JP2004159002A - Image reading and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading and recording apparatus for reading an image of an original, preventing acquired image data from overflowing from a memory, and effectively utilizing a memory resource. <P>SOLUTION: The number of original images being read objects stored in a first image memory 14 is decided on the basis of a size of the original images being the read objects and of whether the original image is a color image or a black/white image, and a control section 10 controls storage of acquired image data to the first image memory 14 on the basis of the decided number of the original images. Further, the number of original images being the read objects stored in a second image memory 16 is decided on the basis of the size of the original images being the read objects and a revised resolution, and the control section 10 controls storage of the image data acquired or whose resolution is revised into the second image memory 16 on the basis of the decided number of the original images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading and recording apparatus that reads a plurality of document images, sequentially stores acquired image data, and records an image based on the stored image data on a recording sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, multifunction peripherals having a printer function installed in a facsimile apparatus have become widespread. In such an apparatus, a color copying function, a color facsimile communication function, and the like have been installed with the expansion of the printer function.
Such an apparatus is configured to temporarily store the acquired image data in a memory, and to record an image based on the image data read from the memory on a recording sheet or the like. Various image data such as the acquired image data and the image data acquired for recording on a recording sheet or the like are stored.
Therefore, in order to prevent overflow of each image data from the memory, there is an apparatus having a configuration in which the amount of data that can be stored in the memory is set in advance for each image data (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-17913 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-149215
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described apparatus, the storage of the acquired image data in the memory is controlled based on the preset data amount. Therefore, even if the memory has a sufficient free space, the set data amount is reduced. There is a problem that only image data can be stored in the memory, and it is difficult to sufficiently and effectively use hardware resources such as the memory.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and determines the number of document images to be read stored in the storage unit based on whether the document image to be read is a color image or a monochrome image. The amount of image data stored in the storage unit is controlled based on the amount of image data obtained by reading the original image, which differs depending on whether the original image is a color image or a black-and-white image. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading and recording apparatus which performs the following.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to determine the number of original images to be read stored in the storage unit based on the set resolution, so that the generation unit differs according to the set resolution. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading / recording apparatus for controlling the storage amount of image data in a storage unit based on the data amount of image data generated by the method.
[0007]
Still another object of the present invention is to detect the size of a document image to be read, and determine the number of document images to be read stored in the storage unit based on the detected size, so that the number of document images to be read is determined. Provided is an image reading / recording apparatus that controls a storage amount of image data in a storage unit based on a data amount of image data acquired by reading a document image, which differs according to a difference in size of a certain document image. It is in.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image reading and recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention reads out a plurality of document images and sequentially stores the acquired image data, and records an image based on the image data stored in the storage means on a recording sheet. An image reading and recording apparatus including a recording unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether the document image is a color image or a black-and-white image, and a reading unit stored in the storage unit based on a determination result of the determination unit. The image processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines the number of target document images, and a control unit that controls storage of the acquired image data in the storage unit based on the number determined by the determination unit.
[0009]
In the case of the first invention, the determining means determines whether the original image to be read is a color image or a monochrome image, and based on a result of the determination by the determining means, the determining means stores the image in the storage means. The control unit controls the storage of the acquired image data in the storage unit based on the determined number of document images to be read, so that the document image to be read is a color image. The amount of image data stored in the storage unit can be controlled based on the amount of image data obtained by reading the original image, which differs depending on whether the image data is a monochrome image or a monochrome image. The storage means such as a memory for storing the image data can be effectively used while preventing the image data.
[0010]
An image reading and recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention reads a plurality of original images and sequentially stores the acquired image data, and records an image based on the image data stored in the storage on a recording sheet. A setting unit for setting one of a plurality of types of resolutions in the image reading and recording apparatus including a recording unit; and a generation unit configured to generate image data having the resolution set by the setting unit from the acquired image data. Means, determining means for determining the number of document images to be read stored in the storage means based on the resolution set by the setting means, and generating means based on the number of images determined by the determining means. Control means for controlling storage of the generated image data in the storage means.
[0011]
According to the second aspect, the setting means sets one of the plurality of types of resolutions, and the generating means generates image data of the set resolution from the acquired image data. The determining means determines the number of document images to be read stored in the storage means based on the resolution set by the setting means, and the control means is generated by the generating means based on the determined number. By controlling the storage of the image data in the storage unit, based on the data amount of the image data generated by the generation unit, which differs according to the difference in the set resolution, the image data is stored in the storage unit. The amount of storage can be controlled, and it is possible to effectively use a storage unit such as a memory for storing image data while preventing overflow of the image data from the storage unit.
[0012]
An image reading and recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention reads out a plurality of document images and sequentially stores the acquired image data, and records an image based on the image data stored in the storage means on a recording sheet. In an image reading and recording apparatus including a recording unit, a detection unit for detecting a size of the document image, and the number of document images to be read stored in the storage unit is determined based on the size detected by the detection unit. And a control unit for controlling storage of the acquired image data in the storage unit based on the number of sheets determined by the determination unit.
[0013]
In the case of the third invention, the detecting means detects the size of the document image to be read, and based on the detected size, the determining means determines the number of document images to be read stored in the storage means. The control means controls the storage of the acquired image data in the storage means based on the determined number of sheets, thereby reading the original image which differs according to the size of the original image to be read. The amount of image data stored in the storage unit can be controlled based on the data amount of the image data obtained by the method, and the storage unit such as the memory for storing the image data can be effectively used while preventing the overflow of the image data from the storage unit. Can be used.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on a multifunction peripheral as an embodiment thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 indicates the multifunction peripheral.
The MFP 1 includes a control unit 10, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, a reading unit 13, a first image memory (storage unit) 14, a binarization processing unit 15, a second image memory (storage unit) 16, a display unit 17, (A control unit) 18, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 19, a modem 20, a memory control unit 21, a first CODEC 22, a second CODEC 24, a recording unit (recording unit) 25, and the like. Interconnected.
[0015]
The control unit 10 specifically includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 10 controls the above-described hardware units of the multifunction peripheral 1 via a system bus 26 and stores the computer stored in the ROM 11. Various software functions are realized according to the program.
The ROM 11 stores various computer programs necessary for the operation of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment.
The RAM 12 is configured by an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 10 executes each program. If a flash memory is used as the RAM 12, the stored contents will not be lost even if the power is cut off due to a power failure, movement of the MFP 1, or the like.
[0016]
The modem 20 is configured by a facsimile modem capable of performing facsimile communication, and is also directly connected to the NCU 19. The NCU 19 is connected to the public telephone network L, connects the modem 20 to the public telephone network L as necessary, and performs facsimile communication with another facsimile apparatus via the public telephone network L. It is possible.
The display unit 17 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like, and displays the operation status of the multifunction device 1, characters input from the operation unit 18, and the like.
The operation unit 18 includes various function keys such as a start key necessary for operating the multifunction peripheral 1, and a mode key for setting a mode for reading a document image as color image data or a mode for reading as monochrome image data. And a resolution key for setting a resolution for recording on a recording sheet such as a recording sheet or an OHP (Over Head Projector) sheet. It should be noted that by using the touch panel type display unit 17, some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 18 can be substituted.
[0017]
The reading unit 13 acquires reflected light from a document image by a scanner using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), which is an imaging device that converts light acquired from the outside into an electric signal, and obtains R component, G component, The image data is converted into digital signals of the respective B components, and the obtained image data is stored in the first image memory 14 composed of a DRAM or the like.
In the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the reading unit 13 converts the reflected light from the original image into an RGB (R: red, G: green, B: blue) color image. It has a function of acquiring as data and a function of acquiring as black and white image data.
[0018]
Therefore, the control unit 10 also functions as a determination unit that determines which mode to acquire image data based on the mode key operated by the user.
It should be noted that not only the mode for acquiring color image data or black-and-white image data is changed based on the input from the user, but also that the original image is read once and the original image is a color image or a monochrome image based on the acquired image data. May be determined.
[0019]
The reading unit 13 acquires the image data according to the procedure corresponding to each mode determined by the control unit 10 and stores the image data in the first image memory 14. Note that, regardless of which mode is set, the reading unit 13 acquires image data from a document image as, for example, 8-bit multivalued image data.
In addition, the reading unit 13 includes a size detecting unit 13a, and the size detecting unit 13a operates as a detecting unit that detects the size of the document image to be read based on the image data acquired as described above. .
[0020]
The binarization processing unit 15 reads the multi-valued image data stored in the first image memory 14 and compares each of the plurality of pixel data included in the read-out image data with a predetermined threshold value, thereby obtaining a binary value. The image data is converted into data, and the obtained binary image data is stored in the second image memory 16.
If the multi-valued image data stored in the first image memory 14 is color image data, the binarization processing unit 15 performs a color conversion process on the RGB color system image data. , CMYK (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow, K: black) are converted into image data of a color system, and a plurality of pixel data included in the image data of the CMYK color system are respectively determined by a predetermined threshold value. Is converted into binary data by comparing the binary image data, and the obtained binary image data is stored in the second image memory 16.
[0021]
Here, the binarization processing unit 15 according to the present embodiment includes a resolution changing unit 15a, and according to the setting by the user, first converts the multi-valued image data read from the first image memory 14 into a resolution. The changing unit 15a operates as a generation unit that generates image data of a set resolution by thinning out each pixel data or adding pixel data between each pixel data. Thereafter, the generated image data is converted into binary image data by performing the above-described binarization processing, and stored in the second image memory 16.
[0022]
Also, when the image data to be processed is the color image data of the RGB color system, the resolution conversion unit 15a also performs the resolution conversion process and the binarization process for each component.
Note that, in the present embodiment, the reading unit 13 is configured to read a document image at a resolution of 600 dpi, and the resolution changing unit 15a converts the image data acquired by the reading unit 13 according to a user setting. , And is configured to generate image data having a resolution of 2400 dpi.
Therefore, the resolution key provided in the operation unit 18 is configured to be able to select 600 dpi or 2400 dpi.
[0023]
The first CODEC 22 performs a predetermined encoding process on the binary image data stored in the second image memory 16, and encodes the encoded image data according to the control of the memory control unit 21. Is stored in the coded image memory 23 via the.
The image data stored in the encoded image memory 23 is read out by the second CODEC 24 under the control of the memory control unit 21, decoded by the second CODEC 24, and then temporarily stored in the second image memory 16. Also, under the control of the control unit 10, the data is read from the second image memory 16 and input to the recording unit 25. Therefore, the second image memory 16 is shared by the image data read by the reading unit 13 and subjected to the binarization processing by the binarization processing unit 15 and the image data decoded by the second CODEC 24. Become.
[0024]
The recording unit 25 is an electrophotographic printer device, reads image data stored in the second image memory 16 for recording, and converts an image based on the read image data as a hard copy into an A3 portrait image. Recording paper of an optimum size is selected from recording paper of each size such as B4 length, A4 length, B5 width and A5 width, or an OHP (Over Head Projector) sheet, and is recorded.
In the MFP 1 having the above-described configuration, it is necessary to control the first image memory 14 and the second image memory 16 that store the image data read by the reading unit 13 so that the image data does not overflow. The control unit 10 also functions as a control unit that controls storage of each image data in each memory. In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 controls the first image memory 14 and the second image memory 16 individually according to respective procedures.
[0025]
Hereinafter, the memory management process of the first image memory 14 by the control unit 10 in the MFP 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a memory management processing procedure of the first image memory 14 by the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a memory management processing by the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present invention. When controlling the image data to be stored in the first image memory 14, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the document size to be read is A4 or less, and determines whether or not the document size is set by the user when reading the document image. Based on the mode, it operates as a deciding means for deciding the number of document images to be read stored in the first image memory 14, and controls the image data to be stored in the first image memory 14 based on the determined number. I do.
[0026]
When the user causes the multifunction device 1 to read the document image in order to copy the document image using the multifunction device 1 having the above-described configuration, the user places the document at a predetermined position and sets the mode key provided on the operation unit 18. The user operates the resolution key and the resolution key (S1) to set the desired mode and resolution, and the control unit 10 stores the set mode and resolution.
When the start key is turned on by the user (S2), the control unit 10 starts reading the image data by the reading unit 13 and calculates the number of pages for controlling the first image memory 14. The number of pages is set to 1 (S3) and stored in a first register (not shown) provided therein.
[0027]
On the other hand, when the reading unit 13 reads the first sheet, the size detecting unit 13a detects the document size of the document image to be read (S4), and notifies the control unit 10 of the detected document size. I do.
The control unit 10 determines whether or not the document size notified from the reading unit 13 is a size equal to or smaller than A4 size (S5). The number of pages stored in one register is doubled (S6). This is because, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first image memory 14 is based on the storage of A3 size image data. This is because the image data having twice the number of pages can be stored in the memory 14.
[0028]
Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the reading mode for reading the document image by the reading unit 13 set by the user is the monochrome mode (S7), and determines that the reading mode is the monochrome mode. In this case, the number of pages stored in its own first register is tripled (S8). This is because, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first image memory 14 is based on the storage of color image data having R, G, and B components, so that the first image memory 14 records black and white image data. This is because three times the number of pages of image data can be stored in the first image memory 14.
At this point, the number of pages stored in the first register is the amount of data that can be stored in the first image memory 14. Based on this number of pages, the control unit 10 By performing the control, it is possible to effectively use the memory resources of the first image memory 14 while preventing the overflow of the image data from the first image memory 14.
[0029]
Hereinafter, a memory management process of the second image memory 16 by the control unit 10 in the MFP 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a memory management processing procedure of the second image memory 16 by the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present invention. When controlling the image data to be stored in the second image memory 16, the control unit 10 determines whether the size of the original to be read is A4 or less, similarly to the control of the first image memory 14 described above. And operates as a deciding means for deciding the number of original images to be read stored in the second image memory 16 based on the resolution set by the user when recording on recording paper. Based on this, the image data to be stored in the second image memory 16 is controlled. In this embodiment, the resolution that can be set by the user is 600 dpi or 2400 dpi.
[0030]
When the user causes the multifunction device 1 to read the document image in order to copy the document image using the multifunction device 1 having the above-described configuration, the user places the document at a predetermined position and sets the mode key provided on the operation unit 18. And the resolution key are operated (S11) to set the desired mode and resolution, and the control unit 10 stores the set mode and resolution.
When the start key is turned on by the user (S12), the control unit 10 starts reading the image data by the reading unit 13 and calculates the number of pages for controlling the first image memory 14. The number of pages is set to 1 (S13) and stored in a second register (not shown) provided therein.
[0031]
On the other hand, when the reading unit 13 reads the first sheet, the size detecting unit 13a detects the document size of the document image to be read (S14), and notifies the control unit 10 of the detected document size. I do.
The control unit 10 determines whether or not the document size notified from the reading unit 13 is a size equal to or smaller than the A4 size (S15). The number of pages stored in the two registers is doubled (S16). This is because, as shown in FIG. 3A, the second image memory 16 stores image data of A4 size or less because the second image memory 16 stores image data of A3 size as a reference similarly to the first image memory 14. In this case, the second image memory 16 can store twice as many pages of image data.
[0032]
Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the resolution set by the user when recording on the recording paper by the recording unit 25 is 600 dpi (S17), and if the set resolution is 600 dpi. If it is determined, the number of pages stored in its own second register is quadrupled (S18). This is because, as shown in FIG. 3C, the second image memory 16 is based on the storage of image data having a resolution of 2400 dpi. This is because four times the number of pages of image data can be stored in the memory 16.
At this time, the number of pages stored in the second register becomes the amount of data that can be stored in the second image memory 16, and based on this number of pages, the control unit 10 By performing the control, it is possible to effectively use the memory resources of the second image memory 16 while preventing the overflow of the image data from the second image memory 16.
[0033]
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the control unit 10 of the multifunction peripheral 1 also controls the first image memory 14 and the second image memory 16 has been described. However, the control unit 10 includes a memory control circuit that separately controls the memories. Alternatively, the first image memory 14 and the second image memory 16 may be separately controlled.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
In the case of the first invention, it is determined whether the document image to be read is a color image or a monochrome image, and the number of document images to be read stored in the storage means is determined based on the determination result. By controlling the storage of the acquired image data in the storage unit based on the determined number of images, the original image that is to be read differs depending on whether the original image is a color image or a monochrome image. Based on the data amount of the image data acquired by reading, the storage amount of the image data in the storage unit can be controlled based on the data amount of the image data. It can be used effectively.
[0035]
In the case of the second invention, one of a plurality of types of resolutions is set, and image data of the set resolution is generated from the obtained image data. Based on the set resolution, The number of original images to be read stored in the storage unit is determined, and based on the determined number, the storage of the image data generated at the set resolution in the storage unit is controlled, thereby setting the image data. The amount of image data stored in the storage unit can be controlled based on the amount of image data generated by the generation unit, which differs according to the difference in resolution, while preventing overflow of the image data from the storage unit. And storage means such as a memory for storing image data can be effectively used.
[0036]
According to the third aspect, the size of the document image to be read is detected, the number of document images to be read stored in the storage unit is determined based on the detected size, and based on the determined number, By controlling the storage of the acquired image data in the storage unit, the storage is performed based on the data amount of the image data obtained by reading the document image, which differs according to the size of the document image to be read. The storage amount of the image data in the means can be controlled, and the storage means such as the memory for storing the image data can be effectively used while preventing the overflow of the image data from the storage means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a memory management processing procedure of a first image memory by the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a memory management process performed by the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a memory management processing procedure of a second image memory by the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 MFP (image reading and recording device)
10 control unit (determination means, determination means, control means)
13 Reading unit 13a Size detection unit (detection means)
14 First image memory (storage means)
15 Binarization processing unit 15a Resolution changing unit (generation unit)
16 Second image memory (storage means)
18 Operation unit (setting means)
25 Recording unit (recording means)

Claims (3)

An image reading and recording apparatus comprising: a storage unit that reads a plurality of original images and sequentially stores the acquired image data; and a recording unit that records an image based on the image data stored in the storage unit on a recording sheet.
Determining means for determining whether the original image is a color image or a monochrome image;
Determining means for determining the number of document images to be read stored in the storage means based on a result of the determination by the determining means;
Control means for controlling storage of the acquired image data in the storage means based on the number of sheets determined by the determination means. An image reading and recording apparatus comprising: a storage unit that reads a plurality of original images and sequentially stores the acquired image data; and a recording unit that records an image based on the image data stored in the storage unit on a recording sheet.
Setting means for setting one of a plurality of types of resolutions;
Generating means for generating image data of the resolution set by the setting means from the acquired image data;
Determining means for determining the number of document images to be read stored in the storage means, based on the resolution set by the setting means;
An image reading / recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls storage of the image data generated by the generation unit in the storage unit based on the number of sheets determined by the determination unit. An image reading and recording apparatus comprising: a storage unit that reads a plurality of original images and sequentially stores the acquired image data; and a recording unit that records an image based on the image data stored in the storage unit on a recording sheet.
Detecting means for detecting the size of the document image;
Determining means for determining the number of document images to be read stored in the storage means based on the size detected by the detection means;
Control means for controlling storage of the acquired image data in the storage means based on the number of sheets determined by the determination means.

Images