JP2004021493A - Image processor and method for controlling image processor and its program and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To receive data without generating time-out in a small number of buffer memories in an image processor USB-connected to an external processor. <P>SOLUTION: This image processor 100 is provided with a first interface means 113 connected to an external processor 200, a second interface means 114 connected to an image output part for outputting image data, a storage part 104 for storing the image data, and a transmitting part for transmitting predetermined data to the image outputting part. This image processor 100 is provided with an image data storing means for, when it is judged that any dead capacity is present in the storage part, making the storage part store the image data for one packet and an informing means for informing the external processor that the image outputting part is not available in a prescribed period through the first interface means after the image data for one packet are stored in the storage part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, a program, and an information storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile machine is developed, not only a communication unit required as a facsimile but also an image output unit such as a printer for outputting a received image is required. However, if a new image output means is newly developed every time a facsimile machine is developed, the cost will be extremely high. Therefore, an off-the-shelf PC printer was used. In this case, an image output unit is connected to the control unit of the image processing apparatus to perform direct control. This was sufficient if the image processing apparatus was only used as a facsimile in this configuration. However, when the image processing apparatus is used not only as a multifunction machine, but also as a facsimile machine, and also as a PC printer, the PC must also control the image output means. That is, it is necessary for the control unit to transfer data from the PC to the printer.
[0003]
In addition, a conventional PC printer uses IEEE 1284 or the like as an interface, and a facsimile or the like is internally connected by IEEE 1284. Since this interface can be directly controlled by the driver on the PC side, even if a device such as a printer becomes unresponsive, the presence or absence of a timeout can be freely set depending on the driver. However, in recent interfaces such as USB, the control of the lowermost layer is incorporated in the OS and cannot be changed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional image processing system as described above, the control unit may occupy the image output unit for reasons such as outputting a received facsimile image, copying, and cleaning the head. That is, while the predetermined process is being performed by the control unit, the process of printing the transmission data from the PC from the image output unit cannot be executed.
[0005]
If the PC side printer driver is modified in order to solve this, even if the printer is diverted, the driver needs to be recreated, so that unnecessary man-hours are generated and the development cost is increased.
[0006]
On the other hand, if the printer does not respond without receiving the data transmitted from the PC, or if a response state indicating that the printer is being prepared, such as the NAK of a USB handshake packet, is continued for a certain period of time, Automatically time out. When the USB is used in this manner, if a non-responsive state continues for a long time, such as during facsimile printing, or a response indicating that preparation is being continued, the timeout is determined and the image processing apparatus There has been a problem that the OS recognizes that the connection itself is not normally connected.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following means. A first interface unit connected to an external processing device, a second interface unit connected to an image output unit for outputting image data, a storage unit for storing the image data, and transmitting predetermined data to the image output unit An image processing apparatus having a transmission unit, wherein the external processing device determines whether the image output unit can be used by the first determination unit; and the external data transmitted to the data processing unit is the first determination unit. External data receiving means for receiving from the external processing device via one interface means, second determining means for determining whether or not the external data is image data, and image output by the first determining means. When the external data is image data, and when the external data is image data, A third determining unit for determining whether or not there is free space in the storage unit, the third determining unit determines whether one packet of the image data is stored in the storage unit. Means that the image output unit is not available to the external processing device via the first interface means after storing the one packet of image data in the storage unit. And a notifying unit for notifying the user for a predetermined period.
[0008]
In the above, after the notification by the notification unit, if the first determination unit determines again and determines that the image output unit is not available, the third determination unit determines whether the storage unit is empty. Based on the determination of the capacity again, the image data storage unit may cause the storage unit to further store the image data for one packet.
[0009]
Further, after the notification by the notification unit, the first determination unit performs the determination again, and when it is determined that the image output unit is available, the transmission unit stores the image stored in the storage unit. Image data may be transmitted to the image processing unit.
[0010]
Further, the second determination unit further determines whether the external data is a status response command of the image output unit, and the external processing device uses the image output unit by the first determination unit. When it is determined that the status response command is possible, and when the second determination unit determines that the external data is the status response command, the status information corresponding to the status response command is received from the image processing unit. The information processing apparatus may further include a receiving unit, and a status information storage unit that stores the received status information.
[0011]
Further, after storing the status information in the status information storage unit, the first determination unit determines that the external processing device cannot use the image output unit, and the second determination unit determines When the external data is determined to be the status response command, a status response unit that responds to the external processing device using the status information stored in the status information storage unit may be further provided.
[0012]
In the above, the first interface unit and the second interface unit correspond to, for example, a universal serial bus communication standard.
[0013]
Further, the above solution can be provided by a method or a program for causing a computer to execute the method and an information storage medium storing the program, and it is needless to say that the above problem can be similarly solved. .
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First, the outline of the image processing apparatus 100 constituting the image processing system will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 included in an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the image processing apparatus 100, the CPU 101 is a system control unit, and controls the entire image processing apparatus 100.
[0015]
The ROM 102 stores a control program executed by the CPU 101, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the above embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 102 performs software control such as scheduling and a task switch under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 102.
[0016]
The RAM 103 is composed of an SRAM or the like, stores program control variables and the like, stores set values registered by an operator, management data of the image processing apparatus 100, and the like, and is provided with various work buffer areas.
[0017]
The image memory 104 includes a DRAM or the like, and stores image data. The data conversion unit 105 performs conversion of image data such as analysis of a page description language (PDL) and the like, and CG expansion of character data. The reading control unit 106 reads the image signal obtained by the reading unit 107 optically reading the original with a CIS image sensor (contact image sensor) and converting the image signal into electrical image data via an image processing control unit (not shown). Various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing are performed, and high-definition image data is output.
[0018]
In the above-described embodiment, the reading control unit 106 supports both a sheet reading control method for reading while transporting a document and a book reading control method for scanning a document on a document table.
[0019]
The operation display unit 108 includes a numerical input key, a character input key, a one-touch telephone number key, a mode setting key, an enter key, a cancel key, and the like, so that the user can determine image transmission destination data and register setting data. , An operation unit, various keys, an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), and the like, and a display unit for performing various input operations by an operator and displaying an operation status and a status status of the image processing apparatus 100. .
[0020]
The communication control unit 109 includes a MODEM (modulator / demodulator), an NCU (network controller), and the like. In the above-described embodiment, the communication control unit 109 is connected to the analog communication line (PSTN) 131, and performs communication control according to the T30 protocol and line control such as outgoing and incoming calls for the communication line.
[0021]
The resolution conversion processing unit 110 performs resolution conversion control such as millimeter-inch resolution conversion of image data. Note that the resolution conversion unit 110 can also perform image data scaling processing.
[0022]
The encoding / decoding processing unit 111 performs encoding / decoding processing on image data (MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the image processing apparatus 100, and performs scaling processing. The recording control unit 112 performs various types of image processing such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction on the image data to be printed via an image processing control unit (not shown) to convert the image data into high-definition image data. , To the USB host control unit 114 (described later). In addition, by controlling the USB host control unit 114, it also plays a role of periodically acquiring status information data of the recording unit 115.
[0023]
The USB function control unit 113 performs communication control of the USB interface, performs protocol control according to the USB communication standard, converts data from a USB control task executed by the CPU 101 into a packet, and converts the data into a packet. Then, a USB packet is transmitted, or conversely, a USB packet from an external information processing terminal is converted into data and transmitted to the CPU 101.
[0024]
The USB host control unit 114 is a control unit for performing communication using a protocol defined by the USB communication standard. The USB communication standard is a standard that enables high-speed bidirectional data communication, and a plurality of hubs or functions (slaves) can be connected to one host (master). The USB host control unit 114 has a host function in USB communication.
[0025]
The recording unit 115 is a printing device including a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, or the like, and prints color image data or monochrome image data on a printing member. The communication with the USB host control unit 114 is performed according to a protocol defined by the USB communication standard. In particular, the recording unit 115 has a function function.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the USB communication of the recording function uses a one-to-one connection mode. The components 101 to 106 and 108 to 114 are interconnected via a CPU bus 121 managed by the CPU 101.
[0027]
Next, the outline of the external processing device 200 included in the image processing system will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the external processing device 200 included in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0028]
The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the external processing device 200 via a system bus according to a program read from a program stored in the ROM 202, the RAM 203, or the internal storage device 204 and the external storage device (205). is there. The ROM 202 stores a control program for the CPU 201 and the like.
[0029]
The RAM 203 temporarily stores programs and image data, and operates the external processing device 200 at high speed.
[0030]
The internal storage device 204 stores an operating system, various application programs, image data, and the like. The internal storage device 204 includes application software, printer driver software, scanner driver software, facsimile driver software for transmitting and receiving various control commands and data to and from the image processing apparatus 100, including the character data processing step in this embodiment. It is assumed that USB class driver software and USB bus driver software for each function are installed. Normally, these application software and driver software receive data from another computer-readable medium in which they are stored by an external storage disk 206 (floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-ROM medium) and control the external storage device 205. To install.
[0031]
Further, the application unit and the driver software can be received by the communication unit 209 (network or modem) via a communication line and installed in the internal storage device 204.
[0032]
The operation unit 207 controls a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) as means for inputting instructions from an operator. Normally, the keyboard and the mouse of the operation unit 207 are used to start printing.
[0033]
The display unit 208 performs various displays for the operator. When starting printing by the external processing terminal 200, a confirmation dialog or the like is displayed on the display unit 208 to prompt the operator to input. During the execution of the printing operation, information indicating the printing status is provided to the operator.
[0034]
The communication unit 209 connects to a network (not shown), connects to an Internet provider through a communication line, and communicates data, image information, and the like with a partner communication device. A known method is used for connection to a network or a communication line, and will not be described in detail.
[0035]
The USB host control unit 209 performs communication control of the USB interface, converts data from the CPU 201 into a packet according to the USB communication standard, transmits a USB packet to the image processing apparatus 100, and conversely, A USB packet from the image processing apparatus 100 is converted into data and transmitted to the CPU 201. As for the communication control method, a known method is used and will not be described in detail.
[0036]
Next, the data processing of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart when the image processing apparatus 100 executed by the CPU 101 instructs the external processing apparatus 200 to output an image.
[0037]
In step 301, it is determined whether or not the recording unit 115 is not used for operations such as facsimile and copying, and can be used as a printer. If it can be used, the process proceeds to step 401 in FIG. 4, and if it cannot be used, the process proceeds to step 501 in FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of data processing executed by the CPU 101 when the recording unit 115 of the image processing apparatus 100 is usable according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0039]
In step 401, when the external processing device 200 instructs image output by the recording unit 115, data is received from the external processing device 200 via the USB function control unit 113. Since the recording unit 115 is available, the received data is transferred to the recording unit 115 in step 402.
[0040]
In step 403, the received data is analyzed to determine whether the received command is a command for acquiring the status of the recording unit 115. If it is not a status acquisition command, the process returns to step 401. On the other hand, if the command is a status acquisition command, there is a status response from the recording unit 115, so that the status responding from the recording unit 115 is stored in the RAM 103 in step 404. Thereafter, the process returns to step 401, and the processes up to step 404 are repeatedly executed.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the processing executed by the CPU 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, for example, when the recording unit 115 of the image processing apparatus 100 is recording a facsimile image or the like, 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of data processing when 200 is unavailable.
[0042]
In step 501, data is received from the external processing device 200 via the USB function control unit 113 in response to an image output instruction using the recording unit 115 from the external processing device 200. At this time, since the recording unit 115 is in an unusable state, the received data cannot be transferred to the recording unit 115 as it is. Therefore, first, in step 502, the received data is analyzed. As a result of the analysis, if the received data is a status response command, a response is made in step 503 using the status information of the recording unit 115 stored in the RAM 103 in step 404 in FIG.
[0043]
If the result of the analysis in step 502 is that the received data is image data, it is determined in step 504 whether or not the image memory 104 has a free space. If there is free space in the image memory 104, the process proceeds to step 505, where image data for one USB packet is stored in the image memory 104.
[0044]
On the other hand, when there is no free space in the image memory 104, or when the storing processing in the image memory in step 505 is completed, the process proceeds to step 506. In step 506, a response is sent to the external processing device 200 indicating that the recording unit 115 is not ready to receive the data for a shorter time than the timeout period due to no response according to the OS, application, or USB standard of the external processing device 200. This response corresponds to transmission of a handshake packet NAK when using USB for connection. By repeating the steps 505 and 506, the handshake packet NAK can be transmitted in a period in which the timeout is not timed out while receiving the data from the external processing apparatus 200. Therefore, the external processing apparatus 200 determines that the image processing apparatus 100 is unresponsive. Or it will not be judged as a timeout.
[0045]
Next, in step 507, it is determined whether the recording unit 115 is available. If not yet available, the process returns to step 504 and repeats the processing up to step 507.
[0046]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 507 that the recording unit 115 is available, the process proceeds to step 508 and the image data received in the process of repeating steps 504 to 507 and stored in the image memory 104 is stored. All are transmitted to the recording unit 115. After transmitting all the data, the process proceeds to step 401 in FIG.
[0047]
As described above, according to the present invention in the above-described embodiment, it is necessary to redesign the printer driver on the PC side or the printer for the PC for the multifunction peripheral in order to prevent the timeout from being recognized conventionally. An existing PC printer can be used for the recording unit as it is, and the printer driver software on the PC side can be used as it is, thus greatly reducing the number of design steps.
[0048]
Further, since the timeout does not occur, the printer is not temporarily disconnected when viewed from the PC, and the printer function and facsimile printing using the image processing apparatus alone can be used at the same time. For this reason, the user does not need to worry about whether or not the recording unit of the image processing apparatus is currently in use for printing, and the usability is improved.
[0049]
An object of the present invention described above is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or a CPU or a CPU) of the system or the apparatus. Needless to say, the present invention can also be achieved by an MPU) reading and executing a program code stored in a storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0050]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is executed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU included in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the external processing device does not recognize that the image processing device is not connected or that the image processing device cannot be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an external processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing of received data according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of received data processing when a recording unit 115 is available, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of received data processing when the recording unit 115 is unavailable according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (13)

A first interface unit connected to an external processing device, a second interface unit connected to an image output unit for outputting image data, a storage unit for storing the image data, and transmitting predetermined data to the image output unit An image processing apparatus having a transmission unit,
A first determination unit configured to determine whether the external processing device can use the image output unit;
External data receiving means for receiving external data transmitted to the data processing unit from the external processing device via the first interface means;
Second determining means for determining whether the external data is image data,
When the first determination unit determines that the image output unit is not available and the second determination unit determines that the external data is image data, the storage unit has a free space. Third determining means for determining whether or not there is;
An image data storage unit for storing data of one packet of the image data in the storage unit when the third determination unit determines that there is free space in the storage unit;
Notification means for notifying the external processing device via the first interface means that the image output unit is unavailable for a certain period of time after storing the one packet of image data in the storage unit; An image processing apparatus comprising: After the notification by the notifying unit, if the first determining unit determines again and determines that the image output unit is not available, the third determining unit determines again the free space of the storage unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data storage unit causes the storage unit to further store the image data for one packet based on the determination of. After the notification by the notification unit, the first determination unit performs a determination again, and when it is determined that the image output unit is available, the transmission unit stores the image data stored in the storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit transmits the image data to the image processing unit. The second determination unit further determines whether the external data is a status response command of the image output unit, and the first determination unit enables the external processing device to use the image output unit. When it is determined that there is, and the external data is determined to be the status response command by the second determination means,
Receiving means for receiving status information corresponding to the status response command from the image processing unit,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a status information storage unit that stores the received status information. After storing the status information in the status information storage unit, the first determination unit determines that the image processing unit is not available to the external processing device, and the second determination unit determines that the external processing device cannot use the image output unit. When it is determined that the data is the status response command,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a status response unit that responds to the external processing device using the status information stored in the status information storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first interface unit and the second interface unit are compatible with a universal serial bus communication standard. A first interface unit connected to an external processing device, a second interface unit connected to an image output unit for outputting image data, a storage unit for storing the image data, and transmitting predetermined data to the image output unit A control method of the image processing apparatus having a transmission unit,
A first determination step of determining whether the external processing device can use the image output unit;
An external data receiving step of receiving external data transmitted to the data processing unit from the external processing device via the first interface unit;
A second determination step of determining whether the external data is image data;
When the first determination step determines that the image output unit is not available, and the second determination step determines that the external data is image data, the storage unit has an available space. A third determination step of determining whether or not there is;
In the third determining step, when it is determined that the storage unit has free space, an image data storing step of storing data of one packet of the image data in the storage unit;
A notification step of, after storing the one packet of image data in the storage unit, notifying the external processing device via the first interface unit that the image output unit is unavailable for a certain period of time; A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: After the notification by the notification step, if the first determination step makes a determination again and determines that the image output unit is not available, the third determination step re-determines the free space of the storage unit. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the image data storing step further stores one packet of the image data in the storage unit based on the determination. After the notification by the notification step, the first determination step performs a determination again, and when it is determined that the image output unit is available, the transmission unit stores the image data stored in the storage unit. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control information is transmitted to the image processing unit. The second determination step further determines whether the external data is a status response command of the image output unit, and the external processing device can use the image output unit by the first determination step. When it is determined that there is, and the external data is determined to be the status response command by the second determination step,
A receiving step of receiving status information corresponding to the status response command from the image processing unit,
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising a status information storing step of storing the received status information in a status information storage unit in the image processing apparatus. After storing the status information in the status information storage section, the first determination step determines that the external processing device cannot use the image output section, and the second determination step determines that the external processing apparatus is not usable. When it is determined that the data is the status response command,
The method according to claim 10, further comprising a status response step of responding to the external processing device using the status information stored in the status information storage unit. A control program for an image processing apparatus for causing a computer to execute the control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 7. A computer-readable information storage medium storing the control program for the image processing apparatus according to claim 12.

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