JP2013099949A - Image forming apparatus, and connecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which a control device and an image processing device are connected by one connecting method, and to provide the image processing device and the control device, and further, a connecting apparatus for connecting the image processing device with the control device.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: the image processing device having a plurality of image processing means; the control device for controlling the plurality of image processing means; and the connecting means for connecting between the image processing device and the control device. One channel connects between one of the plurality of image processing means and the control device, a first bass including the channel connects between the image processing device and the control device, and the connecting means is provided on the first bass. As a result, the one connecting means connects the image processing device with the control device.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image processing apparatus, a control apparatus, and a connection apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image processing apparatus technology that employs a high-speed serial bus as an internal bus in order to transfer data inside the image processing apparatus at high speed. In general, since image data often has a large capacity, increasing the transfer speed is an important technique for realizing high-speed processing.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-148896 (Patent Document 1) discloses an image equipment system that uses PCI-Express (registered trademark) (hereinafter referred to as “PE”), which is a high-speed serial I / F. In order to achieve even higher speeds, multiple switches are provided under the root complex, and the functions connected to each switch are appropriately divided, so that data transfer through the root complex and data transfer with the switch at the top are used properly. Thus, an invention of an image equipment system that increases the processing speed of the entire system is disclosed.

  Further, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-106456 (Patent Document 2), a controller and an image forming function unit in an image forming apparatus are connected by a PE bus so that they can be attached and detached. Further, an invention of an image forming apparatus that controls power consumption of the entire apparatus is disclosed.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the like of Patent Document 2, the controller and the image forming function unit can be realized on different substrates, and the speed, performance, and functionality are increased with design change of the circuit board. It becomes easy to respond.

  The “controller” in Patent Document 2 corresponds to the “control device” of the present invention, and the “image forming function unit” corresponds to the “image processing device”.

  However, the invention such as the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 does not disclose how the substrate having the controller function and the substrate that realizes the image forming function or the like are connected. The type of image processing performed by the image forming apparatus differs depending on the type and purpose of the image, such as an image captured from a scanner or an image to be output from a plotter. For each type of image processing, an LSI or a substrate is used. It may be provided. In such a form in which each board is connected to a board having a controller function by a connecting means such as a connector, in addition to the development of individual boards, a dedicated connector must be developed for each board. There was a problem that the cost of development was high.

  The present invention has been invented in order to solve these problems in view of the above points, and an image forming apparatus in which a control device and an image processing apparatus in an image forming apparatus are connected by a single connecting means, Another object of the present invention is to provide a connection device that connects the image processing device and the control device, and further connects the image processing device and the control device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing means, a control device for controlling the plurality of image processing means, and a connection means for connecting between the image processing apparatus and the control device. And the control device is connected to one of the plurality of image processing means by a single channel, and the first channel including the channel is provided between the image processing device and the control device. By connecting by a bus and providing the connection means on the first bus, the image processing apparatus and the control apparatus can be connected by a single connection means.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the control device and the image processing apparatus in the image forming apparatus are connected by a single connection unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first bus may be configured such that the bus width of the first bus can be changed based on the number of channels. it can.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which a connection device is provided on a bus whose bus width can be changed.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the connection unit includes a terminal corresponding to each signal input and / or output by the image processing unit for each image processing unit. It can be set as the structure which has a group.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a configuration in which a wiring connected to a terminal included in the connecting unit and connected to one image processing unit does not intersect with a wiring connected to another image processing unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the control device includes a plurality of control means, and the connection means includes an input and / or output for each control means. It can be set as the structure which has a terminal group which consists of a terminal corresponding to every signal to perform.

  Thereby, it is possible to realize a configuration in which a wiring connected to a terminal included in the connecting means and connected to one control means does not intersect with a wiring connected to another control means.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the terminal group includes a control signal terminal group corresponding to a channel control signal commonly included in the channel, and a signal transferred by the channel. Of these, a transfer signal terminal group corresponding to signals excluding the channel control signal can be used.

  This makes it easy to use a channel control signal included in common in a channel in common between a plurality of image processing means or between a plurality of control means.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the control device corresponds to an arrangement of terminal groups corresponding to each signal input and / or output by the control unit included in the connection unit. And it can comprise so that the said control means may be arrange | positioned.

  Thereby, it is possible to realize a configuration in which a wiring connected to a terminal included in the connecting means and connected to one control means does not intersect with a wiring connected to another control means.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes an arrangement of terminal groups corresponding to each signal input and / or output by the image processing unit included in the connection unit. Corresponding to the above, the image processing means can be arranged.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a configuration in which a wiring connected to a terminal included in the connecting unit and connected to one image processing unit does not intersect with a wiring connected to another image processing unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first bus can be configured to be a bus defined by the PCI-Express (registered trademark) standard.

  Thus, in an image forming apparatus having an image processing apparatus and a control apparatus connected by a PCI-Express (registered trademark) bus, an image forming apparatus connected by one connecting means by providing a connecting means on the bus. Can be provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image processing apparatus and the control apparatus are further connected by a second bus different from the first bus, The connecting means can be configured to have a terminal or a terminal group corresponding to the second bus.

  Thereby, the image processing apparatus and the control apparatus connected by the first bus and the second bus can be connected by one connection means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention can be an image processing apparatus, a control apparatus, or a connection apparatus that connects the image processing apparatus and the control apparatus included in the image forming apparatus.

  According to the image forming apparatus, the image processing apparatus, the control apparatus, and the connection apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus in which the control apparatus and the image processing apparatus in the image forming apparatus are connected by one connection unit, and the image thereof. It is possible to provide a processing device and a control device, and a connection device that connects the image processing device and the control device.

The example of the conventional structure which connected the motherboard 90 and the board 10 and the board 20. FIG. The figure of the example of the cross section of the part to which the board 1 and the motherboard 90 are connected by the connector 81. FIG. An example in which a plurality of boards and one board are connected by one connection device. An example of the terminal arrangement of the connector 80 (part 1). Example of terminal arrangement of connector 80 (part 2) 2A and 2B illustrate a controller, an engine unit, and a connector included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example of an image forming apparatus having a common printed circuit board and a common connector (part 1). The example of the scanner apparatus implement | achieved by a common printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of a printer device realized by a common printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of a scanner device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of a printer device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of a scanner device realized by a common printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example of a printer device realized by a common printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example of a scanner device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example (part 1) of a printer device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example (part 2) of a printer device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example (part 2) of an image forming apparatus having a common printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of an external storage device realized by a common printed circuit board.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, a conventional example in which a plurality of substrates are connected using a PE bus will be described prior to the description of the embodiment of the present invention. The “board” means a “substrate”.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a mother board 90, a board 10, and a board 20 are connected using a PE bus. The board 10 is connected to the motherboard 90 by a connector 81, and the board 20 is connected to the motherboard 90 by a connector 82.

  The board 10 has ASIC1, the board 20 has ASIC2, and the motherboard 90 has ASIC9. The ASIC 1 is connected to the ASIC 9 by the channel 1 of the PE bus, and the ASIC 2 is connected to the ASIC 9 by the channel 2 of the PE bus.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a cross section of a portion where the board 1 and the motherboard 90 are connected by the connector 81. In FIG. 2, a motherboard 90 that is a printed circuit board and a board 1 that is an expansion board are connected by a connector 81. The connector 81 has, for example, a specification defined by “CEM (Card Electromechanical) Specification” (hereinafter referred to as “CEM specification”), which is a PE standard for system cards and add-in cards.

  The physical layer of the PE bus has a one-way 2.5 Gbps data transfer capability, and makes a one-to-one connection between devices. One set of bidirectional differential signals is called a “lane”, and the number of lanes can be increased as necessary, so that the bus width, which is the bandwidth of the bus, has expandability.

  In this specification, a bundle of lanes used when one-to-one connection between devices is referred to as a “channel”. Therefore, the PE bus has a channel. The channel may further include a clock signal for controlling the device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a board connected by the connection device, and a configuration in which a plurality of boards and one board are connected by one connection device. It is an example. The connector 80 in FIG. 3 connects the board 10 and the board 20 to the mother board 90 by one connector 80. The connector 80 is provided on the PE bus, and the bus includes a channel 1 for connecting the ASIC 1 and the ASIC 9 and a channel 2 for connecting the ASIC 2 and the ASIC 9.

  In FIG. 3, in addition to channel 1 and channel 2, CLK1 and CLK2 are output from ASIC 9 to ASIC 1 and ASIC 2. CLK1 and CLK2 are predetermined clock signals, and may be configured to be included in the channel.

(Example of terminal arrangement of connector 80)
4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating an example of the arrangement of terminals of the connector 80. FIG. The connector 81 in FIG. 4 is, for example, a connector for connecting the board 10 and the motherboard 90 in FIG. 1, and the connector 82 is, for example, a connector for connecting the board 20 in FIG. .

  The connector 81 has four terminals, VCC, which is a terminal for power supply, debug, which is a terminal for control signals, CLK0 which is a terminal for clock signals, and Lane 00 to Lane 03 corresponding to each lane. VCC as a power supply terminal, debug as a control signal terminal, CLK1 as a clock signal terminal, and four terminals from Lane 10 to Lane 13 corresponding to each lane.

  The connector 80 has terminals corresponding to the terminals of the connector 81 and the connector 82. The channel control signal terminal is a power supply terminal VCC, a control signal terminal CTL, and a ground terminal. Has a certain GND.

  The connector 80 further corresponds to four terminals CLK0 and Lane00 to Lane03, which are terminals corresponding to the channel 1 for connecting the motherboard 90 and the board 10, and to channel 2 for connecting the motherboard and the board 20. Terminals CLK1 and four terminals from Lane 10 to Lane 13 are provided.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of terminals in the connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5A and 5B has a structure in which terminals are arranged in two rows. Each column is referred to as side A and side B.

  FIG. 5A shows the arrangement of terminals when two channels are connected by one connector, as defined by the CEM specification. In FIG. 5A, VCC and debug, which are terminals for channel control signals, are included in both side A and side B. In side A, terminals Lane0R to Lane 7R corresponding to Lane 0 to Lane 7 are included. Are arranged in the order of the lanes, and the side B has a configuration in which the terminals Lane0T to Lane7T corresponding to the lanes 0 to 7 are arranged in the order of the lanes.

  Note that the letter “T” in Lane0T or the like represents, for example, a terminal corresponding to a signal output from the motherboard 90 to the board 10, and the letter “R” in Lane0R or the like, for example, from the board 10 to the motherboard 90. Represents a terminal corresponding to the input signal.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of terminals in the connection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the connection device in FIG. 5B, a control signal terminal group is provided on the side A, and a transfer signal terminal group is provided on the side B. More specifically, as a channel control signal terminal, side A has a power supply terminal VCC, a ground terminal GND, and a control signal terminal CTL, and side B has Lane 0T to Lane 7R. The terminals have a configuration in which Lane 0T, Lane 0R, Lane 1T, Lane 1R, and the like are arranged in order of each lane. That is, a set corresponding to the output and input of one lane is arranged in the order of the lanes.

(In the image forming apparatus, a diagram illustrating a controller and an engine unit connected by a connection device)
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a controller and an engine unit of the image forming apparatus connected by the connection apparatus of FIG. The image forming apparatus in FIG. 6 includes a controller 900, an engine unit 100, and a connector 800.

  The controller 900 controls the engine unit 100 and other devices included in the image forming apparatus. The controller 900 includes, for example, a CopyASIC 910 and a CPU 990. The Copy ASIC 910 is a unit that performs processing such as image correction when the image forming apparatus performs copy processing.

  The CPU 990 is means for realizing various types of control performed by the controller 900 by executing predetermined computer programs. Note that the computer program executed by the CPU 990 may be stored in a storage device (not shown) or the like.

  The engine unit 100 mainly includes units related to image processing performed by the image forming apparatus. The engine unit 100 includes, for example, an Image ASIC 110 and a Printer ASIC 120. The Image ASIC 110 is a unit that performs predetermined processing on a signal output from a scanner (not shown), for example, and generates or reconstructs image data to be processed in the image forming apparatus. The Printer ASIC 120 is a unit that processes image data output from a plotter included in the image forming apparatus.

  The Image ASIC 110 and the Printer ASIC 120 are connected to the controller 900 by PE channels each having four lanes. Signals output from the Image ASIC 110 and the Printer ASIC 120 are connected to the terminals of the connector 800 through wiring that the engine unit 100 has.

  The wiring that connects the image ASIC 110 and the terminal of the connector 800 and the wiring that connects the printer ASIC 120 and the terminal of the connector 800 are arranged on the engine unit 100 so as not to cross each other.

  The connector 800 has, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 5B, and includes a group of terminals arranged in two rows on each of the engine unit 100 side and the controller 900 side. Each row is referred to as side A and side B. Each terminal of the side A terminal group provided on the engine unit 100 side is connected to each terminal of the side A terminal group provided on the controller 900 side, and the side provided on the engine unit 100 side. Each terminal included in the B terminal group is connected to each terminal included in the side B terminal group provided on the controller 900 side.

  The terminal group provided on the engine unit 100 side further includes a terminal group corresponding to the ImageASIC 100 and a terminal group corresponding to the PrinterASIC 120. Each terminal group is provided in the connector 800 independently of each other.

  With the above configuration, the Image ASIC 110 and the Printer ASIC 120 and the controller 900 are physically connected by the single connector 800.

  The ImageASIC 110, the PrinterASIC 120, the CopyASIC 910, and the CPU 990 are logically connected by a single bus. The bus may be, for example, a PE bus. In this case, for example, the channel connecting the ImageASIC 110 and the CopyASIC 910 is an image input channel composed of four lanes PE, and the printer ASIC 120 and the CPU 990 are connected. Is a channel for image output consisting of four lanes PE.

  With the above configuration, the connector 800 is provided on a bus that connects the engine unit 100 and the controller 900, and realizes connection between the bus and a channel of the bus.

(Example of Detailed Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to One Embodiment of the Present Invention)
7 to 19 are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(Example of image forming apparatus having common printed circuit board and common connector (part 1))
FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a connector (hereinafter referred to as “common connector”) used in common in different image forming apparatuses. 2 is a diagram illustrating a controller and an engine unit realized by a printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as “common printed circuit board”) that is commonly used in different image forming apparatuses. FIG. The image forming apparatus in FIG. 7 includes, for example, a controller 900, an engine unit 100, a scanner 111, an operation unit 161, and a power supply unit 171. The power supply unit 171 is denoted as “PSU” in the drawing.

  The controller 900 is realized by a printed circuit board, and includes, for example, a CPU 990, a memory 980, an I / O-ASIC 970, a network communication device 971, a USB host 960, a hard disk device 930, and a Copy ASIC 910, and a print that connects them. Has wiring.

  The CPU 990 realizes control of each device included in the image forming apparatus by executing a predetermined computer program. The memory 980 temporarily stores data, for example, when the CPU 990 executes processing. The memory 980 may also have a function of storing a computer program executed by the CPU 990 or the like, or having the computer program executable by the CPU 990 being expanded on the memory 980, for example.

  The I / O-ASIC 970 controls data that is input to or output from the image forming apparatus, or controls an apparatus having the function. The I / O-ASIC 970 further controls the power supply unit 171. The network communication device 971 communicates with an external device connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. The USB host 960 performs data transmission / reception with the USB device. In FIG. 7, for example, the display device included in the operation unit 161 is configured as a USB device.

  The hard disk device 930 stores a large amount of data. The hard disk device 930 stores, for example, image data input from the scanner 111 or image data based on the image data. The Copy ASIC 910 performs predetermined correction or the like on the image when performing copy processing for outputting image data input from the scanner 111 from the plotter.

  The controller 900 further includes a printed wiring that connects between the ASIC and the like and between the ASIC and the connector 800. The printed wiring of the controller 900 is, for example, from four lanes of PCI-E for transferring image data input from the scanner 111 or the like from the connector 800 to the Copy ASIC 910 as printed wiring for the PCI-E bus. There is a print wiring corresponding to a channel consisting of four lanes of PCI-E for transferring image data output from a plotter or the like to the connector 800 from the CPU.

  The printed wiring included in the controller 900 further includes a printed wiring for power control for connecting the connector 800 and the I / O-ASIC 970, and an operation unit for the CPU to control the power supply unit 171 via the I / O-ASIC 971. 161, a command communication print wiring for transmitting an instruction signal input from 161, and a signal according to the USB 2.0 standard for transferring display screen data from the USB host 960 to the operation unit 161. There is a printed wiring for transferring.

  The engine unit 100 performs various types of image processing in the image forming apparatus, and is configured as, for example, a printed circuit board provided with an ASIC or the like corresponding to the processing. The engine unit 100 includes, for example, an Image ASIC 110, a Printer ASIC 120, and an LD 121.

  The image ASIC 110 generates image data from a signal input from the scanner 111. The Printer ASIC 120 generates image data output from a plotter (not shown). The LD 121 converts the image data processed by the Printer ASIC 120 from an electrical signal to laser light and outputs the laser light to a plotter (not shown). Note that the LD 121 may be configured as, for example, a means (not shown) that outputs image data in synchronization with the line speed of the plotter.

  The engine unit 100 further includes a print wiring for a PCI-E bus that connects the ASIC and the connector 800, and a print that connects the ASIC and the like to a device provided outside the engine unit 100. It has printed wiring such as wiring. The engine unit 100 further includes a printed wiring that connects a device provided outside the engine unit 100 and the connector 800. For example, in order to connect the operation unit 161 and the controller 900, a printed wiring or the like that connects a terminal or the like of the operation unit 161 and a terminal of the connector 800 is provided.

  The scanner 111 is a device that outputs a signal obtained by optically reading an image. On the operation unit 161, an operator inputs an instruction to the image forming apparatus, and displays the state of the image forming apparatus. The power supply unit 171 acquires power supplied to the image forming apparatus and sends it to the I / O-ASIC 970.

  In addition to the configuration of the connector 80 of FIG. 6, the connector 800 is a terminal corresponding to a printed wiring for power control, a printed wiring for command communication, or a printed wiring for transferring a signal conforming to the USB 2.0 standard. Or it has a terminal group. These terminals or terminal groups may be configured to comply with the standards of each bus or the like. Further, the arrangement of the terminal groups may be configured in accordance with the standards of each bus or the like.

  By these terminal groups, in addition to connection by the PE bus, connection by a bus of USB 2.0 standard or the like can be performed.

(Example of scanner device realized by common printed circuit board and common connector)
FIG. 8 is an example of a scanner device having a controller 900, an engine unit 100a, and a common connector realized by a common printed circuit board. The scanner device of FIG. 8 has the same printed circuit board and the same connector as the image forming apparatus of FIG. In the scanner apparatus of FIG. 8, the same numbers are assigned to ASICs and apparatuses having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  In the scanner device of FIG. 8, the Printer ASIC 120 and the LD 121 are not mounted on the Printer ASIC installation location 120a and the LD installation location 121a of the engine unit 100a, respectively, but the printed wiring connected to these installation locations is shown in FIG. The engine unit 100 is provided in the same manner. With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which the same printed circuit board as in FIG. 7 is connected by the same connector as in FIG. 7 and does not have a printer function.

(Example of printer device realized by common printed circuit board and common connector)
FIG. 9 is an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900b and an engine unit 100b realized by a common printed circuit board, and a common connector. The printer apparatus in FIG. 9 has the same printed circuit board and the same connector as the image forming apparatus in FIG. In the printer apparatus of FIG. 9, the same numbers are assigned to ASICs and apparatuses having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7, and description thereof is omitted here.

  In the printer device of FIG. 9, the ImageASIC 110, the CopyASIC 910, and the hard disk device 930 are not mounted at the ImageASIC installation location 120b of the engine unit 100b and the CopyASIC installation location 910b and the hard disk device installation location 930b of the controller 900b, respectively. The printed wirings connected to the installation locations are provided in the same manner as the engine unit 100 and the controller 900 in FIG. With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which the same printed circuit board as in FIG. 7 is connected by the same connector as in FIG. 7 and does not have a scanner function.

(Example of scanner device realized by dedicated printed circuit board and common connector)
FIG. 10 shows an example of a scanner device having a controller 900 realized by a common printed circuit board, an engine unit 100c realized by a dedicated printed circuit board, and a common connector. Since the controller 900 and the connector 800 of the scanner apparatus in FIG. 10 have the same configuration as the controller 900 and the connector 800 of the scanner apparatus in FIG. 8, the description thereof is omitted here. Further, in the engine unit 100c of the scanner device of FIG. 10, the same numbers are assigned to ASICs and devices having the same configuration as the engine unit 100 of the scanner device of FIG. 8, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  For example, the printer ASIC installation location 120a and the LD installation location 121a in the scanner device of FIG. 8 are not provided in the printed circuit board of the engine 100c portion of the scanner device of FIG. 10, and no printed wiring connected to them is provided. However, other ASICs and printed wiring are provided in the same manner as the engine unit 100 of FIG. With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which the engine unit 100c realized by a printed board different from that in FIG. 8 is connected to the controller 900 by the same connector as in FIG. 8 and has the same scanner function as in FIG. it can.

(Example of printer device realized by dedicated printed circuit board and common connector)
FIG. 11 is an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900d, an engine unit 100d, and a common connector realized by a dedicated printed circuit board. Since the connector 800 of the printer apparatus in FIG. 11 has the same configuration as that of the printer apparatus in FIG. 9, the description thereof is omitted here. Further, in the controller 900d and the engine unit 100d of the printer apparatus of FIG. 11, the ASIC having the same configuration as the controller 900b and the engine unit 100b of the printer apparatus of FIG. Omitted. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  The printed circuit board of the engine unit 100d of the printer apparatus of FIG. 11 is not provided with the ImageASIC installation location 110b included in the engine unit 100b of the printer apparatus of FIG. 9, and is not provided with printed wiring connected thereto. However, other ASICs and printed wiring are provided in the same manner as the engine unit 100b in FIG.

  Further, the copy ASIC installation location 910b and the hard disk device installation location 930b of the printer device controller 900b in FIG. 9 are not provided on the printed circuit board of the printer device controller 900d in FIG. However, other ASICs and printed wiring are provided in the same manner as the controller 900b in FIG.

  With these configurations, the engine unit 100d realized by a printed circuit board different from that in FIG. 9 and the controller 900d are connected by the connector 800 having the same configuration as that in FIG. An apparatus can be realized.

(Example of scanner device realized by common printed circuit board and dedicated connector)
FIG. 12 shows an example of a scanner device having a controller 900, an engine unit 100a, and a dedicated connector realized by a common printed circuit board. The controller 900 in FIG. 12 has the same function and configuration as the controller 900 in FIG. 7, and the engine unit 100a in FIG. 12 has the same function and configuration as the engine unit 100a in FIG. To do. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  A connector 810 included in the scanner device of FIG. 12 has a configuration different from that of the connector 800 of FIGS. 7 to 11. For example, a print connected to an ASIC or the like related to a printer function that the scanner device of FIG. 12 does not have. There is no part to connect the wiring. The connector 810 may have a configuration that does not include all portions related to the printer function as shown in the figure. For example, the connector 810 does not include a terminal group related to the printer function, and the housing of the connector 810 is the same as the connector 800. The structure which is may be sufficient.

  With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a scanner function in which the controller 900 and the engine unit 100a are connected by a single connector 810.

(Example of printer device realized by common printed circuit board and dedicated connector)
FIG. 13 shows an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900b, an engine unit 100b, and a dedicated connector realized by a common printed circuit board. The controller 900b in FIG. 13 has the same function and configuration as the controller 900b in FIG. 9, and the engine unit 100b in FIG. 13 has the same function and configuration as the engine unit 100b in FIG. To do. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  The connector 820 included in the printer apparatus of FIG. 13 has a configuration different from the connector 800 of FIGS. 7 to 11 and the connector 810 of FIG. 12, and has a scanner function that the printer apparatus of FIG. A portion for connecting a printed wiring connected to the ASIC or the like is not provided. The connector 820 may have a configuration that does not include all the portions related to the scanner function as shown in the figure. For example, the connector 820 does not include a terminal group related to the scanner function, and the housing of the connector 820 is the same as the connector 800. The structure which is may be sufficient.

  With this configuration, an image forming apparatus having a printer function in which the controller 900b and the engine unit 100b are connected by the single connector 820 can be realized.

(Example of scanner device realized by dedicated printed circuit board and dedicated connector)
FIG. 14 shows an example of a scanner device having a controller 900 realized by a common printed circuit board, an engine unit 100c realized by a dedicated printed circuit board, and a dedicated connector. The controller 900 of FIG. 14 has the same function and configuration as the controller 900 of FIG. 7, and the engine unit 100c of FIG. 14 has the same function and configuration as the engine unit 100c of FIG. To do. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  The connector 810 included in the scanner device of FIG. 14 has a configuration different from that of the connector 800 of FIGS. 7 to 11, and has the same configuration as the connector 810 included in the scanner device of FIG. For example, the connector 810 is provided only with a portion for connecting a printed wiring connected to an ASIC or the like for realizing the scanner function of the scanner device of FIG. The connector 810 may be configured to include only a portion related to the scanner function as shown in the figure, or may be configured so as not to include a terminal group corresponding to a terminal group related to the printer function of the connector 800, for example. The casing may be the same as the connector 800.

  With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a scanner function in which the controller 900 and the engine unit 100c are connected by a single connector 810.

(Example of Printer Device Realized by Dedicated Printed Circuit Board and Dedicated Connector (Part 1))
FIG. 15 is an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900d, an engine unit 100d, and a dedicated connector realized by a dedicated printed circuit board. The controller 900d and the engine unit 100d in FIG. 15 have the same functions and configurations as the controller 900d and the engine unit 100d in FIG. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  A connector 820 included in the printer apparatus of FIG. 15 has a configuration different from that of the connector 800 of FIGS. 7 to 11, and has the same configuration as the connector 820 included in the scanner apparatus of FIG. For example, the connector 820 is provided only with a portion for connecting a print wiring connected to an ASIC or the like for realizing the printer function of the printer apparatus of FIG. The connector 820 may be configured to include only a portion related to the printer function as shown in the figure. For example, the connector 820 does not include a terminal group corresponding to the terminal group related to the printer function included in the connector 800 and includes the connector 820. The casing may be the same as the connector 800.

  With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a printer function in which the controller 900d and the engine unit 100d are connected by a single connector 820.

(Example of printer device realized by dedicated printed circuit board and dedicated connector (2))
FIG. 16 is an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900e realized by a dedicated printed circuit board, an engine unit 100e, and a connector 822 that is a dedicated connector. The ASIC and the like included in the controller 900e and the engine unit 100e in FIG. 16 have the same functions and configurations as the ASICs and the like assigned the same numbers in FIG. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  The engine unit 100e in FIG. 16 does not include the Printer ASIC 120 included in the engine unit 100 in FIG. 7, and the Printer ASIC 120 is provided in the controller 900e. As a result, a signal output from the Printer ASIC 120 to the connector 822 becomes a signal in accordance with a general-purpose image interface, and a printed wiring provided at the same position in FIG. 7 or the like transfers a signal in accordance with PCI-E. Is different.

  Accordingly, the connector 822 included in the printer apparatus of FIG. 16 has a terminal group for general-purpose image data signals output from the Printer ASIC 120, instead of a terminal group for signals according to PCI-E included in the connector 820. Have.

  With this configuration, an image forming apparatus having a printer function in which the controller 900e and the engine unit 100e are connected by a single connector 822 can be realized.

(Example of image forming apparatus realized by common printed circuit board and common connector (part 2))
FIG. 17 is an example of an image forming apparatus having a controller 900f and an engine unit 100f realized by a common printed circuit board, and a connector 800f that is a common connector. Since the ASIC and the like included in the controller 900f and the engine unit 100f in FIG. 17 have the same functions and configurations as the ASICs and the like assigned the same numbers in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted here. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  The engine unit 100f in FIG. 17 and the controller 900f in FIG. 17 are different from the engine unit 100 and the controller 900 in FIG. 7 in the arrangement of mounted ASICs, but the functions to be realized are substantially the same. The difference is that the unit 100f and the controller 900f have a connector 170 and a connector 972 for connecting the power supply unit 171, respectively. The connector 170 and the connector 972 are connected to wiring for performing power supply control. The power supply unit 171 has a configuration that can be attached to and detached from the connector 170 and the connector 972.

  The arrangement of the terminal group included in the connector 800f is different from that of the connector 800 in accordance with the arrangement of the ASIC and the printed wiring included in the engine unit 100f and the controller 900f, but the functions to be realized are the same. Description is omitted.

  With the above configuration, an image forming apparatus having a printer function in which the controller 900f and the engine unit 100f are connected by the single connector 822 can be realized.

(Example of external storage device realized by common printed circuit board)
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the controller 900f included in the image forming apparatus in FIG. 17 is configured as an external storage device. The external storage device in FIG. 18 is connected to the power supply unit 171 and includes a controller 900g. The controller 900g includes, for example, a CPU 990, a memory 980, an I / O-ASIC 970, a network communication device 971, and a Copy ASIC 910.

  The CPU 990 and the memory 980 control other devices such as the hard disk device 930. The I / O-ASIC 970 controls the network communication device 971. The network communication device 971 performs data transmission / reception with the outside.

  Note that the image processing function of the Copy ASIC 910 is not necessary when configured as an external storage device, but the data output from the CPU 990 is transmitted to the hard disk device 930 through the Copy ASIC 910. It is provided in a controller 900g that is configured as an external storage device in the embodiment.

  The controller 900g is configured by the same printed circuit board as the controller 900f of FIG. 17, but the USB host 960 is not mounted at the USB host installation location 960g. Further, the controller 900g is not provided with a printed wiring connected to the terminal of the connector 800f in the controller 900f of FIG.

  With the above configuration, an external storage device can be realized using the same printed circuit board as that of the controller 900f in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the ASIC or the device provided on the printed circuit board such as the controllers 900 and 900a to g or the engine 100 and the engine 100b to f is provided on the printed circuit board with means for realizing its function. For example, an interface to a means for realizing a function may be provided on a printed circuit board, and the interface may be connected to the means.

  In addition to the image ASIC 110, the printer ASIC 120, and the copy ASIC 910 that are configured as LSIs, the image ASIC 110, the printer ASIC 120, and the copy ASIC 910 according to the present embodiment may each be an apparatus that includes a plurality of circuits that perform the same processing as those ASICs on images. It may also be configured by software.

  The “printed circuit board” in the present embodiment is a printed wiring board or a printed circuit board, but more specifically, it may be in a state in which a printed wiring is provided and an ASIC or the like is not mounted.

  The scanner device of this embodiment does not have a function of forming an image on a medium, but forms image data optically read from the scanner 111. To do.

  Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the best mode. Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1, 2, 9 ASIC
10, 20 Board 80, 81, 82 Connector 90 Motherboard 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f Engine part 110 ImageASIC
110b ImageASIC Installation Location 111 Scanner 120 PrinterASIC
120a Printer ASIC installation location 121 LD
161 Operation unit 171 Power supply unit 900, 900a, 900b, 900c, 900d, 900e, 900f, 900g Controller 910 CopyASIC
910b Copy ASIC installation location 930 Hard disk device 930b Hard disk device installation location 960 USB host 960g USB host installation location 970 I / O-ASIC
971 Network communication device 980 Memory 990 CPU

JP 2005-148896 A JP 2004-106456 A

The present invention relates to an image forming equipment and attached devices.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image processing apparatus technology that employs a high-speed serial bus as an internal bus in order to transfer data inside the image processing apparatus at high speed. In general, since image data often has a large capacity, increasing the transfer speed is an important technique for realizing high-speed processing.

For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-148896 (Patent Document 1) discloses a PCI that is a high-speed serial I / F. In order to further increase the speed of an image equipment system using Express (registered trademark) (hereinafter referred to as “P CIE ”), a plurality of switches are provided under the root complex, and a function of connecting to each switch is suitable. Thus, the invention of the image equipment system is disclosed in which the data transfer through the root complex and the data transfer with the switch at the highest level are selectively used to increase the processing speed of the entire system.

Further, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-106456 (Patent Document 2), a controller and an image forming function unit in an image forming apparatus are connected by a PCIe bus so that they can be attached and detached. An invention of an image forming apparatus that controls power consumption of the entire apparatus is disclosed.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the like of Patent Document 2, the controller and the image forming function unit can be realized on different substrates, and the speed, performance, and functionality are increased with design change of the circuit board. It becomes easy to respond.

  The “controller” in Patent Document 2 corresponds to the “control device” of the present invention, and the “image forming function unit” corresponds to the “image processing device”.

  However, the invention such as the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 does not disclose how the substrate having the controller function and the substrate that realizes the image forming function or the like are connected. The type of image processing performed by the image forming apparatus differs depending on the type and purpose of the image, such as an image captured from a scanner or an image to be output from a plotter. For each type of image processing, an LSI or a substrate is used. It may be provided. In such a form in which each board is connected to a board having a controller function by a connecting means such as a connector, in addition to the development of individual boards, a dedicated connector must be developed for each board. There was a problem that the cost of development was high.

The present invention has been invented in order to solve these problems in view of the above points, and an image forming apparatus in which a control device and an image processing apparatus in an image forming apparatus are connected by a single connecting means, and has an object to provide a connecting device for connecting the control unit and the image processing apparatus of that.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
An image processing unit that is a substrate including a first circuit that processes input image data and a second circuit that processes output image data ;
And a control unit which is a substrate for controlling said first circuit and said second circuit,
A pair of connecting section Ru Connecting to the said control unit and said image processing unit,
Have
The connection unit includes a first terminal group that connects the first circuit and the control unit, and a second terminal group that connects the second circuit and the control unit, and one of the connection units Are arranged at either end of the substrate of the image processing unit or the substrate of the control unit .

Moreover, the connection device in one embodiment of the present invention is:
In the substrate for controlling the first device which is a substrate, a circuit of the circuit and said second of said first comprising a second circuit for processing the first circuit及beauty output picture image data for processing input image data A pair of connection devices for connecting a certain second device,
It includes a pre-Symbol second terminal group for the first terminal group及beauty the previous SL second circuit and said second device connection for connecting the first circuit and the said second device,
One of the connection device, Ru is disposed at either end of the substrate of the substrate or the second device of the first device.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention, an image processing apparatus, the control device, and, according to the connection device, an image forming apparatus and a control apparatus and an image processing apparatus are connected by a connecting means in the image forming apparatus, and, As a It is possible to provide a connection device that connects the image processing device and the control device.

The example of the conventional structure which connected the motherboard 90 and the board 10 and the board 20. FIG. The figure of the example of the cross section of the part to which the board 1 and the motherboard 90 are connected by the connector 81. FIG. An example in which a plurality of boards and one board are connected by one connection device. The example of the arrangement | sequence of the terminal of the connector 80 (the 1). Example of terminal arrangement of connector 80 (part 2) 2A and 2B illustrate a controller, an engine unit, and a connector included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example of an image forming apparatus having a common printed circuit board and a common connector (part 1). The example of the scanner apparatus implement | achieved by a common printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of a printer device realized by a common printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of a scanner device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of a printer device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of a scanner device realized by a common printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example of a printer device realized by a common printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example of a scanner device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example (part 1) of a printer device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example (part 2) of a printer device realized by a dedicated printed circuit board and a dedicated connector. An example (part 2) of an image forming apparatus having a common printed circuit board and a common connector. An example of an external storage device realized by a common printed circuit board.

In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, a conventional example in which a plurality of substrates are connected using a PCIe bus will be described prior to the description of the embodiment of the present invention. The “board” means a “substrate”.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration in which a motherboard 90, a board 10, and a board 20 are connected using a PCIE bus. The board 10 is connected to the motherboard 90 by a connector 81, and the board 20 is connected to the motherboard 90 by a connector 82.

The board 10 has ASIC1, the board 20 has ASIC2, and the motherboard 90 has ASIC9. The ASIC 1 is connected to the ASIC 9 by the channel 1 of the PCIE bus, and the ASIC 2 is connected to the ASIC 9 by the channel 2 of the PCIE bus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a cross section of a portion where the board 1 and the motherboard 90 are connected by the connector 81. In FIG. 2, a motherboard 90 that is a printed circuit board and a board 1 that is an expansion board are connected by a connector 81. The connector 81 has, for example, a specification defined by “CEM (Card Electromechanical) Specification” (hereinafter referred to as “CEM specification”), which is a PCIE standard for system cards and add-in cards.

The physical layer of the PCIE bus has a one-way 2.5 Gbps data transfer capability, and makes a one-to-one connection between devices. One set of bidirectional differential signals is called a “lane”, and the number of lanes can be increased as necessary, so that the bus width, which is the bandwidth of the bus, has expandability.

In this specification, a bundle of lanes used when one-to-one connection between devices is referred to as a “channel”. Thus, the PCIe bus has a channel. The channel may further include a clock signal for controlling the device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a board connected by the connection device, and a configuration in which a plurality of boards and one board are connected by one connection device. It is an example. The connector 80 in FIG. 3 connects the board 10 and the board 20 to the mother board 90 by one connector 80. The connector 80 is provided on the PCIE bus, and the bus includes a channel 1 for connecting the ASIC 1 and the ASIC 9 and a channel 2 for connecting the ASIC 2 and the ASIC 9.

  In FIG. 3, in addition to channel 1 and channel 2, CLK1 and CLK2 are output from ASIC 9 to ASIC 1 and ASIC 2. CLK1 and CLK2 are predetermined clock signals, and may be configured to be included in the channel.

(Example of terminal arrangement of connector 80)
4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating an example of the arrangement of terminals of the connector 80. FIG. The connector 81 in FIG. 4 is, for example, a connector for connecting the board 10 and the motherboard 90 in FIG. 1, and the connector 82 is, for example, a connector for connecting the board 20 in FIG. .

  The connector 81 has four terminals, VCC, which is a terminal for power supply, debug, which is a terminal for control signals, CLK0 which is a terminal for clock signals, and Lane 00 to Lane 03 corresponding to each lane. VCC as a power supply terminal, debug as a control signal terminal, CLK1 as a clock signal terminal, and four terminals from Lane 10 to Lane 13 corresponding to each lane.

  The connector 80 has terminals corresponding to the terminals of the connector 81 and the connector 82. The channel control signal terminal is a power supply terminal VCC, a control signal terminal CTL, and a ground terminal. Has a certain GND.

  The connector 80 further corresponds to four terminals CLK0 and Lane00 to Lane03, which are terminals corresponding to the channel 1 for connecting the motherboard 90 and the board 10, and to channel 2 for connecting the motherboard and the board 20. Terminals CLK1 and four terminals from Lane 10 to Lane 13 are provided.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of terminals in the connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5A and 5B has a structure in which terminals are arranged in two rows. Each column is referred to as side A and side B.

  FIG. 5A shows the arrangement of terminals when two channels are connected by one connector, as defined by the CEM specification. In FIG. 5A, VCC and debug, which are terminals for channel control signals, are included in both side A and side B. In side A, terminals Lane0R to Lane 7R corresponding to Lane 0 to Lane 7 are included. Are arranged in the order of the lanes, and the side B has a configuration in which the terminals Lane0T to Lane7T corresponding to the lanes 0 to 7 are arranged in the order of the lanes.

  Note that the letter “T” in Lane0T or the like represents, for example, a terminal corresponding to a signal output from the motherboard 90 to the board 10, and the letter “R” in Lane0R or the like, for example, from the board 10 to the motherboard 90. Represents a terminal corresponding to the input signal.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of terminals in the connection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the connection device in FIG. 5B, a control signal terminal group is provided on the side A, and a transfer signal terminal group is provided on the side B. More specifically, as a channel control signal terminal, side A has a power supply terminal VCC, a ground terminal GND, and a control signal terminal CTL, and side B has Lane 0T to Lane 7R. The terminals have a configuration in which Lane 0T, Lane 0R, Lane 1T, Lane 1R, and the like are arranged in order of each lane. That is, a set corresponding to the output and input of one lane is arranged in the order of the lanes.

(In the image forming apparatus, a diagram illustrating a controller and an engine unit connected by a connection device)
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a controller and an engine unit of the image forming apparatus connected by the connection apparatus of FIG. The image forming apparatus in FIG. 6 includes a controller 900, an engine unit 100, and a connector 800.

  The controller 900 controls the engine unit 100 and other devices included in the image forming apparatus. The controller 900 includes, for example, a CopyASIC 910 and a CPU 990. The Copy ASIC 910 is a unit that performs processing such as image correction when the image forming apparatus performs copy processing.

  The CPU 990 is means for realizing various types of control performed by the controller 900 by executing predetermined computer programs. Note that the computer program executed by the CPU 990 may be stored in a storage device (not shown) or the like.

  The engine unit 100 mainly includes units related to image processing performed by the image forming apparatus. The engine unit 100 includes, for example, an Image ASIC 110 and a Printer ASIC 120. The Image ASIC 110 is a unit that performs predetermined processing on a signal output from a scanner (not shown), for example, and generates or reconstructs image data to be processed in the image forming apparatus. The Printer ASIC 120 is a unit that processes image data output from a plotter included in the image forming apparatus.

The ImageASIC 110 and the PrinterASIC 120 are connected to the controller 900 by PCIE channels each having four lanes. Signals output from the Image ASIC 110 and the Printer ASIC 120 are connected to the terminals of the connector 800 through wiring that the engine unit 100 has.

  The wiring that connects the image ASIC 110 and the terminal of the connector 800 and the wiring that connects the printer ASIC 120 and the terminal of the connector 800 are arranged on the engine unit 100 so as not to cross each other.

  The connector 800 has, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 5B, and includes a group of terminals arranged in two rows on each of the engine unit 100 side and the controller 900 side. Each row is referred to as side A and side B. Each terminal of the side A terminal group provided on the engine unit 100 side is connected to each terminal of the side A terminal group provided on the controller 900 side, and the side provided on the engine unit 100 side. Each terminal included in the B terminal group is connected to each terminal included in the side B terminal group provided on the controller 900 side.

  The terminal group provided on the engine unit 100 side further includes a terminal group corresponding to the ImageASIC 100 and a terminal group corresponding to the PrinterASIC 120. Each terminal group is provided in the connector 800 independently of each other.

  With the above configuration, the Image ASIC 110 and the Printer ASIC 120 and the controller 900 are physically connected by the single connector 800.

The ImageASIC 110, the PrinterASIC 120, the CopyASIC 910, and the CPU 990 are logically connected by a single bus. The bus, for example, may be a bus P Cie, in which case, for example, the channel connecting the ImageASIC110 and CopyASIC910, the channel of the image input consisting of 4 lanes of P Cie, connecting the PrinterASIC120 the CPU990 The channel to be output is an image output channel composed of four lanes of PCIe .

  With the above configuration, the connector 800 is provided on a bus that connects the engine unit 100 and the controller 900, and realizes connection between the bus and a channel of the bus.

(Example of Detailed Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to One Embodiment of the Present Invention)
7 to 19 are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(Example of image forming apparatus having common printed circuit board and common connector (part 1))
FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a connector (hereinafter referred to as “common connector”) used in common in different image forming apparatuses. 2 is a diagram illustrating a controller and an engine unit realized by a printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as “common printed circuit board”) that is commonly used in different image forming apparatuses. FIG. The image forming apparatus in FIG. 7 includes, for example, a controller 900, an engine unit 100, a scanner 111, an operation unit 161, and a power supply unit 171. The power supply unit 171 is denoted as “PSU” in the drawing.

  The controller 900 is realized by a printed circuit board, and includes, for example, a CPU 990, a memory 980, an I / O-ASIC 970, a network communication device 971, a USB host 960, a hard disk device 930, and a Copy ASIC 910, and a print that connects them. Has wiring.

  The CPU 990 realizes control of each device included in the image forming apparatus by executing a predetermined computer program. The memory 980 temporarily stores data, for example, when the CPU 990 executes processing. The memory 980 may also have a function of storing a computer program executed by the CPU 990 or the like, or having the computer program executable by the CPU 990 being expanded on the memory 980, for example.

  The I / O-ASIC 970 controls data that is input to or output from the image forming apparatus, or controls an apparatus having the function. The I / O-ASIC 970 further controls the power supply unit 171. The network communication device 971 communicates with an external device connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. The USB host 960 performs data transmission / reception with the USB device. In FIG. 7, for example, the display device included in the operation unit 161 is configured as a USB device.

  The hard disk device 930 stores a large amount of data. The hard disk device 930 stores, for example, image data input from the scanner 111 or image data based on the image data. The Copy ASIC 910 performs predetermined correction or the like on the image when performing copy processing for outputting image data input from the scanner 111 from the plotter.

The controller 900 further includes a printed wiring that connects between the ASIC and the like and between the ASIC and the connector 800. The printed wiring of the controller 900 is, for example, a channel composed of four lanes of PCI e for transferring image data input from the scanner 111 or the like from the connector 800 to the Copy ASIC 910 as printed wiring for the PCI e bus. corresponding printed wiring, and the connector 800 from the CPU, for transferring the image data output from the plotter or the like, there is a printed circuit corresponding to the channel of four lanes of PCI e.

  The printed wiring included in the controller 900 further includes a printed wiring for power control for connecting the connector 800 and the I / O-ASIC 970, and an operation unit for the CPU to control the power supply unit 171 via the I / O-ASIC 971. 161, a command communication print wiring for transmitting an instruction signal input from 161, and a signal according to the USB 2.0 standard for transferring display screen data from the USB host 960 to the operation unit 161. There is a printed wiring for transferring.

  The engine unit 100 performs various types of image processing in the image forming apparatus, and is configured as, for example, a printed circuit board provided with an ASIC or the like corresponding to the processing. The engine unit 100 includes, for example, an Image ASIC 110, a Printer ASIC 120, and an LD 121.

  The image ASIC 110 generates image data from a signal input from the scanner 111. The Printer ASIC 120 generates image data output from a plotter (not shown). The LD 121 converts the image data processed by the Printer ASIC 120 from an electrical signal to laser light and outputs the laser light to a plotter (not shown). Note that the LD 121 may be configured as, for example, a means (not shown) that outputs image data in synchronization with the line speed of the plotter.

Engine 100 further above the printed wiring for the PCI e bus connecting the ASIC and the connector 800, and printed wiring for connecting the like device which is provided outside of the above such as ASIC and an engine unit 100 Etc. have printed wiring. The engine unit 100 further includes a printed wiring that connects a device provided outside the engine unit 100 and the connector 800. For example, in order to connect the operation unit 161 and the controller 900, a printed wiring or the like that connects a terminal or the like of the operation unit 161 and a terminal of the connector 800 is provided.

  The scanner 111 is a device that outputs a signal obtained by optically reading an image. On the operation unit 161, an operator inputs an instruction to the image forming apparatus, and displays the state of the image forming apparatus. The power supply unit 171 acquires power supplied to the image forming apparatus and sends it to the I / O-ASIC 970.

  In addition to the configuration of the connector 80 of FIG. 6, the connector 800 is a terminal corresponding to a printed wiring for power control, a printed wiring for command communication, or a printed wiring for transferring a signal conforming to the USB 2.0 standard. Or it has a terminal group. These terminals or terminal groups may be configured to comply with the standards of each bus or the like. Further, the arrangement of the terminal groups may be configured in accordance with the standards of each bus or the like.

With these terminal groups, in addition to connection using a PCIE bus, connection using a USB 2.0 standard bus or the like can also be performed.

(Example of scanner device realized by common printed circuit board and common connector)
FIG. 8 is an example of a scanner device having a controller 900, an engine unit 100a, and a common connector realized by a common printed circuit board. The scanner device of FIG. 8 has the same printed circuit board and the same connector as the image forming apparatus of FIG. In the scanner apparatus of FIG. 8, the same numbers are assigned to ASICs and apparatuses having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  In the scanner device of FIG. 8, the Printer ASIC 120 and the LD 121 are not mounted on the Printer ASIC installation location 120a and the LD installation location 121a of the engine unit 100a, respectively, but the printed wiring connected to these installation locations is shown in FIG. The engine unit 100 is provided in the same manner. With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which the same printed circuit board as in FIG. 7 is connected by the same connector as in FIG. 7 and does not have a printer function.

(Example of printer device realized by common printed circuit board and common connector)
FIG. 9 is an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900b and an engine unit 100b realized by a common printed circuit board, and a common connector. The printer apparatus in FIG. 9 has the same printed circuit board and the same connector as the image forming apparatus in FIG. In the printer apparatus of FIG. 9, the same numbers are assigned to ASICs and apparatuses having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7, and description thereof is omitted here.

  In the printer device of FIG. 9, the ImageASIC 110, the CopyASIC 910, and the hard disk device 930 are not mounted at the ImageASIC installation location 120b of the engine unit 100b and the CopyASIC installation location 910b and the hard disk device installation location 930b of the controller 900b, respectively. The printed wirings connected to the installation locations are provided in the same manner as the engine unit 100 and the controller 900 in FIG. With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which the same printed circuit board as in FIG. 7 is connected by the same connector as in FIG. 7 and does not have a scanner function.

(Example of scanner device realized by dedicated printed circuit board and common connector)
FIG. 10 shows an example of a scanner device having a controller 900 realized by a common printed circuit board, an engine unit 100c realized by a dedicated printed circuit board, and a common connector. Since the controller 900 and the connector 800 of the scanner apparatus in FIG. 10 have the same configuration as the controller 900 and the connector 800 of the scanner apparatus in FIG. 8, the description thereof is omitted here. Further, in the engine unit 100c of the scanner device of FIG. 10, the same numbers are assigned to ASICs and devices having the same configuration as the engine unit 100 of the scanner device of FIG. 8, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  For example, the printer ASIC installation location 120a and the LD installation location 121a in the scanner device of FIG. 8 are not provided in the printed circuit board of the engine 100c portion of the scanner device of FIG. 10, and no printed wiring connected to them is provided. However, other ASICs and printed wiring are provided in the same manner as the engine unit 100 of FIG. With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which the engine unit 100c realized by a printed board different from that in FIG. 8 is connected to the controller 900 by the same connector as in FIG. 8 and has the same scanner function as in FIG. it can.

(Example of printer device realized by dedicated printed circuit board and common connector)
FIG. 11 is an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900d, an engine unit 100d, and a common connector realized by a dedicated printed circuit board. Since the connector 800 of the printer apparatus in FIG. 11 has the same configuration as that of the printer apparatus in FIG. 9, the description thereof is omitted here. Further, in the controller 900d and the engine unit 100d of the printer apparatus of FIG. 11, the ASIC having the same configuration as the controller 900b and the engine unit 100b of the printer apparatus of FIG. Omitted. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  The printed circuit board of the engine unit 100d of the printer apparatus of FIG. 11 is not provided with the ImageASIC installation location 110b included in the engine unit 100b of the printer apparatus of FIG. 9, and is not provided with printed wiring connected thereto. However, other ASICs and printed wiring are provided in the same manner as the engine unit 100b in FIG.

  Further, the copy ASIC installation location 910b and the hard disk device installation location 930b of the printer device controller 900b in FIG. 9 are not provided on the printed circuit board of the printer device controller 900d in FIG. However, other ASICs and printed wiring are provided in the same manner as the controller 900b in FIG.

  With these configurations, the engine unit 100d realized by a printed circuit board different from that in FIG. 9 and the controller 900d are connected by the connector 800 having the same configuration as that in FIG. An apparatus can be realized.

(Example of scanner device realized by common printed circuit board and dedicated connector)
FIG. 12 shows an example of a scanner device having a controller 900, an engine unit 100a, and a dedicated connector realized by a common printed circuit board. The controller 900 in FIG. 12 has the same function and configuration as the controller 900 in FIG. 7, and the engine unit 100a in FIG. 12 has the same function and configuration as the engine unit 100a in FIG. To do. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  A connector 810 included in the scanner device of FIG. 12 has a configuration different from that of the connector 800 of FIGS. 7 to 11. For example, a print connected to an ASIC or the like related to a printer function that the scanner device of FIG. 12 does not have. There is no part to connect the wiring. The connector 810 may have a configuration that does not include all portions related to the printer function as shown in the figure. For example, the connector 810 does not include a terminal group related to the printer function, and the housing of the connector 810 is the same as the connector 800. The structure which is may be sufficient.

  With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a scanner function in which the controller 900 and the engine unit 100a are connected by a single connector 810.

(Example of printer device realized by common printed circuit board and dedicated connector)
FIG. 13 shows an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900b, an engine unit 100b, and a dedicated connector realized by a common printed circuit board. The controller 900b in FIG. 13 has the same function and configuration as the controller 900b in FIG. 9, and the engine unit 100b in FIG. 13 has the same function and configuration as the engine unit 100b in FIG. To do. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  The connector 820 included in the printer apparatus of FIG. 13 has a configuration different from the connector 800 of FIGS. 7 to 11 and the connector 810 of FIG. 12, and has a scanner function that the printer apparatus of FIG. A portion for connecting a printed wiring connected to the ASIC or the like is not provided. The connector 820 may have a configuration that does not include all the portions related to the scanner function as shown in the figure. For example, the connector 820 does not include a terminal group related to the scanner function, and the housing of the connector 820 is the same as the connector 800. The structure which is may be sufficient.

  With this configuration, an image forming apparatus having a printer function in which the controller 900b and the engine unit 100b are connected by the single connector 820 can be realized.

(Example of scanner device realized by dedicated printed circuit board and dedicated connector)
FIG. 14 shows an example of a scanner device having a controller 900 realized by a common printed circuit board, an engine unit 100c realized by a dedicated printed circuit board, and a dedicated connector. The controller 900 of FIG. 14 has the same function and configuration as the controller 900 of FIG. 7, and the engine unit 100c of FIG. 14 has the same function and configuration as the engine unit 100c of FIG. To do. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  The connector 810 included in the scanner device of FIG. 14 has a configuration different from that of the connector 800 of FIGS. 7 to 11, and has the same configuration as the connector 810 included in the scanner device of FIG. For example, the connector 810 is provided only with a portion for connecting a printed wiring connected to an ASIC or the like for realizing the scanner function of the scanner device of FIG. The connector 810 may be configured to include only a portion related to the scanner function as shown in the figure, or may be configured so as not to include a terminal group corresponding to a terminal group related to the printer function of the connector 800, for example. The casing may be the same as the connector 800.

  With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a scanner function in which the controller 900 and the engine unit 100c are connected by a single connector 810.

(Example of Printer Device Realized by Dedicated Printed Circuit Board and Dedicated Connector (Part 1))
FIG. 15 is an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900d, an engine unit 100d, and a dedicated connector realized by a dedicated printed circuit board. The controller 900d and the engine unit 100d in FIG. 15 have the same functions and configurations as the controller 900d and the engine unit 100d in FIG. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  A connector 820 included in the printer apparatus of FIG. 15 has a configuration different from that of the connector 800 of FIGS. 7 to 11, and has the same configuration as the connector 820 included in the scanner apparatus of FIG. For example, the connector 820 is provided only with a portion for connecting a print wiring connected to an ASIC or the like for realizing the printer function of the printer apparatus of FIG. The connector 820 may be configured to include only a portion related to the printer function as shown in the figure. For example, the connector 820 does not include a terminal group corresponding to the terminal group related to the printer function included in the connector 800 and includes the connector 820. The casing may be the same as the connector 800.

  With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a printer function in which the controller 900d and the engine unit 100d are connected by a single connector 820.

(Example of printer device realized by dedicated printed circuit board and dedicated connector (2))
FIG. 16 is an example of a printer apparatus having a controller 900e realized by a dedicated printed circuit board, an engine unit 100e, and a connector 822 that is a dedicated connector. The ASIC and the like included in the controller 900e and the engine unit 100e in FIG. 16 have the same functions and configurations as the ASICs and the like assigned the same numbers in FIG. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

The engine unit 100e in FIG. 16 does not include the Printer ASIC 120 included in the engine unit 100 in FIG. 7, and the Printer ASIC 120 is provided in the controller 900e. Thus, the signal output to the connector 822 from PrinterASIC120 becomes a signal in accordance with the general image interface of a configuration in which a printed wiring provided at the same position in FIG. 7 and the like to transfer signals according to the PCI e It is different from being.

Accordingly, the connector 822 included in the printer apparatus of FIG. 16 has a terminal group for general-purpose image data signals output from the Printer ASIC 120, instead of a terminal group for signals according to the PCIe e included in the connector 820. .

  With this configuration, an image forming apparatus having a printer function in which the controller 900e and the engine unit 100e are connected by a single connector 822 can be realized.

(Example of image forming apparatus realized by common printed circuit board and common connector (part 2))
FIG. 17 is an example of an image forming apparatus having a controller 900f and an engine unit 100f realized by a common printed circuit board, and a connector 800f that is a common connector. Since the ASIC and the like included in the controller 900f and the engine unit 100f in FIG. 17 have the same functions and configurations as the ASICs and the like assigned the same numbers in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted here. Further, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, the operation unit 151, and the power supply unit 171 are the same as those of the devices denoted by the same numbers in FIG.

  The engine unit 100f in FIG. 17 and the controller 900f in FIG. 17 are different from the engine unit 100 and the controller 900 in FIG. 7 in the arrangement of mounted ASICs, but the functions to be realized are substantially the same. The difference is that the unit 100f and the controller 900f have a connector 170 and a connector 972 for connecting the power supply unit 171, respectively. The connector 170 and the connector 972 are connected to wiring for performing power supply control. The power supply unit 171 has a configuration that can be attached to and detached from the connector 170 and the connector 972.

  The arrangement of the terminal group included in the connector 800f is different from that of the connector 800 in accordance with the arrangement of the ASIC and the printed wiring included in the engine unit 100f and the controller 900f, but the functions to be realized are the same. Description is omitted.

  With the above configuration, an image forming apparatus having a printer function in which the controller 900f and the engine unit 100f are connected by the single connector 822 can be realized.

(Example of external storage device realized by common printed circuit board)
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the controller 900f included in the image forming apparatus in FIG. 17 is configured as an external storage device. The external storage device in FIG. 18 is connected to the power supply unit 171 and includes a controller 900g. The controller 900g includes, for example, a CPU 990, a memory 980, an I / O-ASIC 970, a network communication device 971, and a Copy ASIC 910.

  The CPU 990 and the memory 980 control other devices such as the hard disk device 930. The I / O-ASIC 970 controls the network communication device 971. The network communication device 971 performs data transmission / reception with the outside.

  Note that the image processing function of the Copy ASIC 910 is not necessary when configured as an external storage device, but the data output from the CPU 990 is transmitted to the hard disk device 930 through the Copy ASIC 910. It is provided in a controller 900g that is configured as an external storage device in the embodiment.

  The controller 900g is configured by the same printed circuit board as the controller 900f of FIG. 17, but the USB host 960 is not mounted at the USB host installation location 960g. Further, the controller 900g is not provided with a printed wiring connected to the terminal of the connector 800f in the controller 900f of FIG.

  With the above configuration, an external storage device can be realized using the same printed circuit board as that of the controller 900f in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the ASIC or the device provided on the printed circuit board such as the controllers 900 and 900a to g or the engine 100 and the engine 100b to f is provided on the printed circuit board with means for realizing its function. For example, an interface to a means for realizing a function may be provided on a printed circuit board, and the interface may be connected to the means.

  In addition to the image ASIC 110, the printer ASIC 120, and the copy ASIC 910 that are configured as LSIs, the image ASIC 110, the printer ASIC 120, and the copy ASIC 910 according to the present embodiment may each be an apparatus that includes a plurality of circuits that perform the same processing as those ASICs on images. It may also be configured by software.

  The “printed circuit board” in the present embodiment is a printed wiring board or a printed circuit board, but more specifically, it may be in a state in which a printed wiring is provided and an ASIC or the like is not mounted.

  The scanner device of this embodiment does not have a function of forming an image on a medium, but forms image data optically read from the scanner 111. To do.

  Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the best mode. Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1, 2, 9 ASIC
10, 20 Board 80, 81, 82 Connector 90 Motherboard 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f Engine part 110 ImageASIC
110b ImageASIC Installation Location 111 Scanner 120 PrinterASIC
120a Printer ASIC installation location 121 LD
161 Operation unit 171 Power supply unit 900, 900a, 900b, 900c, 900d, 900e, 900f, 900g Controller 910 CopyASIC
910b Copy ASIC installation location 930 Hard disk device 930b Hard disk device installation location 960 USB host 960g USB host installation location 970 I / O-ASIC
971 Network communication device 980 Memory 990 CPU

JP 2005-148896 A JP 2004-106456 A

Claims (19)

An image processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing means;
A control device for controlling the plurality of image processing means;
Connection means for connecting between the image processing device and the control device;
Have
A channel is connected between one of the plurality of image processing means and the control device,
The image processing device and the control device are connected by a first bus including the channel,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image processing apparatus and the control apparatus are connected by one connection means by providing the connection means on the first bus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first bus can change a bus width of the first bus based on the number of the channels. The connecting means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the image processing units has a terminal group including terminals corresponding to signals input and / or output by the image processing unit.   The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the image processing means is arranged corresponding to the arrangement of terminal groups corresponding to each signal input and / or output by the connection means included in the connection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The control device has a plurality of control means,
The connecting means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each control unit has a terminal group including terminals corresponding to signals input and / or output by the control unit.   The control device is characterized in that the control means is arranged corresponding to the arrangement of terminal groups corresponding to each signal input and / or output by the control means of the connection means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to 5. The terminal group is
A group of control signal terminals corresponding to channel control signals commonly included in the channel;
Among the signals transferred by the channel, a transfer signal terminal group corresponding to signals excluding the channel control signal,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first bus is a bus defined by a PCI-Express (registered trademark) standard. The image processing device and the control device are further connected by a second bus different from the first bus,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit includes a terminal or a terminal group corresponding to the second bus. An image processing apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus connected to a control device provided in the image forming apparatus by one connecting means,
A plurality of image processing means;
A channel is connected between one of the plurality of image processing means and the control device,
The image processing device and the control device are connected by a first bus including the channel,
The connection means is provided on the first bus, thereby connecting the image processing apparatus and the control apparatus by one connection means,
The image processing means is arranged corresponding to the arrangement of a terminal group composed of terminals corresponding to each signal input and / or output by the image processing means corresponding to each image processing means included in the connection means. An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first bus is a bus defined by a PCI-Express (registered trademark) standard. A control device provided in the image forming apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus by one connecting means,
Having a plurality of control means,
A channel is connected between one of the plurality of control means and the image processing apparatus,
The control device and the image processing device are connected by a first bus including the channel,
The connection means is provided on the first bus, thereby connecting the control apparatus and the image processing apparatus by one connection means,
The control means is arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the terminal group consisting of terminals corresponding to each signal input and / or output by the outside control means corresponding to each control means of the connection means. An image processing apparatus.   The control device according to claim 12, wherein the first bus is a bus defined by a PCI-Express (registered trademark) standard. A connection device for connecting a first device having a plurality of first means and a second device having a plurality of second means,
A channel is connected between one of the plurality of first means and one of the plurality of second means,
The first device and the second device are connected by a first bus including the channel,
A connection device characterized in that, by providing a connection means on the first bus, the first device and the second device are connected by one connection means.   15. The connection device according to claim 14, wherein the first bus can change a bus width of the first bus based on the number of the channels. The connecting means includes
The connection device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein each of the first means includes a terminal group including terminals corresponding to signals input and / or output by the first means. The connecting means includes
16. The connection device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein each second means has a terminal group consisting of terminals corresponding to signals input and / or output by the second means. The terminal group is
A group of control signal terminals corresponding to channel control signals commonly included in the channel;
Among the signals transferred by the channel, a transfer signal terminal group corresponding to signals excluding the channel control signal,
The connection device according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising:   The connection device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the first bus is a bus defined by a PCI-Express (registered trademark) standard.

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