JP2003229990A - Image processing system, its processing method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance connectivity of an image processing system constituted of a plurality of devices. <P>SOLUTION: In the image processing system constituted of a controller 110 and a plurality of the devices 200-1, 200-2, 300-1, 300-2, IDs of devices newly connected with the controller 110 and pieces of picture information intrinsic to the devices are uploaded and pieces of image information intrinsic to the devices are registered as an image data base by every ID of the devices. Then, when a failure is caused in one of the devices, the picture information intrinsic to the device in which the failure is caused is displayed in a prescribed area of an operating part 150 based on the registered device ID. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system including a control device and a plurality of devices, a processing method therefor, a program, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a system having a plurality of input devices and output devices has been developed in order to improve the productivity of image output devices and copying machines. For example, cluster print or the like corresponds to this.

In such a system, when a device-specific failure such as a jam (JAM) occurs in the output device, the jam screen and the sequence for clearing the jam are the devices (devices) connected to the system. It is necessary to configure for each device because all of them are different depending on the configuration. That is, for example, when a jam occurs in a specific device, the jam clearance sequence and its screen must be known by the controller unit that directly controls the operation unit.

[0004]

Therefore, when dynamically constructing a system by dynamically combining a plurality of devices having different configurations, the controller knows the jam screens of all the connected devices and the release sequence thereof. Must be installed, which is the reason why the system cannot be freely constructed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to improve the connectivity of an image processing system including a plurality of devices.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ID of a device newly connected to the control device in an image processing system including a control device and a plurality of devices. The present invention is characterized by having a receiving means for receiving the screen information peculiar to the device, and a registration means for registering the image information peculiar to the device for each received device ID.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a processing method for an image processing system comprising a control device and a plurality of devices, wherein the ID of a device newly connected to the control device is provided. And a receiving step of receiving the screen information peculiar to the device, and a registration step of registering the image information peculiar to the device for each ID of the received device.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, an image input / output system in which a plurality of image input devices and image output devices are connected to one control device as an image processing system and provides functions such as copying, scanning, or printing will be described as an example. To do.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image input / output system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, 20
An image input device (reader unit) 0 optically reads an image of a document, converts it into image data, and outputs it. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function of reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function of conveying a document.

An image output device (printer unit) 300 conveys a recording sheet, prints image data as a visible image on the recording sheet, and discharges the sheet outside the apparatus. This printer unit 300
Is a paper feeding unit 3 including a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes.
10, a marking unit 320 having a function of transferring and fixing image data on a recording paper, and a paper discharge unit 330 having a function of sorting, stapling the printed recording paper and outputting the same to the outside of the apparatus. Composed.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a control device (controller unit), which is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 and is connected to a local area network (LA).
N) is connected to a plurality of host computers 401 and 402 via a network 400. The controller unit 110 controls the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, and controls the operation unit and the network 4 described later.
It provides functions such as a copy, a scanner, and a printer instructed via 00.

For example, in the case of the copy function, the reader unit 200 is controlled to read the image data of the document, and the printer unit 300 is controlled to output the image data to the recording paper.
In the case of the scanner function, the image data read from the reader unit 200 is converted into code data and transmitted to the host computer via the network 400. In the case of the printer function, the code data received from the host computer via the network 400 is converted into image data and output to the printer unit 300.

Reference numeral 150 denotes an operation unit, which is a controller unit 1.
10 is provided with a liquid crystal touch panel and provides a user interface (UI) for operating the image input / output system 100. Reference numeral 160 denotes a CD-ROM drive for reading various applications of the image input / output system stored in the CD-ROM.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the construction of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. As shown in the figure, the document feeding unit 250 of the reader unit 200 feeds the documents one by one from the beginning onto the platen glass 211,
After the document reading operation is completed, the document on the platen glass 211 is discharged. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the optical unit 213 turns on the lamp 212 to expose and scan the document while moving in the V direction. The reflected light from the document at this time is reflected by the mirrors 214, 215, 216.
And a lens 217 to guide it to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218. In this way, the image of the scanned original is read by the CCD 218.

Reference numeral 222 denotes a reader image processing unit, which is a CC
The image data output from D218 is subjected to predetermined processing and output to the control device 110 via a scanner interface (I / F) described later.

A printer image processing unit 352 of the printer unit 300 is a printer interface (I / I) to be described later.
The image signal sent from the controller unit 110 via F) is output to the laser driver. Reference numeral 317 denotes a laser driver, which is a laser emitting section 313, 314,
315 and 316 are driven, and the laser light corresponding to the image data output from the printer image processing unit 352 drives the laser emitting units 313, 314, 315 and 316 to emit light. This laser light is reflected by the mirrors 340-35.
1 by the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327, 328
To the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327, 32.
A latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on 8. 321 and 3
Reference numerals 22, 323, and 324 denote developing devices for developing a latent image with black (Bk), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) toners. It is transferred to and printed out in full color.

The recording paper fed from any one of the paper feed units 360 and 361 and the manual feed tray 362 at the timing synchronized with the start of the irradiation of the laser light is the registration roller 3
After passing through 33, it is adsorbed on the transfer belt 334 and conveyed.
Then, the developer attached to the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327, 328 is transferred to the recording paper. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 335, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 335. Fixing unit 3
The recording paper that has passed through 35 is discharged by a discharge roller 336, and a discharge unit 370 bundles the discharged recording papers to sort the recording papers or staple the sorted recording papers.

When double-sided recording is set,
After the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 336, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 336 is reversed and the flapper 337 guides the recording paper to the re-feed conveyance path 338. Then, the recording sheet guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 338 is fed to the transfer belt 334 at the timing described above.

[Explanation of Leader Image Processing Unit] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the leader image processing unit 222. In the reader image processing unit 222, the original document on the platen glass 211 is read by the CCD 218 and converted into an electric signal. If the CCD 218 is a color sensor, the RGB color filter has a R line on the CCD.
3-line CCD even if inline in GB order
The R filter, the G filter, and the B filter may be arranged for each CCD, or the filter may be on-chip or the filter may be configured separately from the CCD.

Then, the electric signal (analog image signal) is input to the image processing unit 222, and clamp & amp.
The sample / hold (S / H) is performed in the / H & A / D unit 301, the dark level of the analog image signal is clamped to the reference potential, and amplified to a predetermined amount (the processing order is not limited to the written order), and the A / D conversion is performed. Then, the signals are converted into, for example, RGB 8-bit digital signals. Then, the RGB signals are subjected to shading correction and black correction in the shading unit 302, and then output to the control device (controller unit) 110.

[Description of Control Device (Controller Unit)] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device (controller unit) 110. The main controller 111 mainly includes a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various interface (I / F) controllers.

The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the operation of the entire controller unit 110, and the CPU 112 operates based on various programs read from the ROM 114 via the ROM interface (I / F) 115. The program also includes a process of interpreting PDL (Page Description Language) code data received from the host computer and developing it into raster image data, which is processed by software. The bus controller 113 uses each interface (I /
F) controls the data transfer that is input / output from F), and controls arbitration and DMA data transfer when there is contention for the bus.

The DRAM 116 is connected to the main controller 111 by a DRAM interface (I / F) 117 and is used as a work area for the CPU 112 to operate and an area for accumulating image data. Codec 118 is DRAM 116
Raster image data stored in the MH, MR, M
The data is compressed by a coding method such as MR, JBIG, JPEG, or the like, and conversely, the compressed and accumulated code data is expanded into raster image data. The SRAM 119 is used as a temporary work area of the codec 118. The codec 118 is connected to the main controller 111 via an interface (I / F) 120, and the DRAM 11
The transfer of data to and from 6 is controlled by the bus controller 113, and DMA transfer is performed.

Graphic Processor
The sor) 135 performs image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization processing on the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116. The SRAM 136 is used as a temporary work area for the graphic processor 135. The graphic processor 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via an interface (I / F) 137, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113, and D
MA is transferred.

Network controller (Network Cont
The controller 121 is connected to the main controller 111 by an interface (I / F) 122, and the connector 1
22 connects to an external network. Ethernet (registered trademark) is generally cited as a network.

The general-purpose high-speed bus 125 has an expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O controller 126.
And are connected. The general-purpose high-speed bus 125 is generally a PCI bus.

The I / O control unit 126 includes a reader unit 20.
0 and each CPU of the printer unit 300, the start-stop synchronization serial communication controller 12 for transmitting and receiving control commands.
7 is equipped with 2 channels and is connected to the external interfaces 140 and 145 by the I / O bus 128.

Panel interface (I / F) 132
Is connected to the LCD controller 131, and the operation unit 15
Interface (I
/ F) and a key input interface (I / F) 130 for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys.

The operation unit 150 has a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. Signals input through the touch panel or the hard keys are transmitted through the panel interface (I
/ F) 132 to the CPU 112, and the liquid crystal display section displays the image data sent from the panel interface (I / F) 132. The liquid crystal display section displays the function display, image data, etc. in the operation of the apparatus.

Real-time clock module 133
Is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by the backup battery 134.

The E-IDE connector 161 is for connecting an external storage device. In the present embodiment, the hard disk (H
D) Drive 160 is connected, hard disk (HD)
The image data is stored in the memory 162 and the image data is read from the hard disk (HD) 162.

The connectors 142 and 147 are connected to the reader section 200 and the printer section 300, respectively, and are synchronized with the synchronous step serial interfaces (I / F) 143 and 148.
And video interfaces (I / F) 144 and 149.

Scanner Interface (I / F) 140
Is connected to the reader unit 200 via the connector 142 and is also connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141, and has a function of performing a predetermined process on an image received from the reader unit 200. It also has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 to the scanner bus 141.

Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

Printer interface (I / F) 145
Is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147 and is also connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146.
1 has a function of performing predetermined processing on the image data output from the printer unit 300 and outputting the image data to the printer unit 300. Further, a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 is output to the printer bus 146. It also has a function to output.

The transfer of the raster image data expanded on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit 300 is controlled by the bus controller 113, and the printer bus 146 is controlled.
Also, DMA transfer is performed to the printer unit 300 via the video interface (I / F) 149.

[Explanation of Scanner Interface (I / F)] The part of the scanner interface (I / F) 140 responsible for image processing will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 shows a scanner interface (I /
F) is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of 140. As shown in the figure, the connection & MTF correction unit 5 is applied to the image signal sent from the reader unit 200 via the connector 142.
When the CCD 218 is a three-line CCD at 01, the reading position between the lines in the connection process is different, so the delay amount for each line is adjusted according to the reading speed, and the signal timing is adjusted so that the reading positions of the three lines are the same. In the MTF correction, since the MTF of reading changes depending on the reading speed, the change is corrected. Then, the digital signal whose reading position timing is corrected is input to the CCD 21 by the input masking unit 502.
8 and the lamp 212 and the mirrors 214 and 21.
The spectral characteristics of Nos. 5 and 216 are corrected. The output of the input masking unit 502 will be described in detail later in the ACS counting unit 50.
3 and the main controller 111.

[Description of ACS Counting Unit] FIG.
It is a figure which shows the structure of an S (auto color select) count part. Auto color select (hereinafter referred to as ACS) determines whether a document is color or black and white. That is, the color saturation is determined for each pixel, and the color determination is performed based on the number of pixels having a certain threshold value or more. However, even for a black and white original, due to the influence of MTF and the like, when viewed microscopically, many color pixels exist around the edge, and the AC is simply calculated in pixel units.
It is difficult to make an S determination. Although various methods have been proposed for this ACS method, in the present embodiment, a general method will be described because it is not particular about the ACS method.

As described above, even if a black-and-white image is viewed microscopically, there are a large number of color pixels. Therefore, whether or not the pixel is really a color pixel depends on the information of the color pixels in the periphery with respect to the pixel of interest. It is necessary to judge with. 6 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 01 is a filter for that purpose, and has a FIFO structure for referring to peripheral pixels with respect to the pixel of interest. 602 is 607 to 6 set from the main controller 111
This is an area detection circuit for creating an area signal 605 for ACS by the value set in the register 10 and the video control signal 611 sent from the reader unit 200.
A color determination unit 603 is an area signal 60 to which ACS is applied.
Based on 5, the peripheral pixels in the memory in the filter 601 are referred to for the pixel of interest, and it is determined whether the pixel of interest is a color pixel or a monochrome pixel. A counter 604 counts the number of color determination signals output by the color determination unit 603.

The main controller 111 determines the area to which ACS is applied to the read range, and the register 60
Set to 7 to 610. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the range is determined independently for the document. Also,
The main controller 111 compares the value of a counter that counts the number of color determination signals in the area to which ACS is applied with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the original is color or black and white.

In the registers 607 to 610, the position where the color determination unit 603 starts the determination and the position where the color determination unit 603 ends the determination in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are set in the video control signal 611 sent from the reader unit 200. Set based on In the present embodiment, the size of each original is set to be smaller by about 10 mm.

[Explanation of Printer Interface (I / F)] The portion of the printer interface (I / F) 145 responsible for image processing will be described in detail.

FIG. 7 shows a printer interface (I /
F) is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of 145. An image signal sent from the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146 is first input to the LOG conversion unit 701. The LOG converter 701 converts RGB signals into CMY signals by LOG conversion. Next, the moire removing unit 702
Remove moire with. A UCR & masking unit 703 UCR-processes the CMY signal from which the moire has been removed to generate a CMYK signal, and the masking processing unit corrects the signal to match the output of the printer. The signal processed by the UCR & masking unit 703 is density-adjusted by the γ correction unit 704, and then smoothed or edge-processed by the filter unit 705. Through these processes, the image is sent to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147.

[Graphic Processor (Graphic Proc
[Description of essor]] Graphic Processor (Graphic Pro
The detailed configuration and operation of the cessor) 135 will be described.

FIG. 8 shows a graphic processor (Graphi
3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a c Processor) 135. FIG.

The graphic processor 135 has modules 801, 802, 803, and 805 for performing image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization processing. SR
The AM 136 is used as a temporary work area for each module of the graphic processor 135. It is assumed that a work area is statically assigned to each module in advance so that the work areas of the SRAM 136 used by the modules do not conflict with each other. The graphic processor 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via an interface (I / F) 137, and the DRAM 116
Transfer of data between and is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA-transferred.

The bus controller 113 performs control for setting modes and the like in each module of the graphic processor 135 and timing control for transferring image data to each module.

The modules 801, 802, 803 and 805 of the graphic processor 135 will be described below in order.

[Description of Image Rotating Unit] First, the image rotating unit 8
The processing procedure in 01 will be described. Interface (I
/ F) 137 sets the image rotation control from the CPU 112 to the bus controller 113. With this setting, the bus controller 113 sets the image rotation unit 801 necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction, angle, etc.). After making the necessary settings, CP again
U112 permits the bus controller 113 to transfer image data. According to this permission, the bus controller 113 starts the transfer of image data from the DRAM 116 or a device connected via each interface (I / F). Here, the image size for rotation is set to 32 pixels × 32 lines, and when transferring image data on the image bus, 24 bytes (RG)
It is assumed that the image transfer is performed in units of B (8 bits for each pixel).

As described above, in order to obtain an image of 32 pixels × 32 lines, the above-mentioned unit data transfer is 32 × 32.
It is necessary to perform this operation once, and it is necessary to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses (see FIG. 9).

The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written in the SRAM 136 so that it is rotated by a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, 9
If it is 0 ° counterclockwise rotation, the transferred image data is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. Then, the image is rotated by reading in the X direction at the time of reading.

Image rotation of 32 pixels × 32 lines (SRA
(Writing to M136) is completed, the image rotation unit 80
1 reads the image data from the SRAM 136 by the above-mentioned reading method and transfers the image to the bus controller 113.

The bus controller 113, which has received the image data that has undergone the rotation processing, executes the DRAM 116 or the interface (I / F) by continuous addressing.
Transfer data to each device above.

This series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 112 (until the processing for the required number of pages is completed).

[Explanation of the image scaling unit] Next, the image scaling unit 8
The processing procedure in 02 will be described. Interface (I
/ F) 137, the CPU 112 sets the bus controller 113 for image scaling control. With this setting, the bus controller 113 makes settings necessary for image scaling in the image scaling unit 802 (such as scaling in the main scanning direction, scaling in the sub-scanning direction, and image size after scaling). After making the necessary settings, the CPU 112 again permits the bus controller 113 to transfer image data. In accordance with this permission, the bus controller 113 causes the DRAM 11
6 or transfer of image data from a device connected via each interface (I / F) is started.

The image scaling section 802 temporarily stores the received image data in the SRAM 136, and uses this as an input buffer to store the necessary pixels according to the scaling factors of the main scanning and the sub scanning. The number of lines and the number of lines are interpolated to enlarge or reduce the image, thereby performing the scaling process. The scaled data is written back to the SRAM 136 again, the image data is read from the SRAM 136 using this as an output buffer, and transferred to the bus controller 113.

The bus controller 113, which has received the image data subjected to the scaling processing, transfers the data to the DRAM 116 or each device on the interface (I / F).

Next, the processing procedure in the color space conversion unit 803 will be described. Settings for color space conversion control are made from the CPU 112 to the bus controller 113 via the interface (I / F) 137. With this setting, the bus controller 113 causes the color space conversion unit 803 and the LUT (look
Settings necessary for the color space conversion processing (up table) 804 (coefficients for matrix calculation, which will be described later, LUT8)
04 table value). After making the necessary settings,
The CPU 112 again permits the bus controller 113 to transfer image data. According to this permission, the bus controller 113 starts the transfer of image data from the DRAM 116 or a device connected via each interface (I / F).

The color space conversion unit 803 first calculates, for each pixel of the received image data, 3 × 3 represented by the following equation.
The matrix operation of is performed.

[0062]

[Equation 1]

In the above equation, R, G, B are input, X,
Y, Z are output, a11, a12, a13, a21, a22, a23, a31, a
32, a33, b1, b2, b3, c1, c2, and c3 are coefficients.

Various color space conversions such as conversion from the RGB color space to the Yuv color space can be performed by the calculation of the above equation.

Next, the data after the matrix calculation is converted by the LUT 804. Thereby, non-linear conversion can also be performed. Of course, by setting the through table, it is possible to substantially avoid the LUT conversion.

After that, the color space conversion unit 803 transfers the image data subjected to the color space conversion processing to the bus controller 113.

The bus controller 113, which has received the image data subjected to the color space conversion processing, transfers the data to the DRAM 116 or each device on the interface (I / F).

[Description of Image Binarization Unit] Next, the processing procedure in the image binarization unit 805 will be described. Settings for binarization control are made from the CPU 112 to the bus controller 113 via the interface (I / F) 137. With this setting, the bus controller 113 causes the image binarization unit 805
The settings (various parameters according to the conversion method) necessary for the binarization process are performed for. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 112 again permits the bus controller 113 to transfer image data. According to this permission, the bus controller 113 starts the transfer of image data from the DRAM 116 or a device connected via each interface (I / F).

The image binarization unit 805 binarizes the received image data. In this embodiment, as a binarization method, image data is simply binarized by comparing it with a predetermined threshold value. Of course, any method such as a dither method, an error diffusion method, or an improved error diffusion method may be used.

After that, the image binarization unit 805 transfers the binarized image data to the bus controller 113.

The bus controller 113, which has received the binarized image data, transfers the data to the DRAM 116 or each device on the interface (I / F).

[Sequence at PDL image output] Next,
A process of receiving a PDL print instruction from the PC, rasterizing the image, and transferring the image data to the printer will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure of PDL image output in this embodiment. When outputting a PDL image, in step S1101, the PC 40
The user makes print settings for the PDL image output job on the first screen. The contents of this print setting include, for example, the number of copies, paper size, single-sided / double-sided, page output order, sort output,
The presence or absence of stapling.

Next, in step S1102, the PC
A print instruction is given on the 401, and the driver software installed on the PC 401 at the same time sends the so-called P
It is converted into DL data, and the PDL data is transferred to the controller unit 110 of the image input / output system via the network 400 together with the print setting parameters set in step S1101 described above.

On the other hand, the CPU 112 of the main controller 111 of the controller section 110 causes the step S1103.
In, the PDL data transferred via the connector 122 and the network controller 121 is expanded (rasterized) into image data based on the above print setting parameters. This image data is developed by the DRAM 1
16 is done. Then, when the expansion of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to step S1104.

In step S1104, the main controller 111 processes the image data expanded in the DRAM 116 into a graphic processor (graphic process).
r) Transfer to 135. Then, in step S1105, the graphic processor 135 performs image processing independently of the print setting parameters described above. For example,
The paper size specified by the print setting parameters is A4
However, if the paper feeding unit 360 of the printer unit 300 has only A4R paper, the image can be output in accordance with the output paper by rotating the image 90 degrees by the graphic processor 135. When the image processing of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to step S1106.

In step S1106, the graphic processor 135 causes the main controller 111
The image data after image processing is transferred to. Then, the main controller 111 DR-transfers the transferred image data.
Store on AM 116.

Next, in step S1107, the main controller 111 causes the printer interface (I
/ F) 145 and the connector 147 to the printer unit 30
While controlling 0, the image data on the DRAM 116 is transferred to the printer unit 300 at an appropriate timing.

Then, in step S1108, the controller section 110 controls the printer section 300 to print out the image data. When the transfer of the image data is completed, that is, when the PDL job is completed, the print output is completed.

[Sequence at Copy Image Output] FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of outputting a copy image in the present embodiment. When outputting a copy image, the user makes copy settings for the copy image output job on the operation unit 150 in step S1201. The contents of this copy setting are, for example, the number of copies, paper size, single-sided / double-sided, enlargement / reduction ratio, sort output, presence or absence of stapling, and the like.

Next, in step S1202, when a copy start instruction is given on the operation unit 150, the main controller 111 of the controller unit 110 controls the reader unit 200 via the scanner interface (I / F) 140 and the connector 142. , Reads the image data of the original.

In this operation, first, the document feeding unit 250
However, the originals placed on the platen glass 21
1 and the size of the original is detected at the same time.
Image data is read by exposing and scanning the document based on the detected size of the document. The read image data is stored on the DRAM 116. In the conventional copying machine, the zooming process in the sub-scanning direction is realized by changing the moving speed of the optical unit 213 according to the enlargement / reduction ratio setting of the copy setting, that is, in accordance with the scaling ratio in the sub-scanning direction. Was there. However, in the present embodiment, regardless of the setting of the enlargement / reduction ratio of the copy setting, the image data is always read at the same size (100%), and the scaling process is performed in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. It shall be performed by the graphic processor 135 described later.

Next, in step S1203, the main controller 111 transfers the image data on the DRAM 116 to the graphic processor 135. As a result, in step S1204, the graphic processor 135 performs image processing based on the above-mentioned copy setting parameters. For example, when the enlargement is set to 400%, the image scaling unit 802, which is a module in the graphic processor 135, is used in the main scanning direction.
Magnification processing is performed in both the sub-scanning direction and both directions. When the image processing of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to step S1205.

In step S1205, the graphic processor 135 causes the main controller 111 to operate.
The image data after image processing is transferred to. The main controller 111 transfers the transferred image data to the DRAM 11
Store on top 6.

Next, in step S1206, the main controller 111 causes the printer interface (I
/ F) 145 and the connector 147 to the printer unit 3
00 to transfer the image data on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit 300 at an appropriate timing.

Then, in step S1207, the controller section 110 controls the printer section 300 to print out the image data. When the transfer of the image data is completed, that is, when the copy job is completed, the print output is completed.

[Explanation of the Invention] In the above-mentioned embodiment,
An image input / output system 1 in which one image input device (reader unit) 200 and one image output device (printer unit) 300 are connected to a control device (controller unit) 110, respectively.
00 has been described, the present invention is applied between the controller unit and other arbitrary devices with respect to the control device (controller unit) and arbitrary image input / output devices and accessories (hereinafter collectively referred to as devices). Although it is possible and the configuration is not particularly specified, an image input / output system to which two image input devices and two image output devices are connected will be described below.

FIG. 13 is a diagram in which two image input devices and two image output devices are connected. In FIG. 13, 2
Reference numeral 00-1 is a first image input device, and reference numeral 200-2 is a second image input device. 300-1 is a first image output device and 300-2 is a second image output device.
Reference numeral 110 is a control device, and 150 is an operation unit.

For example, when a color scanner is used as the first image input device 200-1 and a copy operation is performed, a low-speed color printer is connected as the first image output device 300-1 and the second image output device is connected. In order to output a plurality of document bundles having a high monochrome ratio at high speed by connecting a high-speed monochrome printer as the 300-2, a color document is printed by the first image output device 300-1 (low-speed color printer), It is more productive to separately print, such as printing a monochrome document with the image output device 300-2 (high speed monochrome printer).

Further, when the second image output device 300-2 falls into a print-disabled state during copying by the second image output device 300-2, the vacant first image output device 30.
It is also possible to continue the job using the 0-1 printer. Such a system is generally called a cluster print or the like, and high productivity can be expected in the POD market.

Since the exchange of information between the scanner and the printer and the handling of data have already been described, the description thereof will be omitted here.

As described above, when a plurality of devices are configured, the operation unit 150 is connected and managed by the controller unit 110, and when a failure peculiar to the device, for example, a jam occurs, the operation unit 150 causes the user to jam. A screen for instructing an operation flow for canceling is displayed. High-speed data transfer is possible if the interface (I / F) for connecting the controller unit 110 and other devices is connected by, for example, a high-speed bus. Since the transfer time of the bitmap required for displaying the screen becomes a problem, the jam screen of each device is normally provided in the controller unit 110 in advance.

With such a conventional configuration, for example, when a new printer is to be dynamically connected, the software of the controller unit 110 is modified to accommodate the new printer, and then the software is updated. It is necessary to connect, and it will not be possible to operate immediately at that point.

Therefore, the present embodiment provides a method for solving such a problem. Specifically, when the controller unit 110 detects that a device has been connected, it follows the bitmap registration procedure. A bitmap for forming a jam screen is transferred from each device to the controller unit 110 and dynamically stored in a storage such as an HDD. Then, according to the instruction to display the screen from the device, the controller unit 110 is in charge of only the bitmap display, so that the screen can be displayed at high speed without depending on the speed of the interface (I / F) between the controller and the device. It is possible to construct a system that enables drawing and has high connectivity.

Hereinafter, the device registration method of the controller unit 110 and the screen display method when a failure occurs in this embodiment will be described in detail.

First, the controller unit 110 detects a device managed by itself after the start-up and determines the ID of the device.
To register. The registered device is the controller unit 11
It is necessary to output to the screen of the operation unit 150 for 0,
For example, bitmap data such as a jam screen is registered.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the structure of a communication packet sent from the device at the time of registration. In FIG.
1401 is a device ID. This device ID is an ID for recognizing a device and is unique within the same system. 1402 is a screen ID. This ID
Is an ID managed by each device. 1403 is an animation ID. For screen ID 1402,
When a plurality of bitmaps are repeatedly displayed for animation, the bitmaps that make up each animation are assigned to this ID. Also, this screen ID14
02 designates screen information corresponding to the state of the image forming apparatus such as paper / no toner, and can be applied corresponding to the state of the image forming apparatus. 1404
Is the data type. This is bitmap data 14
06 compression formats, eg JPEG, TIFF, MPEG
Etc. 1405 is bitmap data 1406
Specify the size of.

As described above, the controller unit 110 acquires the bitmap data of all the necessary screens and constructs the database as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 15, reference numeral 1501 denotes a device ID, which is a registered device, for example, the second image output device 30.
Register the device ID 0-2. This is the device ID 140
It corresponds to 1 and matches the database. 1
502 is each screen, and the screen ID 140 of the registration packet
Constructed by 2. Reference numeral 1503 denotes each animation, which is constructed by the animation ID 1403 of the registration packet. And, 1504 and 1505 are actual bitmap data. The bitmap data is sent in the compressed format indicated by the data type 1404 of the registration packet, but it may be expanded and recorded as uncompressed data for faster display, or it can be expanded at high speed. You may recompress the format.

As shown in FIG. 15, the controller unit 11
For 0, for each registered device, a plurality of screens for each device ID, screen ID, and animation ID are constructed on the storage by a device instruction.

Reference numeral 1506 is a database of different apparatuses, which are the same and therefore omitted, but the first image input apparatus 200 is omitted.
-1, the second image input device 200-2, the first image output device 300-1, the document feeding unit, and the like are generated for each device.

The user may select, for example, the first image input device 20.
It is assumed that a color scanner is used as 0-1 and a job for distributed printout is simultaneously executed by the first image output apparatus 300-1 and the second image output apparatus 300-2.

FIG. 16 is a monitor screen of this system on the operation unit 150. As shown in FIG. 15, while the scanner 200-1 is reading the document bundle, the status display 1603 becomes “Scanning”, indicating that the document is being read and sending an image to the controller unit 110. An arrow indicating is displayed. Then 300-
Arrows indicating that images are being sent to 1 and 300-2 appear on the screen. 1605 is "Color Printing"
This is a state, and 1606 indicates a “B / W Printing” state. In addition, the flow of the image, such as information on the output bin of the paper, can be viewed on this screen.

In this state, the second image output device 300-
Controller unit 11 when a jam occurs in 2
The sequence of 0 will be described.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a sequence at the time of occurrence of a jam, taking jam information as an example of the information information notified from the image forming apparatus communicably connected to the network. When a jam occurs, first, in step S1701, the controller unit 110 identifies the device in which the jam has occurred and determines whether the job can be continued. In this example, it is assumed that a jam has occurred in the printer of the second image output device 300-2.
Next, in step S1702, the controller unit 1
10 secures a jam screen area. 160 shown in FIG.
As shown in 1, a predetermined window is formed on the screen and the area is secured as an area for displaying the jam screen of the second image output device 300-2.

Then, in step S1703, the printer of the second image output device 300-2 is notified that the jam screen is ready to be displayed, and in the following step S1704, the jam screen display packet shown in FIG. Wait for her to arrive. Here, since the printer of the second image output apparatus 300-2 has received the jam screen display permission from the controller unit 110, a display packet for displaying a screen required for the user to clear the jam (see FIG. 18). ) Is transmitted to the controller unit 110 in accordance with the jam clearance sequence known by the user.

In FIG. 18, 1801 is the device ID 1501 shown in FIG. 1802 corresponds to each screen 1502. Further, in this display packet, a flag 1803 for notifying whether or not the jammed state is released is also transmitted.

Next, when the controller unit 110 receives the display packet shown in FIG. 18 from the second image output device 300-2 while waiting for step S1704,
15 for the bitmap area 1602 shown in FIG.
Device ID 1 of the display packet from the screen database shown in
A bitmap corresponding to 801 and the screen ID 1802 is displayed in the bitmap area 1602. Screen ID 1802
If has an animation attribute, the screens that make up the animation are automatically switched and displayed. After that, in step S1705, it is determined whether or not the jam ends, and in step S1704, it waits for the jam screen to be changed again.

Here, when the user operates the jammed device according to the jammed screen, such as opening the door, and the jammed screen is changed, the display packet shown in FIG. 18 is transmitted again to the controller section 110. By doing so, the screen of the bitmap area 1602 is immediately changed. With such a mechanism, the controller unit 110 does not need to be aware of the jam sequence depending on the device. That is, it is possible to provide a mechanism in which each device takes charge of the jam clearance sequence independently.

After that, the user selects the bitmap area 160.
When the jam processing is completed according to the screen displayed in 2,
The second image output device 300-2 sets the end bit in the jam processing end flag 1803 shown in FIG.
The process moves to step S1706. This step S17
At 06, the controller unit 110 transmits the jam screen display prohibition to the second image output device 300-2. From this point onward, the second image output device 300-2 is arbitrarily operated as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the display packet shown in can not be transmitted. next,
In step S1707, the controller unit 110 releases the jam screen area, erases the window 1601 to end the jam processing, and continues the interrupted job.

As described above, a system in which screen information such as jams of each device is dynamically uploaded to the controller unit 110 and constructed, and the ID is designated from the device to display a bitmap in a dedicated area. Can be configured to enable quick screen display regardless of the communication rate between the controller unit 110 and the device, and there is no need to make a device-dependent part in the controller unit 110 in advance. It becomes possible to improve.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (eg, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (eg, copying machine, facsimile device) Etc.)

In the above description, the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 may be executed by the information processing apparatus (PC connected to the network).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium having a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to supply a computer (CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus.
It goes without saying that U) is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk,
Hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-
ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

Moreover, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. It is needless to say that this also includes a case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a case where the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is also included.

[0119]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to improve the connectivity of the image processing system including a plurality of devices.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image input / output system in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of a reader unit 200 and a printer unit 300.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a leader image processing unit 222.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device (controller unit) 110.

5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a scanner interface (I / F) 140. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ACS (auto color select) counting unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a printer interface (I / F) 145.

[Figure 8] Graphic Processor
It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of r) 135.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an image rotation unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an image rotation unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for outputting a PDL image in this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for outputting a copy image in the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram in which two image input devices and two image output devices are connected.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication packet sent from a device at the time of registration.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a database in the present embodiment.

16 is a monitor screen of the system in the operation unit 150. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a sequence when a jam occurs.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a display packet sent from a device when a jam occurs.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 image transfer input / output system 110 Control device (controller unit) 150 control panel 200 Image input device (reader unit) 210 scanner unit 250 document feeder unit 300 image output device (printer section) 310 marking unit 360 paper feed unit 370 Paper Output Unit 400 network (LAN) 401 Computer (PC) 402 Computer (PC)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 AR01 AR03                       AS02 CQ24 CQ34                 2C087 AA03 AA09 AA11 AA15 AB06                       AB08 AC08 BA03 BA05 BC05                       BC07 CB16                 5B021 AA19 DD00 NN00                 5C062 AA05 AA14 AB17 AB22 AB23                       AB42 AC41 AC55 BA04

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising a control device and a plurality of devices, receiving means for receiving an ID of a device newly connected to the control device, and screen information specific to the device, and receiving means. An image processing system, comprising: registration means for registering image information unique to the device for each device ID. 2. When a failure occurs in one of the plurality of devices, display control means for displaying screen information specific to the device in which the failure has occurred based on the ID of each device registered by the registration means. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the screen information specific to the device is displayed in a predetermined area of the operation unit. 4. The image processing system according to claim 3, wherein the screen information specific to the device is bitmap data of a jam screen. 5. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the screen information unique to the device is uploaded from each device in a compressed format and registered in a non-compressed format. 6. The device-specific screen information further comprises:
The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the image processing system is registered after being recompressed into an arbitrary compression format. 7. A processing method of an image processing system comprising a control device and a plurality of devices, wherein an ID of a device newly connected to the control device and screen information specific to the device are received. A processing method for an image processing system, comprising: a receiving step; and a registration step of registering device-specific image information for each received device ID. 8. A display control step of displaying screen information peculiar to the device in which the failure has occurred, based on the ID of each device registered by the registration means when a failure has occurred in one of the plurality of devices. The processing method of the image processing system according to claim 7, further comprising: 9. The processing method of the image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the screen information peculiar to the device is displayed in a predetermined area of the operation unit. 10. The processing method of an image processing system according to claim 9, wherein the screen information peculiar to the device is a jam screen bitmap data. 11. The processing method of the image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the screen information unique to the device is uploaded from each device in a compressed format and registered in a non-compressed format. 12. The image processing system processing method according to claim 11, wherein the screen information peculiar to the device is further recompressed into an arbitrary compression format and then registered. 13. A receiving procedure for receiving, in a control device of an image processing system including a control device and a plurality of devices, an ID of a device newly connected to the control device and screen information specific to the device. And a registration procedure for registering image information specific to the device for each received device ID. 14. A computer-readable storage medium in which the program according to claim 13 is stored.