JP2007088823A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing interruption processing without causing the deterioration of productivity and functional restriction, even if the interruption processing is instructed during the execution of a direct copy mode, and moreover free from the return of an original on the occasion of restoration from the interruption processing. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus can selectively execute a first copy mode in which image data memorized in a page memory 14 from an image input unit 3 are transferred to an image output unit 4 and printed out on sheets, and a second copy mode in which image data stored in a hard disk 13 via the page memory 14 from the input unit 3 are transferred to the output unit 4 and printed out on sheets. Transition to interruption processing is performed after the image data stored in the page memory 14 are retracted to the hard disk 13 when the interruption processing is instructed during the execution of the first copy mode, and resumes the processing in the first copy mode by the use of the image data retracted in the hard disk 13 when the apparatus returns from the interruption processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method suitable for being applied to a digital copying machine, a digital multifunction machine, and the like.

  An image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a digital multifunction peripheral includes an image memory for temporarily storing image data read from an original and an image storage unit represented by a hard disk (HDD). There is something to prepare. This type of image forming apparatus mainly has two copy modes as copy modes for printing out image data read from a document on a recording medium such as paper.

  The first copy mode is a copy mode (hereinafter also referred to as “direct copy mode”) in which image data read from a document is stored in an image memory, and the image data is directly read from the image memory and printed out on a recording medium. is there. The second copy mode is a copy mode in which image data read from a document is compressed and stored in an image storage unit, and then the image data read from the image storage unit is expanded and printed out on a recording medium (hereinafter, “ Also referred to as “accumulation copy mode”. In the copy processing based on the direct copy mode (direct copy), the image storage means is not used, but in the copy processing based on the stored copy mode (accumulated copy), the image data read from the document is stored in the image memory, and the image data is stored there. After reading and compressing, both the image memory and the image storage means are used to store the compressed image data in the image storage means.

  Of these two copy modes, the direct copy mode is suitable for a case where an image of a document is to be copied quickly because image data read from the document is immediately printed out on a recording medium without being stored in the image storage means. Become. On the other hand, in the accumulation copy mode, image data read from a document is accumulated in an image accumulation unit and then printed out on a recording medium. For example, by using an electronic sort function of an image forming apparatus, a plurality of sheets are recorded. This is suitable for a case where a plurality of copies of image data read from a document are arranged in page order.

  Some conventional image forming apparatuses have an interrupt processing function. The interrupt processing function is the processing of the copy mode currently being executed (direct) when the user instructs interrupt processing by pressing the interrupt button etc. on the operation panel while executing any copy mode. This is a function for temporarily interrupting copying or storage copying and making a transition to the interrupt processing operation mode.

  When interruption processing is instructed during execution of accumulation copy mode (during accumulation copy), image data to be printed out in accumulation copy mode is accumulated in the image accumulation means. The processing in the accumulation copy mode can be resumed using the image data accumulated in the image accumulation means. On the other hand, if interrupt processing is instructed while the direct copy mode is being executed (during direct copy), the image memory to be printed out in the direct copy mode is stored in the image memory, so the image memory is used. Then, when interrupt processing is performed, the image data stored for direct copy prior to that is erased from the image memory. Therefore, when interrupt processing is instructed during execution of the direct copy mode, when returning from the interrupt processing, the original for direct copy is set again and the image is read, so-called “original return”. Work is required.

  In order to avoid such document return, a method of prohibiting interrupt processing during execution of the direct copy mode is conceivable. However, this method reduces user convenience. In addition, as another method, when there is an instruction for interrupt processing, a method of transitioning to interrupt processing after ending all copy processing (processing related to the direct copy mode) being executed at that time is also considered. With this method, the waiting time until the transition to the interrupt processing is increased.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1 below, an area of a page memory for storing image data is divided into a plurality of areas, and image data before interruption processing is stored and held in a certain area, and interruption processing is performed using another area. The technology is described. According to this technique, when an interrupt process is instructed during execution of the direct copy mode, a transition to the interrupt process can be performed quickly. Further, when the interrupt process returns, the direct copy mode process can be resumed using the image data stored in a partial area of the page memory. For this reason, it is not necessary to return the document.

JP 11-331525 A

  However, in the conventional technique, when copying (interrupt copying) is performed by interrupt processing, the entire area of the page memory cannot be used, resulting in a decrease in productivity and a function limitation.

  Regarding productivity, for example, even when image data for two pages (for two originals) can be stored in the entire area of the page memory, the area for one page is used for return from interrupt, so the remaining Only one page area can be used for interrupt processing. Therefore, in the interrupt process, it is necessary to alternately repeat the process of storing the image data for one page in the page memory and the process of reading the image data for one page from the page memory. On the other hand, in a situation where the entire area of the page memory (area for two pages) can be used, the process of storing the image data in the page memory and the process of reading the image data from the page memory can be performed in parallel. . Therefore, in a situation where only the area for one page can be used, the productivity is greatly reduced.

  Regarding the function restriction, for example, when using the “N up” function that prints out N pages of image data read from N originals on a single recording medium, the entire area of the page memory is used. For example, what can be processed with N = 4, but when the entire area of the page memory cannot be used, there is a function limitation such as processing only with N = 2.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to prevent a decrease in productivity and a function limitation even when an interrupt process is instructed during execution of the direct copy mode. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can perform an interrupt process and do not need to return a document when returning from the interrupt process.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input unit for inputting image data read from a document, an image memory for storing image data input from the image input unit, and an image data input from the image input unit. Image storage means for storing, image output means for printing out image data on a recording medium, and image data stored in the image memory without being stored in the image storage means and transferred to the image output means for printing on the recording medium And a control unit capable of selectively executing the second copy mode in which the image data stored in the image storage unit is transferred to the image output unit and printed out on a recording medium. The control means saves the image data stored in the image memory to the image storage means when an interrupt process is instructed during execution of the first copy mode. Transition to interrupt processing, when returning from the interrupt processing is to resume processing of the first copy mode using the image data that is saved in the image storage unit.

  An image forming method according to the present invention includes an image input unit that inputs image data read from a document, an image memory that stores image data input from the image input unit, and image data input from the image input unit. An image storage unit for storing the image data, and an image output unit for printing out the image data on a recording medium. An image forming apparatus capable of selectively executing a first copy mode for print output and a second copy mode for transferring image data stored in the image storage means to the image output means and printing it on a recording medium is used. When an interrupt process is instructed during execution of the first copy mode, the image data stored in the image memory is transferred to the image storage means. Transition from to the interrupt process, when returning from the interrupt processing is to resume processing of the first copy mode using the image data that is saved in the image storage unit.

  In the image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the present invention, when an interrupt process is instructed while the first copy mode (direct copy mode) is being executed, the interrupt process is stored in the image memory before the transition to the interrupt process. Since certain image data is saved in the image storage means, all areas of the image memory can be released for interrupt processing. Further, when returning from the interrupt process, the first copy mode process is resumed using the image data saved in the image storage means at the time of transition to the interrupt process (immediately before). There is no need to re-read the original image read in the copy mode.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention, even when an interrupt process is instructed during execution of the direct copy mode, the interrupt process can be performed using the entire area of the image memory. This does not cause a decline in performance or functional restrictions. Further, when returning from the interrupt process, the process of the first copy mode is resumed using the image data saved in the image storage means at the time of transition to the interrupt process, so there is no need to return the original. .

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is mainly composed of an operation panel 1, a controller 2, an image input unit 3 as an image input unit, and an image output unit 4 as an image output unit. ing.

  The operation panel 1 includes a touch panel display 5, a start button 6, a stop button 7, and a panel control unit 8.

  The touch panel display 5 is formed by, for example, pasting a touch panel on a display surface of a liquid crystal display, and displays various menu screens, operation screens, information input from a user using the touch panel, operation instructions, and the like. Accept. In the present embodiment, there is an instruction for interrupt processing as one of operation instructions from the user.

  The start button 6 is pressed by the user when the user instructs the start of processing. The stop button 7 is pressed by the user when the user instructs to stop the process.

  The panel control unit 8 controls the operation of the touch panel display 5 based on an instruction from the controller 2 and a user instruction using the start button 6 and the stop button 7, and uses the touch panel, the start button 6, and the stop button 7. The input information and instructions are transferred to the controller 2.

  The controller 2 includes an operation panel unit interface 9, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 as control means, a system memory 11, an image processing unit 12 as image processing means, and a hard disk (HDD) 13 as image storage means. And a page memory 14 as an image memory, an image input unit interface 15, and an image output unit interface 16.

  The operation panel interface 9 is an interface for exchanging data and information between the operation panel 1 and the controller 2. The CPU 10 controls the overall processing operation of the image forming apparatus. The system memory 11 is configured using SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like. The image processing unit 13 performs processing such as compression, expansion, and composition of image data.

  The hard disk 13 is used when accumulating image data input from the image input unit 3. The page memory 14 is used for temporarily storing image data input from the image input unit 3. The image input unit interface 15 is an interface for exchanging data between the controller 2 and the image input unit 3, and the image output unit interface 16 exchanges data between the controller 2 and the image output unit 4. Interface.

  The image input unit 3 includes a document table 17, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 18, a document sensor 19, an image reading unit 20, and an input control unit 21.

  The document table 17 is formed by a transparent glass plate or the like on which a document to be scanned is placed. The automatic document feeder 18 conveys documents set on the document tray one by one along a conveyance path that passes the image reading position on the document table 17.

  The document sensor 19 detects the presence or absence of a document on the document tray or the document table 17 or detects the presence or absence of a document in the middle of a document transport path by the automatic document feeder 18. The image reading unit 20 optically reads an image of a document conveyed from the document tray by the automatic document feeder 18 or an image of a document set on the document table 17 by a user, thereby corresponding to the document image. Data is generated. The input control unit 21 controls input of image data from the image input unit 3 to the controller 2.

  The image output unit 4 includes a paper feed unit 22, a paper reversing unit 23, a printing unit 24, a paper discharge unit 25, and an output control unit 26.

  The paper supply unit 22 supplies paper (recording medium) used for printing out image data. The paper reversing unit 23 reverses the paper being conveyed when performing so-called double-sided printing, which prints image data on both sides of the paper.

  The printing unit 24 prints image data on the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 22 or the paper that has been turned upside down by the paper reversing unit 23. The paper discharge unit 25 discharges the paper on which image data has been printed to the discharge tray. The output control unit 26 controls the output of image data from the controller 2 to the image output unit 4.

  The image forming apparatus having the above configuration can selectively execute the direct copy mode and the accumulation copy mode by the CPU 10 as a copy mode when printing out image data read from a document on a sheet (recording medium). . Specifically, for example, a configuration in which the CPU 10 selects the optimum one of the direct copy mode and the accumulation copy mode according to the function set through the touch panel display 5 of the operation panel 1 and controls the copy operation of the image forming apparatus. It has become.

  When processing in the direct copy mode, first, image data of a document read by the image reading unit 20 is input from the image input unit 3 to the controller 2 by data communication between the input control unit 21 and the image input interface 15. To do. Next, the image data is stored in the page memory 14 inside the controller 2. Subsequently, when a predetermined amount of image data is stored in the page memory 14, the image data in the page memory 14 is transferred from the controller 2 by data communication between the image output unit interface 16 and the output control unit 26. The image data is output (transferred) to the output unit 4, and the image data is printed out on paper in the image output unit 4.

  When processing in the accumulation copy mode, first, image data of a document read by the image reading unit 20 is first transferred from the image input unit 3 to the controller 2 by data communication between the input control unit 21 and the image input interface 15. To enter. Next, the image data is stored in the page memory 14 inside the controller 2. Subsequently, when image data for one page is stored in the page memory 14, the image data for one page is compressed by the image processing unit 12 and stored in the hard disk 13 each time. The image data compression process is performed using the system memory 11.

  After that, when the compressed image data for a required page is stored in the hard disk 13, the image data is read from the hard disk 13 in page units and decompressed by the image processing unit 12. Image data decompression processing is performed using the system memory 11. Next, the image data expanded by the image processing unit 12 is output (transferred) from the controller 2 to the image output unit 4 through data communication between the image output unit interface 16 and the output control unit 26, and the image output unit 4 Print out the image data on paper.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when an interrupt process is instructed during execution of the direct copy mode. The interrupt process is performed by executing an interrupt button provided on the touch panel display 5 of the operation panel 1 or an interrupt button (not shown) provided with the start button 6 and the stop button 7 on the operation panel 1 while the image forming apparatus is executing the copy mode. ) When the user presses down.

  First, when an interrupt process is instructed during execution of the direct copy mode, at the time when the interrupt instruction is received, the CPU 10 leaves image data to be printed out on a sheet (recording medium) by direct copy in the page memory 14. It is judged whether it is (step S1, S2). For example, in the situation where the number of copies is specified as 10 in the direct copy mode, if there is an interrupt processing instruction when the fifth copy is being copied, the image data stored in the page memory 14 is stored. It is necessary to copy the remaining 5 copies. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the image data to be printed out on the paper remains in the page memory 14. On the other hand, if the number of copies is specified as 10 and an interrupt processing instruction is given when the last 10 copies are being processed, the paper that has been copied for the 10th copy is output by the paper discharge unit 25. Stop direct copy mode processing after ejecting. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the image data to be printed on the paper does not remain in the page memory 14.

  Next, when the CPU 10 determines that the image data remains in the page memory 14 in step S2, the CPU 10 uses the image data stored in the page memory 14 for direct copy as the image input interface 15 and the image processing unit 12. To the hard disk 13 (step S3). In this case, the image data in the page memory 14 is stored in the hard disk 14 as it is without being compressed by the image processing unit 12. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that no image data remains in the page memory 14, the process of step S3 is passed. Thereafter, the CPU 10 interrupts the direct copy mode process and transitions to an interrupt process (step S4).

  After the transition to the interrupt process in this way, a copy process (interrupt copy) based on the direct copy mode or the accumulation copy mode is performed in accordance with an instruction from the user using the operation panel 1. In this case, the storage area of the page memory 14 is all released for interrupt processing. For this reason, it is possible to perform interrupt processing using the entire area of the page memory 14. Therefore, productivity is not reduced and functional restrictions are not generated.

  Thereafter, when the interrupt process is completed, the image forming apparatus returns from the interrupt process according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. First, the CPU 10 determines whether there is image data saved in the hard disk 13 (step S11). In this case, prior to the transition to the interrupt process, it is determined that there is image data if the image data is saved in the hard disk 13 in step S3, and it is determined that there is no image data if the image data is not saved. If it is determined that there is no saved image data, the process proceeds to step S15 described later.

  On the other hand, when determining that there is image data saved in the hard disk 13, the CPU 10 returns the image data from the hard disk 13 to the page memory 14 and then transfers the image data to the image output unit 4. Is resumed (steps S12 and S13). In this case, since the image data is saved in the hard disk 13 with the original data amount, the state before the transition to the interrupt process is reproduced by directly reading the image data to the page memory 14. Therefore, when resuming processing in the direct copy mode, there is no need to re-read the original image read in the direct copy mode before the transition to the interrupt processing. Therefore, the direct copy mode process can be resumed without returning the original when returning from the interrupt process.

  Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the direct copy mode processing has been completed for the image data transferred to the page memory 14 (step S14). In this step S14, for example, the number of copies is designated as 10 in the direct copy mode, and when the fifth copy process in the middle is completed, the process transits to the interrupt process and returns from there to return to the direct copy mode. When the process is resumed, it is determined Yes when the remaining five copies have been completed.

  Thereafter, the copy process is continued from the next document according to the user's operation (step S15).

  In the above embodiment, the image data stored in the page memory 14 is saved in the hard disk 13 without being compressed before the transition to the interrupt process, and is saved in the hard disk 13 when returning from the interrupt process. The direct copy mode process is resumed by returning certain image data to the page memory 14 and then transferring it to the image output unit 4, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as another processing form, before the transition to the interrupt process, the image data stored in the page memory 14 is compressed by the image processing unit 12 and saved in the hard disk 13, and when returning from the interrupt process, the hard disk The image data saved in 13 may be decompressed by the image processing unit 12 and transferred to the image output unit interface 16 to resume the remaining processing before interruption as the accumulation copy mode.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when interruption processing is instruct | indicated during execution of direct copy mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when returning from an interruption process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation panel, 2 ... Controller, 3 ... Image input part, 4 ... Image output part, 10 ... CPU, 13 ... Hard disk, 14 ... Page memory, 20 ... Image reading part, 24 ... Printing part

Claims (6)

Image input means for inputting image data read from a document;
An image memory for storing the image data input from the image input means;
Image storage means for storing the image data input from the image input means;
Image output means for printing out the image data on a recording medium;
A first copy mode in which the image data stored in the image memory is transferred to the image output means without being stored in the image storage means and printed out on the recording medium; and the image data stored in the image storage means Control means capable of selectively executing a second copy mode in which the image data is transferred to the image output means and printed out on the recording medium;
When the interrupt processing is instructed during execution of the first copy mode, the control means saves the image data stored in the image memory to the image storage means and then transitions to the interrupt processing. When returning from the interrupt processing, the image forming apparatus restarts the processing in the first copy mode using the image data saved in the image storage means. When the control unit returns from the interrupt process, the image data saved in the image storage unit is returned to the image memory and then transferred to the image output unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process is resumed. The control means compresses the image data stored in the image memory by the image processing means and saves it in the image storage means before transitioning to the interrupt processing, and when returning from the interrupt processing, 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the processing is resumed in the second copy mode in which the image data saved in the image storage means is decompressed by the image processing means and transferred to the image output means. Forming equipment. Image input means for inputting image data read from a document, an image memory for storing the image data input from the image input means, and an image storage means for storing the image data input from the image input means Image output means for printing out the image data on a recording medium, and transferring the image data stored in the image memory to the image output means without being stored in the image storage means. An image capable of selectively executing a first copy mode for printout and a second copy mode for transferring the image data stored in the image storage means to the image output means and printing it out on the recording medium. An image forming method using a forming apparatus,
When an interrupt process is instructed during execution of the first copy mode, the image data stored in the image memory is saved in the image storage means, and then the interrupt process is performed. When returning from the above, the first copy mode processing is resumed using the image data saved in the image storage means. When returning from the interrupt processing, the image data saved in the image storage means is returned to the image memory and then transferred to the image output means, thereby restarting the processing in the first copy mode. The image forming method according to claim 4. Before transitioning to the interrupt processing, the image data stored in the image memory is compressed by the image processing means and saved in the image storage means. When returning from the interrupt processing, the image storage means 5. The image forming method according to claim 4, wherein the processing is resumed in the second copy mode in which the saved image data is decompressed by the image processing unit and transferred to the image output unit.

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