JP2001253134A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems of limitation of the number or size of stamp printing image data due to the free memory amount, and cost increase due to necessity of extending the memory. SOLUTION: In an image forming device having a mode for synthesizing inputted image data with specific image data and outputting the same at the time of an image forming operation, a memory means 2 storing the specific image data in the compressed state is provided so that the specific image data stored in the memory means 2 are expanded and synthesized with the inputted image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digitalization of image forming apparatuses such as copying machines has been progressing from analog ones. Therefore, image forming apparatuses having various editing functions using image processing techniques have appeared and are actually used. Among them, there is an image forming apparatus having a stamp printing function of synthesizing stamp image data such as "secret" and "copy prohibited" with document image data and outputting the same (see JP-A-8-18767). In the stamp printing function of the image forming apparatus, in the stamp printing mode, the CPU writes the stamp printing image data from the stamp memory into a buffer on the image memory, and combines the stamp printing image data on the buffer with the original image data. I have.

[0003]

In the image forming apparatus having the stamp printing function, in the stamp printing mode, any one of a plurality of stamp printing image data can be selected and combined with the original image data. Requires that all stamp print image data (bitmap data) be installed in the stamp memory, so the number and size of stamp print image data are limited by the amount of free memory, or additional memory is required. In many cases, the cost increases.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of effectively using limited storage means. A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of maintaining productivity. A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of maintaining productivity.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of saving the consumption of the storage means. An object of the invention according to claim 5 is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening an initial image forming time.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a mode for combining and outputting specific image data with input image data during an image forming operation. A storage unit for storing the specific image data in a compressed state, and expanding the specific image data stored in the storage unit to synthesize the input image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the specific image data is not expanded for each image formation, and the expanded specific image data is stored in a storage unit. When the specific image data left in the storage means can be used in the subsequent image formation, a means is provided for eliminating the expansion of the specific image data. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the condition for determining whether the specific image data left in the storage unit can be used in subsequent image formation is a specific image output. Direction and image type.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the specific image data is stored in the storage unit in only one direction in a compressed state, and the direction of the output image is changed. If the orientation of the image is different from that of the image data in the compressed state, the image is expanded and then rotated. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising hardware for expanding specific image data.

[0009]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is an example of an image forming apparatus including a copying machine.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU as control means. 2
Is a ROM as storage means. The ROM 2 stores programs and data, and stores only one direction (data of the stamp print image in one direction) in a state where a plurality of types of stamp print image data are compressed. . In this embodiment, COPY, CONFIDENTITI are used as stamp print image data.
There are three types of specific image data, AL and URGENT. Compressed three types of specific image data and the start address table thereof are stored in the ROM 2. The stamp print image data may be not only character data but also graphic data.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM as storage means. The RAM 3 stores data such as a stack of the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation unit. The operation unit 4 has hard keys and touch keys as shown in FIG. 5 is CP
U bus interface unit (BIU) and DRAM
It is a control unit (DRAMC). BIU sets various registers from CPU1 to IMAC and DRAM
DRAMC is used for memory clear and memory copy operations for reading and writing of the image memory 6 composed of
Data exchange between M6 and each interface, DR
The control of the DRAM 6, such as generation of a memory address of the AM 6, is performed.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an image memory comprising a DRAM,
The image memory 6 stores image data for outputting an image to a transfer sheet as a recording medium. In addition, compressed image data for compressing or expanding image data is stored in the image memory 6. 11 is CEPIU. This C
The EPIU 11 is compression / decompression means for compressing and decompressing image data. The EPIU 11 compresses image data written in the image memory 6 and writes it as compressed image data in the image memory 6. A unit for expanding image data and writing the original image data in the image data 6.

Since the CEPUI 11 uses the image compression / decompression hardware that is already mounted to realize the current electronic sort mode of the copying machine, the cost does not increase. Further, when the CPU writes the stamp print image data from the memory to the buffer, it takes a time corresponding to the number of accesses to the memory of the CPU, and the start key is pressed to instruct the start of image formation, and then the transfer paper is output as a copy. Time (first copy time) becomes longer. However, in the present embodiment, the stamp copy image data is expanded from the memory to the buffer using the image compression / expansion hardware, so that the first copy time can be shortened.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a video output unit (VOU). The VOU 7 is a unit for outputting image data stored in the DRAM 6. Reference numeral 8 denotes a printing apparatus as an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, for example, a transfer sheet, based on image data from the VOU 7. 9 is IPU1
A video input unit (VIU) for inputting image data from 0. 10 is an IPU. This IPU1
Reference numeral 0 denotes an image reading device (scanner) or an image writing device (engine) connected to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and IMA.
A unit for controlling a video path with C. I
MAC is CPU1, image memory 6, BIU / DRAM
This is a unit including C5 and CEPIU11.

FIG. 2 shows the entire operation unit 4. Operation unit 4
Has an LCD display unit and a touch panel unit 12 and hard keys 13 to 16. The hard key 13 is a ten key, the hard key 14 is an enter key for confirming the input value by the ten key 13, the hard key 15 is a clear key for clearing the input value by the ten key 13, and the hard key 16 is a start key.

When the mode is set, the key of the stamp printing mode is displayed on the screen of the LCD display unit and the touch panel unit 12.
When the key 17 is pressed, the mode shifts to the stamp printing mode.
The screen shifts to a screen for selecting the position and orientation of the stamp print image. On this screen, selection of the type of stamp print image, and setting related to stamp printing, such as the position and orientation of the stamp print image, are performed by the LCD display unit and the touch panel unit 12 and the hard keys 13 to 15. Therefore, the operation unit 4 constitutes a setting unit for selecting the type of the stamp print image and setting related to the stamp printing such as the position and the orientation of the stamp print image.

FIG. 3 shows the image memory 6. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 denotes an area where document image data read by the image reading apparatus is written as input image data. 105
Numerals 107 indicate addresses of the image memory 6. The read image data of the image reading device is VIU9, BIU / DRAMC5.
Are sequentially written in the area 101 of the image memory 6 from the address 105 in the main scanning direction.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a start address of an area 101 in the image memory 6 where document image data is stored. One address of the image memory 6 stores 8-bit image data. Between the address 106 and the address 107,
Although it is folded on the image, the address is continuous on the image memory 6. VL1 is the folded width,
HL is the length of the image data stored in the area 101 on the image in the sub-scanning direction.

Reference numeral 102 denotes an area where the compressed stamp print image data is written in the image memory 6.
When the compressed stamp print image data is expanded, the compressed stamp print image data is written into the area 102 of the image memory 6, and the stamp print image data is expanded by the CEPIU 11. The decompressed stamp print image data is developed in the area 103 of the image memory 6, and the image wrap width is VL2. Reference numeral 104 denotes an area in which a result obtained by rotating the stamp print image data developed in the area 103 by 90 degrees is stored, and the image wrap width is VL3. Since the printing direction of the stamp print image differs from the print direction of the document image depending on the direction of the document, the stamp print image data is rotated by 90 degrees as necessary.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of this embodiment from the time when the power is turned on. In this embodiment, an initialization operation is performed in step 201 when the power is turned on, and a mode is set by the operation unit 4 in step 202. Here, when the stamp printing mode is selected by the operation unit 4, the setting regarding the stamp printing such as the selection of the stamp printing image type and the position and the orientation of the stamp printing image is set to L.
CD display unit and touch panel unit 12 and hard keys 13 to
15 is performed. The result of the mode setting by the operation unit 4 is notified to the CPU 1.

Next, in step 203, the CPU 1
Start key 1 according to the input signal from start key 16
It is determined whether or not 6 has been pressed, and if the start key 16 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step 202. If the start key 16 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 204, where the CPU 1
It is determined whether or not the stamp print mode key 17 has been pressed in step 202 based on the input signal from.

The CPU 1 has a stamp print mode key 17
If is not pressed, the routine proceeds to step 205, where a normal copying operation is performed. That is, the CPU 1
The image data written in the area 101 in the image memory 6 is sent to the printing device 8 via the VOU 7 by the DRAMC 5, and the printing device 8 forms an image on a transfer sheet using the image data and performs the transfer. Output paper as copy. When the normal copying operation for the number of sheets set by the operation unit 4 is completed, the process returns to step 202.

When the stamp print mode key 17 is pressed in step 202 to set the stamp print mode, the CPU 1 determines in step 206 whether or not to expand the stamp print image data. CPU1
Stores the type of stamp print image data decompressed last time, and if the result of the setting of the type of stamp print image data transmitted from the operation unit 4 this time is different, the setting result is stored in step 207. Reads the stamp print image data of the type set by the operation unit 4 this time from the ROM 2 and writes it in the area 102 in the image memory 6;
This is decompressed using the CEPIU 11 and stored in the area 103 in the image memory 6, and the process proceeds to step 208.

When the type of stamp print image data decompressed last time and the result of setting the type of stamp print image data sent from the operation unit 4 this time are the same, the CPU 1 stores the stamp print image data in the image memory 6. It is assumed that the previously expanded stamp print image data that has been expanded is used as it is this time, and the process proceeds to step 208. In step 208, the CPU 1 determines whether it is necessary to rotate the stamp print image data stored in the area 103 in the image memory 6 by 90 degrees,
Setting result of the direction of the stamp print image based on the stamp print image data stored in No. 03 and the direction of the stamp print image from the operation unit 4 (the direction of the stamp print image to be printed)
Is determined by 90 degrees or 270 degrees, and if the result of setting the orientation of the stamp print image from the operation unit 4 (the direction of the stamp print image to be printed) differs by 90 degrees or 270 degrees, the stamp It is determined that it is necessary to rotate the print image data by 90 degrees, and the process proceeds to step 209. Here, the direction of the stamp print image to be printed can be any one of four directions at right angles depending on the printing direction of the manuscript and the manuscript setting method (whether the manuscript is set in the manuscript reading apparatus by the automatic manuscript feeder or manually). And the direction of the stamp print image based on the compressed stamp print image data is one of the four directions.

In step 209, the CPU 1 rotates the stamp print image data written in the area 103 in the image memory 6 by 90 degrees, stores it in the area 104 in the image memory 6, and proceeds to step 210. Also, C
PU1 indicates that the orientation of the stamp print image based on the compressed stamp print image data and the result of setting the orientation of the stamp print image from the operation unit 4 (the orientation of the stamp print image to be printed) match or differ by 180 degrees. Determines that it is not necessary to rotate the stamp print image data by 90 degrees, and proceeds to step 210.

In step 210, the CPU 1 activates the image reading device and causes the image reading device to execute a document image reading operation. The read image data of the image reading device is VIU9,
Area 1 in image memory 6 via BIU / DRAMC5
01 is stored. Next, in step 211, the CPU
1 synthesizes the input image data (original image data) stored in the area 101 in the image memory 6 with the stamp print image data.

That is, if it is not necessary to rotate the stamp print image data in step 208, the CPU 1 selects the area 103 in the image memory 6 and stores the stamp print image data stored therein in the image memory 6. The input image data and the stamp print image data are synthesized by storing the stamp print image data in the area 101, and if it is necessary to rotate the stamp print image data in step 208, the area 104 in the image memory 6 is selected. The stamp print image data stored therein is stored in the area 1 in the image memory 6.
01, the input image data and the stamp print image data are combined.

Next, at step 212, the CPU 1
The combined image data stored in the area 101 in the image memory 6 is sent to the printing device 8 via the BIU / DRAM C5 and VOU 7, and the printing device 8 uses the combined image data to print the original image and the stamp print image on the transfer paper. A composite image is formed and output as a copy. In step 213, C
The PU 1 determines whether or not the formation of the number of composite images set by the operation unit 4 has been completed, and proceeds to step 212 if the formation of the number of composite images has not been completed.
Further, the CPU 1 proceeds to step 202 when the formation of the set number of composite images is completed.

According to this embodiment, during the image forming operation, a stamp printing mode is provided for combining the original image data as the input image data with the stamp printing image data as the specific image data and outputting the combined data. ROM 2 as storage means for storing image data in a compressed state
Since the specific image data stored in the storage means 2 is expanded and combined with the input image data, the limited storage means can be effectively used.

Further, when specific image data is expanded every time an image is formed, there is a concern that the productivity of copy output may be reduced because the expansion is delayed for the expansion time. But,
In this embodiment, decompression of specific image data is not performed every time image formation is performed, but the decompressed specific image data is stored in the image memory 6 as storage means, and the specific image data stored in the storage means 6 is stored. As a means for omitting the decompression of specific image data if it can be used in later image formation.
Since U1 is provided, if the specific image data left in the storage means can be used in the subsequent image formation, there is no need to expand the specific image data, and the productivity can be maintained.

According to this embodiment, the conditions for judging whether or not the specific image data left in the storage means 6 can be used in the subsequent image formation are determined by the direction in which the specific image is output and the type of the image. Therefore, if the specific image data left in the storage means can be used in the subsequent image formation, there is no need to expand the specific image data, and the productivity can be maintained.

Although the direction of a specific image becomes four directions depending on the printing direction of the document and the method of setting the document, if the specific image data is stored in the memory in four directions, the memory is consumed accordingly. Therefore, in this embodiment, the specific image data is stored in the compressed state in the ROM 2 only for one direction, and the direction of the output image is different from the direction of the image based on the compressed image data. In this case, since the rotation is performed after the extension, the consumption of the storage means can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, since the CEPIU 11 is provided as hardware for decompressing specific image data, it is possible to shorten an initial image forming time (first copy time). The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be applied to an image forming apparatus other than a copying machine.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, limited storage means can be effectively used.
According to the invention of claim 2, productivity can be maintained. According to the third aspect of the invention, productivity can be maintained. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the storage unit. According to the invention according to claim 5, it is possible to shorten the initial image forming time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an operation unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image memory of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow from power-on of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 Operation part 5 CPU bus interface unit and DRAM
Control unit 6 Image memory 7 Video output unit 8 VOU 9 Video input unit 10 IPU 11 CEPIU

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06T 3/60 H04N 1/387 9A001 H04N 1/387 G03G 21/00 382 F term (reference) 2C061 JJ04 2C087 AA09 BA03 BD07 BD22 BD40 DA01 2H027 FA30 FD01 FD03 FD08 FD10 5B057 AA11 BA23 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CC03 CD04 CE08 5C076 AA13 AA24 BA03 BA06 9A001 EE07 HH28

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a mode of combining specific image data with input image data during an image forming operation and outputting the combined image data, further comprising a storage unit for storing the specific image data in a compressed state. An image forming apparatus which decompresses specific image data stored in the storage means and synthesizes it with input image data. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the expansion of the specific image data is not performed every time image formation is performed, but the expanded specific image data is stored in a storage unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for omitting expansion of the specific image data when the specific image data can be used in subsequent image formation. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the condition for judging whether or not the specific image data left in said storage means can be used in the subsequent image formation includes a direction for outputting the specific image, An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is of an image type. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific image data is stored in the storage means in a compressed state only in one direction, and the direction of the output image is based on the compressed image data. An image forming apparatus characterized in that when the orientation is different from the orientation of the image, the image is expanded and then rotated. 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising hardware for expanding specific image data.