JP2002314729A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader that can properly measure state of time- over in a parallel processing, in which the image reader transfers image data, in parallel with a plurality of external terminals so as to prevent the occurrence network errors. SOLUTION: A digital composite device 20 is provided with a memory box MB(n), corresponding to inside of memory box areas 8a by each client PC30. A main control section 1 stores image data from an image read section 2 to a memory box MB(n) in the memory box areas 8a, transfers the stored image data to a corresponding client PC30, in response to a transfer instruction signal of the image data from each client PC30 ('YES' in a step S3), sets a time-over value corresponding to number of transfer instruction signals effective at present, to a simultaneous transfer timer Tst, which detects the occurrence of an error through the instruction of transfer of the image data by each client PC30 (step S8), and makes the count of the simultaneous transfer timer Tst start at the start of the transfer of the image data (step S9).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus which reads an original image and converts it into image data, such as an image scanner (hereinafter, referred to as a scanner) or an image reading section of a digital multifunction peripheral.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital multifunction peripheral, which is a facsimile machine with a copy, printer, and scanner function, and a plurality of client devices such as personal computers are connected to a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN).
A LAN system that is connected via the Internet has been put to practical use. In this prior art LAN system, the scanner in the digital multifunction peripheral reads the original image and converts it into image data, stores it in a memory box in the image memory corresponding to each client device, and issues a transfer instruction from each client device. The image data is read from the memory box in the image memory in response to the request signal and transferred to the corresponding client device via the LAN.

[0003]

In the prior art LAN system, the scanner in the digital multifunction peripheral is
When a transfer instruction request signal is received simultaneously from a plurality of client devices, it is necessary to read out a plurality of image data corresponding to the plurality of client devices in parallel in time. In this LAN system, a timer for detecting time-over is provided as a network error process. However, as described above, during parallel processing for transferring image data to a plurality of client devices in parallel, reading is performed for each client device. Since it takes a long time, the timer is timed out, and there is a problem that a network error may be regarded as having occurred.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to appropriately time out in parallel processing for transferring image data to a plurality of external terminal devices in parallel, thereby causing an erroneous network error. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of preventing the image reading.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus for reading an original image, converting the image into image data and outputting the image data, and a plurality of external terminal devices connected to the external terminal devices. An external connection unit for performing communication, a storage unit for storing image data, and storing the image data from the image reading unit in the storage unit, and responding to an image data transfer instruction signal from each of the external terminal devices. A control unit for transferring the stored image data to a corresponding external terminal device, wherein the control unit includes: a simultaneous transfer timer for detecting occurrence of an error; Set a time-over value corresponding to the number of transfer instruction signals that are currently in effect and instructing the transfer of image data, and start timing of the simultaneous transfer timer at the start of transfer of the image data. And controlling so as to.

In the above image reading apparatus, the control means preferably sets a multiplication result value obtained by multiplying a predetermined reference time over detection time by the number of the transfer instruction signals as the time over value. And

Further, in the above image reading apparatus, the control means preferably counts a transfer time from a point in time when the image data is transmitted in response to the first transfer request signal for each of the external terminal devices. The transfer timer has a transfer timer that sets the value obtained by subtracting the transfer timer from the set time value of the simultaneous transfer timer in response to the second and subsequent transfer request signals. The timing of the transfer timer is started in response to a second or subsequent transfer request signal.

[0008]

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

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a LAN system having a digital multifunction device 20 which is a facsimile device with a copy, printer and scanner function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

[0010] The LAN system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of N client personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as N).
Client PC. ) 30-1 to 30-N (hereinafter collectively referred to as 30), a digital multifunction peripheral 20 connected to a public telephone network 80 via a public telephone line L, and a router connected to the Internet 90 Device 6
0 are connected via a LAN 70.
By connecting from each client PC 30 to the Internet 90 via a router device 60 or a mail server device (not shown), it is possible to browse home pages and send and receive e-mails.
30 accesses the digital multifunction peripheral 20 to copy, print,
The scanner and the facsimile can be commonly used.

[0011] The digital composite device 2 according to this embodiment
0, each client PC 30 is provided with a corresponding memory box MB (n) in the memory box area 8a of the image memory 8, and the main control unit 1 stores the image data from the image reading unit 2 in the memory box area 8a. In response to an image data transfer instruction signal from each client PC 30 (YES in step S3 of FIG. 4), and transfers the stored image data to the corresponding client PC 30. Here, the main control unit 1
Is a simultaneous transfer timer Tst for detecting occurrence of an error,
Each client PC 30 instructs transfer of image data, sets a time-over value corresponding to the number of transfer instruction signals that are currently valid (step S8), and starts timing of the simultaneous transfer timer Tst at the start of transfer of the image data. (Step S9). Here, the main control unit 1 preferably operates at a predetermined reference time-over detection time. A multiplication result value obtained by multiplying the number of the transfer instruction signals is set to the time-over value (steps S5 and S8).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client PC 30 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the client PC 30 comprises:
An external terminal device, which is a known personal computer, executes processes such as generation, recording, and storage of image data and character data. In the present embodiment, for example, the client PC 30 is used as an external terminal device that receives image data scanned by a scanner. The main control unit 101 is specifically configured by a CPU, is connected to the following hardware units via a bus 113, controls them, and executes various software functions to be described later. This client PC 30
, An image reading unit and an image recording unit (not shown) are provided as options. The display unit 104 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays an operation state of the client PC 30 and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. The operation unit 105 is, for example, a keyboard for inputting character data and instruction commands.

The ROM 106 stores the client PC 3
0 are stored in advance, which are various software programs necessary for the operation of No. 0 and executed by the main control unit 101.
The RAM 107 includes an SRAM, a DRAM, an SDRA
M is used as a working area of the main control unit 101 and stores temporary data generated when the program is executed. In addition, hard disk drive 1
Reference numeral 08 denotes a storage device having a built-in recording medium, which stores an application program to be executed and an image memory.

The client PC configured as described above
At 30, the main control unit 101 of the client PC 30
When transferring the image data stored in the corresponding memory box in the memory box area 8a after being scanned and converted by the image reading unit 2 to its own device, the instruction data instructing the corresponding memory box is transmitted. Including the transfer instruction request signal including the LAN interface 112 and the LAN 7
0 to the main control unit 1 in the digital multifunction peripheral 20, and in response to this, the digital multifunction peripheral 20
Receives image data transmitted via the LAN 70 from the hard disk drive 9.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 20 shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the digital multifunction peripheral 20
Has a copy, printer, and scanner function in addition to a conventional G3 facsimile communication function. The main control unit 1 is specifically composed of a CPU, is connected to the following hardware units via a bus 13, controls them, and executes various software functions to be described later. The image reading unit 2 reads a document with a scanner using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data converted into black and white binary. The image recording unit 3 is a printer device of, for example, an electrophotographic system, and the image reading unit 2
And prints out a hard copy of the image data scanned and converted by facsimile communication or image data received from another facsimile apparatus, or records character data.

The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display. The display unit 4 displays the operation state of the digital multi-function peripheral 20, image data of a document to be transmitted, and received image data. Is displayed. The operation unit 5 includes character keys, dial numeric keys, speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the digital multifunction peripheral 20. The display unit 4 may be configured to be a touch panel type so that some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 5 can be substituted.

The ROM 6 stores the digital multifunction device 20
Various kinds of software programs necessary for the operation and executed by the main control unit 1 are stored in advance, and the present embodiment includes at least a program of “read and transfer processing of scanned image data” in FIG. RAM7 is S
It is composed of a RAM, a DRAM, an SDRAM or the like, and is used as a working area of the main control unit 1 and stores temporary data generated when a program is executed. Note that RA
When a flash memory is used as the M7, even if the power is cut off due to a power failure, a movement of the device, or the like, the contents of the data are not lost.

The image memory 8 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted or received image data, or image data scanned and converted. here,
The image memory 8 includes a memory box area 8a divided into a plurality of memory boxes corresponding to a plurality of client PCs 30. Each client PC 30 transfers the image data transmitted / received by the facsimile function, the image data scanned and converted by the scanner function or the copy function, and the image data when using the printer function to the corresponding memory box and temporarily stores the image data. Stored in
When reading from the memory box, the transfer instruction request signal is transmitted to read and transfer from the corresponding memory box. Further, the hard disk drive 9 is a storage device having a built-in recording medium, and stores various data and programs.

The fax modem 10 is connected to a public telephone line L
And has the function of a fax modem for normal facsimile communication. An NCU (Network Control Unit) 11 is a hardware circuit that performs closing and opening operations such as a DC loop of an analog public telephone line L and has an automatic dial function. To the public telephone line L. Here, the NCU 11 detects an ID receiving terminal activation signal and a normal telephone call signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service, and transmits a primary response signal and a secondary response signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service as necessary. can do. The NCU 11 may be connected to a baseband transmission type digital line (for example, an ISDN line) via a predetermined terminal adapter and a DSU (Digital Service Unit).

Further, the LAN interface 12
While being connected to the LAN 70 and receiving signals and data from the LAN 70, it transmits signals and data to the LAN 70 and executes interface processing related to LAN communication such as signal conversion and protocol conversion.

In the facsimile communication function of the digital multifunction peripheral 20 configured as described above, the dot image data transferred from each of the client PCs 30-1 to 30-N or the dot image data read by the image reading unit 2 is M defined in the standard of facsimile communication
After being encoded by software in accordance with an encoding system such as H, MR, MMR, etc., it is transmitted to the other party's facsimile apparatus, and on the contrary, the encoded data received from the other party's facsimile apparatus is also decoded into software by the software. After being converted, it is stored in the image memory 8 and printed by the image recording unit 3 as needed.

In this embodiment, each client P
A memory box MB (n) dedicated to C30 and corresponding to each client PC 30 is provided in the image memory 8,
The image data read and converted using the image reading unit 2 is stored in the memory box MB (n), and then, in response to a transfer instruction signal from each client PC 30, the main control unit 1 of the digital multifunction peripheral 20 Error processing is performed as follows. When image data is temporally and simultaneously extracted from the plurality of memory boxes MB (1) to MB (N) from the plurality of client PCs 30, it may occur that image data cannot be extracted due to a failure in a network such as the LAN 70. A common simultaneous transfer timer Tst is set for each transfer instruction signal for each of the memory boxes MB (1) to MB (N) (that is, for each client PC 30) to determine whether a failure has occurred, and the set simultaneous transfer timer is set. If Tst exceeds the term, it is determined that an error has occurred. The simultaneous transfer timer Tst set by each transfer instruction signal for each memory box MB (n) variably sets its set value. Here, the number of simultaneous executions of data fetching from the memory box MB (n), that is, the number of transfer instruction signals that are currently valid when the client PC 30 has instructed the transfer of image data is indicated by STC.
And then, the reference error monitoring time between each transfer instruction signal for each memory box MB (n) is set to T _0, it is characterized by setting the time-over time of the simultaneous transfer timer Tst in STC × T _0.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a read and transfer process of scanned image data according to the first embodiment, which is executed by the main control section 1 of FIG.

In FIG. 4, first, the simultaneous transfer count STC is reset to 0 in step S1, and the parameter n of the memory box MB (n) is set to 1 in step S2. Next, in step S3, the memory box M
It is determined whether a transfer instruction signal for B (n) has been received. If YES, the process proceeds to step S4,
If NO, the process proceeds to step S12. Then, in step S4, it is determined whether or not this is the first transfer instruction signal for memory box MB (n), and YES is determined.
In the case of, the process proceeds to step S5, whereas in the case of NO, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S5, the simultaneous transfer count S
TC is incremented by one, and it is determined whether or not there is image data to be transferred from the memory box MB (n) in step S6. Also,
In step S7, it is determined whether the simultaneous transfer timer Tst has timed out. If YES, the process proceeds to step S10, whereas if NO, the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, the simultaneous transfer timer T
STC × T ₀ is set to st to start timekeeping, and in step S9, image data is read from the memory box MB (n), transfer is started to the client PC 30-n, and the process proceeds to step S12.

On the other hand, in step S10, it is determined that an error occurs an error occurs on the display unit 4, it starts counting by setting the (STC-1) × _{T 0} simultaneously transfer timer Tst, step In step S11, the simultaneous transfer count STC is decremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not n≥N. If NO, the process proceeds to step S13, while if YES, the process proceeds to step S14. Step S
At 13, the parameter n is incremented by 1 in order to perform processing for another memory box MB (n), and the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, in step S14, after resetting the parameter n to 1, the process returns to step S3.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the digital multifunction peripheral 20, the memory box area 8a of the image memory 8 is provided for each client PC 30.
The main control unit 1 stores the image data from the image reading unit 2 in the memory box MB (n) in the memory box area 8a, and stores the image data from each client PC 30. In response to the data transfer instruction signal (YES in step S3 in FIG. 4), the stored image data is transferred to the corresponding client PC 30, where the main control unit 1 detects the occurrence of an error at the same time. The timer Tst is set to a time-over value corresponding to the number of currently valid transfer instruction signals when each client PC 30 instructs image data transfer (step S).
8) At the start of the transfer of the image data, control is performed so that the timing of the simultaneous transfer timer Tst is started (step S9). Therefore, for example, in parallel processing for transferring image data to a plurality of external terminal devices such as the client PC 30 in parallel, it is possible to appropriately time out and prevent an erroneous network error from occurring.

The main control unit 1 preferably operates at a predetermined reference time-over detection time. A multiplication result value obtained by multiplying the number of the transfer instruction signals is set to the time-over value (steps S5 and S8). Therefore, the time-over value is changed according to the number of transfer instruction signals which are the numbers to be processed in parallel, so that proper detection can be performed when an original network error occurs and an erroneous image data is generated when image data is generated at the same time. It is possible to prevent a network error from occurring.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a read and transfer process of scanned image data according to a second embodiment, which is executed by the main controller 1 of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a timer setting process (step S15) which is a subroutine of FIG.

In the second embodiment, the main control unit 1 of the digital multifunction peripheral 20 controls each client PC 3
For every 0, a transfer time is counted from the transfer of the image data in response to the first transfer request signal (step S22 in FIG. 6). , The simultaneous transfer timer Ts
The value obtained by subtracting the count value of the transfer timer Ttr from the set time value of t is set in the simultaneous transfer timer Tst (step S25), and the transfer timer Ttr is set in response to the second and subsequent transfer request signals. It is characterized in that time measurement is started (step S26).
The read transfer process of FIGS. 5 and 6 according to the second embodiment differs from the process of FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment in that steps S8 and S9 in FIG. Is replaced by step S15 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this difference will be described.

In the timer setting process of FIG. 6, first,
In step S21, it is determined whether or not this is the first transfer request signal for the memory box MB (n). If YES, the process proceeds to step S22, while if NO, the process proceeds to step S2.
Go to 5. In step S22, the transfer timer T
The timer is started by resetting tr (n) to 0, and the simultaneous transfer timer Tst is set to Tst + To in step S23.
Is set again to start timekeeping. In step S24, the image data is read from the memory box MB (n), transferred to the client PC 30-n, and returns to the original main routine. On the other hand, in step S25, Tst-Ttr (n) is set in the simultaneous transfer timer Tst to start time counting, and in step S26, the transfer time counting timer Tt is set.
r (n) is reset to 0 to start timing, and step S
At 27, the image data is read from the memory box MB (n), transferred to the client PC 30-n, and returns to the original main routine.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the main controller 1 of the digital multifunction peripheral 20 transmits the image data in response to the first transfer request signal for each client PC 30 at the time when the image data is transmitted. (Step S22 in FIG. 6) transfer timer Ttr
In response to the second and subsequent transfer request signals, the transfer timer Tt is calculated from the set time value of the simultaneous transfer timer Tst.
The value obtained by subtracting the measured value of r is used as the simultaneous transfer timer Tst.
(Step S25), and in response to the second and subsequent transfer request signals, the transfer timer Tt
The timing of r is started (step S26). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, the client PC 3
In parallel processing for transferring image data in parallel to a plurality of external terminal devices such as 0, time over can be measured more accurately, and erroneous network errors can be prevented.

<Modification> In the above embodiment, an example of the digital multifunction peripheral 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to an image reading apparatus having a scanner function.

[0037]

As described above in detail, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, an image reading means for reading an original image, converting the image into image data, and outputting the image data; External connection means for communicating with an external terminal device, storage means for storing image data, image data from the image reading means stored in the storage means, and a transfer instruction signal for image data from each of the external terminal devices Control means for transferring the stored image data to a corresponding external terminal device in response to the image reading device,
The control means sets a time-over value corresponding to the number of transfer instruction signals that are valid when each of the external terminal devices is instructing the transfer of the image data to a simultaneous transfer timer for detecting occurrence of an error. Is controlled so that the simultaneous transfer timer starts counting when the transfer starts.
Therefore, in parallel processing for transferring image data to a plurality of external terminal devices in parallel, it is possible to appropriately time out and prevent an erroneous network error from occurring.

In the image reading apparatus, the control means preferably sets a multiplication result value obtained by multiplying a predetermined reference time-over detection time by the number of the transfer instruction signals as the time-over value. Therefore, the time-over value is changed according to the number of transfer instruction signals which are the numbers to be processed in parallel, so that proper detection can be performed when an original network error occurs and an erroneous image data is generated when image data is generated at the same time. It is possible to prevent a network error from occurring.

Further, in the above image reading apparatus, the control means preferably counts a transfer time from a point of time when image data transmission is transferred in response to a first transfer request signal for each of the external terminal devices. The transfer timer includes a transfer timer that sets a value obtained by subtracting the transfer timer value from the set time value of the simultaneous transfer timer in response to the second and subsequent transfer request signals. In response to the second and subsequent transfer request signals, the transfer timer starts counting. Therefore, for example, at the time of parallel processing for transferring image data to a plurality of external terminal devices such as the client PC 30 in parallel,
The time over can be measured more accurately, and occurrence of an erroneous network error can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a LAN system including a digital multifunction device 20 which is a facsimile device with a copy, printer, and scanner function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client PC 30 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 20 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first operation performed by the main control unit 1 of FIG.
11 is a flowchart illustrating read and transfer processing of scanned image data according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second operation performed by the main control unit 1 of FIG.
11 is a flowchart illustrating read and transfer processing of scanned image data according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a timer setting process (step S15) which is a subroutine of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control part, 2 ... Image reading part, 4 ... Display part, 5 ... Operation part, 6 ... ROM, 7 ... RAM, 8 ... Image memory, 8a ... Memory box area, 9 ... Hard disk drive, 10 ... Fax modem Reference numeral 11: NCU, 12: LAN interface, 13: bus, 20: digital multifunction peripheral, 30, 30-1 to 30-N: client personal computer (client PC), 70: local area network (LAN).

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image reading means for reading an original image, converting the image into image data and outputting the image data, an external connecting means connected to a plurality of external terminal devices for communicating with each of the external terminal devices, and storing the image data. Storage means, storing the image data from the image reading means in the storage means, and responding to the transfer instruction signal of the image data from each of the external terminal apparatuses, and storing the stored image data in the corresponding external terminal apparatus An image reading device comprising:
The control means sets a time-over value corresponding to the number of transfer instruction signals that are currently valid when each of the external terminal devices is instructing the transfer of the image data to a simultaneous transfer timer for detecting occurrence of an error. An image reading apparatus for controlling the timing of the simultaneous transfer timer to be started at the start of transfer of the image. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets a multiplication result value obtained by multiplying a predetermined reference time-over detection time by the number of the transfer instruction signals as the time-over value. apparatus. 3. The control means has a transfer timer for each external terminal device for measuring a transfer time from a time point at which image data is transmitted in response to a first transfer request signal. In response to the second and subsequent transfer request signals, a value obtained by subtracting the clock value of the transfer timer from the set time value of the simultaneous transfer timer is set in the simultaneous transfer timer, and the second and subsequent transfer request signals are responded to. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer timer starts counting time.