JP2007055265A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly prepare second image signal with the same resolution when composing it with an image signal from an image input means by an image composition means, and thereby to raise the whole processing efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The image formation device comprises: a picture input means in which the first image with a plurality of resolutions and the second picture composed with the first image can be input; a picture composition means that performs the image composition composed of the image input by the image input means and the second image; an image storage means that memorizes the second image; a notice means that informs the input demand of the second image, wherein the notice means, after memorizing the second image input by the image input means in the storage means, when the resolution of the image input by the image input means is other than the resolution of the second image, informs an input demand of the second image according to other resolution (step 202→209→212→202). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that stores a plurality of input image signals, and selects and outputs a desired image signal from the stored image signals.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus called a so-called digital copier having a composite function including a copy function, a printer function, an accumulation and printing function of scanned image data, a facsimile function, and the like has become widespread. In this type of apparatus, input image information is temporarily stored in a memory and read in response to a read request to form a predetermined or desired image.

  As described above, since image information is temporarily stored in the memory, read out, and used, the memory as a shared resource may be used simultaneously by a plurality of applications. As a memory management method in such a case, techniques disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 10-74163, 7-175916, and 7-273957 are known.

Among these, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-74163 discloses a plurality of applications such as a printer application and a FAX application in addition to a copy application, and each unit constituting the copier as a shared resource in units of functions. In a digital copier having a system controller unit that performs arbitration when simultaneously using a plurality of applications, a system including a memory unit arranged as one of shared resources and a memory controller that performs input / output control on the memory unit The controller is configured to perform arbitration when simultaneously using the memory controller and the memory unit in a plurality of applications. As a result, the memory unit can be handled as a shared resource, thereby reducing the cost of the device and effectively using the memory.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-175916, the memory capacity required by the corresponding function is compared with the free capacity of the current memory, and if the former is larger, files of unused functions are temporarily stored outside. A technique is disclosed in which each function can be processed in parallel by saving the data in a storage device without greatly increasing the memory capacity for executing the function.

  Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-273957, a storage area in which the storage capacity of the page memory unit is allocated for each FAX transmission / reception function, LAN transmission / reception function, electronic sort copy function, image registration and image search function is set. A technique is disclosed in which the usage situation of each storage area is stored, and the distribution content of the storage capacity for each function is changed according to the usage situation. According to this technology, when the page memory unit is shared and used for various functions, it is possible to change the use area of the page memory in accordance with the use situation of each function, thereby effectively using the page memory. The effect of being able to be obtained.

  Save multiple input image data and output multiple sets (sort operation) in an order different from the input order, or output multiple input data as a single image output (collected) In an image forming apparatus having various functions, the storage capacity required for the storage means for storing image data increases in accordance with the amount of image data to be processed.

  In a multi-function machine equipped with an image input / output function such as a copier, facsimile, printer, scanner, etc., it is said that multiple image signals are input / output simultaneously, such as simultaneously sending a facsimile while the printer's image signal is being output. Parallel operation is also required.

In the case of realizing such a parallel operation, conventionally, the operation is often achieved by providing a storage means in the means for controlling the input / output of each image signal. As described above, when the storage capacity required for the storage means increases, the storage capacity of the storage means increases in the means for controlling the input / output of each image signal, and the control of the storage device becomes complicated. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which a plurality of image inputs / outputs are performed on a single storage unit, it is essential to centralize the control of the storage unit and to input / output composite function images.

The input image signal is combined with additional image signals such as character data such as date and page, and any additional information requested by the operator (company seal, address, telephone number, letterhead, etc.). In the case of realizing the function of outputting the image data, means for storing the additional information in a storage device and reading out the additional information as necessary and combining it with the input image signal is used. This means that there is no need for a device for storing additional information other than the storage means, and the management of additional information is the same as the management of the input image signal by storing and managing it in the same storage means as the input image signal. Therefore, the function can be realized by a simple method without adding special processing. Note that the image information specified as the second image information in this specification corresponds to the arbitrary additional information.

  When an image input / output device such as a facsimile or a printer is connected, the resolution of the input image information is different. Therefore, when the additional information image is synthesized, the additional information image signal corresponding to the resolution of the input image signal is used. Is required.

  On the other hand, when storing an image signal, it is necessary to create and store management data such as attribute information unique to the image signal and information on the stored area (such as the start address). When storing the management data in the same storage means as the image signal, for example, if a storage medium such as an HDD is used as the storage means, the data writing / reading speed is slower than the storage element such as a semiconductor memory, and the image If the signal input / output operation and the management data processing occur at the same time, it takes an extra time to process the management data, and the processing efficiency of the entire storage means decreases.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to quickly prepare a second image signal having the same resolution when combining an image signal from an image input unit with the image combining unit, thereby improving the overall processing efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can perform the above-described process.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image input means capable of inputting a first image having a plurality of resolutions and a second image synthesized with the image, an image input by the image input means, An image forming apparatus comprising: an image composition unit that performs image composition with a second image; an image storage unit that stores the second image; and a notification unit that notifies an input request for the second image. The notification means stores the second image input by the image input means in the storage means, and then has an image resolution that can be input by the image input means in addition to the resolution of the second image. In this case, the second image input request corresponding to the other resolution is notified.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prepare the second image signal having the same resolution when the image signal from the image input unit is combined with the image combining unit, and thereby the overall processing efficiency of the image forming apparatus. Can be increased.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The invention according to claims 1 to 4 corresponds to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a document bundle placed on a document table 2 of an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as “ADF”) 1 with the image surface of the document facing down is placed on the operation unit 30 (FIG. 2). When the print key (start key) 34 is pressed, the lowermost document is fed to a predetermined reading position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. After the image data of the original on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50, the original that has been read is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when it is detected by the document set detection sensor 7 that there is a next document on the document table 2, the next document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feeding roller 3, the feeding belt 4, and the discharging roller 5 are driven by a conveyance motor 26 shown in FIG.

  The transfer papers stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, respectively, and are conveyed vertically. The unit 14 is transported to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser beam from the writing unit 57 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. The toner on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the fixing unit 17 fixes the image on the transfer paper, and the paper discharge unit 18 discharges the image onto the stacker tray 103 or the staple tray 108 of the finisher (post-processing device) 100.

  The finisher 100 can arbitrarily guide the transfer sheet conveyed by the sheet discharge unit 18 of the main body toward the stacker conveyance (normal sheet discharge) roller 102 or toward the staple processing unit. That is, the transfer sheet can be discharged to the stacker tray 104 side via the stacker transport roller 102 and the stacker discharge roller 103 by switching the branch deflection plate 101 and opening the upper path. Further, the transfer sheet can be conveyed to the staple tray 108 via the stapler conveying roller 105 and the stapler discharge roller 107 by switching the branching deflection plate 101 to open the lower path. The transfer paper loaded on the staple tray 108 is aligned by a paper alignment jogger (not shown) every time one sheet is discharged, and is bound by the stapler 106 upon completion of a partial copy. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is positioned by the position of the transfer paper at the rear end in the conveyance direction by the drop stopper 109. Therefore, when the drop stopper 109 is opened, the drop stopper 109 is dropped by its own weight and stored in the drop tray 110.

  On the other hand, the stacker tray 104 that functions as a normal paper discharge tray is a paper discharge tray that can be moved back and forth. The stacker tray 104 can be moved back and forth for each original document or for each copy section sorted by the image memory. It has a function to sort out the discharged copy paper.

  When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and imaged is not guided to the finisher 100 side, and the branching claw 112 for switching the path is placed on the upper side. Is once sent to the duplex feeding unit 111 and stocked in the unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is sent from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 to the vertical conveyance unit 14 and transferred again to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 15 again, and transferred. After the image is formed on the back side of the paper, the reversing claw 112 is set on the lower side and guided to the finisher 100 side. Thus, the duplex feeding unit 111 is used when images are formed on both sides of the transfer sheet.

  The photoconductor 15, the conveyance belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18 and the development unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25 (FIG. 4), and each of the paper feed units 11 to 13 feeds the driving force of the main motor 25. Transmission is controlled by clutches 22, 23, and 24. The vertical conveyance unit 14 is controlled to transmit the driving force of the main motor 25 by the intermediate clutch 21.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation unit 30. In the figure, the operation unit 30 is provided with a liquid crystal touch panel (display) 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a mode clear key 35 and an initial setting key 38. A mode setting function key 37, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like are displayed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30. As can be seen from the figure, when the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in black. Further, for example, when it is necessary to specify the details of a function such as a scaling value when performing scaling, a detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching a key. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display device, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

  FIG. 4 shows the control device centering on the main controller. In the figure, a main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 20 includes a display for an operator, an operation unit 30 for performing function setting input control from the operator, a scanner control, and a document image. A distributed control device such as an image processing unit (IPU) 49 that performs control of writing into the memory and control of image formation from the image memory, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 are connected. Each distributed control device and the main controller 20 exchange machine states and operation commands as necessary. Further, a main motor 25 and a transport motor 26 necessary for paper transport and the various clutches 21 to 24 are also connected.

  The operation from reading an image to forming a latent image on the recording surface of the photoreceptor will be described below in the image forming apparatus configured as described above. Here, the latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into light information and irradiating it on the surface of the photoreceptor.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, a second image sensor. It consists of a mirror 55 and a third mirror 56. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document, 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 original image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted from an optical signal to an electrical signal, and processed. When the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 are moved in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, the image magnification can be changed. That is, the position in the left-right direction in the figure of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 is set corresponding to the designated magnification.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a laser diode that is a laser light source and a motor rotate at a constant speed. A polygon mirror is provided.

  The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is deflected by the polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through the imaging lens 59, is folded back by the mirror 60, and is focused on the surface of the photoreceptor 15 to form an image. The deflected laser light is exposed and scanned in a so-called main scanning direction orthogonal to the direction in which the photoconductor 15 rotates, and recording is performed in line units of an image signal output by a selector 64 of an image processing unit described later. An image, that is, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 15 by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotational speed and recording density of the photoconductor 15.

  In this way, the laser light output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the image forming type photoconductor 15, but a main scanning synchronization signal is generated at the irradiation position of the laser light near one end of the photoconductor 15 (not shown). A beam sensor is arranged. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal output from the beam sensor, control of image recording timing in the main scanning direction and generation of control signals for input / output of image signals, which will be described later, are performed.

  The configuration of the image processing unit (IPU) 49 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The illumination light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 is applied to the document surface and reflected by the document surface. The reflected light is imaged by an imaging lens (not shown), enters the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 54, undergoes photoelectric conversion, and is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 62 and then subjected to MTF correction, γ correction and the like in the image processing unit 63. The image-processed signal is sent from the image processing unit 63 to the selector 64, and the selector 64 selects either the scaling unit 61 or the image memory controller 65. The image signal sent to the scaling unit 71 side is enlarged / reduced in accordance with the scaling factor and sent to the writing unit 57.

  The image memory controller 65 and the selector 64 are configured to be able to input and output image signals in both directions. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 5, the image processing unit 49 selects a plurality of data inputs and outputs so that image data supplied from the outside can be processed in addition to the image data input from the reading unit 50. A function to perform is also provided. The image data supplied from the outside is data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer. Therefore, the input signal includes an input signal from an external device in addition to the signal read by the scanner. The image processing unit 49 stores the CPU 68 for setting the image memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57, the ROM 69 for storing programs and data of the CPU 68, and dynamic data. The RAM 70 also functions as a work area.

Note that the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the image memory controller 65. These units communicate with the outside via the I / O port 67, and input / output of image data is performed via the I / O port 67.

  Here, an image signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

  / FGATE represents an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction.

/ LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. / LGATE is a signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid. These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and data for one pixel is sent for one cycle of VCLK. The IPU 49 has separate / FGATE, / LSYNC, / LGATE, and VCLK generation mechanisms for image input and image output, and performs phase adjustment and the like when directly outputting a read image. As a result, various image input / output combinations can be realized.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing in detail the internal configurations of the memory controller 65 and the image memory 66 in FIG. 5, and shows details of individual storage units (storage devices) of the storage means in the present invention. In the figure, the data input / output control unit 650 of the memory controller 65 includes an input data selector 651, an image composition unit 652, a primary compression / decompression unit 653, an output data sector 654, and a secondary compression / decompression unit 655. Yes. The control data is set in these units by the CPU 68. The addresses and data in FIG. 5 are for image data, and the data and addresses connected to the CPU 68 are not shown.

  The image memory 66 includes primary and secondary storage units 661 and 662. The primary storage unit 661 can perform data writing to a designated area of the memory or data reading from a designated area of the memory at the time of image output substantially in synchronization with a data transfer speed required at the time of image data input / output. In addition, a memory such as a DRAM capable of high-speed access is used. In addition, the primary storage unit 661 includes an interface unit with the memory controller 20 so that the image data can be divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data to be processed and image data can be input / output simultaneously.

  The secondary storage unit 662 is a large-capacity nonvolatile memory, and is used for composition and sorting of input images and data storage. If the primary storage unit 661 has a sufficient capacity for processing image data and is non-volatile, it is not necessary to input / output data to / from the secondary storage unit 662. In addition, if the secondary storage unit 662 can write / read data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer rate required at the time of image input / output, data can be directly written to / read from the secondary storage unit 662. It is. In such a case, data processing can be performed without distinguishing between primary and secondary.

  When the secondary storage unit 662 cannot write / read data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer rate required at the time of image input / output, for example, a storage medium such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk is used for the secondary storage unit 662 Even in this case, input / output of data to / from the secondary storage unit 662 can be processed according to the data transfer capability of the secondary storage unit 662 by interposing the primary storage unit 661.

  With such a configuration, the storage element can be selected according to the image data processing speed of the image forming apparatus, and the data access speed to the memory varies depending on the type of data, that is, the compression rate and the expansion rate differ depending on the image data. Even if a different method is adopted, it can be handled.

  The operation of the memory controller 65 is as follows, for example. Here, an example is shown in which the secondary storage unit 662 cannot write / read data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer rate required at the time of image input / output.

(1) Image input (saving to image memory)
The input data selector 651 selects image data to be written to the image memory 66 (primary storage unit 661) from a plurality of data. The image data selected by the input data selector 651 is supplied to the image composition unit 652 and image composition is performed as necessary. The image data processed by the image composition unit 652 is compressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 653, and the compressed data is written in the primary storage unit 661. The data written in the primary storage unit 661 is further compressed by the secondary compression / expansion unit 655 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage unit 662.

(2) Image output (reading from image memory)
When outputting an image, image data stored in the primary storage unit 661 is read. When the image to be output is stored in the primary storage unit 661, the primary compression / decompression unit 653 decompresses the image data in the primary storage unit 661, and the decompressed data or the decompressed data The data after image synthesis of the data and the input data is selected by the output data selector 654 and output.

  The image composition unit 652 combines the data in the primary storage unit 661 and the input data (having a phase adjustment function for image data), and selects the output destination of the combined data (image output to the primary storage unit 661). Write back and simultaneous output to both output destinations).

  When the image to be output is not stored in the primary storage unit 661, the output target image data stored in the secondary storage unit 662 is expanded by the secondary compression / decompression unit 655, and the decompressed image data is stored. After the data is written in the primary storage unit 661, the above-described image output operation is performed.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the storage means in the first embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a timing chart when an image signal is input to the storage means.

  The storage means has first and second storage devices (a set of data input / output control units 803a and 803b and image memories 804a and 804b) 800a and 800b. The data input / output control units 803a and 803b of the storage devices 800a and 800b correspond to the data input / output control unit 650 of FIG. Input / output data of the two storage devices 800a and 800b is connected to input data selector 801 and input data to output data selector 802. Further, external input data 1 and 2 of the storage means are connected to the input data selector 801, and four inputs including the input data from the storage devices 800a and 800b are selected and output to the storage devices 1 and 4. It is a 2-output selector. In addition, since the output data of the first and second storage devices 800a and 800b are connected to the input data selector 801, the storage device such as outputting the data of the first storage device 800a to the second storage device 800b. Data input / output is possible.

  On the other hand, the output data selector 802 is a 2-input 2-output selector that can selectively output the output data of the first and second storage devices 800a and 800b to the output data 1 and 2 to the outside.

  Thus, by providing a plurality of storage devices in the storage means (image memory 66), it is possible to simultaneously input / output a plurality of image signals. FIG. 9 shows an operation when there is one storage device (FIG. 9A) and an operation when there are two storage devices (FIG. 9B) when inputting a plurality of image signals to the storage means (image memory 66). )).

In FIG. 9A, even if a request for the first data input of data input 1 and a request for the first data input of data input 2 are generated at the same time, since there is one storage device, two requests are requested. Since only one of the data inputs can be performed (data input 1 in FIG. 9A), the timing of actually executing the input operation in response to the request for the data input 2 generated simultaneously is shown in FIG. 9A. Timing 1 "will be reached. Thereafter, the data input operation cannot be started until the operation of the data input 2 is completed even in response to the second image input request of the data input 1. On the other hand, if a plurality of storage devices are provided as in the storage means of this embodiment, the first storage device 800a is used for the data input 1 and the data input 2 is used for the data input 2 as shown in FIG. By inputting data to the second storage device 800b, two pieces of data are input at the same time, and the time until the end of the operation can be greatly shortened.

  An image composition unit (not shown) is arranged before the input data selector 801 and the output data selector 802, and is stored in the image signal input to the storage device, the first storage device 800a, and the second storage device 800b. The synthesized image signal is synthesized.

The following operations are possible for image composition.

1) The input image signal and the image signal stored in the primary storage unit (primary storage unit 661, hereinafter the same) of the first storage device 800a are synthesized and output.

2) The input image signal and the image signal stored in the primary storage unit of the second storage device 800b are synthesized and output.

3) The image signal stored in the first storage device 800a and the image signal stored in the second storage device 800b are synthesized and output.

4) The input image signal is synthesized with the image signal stored in the primary storage unit of the first storage device 800a, and is different from the image signal already stored in the primary storage unit of the first storage device 800a. Save to area.

5) Combining the input image signal and the image signal stored in the primary storage unit of the first storage device 800a, the same as the image signal already stored in the primary storage unit of the first storage device 800a Save (overwrite) the area.

6) The input image signal and the image signal stored in the primary storage unit of the first storage device 800a are combined and stored in the primary storage unit of the second storage device 800b.

7) The image signal stored in the first storage device 800a and the image signal stored in the second storage device 800b are combined, and the image already stored in the primary storage unit of the first storage device 800a. Store in a different area from the signal.

8) The image signal stored in the first storage device 800a and the image signal stored in the second storage device 800b are combined, and the image already stored in the primary storage unit of the first storage device 800a. Save (overwrite) in the same area as the signal.

9) The input image signal is synthesized with the image signal stored in the primary storage unit of the second storage device 800b, and is different from the image signal already stored in the primary storage unit of the second storage device 800b. Save to area.

10) Combining the input image signal and the image signal stored in the primary storage unit of the second storage device 800b, the same as the image signal already stored in the primary storage unit of the second storage device 800b Save (overwrite) the area.

11) The input image signal and the image signal stored in the primary storage unit of the second storage device 800b are combined and stored in the primary storage unit of the first storage device 800a.

12) The image signal stored in the first storage device 800a and the image signal stored in the second storage device 800b are combined, and the image already stored in the primary storage unit of the second storage device 800b. Store in a different area from the signal.

13) The image signal stored in the first storage device 800a and the image signal stored in the second storage device 800b are combined, and the image already stored in the primary storage unit of the second storage device 800b. Save (overwrite) in the same area as the signal.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of an image signal input operation in this embodiment controlled by the CPU 68b.

  The operation of inputting the image signal combined with the image signal from the image input means and the second image signal stored in the image composition means to the storage means in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In this input operation, when processing is started, it is first determined whether or not there is a data input request to the storage means (step 101).

  If there is no data input request, the subsequent processing is skipped and the process ends. If there is a data input request, the requested parameter is analyzed to determine the control method of the storage means (step 102). The control method determines how to use the resources in the storage device from the data size in the parameters, the mode, the necessity of storage, and the like. At this time, when combining with the second image signal in the storage device, the image combining means is also set as an acquisition resource target.

  When the control method of the storage means is determined in step 102, the state of the selected storage device and image composition means is detected based on the result (step 103). In the state detection, whether or not an image can be input to the designated storage device is determined. Specifically, if the storage device is not in use, it is determined that execution is possible, and if it is in use, it is determined that execution is not possible. The image composition means determines whether composition is possible. Specifically, it is determined that it can be executed if the image composition means is not used, and it is determined that it cannot be executed if it is in use.

  Then, it is determined based on the result of step 103 whether it can be executed (step 104). If it cannot be executed, the process returns to step 103 again to detect the states of the storage device and the image composition means again. Although not specified in the present embodiment, if it is not always possible to detect the state of the storage device and the image synthesizing unit for a certain period of time, a process that skips the subsequent process and ends may be performed. Is possible.

  If it is determined in step 104 that the image signal input operation can be executed, the selected storage device and image composition means are acquired (step 105). The state of the storage device and the image composition means selected by the acquisition is in use, and other image signal input / output processing and image composition processing are prohibited until the input of the image signal is completed or interrupted. The

  When the storage device and the image synthesizing means are acquired, as a pre-process for executing the input operation of the image signal, first, the image signal inputted from the image input means (CCD 54) and the image synthesizing means for synthesizing the image by the image synthesizing means. The second image signal is transferred from the selected storage device to the image composition means. At this time, since the image input means can input images with a plurality of resolutions, an image signal with the same resolution is prepared for the second image signal (step 106). After the preparation is completed, the transfer parameters are set in the image composition means and the storage device, and the second image signal is transferred (step 107). Finally, a parameter for normal data input is set in the storage device, and the image synthesizing unit is configured to synthesize the image signal input from the image input unit and the second image signal stored in the image synthesizing unit. Are set (step 108), and when all preparations are completed, a data input execution preparation completion notification is made (step 109). After notification of completion of data input execution preparation, a request for data input execution from the request source is waited (step 110).

If there is an execution request, a data input operation is executed (step 111). If not, monitoring is continued until there is a data input execution request.

  Next, the data input execution state is monitored (step 112). When the processing is completed, the storage device and the image synthesizing means are released as post-processing (step 113), and finally the data input execution completion notification is performed (step 114). finish.

  Note that the process (operation) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 corresponds to claim 1.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure in the first embodiment. The operation of inputting the second image signals of all resolutions that can be input / output from the image input means and storing them in the storage device is shown in FIG. Will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the process is started, first, a storage device to which the second image signal is input is designated from the plurality of connected storage devices (step 201). Since the second image signal to be input does not exist in any storage device at the start of processing, the order of selecting the storage devices is not particularly specified. However, although not specified in the present embodiment, it is also possible to provide means for designating a storage device that is executing input / output of image signals.

After the storage device is designated in step 201, a second image signal input request notification is sent to the designated storage device (step 202). A means for performing image input processing (CPU 68—details will be described with reference to FIG. 10) notifies completion of data input preparation based on the input request notification notified in step 202. In step 203, the presence / absence of notification of completion of data input preparation notified from the means for performing image input processing is detected, and it is determined whether data input can be executed based on the result (step 204). If there is a notification, a data input execution request is notified (step 205). If not, the processing returns to (step 203) and waits for a data input preparation completion notification notified from the means for performing image input processing.

  After the data input execution request is notified in step 205, the process waits without executing the next process until the input of the second image signal is completed. As in the case of data input preparation, when the input of the second image signal is completed, there is a notification of the end of data input from the means for performing image input processing. When there is no notification, it is determined whether or not to proceed to the next step (step 207).

  When the second image signal input process is completed, it is detected whether there is any other resolution that can be input / output (step 208). The detection result is judged (step 209), and if there is an uninput resolution, the detected uninput resolution is specified (step 212), the process returns to step 202, and the processing from step 202 is executed. The input of the second image signal is continued. When the second image signal input processing for all resolutions is completed, it is detected whether there is any other storage device that has not input the second image signal (step 210). Next, the detection result is judged (step 211). If there is an uninput device, the detected uninput storage device is designated as the next input target storage device (step 213), and the process goes to step 202. The input of the second image signal is continued. If there is no uninput storage device in step 211, the processing is ended there.

  Although not specified in the present embodiment, in this procedure, the second image signals having all resolutions that can be input and output to one storage device are continuously stored. It is possible to prevent the second image signal having the next resolution from being stored until the signal is stored in a plurality of storage devices.

  By the operation as described above, it is possible to prepare a second image signal having the same resolution when combining the image signal from the image input unit with the image combining unit. Further, the same second image signal can be stored in all the storage devices connected to the image forming apparatus, and each storage device can independently store the second image signal when combining with the second image signal. The second image signal can be read and synthesized. In addition, since the image signal can be input / output to / from a storage device other than the storage device performing the input operation even while the second image signal is being input, normal image input / output processing can be performed. There is also an advantage that it becomes possible.

  The configuration for executing the processing of FIG. 11 corresponds to claim 2.

  In the processing of FIG. 11, when the second image signal is stored in the storage device in claim 2, all the second image signals for each resolution input from the image input means are stored. The second image signal may be a single type and may be configured to scale within the storage device. As a result, the processing time for storing the second image signal and the storage area can be reduced. This configuration corresponds to claim 3.

  Further, the resolution of the stored second image signal may be stored at the lowest resolution input from the image input means, and may be enlarged in the storage device if they do not match. As a result, the second image signal stored in the image storage device has a minimum size, so that a larger number of second image signals can be stored. This configuration corresponds to claim 4.

  According to this embodiment, the means for synthesizing the additional information image with a plurality of image signals having different resolutions is used, for example, a copy image and an image such as a printer output image are mixed, and a page is added to this for bookbinding. This makes it possible to reduce redundant work and resources. Conventionally, it has been necessary to create individually output originals (paper). However, according to the present invention, all image information stored in the image forming apparatus is automatically generated inside the image forming apparatus regardless of the resolution or the like. Thus, it is possible to create a final product by synthesizing additional information (image signal).

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to save and select the optimum additional information image signal (for example, character (font) data) individually for all corresponding resolutions, thereby providing a low resolution. Even when the additional information is combined with the image, it is possible to minimize deterioration in image quality and perform high-quality image composition.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the additional information image signal by providing means for scaling and combining the additional information image signal in accordance with the corresponding resolution. Furthermore, even when the resolution that can be processed by the image forming apparatus is changed, it is not necessary to change the content of the image signal, and thus a highly versatile function can be provided.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the image signal of the additional information by enlarging and synthesizing the image signal of the additional information. Further, even when there is a restriction on the configuration (capacity) of a storage medium such as a memory for storing additional information in the image forming apparatus, the function is not deteriorated.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the second embodiment in which the image signal read from the external storage means such as a memory card is stored in the storage means.

The second embodiment is also configured in the same way as the configuration of FIGS. 1 to 9 in the first embodiment, so that the description thereof will be omitted and only matters related to the operation will be described.

  In the second embodiment, when processing is started, first, a storage device for inputting a second image signal is specified from a plurality of connected storage means (step 301). Since the second image signal to be input does not exist in any of the storage means at the start of processing, the order in which the storage devices are selected is not particularly specified. However, although not specified in the present embodiment, it is also possible to provide a means for avoiding the storage means that is executing the input / output of the image signal.

  After the storage device is designated in step 301, a second image signal input request notification is sent to the designated storage device (step 302). A parameter for reading out and storing the second image signal stored in the external storage means based on the input request of the second image signal to the designated storage device is set (step 303). Next, a management data table for managing the second image signal read from the external storage means is created (step 304). This management data table uses the start address, the final address, the resolution, the rotation angle, the image signal size, and the like when the second image signal is stored in the secondary storage unit of the storage device as parameters. The management data table is arranged so as to be able to store a plurality of second image signals, and an area corresponding to the same number of tables is secured in the secondary storage unit of the storage device and the non-volatile memory in the image forming apparatus other than the storage device. . Registration of the second image signal is possible if the management data table is free, but if it is full, the second image signal is rejected even if it is attempted to save the second image signal, and if necessary, the second image currently being managed is registered. It is possible to register a new second image signal by deleting the signal from the management data table and overwriting it.

  Next, it is detected whether or not the management data table created in step 304 is empty (step 305). If there is no space, the management data table is full and registration is rejected and the process is terminated. If there is a vacancy, the second image signal is read from the external storage means and stored in the storage device (step 306). When the end of the storage is detected (step 307: YES), the management data table is stored in the nonvolatile memory in the image forming apparatus other than the storage device and the storage device (step 308). When saving, both management data tables of the secondary storage unit of the storage device and the nonvolatile memory inside the image forming apparatus other than the storage device are stored in the same array number in the array to simplify the processing.

  When the storage of the management data table is completed in step 308, the presence or absence of the next second image signal is detected (step 309), and the detection result is determined (step 310). If there is a next second image signal, it is changed to the next second image signal for which the input request has been detected (step 311), and the process returns to step 303 to continue the saving process. When all the second image signals are stored, it is detected whether there is any other storage device that has not input the second image signal (step 312).

  Then, the result of detection is judged (step 313). If there is an uninput device, the detected non-input storage means is designated as the next input target storage means (step 314), and the process returns to step 303. The second image signal storage process is then continued. If there is no uninput storage means in step 313, the processing is terminated there.

  By the operation as described above, the second image signal read from the external storage unit can be accurately saved in the storage device.

  The process shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to claim 5.

  FIG. 13 shows a management data table for managing a second image signal in which a second image signal read from an external storage means such as a memory card is stored in a second storage unit of the storage means, and an image outside the storage means. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an operation for comparing management data tables for managing a second image signal stored in a nonvolatile memory in the forming apparatus.

  In this process, when the power is turned on, a storage means is first designated from a plurality of connected storage means (step 401). Since the second image signal to be input does not exist in any storage means at the start of processing, the order of selecting the storage means is not particularly specified. However, although not specified in the present embodiment, it is also possible to provide a means for avoiding the storage means that is executing the input / output of the image signal.

  After specifying the storage means in step 401, a management data table for managing the second image signal stored in the secondary storage unit of the storage means for the specified storage means and image formation outside the storage means A management data table comparison request notification for managing the second image signal stored in the nonvolatile memory in the apparatus is sent (step 402). Then, a management data table for managing the second image signal is acquired for the designated storage means (step 403). Next, the end of acquisition is detected, and it is determined whether the acquisition has ended (steps 404 and 405). When the acquisition is completed, the parameter contents are compared with the management data table for managing the second image signal stored in the nonvolatile memory inside the image forming apparatus outside the storage unit (step 406). As a result of the comparison (step 407), if even one does not match, an error is notified (step 408). If they match, it is next detected whether there is any other storage means that has not compared the management data table (step 409). Then, the presence / absence of the second image signal input storage device is detected (step 410). If there is an uncompared device, the detected uncompared storage device is designated as the next comparison target storage device. In step 412, the process returns to step 403 to manage the second image signal in the non-volatile memory inside the image forming apparatus outside the storage unit and the management data table for managing the second image signal in the storage unit. Continue the comparison process of the management table.

  If there is no uncompared storage means, the process ends there. At this time, the CPU 68 is informed that all match, and then the process ends.

  By the operation as described above, a management data table for managing the second image signal in the storage means and a management data table for managing the second image signal in the nonvolatile memory inside the image forming apparatus outside the storage means. Can be compared. The process of FIG. 13 corresponds to claim 6.

  Further, a management data table for managing the second image signal stored in the storage means in the processing of FIG. 13 and a second image signal stored in the nonvolatile memory inside the image forming apparatus outside the storage means are managed. If the data does not match, the second image stored in the storage means is a management data table for managing the second image signal in the nonvolatile memory inside the image forming apparatus outside the storage device. It can be replaced with a value of a management data table for managing signals.

This process is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  This flowchart replaces the processing of step 408 in the flowchart of FIG. 13 and parameters with the management data table for managing the second image signal stored in the nonvolatile memory inside the image forming apparatus outside the storage means in step 406. If the result of comparison in step 407 shows that there is no match, the value of the management data table for managing the second image signal in the storage means is stored in the non-volatile storage inside the image forming apparatus outside the storage means. The second image signal in the memory is copied to the management data table for managing (step 408 ′).

  Since all other processes are the same as those in FIG. This process corresponds to claim 7.

  In the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, the management data table for managing the second image signal in the storage unit and the second image signal in the non-volatile memory inside the image forming apparatus outside the storage unit are managed. If the result of comparison with the management data table for the comparison does not match, there is a possibility that the second image signal stored in the storage means may not exist. A management data table for determining that the stored second image signal is correct and managing the second image signal in the storage means is stored in the second image signal in the non-volatile memory inside the image forming apparatus outside the storage means. It may be possible to select one of copying to a management data table for managing This selection can be performed in the processing step of step 410 in FIG. 14, for example.

  According to the present embodiment, management data (data size, storage area, etc.) of the additional information image is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as NVRAM connected to the image forming apparatus, so that data such as HDD is stored in the storage means, for example. Even when using a storage medium with a slow transfer speed. Processing necessary for synthesizing the additional image information can be performed at high speed. As a result, the occupation time of the storage means is shortened, so that the processing efficiency can be improved even if a plurality of image signals are input / output simultaneously.

  Further, by storing the management data of the additional information image both inside and outside the storage device, it becomes possible to compare the stored data by multiplexing the management data, and the reliability of the additional image information over time can be compared. Sex can be maintained.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the display state of the liquid crystal touch panel of the operation part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control device of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the image processing unit of FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a state of outputting an image signal for one page in the selector of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating in detail a system configuration of a memory controller and an image memory in FIG. 5. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the image memory in the case of using a some memory | storage device. It is a timing chart in the case of inputting an image signal into a storage means. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence for inputting an image signal from an image input unit and an image signal combined with a second image signal stored in the image combination unit to the storage unit in the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the other process sequence in 1st Embodiment, and shows the operation | movement procedure which inputs the 2nd image signal of all the resolutions which can be input / output from an image input means, and preserve | saves it at a memory | storage device. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure in 2nd Embodiment which preserve | saves the image signal read from external storage means, such as a memory card, in a memory | storage means. A management data table for managing the second image signal stored in the second storage unit of the storage means and the second image signal stored in the non-volatile memory, which is read from the external storage means such as a memory card It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the operation | movement which compares the management data table for managing a signal. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when the management data table is compared and does not match in the processing of FIG. 13.

Explanation of symbols

20 Main controller 30 Operation unit 49 Image processing unit (IPU)
63 Image Processing Unit 65 Memory Controller 66 Image Memory 68 CPU
69 ROM
70 RAM
600 storage device 650 data input / output control unit 651, 801 input data selector 652 image composition unit 653 primary compression / decompression unit 654, 802 output data selector 655 secondary compression / decompression unit 661 primary storage device 662 secondary storage device 800a First storage device 800b Second storage device

Claims (1)

Image input means capable of inputting a first image having a plurality of resolutions and a second image to be combined with the first image;
Image composition means for performing image composition of the image input by the image input means and the second image;
Image storage means for storing the second image;
Notification means for notifying the input request of the second image;
In an image forming apparatus having
The notification means stores the second image input by the image input means in the storage means, and then has an image resolution that can be input by the image input means in addition to the resolution of the second image. In this case, the image forming apparatus is configured to notify an input request of a second image according to other resolution.

Images