JP2006050667A - Image processing method, image processing device and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To file image data that are processed in parallel, without effort by accumulating them, without making users aware of it, in the image processing device that can perform parallel processing of plural kinds of functions, in relation to image processing method, and to provide an image processing device and an image processing system. <P>SOLUTION: In the image processing devices 10-1 and 10-2 that can perform parallel processing for two or more functions from among image reading function, image recording function, image copying function and image communication function, file of image data to be processed is accumulated automatically, independently of the processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing system, and in particular, an image processing method for automatically performing electronic filing when using an image reading function, an image recording function, an image copying function, and an image communication function, and the image processing method The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing system using such an image processing method.

  Conventionally, as an image processing apparatus that processes image data obtained by electrically converting a document image, a scanner device that outputs image data obtained by reading the document image, a facsimile device that transmits and receives image data, and a printer device that plots out image data In recent years, digital image processing apparatuses capable of executing these multiple functions have also appeared.

As this type of image processing apparatus, for example, there is one proposed in Patent Document 6, and this proposed image processing apparatus is devised so that copying of a document and facsimile communication can be performed in parallel. Has been.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-196247 JP-A-11-205497 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-336366 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-290315 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-173836 Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-15299

  By the way, the manuscript processed by the image processing apparatus includes important documents (documents on which images and characters are displayed) that need to be stored and documents that may be used in the future. File storage on paper requires a storage location, and it takes time and effort to find the desired document. For this reason, data processing technology has become more sophisticated and faster in recent years, and storage devices have become less expensive. Along with this, a so-called electronic filing device has emerged in which an original is read by a scanner device and stored as image data in a mass storage device.

  However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, even if the original image is converted into an electrical signal, the image data is lost after the processing is completed. For this reason, in order to store the image data in the electronic filing device, it is necessary to cause the scanner device to read the original again, which is troublesome.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing method that can be filed without trouble by accumulating image data to be processed in parallel without making the user aware of it in an environment in which processing of multiple types of functions can be performed in parallel. An object is to provide an image processing system.

  As a result of examining whether or not the above-mentioned trouble can be eliminated, the present inventor stored image data to be processed as it is in an environment in which processing of a plurality of functions such as copying of a document and parallel operation of facsimile communication can be executed in parallel. It has been conceived that the convenience in the image processing apparatus can be further improved if it can be made possible.

  According to a first invention for solving the above problem, in the image processing method, an execution step of executing processing of two or more functions in parallel among an image reading function, an image recording function, an image copying function, and an image communication function; And an accumulating step of automatically accumulating the image data file to be processed in the executing step independently of the processing.

  In a second invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the first invention, the execution step stores the image data file in an internal or external storage means of one image processing apparatus having the functions. It is characterized by making it.

  According to a third invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the second invention, the execution step transfers the image data to be processed by the respective functions on one or a plurality of buses in the image processing apparatus. It is characterized by.

  According to a fourth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the second or third invention, the execution step is characterized in that the two or more functions are performed in response to an internal instruction command and / or an external instruction command of the image processing apparatus. These processes are executed in parallel.

  According to a fifth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the fourth invention, the external instruction command is issued from one or a plurality of external devices connected to the image processing device via a network. And

  According to a sixth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, the accumulation step adds specific information for identifying each file to the image data file. It is characterized by making it accumulate.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems, in the image processing apparatus, an image reading unit that reads a document and outputs image data, an image communication unit that transmits and receives image data via a communication line, and an image data And processing image data in two or more of the image recording means for recording an image on a recording medium, the image reading means, the image communication means, and the image recording means in response to an instruction command. Control means for performing the processing, and the control means automatically stores the file of the image data processed by the two or more means in the storage means independently of the processing.

  An eighth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized in that, in the seventh invention, the storage means is provided inside or outside the image processing apparatus.

  According to a ninth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the eighth invention, the image data processed by the image reading means, the image communication means, and the image recording means is transferred within the image processing apparatus. One or more buses are further provided.

  In a tenth aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described problem, in the eighth or ninth aspect, the control means responds to an internal instruction command and / or an external instruction command of the image processing apparatus and the two or more means. The processing of the image data in is performed in parallel.

  In an eleventh invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the tenth invention, the external instruction command is issued from one or a plurality of external devices connected to the image processing device via a network. And

  In a twelfth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems, in any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, the control means adds a file of the image data with specific information for identifying each file. Accumulating in the accumulating means.

  According to the first to twelfth inventions, in an environment where processing of a plurality of types of functions can be executed in parallel, filing can be performed without trouble by accumulating image data to be processed in parallel without making the user aware of it. is there.

  According to a thirteenth invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, in an image processing apparatus, an image data bus line for transferring image data in real time and an image for reading a document image and outputting the read image data to the image data bus line in real time. Read image data from a communication line and output the received image data to the image data bus line in real time, while receiving transmission image data from the image data bus line in real time and communicating the transmission image data Image communication means for transmitting to a line; image recording means for receiving recorded image data on the image data bus line and recording an image on a recording medium based on the recorded image data; and reading operation, recording operation by the means; During processing of image data by one or more of a transmission operation or a reception operation In response to the received instruction command, control means for executing image data processing in parallel by operation by means not used for processing the image data, read image data, transmission image data on the image data bus line And a buffer for temporarily storing received image data, a DMA transfer bus line used for DMA transfer of the image data in the buffer, and a DMA transfer request at a preset timing for the image data in the buffer. And image transfer means for performing DMA transfer to the DMA transfer bus line, and image storage means for storing image data on the DMA transfer bus line.

  A fourteenth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration of the thirteenth invention, a DMA transfer request is sent to the image transfer means when the storage capacity of the image data in the buffer reaches a set capacity. To do.

  In the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, image data is input / output to / from the image data bus line to perform image processing by performing a reading operation, a recording operation, a transmission operation, or a reception operation, and an image obtained by non-operation processing. When there is a processing instruction command, for example, when a process of transmitting a document to a destination is performed in parallel during a process of copying a document, image data input / output to / from the image data bus line is temporarily stored in the buffer. The image data stored in the buffer is DMA-transferred to the DMA transfer bus line based on the DMA transfer request and stored and held in the image storage means at a preset timing such as when the storage capacity of the buffer reaches a predetermined value.

  Accordingly, image data to be processed in parallel is acquired from the image data bus line, and DMA transferred and stored separately from the parallel processing. In this case, image data to be processed in parallel is input / output using the first and second image data bus lines, and the image data is respectively input to the first and second buffers corresponding to the first and second image data bus lines. Is temporarily stored and DMA-transferred to the image storage means based on the DMA transfer request for each of the first and second buffers is preferable because the control can be simplified. When DMA transfer requests are received at the same time, one of the first and second buffers is transferred according to a predetermined priority, and the priority is alternated for each simultaneous DMA transfer request. It is sufficient to replace them, and by doing so, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of image data in the first and second buffers being lost.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, the image processing apparatus according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect is provided with a connection means for connecting to an external apparatus, and connected to an electronic filing apparatus provided with an image storage means for storing image data. The image data in the image storage means of the processing device is transferred to an electronic filing device.

  In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, in addition to the configuration of the fifteenth aspect, the image processing apparatus includes a network connection section as a connection section, and the image storage section is connected to an electronic filing apparatus on the connected network. The image data is transferred.

  In the fifteenth and sixteenth aspects, image data to be stored and held is transferred to an electronic filing device attached directly or via a network, and stored and managed in the image storage means of the electronic filing device. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a large-capacity image storage means in the own apparatus, and image data can be separately stored and managed by an electronic filing device or the like commonly used on the network.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, in an image processing method, processing of two or more functions among an image reading function, an image recording function, an image copying function, and an image communication function of one image processing apparatus is performed in parallel. An execution step to be executed and an image data file to be processed in the execution step independently of the processing and irrespective of the presence or absence of a transfer command, via a single system bus in the image processing apparatus. And a storage step of automatically storing the data in the internal or external storage means of the image processing apparatus.

  In an eighteenth aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problems, in the seventeenth aspect of the invention, in the storage step, the storage unit stores the image data file by adding specific information for identifying each file. It is characterized by that.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems, in the seventeenth or eighteenth aspect, the executing step transfers the image data on the system bus in a time-sharing manner and executes the processing in parallel. Features.

  In a twentieth aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problems, in the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects, the two or more functions executed in parallel by the execution step are a network scanner function and a network print function, a network scanner function and a FAX reception. Function, FAX transmission function and network print function, Network FAX transmission function and copy function, Network FAX transmission function and network scanner function, Network FAX transmission function and network print function, Network FAX transmission function, Network scanner function and Network print function It is selected from a group.

  According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems, in the image processing apparatus, execution means for executing processing of two or more functions in parallel among the image reading function, the image recording function, the image copying function, and the image communication function; A single system bus connected to the execution means and a file of image data processed by the execution means are transferred via the system bus independently of the processing and with or without a transfer command. And an accumulation control means for automatically accumulating in an internal or external accumulation means.

  In a twenty-second aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, in the twenty-first aspect, the accumulation control unit accumulates the image data file in the accumulation unit by adding specific information for identifying each file. It is characterized by making it.

  In a twenty-third invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the twenty-first or twenty-second invention, the execution means transfers the image data on the system bus in a time-sharing manner and executes the processing in parallel. Features.

  In a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the first to twenty-third aspects of the invention, the two or more functions executed in parallel by the execution means are a network scanner function, a network print function, and a network scanner function. And fax reception function, fax transmission function and network print function, network fax transmission function and copy function, network fax transmission function and network scanner function, network fax transmission function and network print function, network fax transmission function and network scanner function and network print It is selected from a group consisting of functions.

  According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the image processing system, the image processing unit according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-fourth aspects is provided with a connection unit with an external device to store image data And image data in the image processing apparatus is transferred to the electronic filing apparatus.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the twenty-fifth aspect, the image processing apparatus includes a network connection unit as a connection unit, and the electronic filing device on the connected network is connected to the electronic processing unit. It is characterized by transferring image data.

  Needless to say, the electronic filing apparatus may be built in the image processing apparatus, and the image storage means may constitute the image storage means of the built-in electronic filing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, an image processing method, an image processing device, and an image processing method that can be filed without trouble by accumulating image data to be processed in parallel without making the user aware of it in an environment where processing of a plurality of types of functions can be performed in parallel An image processing system can be realized.

  According to the present invention, image data to be input / output to / from the image data bus line and processed in parallel is acquired from the image data bus line, temporarily stored in the buffer, and then DMA-transferred to the image storage means to perform parallel processing. The first and second image data bus lines can be used to store and hold the first and second image data when the first and second buffers are processed by simple control for temporarily storing the image data in the first and second buffers, respectively. When there is a DMA transfer request for image data in two buffers at the same time, one of the image data is DMA-transferred according to the priority order, and the other image data is DMA-transferred by the next DMA transfer request, resulting in missing image data Can be eliminated.

  The image data to be stored and held is stored in the first image storage means, and then transferred to the same or different second image storage means for storage and storage, thereby ensuring storage capacity and input / output of image data. The image data can be effectively used in the electronic filing device by transferring it to an internal or external electronic filing device.

  As a result, image data to be processed in parallel can be stored (accumulated) unintentionally without requiring an operation from the user, and can be filed without trouble.

  Embodiments of an image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention. The first embodiment of the image processing system employs the first embodiment of the image processing method according to the present invention and the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital multifunction machine having an image reading function, an image recording function, an image copying function, and an image communication function.

  In FIG. 1, a multi-function device (MFP) 10-1 constitutes a digital multi-function peripheral as an image processing device. The system bus (or computer bus) 100 of the MFP 10-1 functions as a CPU 11-1 that functions as a control unit, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a display operation unit 14, a scanner 15-1 that functions as an image reading unit, and an image recording unit. Plotter 16-1, Facsimile Control Unit (FCU) 17-1 that functions as image communication means, Network Control Unit (NCU) 18 that functions as network connection means, and hard disk device (HDD: Hard Disk) Unit) 20 is connected. For the system bus 100, for example, general-purpose PCI can be used. The CPU 11-1 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 12 in advance and uses the RAM 13 as a work area for temporarily storing image data, sensor signals, and the like, and performs overall control of each part of the apparatus, thereby performing various processes as an image processing apparatus. And the processing according to the present invention is executed.

  The display operation unit 14 includes a controller 14a connected to the system bus 100, and a key port 14b and a display port 14c prepared in an operation port provided at the upper front of the apparatus main body. The key port 14b is provided with various operation keys such as numeric keys and function keys for performing input operations such as settings and commands by the user. The display port 14c displays various types of information such as driving conditions, device states, and input conditions, and a display operation LCD (Liquid Crystal) with a touch panel for performing selection input such as function selection and setting input by the user. Display) is provided. The controller 14a outputs input information from the key port 14b to the CPU 11-1 via the system bus 100, and the display port 14c displays various information according to instructions of the CPU 11-1 obtained via the system bus 100.

  The scanner 15-1 may be configured to read image data by a known reading method. For example, an automatic document feeder (ADC) (not shown) separates and feeds one sheet at a time from the document table. The image data is read by irradiating the light from the exposure lamp onto the sheet document (document consisting of images, characters, etc.) positioned on the contact glass (reading position) and photoelectrically converting the reflected light from the image surface by the CCD. Transfer to the system bus 100 in real time.

  The plotter 16-1 may be configured to record and output image data transferred in real time on the system bus 100 by a known electrophotographic recording method. For example, the plotter 16-1 is rotated on a photosensitive member that is charged while being rotated. Toner is attached to the optically written electrostatic latent image, and the toner image is transferred and fixed onto a sheet (recording medium) transported from a paper feed cassette, and discharged out of the apparatus. Needless to say, the plotter 16-1 may record an image by an ink jet method other than the electrophotographic method.

  The FCU 17-1 modulates and demodulates image data and various procedure signals and executes line control with the PSTN (public line) to connect or disconnect the line, thereby transmitting facsimile data to the other FAX terminal. Facsimile communication to send and receive. The image data from the scanner 15-1 on the system bus 100 is used as the transmission image data for facsimile transmission, while the received data received by facsimile is transferred to the system bus 100 by the plotter 16-1. Record an image.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 11-1 has a function of encoding and compressing image data, and decoding and decompressing the image data when reproducing. However, the MFP 10-1 may include an image processing unit 25 that encodes and compresses image data and decodes and decompresses the image data when reproducing the image data, as in the modification shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a modification of the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG.

  Needless to say, the CPU 11-1 can perform image processing for enlarging / reducing an image of a size designated by the user at the time of copying (copying) or the like on the image data.

  Accordingly, the MFP 10-1 has an image reading function by the scanner 15-1, an image communication function for receiving image data by facsimile communication by the FCU 17-1, and transmitting image data read by the image reading function, and an image reading function. It can be used as an image processing apparatus having an image copying function for recording and outputting read image data by the plotter 16-1 and an image recording function for recording and outputting image data received by the image communication function by the plotter 16-1. . The MFP 10-1 sends image data read by the scanner 15-1 to terminals such as personal computers (PCs) 34-1 to 34-N on the network 33, which will be described later, or PCs 34-1 to 34. It may be configured so that it can be used in common as an apparatus having a printer function for receiving document data from -N and printing it out.

  When the MFP 10-1 operates the reading function, the communication function, the copying function, and the recording function, the HDD 20 avoids waiting for completion of processing of image data exchanged between the functions and occupying a plurality of functions. Therefore, it can be used to temporarily store image data to be processed.

  The NCU 18 is connected to the PCs 34-1 to 34-N and the PC 35 via the network 33. The NCU 18 configures a network interface (I / F) that enables data exchange between the MFP 10-1 and the PCs 34-1 to 34-N and 35. The PC 35 constitutes an electronic filing device that stores and manages data files in a mass storage device (image storage means) 36 so as to be searchable and readable. The MFP 10-1 transfers the processed image data to a reusable file (accumulation) by transferring the image data to be processed by the user as it is to a PC (hereinafter referred to as an electronic filing device) 35 regardless of whether there is a transfer command. A file system (image processing system) to be stored is constructed. It goes without saying that the electronic filing device 35 is not limited to the configuration connected to the MFP 10-1 via the network 33, and may be directly connected to the MFP 10-1. The mass storage device 36 may be a part of the electronic filing device 35 or may be externally connected to the electronic filing device 35, and can be configured by various storage means such as an HDD.

  Further, for example, the MFP 10-1 and the electronic filing device 35 can be connected using an interface such as a parallel interface such as SCSI, a serial interface such as USB, and IEEE1394. However, in the following description, for convenience, the NCU 18 is used. To do.

  Next, the network scanner function will be described. In the case of the network scanner function, the image data read from the scanner 15-1 is read out and output to the system bus 100. The read image data on the system bus 100 can be transferred to devices such as PCs 34-1 to 34-N, 35 on the network 33 via the NCU 18. The image data on the system bus 100 during the reading operation can be recorded in the HDD 20 which is an image storage unit.

  Next, the network print function will be described. In the case of the network print function, recorded image data transferred via the NCU 18 from devices such as PCs 34-1 to 34-N, 35 on the network 33 is printed in a print description language such as PCL, PS, RPDL, or IPDLC. is described. The CPU 11-1 expands the recording image data transferred via the NCU 18 into image data that can be recorded by the plotter 16-1. The developed image data is transferred to the plotter 16-1 via the system bus 100 and recorded on a recording medium. The image data on the system bus 100 during the recording operation can be recorded in the HDD 20 as image storage means.

  Next, (A) the parallel operation of the copy function and the FAX transmission function will be described. First, a multi-copy command is specified from the display operation unit 14 of the MFP 10-1. In this case, the scanner 15-1 scans only one original. The read image data read by the scanner 15-1 is stored in the HDD 20 via the system bus 100. The read image data stored in the HDD 20 is transferred again to the plotter 16-1 via the system bus 100, and transfer T1 is performed in which the image is recorded on the recording medium. In the copying process, such an operation is repeated for the designated number of copies. During image transfer from the HDD 20 via the system bus 100, read image data read from the scanner 15-1 is fax-transmitted via the system bus 100 and the FCU 17-1, and transfer T2 is performed. Since the system bus 100 is PCI, the transfer T1 and the transfer T2 are alternately performed in a time division manner. Needless to say, the image data transferred in a time-sharing manner is stored in the HDD 20 as image storage means, and electronic filing to the electronic filing device 35 is possible while performing parallel processing.

  Other parallel processing includes (B) network scanner function and network print function, (C) network scanner function and FAX reception function, (D) FAX transmission function and network print function, and (E) network FAX transmission function and copy function. (F) a network FAX transmission function and a network scanner function, (G) a network FAX transmission function and a network print function, and (H) a network FAX transmission function, a network scanner function and a network print function.

  According to the network FAX transmission function, FAX transmission is performed via the NCU 18 and the network 33 to the PCs 34-1 to 34-N, 35 connected to the MFP 10-1 via the network 33.

  Among the parallel processes (A) to (H), in the parallel processes (B) to (E), the read image data read from the scanner 15-1 and the recorded image data recorded by the plotter 16-1 Is transferred in a time-sharing manner on the system bus 100, and electronic filing is possible while performing parallel processing similar to (A) copying and FAX transmission.

  Similarly, in the parallel processing (E) to (H), the network FAX transmission image from the NCU 18, the read image data read from the scanner 15-1, and the recorded image data recorded by the plotter 16-1 are transferred to the system bus. 100 is transferred in time division. Also in the case of parallel processing (E) to (H), electronic filing is possible while performing parallel processing similar to the above.

  In the parallel processing (A) to (G), two functions are processed in parallel, but the number of functions to be processed in parallel is not limited to two. That is, the number of functions to be processed in parallel may be two or more, and the parallel processing (H) is a case where parallel processing of three functions is performed. The parallel processing is not limited to the parallel processing (A) to (H) described above, and various combinations of functions are possible.

  For example, (I) parallel processing of a copying function and a FAX receiving function is possible. In this case, if other processing is performed during FAX reception, the received image data is stored in the HDD 20 via the system bus 100 while performing other processing, that is, parallel processing. The received image data stored in the HDD 20 is read from the HDD 20 when the parallel processing is completed, transferred to the plotter 16-1 through the system bus 100, and recorded on a recording medium.

  The functions that can be processed in parallel with the FAX reception function include a network scanner function and a network print function. When these functions are combined, three functions are processed in parallel.

  If the transmission function and the reception function can be operated independently on the FCU 17-1 side, and there are two communication lines using, for example, an ISDN line, parallel processing of the FAX transmission function and the FAX reception function is also possible. Is possible.

  By the way, the CPU 11-1 of the MFP 10-1 also functions as a transfer unit. For example, the read image data read by the scanner 15-1 is recorded on a recording medium such as a sheet by the plotter 16-1, or the FCU 17-1 is used. In parallel with the FAX transmission, the processing date and time information for specifying the read image data, the number information, the specific information such as the destination telephone number, and the like are added, and the same image data is temporarily stored in the HDD 20 as well. After that, transfer processing to be sent to the electronic filing device 35 via the NCU 18 is performed. The electronic filing device 35 performs arithmetic processing according to an application program read from the internal memory by operating a keyboard, a mouse or the like while looking at the display, and performs various processing such as creation of a document or an image. The image data transferred from the MFP 10-1 is stored and managed in the large-capacity storage device 36 so that it can be reused by searching / reading out and displaying / recording the image data. Image data is associated with specific information for each continuously processed document, stored and stored in the large storage capacity device 36, and a part of the document such as a thumbnail image of the first page, for example, in response to a subsequent request from the user Are displayed on a display in a calendar display format or the like so as to be selectable based on specific information such as the processing date and time. Of the displayed image data, the image data selected by the user is read from the large-capacity storage device 36 in units of documents, and sent from the electronic filing device 35 to, for example, the MFP 10-1, whereby the plotter 16-1. Can be recorded on a recording medium.

  That is, the image data processed in the MFP 10-1 is automatically stored in the electronic filing device 35 without being conscious of the user, and can be reused by confirming its contents. The image data in document units can be sequentially displayed and output on the display so that the image data as it is digitized can be processed by the PCs 34-1 to 34-N and 35 so as to be reusable. good.

  When image data is automatically transferred from the MFP 10-1 to the electronic filing device 35 and stored without being conscious of the user, for example, US Pat. No. 5,642,199 and US Pat. No. 5,978. The method proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 477 can be used, and thus detailed description regarding transfer and storage of image data to the electronic filing device 35 is omitted.

  Furthermore, for example, as for the specific information added to the image data and the method for recognizing the specific information when the image data is stored in the HDD 20 in the MFP 10-1 or transferred from the MFP 10-1 to the electronic filing device 35, see Japanese Patent Application No. The method proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-279019 can be adopted, and detailed description thereof is omitted. For example, when adding specific information to the image data recorded by the plotter 16-1, the specific information indicating the individual or group of the user is obtained by inputting and setting the specific information with a printer driver installed in the CPU 11-1. A file of image data can be saved in the added state. Further, for example, when a user (sender) performs FAX transmission in a confidential mode, when transmitting image data, the user operates the display operation unit 14 of the MFP 10-1 to input a personal or group code of the destination. A file of image data can be saved with specific information added to the data.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of this embodiment. The process shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 corresponds to the process executed by the CPU 11-1.

The process shown in FIG. 3 is started when the CPU 11-1 receives image data from the input device. In FIG. 3, the combinations of “input device” and “output device” are different depending on the function as shown below.
Function Input device Output device copy Scanner 15-1 Plotter 16-1
FAX transmission Scanner 15-1 FCU17-1
Fax reception FCU17-1 Plotter 16-1
Network scanner Scanner 15-1 NCU18
Network Print NCU18 Plotter 16-1
Network FAX transmission NCU18 FCU17-1
In FIG. 3, step S1 adds specific information to the received image data. In step S2, specific information and image data are stored in the HDD 20. In step S3, it is determined whether or not it is a multi-copy operation, and the process ends if the determination result is YES. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S3 is NO, a step S4 decides whether or not the output device is being used in another parallel process. The process ends if the decision result in the step S4 is YES. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S4 is NO, the step S5 transfers the image data to the output device, and the process ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the output device is ready for use. In FIG. 4, a plotter is described as an example of an output device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an output device other than the plotter that temporarily falls into an unusable state due to parallel processing. The same processing is performed even if replaced with. As described above, when other processing is performed during FAX reception, the received image data is stored in the HDD 20 via the system bus 100 while performing other processing, that is, parallel processing. In step S11, the received image data stored in the HDD 20 is read from the HDD 20 when the parallel processing is completed. In step S12, the read received image data is transferred to the plotter 16-1 via the system bus 100. In step S13, the received image data is recorded on the recording medium by the plotter 16-1, and the process ends.

  Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the image processing system according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the image processing system according to the present invention. The second embodiment of the image processing system employs the second embodiment of the image processing method according to the present invention and the second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the second embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital multifunction machine having an image reading function, an image recording function, an image copying function, and an image communication function. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, an MFP 10-2 constitutes a digital multifunction peripheral (image processing apparatus). The system bus (computer bus) 100 of the MFP 10-2 includes a CPU (control unit) 11-2, ROM 12, RAM 13, display operation unit 14, scanner (image reading unit) 15-2, plotter (image recording unit) 16-. 2, an FCU (image reading unit) 17-2, an NCU (network connection unit) 18, a removable media I / F 19 and an HDD 20 are connected. The CPU 11-2 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 12 in advance and uses the RAM 13 as a work area for temporarily storing image data, sensor signals, etc. While performing various processes, the process which concerns on this invention is performed.

  The MFP 10-2 is also connected to an image data bus (line) 101 and an image data bus 102 for transferring image data input or output to the scanner 15-2, plotter 16-2 and FCU 17-2 in real time. The image data to be processed can be exchanged between the image data bus 101 and the image data bus 102 through simple control.

  The scanner 15-2 may be configured to read image data by a known reading method. For example, an ADF (not shown) is separately fed from the document table one by one and positioned on the contact glass (reading position). The sheet original is irradiated with light from an exposure lamp, the reflected light from the image surface is photoelectrically converted by the CCD, image data is read, and transferred onto the image data bus 101 in real time.

  The plotter 16-2 may be configured to record and output image data transferred in real time on the image data buses 101 and 102 by a known electrophotographic recording method. For example, the plotter 16-2 is charged while being rotated and driven. Toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image optically written on the body, and the toner image is transferred and fixed onto a recording medium such as a sheet transported from a paper feed cassette, and discharged outside the apparatus. Needless to say, the plotter 16-2 may record an image by an inkjet method or the like other than the electrophotographic method.

  The FCU 17-2 modulates and demodulates image data and various procedure signals, and executes line control with the PSTN (public line) to perform line connection or disconnection, so that facsimile data is exchanged with the other FAX terminal. Facsimile communication to send and receive. The transmission image data for facsimile transmission uses the read image data from the scanner 15-2 on the image data bus 101, while the received data received by facsimile is transferred on the image data bus 102 to transfer the plotter 16- 2 to record on the recording medium. The CPU 11-2 may include an image processing unit that encodes and compresses image data and decodes and decompresses the image data when the image data is reproduced, as in the case of the CPU 11-1 in the first embodiment. Needless to say, the image data can be subjected to image processing for enlarging / reducing the image of the size designated by the user at the time of (copying) or the like.

  Accordingly, in the MFP 10-2, the scanner 15-2 functions as an image reading device, and transmits a transmission function for transmitting image data by facsimile communication, a copying function for recording and outputting the read image data by the plotter 16-2, and a received image. It can be used as an image processing apparatus having a recording function for recording and outputting data with a plotter 16-2. The MFP 10-2 sends image data read by the scanner 15-2 to terminals such as PCs 34-1 to 34-N, 35 on the network 33, which will be described later, or from the PC PCs 34-1 to 34-N, 35. The document data may be received and printed out (printer function). Also, when the MFP 10-2 operates the scanner function, communication function, copy function, and recording function, the HDD 20 waits for completion of processing of image data exchanged between the functions and occupies a plurality of functions. It can be used to temporarily store image data to be processed to avoid it.

  The NCU 18 constitutes a network I / F that is connected to the network 33 constructed by terminals such as PCPCs 34-1 to 34-N, 35, etc. so that data can be retrieved and read out. The MFP 10-2 can be connected to a network 33 including an electronic filing device 35 that stores and manages it in a capacity storage device (image storage means) 36. The MFP 10-2 transfers the image data processed by the user to the electronic filing device 35 as it is regardless of whether there is a transfer command, thereby reusing the processed image data as a reusable file (accumulating and storing) ( Image processing system).

  The removable media I / F 19 is an image to be processed by setting a medium 30 such as an HDD, a floppy disk drive (FDD: Floppy (registered trademark) disk drive) or a flash ROM card (Flash ROM Card) that can exchange data. Data can be transferred by file transfer. For this reason, the electronic filing device 35 can also read and store files from the media 30. Needless to say, the electronic filing device 35 may be directly connected to the MFP 10-2 without being limited to the configuration of being connected via the network 33.

  In the MFP 10-2, a FIFO buffer 21, a FIFO buffer 22, and a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller (image transfer means) 23 are connected to the system bus 100. The FIFO buffer 21 also connected to the image data bus 101 temporarily stores image data input / output on the image data bus 101. The FIFO buffer 22 also connected to the image data bus 102 temporarily stores image data input / output on the image data bus 102. The DMA controller 23 stores the image data in the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 based on a DMA transfer request sent when the capacity of the image data temporarily stored in the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 reaches a predetermined amount. DMA transfer is performed to a RAM (image storage means) 13 via a system bus (DMA transfer bus) 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the image data DMA-transferred from the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 is stored and held in preset storage areas 13a and 13b in the RAM 13, and then transferred from the CPU 11-2. Then, the data is transferred and stored in the HDD (image storage means) 20. The image data stored in the HDD 20 is transferred to the electronic filing device 35 on the network 33 via the NCU 18 and stored at a preset timing thereafter, for example, at a time with a low communication load such as nighttime. Managed.

  Specifically, for example, a case where the copy function and the facsimile transmission function are processed in parallel will be described as an example. First, a command for copying a plurality of copies is input (command designation) from the display operation unit 14 of the MFP 10-2. In response to this command input, the scanner 15-2 scans only one original, and the read image data is temporarily stored in the HDD 20 from the image data bus 101 through the FCU 17-2 and the system bus 100. The The held read image data is input from the HDD 20 to the image data bus 102 again via the FCU 17-2, and transferred to the plotter 16-2, whereby the image is recorded on the recording medium. In the copying process, such an operation is repeated for the designated number of copies. When a facsimile transmission command is input during the copying process, the read image read by the scanner 15-2 is performed in parallel with the process of transferring the read image data from the HDD 20 to the plotter 16-2 via the image data bus 102. A processing operation is performed in which data is separately transferred to the FCU 17-2 via the image data bus 101 and transmitted by facsimile.

  During this parallel processing, the image data on the image data buses 101 and 102 are usually transferred to the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 and temporarily stored separately without receiving any specific command from the CPU 11-2. When the storage capacity of one or both of the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 monitored by the DMA controller 23 reaches a predetermined amount, the DMA controller 23 designates the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 and designates the designated FIFO. The image data in the buffers 21 and 22 is DMA-transferred to the RAM 13 via the system bus (DMA transfer bus line) 100 and stored in the preset areas 13a and 13b. In the case of parallel processing of the copying function and the facsimile transmission function, the image data transferred on the image data bus 102 is transferred to the image data bus 101 and is repeatedly transferred for the number of copies. Since it is image data, it is not transferred to the FIFO buffer 22.

  At this time, when both storage capacities of the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 reach the set capacity at the monitoring timing, the DMA controller 23 accepts a request for DMA transfer of the image data in the FIFO buffer 21 for the first simultaneous request. In order to accept a request for DMA transfer of image data in the FIFO buffer 22 at the time of the next simultaneous request, the priority order is alternately switched for each simultaneous request. Needless to say, the order of priority may be reversed. At the next monitoring timing, the DMA transfer request for the image data in the FIFO buffer 21 or 22 which has not been DMA-transferred at the time of the simultaneous request from the DMA controller 23 is received, transferred to the RAM 13 and stored therein. Then, the CPU 11-2 transfers the image data in the RAM 13 to the HDD 20 and stores it at a timing when the storage capacity of the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 reaches a preset storage capacity. Therefore, the image data temporarily stored in the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 can be transferred to the RAM 13 at high speed without losing the image data. Thereafter, the image data is further transferred to the HDD 20 that secures a large storage capacity. Can be stored. The set capacity for requesting DMA transfer of the image data in the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 is the next monitoring timing even when only the image data in one FIFO buffer 21 or 22 is DMA-transferred by this simultaneous request. Needless to say, the other FIFO buffer 22 or 21 may be set to have a storage capacity that does not overflow, and may be set to perform DMA transfer every time image data processing is completed.

  For example, the CPU 11-2 records the read image data read by the scanner 15-2 on a recording medium by the plotter 16-2 or performs facsimile transmission by the FCU 17-2 for each process. The processing date and time information for specifying the image data and the specific information such as the number information and the destination telephone number are temporarily stored in the RAM 13 or the HDD 20 in association with the image data, and the HDD 20 is set at a preset timing thereafter. The specific information is also added when performing transfer processing for sending the image data to the electronic filing device 35 on the network 33 via the NCU 18. Therefore, without securing an extremely large storage area in the HDD 20, the image data stored and held in the HDD 20 is added and transferred to the electronic filing device 35 to which the image data is externally attached, and the storage device (image Storage means) 36 can be separately stored and managed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, image data to be input to the image data buses 101 and 102 and processed in parallel is acquired for each of the image data buses 101 and 102 and temporarily stored in the FIFO buffers 21 and 22. Further, when the storage capacity of the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 reaches a predetermined amount, the image data is quickly stored in the RAM 13 by DMA transfer via the system bus 100 and then stored in the large capacity HDD 20. Can do. Accordingly, the image data to be processed in parallel by the MFP 10-2 can be transferred to the electronic filing device 35 and filed for reuse by simple control for each of the image data buses 101 and 102. At this time, when the capacity of the image data stored in the FIFO buffers 21 and 22 has reached the set capacity at the same time, the electronic filing is performed without missing the image data to be processed in parallel by performing DMA transfer according to the switching priority. It can be transferred to the device 35 and stored and managed. Therefore, the image data to be processed in parallel can be stored and managed in the electronic filing device 35 unintentionally without requiring the user to specifically operate, and can be filed reusably without trouble.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the image data to be processed is input / output to the image data buses 101 and 102 and applied to the MFP 10-2 that performs parallel processing has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the same effects can be obtained even if the present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus that performs input / output and performs parallel processing.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of this embodiment. The process illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10 corresponds to the process executed by the CPU 11-2. The overall processing executed by the CPU 11-2 is basically the same as the processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 executed by the CPU 11-1 in the first embodiment. In particular, processing related to DMA transfer will be described. 7 to 10 show processing until image data is transferred to the RAM 13.

  In FIG. 7, step S21 sets the threshold value TH of the FIFO buffers 21 and 22. In step S22, the DMA transfer destination addresses a1 and a2 are set to the top addresses of the image areas 13a and 13b (image areas 1 and 2) of the RAM 13, and the DMA transfer sizes d1 and d2 are set to the threshold value TH. In step S23, the DMA priority DMA transfer DMA1 that transfers the image data in the FIFO buffer 21 to the image area 13a (image area 1) of the RAM 13 by DMA transfer is DMA-transferred for the image data in the FIFO buffer 22. Is set to be higher than the DMA transfer DMA2 to be transferred to the image area 13b (image area 2) of the RAM 13. In step S24, the captured image sizes c1 and c2 for the DMA transfers DMA1 and DMA2 are set, and the image transfer sizes s1 and s2 are cleared.

  In step S25, it is determined whether the usable storage capacity of the FIFO buffer 21 is larger than the threshold TH. If the decision result in the step S25 is NO, a step S26 decides whether or not the usable storage capacity of the FIFO buffer 22 is larger than the threshold value TH. If the decision result in the step S26 is NO, the process advances to a step S31 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, step S31 determines whether or not the image transfer size s1 of the DMA transfer DMA1 is equal to or larger than the captured image size c1. If the decision result in the step S31 is YES, a step S34 notifies the CPU 11-2 of the end of the captured image size c1, for example, by interruption, and a step S35 clears the image transfer size s1. If the determination result in step S31 is NO, or after step S35, step S33 determines whether or not the image transfer size s2 of the DMA transfer DMA2 is equal to or larger than the capture image size c2. If the decision result in the step S33 is YES, a step S37 notifies the CPU 11-2 of the end of the captured image size c2, for example, by an interruption, and the step S38 clears the image transfer size s2, and the process is ended. That is, the DMA transfer end condition is when the image transfer size is equal to or larger than the capture image size. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S33 is NO, the process returns to the step S25 shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 7, if the decision result in the step S26 is YES, a step S27 sets the DMA processing to the DMA transfer DMA2, and a step S28 performs the DMA processing. After step S28, the process proceeds to step S41 shown in FIG. Step S41 updates the DMA transfer address, and step S42 updates the image transfer size by adding the DMA transfer size. After step S42, the process returns to step S25 shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 7 again, if the decision result in the step S25 is YES, a step S29 decides whether or not the usable storage capacity of the FIFO buffer 22 is larger than the threshold value TH. If the decision result in the step S29 is YES, the process advances to a step S51 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S29 is NO, a step S30 sets the DMA process to the DMA transfer DMA1, and a step S28 performs the DMA process. After step S28, the process proceeds to step S41 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, step S51 sets the DMA processing to the DMA transfer DMA1 or DMA2 having the higher DMA priority, and step S52 performs the DMA processing of the set DMA transmission DMA1 or DMA2. In step S53, the setting of the DMA priority order is changed. That is, if the DMA priority of the DMA transfer DMA1 is set higher, the DMA priority of the DMA transfer DMA2 is set higher, and if the DMA priority of the DMA transfer DMA2 is set higher, the DMA transfer is set. The DMA priority of DMA1 is set higher. After step S53, the process proceeds to step S41 shown in FIG.

  In the first and second embodiments, the electronic filing device 35 does not need to be externally connected to the MFPs 10-1 and 10-2. That is, if the storage capacity of the HDD 20 is sufficiently large, the CPU 11-1 or 11-2 and the HDD 20 can function as the electronic filing device 35 and the large capacity storage device 36. In this case, electronic filing can be performed without providing an independent electronic filing device.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the modification of 1st Example. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 1st Example. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 1st Example. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Example of the image processing system which becomes this invention. It is a figure explaining the image area of RAM. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

10-1, 10-2 MFP (image processing apparatus)
11-1, 11-2 CPU (control means)
12 ROM
13 RAM (image storage means)
14 Display Operation Units 15-1, 15-2 Scanner (Image Reading Unit)
16-1, 16-2 Plotter (image recording means)
17-1, 17-2 FCU (image communication means)
18 NCU (network connection means)
20 HDD (image storage means)
21, 22 FIFO buffer 23 DMA controller (image transfer means)
33 Network 34-1 to 34-N PC
35 PC (electronic filing device)
36 Mass storage device 100 System bus (DMA transfer bus line)
101, 102 Image data bus

Claims (26)

An execution step of executing processing of two or more functions in parallel among the image reading function, the image recording function, the image copying function, and the image communication function;
An image processing method comprising: an accumulation step of automatically accumulating an image data file to be processed in the execution step independently of the processing. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the execution step, the image data file is stored in an internal or external storage unit of one image processing apparatus having the functions. The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein the execution step transfers image data to be processed by each function on one or a plurality of buses in the image processing apparatus. 4. The image according to claim 2, wherein the execution step executes the processing of the two or more functions in parallel in response to an internal instruction command and / or an external instruction command of the image processing apparatus. Processing method. 5. The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the external instruction command is issued from one or more external devices connected to the image processing device via a network. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the storing step stores the image data file by adding specific information for identifying each file. Image reading means for reading a document and outputting image data;
Image communication means for transmitting and receiving image data via a communication line;
Image recording means for recording an image on a recording medium based on image data;
A control unit that performs processing of image data in two or more of the image reading unit, the image communication unit, and the image recording unit in parallel in response to an instruction command;
The image processing apparatus characterized in that the control means automatically stores the file of image data to be processed by the two or more means in the storage means independently of the processing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit is provided inside or outside the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus further comprises one or a plurality of buses through which image data to be processed by the image reading unit, the image communication unit, and the image recording unit are transferred within the image processing apparatus. 8. The image processing apparatus according to 8. 10. The control unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit causes the processing of the image data in the two or more units to be performed in parallel in response to an internal instruction command and / or an external instruction command of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus described. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the external instruction command is issued from one or more external apparatuses connected to the image processing apparatus via a network. The image according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the control means adds the specific information that enables identification of each file to the file of the image data and accumulates it in the accumulation means. Processing equipment. An image data bus line for transferring image data in real time;
Image reading means for reading a document image and outputting the read image data to the image data bus line in real time;
Receives image data from the communication line and outputs the received image data to the image data bus line in real time, and receives transmission image data from the image data bus line in real time and transmits the transmission image data to the communication line. Image communication means;
Image recording means for receiving recorded image data on the image data bus line and recording an image on a recording medium based on the recorded image data;
During processing of image data by one or more of reading operation, recording operation, transmission operation or reception operation by the above means, according to a received instruction command, by means not used for processing the image data Control means for executing image data processing in parallel by operation;
A buffer for temporarily storing read image data, transmission image data, and reception image data on the image data bus line;
A DMA transfer bus line used for DMA transfer of the image data in the buffer;
Image transfer means for DMA-transferring image data in the buffer to a DMA transfer bus line based on a DMA transfer request at a preset timing;
An image processing apparatus comprising image storage means for storing image data on the DMA transfer bus line. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a DMA transfer request is sent to the image transfer means when the storage capacity of the image data in the buffer reaches a set capacity. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13 or 14 is provided with connection means for connecting to an external device, and is connected to an electronic filing device including image storage means for storing image data. An image processing system for transferring image data to the electronic filing device. 16. The image processing according to claim 15, wherein the image processing apparatus includes a network connection unit as a connection unit, and transfers image data in the image storage unit to the electronic filing device on the connected network. system. An execution step of executing processing of two or more functions in parallel among the image reading function, the image recording function, the image copying function, and the image communication function of one image processing apparatus;
The image data file to be processed in the execution step is transferred via a single system bus in the image processing apparatus independently of the processing and regardless of the presence or absence of a transfer command. And a storage step of automatically storing in an internal or external storage means of the processing apparatus. 18. The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the storage step stores the image data file in the storage unit by adding specific information for identifying each file. 19. The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the executing step transfers the image data on the system bus in a time division manner and executes the processing in parallel. The two or more functions executed in parallel by the execution step are a network scanner function and a network print function, a network scanner function and a FAX reception function, a FAX transmission function and a network print function, a network FAX transmission function and a copy function, and a network FAX transmission. 20. The function selected from the group consisting of a function and a network scanner function, a network FAX transmission function and a network print function, a network FAX transmission function, a network scanner function and a network print function. The image processing method as described. Execution means for executing processing of two or more functions in parallel among an image reading function, an image recording function, an image copying function, and an image communication function;
A single system bus connected to the execution means;
A file of image data to be processed by the execution means is transferred via the system bus independently of the processing and with or without a transfer command, and automatically to an internal or external storage means. An image processing apparatus comprising accumulation control means for accumulating. 22. The image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the storage control unit stores the image data file in the storage unit with addition of specific information for identifying each file. The image processing apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the execution unit transfers the image data on the system bus in a time-sharing manner and executes the processing in parallel. Two or more functions executed in parallel by the execution means are a network scanner function and a network print function, a network scanner function and a FAX reception function, a FAX transmission function and a network print function, a network FAX transmission function and a copy function, and a network FAX transmission. 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the function is selected from the group consisting of a function and a network scanner function, a network FAX transmission function and a network print function, a network FAX transmission function, a network scanner function, and a network print function. The image processing apparatus described. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 24 is provided with a connection unit with an external device, and is connected to an electronic filing device including an image storage unit that stores image data. An image processing system for transferring image data to the electronic filing device. 26. The image processing according to claim 25, wherein the image processing apparatus includes network connection means as connection means, and transfers image data in the image processing apparatus to the electronic filing device on the connected network. system.

Images