JP2003072167A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a constant or larger amount of vacant regions of an image buffer memory and consequently reduce lines in a standby state as much as possible by processing a group of a large amount of data with priority in relation to data processing in the image buffer memory. SOLUTION: There are provided the image buffer memory for storing image data and a CPU. The CPU receives image data to be printed from the line and sequentially stores the image data to the image buffer memory. At this time, the volume of each image data is detected and stored. Image data stored in the image buffer memory is read out and sent to a printing process part. A free capacity of the image buffer memory is detected. When the free capacity of the image buffer memory becomes not larger than a predetermined value, the image data is read out with priority from data having a large volume. When the free capacity exceeds the predetermined value, the image data is read out in a storage order.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, a printer, a digital copying machine, a facsimile and the like, which are connected to a network and are called an MFP (multifunction printer), are integrated. Image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is usually connected to a plurality of personal computers or the like, and a printing operation is performed based on an instruction received from the personal computers, or a direct operation of a user. Based on an instruction, a copying operation is performed, and facsimile data is transmitted and received via a telephone line to perform a facsimile data printing operation.

In this case, regarding the data to be printed, the data is temporarily held in the image buffer memory, and the data is read out from the memory in a predetermined order, for example, first-in first-out order, and printed. It was

As such a memory reading method, for example, a print output control method as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-121527 is known.

According to this print output control method, when a large amount of output data and a small amount of output data are output to the same print output device, the order is automatically adjusted and the small amount of output data is prioritized. It enables efficient and optimum print output, and has the following configuration.

That is, when there is an output request from Job,
The adjustment program compares the data amount of the output data included in the management data of the output data group with the limit value. As a result of this comparison, if the output data amount is larger than the limit value,
Considering that it is a large amount of output data, the priority level of the management data is changed to the lowest priority level, and the order that has already been requested and ordered is rearranged.

As described above, when the data amount of the unit data group is larger than the limit value, by changing the priority level to the lower one, the output of a small amount of the data group is automatically prioritized and efficiently and optimally selected. It is configured to be printed out.

This method is based on the prediction that the user expects that the output timing will be fast for a small amount of data and that it will be unavoidable to output a large amount of data. This is a method of preferentially outputting a small amount of data group.

[0009]

However, in the image forming apparatus which is connected to a network (communication line or the like) and receives data through the network like the above-mentioned MFP, the load of line control is reduced,
Also, from the viewpoint of effective use of network resources,
It is necessary to open the image buffer memory of the image forming apparatus to as many networks as possible to minimize the number of waiting lines.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and relates to data processing in an image buffer memory, by preferentially processing a large amount of data group, so that the empty area of the image buffer memory is fixed. The purpose is to secure more than the amount, and thereby to minimize the number of lines in wait state.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an image buffer memory for storing image data and image data to be printed are received from a line, and these image data are sequentially stored in an image buffer memory. A writing unit that detects and stores the capacity of each image data, a reading unit that reads out the image data stored in the image buffer memory and sends it to the print processing unit, and a detection unit that detects the free capacity of the image buffer memory. When the free space of the image buffer memory is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the reading unit is controlled so that the image data having a large capacity is preferentially read, and when the free space exceeds the predetermined value, the data is read in the order of storage. An image forming apparatus including a control unit.

According to the present invention, when the free space of the image buffer memory becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the image data having a large capacity is preferentially read out, so that the free space of the image buffer memory is quickly fixed by a predetermined amount. It is possible to secure the above, by this, the line in the waiting state is released early,
The waiting time on the network can be reduced.
In the above configuration, it is desirable to further include a setting unit that can externally set the free space of the image buffer memory.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the present invention, the image buffer memory may be any one capable of storing image data, and a RAM is mainly used. The writing unit, the reading unit, the detecting unit, and the control unit include a CPU and an RO.
It is convenient to use a microcomputer consisting of M, RAM and I / O ports.

The present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus called a MFP, which is an integrated printer, digital copying machine, and facsimile.

As shown in the figure, the MFP 1 comprises an operation unit 2, an MFP function unit 3, a buffer unit 4, a communication unit 5, and a control unit 6. The operation unit 2 inputs various instructions, and is mainly used to set the usage mode of the buffer area of the image buffer memory.
The MFP function unit 3 realizes each function of a printer, a digital copying machine, and a facsimile.

The buffer unit 4 is an image buffer memory including a RAM, and is a memory for temporarily storing data to be printed. The communication unit 5 is connected to a network such as a communication line and transmits / receives data. The control unit 6 is composed of a CPU and manages an empty area of the buffer unit 4 and determines the output order.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the image processing section in the MFP function section. The image processing unit of the MFP function unit 3 is an operation panel board 100 that manages and controls an operation panel located roughly in the upper right of the drawing.
A machine control board 200 for managing and controlling each unit constituting the digital copying machine 30 located in the upper left of the drawing, a CCD board 300 for electrically reading a document image in the lower left of the drawing as electronic data, and the drawing A main image processing board 400 for performing a predetermined image processing on a document image converted into electronic data by a CCD board 300 located substantially at the center, and this main image processing board 400
Sub-image processing board 500 that further performs predetermined image processing on the image information processed in step 1, and other expansions that are connected to the sub-image processing board 500 located at the lower right of the drawing through an interface. Board group 600
(Blinta board, FAX board, function expansion board) and the like.

The contents of management control for each board will be described below. Operation panel board 100
Is basically controlled by the sub CPU 101,
It manages a display screen of an LCD (liquid crystal display) 104 arranged on the operation panel 103, an operation input from an operation key 105 for inputting instructions regarding various modes, and the like.

A memory 102 is provided for storing various control information on the operation panel, such as data input from the operation keys 105 and information to be displayed on the LCD screen. In this configuration, the sub CPU 101
The control data communication with the main CPU 401 is performed, and the MFP
Operation instructions.

From the main CPU 401, the MFP
By transmitting a control signal indicating the operation state of the sub CPU 101 to the sub CPU 101, the operation state of the present state of the apparatus is displayed to the user through the LCD 104 of the operation panel 103.

The machine control board 200 is wholly controlled by the sub CPU 201.
An automatic document feeder 203 such as an ADF, a scanner unit 204 for reading a document image, a process unit 205 for reproducing image information as an image, and a sheet feeding / conveying unit for sequentially conveying a sheet on which an image is recorded from a storage unit to a process unit. 206,
Double-sided unit 20 for reversing and conveying a sheet on which an image is recorded so that an image is formed on both sides of the sheet
7. A finisher 208 that performs post-processing such as stapling on a sheet on which an image is recorded is managed.

The CCD board 300 includes a CCD 301 for electrically reading an original image, a circuit (CCD gate array) 302 for driving the CCD 301, an analog circuit 303 for adjusting gain of analog data output from the CCD 301, and a CCD 301. It is composed of an A / D converter 304 which converts an analog output into a digital signal and outputs it as electronic data. The control management is a main CPU.
It is performed by 401.

The main image processing board 400 is a main C
Shading correction, density correction, area separation, filter processing, so that the gradation of the image can be expressed in a desired state based on the electronic data of the original image sent from the CCD board 300 and controlled by the PU 401. MTF correction,
Various control such as resolution conversion, electronic zoom (variable-magnification processing), multi-valued image processing unit 402 for performing processing such as gamma correction in the state of multi-valued image data, management of processed image data or processing procedure Memory 4 for storing information
03, a laser control 404 for controlling data transfer to the LSU (laser writing unit) 46 side in order to reproduce the image with the processed image information.

The sub image processing board 500 is connected to the main image processing board 400 by a connector, and is controlled by the main CPU 401 on the main image processing board 400. The binary image processing unit 501 and the image-processed binary image are processed. A memory that stores and manages information or control information for processing, and a gate array 502 that controls the memory,
A plurality of document image information is stored and managed, and a plurality of document images are repeatedly read by a desired number of copies to generate a plurality of copies, a hard disk and a gate array 503 for controlling the hard disk, and an external interface as an external interface. It is composed of a SCSI and a gate array 504 for controlling the SCSI.

The above-mentioned binary image processing unit 501 is a processing unit for converting multi-valued image information into a binary image, a processing unit for rotating an image, and a binary scaling (zoom) process for scaling a binary image. And a fax interface so that fax images can be sent and received via the communication means.

The expansion board 600 is a printer board 601 for outputting data sent from a personal computer or the like from the printer unit of the MFP, and an expansion function for expanding the editing function of the MFP to effectively utilize the characteristics of the MFP. The board 602 includes a facsimile board 603 that transmits a document image read from the scanner unit of the MFP to the other party and outputs image information sent from the other party from the printer unit of the MFP.

Hereinafter, this MFP will be referred to as a printer, a copier,
The processing of image data and the flow of image data in each mode when used as a facsimile will be described in more detail.

(1) Copy Mode The originals set in the predetermined position of the RADF 203 are sequentially supplied one by one onto the original table of the scanner section 204, and the images of the originals are read by the scanner section 204 described above. The data is sequentially read and transferred to the main image processing board 400 as 8-bit electronic data. The 8-bit electronic data transferred to the main image processing board 400 is converted into 8-bit electronic image data by the multi-valued image processing unit 4.
02, a predetermined process is performed.

Then, the 8-bit electronic image data is subjected to a process such as gamma correction and sent to the LSU 46 via the laser control 404. As a result, the original image read by the scanner unit is output from the LSU 46 as a copy image having gradation.

(2) The originals set in the predetermined position of the electronic RDH function RADF 203 in the copy mode are sequentially supplied one by one onto the original placing table of the scanner unit 204, and the images of the originals are scanned by the scanner unit described above. It is sequentially read by the configuration of 204 and is transferred to the main image processing board 400 as 8-bit electronic data.

The 8-bit electronic data transferred to the main image processing board 400 is subjected to predetermined processing on the multi-valued image processing section 402 as 8-bit electronic image data.
Then, the 8-bit electronic image data is sent from the connector 405 on the main image processing board 400 side to the sub image processing board 500 side via the connector 505 on the sub image processing board 500 side, and the binary image is sent. Processing unit 50
In the multi-valued binary conversion unit of 1, the 8-bit electronic image data is converted into 2-bit electronic image data together with processing such as error diffusion.

Note that the 8-bit electronic image data is converted into 2-bit electronic image data including processing such as error diffusion, because there is a problem in image quality when simply performing multi-level binary conversion. Therefore, it is intended to reduce the deterioration of the image quality. Further, the reason why the 8-bit electronic image data is converted into the 2-bit electronic image data is that the storage capacity of the image is taken into consideration.

The 2-bit electronic image data converted in this manner is transferred to the disk memory 503 such as a hard disk for each original and temporarily stored and managed.

When all the manuscripts set in the RADF 203 are read, the 2-bit electronic image data temporarily stored in the hard disk 503 is repeated by the number of copies designated by the control of the gate array. The read-out 2-bit electronic image data is sent again to the main image processing board 400 via the connector connecting portions 405 and 505, where it is subjected to processing such as gamma correction and the LSU4 via the laser control 404.
Sent to 6.

Although it has been explained that the image group is repeatedly read out after all the original document groups have been read, the first image output is performed when a predetermined number of images are prepared. It can also be configured. As a result, the original image read by the scanner unit is LSU4
6 is output as a copy image having gradation.

(3) Print Mode The image sent from an external device connected to the network such as a personal computer is printed on the printer board 60.
After being expanded on the board 601 as an image in page units on the first unit, the image is transferred from the SCSI 504, which is an interface, to the side of the sub image processing board 500 and stored in a memory such as the hard disk 503.

The image developed as a page image on the printer board 601 is the sub-image processing board 500.
It is sent to the side, but the binary image processing is not performed on the page image,
It is only temporarily stored in the hard disk 503. Further, the page image once stored is stored in the hard disk 503.
Even when the page image is read, the binary image processing is not performed on the page image.

Then, the image information temporarily stored in the hard disk 503 is sent to the main image processing board 400 for gamma correction while being read from the hard disk 503 in a predetermined page order, and laser control 404 is performed. To LSU 46 controls the writing of the image so as to reproduce the image.

(4) Fax mode In the fax mode, the transmission of the original document to the other party,
There is a process for receiving a document from the other party. The transmission of the original document to the other party will be described first. RADF20
The transmission originals set in the predetermined position of No. 3 are sequentially supplied one by one onto the original placing table of the scanner unit 204, and the images of the transmission originals are sequentially read by the configuration of the scanner unit 204 described above, and 8 bits are transmitted. Is transferred to the main image processing board 400 as electronic data.

The 8-bit electronic data transferred to the main image processing board 400 is subjected to predetermined processing on the multi-valued image processing section 402 as 8-bit electronic image data.
Then, the 8-bit electronic image data is sent from the connector 405 on the main image processing board 400 side to the sub image processing board 500 side via the connector 505 on the sub image processing board 500 side, and the binary image is sent. Processing unit 50
In the multi-valued binary conversion unit of 1, the 8-bit electronic image data is converted into 2-bit electronic image data together with processing such as error diffusion.

Note that the 8-bit electronic image data is converted into 2-bit electronic image data including processing such as error diffusion, because there is a problem in image quality when simply performing multi-level binary conversion. Therefore, it is intended to reduce the deterioration of the image quality. The transmission original converted into a binary image in this manner is compressed in a predetermined format and stored in the memory 502.

Then, when the transmission procedure with the other party is performed and the transmission ready state is secured, the transmission original image compressed from the memory 502 and compressed in a predetermined format is transferred to the fax board 603 side. Then, perform the necessary processing such as changing the compression format on this fax board 603,
It will be sequentially transmitted to the other party through the communication line.

Next, the processing of the original image transmitted from the other party will be described. When the original is transmitted from the other party through the communication line, the original image transmitted from the other party is received while performing the communication procedure on the fax board 603, and the original image compressed in a predetermined format is received. The received image is sent to the binary image processing unit 501 through the fax interface provided in the binary image processing unit 501 of the sub image processing board 500, and the original sent as a page image by the compression / expansion processing unit or the like. Reproduce the image.

The original image reproduced as a page unit image is transferred to the main image processing board 400 side, gamma correction is performed, and laser control 404 is performed.
To the LSU 46, and the writing of the image is controlled so as to reproduce the image.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a data storage state of the buffer section. In this MFP, in order to accept input from as many lines as possible, the free space 4 in the buffer unit 4
a is constantly detected, and when the free area 4a becomes a certain amount or less, the data group having the largest capacity among the data stored in the buffer unit 4 is preferentially output.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when data is stored in the buffer unit 4 in the order of data 1, data 2, data 3, and data 4, it is in a normal state, that is, the empty area 4 a of the buffer unit 4. Is a predetermined amount or more, data 1, data 2, data 3, data 4 and the data are output in the order of storage.

If it is determined by detecting the free area 4a that the free area 4a has become equal to or less than a certain amount, the capacity of the four data groups of data 1, data 2, data 3, and data 4 is the largest. Data 2 which is a large data group is output preferentially. The size of each data is detected by reading the control data added to each data, and the data is held.

When it is determined that the free space 4a has become a certain amount or more after outputting the data having the largest capacity, the normal state is restored and the data is output in the order of storage in the buffer unit 4. As a result, a certain amount of free space in the buffer unit 4 is secured, and the number of waiting networks is reduced as much as possible.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an operation screen of the operation unit. From the operation unit 2, the size of the empty area of the buffer unit 4 can be set by setting the mode to the use mode of the buffer area.

In the buffer area use mode, first, it is set whether priority processing is performed or not. next,
If priority processing is to be performed, it is specified that large-capacity data is to be preferentially processed, and as a criterion for determining the size of the empty area, for example, as standard settings (default), 5 sheets of A4 size paper are selected. By pointing with the cursor what has been set, you can print 1, 5, 10
The size can be set to 20 sheets, 20 sheets, and so on.

When the size of A4 paper is designated, the printable data amount is different between black and white printing and color printing, but if the MFP can only perform black and white printing, black and white printing is possible. The data size of the buffer unit 4 is determined by converting the data amount of the buffer unit 4 into a color printing data amount. When the priority process is not performed, the data is always output in the storage order.

Next, the contents of the processing operation of the control unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. As described above, the control unit 6 manages the free area of the buffer unit 4 and determines the output order.

In this data processing, it is first determined whether or not the free area of the buffer unit 4 is less than or equal to a threshold value (step S
1) If the free space is less than or equal to the threshold value, the maximum capacity data in the buffer unit 4 is searched (step S2). When the maximum capacity data is searched (step S3), the data is preferentially output. Data processing is performed (step S
4) It is checked whether or not there is data in the buffer unit 4 (step S5). If there is data, the process returns to step S1. If there is no data, the process ends. In step S1, if the free area of the buffer unit 4 is equal to or larger than the threshold value,
The data is output (transferred to the MFP functional unit 3) in the storage order (time order) (step S6).

In this way, when the free area of the buffer section becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, the free area of the buffer section is secured at least a certain amount early by outputting the large capacity data with priority. The waiting time above can be reduced.

After processing a large amount of data,
When the free space in the buffer exceeds the threshold, data is output in the order in which it is stored, so small-sized data can be processed in the order in which they were stored in the buffer, and the reduction in work efficiency due to waiting for print processing can be minimized. You can

Specifically, when the MFP is used as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine, copy data is input from a scanner, print data is input from a network, or facsimile transmission data is input from a telephone line. Even if they conflict with each other, the large amount of data is preferentially taken out from the buffer unit and the printing process is executed, whereby the situation in which the copy data, the print data, or the facsimile transmission data is not accepted can be reduced.

Further, since the size of the empty area of the buffer section can be set from the operating section according to the buffer area use mode, there are various usage patterns in the office using the MFP. The size of the free area in the buffer section can be set by the user to suit the office environment, which minimizes the decrease in work efficiency and suppresses the overflow of the buffer section. it can.

Further, it is possible to set whether to prioritize data or not, depending on the buffer area use mode. Therefore, for example, in an office where the MFP is used for a short period of time, a plurality of printing operations can be performed. Even if data conflicts, the buffer does not overflow, but when used in such an environment, the user can set to output the data in the storage order. Can be flexible.

[0059]

According to the present invention, it is possible to secure a certain amount of free space in the image buffer memory at an early stage and reduce the number of lines in the waiting state, thereby reducing the line control load and reducing the network load. We can plan effective use of resources.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image processing unit in the MFP function unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data storage state of a buffer unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation screen of the operation unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the processing operation of the control unit of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 MFP (multifunction printer) 2 operation part 3 MFP function section 4 buffer section 4a free space 5 Communication unit 6 control unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image buffer memory for storing image data and image data to be printed are received from a line, and the image data are sequentially stored in an image buffer memory, and at that time, the capacity of each image data is detected. And a storage unit, a reading unit that reads out the image data stored in the image buffer memory and sends it to the print processing unit, a detection unit that detects the free space of the image buffer memory, and a free space of the image buffer memory. An image including a control unit that controls the reading unit when the capacity becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value to preferentially read from the image data having a large capacity, and reads the data in storage order when the capacity exceeds the predetermined value. Forming equipment. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit capable of externally setting a free space of an image buffer memory used for determining a predetermined value.