JP2002073000A - Circular region image generator am) image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the amount of data to be stored in a memory for a circular region image and to easily and speedingly rotate a picture. SOLUTION: The circular region image generator is provided with a code memory (132) which stores character codes of inputted characters that are made correspond to polar coordinate values (α and θ) representing the inputted positions, an image memory (138) which stores image data, a means (135) which expands the character codes of the memory (132) into image data that indicate character images, a means (136) which converts the polar coordinate values (α and θ) of character codes into read and write addresses of the memory (138) and a means (137) which rotates the image data obtained by the expansion based on the polar coordinate values (α and θ) of the character codes so that the longitudinal lines of the characters represented by the image data match with the radial lines that go through a polar coordinate origin (xo and yo), changes the sizes to trapezoidal shapes and writes the data into the read and the write addresses of the memory (138).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a circular area image generating apparatus for generating a circular area image in which characters are distributed in an annular shape, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a screen of a display device such as a computer monitor or a television, for example, a display surface of a CRT or a liquid crystal is rectangular. Needs for design diversification
It is conceivable that a non-rectangular display such as a circular display or a circular screen display on a rectangular screen is desired. In addition, a circle stamp or circle mark image is added to the display to indicate that the work is a copyrighted work, a seal, an ID mark, or the addition of another image for invalidating the duplication of a prohibited copy such as a bill or a stamp. It is believed that it is preferable to

[0003]

The image control of the non-rectangular screen needs to be performed before the masking and deformation pre-processing of the shape-aware data is transferred to the display device as compared with that of the rectangular screen. This incurs a reduction in processing speed and a burden on developers to devise a preprocessing method. One of the methods for transferring data to a circular screen that requires such preprocessing is:
It is disclosed in JP-A-5-53547.

It is easy to generate image data representing an image by reading an image to be displayed on a non-rectangular screen with a scanner and storing the image in a memory. Also, it is not easy to change or correct the image. On the other hand, it is difficult to create a document to be read by a scanner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a first object of the present invention to reduce the amount of data to be stored in a memory in an image displayed on a circular screen, and to easily and quickly convert data representing a circular area image with a small amount of data. A second object is to make it possible to transfer the image data to a circular screen easily and at a high speed. A fourth object is to provide an image forming apparatus having such a function. More specifically, the fifth object is to easily and quickly perform the circumferential scrolling as a function unique to the circular screen, and to easily and quickly correct the reference angle as a function unique to the circular screen. The sixth object is to perform the following.

[0006]

(1) A character code of an input character is represented by a polar coordinate origin (xo, y) representing the input position.
code memory (13) which stores the distance (α) from the position o) and the polar coordinate value (α, θ) represented by the rotation angle (θ) from the base point (d) of rotation about the origin.
2); an image memory (1) for storing image data
38) means for expanding the character code in the code memory (132) into image data representing a character image (13)
5) means (136) for converting polar coordinate values (α, θ) associated with the developed character code into read / write addresses of the image memory (138); and associated with the developed character code Polar coordinates (α, θ)
, The image data obtained by the development is rotated so that the vertical line of the character represented by the image data coincides with the radius line passing through the polar coordinate origin (xo, yo), and the read / write of the image memory (138) is performed. Means to write to address (13
7) A circular region image generating device comprising:

[0007] For easy understanding, reference numerals in parentheses for corresponding elements or corresponding items of the embodiment shown in the drawings and described later are added for reference. The same applies to the following.

According to this, the code memory (132)
Then, by storing the character code of the input character in association with the polar coordinate value (α, θ) of the input position, the input character is stored in, for example, “ABCDE” in the circular display area in FIG.
As shown by “1234”, image data representing a circular area having a circumferential distribution can be developed in the image memory 138. With such a method of specifying the coordinates, the creator of the display data can create the display data while easily grasping the display position.

Even if the image data in the image memory 138 is erased, the image data representing the same circular area image can be developed in the image memory 138 as long as the information in the code memory (132) does not change. Therefore, only the information in the code memory (132) needs to be stored, and since the memory data there is a code, the data amount is extremely small.

For example, information in the code memory (132) is transferred to a memory external to the present circular area image generating apparatus, stored there, and code data of a separate circular area image is written in the code memory (132). The image data of the image represented by the image data is developed in the image memory (138), and the image can be represented by an output device such as a display or a printer. In this case, since both the data transfer from the circular area image generating device to the external memory and the reverse data transfer are code data transfers, the data amount (number of transfer bits) is larger than that in the image data transfer. Is also much less. This allows easy and high-speed transfer.

[0011]

(2) The writing means (137)
Based on the polar coordinate value associated with the character code to be developed, based on the image data obtained by the development, the character represented by it, the portion closer to the polar coordinate origin, at a relatively lower magnification than the distant portion. The magnification is changed, that is, the rectangular shape is changed to a trapezoidal shape, and the result is written into the read / write address of the image memory.

A character memory is accessed with a character code to read out a character configuration bit group (for example, a 32 × 32 bit matrix) of a character in a rectangular coordinate system (two-dimensional plane) distribution, and the character is directly added to a radial line passing through the polar coordinate origin. When the rotation corresponding to the polar coordinate is given to the entire character configuration bit group so that the vertical length of the character matches, the input position is circumferential, so the distance between adjacent input characters is longer at the bottom of the character and longer at the bottom of the character. It becomes shorter, and if the character pitch is shorter, the head of the character will interfere.
Since the above-mentioned scaling is performed to adjust this, the character arrangement can be seen in order, and a circular area image in which the characters are clearly distributed around the circumference can be obtained.

(3) A display for displaying the image data of the image memory (138) in a circular area. According to this, a circular area image in which characters are clearly distributed around the circumference is displayed on the display. When the display is circular, it is more clearly recognized that the display is a circular area image.

(4) A circular buffer memory (141) for writing and circularly shifting image data in a circular area centered on the polar coordinate origin; and the polar coordinate origin on the image memory (138). The image data in the storage area corresponding to the circular area around the center is written to the circular buffer memory (141), and the image data is cyclically shifted thereon, and then written to the image memory (138). Returning shift means (140);

The image data on the image memory (138) is stored in a form (address setting) representing an image on a two-dimensional plane of a rectangular coordinate system. Therefore, the image data of only the circumferential area (band ring) on the two-dimensional surface is read out in the circumferential direction, serially written to the circumferential buffer memory (141), and then read in the circumferential buffer memory (141). 1
41) is used as a cyclic shift register, and the shift means (140) is provided with a required rotation amount for the circular area image, and the shift means (140) calculates the required shift amount from the radius of the circular region and the required rotation amount. (Circumferential shift length) is calculated, the image data in the circular buffer memory (141) is cyclically shifted, and the image data in the circular buffer memory (141) is converted into the image memory (138).
, Only the image of the circumferential area (band ring) is rotated. This processing is sequentially performed on the other circumferential lines, whereby the entire rotation of the circular area image is completed.

In the rotation processing of image data stored in the image memory (138) in a form representing an image on a two-dimensional plane of a rectangular coordinate system on a two-dimensional plane of a rectangular coordinate system, an area is generally designated. Since the rectangle is specified to specify the diagonal corner, at least all the image data of the square area in which the circular area is inscribed is specified and rotated by the required amount, and the data amount to be processed is large. According to the method described above, since the image data to be processed is only in the circular area, the image rotation is small, and the screen rotation as a function unique to the circular screen can be easily and quickly performed.

(5) The circular area image generating device according to any one of (1) to (4); and the image memory (13)
A printer for printing out the image data of 8);
An image forming apparatus comprising: According to this, the image of the circular area can be printed on the paper.

(6) The circular area image generator according to any one of the above (1) to (4); a scanner which reads a document image and converts it into image data; and stores the image data in the image memory (138). Means for synthesizing data (6
5) An image forming apparatus comprising:

According to this, image data of a combined image obtained by combining the circular area image with the image read by the scanner is obtained. For example, assuming that a circular region image is a stamp image, stamped image data can be obtained. The image of the circular area is
If D or the ID of the user is used, the source of the image data is indicated. When combined with a scanner that has the function of detecting prohibited duplications such as banknotes and stamps, the circular area image will be prominently damaging the duplicated image. (65) can be used to prevent forgery in which a circular area image is automatically synthesized.

(7) A circular area image generator according to any of the above (1) to (4); a printer controller (17) for analyzing an external print instruction command and converting external image information into image data Means for combining the image data with the image data of the image memory (138) (65);

According to this, a circular area image can be combined with an image received from a host such as a personal computer, a facsimile, and a copying machine having an image information transmitting function.

(8) The image forming apparatus according to (6) or (7), further comprising a printer (400) for printing out the combined image data. According to this, the above (5)-
The operation and effect described in (7) are obtained.

(9) A circular area image generator according to any one of the above (1) to (4); a scanner which reads a document image and converts it into image data; A printer controller (17) for converting information into image data; means (6) for synthesizing the image data with the image data of the image memory (138);
5); and a printer (400) for printing out composite image data. According to this, the effects described in the above (5) to (7) can be obtained.

(10) A circular display section (143) that allows the user to view the omnidirectional view, a character expander (135) for expanding a character code into an image on the screen, and a character scaling / rotator (137). ) And a display device (130v) for displaying characters at an angle that is easy for the user to see.

In this display device (130v), a personal computer or an input board transfers only character code strings, coordinates, and character sizes to the display device (130v), and develops the character code into an image, scales / rotates, and converts coordinates. Is the display device (130
Since v) can be automatically performed, creation of display data is easy and high-speed display is possible.

(11) The display device (130) of the above (10)
Regarding v), by having a circular buffer (141) for holding the line data on the circumference and a shift calculator (140) for shifting the contents of the circular buffer, the entire screen is centered on the screen as an axis. Display device (130v) that performs rotation.

In this display device (130v), only the direction of rotation and the amount of rotation are transferred as commands to the display device (130v) from, for example, a personal computer or an input board, and the image shift in the circumferential direction is performed by the display device (130v). ) Is performed automatically, so that image rotation in the circumferential direction can be easily and rapidly performed with a small amount of data transfer.

(12) The display device (130) of the above (11)
v) and a counter (1) for counting the number of shifts.
39) A display device having a scroll effect by continuously rotating the screen.

In this display device (130v), the direction of shift, the amount of one shift, and the number of shifts are transferred to the display device as a command from, for example, a personal computer or an input board, and the display device automatically converts the image. Since rotation can be repeated, circumferential scrolling can be easily and quickly performed.

(13) The display device (130) of the above (11)
In v), a storage device for holding the shift amount (133)
A display device that rotates the contents of the current screen only once by correcting the screen reference angle, and also displays the corrected reference point for display data to be transferred later.

In this display device (130v), the correction direction and the correction amount of the reference position are once displayed on the display device (13v).
0v), the rotation of the current screen and the coordinate correction of the display data to be transferred in the future will be displayed on the display device (130).
Since v) is automatically performed and the correction amount is held, the reference angle of the circular screen can be easily and quickly changed. For example, even if the position where the user views the screen moves in the circumferential direction, the reference angle can be easily and quickly corrected by a small amount of the reference angle correction command to rotate the screen so that the user can easily view the screen. Further, since the coordinates of the display data specify an angle with respect to the reference angle, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to recalculate the coordinates even if the reference angle is corrected.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0033]

FIG. 1 shows an outline of an embodiment of the present invention. The color printer 400 includes a color image reading device (scanner) 200 and an automatic document feeder (A).
DF) 1, an image forming apparatus in which a sorter STR and other image processing related devices are assembled, and a personal computer
From the host PCa, PCb (hereinafter referred to as PC)
When print data as image information is provided via a LAN or a parallel I / F, the system can be printed out (image output). The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a digital color copying machine having a complex function, and can itself generate a copy of a document. The copier is connected to a public telephone network via a private branch exchange PBX, and can communicate with a remote facsimile via the public telephone network.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the digital full-color copying machine shown in FIG. An original bundle placed on the original platen 2 in the ADF 1 with the image side of the original facing upward is operated by the operation / display unit OP.
When the start key on B (FIG. 3) is pressed, the original is fed from the lowermost document to a predetermined position on the contact glass 202 by the feed roller 3 and the feed belt 4. Original 1 on contact glass 202 by scanner 200
After reading the image data 80, the read original is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. Feed roller 3, Feed belt 4
The discharge roller 5 is driven by a motor.

The ADF 1 scans a single document with a scanner 200.
When the document is fed out, the time required for the document to pass through each of the pair of paper sensors 8 separated by a length of approximately A4 in the direction perpendicular to the sheet of paper is measured, and the length of the document is determined by the length / width of A5 and A4.
(Vertical / horizontal), B4 vertical / horizontal, and A3 (vertical), that is, the size of the document, and the number of feeds is counted to determine the number of documents. The document size and the number of sheets are notified to the main controller 10 (FIG. 3).

The scanner 200 includes a contact glass 20
The image of the original document 180 on the illumination lamp 205, mirror groups 204A, 204B, 204C, etc.
6, the image is formed on the color sensor 207, and the color image information of the original is converted into, for example, blue (hereinafter, referred to as B), green (hereinafter, referred to as G) and red (hereinafter, referred to as R) color separation lights. And converts it into an electrical image signal. In this example, the color sensor 207 has three lines C
It is composed of a CD sensor and reads B, G, and R images for each color. Based on the B, G, and R color separation image signal intensity levels obtained by the scanner 200, color conversion processing is performed by an image processing unit (not shown), and black (hereinafter, referred to as black)
Bk), cyan (hereinafter, referred to as C), magenta (hereinafter, referred to as M), and yellow (hereinafter, referred to as Y)
To obtain color image data including the recording color information.

Using the color image data, Bk, C, M, and Y images are overlaid on an intermediate transfer belt by a color image recording device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a color printer) 400 described below, and Transfer to transfer paper. The scanner 200 receives the scanner start signal which is timed with the operation of the color printer 400, and receives the illumination lamp 205 and the mirror groups 204A, 204B,
The illumination / mirror optical system 204C or the like scans the document in the direction of the left arrow, and obtains one color image data for each scan.
Then, each time, while sequentially visualizing with the color printer 400, these are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt,
A full-color image of four colors is formed.

A writing optical unit 401 as an exposure unit of the color printer 400 converts color image data from the scanner 200 into an optical signal, performs optical writing corresponding to a document image, and applies an electrostatic charge to the photosensitive drum 414. Form a latent image. The optical writing optical unit 401 includes a laser light emitter 441, a light emission drive control unit (not shown) for driving the light emission, a polygon mirror 443, a rotation motor 444 for rotating the same, a fθ lens 442, a reflection mirror 446, and the like. Have been. Photoconductor drum 414
Rotates in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow, around which is a photoconductor cleaning unit 421, a neutralization lamp 414M, a charger 419, a potential sensor 414D for detecting a latent image potential on the photoconductor drum, A selected developing device of the revolver developing device 420, a development density pattern detector 414P, an intermediate transfer belt 415, and the like are arranged.

The revolver developing device 420 includes a BK developing device 420K, a C developing device 420C, an M developing device 420M, and a Y developing device 420Y, and a revolver rotary drive for rotating each developing device in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by an arrow. (Not shown). In order to visualize the electrostatic latent image, each of these developing devices rotates developing sleeves 420 KS and 420 which rotate by contacting the ears of the developer with the surface of the photosensitive drum 414.
CS, 420MS, 420YS, and a developing paddle that rotates to pump up and agitate the developer. In a standby state, the revolver developing device 420 is set at a position where development is performed by the BK developing device 420, and when a copying operation is started, reading of BK image data is started by the scanner 200 at a predetermined timing, and this image is read. On the basis of the data, optical writing / latent image formation by laser light starts. Hereinafter, the electrostatic latent image based on the Bk image data is referred to as a Bk latent image. The same applies to each of the C, M, and Y image data. In order to enable development from the tip of this Bk latent image,
Before the leading end of the latent image reaches the developing position of the Bk developing device 420K, the rotation of the developing sleeve 420KS is started to develop the Bk latent image with Bk toner. Thereafter, the developing operation of the Bk latent image area is continued. When the rear end of the latent image passes the Bk latent image position, the developing operation of the next color developing unit is immediately performed from the developing position of the Bk developing unit 420K. The revolver developing device 420 is driven and rotated to the position. This rotation operation is completed at least before the leading end of the latent image based on the next image data arrives.

When the image forming cycle is started, the photosensitive drum 414 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow, and the intermediate transfer belt 415 is rotated clockwise by a drive motor (not shown). Move. Intermediate transfer belt 41
5, the BK toner image formation, the C toner image formation, the M toner image formation, and the Y toner image formation are sequentially performed, and finally, on the intermediate transfer belt 415 in the order of BK, C, M, and Y. , A toner image is formed. The formation of the BK image is performed as follows. That is, the charger 41
9 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 414 with a negative charge to about -700 V by corona discharge. Subsequently, the laser diode 441 performs raster exposure based on the Bk signal. When the raster image is exposed in this manner, in the initially exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 414 that is uniformly charged, the charge proportional to the amount of exposure light disappears, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner in the revolver developing device 420 is
It is negatively charged by stirring with the ferrite carrier, and the BK developing sleeve 420KS of the present developing device.
Is biased by a power supply circuit (not shown) with respect to the metal base layer of the photosensitive drum 414 to a potential at which a negative DC potential and an AC are superimposed. As a result, no toner adheres to the portion of the photosensitive drum 414 where the charge remains, and Bk is applied to the portion having no charge, that is, the exposed portion.
The toner is attracted, and a Bk visible image similar to the latent image is formed. The intermediate transfer belt 415 includes a driving roller 415D, a transfer facing roller 415T, and a cleaning facing roller 415.
C and a group of driven rollers, and is driven to rotate by a drive motor (not shown). Now, the photosensitive drum 4
The Bk toner image formed on the belt 14 is transferred onto a surface of an intermediate transfer belt 415, which is driven at a constant speed in a state of contact with the photoconductor, by a belt transfer corona discharger (hereinafter, referred to as a belt transfer unit) 4.
16 transferred. Hereinafter, the transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 414 to the intermediate transfer belt 415 is referred to as belt transfer. Some untransferred residual toner on the photoconductor drum 414 is cleaned by the photoconductor cleaning unit 421 in preparation for reuse of the photoconductor drum 414. The collected toner is stored in a waste toner tank (not shown) via a collection pipe.

On the intermediate transfer belt 415, the toner images of Bk, C, M, and Y, which are sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 414, are sequentially aligned on the same surface, and a four-color superimposed belt transfer image is formed. After that, batch transfer is performed on transfer paper by a corona discharge transfer device. By the way, the photosensitive drum 41
On the fourth side, the process proceeds to the C image forming process after the BK image forming process.
Starts reading of C image data, and a C latent image is formed by laser light writing using the image data.
The C developing device 420C moves the Bk
After the rear end portion of the latent image has passed and before the leading end of the C latent image has arrived, the rotating operation of the revolver developing device is performed to develop the C latent image with C toner. Thereafter, the development of the C latent image area is continued. When the rear end of the latent image has passed, the revolver developing device 420 is driven in the same manner as in the case of the Bk developing device described above,
C developing device 420C is sent out, and the next M developing device 420M
Is located at the developing position. This operation is also the next M
This is performed before the leading end of the latent image reaches the developing section. In the process of forming the M and Y images, the operations of reading the image data, forming the latent image, and developing are in accordance with the processes of the Bk image and the C image described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The belt cleaning device 415U includes an inlet seal, a rubber blade, a discharge coil, and a mechanism for contacting and separating the inlet seal and the rubber blade. 1
After the Bk image of the color is transferred to the belt, while the images of the second, third, and fourth colors are transferred to the belt, the entrance seal, the rubber blade, and the like are separated from the intermediate transfer belt surface by the blade contact / separation mechanism. .

A paper transfer corona discharger (hereinafter, referred to as a paper transfer device) 417 uses an AC corona discharge method to transfer an overlaid toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 415 to transfer paper.
+ DC or a DC component is applied to the transfer paper and the intermediate transfer belt.

The transfer paper cassette 482 in the paper supply bank stores transfer papers of various sizes.
The sheet is fed and conveyed in the direction of the pair of registration rollers 418R by 83. Reference numeral 412B2 indicates a paper feed tray for manually feeding OHP paper, thick paper, and the like. At the time when the image formation is started, the transfer paper is fed from any of the paper feed trays, and is waiting at the nip of the pair of registration rollers 418R. Then, when the leading end of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 415 approaches the paper transfer unit 417, the registration roller pair 418R is driven so that the leading end of the transfer paper coincides with the leading end of the image, and the paper and the image are transferred. Matching is performed. In this way, the transfer paper is superimposed on the color superimposed image on the intermediate transfer belt, and passes over the paper transfer unit 417 connected to the positive potential. At this time, the transfer paper is charged with a positive charge by the corona discharge current, and most of the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper. Subsequently, when the transfer paper passes through a separation neutralizer with a neutralization brush (not shown) disposed on the left side of the paper transfer unit 417, the transfer paper is neutralized, and the intermediate transfer belt 415 is removed.
From the paper transport belt 422. The transfer paper on which the four-color superimposed toner image has been collectively transferred from the intermediate transfer belt surface is conveyed to a fixing device 423 by a paper conveyance belt 422, and the toner is conveyed to a nip portion between a fixing roller 423A and a pressure roller 423B controlled to a predetermined temperature. The image is fused and fixed
The paper is sent out of the main body by the discharge roll pair 424, and is stacked face up on a copy tray (not shown).

The photosensitive drum 414 after the belt transfer
Has its surface cleaned by a photoconductor cleaning unit 421 including a brush roller, a rubber blade, and the like.
Further, the charge is uniformly removed by the charge removing lamp 414M. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 415 after transferring the toner image to the transfer paper
Again, the blade is pressed by the blade contact / separation mechanism of the cleaning unit 415U to clean the surface.
In the case of the repeat copy, the operation of the scanner and the image formation on the photoconductor are continued from the first-color image process on the first sheet, and then proceed to the first-color image process on the second sheet at a predetermined timing. In the case of the intermediate transfer belt 415, the second Bk toner image is belt-transferred to an area whose surface has been cleaned by the belt cleaning device, following the batch transfer process of the first four-color superimposed image onto transfer paper. So that Thereafter, the operation is the same as that of the first sheet.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of an electric system of the copying machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 illustrates the main part of the control device of the copying machine, mainly the main controller 10.
The main controller 10 controls the entire copying machine. The main controller 10 includes an operation / display board OPB for performing display to the operator and input of function setting from the operator, a personal computer PCc having an editor function,
A scanner controller 12, a printer controller 16, and an image processing unit (IPU) 3 for controlling the scanner 200 and the ADF 1, controlling writing of a document image in an image memory, controlling image formation from the image memory, and the like.
00, and an engine control unit 13 that controls an image forming engine in the color printer 400 that performs charging, exposure, development, paper feeding, transfer, fixing, and transfer of a transfer sheet.
Are connected. Each decentralized control device and the main controller 10 can control the machine status,
Exchanging operation commands.

The color printer 400 includes an electric circuit and a control circuit for driving mechanical elements for performing charging of the photosensitive member 414, image exposure by a laser writing unit, development, transfer, fixing, and paper discharge, including transfer paper transfer, And various sensors.

The printer controller 16 analyzes an external image such as a personal computer or the like and a command for instructing printing, develops a bitmap into a printable state as image data, and outputs the image data to the printer 4 via the main controller 10.
00 is driven to print out the image data. There are a LAN control 19 and a parallel I / F 18 for receiving and operating images and commands through the LAN and the parallel I / F.

When there is a facsimile transmission instruction, the facsimile control unit 17 drives the scanner 200 and the IPU 300 via the main controller 10 to read the image of the original, and transmits the image data to the communication control 20.
And via the PBX to the facsimile communication line. When a facsimile call is received from the communication line and the image data is received, the printer 400 is driven via the main controller 10 to print out the image data.

Referring to FIG. C in IPU300
The analog image signal generated by the CD 54 is converted into a digital signal, that is, image data by the A / D converter 61. After shading correction 62 is performed on the image data, the image data is subjected to MTF correction, γ correction, and the like in an image processing unit 63, and is then enlarged / reduced in a scaling process 72 according to the scaling factor. The selector 64 sets the destination of the image data to the writing γ correction 71 or the image memory controller 65. The image data having passed through the writing γ correction 71 is sent to the writing unit 57. Image memory controller 6
5 and the selector 64 are configured so that image data can be input and output in both directions. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 4, the IPU 300 is not limited to image data input from the scanner 200, and may be image data (for example, data such as a facsimile, a personal computer, or a word processor) supplied from the outside via the external image input / output 77. It has a function of selecting input and output of a plurality of data so as to process data output from the processing device (host).

The IPU 300 includes a CPU 68 for setting the image memory controller 65 and controlling the image scanner unit and the writing unit 401, and a ROM 69 and a RAM 70 for storing the programs and data. Further C
The PU 68 writes and reads data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65. IP
The function of U300 will be further described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5A shows the configuration of the printer controller 16, and FIG.
6 shows a configuration of an image memory access control (ASIC) 35 in FIG. In this embodiment, the image memory access control 35 is configured by an ASIC (Application Specific IC). FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the main controller 10,
7 shows the functions of the IPU 300, and FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the control unit 13 of the printer 400. In the following,
The control unit 13 of the printer 400 may be simply referred to as the printer 13.

The scanner 200 and the image forming process controller 93 (FIG. 8) in the printer 13 correspond to the system controller 31 of the printer controller 16 and the IPU.
And 300 via a common bus Pb. I
The PU 300 performs a data format conversion for a data interface between a parallel bus and a serial bus inside the PU 300. Image data read by the scanner 200
The data is transferred to the IPU 300, and the IPU 300 performs signal deterioration (signal deterioration of a scanner system: read image data due to scanner characteristics) due to quantization into an optical system and a digital signal.
Data distortion), and the image data is stored in the memory MEM 34 and the image memory 6 of the expansion specification of the printer controller 16.
6. Write on a floppy disk, compact disk, hard disk 75 or DVD 76. Or IPU3
The data is converted into output image data by a processing system for printer output inside 00 and supplied to the printer 13.

That is, the IPU 300 has a job for storing and reusing the read image data in the memory MEM34 or other storage medium, and an image forming output to the printer 13 without storing it in the memory MEM34 or other storage medium. There is a job to do. As an example of storing the data in the memory MEM34, when copying a plurality of originals, the scanner 200 is operated only once, the read image data is stored in the memory MEM34, and the stored data is read a plurality of times. . As an example in which the memory MEM 34 is not used, when only one document is copied, it is only necessary to process the read image data as it is for the printer output, so that it is not necessary to write the data in the memory MEM 34. When the image data to be read is intended to be stored for a relatively long period of time, the image memory 66, floppy disk, compact disk, hard disk 75
Or write to DVD76. The print data (text data, that is, sentence data /
The same applies to image data, that is, pixel data. Slash / means "or".

First, when the memory MEM34 is not used,
In the IPU 300, an image quality process 79 (FIG. 7) for converting luminance data by the CCD into area gradation is performed. The signal converted to the area gradation after the image quality processing is given to the printer 13, and the writing control 94
Given to. The write control 94 performs post-processing related to dot arrangement and pulse control for reproducing dots.
To the image forming unit 401 of the printer 400,
A reproduced image is formed on transfer paper.

When the data is stored in the memory MEM 34 and additional processing such as rotation in the image direction and synthesis of the image are performed at the time of reading from the memory MEM 34, the image data is sent from the IPU 300 to the image memory access control ASIC 35 via the bus Pb. Here, under the control of the system controller 31, access control of the image data and the memory module MEM34, development of print data of the external personal computers PCa to PCc (character code / character bit conversion), and images for effective use of the memory are performed. Performs data compression / decompression. ASI
The data sent to the C35 is stored in the MEM 34 after data compression, and the stored data is read as needed. The read data is expanded and returned to the original image data.
Is returned to the IPU 300 via the bus Pb. IPU3
00 performs image quality processing and outputs the result to the printer 13. That is, a visible image (toner image) is formed on the transfer paper.

In the flow of the image data, the bus control 61 of the main controller 10 on the common bus Pb
Realizes the composite function of digital copier. The FAX transmission function, which is one of the composite functions, performs image processing on image data read by the scanner 200 in the IPU 300 and transfers the image data to the FAX control unit 17 via the common bus Pb.

In each job, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function and a printer output function, the scanner 20
The system controller 31 and the main controller 10 control the assignment of the right to use the common bus Pb to the IPU 300, the printer 13, and the FAX control unit 17 via the bus control 61.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the functional configuration of the ASIC 35.
(B) of FIG. The parallel data I / F 36 manages input / output of image data to / from the common bus Pb, stores / reads image data to / from the MEM 34, and codes data (text data) mainly input from external PCa and PCb. ) Is developed into image data (image data). The code data input from PCa and PCb is stored in the line buffer 37. That is, data is stored in the local area and the line buffer 3
7 is stored in the system controller I
/ System controller 31 input via F39
The video controller 38 expands the image data into image data based on the expansion processing command from the CPU. The expanded image data or the image data input from the parallel bus via the parallel data I / F 36 is stored in the MEM 34. In this case, the image data to be stored is selected in the data conversion unit 40, data compression is performed in the data compression unit 41 to increase the memory use efficiency, and the address of the MEM 34 is managed in the memory access control unit 42. While ME
The image data is stored in M34. The reading of the image data stored in the MEM 34 is performed by the memory access control unit 42.
Controls the read destination address, and the read image data is expanded by the data expansion unit 43. When transferring the expanded image data to the parallel bus, the data transfer is performed via the parallel data I / F 36.

Referring to FIG. Main controller 10
Controls the flow of image data, the system controller 31 controls the entire system, and manages the activation of each resource. The function selection of this digital multifunction copier is based on I / O
The user selects and inputs a copy function, a facsimile function, a printout function and sets processing contents by using the operation board 58 connected to the O port 57 or the host PCa to PCc, and sets an image memory 66, a hard disk 75 and a DVD.
The processing contents such as input and output (writing / reading) of print data, document reading data, output image data obtained by processing these for output, and compressed data obtained by compressing them are set. The scanner 200 and the ADF 1 are connected to the I / O port 57. The I / O port 57 is connected to the common bus Pb.

The main controller 10 includes a ROM 54 and a RAM 56 for storing programs and data, an IC card 11 for externally supplying font data and programs,
The contents of the mode instruction from the operation unit 58 (panel devices 59 to 60), the contents of the settings, the information for managing the use of the image output device, the results of use of the image output device, and other settings for which long-term storage is desired NVRAM 53 which is a non-volatile storage device for storing information and management information;
Program of OM 54 and IC card 11, operation unit 3
Mode instruction from 0 and printer controller 16
C that controls the entire controller 10 and the bus control 61 in response to commands from the (host PCa, PCb) and controls the bus connection between the input device and the output device.
PU51.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of the processing functions of the IPU 300 shown in FIG. The main controller 10 inputs the read image data from the scanner 200 to the IPU 300 via the bus control 61 and the common bus Pb. IPU3
At 00, the read image data of the scanner 200 is transmitted from an input I / F (interface) 71 to a scanner image processing 72. The scanner image processing 72 performs shading correction, scanner γ correction, MTF correction, and the like with the main purpose of correcting image information deterioration due to reading. Although not a correction process, a scaling process for enlargement / reduction is also performed.

The input data of the image data input control 72 is
Data compression is performed in the data compression section 74 in order to increase the transfer efficiency on the common bus Pb. The compressed image data is sent to the bus Pb via the parallel data I / F 76. Once the image data subjected to the scanner image processing 72 is stored in the memory MEM 34 or the additional image memory 66, various reproduced images can be confirmed by changing the processing performed in the image quality processing 79. For example, by changing the density of the reproduced image or changing the number of lines of the dither matrix, the atmosphere of the reproduced image can be changed. At this time, it is not necessary to read the image again by the scanner 200 every time the processing is changed, and if the stored image is read from the MEM 34 or 66, different processing can be performed on the same data any number of times.

When outputting to transfer paper, image quality processing 79
The area gradation processing is performed in step. The data after the image quality processing is output to the printer 13 via the output I / F 80. The area gradation processing includes density conversion, dither processing, error diffusion processing and the like, and the main processing is area approximation of gradation information.

Image data input from the bus Pb via the parallel data I / F 76 is compressed for bus transfer, and is expanded by the data expansion unit 77. The decompressed image data is passed to the image quality processing 79 by the image data output control 78. The IPU 300 has a function of converting parallel data and serial data. The system controller 31 transfers data to a parallel bus, and the main controller 10 transfers data to a serial bus. The data converter 75 is used for communication between the controller 31, the scanner 200 and the main controller 10.
Then, parallel / serial data conversion is performed by the serial data I / F 83. The serial data I / F 82 is used for the scanner image processing 72 and the image quality processing 79, and also transfers serial data to them.

FIG. 8 shows an outline of a system configuration of an electric system of the printer engine control unit 13 shown in FIG. The controller (main control board) 93 includes a CPU, a ROM,
There is an AM, and a serial communication port and an input / output port are prepared according to what is connected to it. Management of image forming modes such as monochrome recording and full-color recording and an image forming sequence are controlled by the CPU of the controller 93. The controller 93 is connected to a duplex control unit 98, a bank control unit 100, and a sorter control unit 99 by serial communication.

The motor control board 101 includes a motor for driving the main body paper, a motor for driving the revolver, a motor for driving the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer belt, a developing motor, and a replenishing motor for replenishing toner of each color developing unit of the developing device 420. Is driven.

The fixing control board 102 includes a controller 93
Of the fixing unit heater and an A / D terminal for reading the detected temperature of the fixing temperature sensor. The fixing control board 102 performs heater energization control to keep the temperature of the fixing roller within a set range. The P sensor control circuit 97 is connected to the A / D terminal of the controller 93 for reading the LED lighting signal output of the reflection type optical sensor and the light reflection level of the photoconductor.

The illustrated printer 13 (400) is a digital laser printer, which fetches image data into the image memory 92, and further exposes the photosensitive member 1 from the image memory 92 to the writing control unit 94 (LD). −
C) on the controller 93 as the light emission modulation information
Output is performed in response to an instruction from the PU. The image memory 92 has an image data read / write control circuit. The image memory 92 can store image data of a plurality of images.

FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the facsimile transmission / reception unit 17. The FCU converts the data to the public line communication network PN and transmits it to the PN as FAX data. In the FAX reception, the line data from the PN is converted into image data at 17 and transferred to the IPU 300 via the common bus Pb. In this case, no special image quality processing is performed, and dot rearrangement and pulse control are performed in the printer 13 and the printer 4
A visualized image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 00.

The facsimile control unit 17 comprises a facsimile image processor 112, an image memory 113, a memory controller 115, a facsimile controller 114, an image compressor / decompressor 116, a modem 117 and a network controller 118. Among them, FAX
Regarding the image processing 112, the binary smoothing processing on the received image is performed in the edge smoothing processing in the printer 13. Also, with regard to the image memory 113, the ASIC 35 and the MEM 34 partially complete the output buffer function.

FAX control unit 1 configured as described above
In 7, in starting the transmission of the image information, the facsimile control unit 114 instructs the memory control unit 115 to sequentially read the stored image information from the image memory 113. The read image information is restored to the original signal by the FAX image processing 112, is subjected to density conversion processing and scaling processing, and is applied to the facsimile control unit 114. The image signal applied to the facsimile control unit 114 is code-compressed by the image compression / decompression unit 116, modulated by the modem 117, and transmitted to the destination via the network control device 118. Then, the image information whose transmission has been completed is deleted from the image memory 113.

At the time of reception, the received image is temporarily stored in the image memory 1
If the received image can be recorded and output at that time, it is recorded and output when the reception of one image is completed. When a call is made during the copying operation and reception is started, the usage rate of the image memory 113 becomes a predetermined value, for example, 80%.
Is stored in the image memory 83 until the image memory 8
When the usage rate of No. 3 reaches 80%, the writing operation being executed at that time is forcibly interrupted, and the received image is read out from the image memory 83 and recorded and output. At this time, the received image read from the image memory 113 is stored in the image memory 11.
3 and the writing operation which was interrupted when the usage rate of the image memory 83 has decreased to a predetermined value, for example, 10%, is resumed. When all the writing operations have been completed,
The remaining received images are recorded and output. Further, after the write operation is interrupted, various parameters for the write operation at the time of the interruption are internally saved so that the write operation can be resumed, and the parameters are internally restored at the time of restart.

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the memory controller 65 and the image memory 66 shown in FIG. The memory controller 65 includes an input data selector 122, an image synthesis
3, primary compression / expansion 124, output data selector 12
5 and a secondary compression / decompression 126 block. The setting of the control data in each block is performed by the CPU 68 (in accordance with the instruction of the main controller 10).
Data in FIG. 10 indicates image data (a part of the bus Pb), and illustration of address data (bus) and control signals (bus) is omitted.

The image memory 66 includes primary and secondary storage devices 128 and 129. The primary storage device 128 is capable of high-speed access to, for example, a DRAM or the like so that data can be written to a memory substantially in synchronization with the transfer speed of input image data, or data can be read from the memory at the time of image output at a high speed. You are using memory. Also, 1
The next storage device 128 has a configuration (an interface unit with a memory controller) that can be divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed and can simultaneously execute input and output of image data. In order to enable the input and output of image data to be executed in parallel in each of the divided areas, an interface with the memory controller 65 is connected by two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing. Thus, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to the area 1 is possible.

The secondary storage device 12 inside the image memory 66
Reference numeral 9 denotes a large-capacity memory for storing data for synthesizing and sorting input images. 1
If elements that can be accessed at high speed are used for both the secondary and secondary storage devices 128 and 129, data processing can be performed without distinction between primary and secondary, and control is relatively simple, but elements such as DRAM are expensive. Therefore, although the access speed of the secondary storage device 129 is not so fast, it is configured to use an inexpensive, large-capacity recording medium and to process input / output data via the primary storage device 128.

Next, an outline of the operation of the memory controller 65 will be described: <1> Image input (writing to the image memory 66) The input data selector inside the memory controller 65 selects the image memory 66 ( The image data to be written to the primary storage device 128) is selected. The selected image data is stored in the memory controller 6
5, the image is synthesized with the data already stored in the image memory. The image data processed by the image synthesis is data-compressed by primary compression / decompression inside the memory controller 65, and the primary storage device 128
Is written to.

The primary storage device 12 inside the image memory 66
The data written in 8 is further compressed by secondary compression / decompression inside the memory controller 65 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage device 129 inside the image memory 66. <2> Image Output (Reading from Image Memory 66) When outputting an image, the primary storage device 1 inside the image memory 66 is used.
The image data stored in the memory 28 is read out. When the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 128, the image data in the primary storage device 128 is expanded by primary compression / expansion, and the data after expansion or the data after expansion is stored. The data after image synthesis with the input data is selected by an output data selector inside the memory controller 65 and output. The image synthesis inside the memory controller 65 is performed by synthesizing the data in the primary storage device 128 with the input data (having a function of adjusting the phase of the image data) and selecting the output destination of the synthesized data (image output, primary Such processing as write-back to the storage device 128 and simultaneous output to both output destinations are also possible.

If the image to be output is not stored in the primary storage device 128 inside the image memory 66,
The image data to be output stored in the secondary storage device 129 is decompressed by secondary compression / decompression inside the memory controller 65, and the decompressed data is written to the primary storage device 128. Perform an image output operation.

The reason for compressing the image is that it is possible to write the data of 256 gradations corresponding to the maximum image size into the image memory 66 as it is, but the image memory is used very much for one document image. By performing image compression, a limited amount of image memory can be used effectively. Also, since a large number of document image data can be stored at one time, the stored document image data can be output in page order as a sorting function. In this case, when outputting an image, the data in the image memory 66 is stored in the memory controller 65.
The output is performed while sequentially decompressing by the decompression device inside. Such a function is generally called “electronic sorting”.

The controller 65 and the image memory 6
Using the function of No. 6, it is also possible to sequentially read a plurality of document images into an area obtained by dividing an area for one transfer sheet in the image memory. For example, four document images are sequentially written into four equally divided areas of one transfer sheet in the image memory, thereby obtaining a copy output in which the four documents are combined into one transfer sheet image and aggregated. It becomes possible. Such a function is generally called “aggregated copy”.

The image stored in the image memory 66 is accessible from the CPU 68. Therefore, it is possible to process the contents of the image memory.
A thinning process, an image cutting process, and the like can be performed. For the processing, the image memory can be processed by writing data to the register of the memory controller 65. The processed image is stored again in the image memory. Further, the configuration is such that the contents of the image memory 66 can be read by the CPU 68 and transferred as image data to the operation / display unit OPB or the personal computer PCc having an editor function via the I / O port 67. In general, since the display resolution of the liquid crystal touch panel of the operation / display unit OPB is low, the original image in the image memory 66 is thinned out and sent to the liquid crystal touch panel 59 of the operation / display unit OPB.

As the image memory 66, a hard disk may be used to store a large amount of image data. By using a hard disk, there is also a feature that an external power supply is unnecessary and an image can be held permanently. In order to read and hold a plurality of fixed originals (format originals) with a scanner, this hard disk is generally used.

Further, a CD-R,
The configuration is such that a CD-RW and a DVD having a larger capacity can be connected. The external storage device 76 is controlled by a SCSI controller to execute writing and reading of an image. Writing and reading are temporarily stored and processed in an image memory in order to absorb a difference in processing speed with respect to image formation of the main body and image writing from a scanner. That is, when writing a scanner image to the external storage devices 75 and 76, the image is always written via the image memory 66. When sending data from the image storage device to the writing unit 401, the data is temporarily stored in the image memory 66 and sent to the writing unit 401. The image path of the image memory 66, the HD 75, the image of the external storage device 76, the scanner image, and the input and output of the image to be sent to the writing unit are all determined by the memory controller 65. In this way, the main controller 10 (in accordance with the instruction of the CPU 68) inputs the image data,
By determining the output, the memory controller 65 connected to the CPU 68 can switch the flow of the image.

The operation / display OPB includes an operation section 58, a liquid crystal touch panel 59, ten keys, a clear / stop key,
There are a start key, a mode clear key, an initial setting key, and a test print key. On the liquid crystal touch panel 59, function keys, messages indicating the number of copies, and a state of the image forming apparatus are displayed. The test print key is a key for printing only one copy regardless of the set number of prints and confirming a print result. In addition, the display for selecting and executing the "copy" function, the "scanner" function, the "print" function, the "facsimile" function, the "storage" function, the "edit" function, the "register" function and other functions is displayed. is there. When the initial setting key is operated (touched), an “initial value setting” function for setting various initial values and “ID”
A selection menu for the "setting" function and the "use record output" function is displayed.

The "copy" function is a function of copying an image read by the original scanner 200 on the transfer paper by the printer 13 (400) by an operation designated.

The “scanner” function operates according to an instruction from the operation unit 58 or the host PCa to PCc.
00, the image of the document is read and displayed on the display of the host PCc, or the read image data is transferred to the host PCa-PCc via the printer controller 16.
To the image memory 66, to the HD 75, or to the DVD
It is a function to transfer to and write to.

The "print" function is to provide data or image memory 66, HD75 or DVD provided by the host PCa-PCc connected by LAN and parallel I / F.
This function is for outputting an image (print output) of the print data 76 to the printer 13 (400) in response to an instruction from the host or the operation unit 58.

The “facsimile” function is a function of reading an image of a document by the scanner 200 and transferring the image data to the facsimile control unit 17. A function of transferring data provided by the hosts PCa to PCc connected to the LAN and the parallel I / F to the facsimile control unit 17 in response to an instruction from the host;
75 or the print data recorded on the DVD 76
It also includes a function of transferring to the FAX control unit 17 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 58 or the host.

The “accumulate” function is executed during the execution of the current job (for example, when the apparatus is performing an image forming operation using the “copy” or “print” function), from an image of another job read by the scanner 200 or from the host PCa to PCc. Is stored in the image memory 66, the HD 75 or the DVD 76, and printed out after the execution of the preceding job is completed.

The "edit" function is provided by the printer controller 1
6. The print data of the image memory 66, the HD 75 or the DVD 76, the original read data or the output image data obtained by processing these for output are displayed on the display of the host PCc, and the text and / or the image are edited. Output process "print",
This is a function for performing “facsimile” or “registration”.

The “registration” function is executed by the host PCa-PCc or the scanner 2 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 58 or the host.
The function is to record the print data from 00, the original read data, the output image data obtained by processing them for output, or the compressed data obtained by compressing them, in the image memory 66, the HD 75 or the like.

The personal computer PCc for the editor can perform the input / output function of the operation / display unit OPB, the editor (editing) function, the image forming function, the color balance adjusting function, and various application functions by inputting general computer software. It is. One mode (one menu) of the image forming function is “generation of a circular area image”. This is achieved by using the display control device 130 connected to the personal computer PCc.
An image (circumferential distribution image) representing characters, words, and sentences distributed in the circumferential direction and capable of rotating in the circumferential direction is displayed on the two-dimensional display of the personal computer PCc.

The created character code data and image data (drawing image data) are
To the memory controller 65 via the PU 300,
The image data can be registered in the image memory 66, and the image data 123 registered in the image memory 66 or read out from the image memory 66 by the image synthesizing unit 123 of the memory controller 65 via the IPU 300 to the printer, facsimile, host or external memory. Can be combined with the image data to be transferred.

The circumferential distribution image displayed on the circular screen is, for example, a copyright check mark, a character mark or ID mark indicating that the copying machine has been used, a user's personal mark or ID mark, a secret keeping required mark, a campaign mark. And so on. This is registered in advance in the image memory 66, the HD 75, or the external memory 76 together with the printing position in association with the use mode of the copying machine, the user ID or the type of the output document, and can be automatically synthesized and output. .

The circular screen assumes that the user views the screen from all angles on the outer peripheral side of the screen. The circular screen image is displayed on the circular area so as to be at the right position with respect to the line of sight from the outer peripheral side of the screen. (Circular area) The entire area can be rotated around the center of the circle.

FIG. 11 shows a functional configuration of the display control device 130. More specifically, the display control device 130 includes a microcomputer system, a memory IC, and an ASIC.
It is composed of When the user designates "Generate Circular Area Image" on the "Imaging" menu displayed on the display of the personal computer PCc, the personal computer PCc displays an initial menu screen of "Generate Circular Area Image" on the display. On the menu screen, the user inputs the center (xo, yo) of the circular area, the character input pitch Cp in the circumferential direction, and the character input pitch Rp (circular pitch) in the radial direction. Display ".

When this scale display is designated, the personal computer PCc, as shown in FIG.
A "+" mark a is displayed at a designated position on the display of Cc, a concentric circle b centered at the designated position and having different radii Rp, a cursor c indicating a character input position, and a "+" mark a in the vertical direction of the display. A circumferential base line d and a character pitch display line e extending downward are displayed.

The cursor c shown in FIG. 12A is shifted by Rp in the radial direction extending from the center (xo, yo) when one vertical shift input is made, and one horizontal shift input is made. When there is, the rotation shifts by Cp in the circumferential direction. Similarly to the rotation shift of the cursor c, the character pitch display line e also rotates. When a character input, for example, A is entered, the input character A is displayed at the position of the cursor c, as shown in FIG. The process leading to this display will be described.

First, when there is a type input of the character A, the personal computer PCc causes the polar coordinate value (α,
θ), α are the distances from the center of the circle (xo, yo) to the cursor c, that is, the radius, and θ is the cursor c from the circumferential base line d.
The rotation angle of the character (and the character pitch display line e) (the counterclockwise direction is +) and the character code of the character A are given to the display control device 130 to instruct them to be stored and displayed. The method of transferring these data may be any of known transfer methods such as serial transfer and parallel transfer. By specifying the input position using such polar coordinates, the creator of the display data, that is, the user, can create the display position while easily grasping the display position.

The display control device 130 writes them into the input buffer memory 132. Then, in the character code development 135, the character code is given to the font ROM 55 of the main controller 10, and the image data bits (for example, 32 × 32 bits) representing the characters, that is, the font data are read out, that is, the character code is converted into image data. In the character rotation / magnification 137, the magnification / magnification in accordance with the radius α of the polar coordinate value (α, θ) and the rotation in accordance with the angle θ are added to the image data and given to the image buffer memory 138. This character rotation is performed by converting an image bit array constituting an input character into a character line having a circle centered at the center of the circle (xo, yo), a horizontal line parallel to the character, and a vertical line being a radius of the circle. It is rotated so as to match. Magnification is based on the polar coordinate value associated with the character code, image data obtained by expansion,
The portion of the character represented by the character closer to the polar coordinate origin is scaled at a relatively lower magnification than the portion farther away. That is, the rectangular shape of the entire character is transformed into a trapezoidal shape. A character memory is accessed by a character code to set a character configuration bit group (for example, 32) of a character in a rectangular coordinate system (two-dimensional plane) distribution.
X 32 bit matrix), and as it is, when the rotation corresponding to the polar coordinate is given to the entire character configuration bit group so that the vertical length of the character matches the radius line passing through the polar coordinate origin, the input position is a circumferential line. The distance between adjacent input characters is long at the bottom of the character and short at the head of the character, and when the character pitch is short, the head of the character interferes. The above scaling adjusts this.

On the other hand, in the address conversion 136, the polar coordinate values (α, θ) are converted into x, y orthogonal coordinate values (x, y), which are converted into the addresses of the image buffer memory 138, and given to the memory 138. Write the image data to the address.

When the writing is completed, the display controller 13
A command decode (controller) 131 of 0 transfers one frame of image data corresponding to a 2π area (one circular area) to which the polar coordinate values (α, θ) belong on the image buffer memory 138 to the personal computer PCc. . The personal computer PCc converts this image data into (xo, yo)
Is superimposed on a circular area centered on as shown in FIG. 12B (display update of the circular area). One circular area represented by polar coordinates is 0 to 2π, and the next 2π to 4π is another circular area. Here, 1 expressed in polar coordinates
One circular area is expressed as one frame in the rectangular coordinate system.

When the display of the circular area is updated, the personal computer PCc
Changes the display to a position where the cursor c (and the character pitch display line e) is rotated by one pitch Cp, as shown in FIG. When the user types the character B, the display is changed to (D) in FIG. 12 and further (E) in FIG.
Changes to When the user further inputs the character C, the display is changed to (F) of FIG. 12 and the cursor c (and the character pitch display line e) is moved by one pitch Cp by the same processing as that for inputting the character A described above. The position changes by a minute. Since the cursor c can be shifted in the radial direction, characters can be input on a plurality of circumferential lines distributed in the radial direction.

When the input position makes one rotation, the angle value θ of the polar coordinate becomes a value obtained by adding 2π, and the image buffer memory 1
38 storage areas (access addresses) are switched to those of the second frame exceeding one frame. The input buffer memory 132 and the image buffer memory 138 have a first
The start point of the second circular area is superimposed on the position 2π at the end of the circular area to make both areas continuous, and the end point of the second circular area is 2
It is possible to read the image data from the image buffer memory 138 in a form in which a plurality of circular regions are connected in a spiral screw form, for example, by superimposing the start point of the third circular region at the position of π to make both regions continuous. I can do it.

As described above, when the user specifies the code data registration after finishing the desired character input, personal computer PCc displays a registration screen on the display, and the user specifies the registration destination on this screen. , A file name is determined, and a user ID is set if necessary, and the input buffer memory 132 is stored in the internal / external memory (66/75/76).
Information can be registered. Further, the registered file is called and the input buffer 132 of the display controller 130 is called.
And expands the image data in the image buffer memory 138 to store the image data in the IPU 300 and the memory controller 6.
5 can be output. By designating the deletion of "display of polar coordinate input scale", "+" mark a, concentric circle b, circumferential base line d, and character pitch display line e disappear from the display screen. Even when “display of polar coordinate input scale” is specified, the scale information (a to e) does not exist in the code data of the input buffer memory 132 and the image data of the image data buffer memory 138.

When the code data is stored in the input buffer 132, the image data is written into the image buffer memory 138, and when the character image of the single circular region is displayed on the display, the displayed circular region is rotated. , The user inputs the rotation amount and the rotation direction to the personal computer PCc.
The personal computer PCc displays the rotation amount and the rotation direction on the display control device 1.
Transfer to 30.

Command decode 1 of display control device 130
31, when the transfer data from the personal computer PCc is determined to be the rotation amount, the rotation amount &Dgr;&thetas;
The current rotation amount is given to the control 140, and the current rotation amount is integrated with the data (initial value is 0) of the rotation amount register 133 (addition is performed when the current rotation amount is +, and subtracted when the current rotation amount is-), and the integrated value is calculated. At 133, the update is latched.

The shift operation & control 140 of the display controller 130 stores α = R in the input buffer memory 132.
Assuming that character codes over a radius range of p to Rpm and an angle range of θ = 0 to (2π) n are stored,
That is, n frames (1) are stored in the image buffer memory 138.
Assuming that image data is stored in the circular area of the frame (m circles), first, the outermost circle α =
The image data of Rp · (m−1) to Rp · m, θ = 0 to (2π) n are read out from the image buffer memory 138 and written into the circumferential buffer memory 141, and the rotation amount Δθ given this time and the rotation direction are used. Circumferential buffer memory 14
1 and the image buffer memory 13
Write back to 8.

In this case, when the image data is read from the image buffer memory 138, the polar coordinate value [(Rp
・ (M-1) +1 to Rp · m), 0] to [(Rp · (m-1) +1
To Rp · m), (2π) n] are sequentially converted to an address 13
6, and then converted into orthogonal coordinate values, then converted into address data, and applied to the image buffer memory 138. That is, the polar coordinate value designating the inside of the band (row) ring-shaped region on the outermost periphery of the circular region is converted into an address in the rectangular coordinate system. As a result, the image data of the spiral ribbon area having the circumferential width Rp is read from the image buffer memory 138 and written into the circumferential buffer memory 141 in the form of a linear band having the width Rp. In the rotation amount shift, the tip end is connected to the tail end of the straight band, and the image data on the end is converted to a radius (R
p. (m-1) +1 to Rp.m) and the storage position (address) is shifted in the direction of the straight line of the straight band by an arc length corresponding to the rotation angle Δθ. Then, in writing back to the image buffer memory 138, the polar coordinate value [(Rp · (m-1) +1 to Rp
.M), 0] to [(Rp. (M-1) +1 to Rp.m),
(2π) n] is sequentially given to the address conversion 136, and the image data on the straight band is sequentially given to the image buffer memory 138 from the leading end of the straight band to the memory 1.
Write to 38.

By executing such a process on each of the remaining circumferential lines in the same manner, the circular area image changes in a form in which the disk with the character is rotated by Δθ around the center of the circle. That is, rotation of the image is realized. However, the amount of shift depends on the length of the circumference, and when rotating at the same angle (Δθ), the amount of shift increases as the position approaches the outer circumference. Which circumference (radius Rp · (m-1) +1 to R
p.m) is processed, and the shift amount of the circumference is calculated according to the count. By the shift processing described above, the rotation of the screen is realized at high speed with a small data shift.

Note that the data of the rotation amount register 133 is
By the execution of the above-described rotation processing, the circumferential base line d and the amount of rotation in the circumferential direction of the character group input based on the base line d are represented. When the polar coordinate input scales (a to e) are displayed, the personal computer PCc also applies the polar coordinate input scales (a to e) to the display control device 130 by the rotation amount Δ
Rotate by θ minutes.

If such a rotation occurs during the character input, the display of the input character group and the polar coordinate input scales (a to e) rotate integrally, whereby a new position is displayed at the position of the rotated cursor c. When a character is input, the input position (polar coordinate value) is shifted from the first character group when the integrated rotation value is 0 by the integrated rotation amount. Therefore, the personal computer PCc also holds the rotation amount integrated value similarly to the rotation amount register 133. When a character is input, the value obtained by subtracting the rotation amount integrated value from the rotation angle of the cursor c at that time is input this time. The character code is written to the input buffer memory 132 as the angle value θ of the polar character [(α, θ)] of the character. Further, the address conversion 136 of the display control device 136 is performed.
Is the rotation angle of the cursor c (the angle value θ + the rotation amount integrated value)
Is converted to a rectangular coordinate value, and is converted to a memory access address.

That is, the coordinate information of the input character code transferred from the personal computer PCc to the display control device 130 after the rotation of the circumferential base line d is the circumferential base line at the base position (base angle = 0). Specifies the angle relative to d. At this time, in order to display the input character corresponding to the circumferential base line d rotated by the rotation amount integration value, it is necessary to shift the image data of the input character by the rotation amount integration value. In the conversion 136, a rotation corresponding to the integrated rotation amount is added to the polar coordinate value.

When a scroll command including a scroll pitch and a direction is given from the personal computer PCc to the display control device, the command decode 131 of the display control device gives the currently given scroll amount and direction to the shift operation & control 140, The current scroll amount is added to the data of the scroll count 139 (the initial value is 0) (added if the current scroll amount is +, and subtracted if the current scroll amount is-), and the integrated value is stored in the scroll count 139. The shift operation & control 140 of the display control device 130 applies rotation to the image data in the image buffer memory 138 by the scroll amount given this time in the same manner as the above-described rotation processing. That is, an address shift is performed. As a result, the image on the screen rotates and moves along the circumference by the scroll pitch. Each time the personal computer PCc gives a scroll command, the image on the screen rotates and moves by one pitch along the circumference. Scrolling is realized at high speed with a small amount of data processing.

When the personal computer PCc instructs the scroll reset, the command decode 131 of the display control device executes
Shift calculation & control 14 for the scroll integrated amount of the scroll counter 139 and the rotation in the direction to make it zero.
0, and the scroll counter 139 is cleared.
Shift operation & control 140 of display control device 130
Gives the image data in the image buffer memory 138 a rotation in the reverse direction by the scroll integration amount given this time, in the same manner as the above-described rotation processing. That is, an address shift is performed. As a result, an image without scrolling is displayed.

When the personal computer PCc instructs the rotation reset, the command decode 131 of the display control device instructs the shift operation & control 140 of the integrated rotation amount of the rotation amount register 133 and the rotation in the direction of making it 0, and the rotation is performed. Clear the quantity register 133. The shift operation & control 140 of the display control device 130 gives the image data in the image buffer memory 138 a rotation in the reverse direction corresponding to the rotation integration amount given this time in the same manner as the above-described rotation processing. That is, an address shift is performed. As a result, the image when there is no rotation, that is, the image when the character code group stored in the input buffer memory 132 is directly converted into image data, stored in the image buffer memory 138 and displayed on the display, that is, the original image, is displayed. Is done.

By the above processing, even if the position where the user looks at the screen moves in the circumferential direction, the angle base position (d) can be easily and quickly corrected by the rotation command so that the user can easily see the screen. The circular area image can be rotated. Since the coordinates of the display data specify the angle with respect to the reference angle, even if the angle base position is corrected, the input buffer memory 1
32 has the advantage that it is not necessary to recalculate the coordinates of the existing character code.

The circular image formed as described above is operated /
It can be displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 59 of the display unit OPB and used as an input (touch) screen. In addition, a circular display can be configured by connecting a circular display to the display control device 130.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which a circular display device 130v is configured by adding a circular display 143 to a display control device. In this example, a circular liquid crystal display 143 is used.
Are provided in the display device 130v, and this displays image data (circular region image) read from the image buffer memory 138. When the editor's personal computer PCc is accessing the display device 130v, the image data (circular area image) read from the image buffer memory 138 is also displayed on the display of the personal computer PCc. Updating, rotation, and scrolling of the display of the liquid crystal display 143 are the same as in the case shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the display device 130v or the circular display 143 incorporated in the display device 130v can be arranged at a place remote from the personal computer PCc, and the circular display 143 is placed horizontally so that it can be viewed from any direction of 0 to 2π. By setting, by rotating and / or scrolling, the rotation position of the circular area image can be adjusted so that a certain display word has a correct posture in a specific direction, and
Any 2π (one circular region length) in the spiral screw-shaped continuation of a plurality of circular region images can be displayed on the circular display 143. Alternatively, the display image can be continuously rotated by continuously rotating and / or scrolling. When a character code is input to an area of 2π or more, that is, when a plurality of circular area images are stored in the image buffer memory 138, rotation and / or scrolling are continuously performed so that a plurality of circular area images are continuously transmitted. Rotation display is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of one image processing system incorporating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the digital color copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part of an electric system of the copying machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of IPU 300 shown in FIG.

5A is a diagram showing a printer controller 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6B is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.
It is a functional block diagram of IC35.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main controller 10 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of IPU 300 shown in FIG.

8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an engine control unit 13 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile control unit 17 shown in FIG.

10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory controller 65 and an image memory 66 shown in FIG.

11 is a functional block diagram of the display control device 130 shown in FIG.

12A to 12F are plan views showing images of a circular area generated by the display control device 130 and the editor personal computer PCc, respectively.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention in which a circular display device 130v is configured by adding a circular display 143 to a display control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: ADF 200: Scanner 300: Image processing device 400: Color printer 500: Paper feed bank 600: Large volume paper feed bank

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AB01 AB06 AC08 BA05 BB10 BC05 BC07 BD13 CB20 5B021 AA01 AA05 DD00 EE01 JJ00 LG00 5C076 AA11 AA21 AA22 AA24 BA03 BA06 5C082 AA27 AA32 BA02 BA12 CA52 DA05 CA55 MM05

Claims (6)

[Claims] A code memory for storing a character code of an input character in association with a polar coordinate value representing the input position, the distance from a polar coordinate origin and a rotation angle from a base point of rotation about the origin. An image memory for storing image data; means for expanding a character code in the code memory into image data representing a character image; and storing a polar coordinate value associated with the expanded character code in a read / write address of the image memory. Means for converting the image data obtained by expansion based on the polar coordinate values associated with the character code to be expanded so that the vertical line of the character represented by the image data matches the radius line passing through the polar coordinate origin Means for writing to the read / write address of the image memory. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said writing means converts the image data obtained by expansion into a character represented by
2. The circular area image generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion near the origin of the polar coordinates is changed in magnification at a relatively lower magnification than a portion far from the polar coordinate and is written to the read / write address in the image memory. 3. A circumferential distribution image generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display for displaying image data of said image memory in a circular area. 4. A circular buffer memory for writing and cyclically shifting image data in a circular area centered on the polar coordinate origin; and a circular movement on the image memory centered on the polar coordinate origin. 2. A shift means for writing image data in a storage area corresponding to an area to the circular buffer memory, and thereafter, after cyclically shifting the image data, writing the image data back to the image memory. The circular area image generating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising: the circular area image generating apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, and a printer for printing out image data of the image memory. 6. A circular area image generating apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3; a scanner for reading a document image and converting the image data into image data; Means for synthesizing the above image data.