JP2006121380A - Image reading apparatus, facsimile machine, and digital multi-functioned machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique avoiding a reply signal waiting error even when reading is instructed by using a reading instruction signal of a real time system. <P>SOLUTION: A digital composite machine 20 includes an image reading apparatus provided with an image read section 2 having a TWAIN function of a real time system, using an illumination lamp to light up an original for reading an image of the original. A main control section 1 turns on the illumination lamp (S1A) in response to a first read instruction command signal, waits for the processing by a first waiting time, and thereafter returns a first acknowledgement message signal (S3). The main control section 1 discriminates whether a prescribed second waiting time elapses (S6) in response to a second read instruction command signal, returns an error acknowledgement signal after a lapse of a second waiting time (S7), judges whether the luminous quantity of the illumination lamp reaches a prescribed threshold luminous quantity or over (S5), reads the image of the original when the luminous quantity reaches the threshold luminous quantity or over, and returns image data of the image of the original (S8). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a digital composite apparatus that read a document image in response to a reading instruction signal of, for example, a TWAIN (Technology Without An Interesting Name) method from a client apparatus and transfer it to the client apparatus.

  A LAN system in which a digital composite apparatus, which is a facsimile apparatus with a copy, printer, and scanner function, and a plurality of client apparatuses such as personal computers are connected via a local area network (hereinafter referred to as a LAN) has been put into practical use. Yes.

  In this conventional LAN system, a scanner in a digital composite apparatus having a memory box type TWAIN function converts a document image into read image data in response to a read instruction signal from the client apparatus, and then each client apparatus. Is stored in a memory box in the image memory corresponding to the image data, and in response to a transfer instruction request signal from each client device, the image data is read from the memory box in the image memory and transferred to the corresponding client device via the LAN. I do. In addition, a scanner in a digital composite apparatus having a real-time TWAIN function responds to a reading instruction signal from a client apparatus, converts a document image into image data, and then connects the image data to the client apparatus via a LAN. Transfer through.

JP 2002-218171 A.

  However, when the original platen cover of the scanner is opened and an original is placed, or when an original is placed on the ADF of the scanner, a lamp such as a fluorescent lamp is lit to illuminate the original image. When an original image is read immediately in response to a reading instruction signal from the client device, the light quantity of the lamp is not sufficient to illuminate the original, and the read original image may be darkened. There was a point.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228867, an image forming apparatus (for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-260260 that enables software configuration that does not depend on lamp characteristics by componentizing software and improves software reusability. Hereinafter, it is referred to as a conventional example).

  In the image forming apparatus of the conventional example, software for controlling the exposure lamp is used as a lamp control component, which is independent from the client software module, and when there is a lamp on request from the client device, the lamp control component turns on the lamp and the light quantity is stabilized The lamp preparation is notified to the client device. When there is a lamp-off request from the client device, the lamp control component controls turning off. Since the lamp control component is responsible for processing that depends on the physical characteristics of the lamp, the client software does not need to be changed even if the lamp is changed.

  However, when the lamp is turned on in response to the reading instruction signal, it is determined that the light quantity is stable, and the time until the lamp preparation OK is notified to the client apparatus becomes relatively long, a response signal arrives on the client apparatus side. Therefore, there is a problem that a response signal waiting error occurs and normal operation cannot be performed.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even when the client device instructs to read using a real-time reading instruction signal, a response signal waiting error can be avoided and image reading is executed normally. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a digital composite apparatus that can be transferred as described above.

An image reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image reading apparatus including a reading unit that reads an original image by illuminating the original using an illumination lamp.
In response to the first reading instruction signal, the illumination lamp is turned on, and after waiting for a predetermined first waiting time, a first response signal is returned,
In response to the second reading instruction signal, it is determined whether or not a predetermined second waiting time has elapsed, and an error response signal is returned when the predetermined time has elapsed, and the light quantity of the illumination lamp is set to a predetermined threshold value. Control means is provided for determining whether or not the amount of light exceeds the threshold, and for controlling the document image to be read using the reading unit and returning image data of the document image when the amount of light exceeds the threshold light amount. It is characterized by that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus including a reading unit that illuminates a document using an illumination lamp and reads a document image.
In response to the first reading instruction signal, the illumination lamp is turned on, and after waiting for a predetermined first waiting time, a first response signal is returned,
In response to the second reading instruction signal, it is determined whether or not a predetermined second waiting time has elapsed, and an error response signal is returned when the predetermined time has elapsed, and the light quantity of the illumination lamp is set to a predetermined threshold value. Control means is provided for determining whether or not the amount of light exceeds the threshold, and for controlling the document image to be read using the reading unit and returning image data of the document image when the amount of light exceeds the threshold light amount. It is characterized by that.

Furthermore, a digital composite apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a digital composite apparatus comprising a reading unit that illuminates a document using an illumination lamp and reads a document image.
In response to the first reading instruction signal, the illumination lamp is turned on, and after waiting for a predetermined first waiting time, a first response signal is returned,
In response to the second reading instruction signal, it is determined whether or not a predetermined second waiting time has elapsed, and an error response signal is returned when the predetermined time has elapsed, and the light quantity of the illumination lamp is set to a predetermined threshold value. Control means is provided for determining whether or not the amount of light exceeds the threshold, and for controlling the document image to be read using the reading unit and returning image data of the document image when the amount of light exceeds the threshold light amount. It is characterized by that.

  Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus, the facsimile apparatus, and the digital multi-function apparatus according to the present invention, the first response signal is output after turning on the illumination lamp in response to the first reading instruction signal and waiting for the first waiting time. Since the reply is made, the response signal waiting error in the conventional example can be avoided, and the image can be normally read and transferred.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a LAN system including a digital composite apparatus 20 which is a facsimile apparatus with a copy, printer and scanner function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The LAN system according to this embodiment is connected to a public telephone network 80 via a plurality of N client personal computers 30-1 to 30-N (hereinafter collectively referred to as reference numeral 30) and a public telephone line L. The digital composite apparatus 20 and the router apparatus 60 connected to the Internet 90 are connected via a LAN 70. By connecting each client personal computer 30 to the Internet 90 via a router device 60 and a mail server device (not shown), it is possible to browse home pages and send and receive e-mails. Reference numeral 30 denotes a configuration in which the copy, printer, scanner, and facsimile functions of the apparatus 20 can be used in common by accessing the digital composite apparatus 20.

  The digital composite apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus including an image reading apparatus having an image reading unit 2 that has a real-time TWAIN function, illuminates a document using an illumination lamp, and reads a document image. In response to the first reading instruction command signal, the main control unit 1 turns on the illumination lamp (step S1A in FIG. 4), waits for a predetermined first waiting time (for example, 1 minute), and then 1 response message signal is returned (step S3), and then, in response to the second reading instruction command signal, it is determined whether or not a predetermined second waiting time has elapsed (step S6). When an error response signal is returned (step S7), it is determined whether or not the light quantity of the illumination lamp has exceeded a predetermined threshold light quantity (step S5). Since read using the image reading unit 2 scanner an original image when returning the image data of the document image is characterized by controlling (step S8) so.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client personal computer 30 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, a client personal computer 30 is an external terminal device that is a known personal computer, and executes processing such as generation, recording, and storage of image data and character data. In the present embodiment, for example, the client personal computer 30 instructs the image reading unit 2 of the digital composite apparatus 20 to read a document image, and receives image data scanned by the scanner of the image reading unit 2. Used as an information processing device.

  The main control unit 101 is specifically composed of a CPU, and is connected to the following hardware units via the bus 113 to control them. In the client personal computer 30, an image reading unit and an image recording unit (not shown) are optionally provided. The display unit 104 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays the operation state of the client personal computer 30 and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. Do. The operation unit 105 is a keyboard, for example, for inputting character data and instruction commands.

The ROM 106 stores various software programs that are necessary for the operation of the client personal computer 30 and executed by the main control unit 101 in advance. The RAM 107 is composed of SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, etc., and is used as a working area for the main control unit 101 to store temporary data generated when the program is executed. Further, the hard disk drive 108 is a storage device containing a recording medium, and includes the following tables or areas.
(A) Image data memory area 108a: a memory area for storing image data.
(B) Program memory area 108b: A memory area for storing application programs to be executed and image data.

  In the client personal computer 30 configured as described above, the main control unit 101 of the client personal computer 30 executes a process corresponding to the TWAIN command signal reception process of FIG. 2 is instructed to read a document image, and receives image data scanned by the scanner of the image reading unit 2.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital composite apparatus 20 of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, in addition to the conventional facsimile communication function such as the G3 system, the digital composite apparatus 20 has functions of a scanner including a copy, a printer, and a real-time TWAIN function. The main control unit 1 is specifically composed of a CPU, and is connected to the following hardware units via the bus 13 to control them, and executes various software functions to be described later. The image reading unit 2 reads a document with a scanner using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data converted into monochrome binary. The image recording unit 3 is, for example, a printer apparatus such as an electrophotographic system, and prints out image data scanned and converted by the image reading unit 2 or image data received from another facsimile apparatus by facsimile communication as a hard copy. Record or record character data.

  The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays the operation state of the digital composite device 20 and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. Do. The operation unit 5 includes character keys, dial keypads, speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the digital composite apparatus 20. In addition, you may comprise so that a part or all of the various keys of this operation part 5 may be substituted by making the above-mentioned display part 4 into a touch panel system.

  The ROM 6 stores in advance various software programs that are necessary for the operation of the digital composite apparatus 20 and executed by the main control unit 1. In the present embodiment, the ROM 6 includes at least the TWAIN command signal reception process of FIG. . The RAM 7 is composed of SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM or the like, and is used as a working area for the main control unit 1 to store temporary data generated when the program is executed. When a flash memory is used as the RAM 7, the contents of the data are not lost even when the power is cut off due to a power failure, movement of the device, or the like.

  The image memory 8 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted, received image data, or image data that has been scanned and converted. Here, the image memory 8 particularly includes a buffer memory area 8 a for temporarily storing image data read by the real-time TWAIN function before being transferred to the client personal computer 30.

  The fax modem 10 is a modem connected to the public telephone line L and having a function of a fax modem for normal facsimile communication. An NCU (Network Control Unit) 11 is a hardware circuit that performs an operation of closing and opening a DC loop of an analog public telephone line L and having an automatic dial function. Is connected to the public telephone line L. Here, the NCU 11 detects the ID receiving terminal activation signal and the normal telephone call signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service, and transmits the primary response signal and the secondary response signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service as necessary. can do. The NCU 11 may be connected to a baseband transmission type digital line (for example, an ISDN line) via a predetermined terminal adapter and DSU (Subscriber Line Termination Unit: Digital Service Unit).

  Further, the LAN interface 12 is connected to the LAN 70 and receives signals and data from the LAN 70, and transmits signals and data to the LAN 70 to execute interface processing related to LAN communication such as signal conversion and protocol conversion. .

  In the facsimile communication function of the digital composite apparatus 20 configured as described above, the dot image data transferred from each client personal computer 30-1 to 30-N or the dot image data read by the image reading unit 2 is facsimile. After being encoded by software according to an encoding method such as MH, MR, or MMR defined in the communication standard, the encoded data is transmitted to the facsimile machine of the other party, and conversely received from the facsimile machine of the other party The data is also decoded into image data by software, stored in the image memory 8, and printed by the image recording unit 3 as necessary.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a TWAIN command signal reception process executed by the main control unit 1 of the digital composite apparatus 20 of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, first, in step S1, a first reading instruction command signal including reading mode data (including original size, color or black and white, resolution (DPI), etc.) is received from the client personal computer 30. If YES, the process proceeds to step S1A. If NO, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, it is determined whether another instruction command signal is received. If YES, the process proceeds to step S10. If NO, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S10, after receiving other instruction command signals, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, in step S11, after performing other reception processes, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S1A, the illumination lamp of the scanner which is the image reading unit 2 is turned on. In step S2, it is determined whether or not a first standby time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed. The process of step S2 is performed until YES is obtained. When YES is repeated, a first response message signal including read scheduled data (including the actual number of pixels of the original image) is transmitted to the client personal computer 30 in step S3.

  Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not a second reading instruction command signal for instructing reading with respect to the first response message signal has been received, and the process of step S4 is repeated until YES is obtained. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the light quantity of the illumination lamp is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold light quantity (a light quantity that can be read normally when the original image is read), and if YES, the process proceeds to step S8. If NO, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, it is determined whether or not a second waiting time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed. If YES, the process proceeds to step S7. If NO, the process returns to step S5. After sending an error response message signal to the client personal computer 30 in step S7, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, in step S8, the image on the document platen of the scanner is read and converted into image data and stored in the buffer memory 8a. Then, the converted image data is transmitted to the client personal computer 30, and the process returns to step S1.

  As described above, according to the digital composite apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the main control unit 1 turns on the illumination lamp in response to the first reading instruction command signal (step S1A in FIG. 4). Then, after waiting for a predetermined first waiting time (for example, 1 minute), a first response message signal is returned (step S3), and then in response to the second reading instruction command signal, a predetermined second It is determined whether or not a standby time has elapsed (step S6), an error response signal is returned when the time has elapsed (step S7), and whether or not the light quantity of the illumination lamp has exceeded a predetermined threshold light quantity. Judgment is made (step S5), and when the amount of light exceeds the threshold light amount, the document image is read using the scanner of the image reading unit 2 and image data of the document image is returned (step S8). Control to. Accordingly, the illumination lamp is turned on in response to the first reading instruction signal and the first response signal is returned after waiting for the first waiting time, so that a response signal waiting error in the conventional example can be avoided, The image can be read and transferred normally.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, an example of the digital composite apparatus 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a facsimile apparatus or file server apparatus having a facsimile function and a scanner function, or an image reading apparatus having a scanner function. Can be widely applied.

  As described above in detail, according to the image reading apparatus, the facsimile apparatus, and the digital composite apparatus according to the present invention, the illumination lamp is turned on in response to the first reading instruction signal and the first waiting time is waited. Since the response signal 1 is returned, the response signal waiting error in the conventional example can be avoided, and image reading can be normally executed and transferred.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a LAN system including a digital composite apparatus 20 that is a facsimile apparatus having a copy, printer, and scanner function according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the client personal computer 30 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital composite apparatus 20 of FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a TWAIN command signal reception process executed by the main control unit 1 of the digital composite apparatus 20 of FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... main control part,
2. Image reading unit,
3 ... image recording unit,
4 ... display part,
5 ... operation part,
6 ... ROM,
7 ... RAM,
8 ... Image memory,
8a: Buffer memory area,
9 ... Hard disk drive,
10. Fax modem,
11 ... NCU,
12 ... LAN interface,
13 ... Bus
20: Digital composite device,
30, 30-1 thru | or 30-N ... client personal computer,
60 ... Router device,
70: Local area network (LAN),
80 ... public telephone network,
90 ... Internet,
101 ... main control unit,
104 ... display section,
105 ... operation unit,
106 ... ROM,
107 ... RAM,
108: Hard disk drive,
108a ... Image data memory area,
108b ... Program memory area,
112 ... LAN interface,
113 ... Bus.

Claims (3)

In an image reading apparatus provided with reading means for illuminating a document using an illumination lamp and reading a document image,
In response to the first reading instruction signal, the illumination lamp is turned on, and after waiting for a predetermined first waiting time, a first response signal is returned,
In response to the second reading instruction signal, it is determined whether or not a predetermined second waiting time has elapsed, and an error response signal is returned when the predetermined time has elapsed, and the light quantity of the illumination lamp is set to a predetermined threshold value. Control means is provided for determining whether or not the amount of light exceeds the threshold, and for controlling the document image to be read using the reading unit and returning image data of the document image when the amount of light exceeds the threshold light amount. An image reading apparatus. In a facsimile apparatus provided with reading means for illuminating a document using an illumination lamp and reading a document image,
In response to the first reading instruction signal, the illumination lamp is turned on, and after waiting for a predetermined first waiting time, a first response signal is returned,
In response to the second reading instruction signal, it is determined whether or not a predetermined second waiting time has elapsed, and an error response signal is returned when the predetermined time has elapsed, and the light quantity of the illumination lamp is set to a predetermined threshold value. Control means is provided for determining whether or not the amount of light exceeds the threshold, and for controlling the document image to be read using the reading unit and returning image data of the document image when the amount of light exceeds the threshold light amount. A facsimile machine characterized by the above. In a digital composite apparatus provided with reading means for illuminating a document using an illumination lamp and reading a document image,
In response to the first reading instruction signal, the illumination lamp is turned on, and after waiting for a predetermined first waiting time, a first response signal is returned,
In response to the second reading instruction signal, it is determined whether or not a predetermined second waiting time has elapsed, and an error response signal is returned when the predetermined time has elapsed, and the light quantity of the illumination lamp is set to a predetermined threshold value. Control means is provided for determining whether or not the amount of light exceeds the threshold, and for controlling the document image to be read using the reading unit and returning image data of the document image when the amount of light exceeds the threshold light amount. A digital composite apparatus characterized by that.

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