JP2003259061A - Image processing apparatus and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that when an image memory is initialized after printing out a report, normal image data to be copied or sent next is also deleted. <P>SOLUTION: Image data is input from a scanner 113, an NCU or an NIC, which is then stored to an image memory 104. Document information relating to the image data is stored to a RAM 103. The image data in the image memory 104 is examined that the data is missing or damaged, and if the image data in the image memory 104 is missing or damaged, the image data is deleted from the image memory 104, and the corresponding document information is printed out from a printer 116. After the print-out is completed, the scanner 113, the NCU or the NIC input next image data. <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 apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, an image communication apparatus and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a copying machine or a facsimile machine (image communication apparatus), there is one that reads an original image to obtain image data, temporarily stores the image data in a memory, and then copies or transmits the image. In such a device, after the image data is stored in the memory, before the copying or transmission of the instructed image is completed, the image data stored in the memory is lost or destroyed due to power failure, noise, etc. It may happen that they do the same. In such a case, in order to notify the operator which image data has been lost or destroyed, a function of printing document information related to the stored image data (document) on paper and outputting it as a report There is a device equipped with.

[0003]

In order to realize such a function, at the time of inputting image data such as reading an original image or receiving original data, original information about the original (for example, address information of the other party). , Transmission / reception date / time, image data storage date / time, image file identification code of image data, number of pages, etc.) are also stored in the memory, and when it is detected that the image data is lost or damaged for some reason, the Document information corresponding to image data is printed, and at the same time, the memory is initialized. But,
When a new original image is read and a transmission or copy instruction is input before printing / outputting this report, the reading of the original image is started and the image data is stored in the memory. Document information corresponding to the document image is added to the memory.

After that, when a report based on the original information of the image data in which the error has occurred before that is printed, the image data normally input or received immediately after the error occurs, or the original of the image data concerned. If a report is printed as if an error has occurred in the information, or if the image memory is initialized after printing the report, normal image data that will be copied or transmitted from now on, or received normal image data, or the image concerned. The inconvenience of deleting the original information of the data has occurred.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and the image data normally input or received and stored in the memory is lost or damaged for some reason, and the stored image data is invalid. If it is determined that there is, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof that prohibit the input of the next image data until the memory initialization operation is completed or until the information indicating that it is invalid is output. To aim.

Another object of the present invention is, when the stored image data is not valid, outputs relevant information related to the image data, initializes the image data, and inputs the next image data. An object is to provide an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, input means for inputting image data, image storage means for storing the image data input by the input means,
Related information storage means for storing related information relating to the image data input by the input means, determination means for determining whether the image data stored in the image storage means is valid, and the determination means Output control means that outputs relevant information corresponding to the image data when it is determined to be invalid, and prohibits the input of the next image data by the input means until the output of the relevant information by the output control means is completed. And a control means for controlling as described above.

In order to achieve the above object, the control method of the image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is,
A control method in an image processing apparatus for processing and outputting input image data, comprising an input step of inputting image data, a storage step of storing the image data input in the input step in an image memory, and the input step. Related information storing step of storing related information related to the image data input in, a judging step of judging whether or not the image data stored in the image memory is valid, and if the judging step is not valid When it is determined, the output control step of visualizing and outputting the related information corresponding to the image data, and prohibiting the input of the next image data by the input step until the output of the related information by the output control step is completed. And a control step for controlling.

In order to achieve the above object, the control method of the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes the following steps. That is, input means for inputting image data, image storage means for storing image data input by the input means, and related information storage means for storing related information related to the image data input by the input means, Determination means for determining whether or not the image data stored in the image storage means is valid; erasing means for erasing the image data in the image storage means if the determination means determines that the image data is not valid; Control means for controlling input of the next image data by the input means until initialization of the image storage means by the means is completed.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the control method of the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes the following steps. That is, a control method in an image processing apparatus for processing and outputting input image data, comprising an input step of inputting image data, a storing step of storing the image data input in the input step in an image memory, A related information storage step of storing related information related to the image data input in the input step, a determination step of determining whether or not the image data stored in the image memory is valid, and a determination step of being effective in the determination step. If it is determined that it is not, control is performed to prohibit the input of the next image data by the input means until the erasing step of erasing the image data of the image memory and the initialization of the image memory by the initialization step are completed. And a control means.

[0011]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus (image communication apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although a facsimile device (image communication device) is described here, it may be an image processing device such as a copying machine.

In the figure, the CPU 101 is a ROM 1
According to the control program stored in 02, the operation of the entire facsimile device (image communication device) is controlled. The ROM 102 stores the control program of the CPU 101 and various data. The RAM 103 is, for example, S
Including RAM etc., program control variables etc. and various set values,
The device management data is stored and also used as a buffer for various works. The image memory 104 is, for example, DRA.
It has M and the like and can store a large amount of data such as image data. The external display unit 105 is used to display / notify a message to the user by using, for example, an LCD or LED. The speaker 106 gives a notification or a warning to the user by voice, and the PSTN line 109 or IS.
It is used to monitor the signal tones transmitted and received through the DN line 111. MODEM 107
Modulation / demodulation of facsimile transmission / reception signals. NCU10
8 is a selection signal (dial pulse or tone dialer)
Is sent to the PSTN line (analog public line network) 109, and an automatic incoming call operation is also performed by detecting a calling signal. The NIC 110 is a LAN (Local Area Network)
Control for connecting to 111 is performed. Image processing unit 112
Corrects the image data read by the scanner 113 and outputs high-definition image data. The scanner 113 has a CS image sensor, a document feeding mechanism, and the like, optically reads a document, converts it into electrical image data, and supplies the image data to the image processing unit 112. The operation unit 114 has a keyboard, a touch panel, etc., and is used by the operator to perform various input operations. When printing file data from an external device such as a workstation, the printer formatter 115 analyzes the printer description language received from them and converts it into image data. The printer 116 is a printer device that records a received image and image file data on recording paper.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of checking the state of the image data stored in the image memory 104 in the facsimile apparatus (image communication apparatus) according to this embodiment. Here, a process of printing a report based on the original information of the damaged image data when the image data stored in the image memory 104 is damaged or lost will be described. This processing is executed under the control of the CPU 101, and the program for executing this processing is R
It is stored in the OM 102.

First, in step S201, the image memory 10
It is checked whether the image data stored in 4 is normal. The image data stored in the image memory 104 is usually compressed and encoded, and whether or not the image data is normal depends on whether the image data is normally encoded when the image data is stored in the memory. May be judged when it cannot be normally decoded, or for each image data, an error detection code such as a checksum of the image data is stored at the time of storing the image data,
It may be determined based on the error detection code whether the image data is lost or damaged. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the image data in the image memory 104 has changed at the time when the image data is stored in the image memory and when the state of the image data is checked.

If damage or loss of the image data stored in the image memory 104 is detected, step S20 is performed.
2, the image data error flag 60 of the RAM 103
Turn on (Fig. 6). Next, in step S203,
The document information of the damaged image data is read from the RAM 103, displayed on the external display unit 105, and further recorded on paper by the printer 116 and output. The document information will be described later in detail.

Next, in step S204, the damaged image data stored in the image memory 104 is cleared. Next, in step S205, the document information corresponding to the image data is initialized (cleared). Next, in step S206, the image data error flag 6
Turn 0 off. Incidentally, here, steps S204, S20
By executing the processing of step S206 after step 5, since no new image data or original information regarding the image data is created by reading the original image or receiving the image data until the memory initialization is completed, It is possible to prevent the document or the document information related to the image data from being deleted even though the document information is created. Here, the description has been given of clearing the image data and the document information, but the area of the memory may be invalidated (treated as an empty area) without actually performing the clearing process.

The checking process of the image data shown in FIG. 2 is periodically executed. Here, the checking process is executed periodically, but the checking process is not limited to this, and may be executed when the power is turned on, the device is initialized, or the power saving mode is restored.

In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the image memory 104 is not initialized (S204) until the output of the manuscript information is completed in step S203, but this is performed once when the manuscript information is output. This is because the image data (bitmap data) representing the document information is created in the image memory 104.

If the image data representing the document information can be stored in a memory different from the image memory 104 due to the structure of the apparatus, the same process as the above process is performed until S202, and the document information to be output is executed. Is stored in another memory as image data, the above step S20 is performed.
It is possible to sequentially perform the processing of 4 to S206, and thereafter to perform the processing of S203. Even in this case, until the initialization of the memory is completed, new image data and original information relating to the image data are not created by reading the original image or receiving the image data, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the mistaken deletion.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a process when the facsimile 113 (image communication device) according to this embodiment is instructed to copy or fax and the original image is read by the scanner 113. This process is executed under the control of the CPU 101, and the program for executing this process is stored in the ROM 102.

In this processing, copying or fax transmission of this facsimile device (image communication device) is performed by the operation unit 114.
It is started by being instructed by the operator using, and first, in step S301, it is checked whether the image data error flag 60 is on. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S305 to display an image data error display and the fact that the original image cannot be read at present on the external display unit 105 to inform the operator.

On the other hand, in step S301, when the image data error flag 60 is off, the process proceeds to step S302, the original image is read by the scanner 113, the read image data is encoded by the image processing unit 112, and is stored in the image memory 104. Remember. Next, in step S304, the original information of the read original is stored in the RAM 103.

As described above, when an error occurs in the image data stored in the image memory 104, the reading (input) of the next image data is prohibited so that the image data is stored in the image memory 104. It is possible not to perform the process of storing in the document, the process of creating and storing the document information of the image data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the document information stored in the RAM 103.

In the manuscript information, 61 indicates the time when the manuscript was read, or the reception time in the case of data received from a facsimile or LAN. 62 is
It is mode information such as a reading mode such as copy and fax and a print job. Reference numeral 63 indicates the resolution of the image data, and 64 indicates the number of received data and original images, and the number of copies. 65 is an ID indicating the sender of the received data
Or fax address. 66 is the scheduled transmission time, 67
Includes transmission modes such as polling transmission and confidential transmission.

In addition to these, if the memory capacity of the image memory 104 is a capacity capable of storing a plurality of image data, the start and end addresses of the image memory 104 storing each image data are set to the original information. Associated with R
It may be stored in the AM 103. In that case, the image error flag 60 is provided for each image data.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process for receiving data such as a FAX image, E-MAIL (electronic mail), image file, etc. via the LAN 111 or PSTN 109. This process is executed under the control of the CPU 101, and the program for executing this process is ROM
It is stored in 102.

This process is started when data is received from the terminal of the LAN 111, a personal computer, or a partner FAX. First, in step S401, it is checked whether the image data error flag 60 is on. If it is on, step S4
05, the image data error, and now,
The external display unit 105 indicates that the data cannot be received.
Is displayed and no data is received. This is image memory 1
If the image data of 04 is damaged, the image memory 1
This is because it is determined that the image data cannot be stored because there is a possibility of an error in 04 itself.

On the other hand, if the image data error flag 60 is off in step S401, the process proceeds to step S402,
Data is received, and the received image data is stored in the image memory 104. Next, in step S403, the original information of the received image data is stored in the RAM 103. This document information includes the time at which the image data was received, the number of received images, the type of received data such as a print job, fax reception, IFAX reception, and an ID indicating the sender of the received data.

As described above, when an error occurs in the image data stored in the image memory 104, the reception (input) of the next image data is prohibited so that the received image data is displayed as an image. It is possible not to perform the process of storing in the memory 104 and the process of creating and storing the document information of the image data.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process when the operator deletes the image data stored in the image memory 104 of the facsimile apparatus (image communication apparatus) according to this embodiment. In this process, the operator can select a plurality of image data stored in the image memory 104 and give an instruction to delete them.

When the deletion is instructed in this way, step S5
In step 01, the image data instructed to be deleted is deleted from the image memory 104. When deleting this, RAM
The area of the image data is specified and deleted based on the storage address of the above-mentioned image data stored in 103. Next, in step S502, the RAM 103 stores the document information relating to the image data for which deletion is instructed.
Remove from. These are for preventing inconsistency in document information when image data is deleted by the user.

(Other Embodiments) As described above, the object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the embodiment to a system or apparatus, and the system or apparatus. This can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of (1) 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 such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc. may be used. You can

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. This also includes the case where the system) 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 also includes a case where the CPU or the like 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.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the image data that has been stored up to that point is damaged or lost, new image data is not created so that the image data is not damaged or lost. It is possible to prevent new image information from being included in the information notified to the user and prevent deletion of the newly stored image data due to the initialization of the image memory.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, when it is determined that the stored image data is invalid, information indicating that the image data is invalid is output, or the memory initialization operation is performed. It is possible to prohibit the input of the next image data until the process is completed.

According to the present invention, when the stored image data is not valid, the related information related to the image data is output, the image data is initialized, and the next image data is input. There is an effect that can be done.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a facsimile device (image communication device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an image data check process of an image memory in the facsimile apparatus (image communication apparatus) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a document reading process in the facsimile apparatus (image communication apparatus) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data receiving process in the facsimile apparatus (image communication apparatus) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing image data deletion processing in the facsimile device (image communication device) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a RAM according to this embodiment.

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting image data, image storage means for storing image data input by the input means, and related information storage for storing related information related to the image data input by the input means. Means, determining means for determining whether or not the image data stored in the image storage means is valid, and erasing means for erasing the image data in the image storage means when the determination means determines that the image data is not valid, An output control unit that outputs relevant information corresponding to the image data when the determination unit determines that the image data is not valid, and prohibits the input of the next image data by the input unit until the deletion by the deletion unit is completed. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the image processing apparatus. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit reads a document image and inputs image data. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit inputs image data through a communication line. 4. The determination means determines whether the image data is valid or not based on whether the image data is lost or damaged. The image processing device according to item 1. 5. The image according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the image data is valid by using an error detection code of the image data. Processing equipment. 6. The erasing means erases the image data after the output of the related information by the output control means is completed and before the image data is input by the input means. The image processing device according to any one of 1. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit causes the printer device to print the related information related to the image data and outputs the related information. 8. An input unit for reading a document image and inputting image data, an image storage unit for storing the image data input by the input unit, and related information related to the image data input by the input unit. Related information storage means for storing, determination means for determining whether the image data stored in the image storage means is valid, and deleting the image data in the image storage means when the determination means determines that the image data is not valid Erasing means, a print control means for printing related information corresponding to the image data when the determining means determines that it is not valid, and And a control unit for controlling reading of the original image of the document. 9. Input means for inputting image data, image storage means for storing image data input by the input means, and related information storage for storing related information related to the image data input by the input means. Means, a determining means for determining whether the image data stored in the image storing means is valid, and an erasing means for erasing the image data in the image storing means when the determining means determines that the image data is not valid, A print control unit that prints related information corresponding to the image data when the determining unit determines that the image data is not valid; and input of next image data by the input unit until the printing of the related information by the print control unit is completed. And a control means for controlling so as to prohibit the image communication device. 10. A control method in an image processing apparatus for processing and outputting input image data, comprising an input step of inputting image data, and a storage step of storing the image data input in the input step in an image memory. A related information storage step of storing related information related to the image data input in the input step; a determination step of determining whether or not the image data stored in the image memory is valid; An erasing step of erasing the image data of the image memory when it is determined to be invalid in the step, an output control step of visualizing and outputting relevant information corresponding to the image data when the determination step determines that the image data is not valid, and the output Control for inhibiting input of the next image data in the input step until output of the related information in the control step is completed Control method comprising: the degree, the. 11. The input step comprises inputting image data by reading a document image.
The control method described in. 12. The control method according to claim 10, wherein in the input step, image data is input through a communication line. 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein in the determining step, it is determined whether the image data is valid based on whether the image data is lost or damaged.
The control method according to any one of 1. 14. The control according to claim 10, wherein in the determination step, whether or not the image data is valid is determined by using an error detection code of the image data. Method. 15. The erasing step erases the image data stored in the image memory after completion of output of the related information in the output control step and before input of image data in the input step. The control method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein: 16. The control method according to claim 10, wherein in the output control step, the document information is printed and output by a printer device. 17. A program for executing the control method according to any one of claims 10 to 16. 18. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the control method according to claim 10. Description: 19. Input means for inputting image data, image storage means for storing image data input by said input means, and related information storage for storing related information related to said image data input by said input means. Means, determining means for determining whether or not the image data stored in the image storage means is valid, and erasing means for erasing the image data in the image storage means when the determination means determines that the image data is not valid, An image processing apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls input of the next image data by the input unit until the initialization of the image storage unit by the initialization unit is completed. 20. An output control means for outputting related information corresponding to the image data when the determination means determines that the image data is not valid.
The image processing device described. 21. A control method in an image processing apparatus for processing and outputting input image data, comprising an input step of inputting image data, and a storing step of storing the image data input in said input step in an image memory. A related information storage step of storing related information related to the image data input in the input step; a determination step of determining whether or not the image data stored in the image memory is valid; When the process determines that the image data is not valid, an erasing process of erasing the image data of the image memory, and prohibition of input of the next image data by the input means until the initialization of the image memory by the initialization process is completed. And a control means for controlling. 22. The control method according to claim 21, further comprising an output control step of visualizing and outputting related information corresponding to the image data when it is determined to be invalid in the determination step. 23. A program for executing the control method according to claim 21. 24. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the control method according to claim 21.