JP2005303508A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of continuing reception of image data even when image data having been received exceed a pre-assigned area capacity. <P>SOLUTION: When a copy start key is depressed (ST11), whether or not a flag Fm denoting that a FAX reception area of a buffer memory 5 stores reception data of a specified value or over is set to 1 is judged (ST12), and in the case of Fm=1, a display section 9 displays "Please wait for a moment because a Fax document is being received!" (ST13), and in the case of Fm=0, reading of an original is started (ST14). When the flag Fm is set to 1 during the reading, the display section 9 displays "Please wait for a moment because a Fax document is being received!" (ST16). When stored image data are outputted thereafter and the flag Fm is set to 0 again, the reading of the original image is succeedingly restarted (ST15 to ST19). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine.

  In general, an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral has a memory for storing facsimile received image data and a memory for storing original image data read for copying.

In this type of image processing apparatus, when it is detected that the image forming unit cannot form an image in order to efficiently use the memory allocated for the facsimile function and the copying function, the reception is performed. A multifunction device that stores image data in first storage means for document image data and that can receive received image data after the second storage means for facsimile function is full. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-125096 A

  When the facsimile image data received due to a printer trouble cannot be printed, the above-described conventional multi-function apparatus handles the facsimile function storage area and uses the copy function storage area. On the other hand, a considerable amount of work memory is required for color image processing in a multi-function peripheral. Thus, a large work area such as a page memory may be provided in the image processing unit of the color scanner. However, in order to reduce the cost, it can be considered to share the data buffer memory when receiving the facsimile. In that case, color image data is processed when a facsimile is received, and if most of the shared memory is used, the facsimile image data cannot be received. is there. In addition, if color image data is read during facsimile reception and the read data is stored in the buffer memory, the remaining facsimile image data cannot be received.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and provides an image processing apparatus capable of continuing to receive image data even when the received image data exceeds a pre-allocated area. With the goal.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention stores image reading means for reading an image, image data receiving means for receiving image data from the outside, read image data from the image reading means, and received image data received by the image data receiving means. When the received image data is stored beyond the area allocated to the received image in the memory means, the image reading device includes: a memory means for outputting the received image data; and an output means for outputting the received image data. Control means for stopping the means is provided.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the image reading means can be used when the received image data is output by the output means so as to be within the allocated area in the memory means. Can do.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the image data receiving means is, for example, a facsimile receiving means.

  According to the present invention, when the received data exceeds the pre-allocated area, the image reading is stopped and the reception of the image data can be continued. Further, when the reception of the image data is completed and the process proceeds and the area is equal to or less than the allocated area, the image reading process of the image reading unit can be restarted or a setting capable of restarting can be performed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the MFP includes an MPU 1, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 2, a MODEM 3, a ROM 4, a buffer memory 5, a color scanner 6, a JPEG CODEC 7, and a G3 (B / W) CODEC 8. A display unit 9, an operation unit 10, a printer 11, an external I / F 12, and a bus 13.

  The MPU 1 executes the processing operation of the entire apparatus according to the program stored in the ROM 4. The NCU 2 is controlled by the MPU 1 to control connection with a telephone line network (PSTN) 14 that is a communication line. Further, the NCU 2 has a function of sending a dial pulse corresponding to a telephone number (including a FAX number) of a communication partner and a function of detecting an incoming call.

  MODEM3 is an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T recommendation T.264. 30, T.M. Based on the facsimile transmission control procedure (facsimile communication procedure) according to FIG. 17, V. 27ter, V.I. The transmission data is modulated and the received data is demodulated in accordance with 29. MODEM3 is a V. 8, V. 34 is also applicable to Super G3Fax. Specifically, the MODEM 3 has a function of modulating transmission data, which is a digital signal, into an analog signal in order to send it to the telephone line network 14 via the NCU 2. The MODEM 3 has a function of demodulating an analog audio signal received from the telephone line network 14 via the NCU 2 into a digital signal.

  The ROM 4 stores a program for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. The buffer memory 5 has a scanner work area 5a and a fax reception area 5b. The received image data is stored in the FAX reception area 5b via the telephone line network 14 and the NCU 2, and the color image data read by the scanner 6 is stored. Is stored in the scanner work area 5a for processing. These scanner work area 5a and fax reception area 5b can be shared with each other.

  The color scanner 6 optically scans and reads image data of a document when transmitting by facsimile or copying. In the case of color reading, the color scanner 6 optically scans an original image and obtains color separation signals of three colors of RGB. The JPEG CODEC 8 is a JPEG CODEC, and the G3 CODEC 8 is a G3 CODEC. Each of the read image data is encoded (encoded) by an MH, MR, MM method or the like in order to transmit or store the read image data. Further, the image data received in the compressed and encoded state is decoded (decoded) for recording by the printer 11.

  The display unit 9 displays icons, key buttons, message contents necessary for data transmission / reception, input telephone numbers, FAX numbers, and the like by operation of the operation unit 10. As the display unit 9, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used. The operation unit 10 has keys such as a numeric keypad, a one-touch key, an abbreviated key, a mode switching key, a start key, and a stop key. The printer 11 is a color printer and employs an electrophotographic system, and stores received image data and image data of a document read by the color scanner 6 in a copying operation on a recording sheet. The external I / F 12 is connected to an external PC or other external device via a LAN, and exchanges data with the external device via this. Each unit is connected by a bus 13 so as to be able to exchange data.

  In this embodiment, the image data read from the color original by the color scanner 6 at the time of copying is stored in the scanner work area 5 a of the buffer memory 5. When a facsimile image is received from the telephone line network 14, the received image data is stored in the fax reception area 5 b of the buffer memory 5. When executing the storage processing of these image data, the memory management processing shown in FIG. 2 is executed.

  When this processing routine is entered, in step ST1, the storage state of the buffer memory 5 is scanned to detect a Fax reception area capacity (area capacity that has been received and stored). That is, the storage capacity of the fax reception area 5b is detected. Next, the process proceeds to step ST2.

  In step ST2, it is determined whether the detected Fax reception area capacity is larger than a predetermined value set in advance. If the Fax reception area capacity is larger than the specified value, the process proceeds to step ST3. On the other hand, if it is not larger than the specified value, the process proceeds to step ST4.

  In step ST3, the Fax reception area over flag Fm is set. That is, the flag Fm = 1. Then return. In step ST4, the Fax reception area over flag Fm is set to 0 (Fm = 0). Then return. This memory management process is executed before the start of data storage in the buffer memory 5 and during the storage process.

  Here, a processing operation at the time of image reading of the MFP will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. When this processing routine is entered, it is determined in step ST11 whether or not the start key is on. If the start key of the operation unit 10 is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST12. On the other hand, if the start key is not pressed, the process routine is returned.

  In step ST12, it is determined whether the Fax reception area over flag Fm is 0 or not. When the flag Fm is not 0, that is, when the flag Fm = 1, it indicates that Fax reception is already in progress and the Fax reception area 5b is stored more than a specified value. In this case, the process proceeds to step ST13. On the other hand, the flag Fm = 0 means that the Fax reception area 5b has a sufficient capacity even during Fax reception. In this case, the process proceeds to step ST14.

  In step ST13, “Please wait for a while while receiving the fax” is displayed on the display unit 9. Then, the image reading is stopped (not started), and the process returns. In step ST14, the color scanner 6 starts reading a document. Next, the process proceeds to step ST15.

  In step ST15, it is determined whether the Fax reception area over flag Fm is 0 or not. When the flag Fm is 0, the process proceeds to step ST17. On the other hand, if the flag Fm is not 0, that is, if the flag Fm = 1, the process proceeds to step ST16. In step ST16, since there is not enough remaining capacity in the fax reception area 5b, a message “Please wait for a while during fax reception” is displayed on the display unit 9. Next, the process proceeds to step ST15 again.

  In step ST17, since there is still a margin in the fax reception area 5b, a one-line original is read and stored in the scanner work area 5a. Next, the process proceeds to step ST18. In step ST18, the color scanner 6 performs sub-scanning for one line and shifts to the next reading line. Then, the process proceeds to step ST19.

  In step ST19, it is determined whether the reading is finished. If the reading is not completed, the process returns to step ST15. On the other hand, when the reading is completed, the process proceeds to step ST20. In step ST20, a reading end process is executed, and the process returns.

  In step ST15 which has returned from step ST19, it is determined again whether the Fax reception area over flag Fm is 0 or not. If the flag Fm is still 0, the process proceeds to step ST17 and image reading is continued as it is. On the other hand, if the Fax image data reception progresses and the Fax reception area capacity becomes larger than the predetermined value and the flag Fm = 1, the process proceeds to Step ST16. In step ST16, the display unit 9 “Please wait for a while while receiving the fax” is displayed. Next, the process proceeds to step ST15. Then, the processes of steps ST15 and ST16 are repeated until the flag Fm = 0. During this time, reading is stopped and the message “Please wait for a while while receiving the fax” continues.

  Thereafter, with the passage of time, the received fax image data is transferred from the fax receiving area 5b, and the print processing or the like progresses. The flag Fm = 0. Therefore, the process proceeds from step ST15 to step ST17, and reading by the color scanner 6 is resumed.

  At the time of facsimile reception, the received encoded data is decoded, transferred to the color printer 11 and printed. At this time, a certain amount of buffer memory capacity is required for decoding.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining memory management processing of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining image reading processing of the MFP according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 MPU
2 NCU
3 MODEM
4 ROM
5 Buffer memory 5a Scanner work area 5b Fax reception area 6 Scanner 7 JPEG CODEC
8 G3 CODEC
9 Display unit 10 Operation unit 11 Color printer 12 External I / F
13 Bus 14 Telephone network

Claims (3)

Image reading means for reading an image, image data receiving means for receiving image data from the outside, memory means for storing read image data from the image reading means and received image data received by the image data receiving means, and received image data In an image processing apparatus comprising output means for outputting
An image processing apparatus comprising: control means for stopping the image reading means when received image data is stored beyond the area allocated to the received image in the memory means.   2. The image reading means can be used when the received image data is output by the output means so as to fall within an allocated area in the memory means. Image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data receiving unit is a facsimile receiving unit.

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