JP2006320021A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a high throughput is required for a storage device. <P>SOLUTION: This invention includes at least two or more sets of storage means composed of storage 91, 92 configured from a primary memory which memorizes an image signal from one or more image input means and a secondary memory for saving the image signal inputted into this primary memory, an imaging means and one or more image output means, and is to perform the management of the image signal inputted into the secondary memory of the storage as a single memory storage area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image input / output unit such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and a scanner, and an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions among them.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses include image input / output functions such as digital copying machines, facsimile machines, printers, and scanners, and multifunction machines having a plurality of these functions. In addition, the image forming apparatus stores a plurality of image signals input from the image input unit or the outside in a storage unit, and outputs a plurality of sets of these image signals in an order different from the input order (performs a sorting operation). Some have a function of outputting (aggregating) a plurality of image signals at one time.

  In Patent Document 1, individual image information of a multi-page document is displayed in a document copying apparatus for making a copy of a multi-page copy of a multi-page document made on a manuscript whose pages are collated. A reader for generating a series of digital signals, an electronic multi-page memory device for receiving and storing image information displayed by the digital signals, and an electrical signal applied to form an image on a copy sheet Extracting image information from the corresponding printing device and the memory device, converting the information into an electrical signal to which the printing device responds, and repeatedly applying the electrical signal in the order in which they are collated to the printing device A processing device, whereby the printing device makes a plurality of multi-page copies of a multi-page document in the order. It describes a document copying machine according to claim.

Patent Document 2 automatically stores each page of a document in a memory and repeatedly reads the stored information, thereby automatically copying a copy of a plurality of pages with little trouble and without attaching a sorter. A copying apparatus that can be obtained is described.
Examples of image processing apparatuses having an image memory for storing image data and a function for controlling input / output of image data to / from the image memory include IMAGIO DA405 and DA505 manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.

JP-A-52-108822 JP 55-137540 A

  A plurality of image signals input from the image input means or the outside are stored in the storage means, and a plurality of sets of these image signals are output in an order different from the input order (sorting operation is performed), or a plurality of image signals are output. In an image forming apparatus having a function of outputting (collected) at a time, the storage capacity required for the storage means for storing the image signal increases in accordance with the amount of the image signal to be processed. To do. In addition, since a plurality of image input / output means have different total image signal capacities due to differences in the number of image quantizations (number of bits per image data), a difference in time required for image input / output by the image input / output means occurs. .

  Also, in a multi-function machine equipped with an image input / output function such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, a scanner, etc., a plurality of image signals can be input / output simultaneously, such as simultaneously transmitting a facsimile image signal while the printer outputs an image. A parallel operation such as executing is required. In the case of executing such a parallel operation, conventionally, a parallel operation is often achieved by providing a storage means for each means for controlling input / output of an image signal.

  However, as described above, when the storage capacity required for the storage means increases, the storage capacity of the storage means provided in each of the means for controlling the input / output of image signals increases, and the control of the storage device is complicated. Become. Therefore, it is indispensable to perform composite function image input / output by unifying the control of the storage means by adopting a configuration for inputting / outputting a plurality of image signals to a single storage means.

  Generally, there are hard disks (HDD), magneto-optical disks, etc. as storage media for inputting large-capacity image signals, but these storage media have defective areas that cannot be written at the time of initial shipment and are used continuously. It is known to occur. A storage area is secured by allocating a discontinuous storage area as an alternative to the storage medium in which this defective area exists. Therefore, when an image signal is input / output to / from a storage area in which a defective area exists, access to an alternative portion of the defective area is performed, so that the data access time (recording head seek time) of the storage medium is defective. It will take more than that for the storage area without.

  In recent years, combining single-function image input / output devices enables operations such as sorting and aggregation as described above, or combines multiple image forming devices to process a large amount of image signal input / output at high speed. Applications such as doing are increasing. In this case, if the difference between the input speed of the image signal and the output speed of the image signal is large, the input image signal cannot be directly output. Therefore, since an operation for outputting the image input signal after temporarily storing it in the storage device is required, a higher processing capability is required of the storage device.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of processing input / output of a plurality of image signals at high speed and efficiently with as little management data as possible using a single storage unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is the primary storage for storing at least one or more image input means for inputting an image and at least one or more image signals input from the image input means. And a storage means having at least two sets of storage devices configured to store an image signal input to the primary storage section, and an image signal input from the image input means Or an image forming means for visualizing and outputting an image signal stored in the storage device on a recording surface, and an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device as an external device. In an image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output means capable of outputting to an image signal, a secondary storage unit of the storage device is input as a single storage area And performs management.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and image signals are selectively input and output to the plurality of storage areas. Means for managing image signals input to the divided storage areas.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image forming apparatus further comprises means for changing the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device is made to coincide with the number of the image input means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second, third, or fourth aspect, the size of each divided storage area of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device can be individually set and changed. It has a means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, at least one or more image input means for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and the primary storage A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing image signals input to the image unit, and an image signal input by the image input unit or stored in the storage device The image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image signal on the recording surface, and the image signal input by the image input means or the image signal stored in the storage device can be output to an external device In an image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output means, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and the plurality of divided storage areas are selected. And means for selectively inputting and outputting image signals, and means for freely arranging a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage section for each of the image input means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the image forming apparatus further comprises means for arranging the plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit with priority for each of the image input means. It is.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, when the plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit are arranged with priority for each of the image input means, As a priority condition, a storage area having a high access speed of the secondary storage unit is arranged for image input means that are frequently used.

  The invention according to claim 9 includes at least one or more image input means for inputting an image, a primary storage section for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and the primary storage. A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing image signals input to the image unit, and an image signal input by the image input unit or stored in the storage device The image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image signal on the recording surface, and the image signal input by the image input means or the image signal stored in the storage device can be output to an external device In an image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output means, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and the plurality of divided storage areas are selected. Means for selectively inputting / outputting image signals, means for freely arranging a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage section for each image input means, and a plurality of parts divided by the secondary storage section A storage area having a priority for each of the image input means, and a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit having a priority for each of the image input means. At the time of placement, the priority order is placed from a storage area with few defective storage areas that cannot be written into the storage area.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, at least one or more image input means for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and the primary storage A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing image signals input to the image unit, and an image signal input by the image input unit or stored in the storage device The image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image signal on the recording surface, and the image signal input by the image input means or the image signal stored in the storage device can be output to an external device In the image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output means, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and the divided storage areas Means for selectively inputting / outputting image signals; means for freely arranging a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage section for each image input means; and a plurality of parts divided by the secondary storage section A storage area having a priority for each of the image input means, and a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit having a priority for each of the image input means. At the time of arrangement, as a condition for the priority order, storage areas with a high access speed are arranged in order from the image input means with the largest number of quantized image signals.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the configuration described above makes it possible to reduce the data required for image signal management, save management data outside the secondary storage unit, and store the input image signal. It is relatively easy to speed up the search of the storage area and the free area, and as a result, the productivity of the image forming apparatus is improved without greatly changing the configuration of the image forming apparatus to which the storage unit is connected. It becomes possible.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, with the above configuration, it is possible to secure a storage area that can be occupied and used for a specific image input means by assigning each divided storage area to each image input means. Thus, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the utilization efficiency of the image forming apparatus due to the storage area being lost by other image input means.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the above configuration makes it possible to change the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit according to the configuration of the image forming apparatus and the change thereof. Each effect of the invention according to claim 2 can be selectively made effective, and the control efficiency of the image forming apparatus capable of selecting and connecting a plurality of image input means and image output means can be improved. .

  According to the invention of claim 4, the above configuration allows the image input means to occupy a unique storage area in addition to the effects of the inventions of claims 2 and 3. The image input means can use the storage device without interfering with each other.

  According to the invention of claim 5, with the above configuration, the size of the storage area occupied by each image input unit can be set in consideration of the usage frequency of each image input unit connected to the image forming apparatus. Thus, an unused storage area of the secondary storage device can be eliminated, and an optimum storage area of the storage unit can be set according to the usage form of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, the above configuration makes it more optimal to arrange the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means having the highest use frequency. It is possible to provide a simple system.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, the above configuration makes it possible to arrange the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means having the highest use frequency. It is possible to provide a simple system.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, even when the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, the above configuration makes it more optimal to arrange the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means having the highest use frequency. It is possible to provide a simple system.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, even when the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, the above configuration makes it possible to arrange the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means having the highest use frequency, thereby making it more optimal. It is possible to provide a simple system.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, the above configuration makes it more optimal by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means having the highest use frequency. It is possible to provide a simple system.

  FIG. 2 shows an outline of the first embodiment of the present invention. In an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1, a document bundle in which a document is placed on a document table 2 with its image surface facing up is a start key 44 (see FIG. 3) on an operation unit 40 (see FIG. 3). When (reference) is pressed, the lowermost document is fed by the feed roller 3 and feed belt 4 to a predetermined position on the document table 5 made of contact glass. The original on the contact glass 5 is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 8 by a feeding belt 4 and a discharge roller 7 after image information is read by a reading unit 6 as an image input means having a scanner function.

  When the document set detector 9 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is similarly moved to a predetermined position on the contact glass 5 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. Be fed. After the image information is read by the reading unit 6, the original on the contact glass 5 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 8 by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 7. Here, the feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 7 are driven by a transport motor 51 (see FIG. 5).

  The first paper feeding device 10, the second paper feeding device 11, and the third paper feeding device 12, when selected, are made of transfer papers loaded on the first tray 13, the second tray 14, and the third tray 15, respectively. The material is fed, and this transfer paper is conveyed by the vertical conveyance unit 16 to a position where it abuts on the photoconductor 17 as an image carrier. The photoconductor 17 is rotated by a main motor 52 (see FIG. 5) using a photoconductor drum, for example, and is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown).

  An image signal read from the document by the reading unit 6 or an external image signal is converted into optical information by a writing unit 22 as writing means via an image processing means to be described later, and the photosensitive drum 17 is loaded by a charger. After being charged in this manner, the image is exposed with light information from the writing unit 22 to write an image (electrostatic latent image). The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 17 is developed by the developing device 18 to become a toner image.

  The transport belt 19 also serves as a transfer unit, and a transfer bias is applied from a transfer power source. The transfer belt 19 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 17 while transporting the transfer paper from the vertical transport unit 16 at the same speed as the photosensitive drum 17. Transfer to paper. The transfer paper is fixed with a toner image by the fixing device 20 and is discharged as a copy to a finisher 100 as a post-processing device by a paper discharge unit 21. The photosensitive drum 17 is cleaned by a cleaning device (not shown) after the toner image is transferred.

  Here, the photosensitive drum 17, the charger, the writing unit 22, the developing device 18, the first paper feeding device 10, the second paper feeding device 11, the third paper feeding device 12, the vertical conveying unit 16, the conveying belt 19, and fixing. The apparatus 20, the paper discharge unit 21, and the cleaning device constitute image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image signal on the recording surface of the transfer paper.

  The finisher 100 can guide the transfer paper discharged by the paper discharge unit 21 of the main body including the image forming unit and the reading unit 6 by switching between the normal paper discharge direction and the staple processing direction by the switching plate 101. When the switching plate 101 is switched to the upper side, the transfer paper discharged by the paper discharge unit 21 of the main body is switched to the normal paper discharge direction by the switch plate 101 and conveyed by the paper discharge rollers 102 and 103, and the normal paper discharge tray 104. Is discharged. The normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can be moved back and forth. The normal paper discharge tray 104 is driven by driving means (not shown), and moves forward and backward for each original or each copy unit sorted by the image memory. Sort the copies from the main unit.

  When the switching plate 101 is switched to the lower side, the transfer paper discharged by the paper discharge unit 21 of the main body is switched to the staple processing direction by the switching plate 101 and conveyed by the conveying rollers 105 and 106 to the staple table 107. It is discharged and stacked. Each time the transfer sheets stacked on the staple table 107 are discharged to the staple table 107, the end surfaces are aligned by a jogger 108 as a sheet aligning means, and are bound by the stapler 109 upon completion of copying one copy of the document. The group of transfer sheets bound by the stapler 109 is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

  When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the branching claw 23 for switching the path is set by switching from the normal lower position to the upper position. The transfer paper that is fed from one of the paper feed trays 13 to 15 and has an image formed on the surface as described above is switched from the finisher 100 side to the double-sided paper feed unit 24 side by the branching claw 23. The paper is once transported to the double-sided paper feeding unit 24 and stocked with the front and back sides reversed.

  Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked on the double-sided paper feeding unit 24 is fed again and transported to a position where it comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 17 by the vertical transport unit 16 and is imaged on the photosensitive drum 17 in the same manner as described above. The transferred toner image is transferred to the back surface, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 20 to form a double-sided copy. Then, the branching claw 23 is set at a normal lower position, and the double-sided copy from the fixing device 20 is discharged to the finisher 100 by the paper discharge unit 21. As described above, when creating images on both sides of the transfer paper, the duplex feeding unit 24 is used.

  Here, the photosensitive drum 17, the conveyance belt 19, the fixing device 20, the paper discharge unit 21, and the development device 18 are driven by the main motor 52, and the driving force of the main motor 52 is supplied to each of the paper supply devices 10 to 12. It is driven by being transmitted by the clutches 53 to 55 (see FIG. 5). The vertical conveyance unit 16 is driven by the driving force of the main motor 52 being transmitted by the intermediate clutch 56 (see FIG. 5).

  Next, the reading unit 6 and the writing unit 22 will be described. The writing unit 22 exposes the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 17 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is converted into optical information by the writing unit 22 and is then transferred to the photosensitive drum 17. This is a potential distribution generated on the photosensitive drum 17 by irradiation.

  The reading unit 6 includes a contact glass 5 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 25, a first mirror 26, a second mirror 27, a third mirror 28, a lens 29, The image sensor 30 is composed of a CCD. The exposure lamp 25 and the first mirror 26 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 27 and the third mirror 28 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown).

  When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document on the contact glass 5 is illuminated by the exposure lamp 25, and the reflected light is converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor 30 via the first mirror 26, the second mirror 27, the third mirror 28, and the lens 29 and read. It is done. When the lens 29 and the image sensor 30 are moved in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, the magnification of the read image changes. In other words, the left and right positions of the lens 29 and the image sensor 30 are set corresponding to the designated magnification.

  The writing unit 22 includes a laser output unit 31, an imaging lens 32, a mirror 33, and the like. Inside the laser output unit 31, a laser diode as a laser light source, a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a constant speed by a motor. ). The laser diode in the laser output unit 31 is modulated and driven by an image signal, and a laser beam modulated by the image signal is emitted from the laser diode. The laser light emitted from the laser diode is deflected and scanned by a rotating polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through the imaging lens 32, is folded back by the mirror 33, and is focused and imaged on the photosensitive drum 17.

  The laser beam condensed and imaged on the photosensitive drum 17 is scanned by a rotating polygon mirror in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the rotating direction of the photosensitive drum 17, and an image signal is lined on the photosensitive drum 17. An electrostatic latent image is formed by writing in units. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 17 by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotational speed and recording density of the photosensitive drum 17.

  As described above, the laser beam output from the writing unit 22 is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 17 of the image forming unit, and the beam sensor is arranged at the position where the laser beam near one end of the photosensitive drum 17 is irradiated. The laser beam from the unit 22 is detected by the beam sensor, and the beam sensor generates a main scanning synchronization signal. Based on this main scanning synchronization signal, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of control signals for inputting / outputting image signals described later are performed by a circuit (not shown).

  FIG. 3 shows the operation unit 40. The operation unit 40 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 41, a numeric keypad 42, a clear / stop key 43, a print key (start key) 44, and a mode clear key 45. The liquid crystal touch panel 41 includes a function key 46, the number of copies, and an image forming apparatus. A message indicating the status of the message is displayed.

  FIG. 4 shows a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel 41. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 41, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in black. In addition, when it is necessary to specify details of a function (for example, a scaling value if zooming), the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 41 to set a detailed function on the liquid crystal touch panel 41. A screen is displayed. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel 41 uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

  FIG. 5 shows a control device centered on a main controller as control means. The first embodiment is an image forming apparatus having a digital copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, and the like, and has image input / output means (image input / output function) such as a digital copying function, a printer function, and a scanner function. The main controller 57 controls the entire image forming apparatus having image input / output means (image input / output function) such as a digital copying function, a printer function, and a scanner function. The main controller 57 includes a display on the liquid crystal display 58 including the liquid crystal touch panel 41 for the operator, a control of the operation unit 40 and the reading unit 6 for controlling function setting input by the key input unit 59 including the keys 42 to 45 from the operator, an image A distributed control device such as an image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as IPU) 60 and ADF 1 is connected as an image processing means for performing control of writing a signal into the image memory, control of image formation by an image signal from the image memory, and the like. Each distributed control device and the main controller 57 exchange machine states and operation commands as necessary. The main controller 57 is connected to a transport motor 51, a main motor 52 required for paper transport, and various clutches 53 to 56.

  Next, the configuration of the IPU 60 will be described with reference to FIG. The light emitted from the exposure lamp 25 illuminates the original on the contact glass 5, and the reflected light is imaged on the CCD 30 via the first mirror 26, the second mirror 27, the third mirror 28, and the lens 29. The The CCD 30 receives the reflected light from the original, photoelectrically converts it, and outputs it as an image signal. The image signal from the CCD 30 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 71, subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 72, and subjected to MTF correction, γ correction, and the like by the image processing unit 73.

  The selector 74 switches the destination of the image signal from the image processing unit 73 to either the scaling unit 75 or the image memory controller 76. The image signal from the selector 74 to the scaling unit 75 is enlarged / reduced by the scaling unit 75 in accordance with the scaling factor and sent to the writing unit 22. The writing unit 22 modulates the laser diode in accordance with the image recording start timing in the main scanning direction based on the main scanning synchronization signal from the beam sensor by the image signal from the scaling unit 75 in units of lines. The laser beam modulated by is emitted.

  Between the image memory controller 76 and the selector 74, an image signal can be input and output bidirectionally. Although not clearly shown in FIG. 7, the IPU 60 also receives an image signal supplied from the outside (for example, an image signal output from a data processing device such as a personal computer) in addition to the image signal input from the reading unit 6. It has a function to select input / output of a plurality of image signals so that it can be processed.

  The IPU 60 also includes a CPU 77 for setting the image memory controller 76 and the like and controlling the reading unit 6 and the writing unit 22, a ROM 78 and a RAM 79 for storing programs and data, and an I / O port 80. Yes. The CPU 77 can write and read image signals to and from the image memory 81 via the image memory controller 76. Here, the image memory controller 76 and the image memory 81 constitute storage means for storing image signals.

  Next, the operation of the selector 74 for an image signal for one page will be described with reference to FIG. The frame gate signal / FGATE is a signal representing the effective period of the image signal of one page in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning synchronization signal / LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal / LSYNC rises. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is a line gate signal / LGATE.

  These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and data for one pixel is sent for one period of the pixel clock VCLK. The IPU 60 has a generation mechanism for generating a separate frame gate signal / FGATE, main scanning synchronization signal / LSYNC, line gate signal / LGATE, and pixel clock VCL for the input of the image signal and the output of the image signal, respectively. By performing phase adjustment in the case of directly outputting the read image, various combinations of input / output of image signals can be realized.

  Next, the internal details of the memory controller 76 and the image memory 81 in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. However, FIG. 8 shows details of individual storage devices of the storage means in the first embodiment, and image memories are also individually connected to the storage devices. Each storage device and means for controlling input / output of image signals to each storage device will be described later. Also, image signal input / output operation examples described below are for individual storage devices.

  The data input / output control unit 82 includes an input data selector 83, an image composition unit 84, a primary compression / decompression unit 85, an output data selector 86, and a secondary compression / decompression unit 87. The control data is set in the units 83 to 87 by the CPU 77. The addresses and data in FIG. 8 are for image signals. In FIG. 8, the data and addresses input / output to / from the CPU 77 are not shown.

  The image memory 88 includes a primary storage device 89 as a primary storage unit and a secondary storage device 90 as a secondary storage unit. The primary storage device 89 has an image signal transfer rate that is required when an image signal is input / output when the image signal is written to or read from the specified area of the memory. For example, a memory that can be accessed at high speed, such as a DRAM, is used so that it can be synchronized. In addition, the primary storage device 89 has a configuration (an interface unit with the main controller 76) that can execute the input / output of a plurality of image signals by dividing into a plurality of areas depending on the magnitude of the image signal to be processed. Yes.

  The secondary storage device 90 is a large-capacity memory that stores image signals in order to synthesize and sort input image signals. If the primary storage device 89 has a sufficient capacity for processing image signals, input / output of image signals to the secondary storage device 90 is not performed. If the secondary storage device 90 is capable of writing / reading the image signal substantially in synchronization with the image signal transfer speed required at the time of image signal input / output, the input / output image signal is directly written to the secondary storage device 90. Or from the secondary storage device 90. Further, it is possible to perform image signal processing without distinguishing between the primary storage device 89 and the secondary storage device 90.

  When the secondary storage device 90 is not capable of writing / reading the image signal substantially in synchronization with the image signal transfer speed required at the time of image signal input / output, for example, the secondary storage device 90 includes a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk. Even when a storage medium such as a storage medium is used, an image according to the image signal transfer capability of the secondary storage device 90 is obtained by interposing the primary storage device 89 in the input / output of the image signal to the secondary storage device 90. The signal processing is possible.

  With such a configuration, the storage element can be selected according to the image signal processing speed of the image forming apparatus, and the compression rate and the expansion rate differ depending on the image signal (the image signal access speed to the memory differs depending on the type of the image signal). ) Even if such a method is adopted, it is possible to cope with it. If the compression rate and the expansion rate are variable, the capacity of the storage devices 89 and 90 can be saved.

Next, an operation example of the memory controller 76 will be described. Here, an example will be described in which the secondary storage device 90 is not capable of writing / reading an image signal substantially in synchronization with an image signal transfer rate required at the time of image signal input / output.
<1> Image signal input (saving of image signal to image memory)
The input data selector 83 selects an image signal to be written to the image memory 88 (primary storage device 89) from a plurality of input image signals. The image signal selected by the input data selector 83 is supplied to the image synthesis unit 84 and is synthesized with the image signal already stored in the image memory 88 as necessary. The image signal processed by the image composition unit 84 is compressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 85 and written to the primary storage device 89. The image signal written in the primary storage device 89 is further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 87 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage device 90.
<2> Image signal output (reading of image signal from image memory 88)
When the image signal is output, the image signal stored in the primary storage device 89 is read. When the image signal to be output is stored in the primary storage device 89, the image signal to be output is read from the primary storage device 89 and decompressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 85. The decompressed image signal, or the composite of the decompressed image signal and the image signal selected by the input data selector 83 by the image composition unit 84 is selected by the output data selector 86 and output.

  The image composition unit 84 composes the image signal read from the primary storage device 89 and decompressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 85 and the input image signal from the input data selector 83 (the image composition unit 84 uses the image Signal phase adjustment), selection of the output destination of the combined image signal (image signal output, write back to the primary storage device 89, simultaneous output to both of these output destinations), etc. Process.

  If the image signal to be output is not stored in the primary storage device 89, the image signal to be output stored in the secondary storage device 90 is read from the secondary storage device 90 and subjected to secondary compression. / After being decompressed by the decompression unit 87 and written in the primary storage device 89, an image signal output operation similar to that described above is performed.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the storage means in the first embodiment, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show the operation timing of an operation example in which an image signal is input to the storage means. The storage means includes two or more storage devices, for example, two storage devices 91 and 92, an input data selector 93, and an output data selector 94. The storage device 91 includes the data input / output control unit 82 and the image memory 88 described above. The storage device 92 includes a data input / output control unit 95 and an image memory 96 similar to the data input / output control unit 82 and the image memory 88 described above. The control data is set in the input data selector 93 and the output data selector 94 by the CPU 77.

  The input data selector 93 receives the image signal from the selector 74, the image signal from the CPU 77, and the image signals from the storage devices 91 and 92, and selects and stores these input image signals. This is a 4-input 2-output selector that outputs to the devices 91 and 92. By inputting the image signal from the storage devices 91 and 92 to the input data selector 93, it is possible to input and output image signals between the storage devices 91 and 92 such as outputting the image signal from the storage device 91 to the storage device 92. It is the composition. The output data selector 94 is a 2-input 2-output selector that receives image signals from the storage devices 91 and 92, selects these input image signals, and outputs them to the selector 74 and the CPU 77. By providing a plurality of storage devices in the storage means, a plurality of image signals can be input / output simultaneously.

  FIG. 9 shows the operation when the storage means has one storage device when a plurality of image signals are input to the storage means, and FIG. 10 shows the storage means when a plurality of image signals are input to the storage means. The operation when there are two storage devices is shown. When the storage means has one storage device, as shown in FIG. 9, the first data input of the image signal 1 (data input 1) and the first data input request of the image signal 2 (data input 2) are requested. Even if this occurs simultaneously, since there is only one storage device, only one data input (data input 1 of data input 1 and data input 2 in FIG. 9) is requested in response to two data input requests. Since it cannot be performed, the timing for actually executing the input operation in response to the request for the data input 2 generated at the same time is the timing 1 shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the data input operation of data input 1 cannot be started until the operation of data input 2 (first data input) is completed in response to the second data input request of data input 1 in succession.
If a plurality of storage devices are provided as in the storage means of the first embodiment, the data input 1 is input to the storage device 91 and the data input 2 is input to the storage device 92 as shown in FIG. It is possible to greatly reduce the time until the operation is completed by inputting individual image signals.

  Next, image signal data management of the secondary storage device of the storage device in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In the first embodiment, a large-capacity rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk (HDD), a magneto-optical disk, or a CD-RW is used as the secondary storage device.

  In general, a storage medium such as an HDD has a storage unit called a sector, and reads / writes data in sector units. Therefore, this storage medium stores the used / unused state in units of sectors, and secures a plurality of unused (no data stored) sectors for the capacity required for inputting the image signal. By inputting information and managing information on the position (address) and quantity of the secured sector, image signals can be managed.

  However, the number of sectors in the storage medium becomes very large as the storage capacity of the storage medium increases, and the amount of data (memory capacity) required to manage the state in units of sectors becomes enormous. In the image forming apparatus, since the time required for data input / output to / from the storage device is directly related to the productivity of the image forming apparatus (productivity of the image formed product), the management data is minimized and the processing time is shortened. This is a problem for improving the productivity of the image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, management data can be minimized by managing data input / output using a storage area having the same size as the image signal size (data amount) as a minimum storage unit (usually called a cluster). Thus, the processing time can be reduced according to the capacity of the image signal. Further, if the amount of management data is small, the management data is stored in a memory (RAM or the like) directly connected to the CPU 77 that controls the storage device without being written and stored in the storage medium. The time for data reference can be greatly reduced.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of a data table (minimum storage unit management data table 302) for managing the state of the above-mentioned minimum storage unit (cluster).
The minimum storage unit management data table 302 has 1-bit data (minimum storage unit management data 303) for one minimum storage unit, and is composed of the number of data obtained by dividing the entire storage area by the minimum storage unit. The The minimum storage unit management data 303 stores a state where the target minimum storage unit is unused or unusable (in use or defective).

  FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a data table (image signal management data table 300) for managing image signals. The image signal management data table 300 is composed of data groups (image signal management data 301) necessary for image signal management, and has an array structure in which image signal management data 301 corresponding to the number of input image signals can be input. ing.

The image signal management data 301 includes the following data.
Image signal ID: A unique number necessary for identifying the image signal.
Storage start address: The start address of the storage area where the image signal is stored. The address is the address of the minimum storage unit in FIG.
Storage end address: The end address of the storage area where the image signal is stored. The address is the address of the minimum storage unit in FIG.
-Image size: The size of the input image. Since the image signal is stored as one-dimensional data in the normal storage area, two-dimensional (vertical and horizontal) size data necessary for reading from the secondary storage device to the primary storage device as two-dimensional data is stored. Stored.
Image attribute data: Image attribute data necessary for outputting input image data. For example, recording density, image quantization number, etc.

Next, the relationship between the management data and the actual image signal input / output operation will be described.
[When image signal is input]
The CPU 77 secures a storage area necessary for image input in the image memory based on the image input request. The CPU 77 searches the contents of the minimum storage unit management data table 302, secures a plurality of minimum storage units corresponding to the capacity necessary for unused image input, and disables the management data 303 of each secured minimum storage unit. Set. Next, the CPU 77 stores the start address (storage start address) and end address (storage end address) of the plurality of secured minimum storage units in the image signal management data 301, and other configuration data (image signal ID, image size). , Image attribute data) is set, an image signal input / output operation to the storage medium is started.
[When outputting image signals]
Based on the image output request, the CPU 77 searches for the image signal already input to the image memory, reads the image signal from the storage medium of the secondary storage device to the primary storage device, and then reads the image from the primary storage device. Execute signal output. The CPU 77 searches the minimum storage unit management data table 302, compares the image signal ID stored in the image signal management data 301 with the image signal ID of the output request, and determines the storage area from the image signal management data in which they match. The address, image size, and image attribute data are read out, and data is read from the storage medium of the secondary storage device to the primary storage device. The CPU 77 does not update the image signal management data 301 and the minimum storage unit management data 303 when outputting an image signal.
[When image signal is deleted]
When the image signal is deleted, the CPU 77 deletes the image signal management data of the image signal ID to be deleted from the image signal management data table 300, and the unused data for the minimum storage unit management data in the minimum storage unit management data table 302. Set the data. The CPU 77 initializes the data in the storage medium if necessary and ends the image signal deletion operation.

  This first embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1, and is a reading unit 6 as at least one image input means for inputting an image, an external device (an external device as viewed from the image forming apparatus). A primary storage device 89 as a primary storage unit that stores at least one or more image signals input from the image input unit, and an image signal input to the primary storage unit 89 Storage means having at least two sets of storage devices 91 and 92 composed of a secondary storage device 90 as a secondary storage unit, and an image signal input by the image input means, or stored in the storage device An image forming means for visualizing and outputting an image signal on a recording surface, and an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device are stored in an external device (memory). And at least one image output means capable of outputting to an external device as viewed from the stage), and an image signal inputted as a single storage area from the secondary storage unit of the storage device Therefore, it is possible to reduce data necessary for image signal management. Therefore, the management data is saved outside the secondary storage unit (for example, a memory (RAM) connected to the CPU 77 that performs input / output control of the signal of the secondary storage unit), and a storage area or an empty area of the input image signal. It is relatively easy to speed up the search. As a result, the productivity of the image forming apparatus can be improved without greatly changing the configuration of the image forming apparatus to which the storage unit is connected.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first embodiment is intended to simplify the data search process necessary for input / output of image signals by controlling the secondary storage device as a single storage area. For example, when managing data input of a printer (image forming means) and image signals of a copy function input means (reading unit 6), if the entire storage area is used for data input of the printer, the copying operation is performed. It is conceivable that the storage means cannot be used.

The second embodiment aims to solve this problem and provide an image forming apparatus capable of managing image signals by dividing a storage area of a secondary storage device of a storage device into a plurality of parts.
In order to manage a plurality of storage areas, the storage area management data table shown in FIG. 13 is required.

  FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a data table (storage area management data table 304) for managing each divided storage area of the secondary storage device. The storage area management data table 304 is composed of a data group (storage signal management data 305) necessary for storage area management, and has an array structure in which storage area management data for the number of storage areas can be input.

The storage signal management data 305 has the following data.
Storage area ID: A unique number necessary for identifying the storage area. .
Storage area start address: The start address of the storage area. The address is the address of the minimum storage unit in FIG.
Storage end address: End (end) address of the storage area. The address is the address of the minimum storage unit in FIG.
Minimum storage unit size: The minimum storage unit size of the storage area.
Storage area management data: Attribute data necessary for management of storage areas other than the above data. For example, the number of defective areas (minimum storage units), addresses, usable area data, etc. in the target storage area.

Although not shown in particular, the image signal management data table is created for each storage area, so that the search of the image signal management data can be performed individually, thereby improving the data processing efficiency.
The relationship between management data and actual image signal input / output operations when an image signal management data table is created for each storage area will be described below. In the description of the second embodiment, only the part related to the storage area management data table 304 shown in FIG. 13 will be mainly described, and the description of the part overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.
[When image signal is input]
The CPU 77 secures a storage area necessary for image input in the image memory based on the image input request. First, the CPU 77 designates a storage area from the contents of the image input request, and the contents of the minimum storage unit management data table 302 based on the storage area start address and the storage end address in the storage signal management data 305 of the designated storage area. To secure a plurality of minimum storage units corresponding to the capacity required for inputting an unused image in the storage area, and set the management data 303 for each secured minimum storage unit to be unusable.

Next, the CPU 77 stores the start address (storage start address) and end address (storage end address) of the plurality of secured minimum storage units in the image signal management data 301 of the designated storage area, and stores other configuration data. After setting, the image signal input / output operation to the storage medium is started.
[When outputting image signals]
Based on the image output request, the CPU 77 searches for the image signal management data in the storage area in which the image signal already input to the image memory is stored. The CPU 77 searches the image signal management data table 300, compares the image signal ID stored in the image signal management data 301 with the image signal ID of the image output request, and stores the storage area from the image signal management data in which they match. Are read out from the storage medium of the secondary storage device to the primary storage device. The CPU 77 does not update the image signal management data 301 and the minimum storage unit management data 303 when outputting an image signal.

Since the storage area is designated by the image signal output request, the CPU 77 does not refer to the storage signal management data 305 when outputting the image signal. When the search is completed, the CPU 77 outputs the image signal from the primary storage device after reading the image signal from the storage medium of the secondary storage device to the primary storage device.
[When image signal is deleted]
When deleting the image signal, the CPU 77 deletes the image signal management data of the image signal ID to be deleted from the image signal management data table 300, and the unused data for the minimum storage unit management data of the image signal ID to be deleted. Set. The CPU 77 initializes the data in the storage medium if necessary and ends the image signal deletion operation.

  The second embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 2, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the secondary storage unit 90 of the storage devices 91 and 92 is divided into a plurality of storage areas. The CPU 77 as a means for selectively inputting / outputting image signals to / from the plurality of storage areas, and managing the image signals input to the divided storage areas. By assigning to the image input means, it is possible to secure a storage area that can be occupied and used with respect to the specific image input means, and the use efficiency of the image forming apparatus is reduced due to the absence of the storage area by other image input means. (For example, a phenomenon in which the printer cannot use the entire storage area to perform the copy sorting operation) can be avoided.

  The third embodiment of the present invention is configured such that, in the second embodiment, a facsimile machine is connected and this facsimile machine uses a secondary storage device. Since this facsimile apparatus must be able to receive image signals at all times, the storage area of the secondary storage device must always be free. If the division of the storage area of the secondary storage device cannot be changed and the storage area of the secondary storage device is in use, the input request of the image signal from the facsimile device comes In this case, since the storage area of the secondary storage device cannot receive the image signal, the image signal cannot be received and the system cannot be operated.

  Accordingly, in the third embodiment, in the second embodiment, the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage device can be easily set to 0, 1, 2, or 2 according to the configuration state of the image forming apparatus (connection state of the facsimile apparatus or the like). A storage area division number changing means for changing to 3... Is provided (the CPU 77 has a function of the storage area division number changing means). For this reason, in the third embodiment, when the facsimile apparatus is connected, the storage area of the secondary storage apparatus can be secured by the storage area division number changing means as the storage area for the facsimile apparatus. Is always possible, and the operation of the system can be guaranteed.

  This third embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit 90 of the storage devices 91, 92. Since the CPU 77 is provided as means for changing the storage area, the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit can be changed in accordance with the configuration of the image forming apparatus and the change, and the first embodiment and the second embodiment. It is possible to selectively enable each effect of the form, and it is possible to improve the control efficiency of an image forming apparatus that can select and connect a plurality of image input means and image output means.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the third embodiment, the storage area division number changing means matches the storage area division number of the secondary storage device with the number of image input means, and the storage area and the image input. The storage units of the secondary storage device and the image input units correspond to each other and are managed so as to have the same ID. As a result, each image input unit can occupy a unique storage area, so that each individual image input unit can use the storage device without interfering with each other.

  The fourth embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 4, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device is determined by the image input means. Therefore, the image input means can occupy a unique storage area, and the individual image input means can interfere with each other, in addition to the effects of the second and third embodiments. The storage device can be used without doing so.

  In each of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the second to fourth embodiments, the total of the divided storage areas of the secondary storage device only needs to be the capacity of the entire secondary storage device. A data table (storage area management data table 304) for managing each divided storage area shown in FIG. 13 and storage capacity changing means for changing the capacity of the storage signal management data 305 are provided (stored in the CPU 77). The size of the storage area occupied by each image input means is determined in consideration of the frequency of use of each image input means connected to the image forming apparatus by this storage capacity change means. Set. As a result, the unused storage area of the secondary storage device can be eliminated, and the optimum storage area of the storage means can be set according to the usage form of the image forming apparatus.

  These fifth embodiments are embodiments of the invention according to claim 5, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4, the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided. Since the CPU 77 is provided as means capable of individually setting and changing the size of each storage area, the memory occupied by each image input means in consideration of the frequency of use of each image input means connected to the image forming apparatus. The size of the area can be set, the unused storage area of the secondary storage device can be eliminated, and the optimum storage area of the storage means can be set according to the usage form of the image forming apparatus become.

  In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in the second embodiment, the storage area of the secondary storage device is divided for each image input means, and the divided storage area is freely arranged in each image input means. The CPU 77 has the function of this means.

  When the divided storage area of the secondary storage device is managed in the minimum access unit of the storage device, the amount of management data becomes enormous and access frequently occurs. Therefore, the storage device is designed to be controlled as easily as possible. In general, the minimum access unit is managed in a unit (cluster).

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the cluster unit 401 including a plurality of the minimum access units 400 is set to 512 kilobytes, and the image signal transferred from the image input means is subjected to the secondary compression / decompression by the secondary compression / decompression unit. Assuming that the data size is 2 megabytes, the storage area 402 for storing the image signal after the secondary compression has 4 clusters. Therefore, since the maximum number of clusters that can be secured in the storage area is maximized in the storage guaranteed number of the divided storage areas, the larger the number of the divided storage areas, the larger the number of clusters and the more the number of storage.

  However, if the storage area of the secondary storage device is divided into storage areas for each image input means in order to guarantee the number of images stored in the storage area for each image input means, Depending on the characteristics of the storage device, even if the guaranteed number of stored storage areas is guaranteed, the image forming speed, so-called CPM, may not be satisfied as specified. For example, there is a hard disk device as the secondary storage device, but the access speed of the hard disk is different between the outer periphery and the inner periphery, and depending on the designated storage area, the access speed becomes slow and the CPM as specified cannot be achieved. There is also.

  Therefore, the sixth embodiment of the present invention is provided with means for dividing the storage area of the secondary storage device for each image input means and freely arranging the divided storage areas in each image input means. Thus, it is possible to achieve the CPM according to the specification while ensuring the guaranteed number of storage areas. Although the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, it is possible to provide a more optimal system by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means having a high use frequency.

  This sixth embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 6, and is a reading unit 6 as at least one image input means for inputting an image, an external device (an external device as viewed from the image forming apparatus). A primary storage device 89 as a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and 2 for storing the image signals input to the primary storage unit Storage means having at least two sets of storage devices 91 and 92 composed of a secondary storage device 90 as a secondary storage unit, an image signal input by the image input means, or an image stored in the storage device Image forming means for visualizing and outputting a signal on a recording surface, and outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In the image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output means capable of being divided, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and selective to the plurality of divided storage areas Means for inputting / outputting image signals, and means for freely arranging a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit for each of the image input means. Even if they are different, it is possible to provide a more optimal system by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means that is frequently used.

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus of each of the above embodiments having a plurality of image input / output means, it is desirable that priority can be set for each image input / output means in accordance with the usage status. For example, when the copy function is mainly used, a sufficient storage area for the copy function is secured by other image input / output means so as not to cause a decrease in the operation efficiency. It is necessary to devise to increase the processing speed of image signal input / output.

  In view of this, the seventh embodiment of the present invention provides means for allocating each storage area with a priority for each image input means when dividing the storage area of the secondary storage device in the sixth embodiment. The CPU 77 has the function of this means. Therefore, when each image input means competes in the same storage area when allocating each storage area, the storage areas are allocated by referring to the priority order, so that each image input means competes with the allocation of the storage means. Can be avoided. For this reason, even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, it is possible to provide a more optimal system by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means with a high use frequency.

  The seventh embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 7, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 6, a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit are provided for each of the image input means. Since it has means to arrange with priority, even if the use frequency of the image input means varies depending on the user, it is more optimal to arrange the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means with high use frequency A system can be provided.

  In each of the eighth embodiment of the present invention, in the sixth embodiment and the seventh embodiment, a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit are arranged with priority for each image input means. In this case, a storage area having a high access speed of the secondary storage unit is arranged for the image input means having a high use frequency as a condition of the priority order (the image input / output means has a higher access speed as the use frequency is higher). In a secondary storage device having storage media with different access speeds on the outer periphery and the inner periphery, such as a hard disk, the operator is unaware of the characteristics of the storage device. It is possible to always set the optimum storage area division. For this reason, even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, it is possible to provide a more optimal system by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means with a high use frequency.

  The eighth embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 8, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit are provided for each of the image input means. When arranging with priority, the storage area with high access speed of the secondary storage unit is arranged for the image input means with high use frequency as the priority condition, so that the user can Even if the frequency of use is different, it is possible to provide a more optimal system by arranging the storage area with the highest performance in the image input means that is frequently used.

  As described above, for example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the cluster unit 401 including a plurality of minimum access units 400 is set to 512 kilobytes, and secondary compression by the secondary compression / decompression unit of the image signal transferred from the image input means is performed. Assuming that the subsequent data size is 2 megabytes, the storage area 402 for storing the image signal after the secondary compression has four use clusters. Therefore, since the maximum number of clusters that can be secured in the storage area is maximized in the storage guaranteed number of the divided storage areas, the larger the number of the divided storage areas, the larger the number of clusters and the more the number of storage.

  However, a hard disk may have a defective area where image signals cannot be read or written on the disk due to scratches on the disk or incomplete portions of the magnetic layer. If the hard disk has a large number of defective areas, the number of clusters that can be secured decreases, and the number of guaranteed storages decreases.

  Therefore, in the ninth embodiment of the present invention, in the seventh embodiment, the secondary storage device is a hard disk device, and a defective area generated during access to the secondary storage device is internally stored to store the secondary storage device. As a condition for dividing the storage area of the apparatus, means for arranging from a storage area with few defective areas is provided, and the function of this means is provided to the CPU 77, and the number of clusters that can be secured by the defective area is reduced. It can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to allocate a storage area with fewer defective areas to the image input means as the frequency of use increases. Even if the frequency of use of the image input means differs depending on the user, the image input means has the highest performance. It is possible to provide a more optimal system by arranging a high storage area.

  The ninth embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 9, and includes at least one reading unit 6 as image input means for inputting an image, an external device (an external device as viewed from the image forming apparatus). A primary storage device 89 as a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and 2 for storing the image signals input to the primary storage unit Storage means having at least two sets of storage devices 91 and 92 composed of a secondary storage device 90 as a secondary storage unit, an image signal input by the image input means, or an image stored in the storage device Image forming means for visualizing and outputting a signal on a recording surface, and outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device In the image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output means capable of being divided, the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and selective to the plurality of divided storage areas Means for inputting / outputting image signals, means for freely arranging a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage section for each image input means, and a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage section Is arranged with a priority for each image input means, and a plurality of divided storage areas of the secondary storage unit are arranged with a priority for each image input means. In this case, since the storage area with a small number of defective storage areas that cannot be written is arranged in the storage area as the priority condition, even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, Best performance By arranging the high storage region Nsu, it is possible to provide a more optimal system.

  Although there is a quantization number as an image attribute of the image input means, the data amount differs between a multi-value image signal and a binary image signal. For example, in the case of a multi-value image signal, the access speed differs between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the hard disk due to the characteristics of the hard disk, so there is no problem with the guaranteed number of storage on the outer periphery side and the inner periphery side of the hard disk. If the storage area on the inner peripheral side of the slow hard disk is arranged in the image input means that handles the multi-value image signal, the specification may not be satisfied.

  Therefore, in the tenth embodiment of the present invention, in the seventh embodiment, the secondary storage device is a hard disk device, and a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit are assigned a priority for each image input means. As a condition for this priority order, the storage area on the outer peripheral side of the hard disk is preferentially arranged in the image input means having a large number of image signal quantizations (the image input means can handle the quantum of the image signal (The storage area on the outer periphery side of the hard disk increases as the number of conversions increases), and the function of this means is provided to the CPU 77, so that it is possible to avoid that the specification cannot be satisfied from the CPM surface. . Therefore, it is possible to allocate the outer storage area to the image input means as the quantization number of the image signal is higher. Even if the frequency of use of the image input means varies depending on the user, the image input means is more frequently used. By allocating a storage area with high performance, it is possible to provide a more optimal system.

  The tenth embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 10, and includes at least one reading unit 6 as image input means for inputting an image, an external device (an external device as viewed from the image forming apparatus). A primary storage device 89 as a primary storage unit for storing at least one or more image signals input from the image input means, and 2 for storing the image signals input to the primary storage unit Storage means having at least two sets of storage devices 91 and 92 composed of a secondary storage device 90 as a secondary storage unit, an image signal input by the image input means, or an image stored in the storage device Image forming means for visualizing and outputting a signal on a recording surface, and outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device An image forming apparatus having at least one or more image output means capable of being divided, wherein the secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas and selected for the plurality of divided storage areas Means for inputting and outputting image signals, means for freely arranging a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage section for each image input means, and a plurality of memories divided by the secondary storage section And a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit are arranged with priority for each image input means. In this case, since the storage area having a high access speed is arranged in order from the image input means having the highest number of quantized image signals as the priority condition, even if the use frequency of the image input means differs depending on the user, the use frequency is High image input hand Most By arranging the high memory area of performance, it is possible to provide a more optimal system.

  In the ninth and tenth embodiments, the secondary storage device may be a storage device having a storage medium such as an optical disk having different access speeds on the inner periphery and the outer periphery.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the memory | storage means in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of the 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the operation part of the said 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal touch panel of the 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the 1st embodiment. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the selector for the image signal for one page in the first embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of IPU in the said 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the internal details of the memory controller and image memory in the said 1st Embodiment. 6 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of inputting / outputting an image signal to / from the storage unit when the storage unit included in the storage unit is one in the first embodiment. 4 is a timing chart showing operation timings of an operation example in which an image signal according to the first embodiment is input to and output from a storage unit. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data table (image signal management data table 300) for managing the image signal in the said 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data table which manages the state of the minimum storage unit in the said 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the storage area management data table in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the storage area of the secondary storage device in 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the storage area of the secondary storage device.

Explanation of symbols

76 Memory controller 77 CPU
81, 88, 96 Image memory 82, 95 Data input / output control unit 89 Primary storage device 90 Secondary storage device 91, 92 Storage device

Claims (10)

  At least one image input unit for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one image signal input from the image input unit, and an image signal input to the primary storage unit A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing, and an image signal input by the image input unit or an image signal stored in the storage device on a recording surface Image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image, and at least one or more image output means capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device An image forming apparatus comprising: a secondary storage unit of the storage device as a single storage area.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for dividing the secondary storage unit of the storage device into a plurality of storage areas and selectively inputting and outputting image signals to the plurality of storage areas. An image forming apparatus that manages image signals input to each storage area.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number of divisions of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device is made equal to the number of the image input means.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means capable of individually setting and changing the size of each divided storage area of the storage area of the secondary storage unit of the storage device. Image forming apparatus.   At least one image input unit for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one image signal input from the image input unit, and an image signal input to the primary storage unit A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing, and an image signal input by the image input unit or an image signal stored in the storage device on a recording surface Image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image, and at least one or more image output means capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device The secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and image signals are selectively input to and output from the divided storage areas. And an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit; and a plurality of storage areas that can be freely arranged for each of the image input means.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for arranging a plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit with priority for each of the image input means.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit are arranged with a priority for each of the image input means, a usage frequency is used as the priority condition. An image forming apparatus, wherein a storage area having a high access speed of the secondary storage unit is arranged for high image input means.   At least one image input unit for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one image signal input from the image input unit, and an image signal input to the primary storage unit A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing, and an image signal input by the image input unit or an image signal stored in the storage device on a recording surface Image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image, and at least one or more image output means capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device The secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and image signals are selectively input to and output from the divided storage areas. Means for freely arranging the plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit for each image input means, and the plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit for each image input means Means for arranging each of the plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit with priority for each image input means. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the image forming apparatus is arranged from a storage area with a small number of defective storage areas that cannot be written in the storage area.   At least one image input unit for inputting an image, a primary storage unit for storing at least one image signal input from the image input unit, and an image signal input to the primary storage unit A storage unit having at least two sets of storage devices each including a secondary storage unit for storing, and an image signal input by the image input unit or an image signal stored in the storage device on a recording surface Image forming means for visualizing and outputting the image, and at least one or more image output means capable of outputting an image signal input by the image input means or an image signal stored in the storage device to an external device The secondary storage unit of the storage device is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and image signals are selectively input to and output from the divided storage areas. Means for freely arranging the plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit for each image input means, and the plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit for each image input means Means for arranging each of the plurality of storage areas divided by the secondary storage unit with priority for each image input means. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that a storage area having a high access speed is arranged in order from an image input unit having a large number of quantized image signals.

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