JP2005039474A - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a color machine configuration and a monochromatic machine configuration only correspond with each other by changing method of use of buffer memories. <P>SOLUTION: After inputted image information is digitally converted and those image signals are processed by an image data control part 13 into image signals usable for image formation, they are transmitted through an image memory access control part and stored in a memory module; when a printing operation is performed, they are read out and sent out to an image processing unit side. Further, this image processor is able to change the use mode of a 1st buffer memory 206a for transfer from the image data control part 13 to the memory module 25 and the use mode of a 2nd buffer memory 206b for transfer from the memory module to the image data control part 13 between the color machine configuration and the monochromatic machine configuration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that reproduces a digital image signal as an image on a transfer sheet, or handles measurement data measured by a measuring instrument or the like as image information, and a digital copying machine or copy provided with the image processing apparatus, The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a composite function such as a FAX, a printer, and a scanner, a computer program that functions as each unit of the image processing apparatus, and a recording medium that stores the computer program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of technology, an invention described in JP 2000-316063 A is known. The present invention provides image reading means for reading image data, image memory control means for controlling image memory to write / read image data, image processing means for performing image processing such as processing editing on image data, and image data The first image data read by the image reading means and the second image data read by the image memory control means are connected to image writing means for writing on transfer paper or the like, and image processing is performed by the image processing means. Is received, and the first image data and / or the second image data and / or the third image data is sent to the image memory control means and / or the image processing. And / or image data control means for transmitting to the image writing means.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-316063 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the image processing apparatus configured as described above, the original image is digitally converted by the image reading unit, and after these image signals are processed into usable image signals, the image processing unit performs image processing. Then, the image data control means transmits to the image memory on the image memory control means side using the parallel bus. In such a configuration, the image memory control means and the image processing apparatus system are not synchronized. However, since the image processing apparatus system moves without rest once it moves, if the image memory control means cannot be accessed, There is a risk that the data of the device system will be destroyed or disappear. Therefore, it is necessary to have a buffer memory.
[0005]
Therefore, a buffer memory is provided in front of the image memory control means. However, since the buffer memory capacity is determined according to the application (color color or monochrome color), it is impossible to change the memory capacity. For this reason, this type of image forming apparatus requires a dedicated device for each application. For example, taking the case of handling image data of four colors as an example, a dedicated buffer memory for handling the data for these four colors is required. In the case of monochrome, the buffer buffer is a dedicated buffer memory for handling image data of one color. . Therefore, it was necessary to make each dedicated device.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to cope with the color machine configuration and the monochrome machine configuration only by changing the method of using the buffer memory. is there.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first means digitally converts the input image information, and after these image signals are processed by the image data control means into image signals usable for image formation, the image memory control means In the image processing apparatus that transmits the image data to the image memory via the image storage unit, reads out the data during printing, and sends the image data to the image forming unit side, the use form of the buffer memory for transferring from the image data control unit to the image memory is Means for changing according to the machine configuration and the monochrome configuration is provided.
[0008]
The second means digitally converts the input image information, and processes these image signals into image signals that can be used for image formation by the image data control means, and then transmits them to the image memory via the image memory control means. In the image processing apparatus that stores the data, reads it out at the time of printing, and sends it to the image forming unit side, the buffer memory for transferring from the image memory to the image data control unit is used in the color machine configuration and the monochrome configuration. It is characterized by comprising means for changing according to
[0009]
A third means is characterized in that, in the first or second means, the buffer memory is provided for at least two lines for each color.
[0010]
The fourth means is characterized in that, in the first to third means, when the input image information exceeds the capacity of the buffer memory, means for outputting the fact is provided.
[0011]
The fifth means is characterized in that in the first to fourth means, the input image information is original image information read by the image reading means.
[0012]
The sixth means is characterized in that the image forming apparatus according to the first to fifth means is provided in the image forming apparatus.
[0013]
The seventh means is characterized by a computer program comprising a procedure for executing functions of each means of the image processing apparatus according to the first to fifth means by a computer.
[0014]
The eighth means is characterized in that a computer program according to the seventh means is read by a computer and recorded on a recording medium so as to be executable.
[0015]
In the following embodiments, the image data processing means is the image data processing section 13, the image memory control means is the image memory access control section 23, the image memory is the memory module 25, and the buffer memory is the first and second buffer memories. A means for changing the buffer memories 206a and 206b corresponds to the control circuit 600, and an image reading means corresponds to the reading unit 11. Further, the image data control means, the changing means, and means for outputting the information when the input image information exceeds the capacity of the buffer memory can be configured by programs.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus includes a reading unit 11, a sensor board unit 12, an image data control unit 13, an image processing processor 14, a video data control unit 15, and an image forming unit (engine) 16. And a process controller 18, a RAM 19 and a ROM 20 connected via a CPU bus 16.
[0018]
On the other hand, an image memory / access control unit 23, a memory module 25, and a facsimile control unit 24 are connected via the parallel bus 22. The image memory / access control unit 23 is further connected to a system controller 26, a RAM 27, and a ROM 28. The operation panel 29 is connected.
[0019]
The reading unit 11 that optically reads a document includes a lamp, a mirror, and a lens, and condenses the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the document on a light receiving element by the mirror and the lens. A light receiving element, for example, a CCD is mounted on the sensor board unit 12, and image data converted into an electrical signal in the CCD is converted into a digital signal and then output (transmitted) from the sensor board unit 12. Image data output (transmitted) from the sensor board unit 12 is input (received) to the image data control unit 13. The image data control unit 13 controls all transmission of image data between the functional device (processing unit) and the data bus. The image data control unit 13 is a system controller that controls the image data, the sensor board unit 12, the parallel bus 22, the data transfer between the image processing processors 14, and the overall control of the process controller 18 and the image processing apparatus for the image data. Communication with 26 is performed. The RAM 19 is used as a work area for the process controller 18, and the ROM 20 stores a boot program for the process controller 18.
[0020]
The image data output (transmitted) from the sensor board unit 12 is transferred (transmitted) to the image processing processor 14 via the image data control unit 13, and signal degradation (quantization into an optical system and a digital signal) After the correction of the signal deterioration of the scanner system is performed, it is output (transmitted) to the image data control unit 13 again. The image memory access control unit 23 controls writing / reading of image data to / from the memory module. It also controls the operation of each component connected to the system / parallel bus 22. The RAM 27 is used as a work area for the system controller 26, and the ROM 28 stores a boot program for the system controller 26 and the like. The operation panel 29 inputs processing to be performed by the image processing apparatus. For example, the processing type (copying, facsimile transmission, image reading, printing, etc.), the number of processings, and the like are input. Thereby, the image data control information can be input.
[0021]
In this image processing apparatus, there are a job for storing the read image data in the memory module 25 and reusing it, and a job for not storing in the memory module 25. As an example of storing in the memory module 25, when a plurality of copies are made for one document, the reading unit 11 is operated only once, and image data read by the reading unit 11 is stored in the memory module 25. In this method, the stored image data is read out a plurality of times. On the other hand, an example in which the memory module 25 is not used is a case where only one original is copied. In such a case, since the read image data may be reproduced as it is, it is not necessary to access the memory module 25 by the image memory access control unit 23.
[0022]
When the memory module 25 is not used, the data transferred from the image processor 14 to the image data controller 13 is returned from the image data controller 13 to the image processor 14 again. The image processor 14 performs image quality processing for converting luminance data by the CCD in the sensor board unit 12 into area gradation.
[0023]
The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the image processor 14 to the video data controller 15. The post-processing regarding the dot arrangement and the pulse control for reproducing the dots are performed on the signal changed to the area gradation, and then the reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 16. When additional processing such as rotation of the image direction, image synthesis, etc. is performed when the image is stored and read out from the memory module 25, the image data transferred from the image processor 14 to the image data control unit 13 is the image data. The data is sent from the data control unit 13 to the image memory / access control unit 23 via the parallel bus 22. Here, based on the control of the system controller 26, image data and access control of the memory module 25, development of print data of an external PC (personal computer) 31, and image data for effective use of the memory module 25 are described. Are compressed / expanded.
[0024]
The image data sent to the image memory access control unit 23 is stored in the memory module 25 after data compression, and the stored image data is read out as necessary. The read image data is decompressed, restored to the original image data, and returned from the image memory / access control unit 23 to the image data control unit 13 via the parallel bus 22. After transfer from the image data control unit 13 to the image processing processor 14, image quality processing and pulse control in the video data control unit 15 are performed, and a reproduction image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 16.
[0025]
In the flow of image data, the functions of the digital multi-function peripheral are realized by the bus control in the parallel bus 22 and the image data control unit 13. In the facsimile transmission function, the read image data is subjected to image processing by the image processor 14 and transferred to the facsimile control unit 24 via the image data control unit 13 and the parallel bus 22. The facsimile control unit 24 performs data conversion to the communication network and transmits the data to the public line (PN) 32 as facsimile data.
[0026]
On the other hand, the received facsimile data is converted from the line data from the public line (PN) 32 into image data by the facsimile control unit 24 and to the image processor 14 via the parallel bus 22 and the image data control unit 13. Transferred. In this case, special image quality processing is not performed, the video data control unit 15 performs dot rearrangement and pulse control, and the image forming unit 16 forms a reproduced image on the transfer paper.
[0027]
In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printer output function operate in parallel, the system controller 26 and the process allocate the right to use the reading unit 11, the image forming unit 16, and the parallel bus 22 to the job. Control is performed by the controller 18. The process controller 18 controls the flow of image data, and the system controller 26 controls the entire system and manages the activation of each resource. The function selection of the digital multi-function peripheral is selected and input on the operation panel (operation unit) 29, and processing contents such as a copy function and a facsimile function are set.
[0028]
The system controller 26 and the process controller 18 communicate with each other via the parallel bus 22, the image data control unit 13, and the CPU bus 17. Specifically, communication between the system controller 26 and the process controller 18 is performed by performing data format conversion for the data interface between the parallel bus 22 and the CPU bus 17 in the image data control unit 13.
[0029]
As described with reference to FIG. 1, the document image is read by the reading unit 11 and digitally converted. Then, after these image signals are processed into usable image signals by the sensor board unit 12, image processing is performed by the image processor 14. Thereafter, the image data control unit 13 transmits to the memory module 25 related to the system controller 26 using the parallel bus 22. However, since the system controller 26 and the image processing apparatus connected by the parallel bus 22 are not synchronized, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. And second buffer memories 206a and 206b. That is, the image data control unit 13 includes first and second input I / Fs 201 and 202, first and second output I / Fs 203 and 204, an image processing unit 205, first and second buffer memories 206a, 206b and an image quality processing unit 207 are mainly configured.
[0030]
With this configuration, the read information input from the sensor board unit 12 is input from the first input I / F 201 to the image processing unit 205, and the image processing unit 205 performs predetermined conversion such as γ conversion and gradation conversion. Are processed, and once stored in the first buffer memory 206a, they are sent from the first output I / F 203 to the memory module 25 via the parallel path 22. When image output is performed, the image data is read from the memory module 25, loaded into the image quality processing unit 207 via the parallel bus 22 and the second input I / F 202, and the image quality processing unit 207 responds to the type of image such as a photograph or text. The predetermined image quality processing is executed, sent to the image processor 15 via the second output I / F 204, and further transferred as print information to the image forming unit 16 side. Conventionally, the memory capacity of the first buffer memory 206a is fixed and does not correspond to the amount of image data to be temporarily stored. In other words, there is no function of changing the memory capacity corresponding to the amount of image data to be temporarily stored or changing the memory area to be stored.
[0031]
In contrast, the present invention is configured as shown in the conceptual diagrams of FIGS. Details will be described below.
[0032]
Now, it is assumed that the first buffer memory 206a has one line. When image data is represented by A3 size 1 pixel 600 dpi and gradation representation by 8 bits (256 gradations), a data capacity of about 11 Kbit is required. FIG. 3 shows an example of the first buffer memory 206a corresponding to color image information of four colors. In addition, the reason for preparing two lines means that a movement is performed by a so-called toggle of reading one line while writing one line. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the toggle operation. As shown in the figure, the toggle operation has two buffer memories 501 and 502 provided in parallel and having a storage capacity of at least one line, and one of the buffer memories 501 and 502 is connected by a multiplexer (MUX) 503. When writing image data, one of the buffer memories 501 and 502 is selected by a selector (not shown) when writing image data, and the buffer memory for reading image data and the buffer memory for writing image data are always alternately selected. It was made to do.
[0033]
Specifically, in FIG. 5A, the image data {circle over (1)} (first line) is written in the first buffer memory 501, and the second line is the second buffer as shown in FIG. 5B. The memory 502 is selected and image data (2) is written. At that time, the multiplexer 503 selects the first buffer memory 501 and reads the image data (1) from the first buffer memory 501. When the writing of the image data to the second buffer memory 502 of the second line is completed and the reading of the image data of the first line from the first buffer memory 501 is completed, as shown in FIG. The image data (3) for the line is written into the first buffer memory 501, and the image data (2) for the second line is read from the second buffer memory 502. This operation is repeated for each line, and all lines are read.
[0034]
Therefore, in the example of FIG. 3, the first and second buffer memories 301a, 301b, 302a, 302b, 303a, 303b, 304a, and 304b are provided for each line for each color. One of the first and second buffer memories is selected for each color by the selectors 311, 312, 313, and 314, and the buffer memory that is not written by the second selectors 321, 322, 323, and 324 is selected. The image data is read out.
[0035]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a buffer memory corresponding to color image information of two colors. In this case, two memories 401 and 402 indicated by (1) in FIG. 4 are for one line, and two memories 403 and 404 indicated by (2) are for another line. Using the same capacity as in the previous case, in the case of four colors, there was a function to process only up to A3 size, but in the case of two colors, it has a memory capacity up to A0 size.
[0036]
That is, for the first color, the first and second buffer memories 401 and 402 are for one line, the third and fourth buffer memories 403 and 404 are for one line, and the second color is fifth. The sixth buffer memories 405 and 406 are memories for one line, and the seventh and eighth buffer memories 407 and 408 are memories for another line. For the first to fourth buffer memories 401-404, the buffer memory to be written is selected by the first selector 411 and the buffer memory to be read is selected by the second selector 412. For the fifth to eighth buffer memories 405 to 408, the buffer memory to be written is selected by the third selector 413, the buffer memory to be read is selected by the fourth selector 414, and the toggle operation is performed.
[0037]
FIG. 6 shows a control circuit for performing the toggle operation in this embodiment. The control circuit 600 controls the memory of the buffer memory 206 a and is provided in the image data control unit 13. The control circuit 600 receives a system clock (clk sys) and compares the count output of the hcounter 601 that counts up each time the clock is input (when a pixel comes) with a preset value by a predetermined value. It comprises first to third comparators 602, 603, and 604 that output signals.
[0038]
The first comparator 602 has a count value of 0, the second comparator 603 has an A3 size maximum storage capacity of one line of 11 Kbit, and the third comparator 604 has a maximum storage capacity of one page, A0. Each size is compared with the amount of data. The first comparator 602 starts writing to the buffer memory when the count value of the hcounter 601 reaches 0, and the hcounter counts up every time a pixel comes, and the second comparator 603 increments the A3 size 1 Compare with 11 kbit, which is the required capacity of the line. And when it becomes 11 kbit or more, a0upper is asserted. As a result, a certain number of pixels is exceeded and the data is automatically transferred to a different memory. That is, in the example of FIG. 5, the buffer memory to be written to the second buffer memory 502 is moved from the first buffer memory 501. Then, the toggle operation of writing the first line (0 bit) of the next line to the second buffer memory 502 and writing to the first buffer memory 501 is repeated when 11 kbits are written.
[0039]
Meanwhile, the system clock is input to the third comparator 604, and when the number of pixels corresponding to the A0 size is reached, an error signal is output to inform the outside that the memory capacity has been exceeded. That is, since the memory capacity of the first buffer memory 206a is limited, error is returned in the case of FIG. 6 when the memory is full. As a result, it becomes possible to build a protection circuit in the case of becoming full, and a safer circuit can be configured.
[0040]
In the case of four colors, such an operation is performed for each color of CMYK. As color image information, there are generally four full colors and two colors such as black and red, and the four colors or two colors are input from the sensor board unit 12 to the image processing unit of the image data control unit 13. The process controller 18 makes a determination when the image is read by the reading unit 11. Therefore, when the process controller 18 determines whether the color information is four colors or two colors, the first buffer memory 206a is used separately as shown in FIG. 3 or as shown in FIG. Is set. Based on the state shown in FIG. 3, the selector is provided with a selector for selecting the selector before the input-side selector, and the output side is also provided with a selector at the subsequent stage of the selector. It is sufficient to function as a buffer memory. In the case of black and white printing, all the buffer memories for 8 lines of one color are used.
[0041]
At this time, when printing the color information of two colors, the comparison value of the second comparator is set from 11 kbit to double 22 kbit. This setting is performed by resetting the comparison value twice from the process controller 18 in the case of two-color printing. If it is a single color, it is set to 44 kbit.
[0042]
Here, the pixel density in the main scanning direction when copying on A3 vertical transfer paper is used as a reference, but if the paper size or pixel density changes, the set value of the second comparator is changed to another value. Needless to say, this change is made by the process controller 18. In addition, the paper size is easily determined from the paper size and enlargement ratio selected in the copying machine, and the pixel density is known as the default value for a normal copying machine, so even if the memory size is not determined, As long as the capacity of one buffer memory 206a is allowed, the buffer memory can be automatically distributed.
[0043]
In the description so far, the reading information input from the sensor bird unit 12 is stored in the memory module 25 via the image processing unit 205, the first buffer memory 206 a, the first output I / F 203, and the parallel path 22. In contrast, the information read out from the memory module 25 includes the image memory access control unit 23, the parallel path 22, the second input I / F 202, the second The same applies to the case where the image is input to the image quality processing unit 207 via the buffer memory 206b, is subjected to image quality processing, and is output from the second output I / F 204 to the image forming unit 16 side.
[0044]
When configured and operated in this way, the following can be achieved.
When constructing a color machine exclusively for A3 paper, it is common to use subtractive color mixing. The subtractive color mixture expresses various colors by mixing cyan (greenish blue), magenta (red purple), and yellow (yellow). Black is made by mixing all these colors equally. For this reason, black produces only black to reduce costs and improve image quality. Therefore, the hardware has a buffer memory that handles four-color data. Further, the A3 sheet is 420 × 297 mm, and when data is held only in the longest direction, a buffer memory having data for 420 mm is required. In this case, four buffer memories having 420 mm worth of data are required.
[0045]
Therefore, in the case of a monochrome color configuration dedicated to A0 paper, the size of the A0 paper is 1189 × 841 mm. Therefore, assuming that the shortest data can be held, it is only necessary to hold data for 841 mm. Therefore, one buffer memory that holds data for 841 mm is required. The configuration of a color machine dedicated to A3 paper requires four buffer memories that hold data for 420 mm. In the case of the A0 paper machine, a buffer memory that holds data for 841 mm is required. That is, assuming that the buffer memory for 421 mm is one unit, in the A0 monochrome device, two buffers are provided as one unit, and two units of buffer memory are provided for writing and reading, and can be operated by toggle as shown in FIG. In the case of an A4 color machine, if one buffer is set as one unit and two units of buffer memory are provided for four colors and operated by toggle, it becomes possible to support color machines and monochrome machines. It is possible to configure a device adapted to two applications with one hardware configuration.
[0046]
Each means for executing each processing is configured by a computer program, but may be configured by hardware. The program can be downloaded from a server via a network, or can be downloaded from the recording medium on which a computer program is recorded, thereby easily supporting version upgrade.
[0047]
In this embodiment, the image processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus are described. However, the information to be processed can be developed in an information processing apparatus that is not image information.
[0048]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the first buffer memory 206a can be changed when transmitting to the system controller 26. Therefore, there are two configurations, namely, a color machine configuration for A3 paper and a monochrome machine configuration for A0 paper. It can be used for various purposes. In addition, since the configuration of the second buffer memory 206b can be changed when receiving from the system controller 26, it can be used for two purposes.
[0049]
If the buffer memory 206a, 206b runs out of capacity, the image data control unit 13 can notify the user to that effect from the operation panel 29, so that some processing for dealing with the shortage of capacity is performed on the user side. It is possible to take it quickly and avoid inconvenience.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the color machine configuration and the monochrome machine configuration can be handled only by changing the method of using the buffer memory.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image data control unit in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a buffer memory configuration example corresponding to color image information of four colors.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a buffer memory corresponding to color image information of two colors.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram when writing and reading image information by toggling a buffer memory corresponding to two lines;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control circuit for performing a toggle operation in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Reading unit
12 Sensor board unit
13 Image data controller
14 Image processor
15 Video data controller
16 Imaging unit (engine)
17 CPU bus
18 Process controller
22 Parallel bus
23 Image memory access controller
25 memory modules
26 System Controller
206a, 206b Buffer memory
301a, 301b, 302a, 302b, 303a, 303b, 304a, 304b Buffer memory
311, 312, 313, 314, 321, 322, 323, 324 selector
401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408 Buffer memory
411, 412, 413, 414 selector
601 hcounter
602, 603, 604 comparator

Claims (8)

The input image information is digitally converted, and after these image signals are processed into image signals that can be used for image formation by the image data control means, they are transmitted to the image memory via the image memory control means for storage and printing. In an image processing apparatus that sometimes reads out and sends it to the image forming means side,
An image processing apparatus comprising: changing means for changing a use form of a buffer memory for transferring from the image data control means to the image memory depending on a color machine configuration and a monochrome configuration. The input image information is digitally converted, and after these image signals are processed into image signals that can be used for image formation by the image data control means, they are transmitted to the image memory via the image memory control means for storage and printing. In an image processing apparatus that sometimes reads out and sends it to the image forming means side,
An image processing apparatus comprising: changing means for changing a use form of a buffer memory for transferring from the image memory to the image data control means according to a color machine configuration and a monochrome configuration. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the buffer memory is provided for at least two lines for each color. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting when the input image information exceeds the capacity of the buffer memory. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image information is document image information read by an image reading unit. An image forming apparatus comprising the image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. A computer program comprising a procedure for executing functions of each means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 by a computer. 8. A recording medium, wherein the computer program according to claim 7 is read by a computer and recorded so as to be executable.

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