JP2001320540A - Picture processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture processing system which enables copy and FAX functions to operate in parallel and is provided with a filing function also. SOLUTION: The picture processing system is provided with a picture data bus line 151 which transfers picture data in time division, a plotter 120 which takes in recording picture data on the picture data bus line 151 to perform picture recording, a computer bus line 150 which is used for DMA transfer of picture data, a RAM 103 where picture data on the computer bus line is stored, an HDD 160 where picture data stored in the RAM 103 is stored, an NCU 104 which transfers picture data stored in the RAM 103 and the HDD 160 to a picture file server connected to a network 170, and a DMA controller 107 which temporarily stores read picture data, transmission picture data, and reception picture data on the picture data bus line 151 in a FIFI 1 buffer 105 and a FIFO 2 buffer 106 and transfers picture data to the computer bus line 150 by DMA transfer at each time of DMA request from buffers 105 and 106.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying function and a facsimile
The present invention relates to an image processing system that performs electronic filing without making the user aware while operating the functions in parallel, and is particularly suitable for a printer (MFP: Multi Function Printer) having various functions called a digital multifunction peripheral. The present invention relates to an image processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image processing system of this kind, for example, an image processing system disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 15229/1996 is known. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to enable reading of a document image or image recording to be performed in parallel during reception of image data from a communication line, and a receiving unit which is performed based on a DMA transfer request. If a DMA transfer request is issued from the reading means or the recording means during the DMA transfer of the received image data from the CPU, the received image data DMA transfer is interrupted, and the DMA transfer request from the reading means or the recording means is interrupted during the interruption. A predetermined amount of read image data from the reading unit or a predetermined amount of recorded image data to the recording unit based on D
MA transfer is executed, and after the DMA transfer of a predetermined amount of read image data or recording image data is completed, the DMA transfer of the received image data stored in the buffer memory of the receiving unit is performed based on the DMA transfer request from the receiving unit. It is configured to resume.

[0003]

As described above, according to the invention described in JP-B-8-15229, reading of a document image or image recording can be performed in parallel while image data is being received from a communication line. And copy function and fax
Although the functions can be operated in parallel, the filing function was not considered.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of performing at least a parallel operation of a copying function and a facsimile function and also having a filing function. To provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a first means is an image processing system connected to a network (170) for performing predetermined image processing on input image data and outputting the same. An image data bus line (151) for transferring image data in a time-division manner, an image recording means (120) for fetching recording image data on the image data bus line and recording it on a recording medium, and used for DMA transfer of image data A computer bus line (150) to be stored, first storage means (103) for storing image data on the computer bus line,
A second storage means (160) for storing image data stored in the storage means (103), and an image data stored in the first and / or second storage means connected to a network (170). Network connection means (104) for transferring the image data to the read image file server, read image data on the image data bus line, transmission image data,
And the received image data is temporarily stored in a plurality of buffers, and DMs from the plurality of buffers (105, 106) are stored.
A bridge means (107) for DMA-transferring image data to the computer bus line for each A request is provided.

In this case, the DMA request of the bridge means may be made when the buffer of the bridge means reaches a predetermined amount.

The second means is an image processing system which is connected to a network (170) and performs predetermined image processing on input image data and outputs the processed image data. 151),
A printer controller (21) which develops print data transferred via the network as recording image data and transfers the print data on the image data bus line in a time-division manner.
0) and image recording means (12) for fetching the recorded image data on the image data bus line and recording it on a recording medium.
0), capture means (220) for capturing image data on the image data bus line, first storage means (103) for storing image data captured by the capture means, and the first storage means A second storage unit (106) for storing the image data stored in the storage unit;
A network connection means (104) for transferring the image data stored in the first and / or second storage means to an image file server connected to a network.

The first or second means may be provided with an image reading means (110) for reading a document image and outputting the read image data to an image data bus in a time-division manner. An image communication means (130) for receiving and outputting received image data to the image data bus in a time division manner, or inputting transmission image data from the image data bus in a time division manner and transmitting the transmission image data to a communication line is provided. You can also.

In the first and second means, the image data bus line can be constituted by a serial bus. At this time, the serial bus is based on IEEE1394, and when transferring image data in a time-division manner,
Perform data transfer on different channels. Also, IEEE1394
When data is transferred on different channels, data is transferred using the isochronous mode.

When performing data transfer, a copying function and a facsimile
The transmission function operates in parallel, and the copying function and the network scanner function also operate in parallel. Furthermore, the network printing function and the fax transmission function operate in parallel,
The network printing function and the network scanner function operate in parallel, and the FAX receiving function and the network scanner function also operate in parallel.

[0011]

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

<First Embodiment> Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a digital copy (go) as an overall embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP (MFP) 100. The MFP 100 is configured such that the CPU 101
Reads out the control program stored in the RAM 103
As a work area for temporarily storing image data, sensor signals, etc., by controlling the various parts of the device, various processes as a data processing device are performed.
The following processes are executed.

In MFP 100, a file device (image file server), not shown, for storing and managing data in a large-capacity storage device (storage means) so as to be searchable and readable, is provided by network I / F (NCU) 104 via network 107.
A file system that is connected via a file system and transfers the processed image data to a reusable file (accumulation storage) by directly transferring the image data processed by the user to the file device regardless of the presence or absence of a transfer command. Is building. It is needless to say that the file device is not limited to the configuration connected via the network, but may be directly connected. Furthermore, removable media I / F
It is also possible to transfer the file via 108 to exchangeable media. Exchangeable media is, for example, HD
D, FDD, Flash ROM Card and the like can be used.

In the MFP 100, a scanner 110, a plotter 1, and a ROM 102, a RAM 103, and an NCU 104 are transmitted to a CPU 101 via a system bus 150.
20, FCU 130 (described later), operation unit (DISPLAY & OPERAT
ION Controller) 140, FIFO1 buffer 105, FIFO
2 buffer 106, DMA controller 107, removable media I / F 108, and hard disk drive (HDD) 160, and the CPU 101 controls the components of these devices, thereby enabling the scanner 11
A copying machine 0 functions as an image reading apparatus and has a transmission function of transmitting image data by facsimile communication, a copying function of recording and outputting read image data, and a recording function of recording and outputting received image data. Can be used as The removable medium I / F 108 is connected to a replaceable medium 161 such as an HDD, an FDD, and a Flash ROM Card.

FIFO1 buffer 105, FIFO2 buffer 1
06, the DMA controller 107 is composed of a 1394 LSI, and is connected to an IEEE1394 bus 151 which is an image data bus. The FCU 130, the scanner 110, and the plotter 120 have an IEEE1394 interface,
Each is connected to an IEEE1394 bus 151 which is an image data bus. The image data is an image data bus IEEE1394
Data can be transferred to the bus 151 in a time-division manner.

Operation Transfer of Image Data in Time Division When image data is transferred in a time division manner, it is performed as follows.

When transferring the scanner data to the image data bus 151, and when transferring the plotter data to the image data bus 151.
Different channels of IEEE1394 are used when transferring to 1. As the transfer mode of IEEE1394, asynchronous stream transfer can be used. If a larger amount of data transfer is required, the isochronous transfer mode may be used.

In brief, for example, the scanner 110 separates and feeds sheet-like documents set on a document table one by one by an automatic document feeder (ADF) and positions them on a contact glass (reading position). Thereafter, the document (document including images and characters) placed on the contact glass is irradiated with light from an exposure lamp by a known reading method, and the reflected light from the image surface is subjected to CC.
D performs photoelectric conversion and reads image data. The read image data is transferred to the image data bus 151 in a time-division manner.

The plotter 120 has an image data bus 151.
The image data transferred in a time-division manner is formed into an electrostatic latent image by optical writing on a charged photosensitive member while being rotated and driven by, for example, a known electrophotographic recording method, and a toner is formed on the electrostatic latent image. The developed toner image is transferred and fixed to a sheet conveyed from a sheet feeding cassette, and the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus. Of course, it is clear that an image can be recorded by an ink jet system other than the electrophotographic system.

The FCU 130 modulates and demodulates image data and various procedural signals, and executes line control with a PSTN (public line) to connect or disconnect the line, thereby allowing a FAX terminal to communicate with a facsimile terminal. FAX communication for transmitting and receiving data is performed. The transmission image data at the time of FAX transmission uses scanner read data on the image data bus 151. The received data at the time of reception is transferred onto the image data bus 151 and image-recorded by the plotter 120.

The MFP 100 may include an image processing unit that encodes and compresses image data and decodes and expands the image data when reproducing the image data. It goes without saying that image processing for reducing image data can be performed on image data.

The operation unit 140 includes a key port 141 and a display port 142 provided in an operation port provided on the upper front of the apparatus main body. The display port 142 includes driving conditions, device states, and input conditions. Display operation LCD (Liquid Crystal Discharge) with a touch panel for displaying various information such as user input and performing input operations such as selection of functions and input of settings by the user.
play).

Parallel processing The parallel operation of copying and facsimile transmission is performed as follows.

First, a command for copying a plurality of copies is designated from the display operation unit 140 of the MFP 100. Scanner 110
Then, only one copy is scanned. The read image data read by the scanner 110 is transferred to the image data bus 151 in a time-division manner. The read image data is transmitted from the image data bus 151 time-divided on the image data bus 151 to the FC.
The data is transferred to U130 and stored in HDD160. HD
The read image data stored in D160
The image data is transferred to the plotter 120 via the image data bus 151 via the line 130, and the image is recorded. HDD160
While the image is transferred from the scanner 110 via the image data bus 151, the read image data read from the scanner 110 is transferred to the FCU 130 via the image data bus 151.
And faxed.

The image data of the image data bus 151 is R
The information is stored in the AM (first storage means) 103 and the HDD (second storage means) 160. The processing procedure at this time is as follows.

Normally, the image data on the image data bus 151 is transferred to the FIFO1 buffer 105 and the FIFO2 buffer 106. The image data transferred to the image data bus 151 during the parallel operation of copying and facsimile transmission is the same image data obtained by copying a plurality of copies, and is not transferred to the FIFO2 buffer 106. The CPU 101 instructs the DMA control device 107 in advance for the FIFO1 buffer 105 or the FIFO2 buffer 10.
6 reaches a predetermined amount, the RAM 103
Is set so that image data is transferred to the server. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the image data from the FIFO1 buffer 105 and the FI
The image data from the FO2 buffer 106 is set in different areas on the RAM 103 (image area 1, image area 2-FIG. 2). The DMA priority of the DMA controller 107 is set to the FIFO1 buffer 105 only at the time of the first DMA transfer from the CPU 101. Of course FIFO2 buffer 1
06 may be set as the first DMA transfer request. When the DMA transfer of the predetermined amount is completed, the next DM1 of the FIFO1 buffer 105 and the FIFO2 buffer 106
The DMA controller 107 keeps waiting for the A request. When there is a DMA request for only one of the FIFO1 buffer 105 and the FIFO2 buffer 106, the DMA request is
The control device 107 accepts it.

The CPU 101 of the MFP 100 is configured as a transfer unit. For example, in parallel with the reading image data read by the scanner 110 being recorded on a sheet by the plotter 120 or the FCU 130 sending a facsimile, the reading image data is read. After the same image data is temporarily stored in the hard disk device (storage means) 160 by adding processing date and time information for specifying data, specific information such as the number of copies information, and the telephone number of the other party, the NCU 104
Through a file device (not shown) via the.

On the other hand, the file device connected to the MFP 100 can be constituted by a general personal computer (PC), which is simply described by omitting illustration. That is, by operating a keyboard or a mouse while looking at the display to perform arithmetic processing in accordance with an application program read from the memory, the processing is transferred from the MFP 100 in the same manner as performing various processing such as creation of a document or image. By retrieving, reading out, displaying / recording and outputting the image data, the stored image data is reusably stored and managed in the large-capacity storage device. Thereby, after associating the image data with the specific information for each successively processed document, the large storage capacity device (HD
D160), and display (operation) in a calendar display format or the like so that a part of the document (for example, a thumbnail image of the first page) can be selected based on specific information such as processing date and time in response to a request from the user thereafter. Display unit 140), and read out the image data selected from the mass storage device for each document,
For example, the information can be recorded and output by sending it to the MFP 100, and its contents can be confirmed and reused. It should be noted that the image data in units of documents may be sequentially displayed and output on a display, and the image data which has been digitized may be reusable, for example, processed by a PC.

<Second Embodiment> Overall Configuration FIG. 3 shows a digital copying machine (MFP) according to a second embodiment.
100] It is a block diagram which shows a structure. The same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The MFP 100 is connected to the CPU 101 via the system bus 150 together with the ROM 102, the RAM 103, and the NCU 104 together with an operation unit (DISPLAY & OPERATION).
Controller) 140, removable media I / F10
8. Hard disk drive (HDD) 160, printer
The controller 210, the capture unit 220, and the commander unit 230 are connected, and the CPU 10
1 generally controls these units. An FCU 130, a scanner 110, a plotter 120, a printer controller 210, a capture unit 220, and a commander
A unit 230 is connected, and the CPU 101 controls these units via the commander unit 230 so that the units can be used as printers, copiers, facsimile machines, and network scanners. Other components that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the MFP 100 according to the above-described first embodiment, and the operations of each component including image formation are performed in the same manner.

Operation Parallel processing Parallel operation of network printing and FAX transmission The parallel operation of network printing and FAX transmission is performed as follows.

Print data is temporarily stored in the HDD 160 from the network 170 connected to the NCU 104. Printer controller 210 is HDD 160
Is converted by the plotter 120 into image data that can be image-recorded. The image data is transferred to the plotter 120 via the image data bus 151 to record the image. While the image data from the HDD 160 is being transferred, the image data read from the scanner 110 is transferred to the FCU 130 via the image data bus 151 and
AX transmission is performed. If only the read image data is captured by the capture unit 220 instead of the fax transmission, the network printing and the network scanner can operate in parallel.

.. Parallel operation of copying and FAX transmission The parallel operation of copying and FAX transmission is performed as follows.

First, a command for copying a plurality of copies is designated from the display operation unit 140 of the MFP 100. Scanner 110
Then, only one copy is scanned. The read image data read by the scanner 110 is transferred to the image data bus 151 in a time-division manner. The capture unit 220 stores the read image data on the image data bus in the HDD 160 while temporarily storing the read image data in the RAM 103. The printer controller 210 transfers the read image data stored in the HDD 160 to the plotter 1 on the image data bus 151 again.
20 and record the image. While the image data from the HDD 160 is being transferred, the image data read from the scanner 110 is transmitted to the FCU 130 via the image data bus 151.
And faxed. If reading image data is captured by the capture unit 220 instead of facsimile transmission, copying and parallel operation of the network scanner are possible.

.. Parallel Operation of Network Scan and FAX Reception Parallel operation of network scan and FAX reception is performed as follows.

The read image data read by the scanner 110 is transferred to the image data bus 151 in a time-division manner. The capture unit 220 is connected to the image data bus 1
While temporarily storing the read image data on the RAM 51 in the RAM 103, the image data is stored in the HDD 160. At the same time, the FAX reception data is transferred onto the image data bus 151, and the image is recorded by the plotter 120.

The CPU 101 of the MFP 100 is configured as a transfer unit. For example, in parallel with the reading image data read by the scanner 110 being recorded and output on paper by the plotter 120 and the FAX transmission by the FCU 130, the reading is performed in parallel. After the same image data is temporarily stored in the hard disk device (storage means) 160 by adding processing date and time information for specifying the image data, and specific information (search key) such as the number of copies and the telephone number of the other party, , And a transfer process to be sent to a file device (not shown) via the NCU 104.

The file device connected to the MFP 100 can also be constituted by a general personal computer (PC) as in the above-described first embodiment, and a document is operated by the same operation as in the first embodiment. It can perform various processes such as image creation and image creation, can be reusably stored and managed in a large-capacity storage device, and can be reused.

Transfer of image data by time division when using IEEE1394 When IEEE1394 is used as the image data bus 151, when image data is transferred by time division, it is performed as follows.

Since IEEE1394 is a serial bus, the P1394a asynchronous stream packet (Asynchronous
If a different channel is designated for each image data output device (hereinafter, referred to as an image output device) using Stream Packet), the image data can be easily transferred in a time-division manner. If at least one of the devices on the image data bus 151 is compatible with the isochronous resource manager that manages the IEEE 1394 channel, a channel can be secured for each image output device. In the present embodiment, for example, the commander unit 230 can be an isochronous resource manager. If there are multiple isochronous resource manager candidates, one of the isochronous resource manager candidates must be an isochronous resource manager because it conforms to IEEE1394.
Become a resource manager. In the present embodiment, the FCU
130, scanner 110, printer controller 21
Since 0 operates as an image output device, these image output devices secure channels from the commander unit 230 serving as an isochronous resource manager. Furthermore, if an isochronous stream packet is used, a band is guaranteed, so that a large amount of data can be transferred in real time. In this case, not only the channel but also the band is secured from the isochronous resource manager. IEEE1394 Lock is used to secure channels and bands
Perform on request. In this case, the required bandwidth differs for each image output device, so that the
Bandwidth is secured before transmission, FAX reception and network scan, and when each process is completed, the secured bandwidth is returned.

Channel securing procedure of image output device Channel securing of one image output device is performed in the following procedure.

A) Read the value of the Channels_Available register of the isochronous resource manager.

B) Find an empty channel ch in the Channels_Available register value.

C) Channel is secured by a Lock request to the Channels_Available register of the isochronous resource manager.

D) Register the channel ch of the image output device in the capture unit.

E) (Other than the network scanner) Register the channel ch in one image data input device for inputting the image data of the image output device.

.. Procedure for Securing the Bandwidth of the Image Output Device The bandwidth of one image output device is secured in the following procedure.

A) Read the value of the Bandwidth_Available register of the isochronous resource manager.

B) Calculate the required bandwidth band.

C) The band is secured by a Lock request to the Bandwidth_Available register of the isochronous resource manager.

D) Register the bandwidth band of the image output device in the capture unit.

After securing the above channels and bandwidth, the image output device outputs image data on IEEE1394 in an asynchronous stream transfer mode or an isochronous transfer mode. The image input device inputs image data for the registered channel ch. When the image input device is the plotter 120, the input image data is recorded. When the printer controller 210 is an image output device, the plotter 120 is an image input device, and the NCU 104
The print operation can be executed via the. Scanner 11
When 0 is an image output device and the plotter 120 is an image input device, a copying operation is possible. When the scanner 110 is an image output device and the FCU 130 is an image input device, fax transmission is possible. When the FCU 130 is an image output device and the plotter 120 is an image input device, FAX reception becomes possible. The image input device and the image output device are not limited to one set, but may be plural. However, it must be within the isochronous resource manager's channel and bandwidth limits.

Operation of the capture unit The capture unit 220 is a registered channel ch.
Capture image data for If multiple channels have been registered, multiple channels can be captured. The captured image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 103 via the system bus 150.
Is stored in The image data on the RAM 103 is stored in the HDD 160 with a search key added,
The same image data is transferred to an image file server other than those shown in FIG.

[0054]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data bus line has a function of transferring the image data in a time-division manner, and the read image data and the transmission image data on the image data bus line are provided. Further, since the received image data is temporarily stored in a plurality of buffers and the image data is DMA-transferred to the computer bus line based on each DMA request from the plurality of buffers, a parallel operation of copying and FAX transmission is performed. However, electronic filing can be performed without making the user aware.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the DMA request is made when the buffer of the DMA transfer means reaches a predetermined amount, the user is made aware while performing the parallel operation of copying and FAX transmission. Electronic filing becomes possible without the need.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image data bus line has a function of transferring image data in a time-division manner, and the means for transferring the image data to the file server includes the image data stored in the first and second storage means. Since the data is transferred to the image file server connected to the network, it becomes possible to transfer the image data in a time-division manner.
A plurality of types of image data can be transferred, and electronic filing can be performed without capturing the user while capturing the plurality of types of image data.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the image reading means for reading the original image and outputting the read image data to the image data bus in a time-division manner is provided, the scanner function and the print function can be operated in parallel. Thus, electronic filing can be performed without making the user aware.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, image data is received from a communication line, and received image data is output to the image data bus in a time division manner, or transmission image data is input in a time division manner from the image data bus. And a means for transmitting the transmission image data to the communication line.
While performing the parallel operation of the scanner function and the print function,
Electronic filing can be performed without the user's awareness.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the image data bus line is formed of a serial bus, it is possible to easily connect a means for reading an image (scanner) and a means for recording on a recording medium (plotter).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a RAM of the MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of an upper image area.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 Digital copier (MFP) 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 NCU 105 FIFO1 106 FIFO2 107 DMA controller 108 Removable disk controller 110 Scanner 120 Plotter 130 FCU 140 Operation unit 150 System bus 151 Image data bus (IEEE1394 connection) 160 Hard disk 170 Network 210 Printer Controller 220 Capture Unit 230 Commander Unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system connected to a network for performing predetermined image processing on input image data and outputting the image data, wherein: an image data bus line for transferring image data in a time-division manner; Means for fetching the recorded image data and recording it on a recording medium; a computer bus line used for DMA transfer of the image data; first storage means for storing image data on the computer bus line; Second storage means for storing the image data stored in the storage means, and means for transferring the image data stored in the first and / or second storage means to an image file server connected to a network. A plurality of read image data, transmission image data, and reception image data on the image data bus line Stored in the buffer, the image data to the computer bus lines for each DMA request from the plurality of buffers DM
A means for performing A-transfer, and an image processing system comprising: 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the DMA request of said means for DMA transfer is made when a buffer of said means reaches a predetermined amount. 3. An image processing system connected to a network for performing predetermined image processing on input image data and outputting the processed image data, wherein: an image data bus line for transferring image data in a time-division manner; Means for expanding the obtained print data as recording image data, transferring the image data on the image data bus line in a time-division manner, capturing the recording image data on the image data bus line and recording the recording image data on a recording medium, Means for capturing image data on an image data bus line; first storage means for storing image data captured by the capturing means; and a first storage means for storing image data stored in the first storage means. And the image data stored in the first and / or second storage means is connected to a network. Image processing system characterized in that it comprises a means, for transferring the image file server is. 4. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for reading a document image and outputting the read image data to an image data bus in a time-division manner. 5. Image data is received from a communication line and received image data is output to the image data bus in a time-division manner, or transmission image data is input in a time-division manner from the image data bus to transmit the transmission image data. 5. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting data to a communication line. 6. The image data bus line according to claim 1, wherein the image data bus line comprises a serial bus.
The image processing system according to claim 1.