JP2005192116A - Image transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image transfer system using a high-speed data transfer bus, which can leave a trade-off relation between image quality and transfer efficiency to the user's decision, by realizing control for changing an image transfer path by a means that the user chooses priority between the image quality or the transfer efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The image transfer system has a means of controlling the high-speed image data transfer bus; a means of inputting and outputting images which requires real-time delivery of image data; a means of computing bus occupancy rate of the image data transfer bus with the time, when the user conducts keystrokes on the operation part as a starting point; and a means of setting a threshold of the bus occupancy rate, according to the mode which the user previously chooses priority between the image quality and the transfer efficiency. The system switches the image transfer path to a system which conducts resolution switching (decimation), according to the result of comparison between the computed bus occupancy rate and the threshold. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a network device, a digital copying machine, and the like that perform image data transfer using a shared bus.

  Conventionally, a processing system that performs image data transfer using a high-speed data transfer bus (for example, a PCI bus, IEEE1394, or the like) has already been devised. The high-speed bus is used for image transfer in an image processing system that requires real-time image transfer like a conventional digital copying machine, and real-time image transfer and network transfer processing coexist on the same bus. Means are also realized.

On such a bus, means for securing a real-time system has already been used by performing arbitration with a higher access priority for real-time image transfer and a lower priority for access of other devices ( Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-165454

  However, since the high-speed bus as described above is accessed with various connected devices such as a network in addition to real-time image transfer, changes in the bus occupancy rate due to the amount of image data affect the access of other devices. give. Therefore, by changing the bus occupancy rate, it is a trade-off between the image quality of real-time tasks with high priority and the time that tasks with low priority are waited for. Often become a relationship.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points. In an image transfer system using a high-speed data transfer bus, an image transfer path is set by means for a user to select image quality priority or transfer efficiency priority. An object of the present invention is to provide an image transfer system in which the trade-off relationship between image quality and transfer efficiency can be left to the user's judgment by realizing the changing control.

  Therefore, the present invention has a control means for controlling a high-speed image data transfer bus and an image input / output means that requires real-time image data transfer, and calculates a bus occupancy ratio for calculating the bus occupancy ratio of the image data transfer bus. And a threshold setting means for setting a threshold value for the bus occupancy ratio in advance, and a comparison result by the comparison means for comparing the bus occupancy ratio calculated by the bus occupancy ratio calculation means with the threshold value set by the threshold setting means. Accordingly, by providing an image transfer system that realizes the control to change the transfer path of an image with a selection means that selects whether the priority is on image quality or transfer efficiency, the trade-off relationship between image quality and transfer efficiency is left to the user's judgment. Will be able to.

  In more detail, the present invention can solve the above problems by the following configuration.

  (1) Bus occupancy rate calculating means for calculating a bus occupancy rate of the image data transfer bus, comprising control means for controlling a high-speed image data transfer bus and image input / output means that require real-time image data transfer And a threshold setting means for setting a threshold value for the bus occupancy ratio in advance, and according to a comparison result by a comparison means for comparing the bus occupancy ratio calculated by the bus occupancy ratio calculation means with the threshold value set by the threshold setting means. An image transfer system that can change the transfer path of images.

  (2) The image transfer system according to (1), wherein the calculation of the bus occupancy rate of the image data transfer bus is performed based on a cumulative time since the user performed any key operation on the operation unit.

  (3) The image transfer system according to (1), wherein the degree of image quality is changed by changing an image transfer path.

  (4) The bus according to (1), further including selection means for the user to select whether the image quality priority or transfer efficiency priority is selected on the operation unit in (3), and depending on the mode selected by the selection means. An image transfer system that generates a threshold value of an occupation ratio.

  According to the present invention, by providing a configuration for selecting whether to prioritize control image quality or transfer efficiency that changes the transfer path of an image, the user can arbitrarily set the image quality and transfer efficiency settings, thereby improving convenience. Can be improved.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  The apparatus of the present invention and its operation will be described in detail below.

[hardware]
Overall Configuration The overall configuration diagram is shown in FIG. The Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device. On the other hand, the controller unit 2000 is connected to a LAN 2011 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input / output image information and device information. It is a controller. A CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F 2006 is an operation unit (UI) 2012 and an interface unit, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user of the system from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001. A network 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011 and inputs / outputs information. A Modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs information.

  The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007. An Image Bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at a high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008. A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 2020 connects an image input / output device such as a scanner 2070 and a printer 2095 to the controller 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 performs compression / decompression processing of JPEG for multi-value image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

Image Input / Output Unit An image input / output device is shown in FIG. A scanner unit 2070 serving as an image input device illuminates an image on paper as an original and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown), thereby converting the image into raster signal data 2071 into an electrical signal. The original paper is set on the tray 2073 of the original feeder 2072, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2012, the controller CPU 2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2070 (2071), and the feeder 2072 copies the original paper one by one. Feeds and reads the original image.

  The printer unit 2095, which is an image output device, is a part that converts raster image data 2096 into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array. In addition, there is an ink jet method for printing an image directly on a sheet, but any method may be used. The printing operation is started by an instruction 2096 from the controller CPU 2001. The printer unit 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there are paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104 corresponding thereto. A paper discharge tray 2111 receives paper that has been printed.

Operation Unit The configuration of the operation unit 2012 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 2013 has a touch panel sheet pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and transmits position information to the controller CPU 2001 when a displayed key is pressed. A start key 2014 is used to start a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key 2014, there is a green and red two-color LED 2018, which indicates whether or not the start key 2014 is in a usable state. A stop key 2015 serves to stop an operation in operation. The ID key 2016 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2017 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

Scanner Image Processing Unit The configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080 is shown in FIG. The filter processing unit 2082 performs a convolution operation with a spatial filter. For example, the editing unit 2083 recognizes a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from the input image data, and performs image processing such as shading, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed area. A scaling unit 2084 performs enlargement and reduction by performing an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image when changing the resolution of the read image. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). A table 2085 is table conversion performed to convert image data, which is read luminance data, into density data. Binarization 2086 binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing.

Printer Image Processing Unit The configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090 is shown in FIG. A resolution conversion unit 2092 performs resolution conversion for converting image data from the network 2011 or the public line 2051 into the resolution of the printer 2095. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs processing to smooth out jaggies of the image data after resolution conversion (roughness of an image appearing at a black and white border such as an oblique line).

Image Compression Unit The configuration of the image compression unit 2040 is shown in FIG. The processing procedure of the image compression processing unit is shown below.

  Settings for image compression control are performed from the CPU 2001 to the image bus I / F controller 2021 via the image bus 2008. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2021 makes settings necessary for image compression (for example, MMR compression, JBIG expansion, etc.) to the image compression unit 2043. After performing the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 2021. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2021 starts transferring image data from each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008 via the image switching unit 2026. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043. At this time, the input buffer determines whether image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2021 and the image compression unit 2043, reads the image data from the image bus 2008, and reads the image compression unit 2043. When it is impossible to write an image on the screen, control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshaking). The image compression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing to be performed, and several lines of image data are prepared in order to compress the first one line. This is because the image cannot be compressed unless it is empty. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045. The output buffer 2045 performs handshaking with the image switching unit 2026 and the image compression unit 2043, and transfers image data to the image bus I / F controller 2021 via the image switching unit 2026. The image bus I / F controller 2021 transfers the transferred compressed (or expanded) image data to each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from this image compression unit (when an error occurs during compression and expansion). It is.

Image Rotation Unit The configuration of the image rotation unit 2030 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus sequence, control to set a mode or the like in the image rotation unit 2032, and timing to transfer image data to the image rotation unit 2032 Take control. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit is shown below.

  Settings for image rotation control are performed from the CPU 2001 to the image bus I / F controller 2031 via the image bus 2008. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 makes settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction / angle, etc.) to the image rotation unit 2032. After performing the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 2041. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2031 starts transferring image data from each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. Here, the size is 32 bits and the image size to be rotated is 32 × 32 (bits), and when transferring image data on the image bus 2008, image transfer is performed in units of 32 bits ( The image to be handled is assumed to be binary).

  As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the above unit data transfer 32 times, and it is necessary to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses (see FIG. 16). ). The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written in the RAM 2033 so that it is rotated at a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, if the rotation is 90 degrees counterclockwise, the 32-bit image data transferred first is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. By reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.

  After the 32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (writing to the RAM 2033) is completed, the image rotation unit 2032 reads the image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described reading method, and transfers the image to the image bus I / F controller 2031.

  The image bus I / F controller 2031 that has received the rotated image data transfers the data to each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008 by continuous addressing. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the necessary number of pages is completed).

Device I / F Unit The configuration of the device I / F unit 2020 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2021 is connected to the image bus 2008, and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the device I / F unit 2020. In addition, a control signal to the image switching unit 2026 is generated. The scan buffer 2022 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image switching unit 2026 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 2008. The serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023 arranges the image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order or decomposes and converts the image data into a data width that can be transferred to the image bus 2008. The parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2024 decomposes the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 or arranges the image data in order, and converts the image data into a data width that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 2008, and outputs the image data in response to a transfer request from the image switching unit 2026.

  The processing procedure at the time of image scanning is shown below. The image data sent from the scanner 2070 is sent to the image switching unit 2026 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2070. The image switching unit 2026 sends the image received from the scanner 2070 to the transfer destination selected according to the setting from the CPU 2001. Normally, the image received from the scanner 2070 is sent to the scanner image processing unit 2080, and after performing predetermined image processing, it is stored in the scan buffer 2022 via the image switching unit 2026. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when image data is 32 bits or more in the buffer, the image data is sent in a first-in first-out manner for 32 bits from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023, and then 32 bits The image data is transferred to the image bus 2008 through the image bus I-F controller 2021. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the image data in the buffer is first-in-first-out, sent from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023, converted into serial image data, and then converted into serial image data through the image bus I / F controller 2021. Transfer on 2008.

  The processing procedure at the time of image printing is shown below. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller, sent to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2024, and the number of input data bits of the printer 2095 Are stored in the print buffer 2025. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, serial image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller, sent to the parallel serial / serial parallel conversion 2024, and the number of input data bits of the printer 2095 is determined. It is converted into image data and stored in the print buffer 2025. The image data is sent from the print buffer 2025 to the printer image processing unit 2090 via the image switching unit 2026. Then, after performing predetermined image processing, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 2095 via the image switching unit 2026 in a first-in first-out manner in synchronization with a timing signal sent from the printer 2095.

Calculation of Bus Occupancy Ratio Here, calculation of the bus occupation ratio, which is the center of the present invention, will be described. In this example, the bus 2021 is a PCI bus. The image bus I / F controller 2021 performs image transfer control between the scan buffer 2022, the print buffer 2025, the serial / parallel conversion units 2023 and 2024 and the PCI bus 2021, as shown in FIG. 9, and simultaneously occupies the bus as shown in FIG. It has a rate calculation circuit. When the user performs any operation on the operation unit 2003, the CPU 2001 of this apparatus determines that the image transfer is about to be performed, and controls the register of the image bus I / F controller 2021, whereby the RESET on the circuit in FIG. Deassert signal (internal signal).

  When the RESET signal is deasserted, the total time accumulation count unit 2411 on the bus occupancy rate calculation circuit continues counting CLK until the transfer is actually started. In addition, the transfer time accumulating counting unit 2412 counts CLK only when the FRAME, IRDY, and TRDY OR gate signals are active, and counts the time during which a bus cycle is actually performed on the PCI bus. FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the waveform of the PCI bus and the time counted by the transfer time accumulation count unit 2412. Each count result is divided by the division unit 2413, and the bus occupancy is latched in a register on the image bus I / F controller 2021 and read by the CPU 2001.

Control of Image Switching Unit The user can set in advance whether to give priority to image quality or transfer efficiency as described in the claims. FIG. 12 shows an example of the setting key. Speed priority indicates transfer efficiency priority. When the user operates the setting key shown in FIG. 12, the bus occupancy rate threshold according to the claims is determined accordingly. As the setting closer to the image quality priority is selected, the bus occupancy threshold is set larger. In addition, as the setting closer to the speed priority is selected, the bus occupancy ratio threshold is set smaller. The image bus control or the like on the image switching unit 2026 changes depending on the result of comparing this threshold value with the bus occupancy calculated by the calculation circuit.

  First, when the bus occupancy is less than or equal to the threshold, it is determined that the bus occupancy is small, and passes through an image transfer path as shown in FIG. The scanner image processing unit 2080 processes the image in full color, and the RGB 24-bit image is transferred to the device I / F 2020 via the image switching unit 2026. Accordingly, an image is sent to the PCI bus while maintaining high image quality, and a high-quality image is provided to a transfer destination device such as a printer. However, on the other hand, the load on the PCI bus 2008 becomes large, and images and the like via the network are not allowed to pass through the PCI bus 2008 until a huge data transfer is completed.

  If the bus occupancy is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the bus occupancy is high, and the image transfer route as shown in FIG. 14 is passed. In the scanner image processing unit 2080, the CMYK 4-bit image obtained by binarizing the image is further thinned out by the resolution conversion unit 2029 via the image switching unit 2026 and transferred to the device I / F 2020 (scanner image processing unit 2080). Of course, it is possible to use only the binarization processing according to the above or the thinning processing by the resolution conversion unit 2029.) In this case, although the image quality deteriorates, the load on the PCI bus 2008 is reduced, the data transfer is completed quickly, and access on the PCI bus 2008 such as images via the network is immediately permitted. Become.

  If the forced image quality priority key on the setting key in FIG. 12 is pressed by the user, the scanner image processing unit 2080 passes through the image transfer path as shown in FIG. 13 regardless of the result of the bus occupancy rate. Are processed in full color, and an RGB 24-bit image is transferred to the device I / F 2020 via the image switching unit 2026. The image is sent to the PCI bus while maintaining the high image quality, and the image is provided to the transfer destination device such as a printer. However, even if the buses are crowded, the image transfer efficiency becomes the worst because a large load is applied to the PCI bus 2008.

  If the forced speed priority key on the setting key in FIG. 12 is pressed by the user, the scanner image processing unit 2080 passes through the image transfer path as shown in FIG. 14 regardless of the result of the bus occupancy rate. The CMYK 4-bit image obtained by binarizing is further subjected to thinning processing by the resolution conversion unit 2029 via the image switching unit 2026 and transferred to the device I / F 2020. In this case, even if the bus is vacant, the image with degraded image quality is transferred. Since the bus is free and the amount of data transfer is small, the load on the PCI bus 2008 is the smallest and the data transfer is completed promptly.

  In either case, when image data is printed, the printer image processing unit 2090 performs image processing for the printer from the print buffer 2025 via the image switching unit 2026, and the image data is output again to the printer 2095 via the image switching unit 2026. .

[software]
Overall System FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of the entire network system of the present invention. An apparatus 1001 according to the present invention includes a scanner and a printer, which will be described later. An image read from the scanner can be sent to a local area network 1010 (hereinafter referred to as a LAN), and an image received from the LAN can be printed out by a printer. Further, the image read from the scanner can be transmitted to the PSTN or ISDN (1030) by a FAX transmission means (not shown), and the image received from the PSTN or ISDN can be printed out by the printer. Reference numeral 1002 denotes a database server that manages binary images and multi-valued images read by the apparatus 1001 of the present invention as a database. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a database client of the database server 1002 that can browse / search image data stored in the database 1002. An e-mail server 1004 can receive an image read by the apparatus 1001 of the present invention as an e-mail attachment. Reference numeral 1005 denotes an e-mail client that can receive and browse e-mail received by the e-mail server 1004 and send e-mail. Reference numeral 1006 denotes a WWW server that provides an HTML document to the LAN, and the apparatus 1001 of the present invention can print out the HTML document provided by the WWW server. Reference numeral 1007 denotes a router that connects the LAN 1010 to the Internet / intranet 1012. The database server (1002), WWW server (1006), e-mail server (1004), and apparatus similar to the apparatus (1001) of the present invention are connected to the Internet / intranet as 1020, 1021, 1022, and 1023, respectively. ing. On the other hand, the apparatus 1001 of the present invention can transmit and receive with the FAX apparatus 1031 via the PSTN or ISDN (1030). A printer 1040 is also connected on the LAN, and is configured to print out an image read by the apparatus 1001 of the present invention.

Overall Configuration of Software Block FIG. 2 is a software block diagram of a multi-function machine that implements the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1501 denotes a UI, that is, a user interface, which is a module that mediates with the device when the operator performs various operations and settings of the multifunction peripheral. This module transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, and requests processing or sets data in accordance with the operation of the operator.

  Reference numeral 1502 denotes an address-book, that is, a database module that manages a data transmission destination, a communication destination, and the like. The contents of the Address-Book are used to add, delete, and acquire data by operations from the UI 1501 and to provide data sending / communication destination information to each module described later by the operations of the operator. .

  Reference numeral 1503 denotes a Web-Server module, which is used for notifying management information of the multifunction peripheral in response to a request from a Web client (not shown). The management information is read via a later-described Control-API 1518 and notified to a Web client via an HTTP 1512, TCP / IP 1516, and Network-Driver 1517 which will be described later.

  Reference numeral 1504 denotes a universal-send, that is, a module that manages data distribution, and distributes data instructed to the operator by the UI 1501 to a communication (output) destination similarly designated.

  When the operator uses the scanner function of this device to instruct the generation of distribution data, the device is operated via the below-described Control-API 1518 to generate data.

  A module 1505 is executed when a printer is specified as an output destination in the Universal-Send 1504.

  A module 1506 is executed when an E-mall address is designated as a communication destination in the Universal-Send 1504.

  A module 1507 is executed when a database is designated as an output destination in the Universal-Send 1504.

  Reference numeral 1508 denotes a module that is executed when a multifunction device similar to this device is designated as an output destination in the Universal-Send 1504.

  Reference numeral 1509 denotes a Remote-Copy-Scan module, which uses the scanner function of this multifunction device, and is equivalent to the Copy function realized by this multifunction device alone, using another multifunction device connected via a network as an output destination. This module performs processing.

  Reference numeral 1510 denotes a Remote-Copy-Print module, which uses the printer function of this multifunction device, and is equivalent to the Copy function realized by this multifunction device alone with another multifunction device connected via a network or the like as an input destination. This module performs processing.

  Reference numeral 1511 denotes a Web-Pull-Print, that is, a module for reading and printing information on various home pages on the Internet or an intranet.

  Reference numeral 1512 denotes a module used when the multi-function peripheral communicates by HTTP, and provides communication to the Web-Server 1503 and the Web-Pull-Print 1511 module by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.

  Reference numeral 1513 denotes an lpr module which provides communication to the printer module 1505 in the above-described Universal-Send 1504 by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.

  Reference numeral 1514 denotes an SMTP module which provides communication to the E-mail module 1506 in the above-mentioned Universal-Send 1504 by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.

  Reference numeral 1515 denotes an SLM, that is, a Salutation-Manager module, and a database module 1517, a DP module 1518, a Remote-Copy-Scan 1509 module, and a Remote-Copy-Print 1510 module in the above-mentioned Universal-Send 1504 according to a TCP / IP 1516 module described later. Communication.

  Reference numeral 1516 denotes a TCP / IP communication module, which provides network communication to the various modules described above using a network-driver described later.

Reference numeral 1517 denotes a network driver that controls a portion physically connected to the network.
1518 is a Control-API that provides an interface with an upstream module such as Universal-Send 1504 to a downstream module such as Job-Manager 1519 described later, and provides a dependency relationship between upstream and downstream modules. It will reduce and improve the applicability of each.

  Reference numeral 1519 denotes a job manager, which interprets processing instructed from the various modules described above via the control-API 1518 and gives instructions to each module described later. In addition, this module centrally manages hardware processing executed in the multifunction peripheral.

  Reference numeral 1520 denotes a CODEC-Manager, which manages and controls various compression / decompression of data in the process instructed by the Job-Manager 1519.

  Reference numeral 1521 denotes an FBE-Encoder, which compresses data read by a scan process executed by the job manager 1519 and the scan manager 1524 in the FBE format.

  Reference numeral 1522 denotes JPEG-CODE, which is JPEG compression of read data and JPEG expansion of print data in scan processing executed by Job-Manager 1519 and Scan-Manager 1524 and print processing executed by Print-Manager 1526. The processing is performed.

  Reference numeral 1523 denotes an MMR-CODEC. In the scan processing executed by the Job-Manager 1519 and the Scan-Manager 1524 and the print processing executed by the Print-Manager 1526, the MMR compression of the read data and the MMR expansion of the print data are performed. The processing is performed.

  Reference numeral 1524 denotes a scan manager, which manages and controls scan processing instructed by the job manager 1519.

  Reference numeral 1525 denotes a SCSI driver, which communicates between the Scan-Manager 1524 and the scanner unit to which the multifunction peripheral is internally connected.

  Reference numeral 1526 denotes a print manager, which manages and controls print processing instructed by the job manager 1519.

  Reference numeral 1527 denotes an engine-I / F driver, which provides an interface between the print-manager 1526 and the printing unit.

  A parallel port driver 1528 provides an I / F when the Web-Pull-Print 1511 outputs data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.

Application An embodiment of an embedded application according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 18 shows a built-in application block relating to distribution of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 4050 denotes a block indicating the operation unit application of the present invention described in 3000 above.

  4100 is a block diagram showing the transmission side of the remote copy application.

  4150 is a block diagram showing the transmission side of the broadcast distribution.

  4200 is a block diagram showing the Web Pun Print module.

  4250 is a block diagram showing the Web Server module.

  4300 is a block diagram showing the remote copy receiving side (printing side).

  Reference numeral 4350 is a block diagram for printing an image transmitted by the broadcast distribution for reception by a general-purpose printer.

  4400 is a block diagram showing the remote print receiving side (printing side).

  4450 is a block diagram for receiving and storing an image transmitted by the broadcast distribution by a known Notes Server.

  4500 is a block diagram for receiving and storing a binary image from an image transmitted by broadcast distribution.

  Reference numeral 4550 is a block diagram for receiving and storing an image transmitted by the broadcast distribution by a known Mail Server.

  Reference numeral 4600 denotes a block diagram for receiving and storing a multi-valued image transmitted by broadcast distribution.

  4650 is a diagram showing a known Web Server including information content.

  4700 is a diagram showing a known Web Browser that accesses the Web Server of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the application group will be described in detail with reference to each block.

Details of the User Interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) shown in the User Interface application 4050 block are as described above. Here, the Address Book 4051 will be described. This Address Book is stored in a non-volatile storage device (non-volatile memory, hard disk, etc.) in the device of the present invention, in which the characteristics of the device connected to the network are described. For example, those listed below are included.
Official device name or alias name Device network address Device processable network protocol Device processable document format Device processable compression type Device processable image resolution Paper size for printers , Paper source information Folder name that can store documents for server (computer) devices

  Each application described below can determine the characteristics of the delivery destination based on the information described in the Address Book 4051.

  The Address Book can be edited, and can be downloaded and used, or directly referenced, stored in a server computer or the like in the network.

Remote Copy Application The remote copy application discriminates resolution information that can be processed by the device designated as the distribution destination from the Address Book 4051, and compresses the image 2 host image read by the scanner using a known MMR compression according to the discriminated resolution information. Then, it is converted into a known TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), passed through the SLM 4103, and transmitted to the printer device on the network. Although not described in detail, the SLM 4103 is a kind of network protocol including device control information called a known Salutation Manager (or Smart Link Manager).

Broadcast distribution application Unlike the remote copy application, the broadcast distribution application can transmit images to a plurality of distribution destinations by one-time image scanning. Further, the distribution destination is not limited to the printer device, but can be directly distributed to a so-called server computer.

  The following is a pure description according to the delivery destination.

  When it is determined from Address Book 4051 that the destination device is capable of processing a known network printer protocol LPD (Line Printer Daemon) and a known LIPS as a printer control command, the image is similarly determined from Address Book 4051. In this embodiment, the image is read, and in this embodiment, the image is compressed using a well-known FBE (First Binary Encoding), further LIPS-coded, and transmitted to the counterpart device using the LPR which is a well-known network printer protocol.

  When the delivery destination device is communicable with the SLM and is a server device, the address book 4051 is used to determine the server address and the designation of the folder in the server, and the binary image read by the scanner in the same manner as the remote copy application. Can be compressed using a known MMR compression, converted into a known TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and stored in a specific folder of a server device on the network through the SLM.

  Further, in the device of this embodiment, when the server as the counterpart device determines that a known JPEG-compressed multi-value image can be processed, the multi-value read image similar to the above-described binary image is used. Using compression, it is also possible to convert to a known JFIF and store it in a specific folder of a server device on the network through the SLM.

  When the delivery destination device is a known E-Mail server, the e-mail address described in Address Book 4051 is determined, the binary image read by the scanner is compressed using known MMR compression, and this is known. The TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is sent to the E-Mail server using the well-known SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) 4153. Subsequent delivery is performed according to Mail Server 4550.

Web Pull Print Application Since the Web Pull Print application is not directly related to the present embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Web Server Application Since the Web Server application is not directly related to the present embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Device Information Service (DIS)
A database that stores setting values for devices, functions of devices (scanners, printers, etc.), status, billing information, etc. in the controller in a data format conforming to the Control API, and device information service (hereinafter referred to as Device Information Service) , Called DIS). FIG. 19 shows exchanges between the DIS 7102 and the JobManager 7101 and the Scan and Print DocumentManagers 7103 and 7104.

  Basically, dynamic information such as a job start command is instructed directly from the JobManager 7101 to each DocumentManager, and the DIS 7102 is referred to for static information such as device functions and job contents. Static and dynamic information and events from each DocumentManager are transmitted to the JobManager 7101 via the DIS 7102.

  When data is set and acquired from each DocumentManager to the DIS database, the internal data format of DIS is based on the Control API. Therefore, mutual conversion between the data format conforming to the Control API and the data format understood by each DocumentManager is possible. Process. For example, when setting status data from each DocumentManager, device-specific data is interpreted, converted into corresponding data defined by the Control API, and written to the DIS database.

  When data is set and acquired from the JobManager to the DIS database, no data conversion occurs between the JobManager and the DIS.

  In the DIS, event data is updated based on various event information notified from the DocumentManager.

  FIG. 20 shows various databases (hereinafter referred to as DBs) held in the DIS, and each DB will be described. The rounded rectangle in FIG. 20 represents each DB.

  7201 is a superviser DB, which holds status and user information about the entire device, and holds information that needs to be backed up, such as a user ID and password, in an HD device or a non-volatile storage device such as a backup memory. Is done.

  Reference numeral 7202 denotes a Scan Component DB, and reference numeral 7203 denotes a Print Component DB. These Component DBs are held corresponding to each existing component. For example, in the case of a device consisting only of a printer, only PrintComponentDB exists, and for example, in the case of a device equipped with FAX, FAX ComponentDB is held. In each ComponentDB, the corresponding DocumentManager sets the function and status of the Component at the time of initialization.

  Reference numeral 7204 denotes a ScanJobServiceDB, and 7205 denotes a PrintJobServiceDB. These JobServiceDBs, like ComponentDB, set functions that can be used by the corresponding DocumentManager at the time of initialization, and their support status.

  Next, JobDB and DocumentDB will be described. Reference numeral 7206 denotes a ScanJobDB, 7207 denotes each JobDB of the PrintJobDB, 7208 denotes a ScanDocumentDB, and 7209 denotes a PrintDocumentDB.

  The JobDB and DocumentDB are dynamically secured and initialized by the JobManager every time a Job and its accompanying Document are generated, and necessary items are set. Each DocumentManager reads out items necessary for processing from JobDB and DocumentDB before starting processing of Job, and starts Job. After that, when the job is finished, these jobs and the DB of the document associated therewith are released. Since Job has one or more Documents, a plurality of DocumentDBs may be secured for a certain Job.

  Reference numeral 7210 denotes a database holding event information notified from each document manager, and 7211 denotes a counter table for recording the number of scans and the number of prints of the apparatus.

  Events notified from Document Manager include Component status transition from Scan Document Manager, Scan processing operation completion and various errors, Component Status transition from Print Document Manager, Print processing operation completion, paper jam, paper feed cassette open, etc. The event ID for identifying each event is determined in advance.

  When an event is issued from the DocumentManager, the DIS registers the event ID issued in the event database 7211 and, if necessary, detailed data associated with the event. In addition, when the cancellation of the event is notified from the DocumentManager, the event data designated to be deleted is deleted from the event database 7211.

  When an event is polled by the job manager, the DIS refers to the event database 7210, returns the event ID currently generated and, if necessary, detailed data associated with the event to the job manager, and if no event has occurred. Reply to that effect.

  In addition, when an event of completion of the scan processing operation and completion of the print processing operation is notified, the counter value of the user who performed the scan and print is updated. The counter by this software is written back every time the value is updated in the backed up memory device or the non-volatile storage device of the HD device so that the value is not lost due to accidental power interruption or the like.

Scan Operation Details of the scan operation will be described below. FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram of blocks related to the scanning operation. A CPU 8101, a memory 8102, an image compression / decompression board 8104, a scanner 8107, and a SCSI I / F circuit 8103 that provides an I / F for connecting this system are connected to the PCI bus 8105. A SCSI I / F circuit 8103 and a scanner (or a scanner function unit of a copier having a composite function) 8107 are connected by a SCSI interface cable 8106. Also, an IDE controller 8108 is connected to the PCI bus 8105, and is connected to an IDE hard disk 8110 via an IDE cable 8109. FIG. 22 shows a software structure related to the scanning operation. JobManager 8201 has a function of classifying and storing application level requests. The DIS 8202 stores parameters necessary for the scanning operation from the application level. A request from the application is stored in the memory 8102. The scan operation management unit 8203 acquires information necessary for scanning from the job manager 8201 and the DIS 8202. The scan operation management unit 8203 receives the job number and document number table data 8301 of FIG. 23 from the job manager 8201, and receives the scan parameter 8302 from the DIS 8202 based on the job number and document number table data 8301. As a result, scanning is performed based on the scanning conditions requested by the application.

  The scan operation management unit 8203 passes the scan parameters 8302 acquired from the DIS 8202 to the scan sequence control unit 8204 in the order of document numbers. Upon receiving the scan parameter 8302, the scan sequence control unit 8204 controls the SCSI control unit 8207 in accordance with the content of the scan image attribute 8308. Thus, by operating the SCSI controller 8103 connected to the PCI 8105 in FIG. 21, a scan is executed by sending a SCSI control command to the scanner 8107 via the SCSI cable 8106. The scanned image is stored in the SCSI controller 8103 through the SCICSable 8106 and further stored in the memory 8102 through the PCI 8105. When the scan is completed and the image is stored in the memory 8102 via the PCI 8105, the scan sequence control unit 8204 scans the scan image stored in the memory 8102 according to the content of the scan image compression format 8309 of the scan parameter 8302. Is sent to the compression / decompression control unit 8205. The compression / decompression control unit 8205 that has received the request uses the CODEC 8104 connected to the PCI 8105 to perform compression by specifying the scan image compression format 8309 from the scan sequence control unit 8204. The compression / decompression control unit 8205 stores the compressed image in the Memory 8102 via the PCI 8105.

  When the compression / decompression control unit 8205 compresses the scan image into the format specified by the scan image compression format 8309 and stores it in the Memory 8102, the scan sequence control unit 8204 stores the Memory 8102 in accordance with the image file type 8307 of the scan parameter 8302. The compressed scan image stored in is filed. The scan sequence control unit 8204 requests the file system 8206 to create a file in the file format specified by the image file type 8307 of the scan parameter 8302. The file system 8206 converts the compressed image stored in the memory 8102 into a file in accordance with the image file type 8307 from the scan sequence control unit 8204, transfers the file to the IDE controller 8108 via the PCI 8105, and passes through the IDE cable 8109. Then, the scanned compressed image is filed by transferring it to the IDE Hard Disk 8110. When the file system 8206 stores an image filed in the IDE Hard Disk 8110, the scan sequence control unit 8204 notifies the scan operation management unit 8203 that the current processing on the Scanner 8107 has been completed, and notifies the scan operation management unit 8203 of the scan end. Send back.

  At this time, if there is a document that has not yet been scanned on the Scanner 8107 and there is a scan request from the JobManager 8201, the scan sequence control unit uses the scan parameter 8302 stored in the DIS 8202 again. Request a scan operation. If there is no unscanned document on the Scanner 8107, or if there is no scan request from the JobManager 8201, a scan end notification is issued to the JobManager 8201, assuming that the scan operation has ended.

Printing Operation The printing operation will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 24 is a conceptual diagram of blocks related to the printing operation. A CPU 9001, a memory 9002, an image compression / expansion board 9004, a printer 9007, and an engine I / F board 9003 that provides an I / F for connecting this system are connected to the PCI bus 9005. An Engine I / F board 9003 and a printer (or a printer function unit of a copier having a composite function) 9007 are connected by an engine interface cable 9006.

  The Engine I / F board has a DPRAM inside, and through this DPRAM, parameter setting to the printer, printer status reading, and print control commands are exchanged. The board has a video controller, and transmits image data developed on the PCI to the printer via the engine interface cable in accordance with VCLK (Video Clock) and HSYNC given from the printer via the engine interface cable. The transmission timing is shown in FIG. VCLK continues to come out and HSYNC is given in synchronization with the start of one line of the printer. The video controller reads data for the set image width (WIDTH) from the set memory (SOURCE) on the PCI and outputs it to the engine interface cable as a video signal. After repeating this for the designated line (LINES), an IMAGE_END interrupt is generated.

  As described above, when a print job instruction is passed from the application program on the CPU to the Control API, the Control API passes this to the controller-level JobManager as a job. Furthermore, this JobManager stores the job settings in the DIS and instructs the PrintManager to start the job. When the PrintManager receives a job, it reads information necessary for job execution from the DIS and sets it in the printer via the Engine I / F board and DPRAM.

  FIG. 26 shows setting items of the Engine I / F board, and FIG. 27 shows setting items, control commands, and status commands via the DPRAM of the printer.

  For the sake of simplicity, the operation will be specifically described on the assumption that this job is a non-compressed, letter (11 ″ × 8.5 ″) size binary image, two pages and one copy, and the printer has a performance of 600 dpi.

  First, when this job is received, PrintManager calculates the number of image bytes of the width of this image (in this case, it is on the 8.5 ″ side).

WIDTH = 8.5 × 600 ÷ 8≈630 (Bytes)
Next, the number of lines is calculated.

LINES = 11 × 600 = 6600 (Lines)
These calculated values and the SOURCE address storing the given first page image are set in WIDTH, LINES, and SOURCE shown in FIG. At this point, the Engine I / F board is ready for image output, but the HSYNC signal from the printer does not come (VCLK is coming) and no image data is being output.

  Next, PrintManager writes 1 as the number of output copies to a predetermined address (BookNo) of the DPRAM shown in FIG. After that, an output paper feed request (FEED_REQ) for the first page is issued, and an IMAGE_REQ from the printer is awaited. When IMAGE_REQ is received from the printer, IMAGE_START is issued. In response to this, the printer starts to issue HSYNC, and the Engine I / F board waiting for HSYNC outputs an image. When the printer detects the trailing edge of the output paper, it outputs IMAGE_END, and when the output paper is discharged, it outputs SHEET_OUT. The PrintManager receives IMAGE_END of the first page, sets WIDTH, LINES, and SOURCE of the second page to the Engine I / F board, issues FEED_REQ, and waits for IMAGE_REQ. The operation after the IMAGE_REQ of the second page comes is the same as that of the first page.

Overall configuration of this network system Overall configuration diagram of the software of this system Overall block diagram of this system Outline drawing of scanner unit, printer unit, and operation unit Diagram showing the operation unit Block diagram of the scanner image processing unit Block diagram of the printer image processing unit Block diagram of the image compression processing unit Device I / F block diagram Block diagram of bus occupancy rate calculation circuit Illustration of PCI bus occupancy Figure of user setting key Diagram showing image transfer route when bus occupancy is low Diagram showing image transfer route when bus occupancy is high Block diagram of the image rotation unit Illustration of image rotation processing Illustration of image rotation processing Embedded application description block diagram Diagram showing the exchange between DIS and JobManager, PrintManager, ScanManager Diagram showing database and counter in DIS Scanning hardware control block diagram Software control block diagram for scanning Schematic diagram of parameter table for scanning Block diagram for printing Print image data transfer timing diagram Print parameter register table in the Engine I / F board Communication command table between printer and Engine I / F board

Explanation of symbols

1001 apparatus 1002 database server 1003 database client 1004 e-mail server 1005 e-mail client 1007 router 1010 local area network (LAN)
1012 Internet / Intranet 1030 PSTN or ISDN
1031 FAX machine 1040 Printer 2000 Controller unit
2001 CPU
2002 RAM
2003 ROM
2004 HDD
2006 Operation unit I / F
2005 Image Bus I / F
2007 System bus 2008 Image bus 2010 Network
2011 LAN
2012 Operation unit (UI)
2020 Device I / F unit 2030 Image rotation unit 2040 Image image compression unit 2050 Modem
2051 Public line (WAN)
2060 Raster Image Processor (RIP)
2070 Scanner
2080 Scanner image processing unit 2090 Printer image processing unit 2095 Printer

Claims (4)

  A bus occupancy rate calculating unit for calculating a bus occupancy rate of the image data transfer bus and a bus in advance, having a control unit for controlling a high-speed image data transfer bus and an image input / output unit requiring real-time image data transfer A threshold setting unit configured to set a threshold of the occupation rate, and an image according to a comparison result by the comparison unit that compares the bus occupation rate calculated by the bus occupation rate calculation unit and the threshold set by the threshold setting unit; Image transfer system that can change the transfer path.   2. The image transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the bus occupancy ratio of the image data transfer bus is calculated based on an accumulated time from when the user performs any key operation on the operation unit.   2. The image transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the degree of image quality is changed by changing an image transfer path.   4. The bus occupancy threshold according to claim 1, further comprising selection means for allowing the user to select image quality priority or transfer efficiency priority on the operation unit according to the mode selected by the selection means. An image transfer system characterized by generating.

Images