JP2006005964A - Image input device and image input forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To connect an image input device and an image input forming device with each other, without using a parallel interface and moreover, to shorten first copying time. <P>SOLUTION: There is provided an image input system which comprises the image input device 1 and an image forming device 2 which are connected with each other via a serial interface 3 and sends out image data, input from the image input device, to the image forming device. The image input device is equipped with an accelerating means 12 for sending out a preparation instructional information which directs via the serial interface the preparation for image forming to the image forming device, before sending out the image data, when it has detected a preliminary operation for inputting the image data. When it has received the preparation directing information, the image forming device begins preparatory operation of the image forming. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image input device such as a scanner in a separate housing from an image forming device such as a printer, and an image input forming system in which the image input device and the image forming device are combined. The present invention relates to a technique for shortening the time required for first copy when a copy function is realized by an image input forming system.

  In a conventional copy-only machine, a scanner unit that reads an image and a printer unit that outputs the read image are provided in one housing. The image information transferred from the scanner unit to the printer unit is formatted into a unique frame and transferred by a parallel transmission method in order to improve the copy speed.

  Furthermore, in a copy-only machine, a technique has been proposed for shortening the time required from the start of copying to the printer unit being ready for printing, that is, the first copy time. Specifically, a preliminary operation for inputting image data is detected in order to shorten the first copy time. The preliminary operation is an operation performed by a user who wants to copy a manuscript with a copy-only machine before operating a copy start switch button or the like. An operation to open and close the cover of a copy machine to set a document.

When it is detected that a preliminary operation has been performed, the printer unit of the copy-only machine starts a preparatory operation so that printing can be started immediately before the actual copy starts. As the preparation operation, for example, warming up of the heat source, starting of the polygon motor, feeding of printing paper, and the like are performed.
As described above, the preliminary operation for inputting the image data is detected before the start of copying is instructed, and the printer unit receives the image data by starting the preparation operation. It is possible to start the printing operation immediately.

  In recent years, it has been proposed to combine an image scanner device, which is a peripheral device of a computer, and a printer device to function as a copier. An example of such a prior art is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. According to the technique disclosed in this document, a plurality of parallel interface (I / F) ports capable of bidirectional communication are provided in the image scanner device, and the image scanner device is inserted in the middle of a signal line connecting the host computer and the printer device. It is configured. This configuration realizes a function as a copier in addition to a function as a normal scanner.

JP-A-8-340412

However, in order to transmit image information of a huge amount of data at high speed, both conventional copy-only machines and peripheral devices transfer image data to a printer unit or a printer device via a parallel interface. For this reason, particularly in the peripheral devices, there is a problem that an expensive dedicated bidirectional parallel interface is required to connect the image scanner device and the printer device.
In addition, conventional parallel interface cables are less versatile. For this reason, when the printer device of the peripheral device is replaced with another model, it may be necessary to replace the parallel interface cable.

  Further, when a copy function is realized by combining a scanner device and a printer device of a conventional peripheral device, only image data is basically sent from the scanner device to the printer device. For example, in the page printer apparatus, after the image data is sent for one page, the printer engine is instructed to start printing. For this reason, when the copy function is realized by using a peripheral device, there is a problem that the first copy time becomes longer than that in the case of using a copy-only machine.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and is a technique for connecting an image input apparatus and an image forming apparatus without using a parallel interface and shortening the first copy time. For the purpose of provision.

  The inventor according to the present invention has focused on the fact that high-speed communication has become possible in recent years using serial SCSI or the like even in the serial transmission system. Then, it has been conceived that the above object can be achieved by transmitting control information for instructing a preparatory operation for shortening the first copy time prior to image data via a serial interface.

  Therefore, according to the image input apparatus of the present invention, the image input apparatus sends out the input image data to the image forming apparatus via the serial interface, and is a spare for inputting the image data. When an operation is detected, the image forming apparatus includes an accelerating unit that transmits preparation instruction information for instructing preparation for image formation to the image forming apparatus via the serial interface before transmitting the image data. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, image data is sent from the image input apparatus to the image forming apparatus via the serial interface without using an expensive dedicated parallel interface. As a result, the number of connection cables can be reduced, and inexpensive cables and connectors such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and IEEE 1394 can be used. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the component cost of the connection cable.

  Furthermore, since the image input apparatus and the image forming apparatus, which are separate from each other, are connected via a serial interface, it is basically possible to easily connect with a single connection cable. Moreover, the serial interface is highly versatile, unlike the conventional parallel interface. For this reason, even when the image input apparatus or the image forming apparatus is replaced with another model, in principle, the connection cable can be used without being replaced.

According to the present invention, preparation instruction information is sent to the image forming apparatus prior to image data. As a result, the image forming apparatus can perform a preparatory operation for enabling printing before receiving the image data. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can start printing immediately after receiving the image data. That is, the first copy time can be shortened.
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the first copy time while connecting the image input device and the image forming device in separate housings to each other through the serial interface.

  In the present invention, the image input apparatus includes an accelerating unit. For this reason, the image input apparatus and the image forming apparatus are not necessarily connected to the host computer via the network. That is, even when not controlled by the host computer, it is possible to shorten the first copy time by sending the preparation instruction information from the accelerating means to the image forming apparatus.

  By the way, an image input device that is not a copy-only machine has a plurality of functions such as a scanner function for sending captured image data to a host computer as well as a copy function for sending captured image data to an image forming apparatus for copying. Have. The first copy time needs to be shortened only when the image input apparatus realizes a copy function. For this reason, it is not necessary to operate the accelerating means for uses other than the copy function such as the scanner function.

  Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes a mode storage unit that stores the setting of the work mode for designating the use and destination of the image data, and the accelerating unit converts the image data as the work mode setting. When a copy mode to be sent to the forming apparatus is stored in the mode storage unit, preparation instruction information is sent when a preliminary operation is detected.

Thereby, only when the copy mode is set as the work mode, that is, only when the copy function is realized, the accelerating means can be selectively operated.
The work mode can be set by any suitable means. For example, it may be set by an operation panel provided in the image input apparatus, or may be set by a host computer connected to the image input apparatus via a network.

  By the way, when the user tries to copy in a state where the work mode is set to a mode other than the copy mode, a preliminary operation such as document setting is performed before the work mode is switched to the copy mode. There may be cases. In this case, even if the expediting means detects a preliminary operation, it does not send the preparation instruction information because it is not set to the copy mode. Therefore, the first copy time may not be shortened.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 3, the accelerating means detects that the setting of the work mode is switched from the other work mode to the copy mode as a preliminary operation, and sends the preparation instruction information. As a configuration.

In this way, even when the work mode is switched to the copy mode after the preliminary operation, the early accelerating means sends the preparation instruction information, so that the first copy time can be shortened.
Further, when the work mode is switched to the copy mode before the preliminary operation, the early-stage means sends the preparation instruction information at an earlier stage. For this reason, the first copy time can be further shortened.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input forming system comprising an image input device and an image forming device connected to each other via a serial interface. An image input forming system for sending to an image forming apparatus via a serial interface, and when the image input apparatus detects a preliminary operation for inputting image data, before the image data is sent, The image forming apparatus includes an accelerating unit that sends preparation instruction information for instructing preparation for image formation to the image forming apparatus via the interface. When the image forming apparatus receives the preparation instruction information, the image forming apparatus performs a preparation operation for image formation. It is a configuration to start.

  As described above, according to the image input forming system of the present invention, the image input apparatus and the image forming apparatus are connected via the serial interface, and the preparation instruction information issued by the accelerating means that detects the preliminary operation is used. The image forming apparatus starts the preparation operation. As a result, the image input apparatus and the image forming apparatus can be connected without using a parallel interface, and the first copy time can be shortened.

  According to the present invention, the image input apparatus and the image forming apparatus can be connected without using a parallel interface, and the first copy time can be shortened.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
First, the configuration of the image input forming system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the image input forming system according to the first embodiment includes an image input device 1 such as a scanner and an image forming device 2 such as a printer that are connected to each other via a serial interface 3.

The image input apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 11, an accelerating unit 12, and an image input unit 13.
The image input device 1 includes various components (not shown) included in a normal image input device in addition to these components.

  The operation panel 11 is provided for operating the image input apparatus 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a work mode for designating the use and destination of the image data input by the image input apparatus 1 can be set by the operation panel 11. The set work mode is stored in a mode storage unit (not shown) such as a non-volatile memory built in the image input apparatus 1. The work mode once stored in the mode storage unit is held until the work mode setting is updated by the operation panel 11.

The accelerating unit 12 detects a preliminary operation for inputting image data. Here, the preliminary operation is an operation performed by the user who intends to input an image from the image input apparatus 1 before operating the copy start switch button or the like on the operation panel 11. For example, an operation of setting a document on the image input apparatus 1 or opening / closing a cover of the image input apparatus 1 for setting the document.
In detecting the preliminary operation, any suitable sensor for detecting the setting of the document or the opening / closing of the cover may be provided.

Then, when the operation is preliminarily detected, the accelerating unit refers to the mode storage unit, and sends the preparation instruction information when the copy mode for sending the image data to the image forming apparatus is set as the work mode. .
Then, the accelerating means sends preparation instruction information when the copy mode is stored in the mode storage unit as the work mode setting and a preliminary operation is detected.

  When the preliminary operation is detected, the accelerating unit 12 sends preparation instruction information for instructing preparation for image formation to the image forming apparatus 1 via the serial interface. Therefore, the preparation instruction information is sent before sending the image data.

The image input unit 13 includes a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or a CIS. When a copy instruction is input from the operation panel 11, the image influential unit 13 reads the document and generates image data.
Note that data read by a CCD or the like is A / D converted, further subjected to processing such as correction of variations in input characteristics, and then output as image data.

Here, an operation example of the image input apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the accelerating unit of the image input apparatus 1 checks the setting of the work mode stored in the mode storage unit (S1 in FIG. 2). If a preliminary operation is detected when the copy mode is set (S2 in FIG. 2), the accelerating unit sends preparation instruction information to the image forming apparatus 2 (S4 in FIG. 2).
Thus, in the present embodiment, the preparation instruction information can be sent only when the copy mode is set as the work mode.

  On the other hand, a mode other than the copy mode may be set in the mode storage unit. In this case, when the setting of the work mode is switched to the copy mode (S3 in FIG. 2), the accelerating means sends preparation instruction information (S4 in FIG. 2). That is, the accelerating unit 12 detects that the work mode setting has been switched to the copy mode as a preliminary operation.

  In this way, even when the work mode is switched to the copy mode after the preliminary operation, the accelerating unit 12 can send the preparation instruction information. Further, when the work mode is switched to the copy mode before the preliminary operation is performed, the preparation instruction information can be transmitted at an earlier stage.

Subsequently, when a copy instruction is input through the operation panel 11 (S5 in FIG. 2), the image input apparatus 1 inputs an image through the image input unit 13, and inputs the input image data to the image forming apparatus 2 through the serial interface 3. To send out.
In this embodiment, preparation instruction information is sent before image input is performed. However, in the present invention, preparation instruction information may be sent after image input and before sending image data.

Here, FIG. 4 shows a transmission format of data sent from the image input apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 2 via the serial interface.
As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission format 6 includes a flag 61, a header 62, data 63, a trailer 64, and a flag 65 sequentially from the top. The leading flag 61 is a portion indicating the start of the valid data to be transmitted. Further, the head flag 61 may be used for extraction of a synchronization signal. The header 62 is a part indicating the type of address information and data 63. In the data 63, for example, preparation start instruction information, control information, status information, or image data is stored. The trailer 64 stores data for error check and correction of the transmitted frame. The tail flag 65 is a portion indicating the end of the transmitted valid data.

Next, an operation example of the image forming apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, when receiving data from the image input apparatus 1 (S1 in FIG. 3), the CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 2 determines whether the data is image data (S2 in FIG. 3).
As a result of the determination, if the data is image data, the CPU 21 causes the printing unit 23 to print out the image data (S6 in FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that the data is not image data, the CPU 21 further determines whether or not the data is preparation instruction information. If the data is control data other than the preparation instruction information, control processing is performed according to the contents of the control data (S4 in FIG. 2).

  If the data is preparation instruction information, the image forming apparatus 2 starts an image formation preparation operation (S5 in FIG. 3). That is, the CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 2 causes the engine 22 to prepare for printing so that printing can be started immediately before actual copying starts. As the preparatory operation, for example, warming up by heating a heater, starting of a polygon motor, and feeding of printing paper as necessary are performed.

  As described above, when the preparation instruction information is received, the image forming apparatus 2 starts the preparation operation before receiving the image data. As a result, the printing operation can be started immediately after receiving the image data. For this reason, it is possible to shorten the first copy time.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1B, in the second embodiment, the image input apparatus 1 is configured by a network scanner. The image input device 1 and the image forming device 2 are connected to the network 4. The network 4 is, for example, a LAN (Local
(Area network).

  Further, a host computer 5 is also connected to the network 4. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the image input device 1 and the image forming device 2 operate as peripheral devices of the host computer 5. In the second embodiment, the work mode may be set for the image input apparatus 1 by the host computer 5. The set work mode is stored in a mode storage unit such as a nonvolatile memory in the image input apparatus 1 until the next work mode setting is updated, as in the case of the first embodiment described above.

  Even when the image input apparatus 1 is connected to a host computer via a network, the work mode can be set by the operation panel. The operations of the image input apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 after the work mode is set are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and will be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is configured under specific conditions has been described. However, the present invention can be variously modified. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example of the image scanner is described as the image input device. However, in the present invention, the image input device is not limited to the image scanner. The present invention can be applied to general information equipment that can capture image information such as a digital camera as a digital signal.

(A) And (B) is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the image input formation system of embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the accelerating means of an image input device. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the transmission format of the data sent to an image forming apparatus from an image input device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image input device 2 Image forming apparatus 3 Serial interface 4 Network 5 Host computer 6 Transmission format 11 Operation panel 12 Expediting means 13 Image input part 21 CPU
22 Engine 23 Printing part 61 Flag 62 Header 63 Data 64 Trailer 65 Flag

Claims (4)

An image input device for sending input image data to an image forming device via a serial interface,
When a preliminary operation for inputting image data is detected, preparation instruction information for instructing the image forming apparatus to prepare for image formation via the serial interface before sending the image data An image input device comprising an accelerating means for transmitting the image. A mode storage unit that stores settings of a work mode that designates a use and destination of the image data;
When the preliminary operation is detected when the copy mode for sending the image data to the image forming apparatus as the work mode setting is stored in the mode storage unit, The image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein preparation instruction information is transmitted. The accelerating unit detects that the setting of the work mode is switched from the other work mode to the copy mode as the preliminary operation, and sends the preparation instruction information. 2. The image input device according to 2. Image input comprising an image input device and an image forming device connected to each other via a serial interface, and sending image data input by the image input device to the image forming device via the serial interface A forming system,
When the image input device detects a preliminary operation for inputting image data, the image input device prepares for image formation via the serial interface before sending the image data. Including an early means for sending preparation instruction information for instructing
When the image forming apparatus receives the preparation instruction information, the image forming apparatus starts an image forming preparation operation.

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