storage means on a recording medium, transfer of image data input from the input means to the storage means, and output to the output means A transfer unit that controls image data transfer from the storage unit to the temporary storage unit that asynchronously reads out the image data from the temporary storage unit, and a determination unit that determines a data occupation amount of the temporary storage unit. Control means for controlling switching of a method of reading image data in the temporary storage means based on a data occupancy determination result of the determination means. An image forming apparatus. 3. An input means for reading a document and converting the same into image data; a main storage part and an auxiliary storage part capable of simultaneously writing the same data; and temporarily storing image data input from the input means. Temporary storage means; storage means for storing image data transferred from the temporary storage means; output means for outputting image data transferred from the storage means on a recording medium; and temporary storage from the input means. Transfer means for controlling image data transfer from the temporary storage means to the storage means and image data transfer from the storage means to the output means, which is performed asynchronously with writing to the means, and the data occupancy of the temporary storage means Determining means for determining, based on the data occupancy determination result of the determining means, the image data to be transferred to the storage means stored in the temporary storage means An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to switch reading in the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit and restrict writing to the auxiliary storage unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said determining means determines whether or not the data occupation amount of the image data stored in said temporary storage means has exceeded a predetermined threshold value. apparatus. 5. The control unit reads data written to the temporary storage unit from the main storage unit in a state where the data occupation amount of the temporary storage unit does not exceed a predetermined threshold value. 5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the data written in said temporary storage means is read out from said auxiliary storage part when the data occupation amount of the image data stored in said means exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Forming equipment. 6. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein a state in which the data occupation amount of the image data stored in said temporary storage unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value continues for a plurality of read lines of said input unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one line of image data stored in the auxiliary storage unit is continuously read. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a threshold value designating unit for setting the predetermined threshold value. 8. An input device for reading a document and converting the image data into image data; a storage device for storing image data transferred from the input device; a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit capable of simultaneously writing the same data. A temporary storage unit for temporarily storing image data transferred from the storage unit; an output unit for outputting image data read from the temporary storage unit onto a recording medium; Transfer means for controlling the transfer of image data to the storage means and the transfer of image data from the storage means to the temporary storage means which is performed asynchronously with the reading of the image data to be output to the output means from the temporary storage means; Determining means for determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage means; and storing the data in the temporary storage means based on the data occupancy determination result of the determination means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to switch reading of image data to be output to the output unit in the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit. 9. An image according to claim 8, wherein said determination means determines whether or not the data occupancy of the image data stored in said temporary storage means is less than a predetermined threshold value. Forming equipment. 10. The control means, if the determination means determines that the data occupancy of the image data stored in the temporary storage means is not less than a predetermined threshold, should be transferred to the output means. The image data is read from the main storage unit, and when the determination unit determines that the data occupation amount of the image data stored in the temporary storage unit is below a predetermined threshold, the image data is transferred to the output unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein image data to be read is read from the auxiliary storage unit. 11. The control means, when the determination means determines that the data occupation amount of the image data stored in the temporary storage means is below a predetermined threshold value, should be transferred to the output means. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the reading of the image data is performed one line before the read line of the input unit that has been read from the main storage unit of the auxiliary storage unit and from the same position in the line. apparatus. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a threshold value designating unit for setting the predetermined threshold value. 13. An input unit for reading a document and converting the image data into image data; a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing image data input from the input unit; and storing image data transferred from the temporary storage unit. Storage means, output means for outputting image data transferred from the storage means on a recording medium, and writing from the temporary storage means to the storage means asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. Transfer means for controlling image data transfer and image data transfer from the accumulation means to the output means; a judgment means for judging the data occupancy of the temporary storage means; and a data occupancy judgment result of the judgment means. And control means for controlling a writing position of the image data input from the input means in the temporary storage means. Forming equipment. 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said determining means determines whether or not the data occupation amount of the image data stored in said temporary storage means has exceeded a predetermined threshold value.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 15. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein said determination unit determines that the data occupation amount of the image data stored in said temporary storage unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein control is performed such that a writing position of image data for one line is overwritten with a position where image data of one line before is written. 16. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a threshold value designating means for setting said predetermined threshold value.
6. The image forming apparatus according to 5. 17. The image according to claim 13, wherein said temporary storage means has a plurality of memory planes, and can execute writing and reading independently from different memory planes. Forming equipment. 18. An image forming apparatus comprising: input means for reading a document and converting the read data into image data; a main storage part and an auxiliary storage part capable of simultaneously writing the same data; and temporarily storing image data input from the input means. Temporary storage means, storage means for storing image data transferred from the temporary storage means, output means for outputting image data transferred from the storage means on a recording medium, and temporary storage from the input means A control method of an image forming apparatus, comprising: transfer means for controlling transfer of image data from the temporary storage means to the storage means, and transfer of image data from the storage means to the output means, which is performed asynchronously with writing to the means. A determining step of determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage means; and the storage device stored in the temporary storage means based on the data occupancy determination result. Method of controlling an image forming apparatus characterized by having the steps of limiting the writing into the auxiliary storage unit switches the reading of the image data to be transferred in the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit to. 19. An image forming apparatus comprising: input means for reading a document and converting the image data into image data; storage means for storing image data transferred from the input means; a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit capable of simultaneously writing the same data; Temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data transferred from the storage means, output means for outputting image data read from the temporary storage means on a recording medium, and image data input from the input means. Transfer means for controlling the transfer of image data to the storage means and the transfer of image data from the storage means to the temporary storage means which is performed asynchronously with the reading of the image data to be output to the output means from the temporary storage means; A determining step of determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage unit, based on the data occupancy determination result. A switching step of switching the reading of the image data to be output to the output means stored in the temporary storage means in the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit. . 20. An input unit for reading a document and converting the read image data into image data; a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing image data input from the input unit; and storing image data transferred from the temporary storage unit. Storage means, output means for outputting image data transferred from the storage means to a recording medium, and writing from the temporary storage means to the storage means asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. In a control method of an image forming apparatus having image data transfer and transfer means for controlling image data transfer from said storage means to said output means, a determining step of determining a data occupancy of said temporary storage means; A writing step of changing a writing position of the image data input from the input unit in the temporary storage unit based on the occupancy determination result; Method of controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising. 21. An input means for reading a document and converting it into image data, a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit capable of simultaneously writing the same data, and temporarily storing image data input from the input device. Temporary storage means, storage means for storing image data transferred from the temporary storage means, output means for outputting image data transferred from the storage means on a recording medium, and temporary storage from the input means An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that controls image data transfer from the temporary storage unit to the storage unit and image data transfer from the storage unit to the output unit that are performed asynchronously with writing to the unit. A determining step of determining the data occupancy of the storage means; and an image to be transferred to the storage means stored in the temporary storage means based on the data occupancy determination result. Storage medium having a computer is capable of storing read a program for executing and a step of limiting the writing into the auxiliary storage unit switches the reading of data in the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit. 22. Input means for reading a document and converting it into image data, storage means for storing image data transferred from the input means, a main storage part and an auxiliary storage part capable of simultaneously writing the same data. Temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data transferred from the storage means, output means for outputting image data read from the temporary storage means on a recording medium, and image data input from the input means. Transfer means for controlling the transfer of image data to the storage means and the transfer of image data from the storage means to the temporary storage means which is performed asynchronously with the reading of the image data to be output to the output means from the temporary storage means; A determining step of determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage means, and the temporary storage based on the data occupancy determination result. Storage medium having a computer is capable of storing read a program for executing a switching step of switching the reading of image data to be output to the output unit stored in unit by the main storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit. 23. An input unit for reading a document and converting the read image data into image data; a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing image data input from the input unit; and storing image data transferred from the temporary storage unit. Storage means, output means for outputting image data transferred from the storage means to a recording medium, and writing from the temporary storage means to the storage means asynchronously with writing from the input means to the temporary storage means. A determining step of determining the data occupancy of the temporary storage means in an image forming apparatus having image data transfer and a transfer means for controlling image data transfer from the storage means to the output means; A writing step of changing a writing position of the image data input from the input unit in the temporary storage unit based on a result. Storage medium having a computer is capable of storing read the program.