JP2005242917A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of making best use of a device function by transferring image data on a front surface and a rear surface inputted from a double-sided manuscript reader capable of simultaneously reading a double-sided manuscript to a storage device having a secondary storage part as quickly as possible. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device provided with the storage device having a primary storage part and the secondary storage part comprises the double-sided manuscript reader which can simultaneously read image data on the front surface and rear surface of a double-sided manuscript, and can be connected to the device, which is provided with a data transfer means which can transfer nearly simultaneously and at arbitrary timing two pieces of image data on the front surface and rear surface of a double-sided manuscript read by the double-sided manuscript reader; and a data transfer speed setting means which when transferring two pieces of image data on the front surface and rear surface of the double-sided manuscript read by the double-sided manuscript reader to the storage device, sets the transfer speed of the image data on the front surface and rear surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image data, and a secondary storage unit for storing image data stored in the primary storage unit. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a storage device.

  In recent years, the data transfer speed of a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk has been improved and the data compression rate and processing speed of the data compression means have been significantly improved. In a storage device in which such a large-capacity storage device can be connected as a secondary storage device, the data transfer speed to the secondary storage device is faster than the data input and output speed of the connected image input / output device. There are cases. For this reason, in an image forming apparatus capable of simultaneously executing input / output of a plurality of image data in parallel, how to efficiently perform image data input (save) and output (read) processing to the secondary storage device? This is an issue of productivity improvement.

  Since the image input / output devices connected to the image forming apparatus are diversified, it is difficult to ensure the productivity by making the best use of the capacity of the storage device and the data compression means in the conventional memory control. Yes. Therefore, by applying a memory control method using DMA, a means for efficiently controlling resource acquisition and release management and data transfer operation processing to obtain maximum utilization efficiency according to the processing capacity of the storage device. Some are used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  When a plurality of image input / output devices are connected to an image forming apparatus that performs input / output control of image data using such a storage device, an image input / output method of the storage device according to the connected image input / output means It is also conceivable that the function (productivity) of the individual image input / output means cannot be used to the maximum.

  In addition, when an image input device capable of simultaneously reading front and back image data of a double-sided original image is connected to the image forming apparatus, conventionally, the front and back image data is sequentially transferred to the storage device for each surface. Since the storing method is adopted, there is a problem that the image data of the double-sided original read by the image input device cannot be transferred to the storage device at high speed.

  Recently, a high-speed USB, PCI, or the like can be used as a data bus for inputting / outputting image data, and high-speed image data can be transferred between the image input / output device and a storage device. I continue.

JP-A-6-103225

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and stores image data on the front and back sides input from a double-sided document reader capable of simultaneously reading a double-sided document at a high speed as much as possible. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be transferred to the apparatus and can make full use of the functions of the image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a primary storage unit for storing at least one image data, and image data stored in the primary storage unit. In the image forming apparatus having a storage device having a secondary storage unit for storing image data, a double-sided document reading device capable of simultaneously reading image data on the front and back sides of a double-sided document is connectable. A data transfer means capable of transferring two image data of the front and back sides of a double-sided original read by the original reading apparatus to the storage apparatus at almost the same time to the storage apparatus; and the double-side original reading by the data transfer means Sets the transfer speed of the front and back image data when transferring the two image data of the front and back sides of the double-sided original read by the apparatus to the storage device And over data transfer rate setting means, characterized by comprising a.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the data transfer speed setting means is configured to use the image data of the front and back surfaces based on device configuration information of the double-sided document reading device and the storage device. The transfer speed is set.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the device configuration information is information on a transfer speed range in which the image reading apparatus can transfer data and a transfer speed range in which the storage apparatus can process. It is characterized by being.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the data transfer rate setting means is a transfer rate range in which the storage device can process within a transfer rate range in which data can be transferred by the double-sided document reading device. If there is no image data, the image data on the front surface and the back surface is prohibited from being transferred almost simultaneously. In this case, the image data on the front surface and the image data on the back surface can be sequentially transferred. Data transfer within the range of transfer speed at which the storage device can transfer data in the double-sided document reading device when the double-sided document reading is performed in parallel while the data transfer processing by the image input / output means other than the document reading device is in operation Even when the document cannot be printed, the double-sided document reading process of the double-sided document reading apparatus is prevented from being interrupted.

  An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a storage device for storing two image data on the front and back sides of a double-sided document read by a double-sided document reader capable of simultaneously reading image data on the front and back sides of a double-sided document. When transferring two image data of the front and back sides of a double-sided document read by a double-sided document reader to the storage device, the transfer speed of the front and back side image data can be transferred almost at the same time. Therefore, the two image data of the front and back sides of the double-sided document can be transferred to the storage device as quickly as possible without depending on the connected double-sided document reading device. With the configuration, there is an effect that the functions of the image forming apparatus can be used to the maximum.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the data transfer speed setting means is based on device configuration information of the double-sided document reading device and the storage device. The image data transfer speed is set so that all the images connected to the image forming apparatus can be used while maximizing the functions of the double-sided document reading apparatus without occupying unnecessary data transfer means. There is an effect that it is possible to efficiently distribute and control data transfer processing using the input / output means.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 3) is the image forming apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the device configuration information includes a transfer speed range in which the double-sided document reading apparatus can transfer data and a process in the storage device. Since the transfer speed range information is used, it is possible to perform control for changing the data transfer speed between the double-sided document reading device and the storage device relatively simply.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the data transfer rate setting means is within a transfer rate range in which the storage device can transfer data of the double-sided document reader. If there is no transfer speed range that can be processed, the operation of transferring the image data on the front and back surfaces substantially simultaneously is prohibited. In this case, the image data on the front surface and the image data on the back surface are sequentially transferred. When a double-sided original is read in parallel during the operation of data transfer processing by an image input / output unit other than the double-sided original reading apparatus, the storage device has a transfer rate at which data transfer is possible in the double-sided original reading apparatus. Even when data transfer within the range cannot be performed, it is possible to prevent the reading process of the double-sided original of the double-sided original reading apparatus from being interrupted.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same. In this specification, an image reading apparatus capable of simultaneously reading a double-sided document is referred to as a “double-sided document reading device”.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “multifunction machine”) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 100 includes a software group 2, a multi-function device activation unit 3, a monochrome laser printer (B & W LP) 11, a color laser printer (Color LP) 12, and hardware resources such as a scanner and a facsimile. 13 and a hardware resource 4 including 13.

  The software group 2 includes an application layer 5 and a platform 6. The multi-function device 100 can centrally process processes commonly required by each application on the platform 6.

  The application layer 5 has a program for performing processing specific to each user service related to image formation such as a printer, copy, fax, and scanner. The application layer 5 includes a printer application 21 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and host script (PS), a copy application 22 that is a copy application, and a fax application 23 that is a fax application. And a scanner application 24 which is a scanner application.

  The platform 6 interprets a processing request from the application 5 and generates a hardware resource 4 acquisition request, and manages one or more hardware resources 4 to acquire the acquisition request from the control service 9. SRM (system resource manager) 39 for arbitrating, a handler layer 10 for managing hardware resources 4 in response to an acquisition request from the SRM 39, and a general-purpose OS.

  The control service layer 9 includes a plurality of service modules, and includes an NCS (network control service) 31, a DCS (delivery control service) 32, an OCS (operation panel control service) 33, and an FCS (fax control service) 34. , ECS (engine control service) 35, MCS (memory control service) 36, UCS (user information control service) 37, and SCS (system control service) 38. Note that the platform 6 includes an API 53 that can receive a processing request from the application 5 using a predefined function.

  The general-purpose OS is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (R), and executes the software of the application layer 5 and the platform 6 in parallel as processes.

  The process of the NCS 31 provides a service that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. Data received from the network side according to each protocol is distributed to each application, or data from each application. Mediation when sending to the network side.

  For example, the NCS 31 controls data communication with a network device connected via the network by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

  The process of the DCS 32 performs control such as distribution of stored documents. The process of the OCS 33 controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control. The FCS 34 process provides APIs to perform fax transmission / reception using the PSTN or ISDN network from the application layer 5, registration / quotation of various fax data managed in the backup memory, fax reading, fax reception printing, etc. To do.

  The process of the ECS 35 controls engine units such as the monochrome laser printer 11, the color laser printer 12, and the hardware resource 13. The process of the MCS 36 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of memory and use of the HDD. The UCS 37 manages user information.

  The process of the SCS 38 performs processing such as application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, hardware resource management, and interrupt application control.

  The SRM 39 process controls the system and manages the hardware resources 4 together with the SCS 38. For example, the process of the SRM 39 performs arbitration in accordance with an acquisition request from an upper layer using the hardware resource 4 such as the black and white laser printer 11 and the color laser printer 12 and controls execution.

  Specifically, the process of the SRM 39 determines whether or not the requested hardware resource 4 is available (whether it is not used by another acquisition request). The upper layer is notified that the hardware resource 4 is available. In addition, the process of the SRM 39 performs scheduling for using the hardware resource 4 in response to an acquisition request from an upper layer, and the request contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory allocation, file generation, etc.) Has been implemented directly.

  The handler layer 10 includes an FCUH (fax control unit handler) 40 that manages an FCU (fax control unit), which will be described later, and an IMH (image memory handler) 41 that allocates memory for the process and manages the memory allocated to the process. have. The SRM 39 and the FCUH 40 make a processing request for the hardware resource 4 by using the engine I / F 54 that can transmit the processing request for the hardware resource 4 by a predefined function.

  The multifunction device starting unit 3 is executed first when the multifunction device 1 is powered on, and activates the application layer 5 and the platform 6. For example, the MFP activation unit 3 reads the programs of the application layer 5 and the platform 6 from the HDD 208 (see FIG. 2) or the like, transfers the read programs to the MEM-P 202 (see FIG. 2) memory area, and activates them. .

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP 100 of FIG. The MFP 100 includes a controller board 200, an operation panel 210, a PCI bus, an FCU 220, a USB device 230, an IEEE 1394 device 240, an engine unit {scanner engine (also referred to as “image reading apparatus”), printer engine). } 250.

  The controller board 200 includes a CPU 201, MEM-P (system memory) 202, NB (north bridge) 203, SB (south bridge) 204, ASIC 205, MEM-C (local memory: primary storage unit) 207, HDD (secondary storage unit) 208.

  The CPU 201 is connected to the MEM-P (system memory) 202 and the ASIC 206 via the NB 203. As described above, by connecting the CPU 201 and the ASIC 20 via the NB 203, it is possible to cope with the case where the interface of the CPU 201 is not disclosed. The ASIC 206 and the NB 203 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port 205. In this way, in order to execute and control one or more processes forming the application layer 5 and the platform 6 of FIG. The NB 203 is connected to the NB 203 via the AGP 205 instead of the low-speed PCI bus to prevent performance degradation.

  The CPU 201 performs overall control of the multifunction machine 100. The CPU 201 starts and executes NCS31, DCS32, OCS33, FCS34, ECS35, MCS36, UCS37, SCS38, SRM39, FCUH40, and IMH41 as processes on the OS, and also executes a printer application 21 and a copy application that form the application layer 5 22, the fax application 23 and the scanner application 24 are activated and executed.

  The NB 203 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 201, the MEM-P (system memory) 202, the SB 204, and the ASIC 206. A MEM-P (system memory) 202 is a memory used as a drawing memory of the multifunction peripheral 100. The SB 204 is a bridge for connecting the NB 203 to a ROM, a PCI bus, and peripheral devices. A MEM-C (local memory) 207 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

  The ASIC 206 is an IC for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing. The HDD 208 is a storage for storing image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, and the like. The operation panel 210 is an operation unit that accepts an input operation from an operator and performs display for the operator.

  The operation panel 210 is connected to the ASIC 206 of the controller board 200. Further, the FCU 220, the USB device 230, the IEEE 1394 device 240, and the engine unit 250 are connected to the ASIC 206 of the controller board 200 via a PCI bus.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the function of the ASIC 206. As shown in FIG. 3, the ASIC 206 has a DMA controller function for transferring an image, and is connected to the scanner engine and printer engine of the engine unit 250 through the PCI bus. The ASIC 206 includes two channels of video input DMA controllers and a video output DMA controller, which are assigned different PCI bus addresses, and transfer video data of scanner input 1, scanner input 2, and plotter output in parallel. Can be done. The video input DMA controller and video output DMA controller of the ASIC 206, the MEM-C (local memory) 207 as a primary storage unit, and the HDD 208 as a secondary storage unit constitute a storage device.

  When the images read by the scanner engine are transferred simultaneously to the MEM-C (local memory) 207, the IMH 41 secures memory for the transfer image size in the MEM-C 207 in response to the process request from the SRM 39, and the transfer image size. Transfer is possible by setting Xw and Yw and the address of the secured memory in the video input DMA controller.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the engine unit 120 that realizes simultaneous reading of the front and back sides of a double-sided document. The engine unit 120 includes a first image input unit (front) 301, a second image input unit (back) 302, a first shedding unit (front) 303, a second shedding unit (back) 304, a DRAM 305, A first gradation processing unit 306, a second gradation processing unit 307, a GAVD (output unit) 308, and an image data control IF controller 400 are provided.

  The first image input unit (front) 301 and the second image input unit (back) 302 are image reading means such as a CCD. The first image input unit (front) 301 reads the image data on the front side of the double-sided document, and the second image input unit (back) 302 reads the image data on the back side of the double-sided document. Reading is realized.

  The image data control IF controller 400 is directly controlled by the CPU 201. The image data control IF controller 400 includes a first input IF (front) 401, a second input IF (back) 403, a DRAM controller 402, a first mask unit 404, a second mask unit 405, a first filter unit 406, and a second filter. Filter unit 407, first scaling unit 408, second scaling unit 409, first region expansion / reduction unit 410, second region expansion / reduction unit 411, first image compression unit 412, and second image Compression unit 413, selector 414, PCI transfer controller 415, PCI_IF 416, image expansion unit 417, third area expansion / reduction unit 418, print composition unit 419, output IF 420, and gradation processing data input IF 421 GAVD IF 423, status register 424, control register 425, CPU 201_IF 426, control IC 427 , A host IF428, and an image input controller 429.

  The image data control IF controller 400 is connected to the PCI bus via the PCI_IF 416, and data can be output to and input from the storage device via the PCI bus. The DRAM 305 is a frame memory for temporarily storing image data input from the first image input unit (front) 301 and the second image input unit (back) 302. This DRAM 305 is used when adjusting the image input timing of the front and back surfaces and the data transfer speed to the PCI bus at the time of simultaneous reading on both sides. The DRAM controller 402 is configured to execute image data writing to the DRAM 305 and image data reading from the DRAM 305 in parallel. Further, the DRAM controller 402 is configured to execute the writing of the front surface image and the writing of the back surface image in parallel to the DRAM 305 when executing the double-sided reading of the double-sided document. The selector 414 includes a plurality of image input units and a plurality of image output units, and has a function of switching image data for outputting input image data to an arbitrary image output unit. The PCI transfer controller 415 has a function of outputting a plurality of image data output from the selector 414 to the storage device via the PCI bus. The selector 414 and the PCI transfer controller 415 can set the data capacity and the image data transfer speed necessary for outputting each image data to the storage device.

  Next, an image reading and transferring operation in which the engine unit 120 reads a document and transfers it to a storage device will be described with reference to FIG. The image reading / transferring operation includes (1) an operation for writing image data input by the double-sided document reading device (first image input unit (front) 301, second image input unit (back) 302, etc.) to the DRAM 305 (document reading process). ) And (2) an operation (data transfer process) of reading image data stored in the DRAM 305 and transferring it to the storage device via the PCI bus. The operations (1) and (2) will be described in the case of reading image data on the surface of the document.

  First, the operation (1) will be described. The image data input from the first image input unit (table) 301 is input to the first input IF 401 via the first shading unit (table) 303. The image data input to the first input IF 401 is transferred to the DRAM controller 402. The DRAM controller 402 sequentially writes and stores the transferred image data in the DRAM 305.

  Next, the operation (2) will be described. The image data stored in the DRAM 305 is sequentially read out by the DRMA controller 402, and the image data processing block (first mask unit 404, first filter unit 406, first scaling unit 408, first area expansion / reduction unit). 410 and the first image compression unit 412), the data is transferred to the PCI transfer controller 415 by the selector 414. The PCI transfer controller 415 transfers input image data to the storage device via the PCI bus.

  As described above, the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment can transmit and receive a plurality of data through the data path of the PCI bus, and can control the data transfer by increasing the number of data transfer channels relatively easily. It has a configuration that can be performed.

  In the engine unit 120, the frame memory such as the DRAM 305 is not necessarily required. When the configuration does not include the frame memory or when the memory capacity of the frame memory is small, the above (1) and (2) 2 The read image data may be directly transferred to the PCI bus without being divided into two operations. Further, the above-described image data processing block is not always necessary.

  By the way, when reading a double-sided document at the same time, input starts depending on the physical arrangement of the document reading elements (devices such as CCD) of the first image input unit (front) 301 and the second image input unit (back) 302. It is assumed that the timing, data capacity, and image data transfer speed are different. Therefore, in this embodiment, the selector 414 and the PCI transfer controller 415 are configured to be able to perform image data transfer processing asynchronously at an arbitrary timing for each individual image data. The image data can be transferred individually at almost the same timing (simultaneously) synchronously or asynchronously at any timing. With this configuration, the image data transfer method can be changed according to the function and configuration (data transfer speed and reading timing) of the double-sided document reading apparatus. In the above configuration, the CPU 201 functions as a data transfer speed setting unit, and the image data control IF controller 400 functions as a data transfer unit.

  A procedure for performing double-sided simultaneous reading in the MFP 100 having the above-described configuration will be described. The CPU 201 can acquire the device configuration information of the double-sided document reading device and the storage device through communication. Before performing the double-sided simultaneous reading setting, the CPU 201 obtains the current device configuration information from the double-sided document reading device and the storage device through communication. get. The device configuration information includes information on a transfer rate range (TransferRateMin_Scan−TransferRateMax_Scan) that can be transferred by the double-sided document reading device, and information on a transfer rate range (TransferRateMin_Hdd−TransferRateMax_Hdd) that can be processed by the storage device.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of simultaneous reading on both sides. With reference to FIG. 5, the operation at the time of simultaneous reading on both sides will be described.

  In FIG. 5, first, the setting for simultaneous reading on both sides is performed (step S1). Here, the method for determining the transfer rate is as follows. Of the device configuration information, the transfer rate range that can be transferred by the image reading device (TranslateRateMin_Scan−TransferRateMax_Scan) is compared with the transfer rate range that can be processed by the storage device (TranceRateMin_Hdd−TranceRateMax_Hdd), and the transferable range between the two (TransferRateMin−H). (TranslateRateMax) is calculated. The rate TransRate for actually transferring is determined from the transferable range. Here, for example, a rate TransRateMax that can be processed at the maximum transfer rate is selected. The image reading device and the storage device operate at the transfer rate set here. In order to process the front and back simultaneously in parallel, the front side reading process and the back side reading process are started.

  In the front side reading process, when the original arrives at a predetermined reading position (step S2), the double-sided original reading device starts the front side reading (step S3) and waits until the front side reading ends (step S4). In the back side reading process, when the original has arrived at the specified reading position (step S5), the double sided document reading device starts the back side reading (step S6) and waits until the back side reading is completed (step S7). ). Upon receipt of the completion of both front side reading and back side reading, the double-sided document reading device confirms the presence of the next document (step S8), and if there is a next document, executes double-sided simultaneous reading again and there is no next document. If so, the process ends.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining document (front and back) reading and data transfer. With reference to FIG. 6, document (front and back) reading and data transfer will be described. In FIG. 6, first, the CPU 201 starts a document reading process and a data transfer process in order to execute document reading (input from the CCD input to the DRAM 305) and data transfer (output from the DRAM 305 to the PCI bus) in parallel. To do.

  In the document reading process, document reading is immediately started (step S11). After that, the process waits until the original arrives at the prescribed image reading end position (step S12). In the data transfer process, the process waits until the condition for starting data transfer is satisfied (step S13).

  Here, it is assumed that the data transfer start condition is set in advance. For example, “reading of the document reading process has started” or “the number of lines written to the DRAM 305 has reached a specified number”. It can be a data transfer start condition. When the data transfer start condition is “reading of the document reading process is started”, the document image data is written to the DRAM 305 and simultaneously read and transferred to the PCI bus. On the other hand, if the condition that the number of lines written to DRAM 305 has reached the prescribed number is used as the data transfer start condition, several lines of original image data are written to DRAM 305, and then the data is transferred to PCI at different timings. .

  If the conditions for starting data transfer are met, data transfer is started (step S14). Then, it waits until it reaches the prescribed data transfer amount (step S15). Upon completion of both document reading and data transfer, reading of each side is finished.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when a double-sided document reading device is connected, two image data on the front and back sides of a double-sided document read by the double-sided document reading device can be stored in the storage device almost simultaneously. It has a configuration that can be transferred at the timing, and the transfer speed when transferring two image data of the front and back sides of a double-sided document to the storage device can be changed. The two image data on the front and back sides of the double-sided document can be transferred to the storage device as fast as possible, and the functions of the image forming apparatus can be utilized to the maximum with a common configuration.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, since the transfer speed of the image data on the front and back surfaces is set based on the device configuration information of the double-sided document reading device and the storage device, the data transfer means is unnecessarily occupied. In addition, it is possible to efficiently distribute and control the data transfer process using all the image input / output means connected to the image forming apparatus while utilizing the functions of the double-sided document reading apparatus to the maximum. Become.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, information on the transfer speed range in which data can be transferred by the double-sided document reading device and information on the transfer speed range in which the storage device can be processed is used as the device configuration information. It is possible to perform control for changing the data transfer speed between the double-sided document reading device and the storage device.

  In the second embodiment, in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, when the storage device cannot transfer data within the range of the transfer speed at which data transfer is possible in the double-sided document reading device, the double-sided document reading device reads the data. The operation of simultaneously transferring the two image data on the front and back sides of the double-sided document is prohibited.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of simultaneous reading on both sides. With reference to FIG. 7, the operation at the time of simultaneous reading on both sides will be described. In FIG. 7, the CPU 201 can acquire device configuration information of the double-sided document reading device and the storage device by communication.

  In FIG. 7, first, the surface reading end flag (UpsideReadFlag) is reset (UpsideReadFlag = 0) (step S21). Next, a setting for simultaneous reading on both sides is made (step S22). Here, the method for determining the transfer rate is as follows. Of the device configuration information, the transfer rate range (TranslationRateMin_Scan−TransferRateMax_Scan) that can be transferred by the image reading device and the transfer rate range (TransferRateMin_Hdd−TransranceRateMax_Hdd) that can be processed by the storage device are compared, and the transferable range between the two (TransranceRateMin−TranMateMate_TranMateMate_TranMateMate_TranMateMate_TranMateM). ) Is calculated. The rate TransRate for actually transferring is determined from the transferable range. Here, for example, a rate TransRateMax that can be processed at the maximum transfer rate is selected. The image reading device and the storage device operate at the transfer rate set here.

  However, if there is no transferable range between the two, simultaneous transfer operation on both sides cannot be performed. In such a case, it is necessary to switch to an operation (sequential transfer operation) of sequentially transferring the image data of the back side after transferring the image data of the front side. As the transfer rate, select the transfer rate for single-sided transfer. It is assumed that the transfer speed on one side is guaranteed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the input operation can simultaneously transfer both sides (step S23). If double-sided simultaneous transfer is possible ("Yes" in step S23), the sequential transfer flag (SeqTransranceFlag) is reset (SeqTransranceFlag = 0) (step S25). If double-sided simultaneous transfer is not possible (“No” in step S23), sequential transfer flags (SeqTranslationFlag) are set (SeqTransranceFlag = 1) (step S24). Then, the CPU 201 activates a front side reading process and a back side reading process in order to simultaneously process the front and back sides simultaneously.

  In the front side reading process, when the original has arrived at a predetermined reading position (step S26), the double-sided document reading apparatus starts the front side reading (step S27) and waits until the front side reading is finished (step S28). In the back side reading process, when the original arrives at a predetermined reading position (step S29), the double-sided document reading apparatus starts back side reading (step S30) and waits until the back side reading is completed (step S31). ). Upon receipt of the completion of both front side reading and back side reading, the double-sided document reading device confirms the presence of the next document (step S32). If there is no document, the process ends.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart when reading the surface of the document. With reference to FIG. 8, reading of the front side of the document and data transfer will be described. In FIG. 8, first, the CPU 201 starts a document reading process and a data transfer process in order to execute document reading (input from the CCD input to the DRAM 305) and data transfer (output from the DRAM 305 to the PCI bus) in parallel. To do.

  In the document reading process, document reading is immediately started (step S41). After that, the process waits until the original arrives at the prescribed image reading end position (step S42). In the data transfer process, the process waits until the condition for starting data transfer is satisfied (step S43).

  Here, it is assumed that the data transfer start condition is set in advance. For example, “reading of the document reading process has started” or “the number of lines written to the DRAM 305 has reached a specified number”. It can be a data transfer start condition. When the data transfer start condition is “reading of the document reading process is started”, the document image data is written to the DRAM 305 and simultaneously read and transferred to the PCI bus. On the other hand, if the condition that the number of lines written to DRAM 305 has reached the prescribed number is used as the data transfer start condition, several lines of original image data are written to DRAM 305, and then the data is transferred to PCI at different timings. .

  If the data transfer start condition is satisfied, data transfer is started (step S44). Then, it waits until it reaches the prescribed data transfer amount (step S45). In response to the completion of both document reading and data transfer, the front reading end flag (UpsideReadFlag) is set (UpsideReadFlag = 1) (step S46). This completes the reading of the front document.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for reading the back side of the document. With reference to FIG. 9, reading of the back side of the document and data transfer will be described. In FIG. 9, first, the CPU 201 starts a document reading process and a data transfer process in order to execute document reading (input from the CCD input to the DRAM 305) and data transfer (output from the DRAM 305 to the PCI bus) in parallel. To do.

  In the document reading process, document reading is immediately started (step S47). After that, the process waits until the original arrives at the prescribed image reading end position (step S48). The data transfer process waits until the data transfer start condition is satisfied (step S49).

  Here, it is assumed that the data transfer start condition is set in advance. For example, “reading of the document reading process has started” or “the number of lines written to the DRAM 305 has reached a specified number”. It can be a data transfer start condition. When the data transfer start condition is “reading of the document reading process is started”, the document image data is written to the DRAM 305 and simultaneously read and transferred to the PCI bus. On the other hand, if the condition that the number of lines written to DRAM 305 has reached the prescribed number is used as the data transfer start condition, several lines of original image data are written to DRAM 305, and then the data is transferred to PCI at different timings. .

  If the data transfer start condition is satisfied (“Yes” in step S49), the front surface read end flag (UpsideReadFlag) is set (UpsideReadFlag =) when the sequential transfer flag (SeqTranslationFlag) is set (SeqTransranceFlag = 1). 1) Wait until it is done (step S50). When the sequential transfer flag (SeqTranslationFlag) is reset (SeqTransranceFlag = 0), or when the sequential transfer flag is set (SeqTranceFlag = 1) and the front surface reading end flag is set (UpsideReadFlag = 1) ("No" in step S50), data transfer of the back side image data is started (step S51). Thereafter, the process waits until the prescribed data transfer amount is reached (step S52). In response to the completion of both the document reading and the data transfer, the reading of the back side is completed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the storage device cannot transfer data within the range of the transfer speed at which data transfer is possible in the double-sided document reading device, Since the operation of transferring two image data to the storage device at the same time is prohibited and the image data on the front side and the image data on the back side are sequentially transferred, the data transfer process by the image input / output means other than the double-sided document reading device can be performed. When reading a double-sided document in parallel during operation, the storage device cannot transfer data within a transfer speed range that allows data transfer in the double-sided document reading device (for example, the degree of occupation of other transfer processes is high). In this case, it is possible to prevent the double-sided original reading process of the double-sided original reading apparatus from being interrupted.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for an image input / output device such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, a scanner, a network file server, or a multifunction device having a plurality of these functions. Yes.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the function of ASIC of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional block of the engine part which implement | achieves the simultaneous reading of the surface of a double-sided document, and a back surface. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of simultaneous double-side reading according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining document (front and back) reading and data transfer according to the first embodiment; 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of simultaneous reading on both sides according to the second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart at the time of reading the surface of a document according to Embodiment 2. 10 is a flowchart for reading the back side of a document according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 Software Group 3 Multifunction Device Start Unit 4 Hardware Resource 5 Application Layer 6 Platform 100 Multifunction Device (Image Forming Apparatus)
200 Controller board 201 CPU 201
202 MEM-P (system memory)
203 NB (North Bridge)
204 SB (South Bridge)
205 AGP
206 ASIC
207 MEM-C (local memory)
207, 208 HDD
210 Operation panel 220 FCU
230 USB device 240 IEEE 1394 device 250 Engine unit 400 Image data control IF controller

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus comprising a storage device having a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image data and a secondary storage unit for storing image data stored in the primary storage unit.
A double-sided document reader that can simultaneously read image data on the front and back sides of a double-sided document
Data transfer means capable of transferring two image data of the front and back sides of a double-sided document read by the double-sided document reading device to the storage device at almost the same time at an arbitrary timing;
Data transfer speed for setting the transfer speed of the front and back image data when transferring two image data of the front and back surfaces of the double-sided document read by the double-sided document reading device to the storage device Setting means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer rate setting unit sets the transfer rate of the image data on the front surface and the back surface based on device configuration information of the double-sided document reading device and the storage device. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the device configuration information is information on a transfer speed range in which data can be transferred by the double-sided document reading apparatus and a transfer speed range in which the storage device can be processed.   The data transfer speed setting means transfers the image data on the front and back surfaces substantially simultaneously when the storage device does not have a transfer speed range that can be processed within the transfer speed range in which data can be transferred by the double-sided document reading apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation is prohibited.

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