JP2575570B2 - Image processing system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional image processing system, there is known a copying system including an original scanner as original scanning means for scanning an original and a printer as reproducing means for reproducing an original image as a visible image.

[0003]

In such a conventional copying system, it may be necessary to use a printer or a document scanner independently, not as a copying apparatus. In such a case, for example, if the original scanner itself can be used, but the printer cannot be used, the entire copying system becomes unusable, and each function of the system is effectively used. There was a problem that it could not be done.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to solve such a problem and to make it possible to effectively use each function of the image processing system.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing system according to the present invention has an original scanning means for scanning an original and converting it into an image signal, and reproduces an image corresponding to the image signal. An image processing system having a reproducing unit, wherein the reproducing unit operates to reproduce an image corresponding to print information from an external device, and controls to output an image signal from the document scanning unit to the external device. Means, the document scanning means can be identified as being under the control of the control means, and the reproducing means can be identified as being under the control of the control means, in the operation preparation state, or in the error state. And a display means for identifiably displaying respective states of the document scanning means and the reproducing means in accordance with a detection result of the detecting means.

[0006]

According to the present invention, an image processing system having a document scanning means and a reproducing means is provided with a control means for controlling the document scanning means and the reproducing means in accordance with image information transmitted / received from / to the outside. The means are under the control of the control means, the reproduction means are under the control of the control means, are in an operation preparation state, are in an error state, and are identifiably detected. Display the result. Thereby, the operator individually grasps whether the document scanning unit and the reproducing unit are under the control of the control unit, and further, whether the reproducing unit is in the operation preparation state or the error state, and individually grasps them. The function of the means can be effectively utilized as needed.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (1) Description of the Entire System FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus of the present invention is roughly divided into an image processing information forming unit 1, a reader unit 500, and a printer unit 600.
The image processing information forming unit 1 edits, stores, transmits and receives image information, and controls the reader unit 500 and the printer unit 600. The image information forming unit 1 includes an image processing control unit 100 that controls an image processing procedure, stores a processed image, and the like, and an editing station 400 that is used when an operator performs image editing.

Reference numeral 500 denotes a reader unit which reads a document image by a line sensor such as a CCD, photoelectrically converts the image, and converts the image into electric signal information (hereinafter, referred to as an image signal).
(Hereinafter simply referred to as image information) is transferred to the image processing information forming unit 1 via a signal line. A reader operation unit 550 is used when an operator directly operates the reader unit 500 to read a document image.

Reference numeral 600 denotes a copying apparatus with a laser beam printer, which forms a copy image of image information transferred from the image processing information forming unit 1 via a signal line on a recording material such as paper. Reference numeral 650 denotes a printer status display unit for displaying copying conditions such as the number of copies.

[0010] Image processing information forming unit 1, reader 50
The image processing apparatus of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as the present system) including the optical fiber cable 7
The optical fiber network is configured with a plurality of devices (other systems) that are arranged at a short distance and that are configured in the same manner as the present system, and mutually transmit and receive image information.

Reference numeral 800 denotes digital data exchange (DDX)
A line used for transmitting and receiving image information and the like between the present system and a plurality of other systems (not shown) placed at a long distance.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the apparatus of the present invention centering on the image processing information forming unit 1. As shown in FIG. In the image processing control unit 100, reference numeral 10 denotes an image processing unit that can be configured from a CPU circuit block, and controls the following units. Reference numeral 20 denotes a buffer memory for temporarily storing image information of a document of a predetermined size in units of one sheet, and 30 denotes a bus line. 80 is a direct memory access (DMA) between the buffer memory 20 and the disk memory 90
Is a DMA controller for controlling the operation. Reference numeral 60 denotes a DDX interface between the present system and a DDX line; 70, an optical fiber interface between the apparatus of the present invention and an optical fiber network; Alternatively, it is an exchange that exchanges image information between the printer unit 600 and the buffer memory 20.

In the editing station 400, 4
Reference numeral 50 denotes an editing station control unit, and the image processing unit 10
And controls the following units. Reference numeral 200 denotes an editing station console capable of taking the form of a console unit, 2
80 is various input forms (for example, light, pressure, capacitance)
The operator instructs the console unit 200 with the stylus pen 280 to input an editing command or the like. Reference numeral 300 denotes a CRT which displays commands input by the operator, messages sent from the image processing unit 10 to the operator, and the like.

(2) Editing Station FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the editing station 400. Here, 450 is an editing station control section, 200 is a console section, 280 is a stylus pen, and 300 is a CRT. The console unit 200 has a digitizer (document placement unit) 240 for the operator to input an instruction on an area on the document with the stylus pen 280 and a command in which various command keys 221 to 228 for image editing shown in FIG. A menu unit 220, and the operator operates the console unit 200.
To edit images and create editing programs. The document placement unit 240 has, for example, an O point at the upper right thereof as the origin,
The designated point can be read in 1 mm units. The command menu unit 220 arranges command keys, for example, as shown in FIG.
00 is a command key group of a “REQUEST” key for requesting activation of 00 and an “end” key for requesting termination, 222 is a group of command keys for image editing (described later), 223 is a group of alphabet keys for inputting characters, 224 is a numerical input 225 is a carriage return key,
Reference numeral 226 denotes a parameter input key group used for inputting parameters following the edit command. Reference numeral 227 denotes a coordinate input request command key group. The operator specifies the type of coordinate input using the 227 command key group, and then specifies , The document placement unit 240 is instructed. Reference numeral 228 denotes a command key group input when creating, modifying, and executing an editing program (application file), and 229 denotes a command key group for screen editing of the CRT 300.

The display of the screen of the CRT 300 is divided by the editing station control section 450, and the coordinate position of the image editing designated by the console section 200 is monitored, and a command is displayed.

Details of an image editing method using the console unit 200 and the CRT 300 will be described later.

The editing station control unit 450 includes a CRT
/ Console unit controller 470 and RS232C
The interface 420 includes, for example, APPLE II manufactured by Apple Inc.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram of the editing station controller 450, where 451 is a clock generator,
452 is a central processing unit of the editing station control unit 450, 453 is a data buffer, and 454 is an address buffer. Reference numeral 455 denotes a read-only memory (RO) for storing an interactive programming language, for example, BASIC.
M) and 456 are random access memories (RAMs) for storing image editing programs and the like, and 457 is a bus line. 458, 459, and 460 are a peripheral device control circuit, a basic input / output control circuit, and a video signal generator, respectively.

When the operator instructs the console unit 200 with the stylus pen 280 and inputs an editing command or document position coordinates, those signals are transmitted via the RS232C interface 420 to the editing station control unit 4.
Guided to 50. These signals are discriminated by the CRT / console unit controller 470, and commands corresponding to those signals or document position coordinates are converted into ASCII codes and output to the image processing unit 10 via the RS232C interface.

(3) Image processing control unit FIG. 6 shows the image processing control unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the detailed example of. Here, the image processing unit (CPU circuit block) 10, buffer memory circuit block 20, I / O interface 56, reader operation unit interface 58, and DMA controller 80 are connected to the bus lines 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115, respectively. To the multi-bus line 30 via

Of the five circuit blocks connected to the multi-bus line 30, the CPU circuit block 10
The DMA controller 80 acquires the right to use the multibus 30 and has a function of controlling other circuit blocks, that is, a master function. On the other hand, the buffer memory circuit block 20, the I / O interface 56, and the reader operation unit interface 58 have a function controlled by the master function block, that is, a slave function, and are unidirectionally accessed from the multibus 30. The priority order of the right to use the multibus 30 is determined in advance for the master function block connected to the multibus 30.
In this embodiment, the priority of the CPU circuit block 10 is set higher than the priority of the DMA controller 80.

Here, the function of the CPU circuit block 10 will be described together with signal lines from the CPU circuit block 10 to each section and signal lines from each section to the CPU circuit block 10.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 132 denotes a signal line for outputting a signal from the CPU circuit block 10 for selecting a memory bank of the buffer memory circuit block 20, which will be described later.
Is a signal line for inputting a signal indicating a period during which the buffer memory circuit block 20 is writing image information and a period during which image information is being read to the CPU circuit block 10.
Reference numeral 128 denotes a signal line for the CPU circuit block 10 to provide the exchange 40 with a control signal for switching the transfer destination of the image information. Signals 136 and 139 connect the CPU circuit block 10 to the optical fiber interface 70 and the DDX interface 60, respectively, and the CPU circuit block 10 exchanges control information with another system via the optical fiber interface 70 and the DDX interface 60. Line. 145 is a CPU circuit block 1
0 is a signal line for providing a dither controller 54 with a control signal relating to dither for image quality processing. 146 is
CPU circuit block 10 and editing station controller 45
0 is a signal line for giving information of image processing designated by the console unit 200 to the CPU circuit block 10 and for displaying an application file or the like registered in the disk memory 90 on the CRT 300. Also, CP
The U circuit block 10 controls the DMA controller via the bus line 111, the multibus 30, and the bus line 113, and stores the buffer memory 20 and the disk memory 9
DMA transfer of image information between 0 and 0 is executed.

The I / O interface 56 includes a CPU circuit block 10, a reader unit 500 and a printer unit 60.
And an optical system scanning driver 510 for driving a motor 560 for scanning the optical system of the reader unit 500 via signal lines 150, 151 and 152, respectively. And a printer sequence circuit block 610 for controlling the copy sequence of the printer unit 600.

The reader operation section interface 58 has a function of inputting information on an operation state (described later) input from the operation section 550 of the reader section 500 to the CPU circuit block 10 via the multibus 30.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a CCD driver,
A line sensor 57 composed of, for example, a CCD in 00
0, 580 and 590, respectively, from signal line 12
Image information of an analog signal transferred in parallel via 1, 122 and 123 is converted into a digital signal (A / D conversion) and supplied to the shift memory 52 in parallel via signal lines 124, 125 and 126. Shift memory 52
Converts the parallel image information signal into a serial image signal and supplies it to the exchange 40 via the signal line 127. 54
Denotes a tone control unit, for example, a dither controller, which is used when the CCD driver 50 changes the tone of the image, for example, information on the dither process, and the density of the copied image partially collectively via the signal line 144. Provides information about area designation.

The exchange 40 can be composed of a gate circuit for connecting image information and control signals to each section.
The gate is opened and closed according to a control signal supplied from the PU circuit block 10, and the transfer destination of the image information and the control signal is switched. 129 is a signal line for accessing image information and control signals between the exchange 40 and the buffer memory 20. 130 and 131 are exchanges 40
And signal lines for control information and image information from the printer unit 600 to the printer sequence controller circuit block 610 and the laser driver 620 inside the printer unit 600. Note that 61
5 is a printer drive and sensor unit, 625 is a laser unit for generating a laser, 630 is a polygon motor unit for rotating the polyhedral mirror, 635 is a scanner driver for stably rotating the polyhedral mirror, and 640 is a beam detector.

Reference numeral 134 denotes a control signal and image information signal line output from the exchange 40 to the optical fiber interface 70, and reference numeral 135 denotes a control signal and image information signal line supplied from the optical fiber interface 70 to the exchange 40.

Reference numerals 701 and 702 denote optical fibers for receiving control signals and image information transferred from another system to the optical fiber interface 70, and optical fibers for clock signal, respectively, and 703 and 704 denote optical fiber interfaces, respectively. An optical fiber for transmitting a control signal and image information from 70 to another system, and an optical fiber for transmitting a clock signal.

137 and 138 are buffer memories 2
This is a signal line for transferring image information between the DDX interface 0 and the DDX interface 60.

The flow of image information signals in the apparatus of the present invention configured as shown in FIG. 6 will be briefly described below.

(1) When the image information read by the reader unit 500 is copied by the printer unit 600. The analog value image information read by the line sensors 570, 580 and 590 in the reader unit 500 is converted into parallel signals by a CCD. Transferred to driver 50 where A /
D-converted into digital value image information, which is further supplied to the shift memory 52 as parallel digital signals. The parallel image information is converted by the shift memory 52 into image signals of one serial scanning line and supplied to the exchange 40. At this time, the CPU circuit block 10 switches the gate of the exchange 40 to connect the transfer destination of the image information to the printer unit 600, and the serial image information is sequentially transmitted to the printer unit 60.
The data is transferred to the laser driver of No. 0 and copying is performed.

(2) When transmitting using the DDX line 800 The image information temporarily stored in the buffer memory 20 is transferred to the DDX interface 60 via the signal line 137, where the data is compressed and the DDX Sent to line 800.

(3) When Received from DDX Line 800 The data of the received image information is expanded by the DDX interface 60 and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 20 via the signal line 138. Next, the image information is transferred to the printer unit 600 via the exchange 40 and copied.

(4) When image information is transmitted from the optical fiber network 700 The image signal read by the reader unit 500 is supplied to the exchange in the same manner as in (1), and then the CPU circuit block 10
Is transferred to the optical fiber interface 70 via the signal line 134. Here, the image information is converted from an electric signal to an optical signal (hereinafter referred to as E / O conversion) and sent to another device on the optical fiber network 700.

(5) When Image Information is Received from Optical Fiber Network 700 Image information of an optical signal transmitted from another device on the optical fiber network 700 is converted into an electric signal by the optical fiber interface 70 (hereinafter, referred to as an electric signal). (Referred to as O / E conversion) and supplied to the exchange 40 via the signal line 135. At this time, the image information transmission destination data is analyzed by the CPU circuit block 10, and if the transmission destination of the image information is to another system, the received image information is subjected to E / O conversion again by the optical fiber interface 70, and The data is transferred to the fiber network 700. On the other hand, if the image information is addressed to this system, the image information is sent to the printer unit 6 via the exchange 40.
00 and copied.

(6) When Editing an Image The image information of one document read by the reader unit 500 is
Temporarily stored in the buffer memory 20 via the exchange 40,
Based on the editing information created by the console unit 200, the image is edited by DMA transfer between the buffer memory 20 and the disk memory 90. The detailed procedure of image editing will be described later. After such editing, the buffer memory 20
Is transferred to the transfer destination specified by the CPU circuit block 10.

Next, the image processing control unit 100 shown in FIG.
The configuration of the main circuit blocks in FIG.

(3.1) CPU Circuit Block First, as the CPU circuit block 10, for example, a single board computer SBC86 / 12 of Intel Corporation
FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram thereof. Here, 10-1
Denotes a CPU, 10-2 denotes a ROM, and 10-3 denotes a RAM. The RAM 10-3 stores a system program of the apparatus of the present invention and reads an application file (described later) stored in the disk memory 90. 10-4 is a dual port controller, 10-5 is an interrupt controller, and 10-6 is a timer. 10-7 is a baud rate generator, 10-8 is a communication interface, and the communication interface 10-8 is connected to the editing station 400 via the RS232C interface 420. 10-10 is a peripheral device interface,
It is connected to the buffer memory circuit block 20 and the exchange 40 via the driver terminator 10-11. 1
Reference numeral 0-12 denotes a multi-bus interface, and the bus line 112 is connected to the internal bus 10- in the CPU circuit block 10.
13 is arranged.

(3.2) Buffer Memory Circuit Block FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the buffer memory circuit block 20.
This block has a memory controller 21, a buffer memory 22, and a terminator 23, which are interconnected via an internal bus 24. The memory controller 21 is connected to the multi-bus 30 via the bus line 112 and accesses the buffer memory 22 under the control of the CPU circuit block 10. Further, the memory controller 21 communicates with the exchange 40 via a signal line 129,
It is connected to the CPU circuit block 10 via signal lines 132 and 133.

The buffer memory 22 comprises a group of dynamic random access memories (dynamic RAM). In this embodiment, A4 size (297 mm × 210 m
m), the image information is read at a resolution of 16 bits / mm for one document, and the buffer memory 22
Is at least (297 × 16) × (210 × 16) = 1
It has a storage capacity of 5966720 bits. If the image information per mm, that is, 16-bit image information is one word, the storage capacity of the buffer memory 22 is 997920 words ≒ 1 megaword.

The terminator 23 stabilizes the signal level immediately after the rise and fall of the signal.

The internal bus 24 transmits an address signal, a data signal, a read signal, a write signal, a memory refresh signal, a memory state signal, and an acknowledge signal.

FIG. 9 shows a buffer memory circuit block 20.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a memory controller 21 disposed in the memory controller and controlling access to a buffer memory 22. Where 2
Reference numerals 1-1 and 21-2 denote shift registers for writing 16-bit data. One of scans supplied serially to the buffer memory circuit block 20 via the signal line 129-1.
The image signal per line is converted into 16-bit parallel data and output to the data bus 24-1 via the write data signal line 21-101 and the data bus driver 21-3. Reference numeral 21-4 denotes a write timing generator, which uses a write synchronizing signal supplied via a signal line 129-2 and a write clock signal supplied via a signal line 129-3 to write data. Shift register 21
-1 or 21-2 are alternately selected, and a write command signal or an output enable signal is given to each of them via a signal line 21-102 or 21-103. For example, when the shift register 21-1 is selected first, the first 1
Six bits are supplied to the shift register 21-1. Next, when the shift register 21-2 is selected and the next 16 bits of the image information are supplied to the shift register 21-2, the write timing generator 21-4 supplies an output enable signal to the shift register 21-1. Then, the first 16-bit image information already stored is output to the signal 21-101.

By repeating this procedure for the image information of one document, the image information transferred from the exchange 40 is stored in the buffer memory 20 without interruption. Data write shift register 21-1 or 21
When -2 outputs 16-bit image information to the signal line 21-101 in parallel (parallel out), the write timing generator 21-4 outputs the address counter via the signal line 21-104 and the OR gate 21-5. A clock pulse is supplied to 21-6. Then address counter 2
1-6 are counted up, and the address in the memory 22 where the image information is to be stored is output to the address bus 24-2 via the address bus driver 21-7. However, the write timing generator 21-4 counts up the address counter 21-6 by 16 bits while the data write shift register 21-1 or 21-2 outputs image information to the signal line 21-101. Output a clock pulse as shown in FIG.
Is 00000H, 00000H,
.000H,... (Each “H” after the number indicates that the number in front of it is a hexadecimal number; the same applies hereinafter). At the same time as the data write shift register 21-1 or 21-2 outputs image information to the signal line 21-101, the write timing generator 21-4 outputs the signal information to the signal line 21-105,
OR gate 21-8 and control bus driver 2
1-9 through the control bus 24-
Output to 3.

Reference numerals 21-21 and 21-22 denote shift registers for reading 16-bit data, which are provided from the memory 22 to the data bus 24-1 and to the terminator interface 2.
The 16-bit parallel image information read via 1-23 and the signal lines 21-121 is converted into 16-bit serial image information and output to the signal lines 129-21. 2
Reference numeral 1-24 denotes a read timing generator,
A data read shift register 21-22 is alternately selected by using a read synchronizing signal supplied via 9-122 and a read clock supplied via signal line 129-23, and a signal line for each of them is selected. 21-122 or 21
A read command signal or an output enable signal is given via -133, and the image information is transferred to the exchange 40 without interruption. Immediately before the data read shift register 21-21 or 21-22 outputs image information to the signal line 129-21, the read timing generator 21-24 outputs the address via the signal line 21-124 and the OR gate 21-5. A clock pulse is supplied to the counter 21-6, at which time the address counter 21-6 is counted up,
The address on the memory 22 storing the image information to be read is output to the address bus 24-2 via the address bus driver 21-7. However, the read timing generators 21-24 are provided with the data read shift register 2
1-21 or 21-22 transmits image information to a signal line 21-1.
21 while the address counter 21-6 outputs 16 bits.
A clock pulse is output so as to count up only. The read timing generator 21-24 is provided with a data read shift register 21-21 or 21-22.
Outputs a read signal to the control bus 24-3 via the signal line 21-125, the OR gate 21-8, and the control bus driver 21-9 when outputting image information to the signal line 21-121.

21-26 are address converters,
When the image information is stored in the buffer memory 22 from the disk memory 90 via the bidirectional data bus driver 21-41 by the A controller 80, the image information is transferred and the address bus 32 and the address bus buffer 21-42 are transferred. And the addresses of the image information transferred via the signal lines 21-126 are re-addressed and converted into addresses to be developed on the memory 22, and the addresses are converted to the signal lines 21-131 and the address bus driver 21-126.
7 to the address bus 24-2 (this process will be described later). At this time, the signal lines 21-12
6, the memory write / read signal is supplied to the address converter 21-26 at the same time, and the address converter outputs a write / read enable signal to the signal lines 21-133. The CPU circuit block 10 is connected to the signal line 132-1.
, And a binary memory bank selection signal is supplied to the address converter 21-26 via the address 132-2. At this time,
The address converter 21-26 outputs a binary signal corresponding to the selected memory bank 0, 1 or 2 to a signal line 21-26.
132 and to the control bus 24-3 via the control bus driver 21-27.

When image information is input from CCDs 570, 580 and 590, CCDs 570, 580 and 5
The initial address for each line of the original image read by the CPU 90 is set by the CPU circuit block 10 to the multi-bus 30,
Bus line 112 and bidirectional data bus driver 2
Preset in the address counter 21-6 via 1-41. Further, it is applied to the decoder 21-45 via the address bus buffer 21-42 and the signal line 21-126, and is decoded by the decoder 21-45.
The signal is input to the address counter 21-6 as a chip selection signal via the signal line 21-145. On the other hand, I / O supplied via the control bus of the bus line 112
The write command is led to the command control circuit 21-46 through the signal line 21-146, and the command control circuit 21
At -46, the command is gated by the chip selection signal, and when chip selection is requested, the preset value data on the signal line 21-101 is supplied in parallel to the address counter 21-6 by the command signal. . When the initial address is stored in the address counter 21-6 in this way, the address counter 21-6 counts the address as described above by the clock pulse supplied via the signal line 21-104 or 21-124. Then, in the same manner as the address converter 21-26, a selection signal of the memory 22 is output to 21-132 ', and the address in the memory 22 is changed to a line 21-131'.
Output to

Signal lines 21-150 transmit a memory write signal and a memory read signal output when CPU circuit block 10 or DMA controller 80 accesses memory 22. These signals are gated by a writable / readable signal supplied via signal lines 21-133 in command control circuit 21-50, and when an access to memory 22 is requested, a memory write signal or a read signal is output. Signal line 21-151, OR gate 21-8, and control bus driver 21-9
Through the internal bus 24.

Signal lines 21-154 are output from banks 0, 1 and 2 of the memory 22 to the control bus 21-3, and indicate a memory busy (MB) signal indicating that the memory 22 is performing a read operation or a write operation. And a memory cycle enable (MCE) indicating that the memory 22 is performing a read / write operation or a refresh operation.
The signal is supplied to the refresh control circuits 21-55. The refresh control circuit 21-55 uses the MB and MC
If the E signal is not detected, a refresh pulse is sent to the buffer memory 22 via the signal lines 21-156, and the dynamic RAM in the buffer memory 22 is sent.
Refresh. If the MB signal or the MCE signal is detected during the output of the refresh pulse, the transmission of the refresh pulse is temporarily suspended, the access of the memory 22 is waited for, and the transmission is started again immediately after the end.

(3.3) DMA Controller FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the DMA controller 80 and the disk memory 90. Here, 80-1
Is an I / O processor that has a DMA function and controls the following units.
89 is used. The I / O processor 80 is connected to the signal line 80-1.
01 and the signal line 8
0-101 transmits a channel attention (CA) signal for notifying a DMA transfer request from the CPU circuit block 10 and a system interrupt (SINTR) signal for notifying the completion of the DMA transfer from the DMA controller 80. Further, when accessing the ROM 80-8 inside the DMA controller 80, the I / O processor 80-1 transmits a signal for selecting the ROM 80-8 and a ROM 80-8.
And a signal indicating the address of the instruction code of the program stored in the internal bus 80 through the signal line 80-105.
Output to -5. A signal line 80-103 from the I / O processor 80-1 to the bus arbiter 80-2 and the bus controller 80-3 is a signal line for transmitting a status signal of the I / O processor 80-1 to both. A signal line 80-104 connecting the I / O processor 80-1 and the address / data buffer block 80-4.
Is a signal line for transmitting an address information signal and a data information signal, and the I / O processor 80-1 outputs those signals to the signal lines 80-104 in a multiplex mode. That is, the I / O processor 80-1 time-divides the address information signal and the data information signal, and
First, an address information signal is output to the data buffer block 80-4, and then a data information signal is output.

The bus arbiter 80-2 acquires the right to use the bus by connecting to the multibus 30 via the signal line 80-106 in accordance with the status signal supplied from the I / O processor 80-1. Address information transfer enable (A) to the bus controller 80-3 and the address / data buffer 80-4 via the -107.
EN) signal. In this embodiment, Intel 8289 manufactured by Intel Corporation is used as the bus arbiter 80-2.

When the AEN signal is supplied from the bus arbiter 80-2, the bus controller 80-3 turns on the signal line 80.
When performing a DMA transfer from the buffer memory 20 to the disk memory 90 to the multibus 30 via -110 (read mode), a memory read (MRDC) signal is output, and the DMA transfer from the disk memory 90 to the buffer memory 20 is performed. (Write mode), a memory write (MWTC) signal is output. Further, the bus controller 80-3 sends the address / data buffer block 80-4 via the signal line 80-111 to the address / data buffer block 80-4 based on the status signal supplied from the I / O processor 80-1.
An address latch enable (ALE) signal for causing the address / data buffer block 80-4 to latch address information output from the I / O processor 80-1, and a data enable (DEN) signal for outputting address information and data information to the multibus 30. A peripheral data enable (PDEN) signal for outputting the information to the internal bus 80-5, and whether the address / data buffer block 80-4 transfers the data information to the multibus 30 or the internal bus (transmit mode). Alternatively, a data transmit / read (DT / R) signal for switching between reading from these buses (read mode) is supplied. A signal line 80-112 from the bus controller 80-3 to the synchronizing signal generation circuit 80-7 is an I / O
When the processor 80-1 accesses the internal bus 80-5 in the read mode, an I / O read command (IORC) signal output from the bus controller 80-3;
The I / O processor 80-1 reads the read only memory (RO
M) When fetching a microprogram stored in 80-8, an interrupt acknowledge (INTA) signal output from the bus controller 80-3 and the above-described ALE signal are transmitted. This bus controller 8
As 0-3, for example, Intel 828 of Intel Corporation
8 is used.

Address / data buffer block 80-
4 has two address / data buffers, which are connected to the multi-bus 30 and the internal bus 80-5 via signal lines 80-115 and 80-116, respectively, for transferring address information and data to and from these buses. Transfer information.

The internal bus 80-of the DMA controller 80
5 comprises a 16-bit address bus having an address space of 64 kilobytes and an 8-bit data bus.

Reference numeral 80-6 denotes a clock generator.
Based on the reference oscillation output from an external crystal oscillator, etc.
A clock signal having a predetermined frequency is supplied to the I / O processor 80-1 and the bus arbiter 80 via a signal line 80-120.
-2, the bus controller 80-3 and the synchronizing signal generation circuit 80-7, and the I / O processor 80-1 and the bus arbiter 80 via the signal line 80-121.
And an initial reset signal at power-on and a manual reset signal to the bus controller 80-3 and the bus controller 80-3. The clock generator 80-
4 is from the multibus 30 via signal lines 80-122,
Receiving a transfer acknowledge (XACK) signal of a recognition response to the MWTC signal and the MRDC signal;
It is determined whether or not the multi-bus 30 enters the wait state and whether or not the wait state has been released. Based on the determination signal, a bus ready signal is sent to the I / O processor 80-1 via the signal line 80-123. Output.

The synchronizing signal generation circuit 80-7 is provided with the above-described IO.
RC signal and INTA signal and address decoder 80
A signal for confirming the response of the ROM 80-8 is generated based on the chip selection signal supplied from -10 via the signal line 80-125, and this signal is sent to the clock generator 80-6 via the signal line 80-126. By supplying
This enables the I / O processor 80-1 to shift to the next operation.

The ROM 80-8 stores the I / O processor 80
-1 is stored. Internal bus 80-
5 from the ROM 80-8 to the signal line 80-130
When the / O processor 80-1 fetches a microprogram stored in the ROM 80-8, it is an address signal line for transmitting information indicating the address of the fetched instruction code, and a signal line 80 reaching the ROM 80-8. −
131 is a data signal line of the fetched instruction code.

Address decoder 80-10 generates a signal for selecting ROM 80-8 based on a chip selection signal of I / O processor 80-1 supplied via internal bus 80-5 and signal line 80-135. Signal line 80-12
5 through the ROM 80-8 and the synchronizing signal generation circuit 80
Output to -7. A signal line 80-113 from the bus controller 80-3 to the address decoder 80-10 transmits an S2 signal which is a kind of status information. That is, the S2 signal is applied to the address / data buffer block 80.
-4, the address information latched by the internal bus 80-5
Address information for the multi-bus 30 or
Is an identification signal indicating whether or not the address information is the address information, and the address decoder 80-10 performs the identification.

The operation in which the DMA controller 80 transfers address information and data information to and from the multibus 30 and the internal bus 80-5 will be described. First, a case where the information is exchanged with the multibus 30 will be described. When the bus controller 80-3 supplies the ALE signal to the address / data buffer 80-4 when the I / O processor 80-1 outputs the address information to the address / data buffer 80-4, the address / data buffer 80-4 latches address information in an address buffer. When the bus arbiter 80-2 acquires the right to use the multibus 30 after the latch, the bus arbiter 80-2 supplies an AEN signal to the address / data buffer 80-4, and the address / data buffer 80-4 latches the AEN signal. The address information is output to the multibus 30. Here, if the DMA controller 80 is in the write mode and the multi-bus 30 has been acquired, the I / O processor 80-1 outputs data information to the address / data buffer 80-4. When receiving the DEN signal from the bus controller 80-3, the buffer 80-4 outputs data information to the multibus 30. On the other hand, when the DMA controller 80 is in the read mode, the address / data buffer 80-4 reads data information on the multibus 30 and supplies the data information to the I / O processor 80-1. Reading of data information by the I / O processor 80-1 is performed by confirming the XACK signal transmitted from the disk memory 90, which is the data transfer destination, to the I / O processor 80-1.

Next, the operation of the address / data buffer 80-4 connected to the internal bus 80-5 is almost the same as described above, but in this case, the address information is transferred to the internal bus 80-5.
Output to AEN by the bus arbiter 80-2.
No signal required. Also, data information is transferred to the internal bus 80.
Whether to output to -5 is determined by the PDEN signal from the bus controller 80-3.

As the disk memory 90, for example, a SDS computer WDS-10 is used. Disk memory 9
0 has an internal disk controller circuit (not shown),
-5 via a data bus 80-140, and via signal lines 80-142 and 80-143.
Each is connected to a synchronization signal generation circuit 80-7 and an I / O processor 80-1.

Data buses 80-140 include command information,
The result information, data information, and status information are transmitted, and addresses are assigned to the former three information collectively to form a set of information. The three information are sequentially distinguished by being input / output to the disk controller circuit. Is done. Also, one address is independently assigned to the status information. Here, the command information is information for specifying an address on the disk memory 90 and the number of bytes.
The result information is information indicating an error check result at the time of information transfer between the DMA controller 80 and the disk memory 90.

The signal lines 80-142 are connected to the command busy (C
BUSY) signal, and the synchronization signal generation circuit 80-7 identifies the above three information and status information. It should be noted that one of command information, result information and data information
The timing at which the data becomes ready differs between the set information and the status information, and also differs between the read mode and the write mode. Therefore, the synchronizing signal generation circuit 80-7 is connected via the signal line 80-112. The IORC signal transmitted through the line 80 and the CBUSY signal transmitted through the signal line 80-142 generate four types of waiting time, and the clock generator 8 outputs the signal from the signal line 80-126.
0 to 6 and supplied to the I / O processor 80-1 to fetch and identify the two sets of information at the timing of the clock from the clock generator 80-6.

The signal lines 80-143 are connected to the disk memory 9
0 indicates that the data request is ready (D
REQ) signal and an external termination (EXT) signal indicating completion of DMA transfer.

The flow of image information during DMA transfer will be described step by step.

(1) The CPU circuit block 10 is connected to the signal line 8
A CA signal is supplied to the I / O processor 80-1 via 0-101 to request DMA transfer.

(2) The I / O processor 80-1 includes the signal line 80-104, the address / data buffer block 8
The RAM (see FIG. 7) in the CPU circuit block 10 is accessed via the signal lines 0-4 and the signal lines 80-115.
Obtain read / write mode information and address information for the MA. As a result, it is assumed that the read mode is determined.

(3) The I / O processor 80-1 includes a signal line 80-104, an address / buffer block 80-
4. The buffer memory 20 is accessed via the signal lines 80-115, the bus line 113, and the multibus 30.

(4) The 16-bit data read from the buffer memory 20 is transferred along the signal path opposite to that of (3).
The data is taken into the I / O processor 80-1.

(5) The I / O processor 80-1 transmits the upper 8 bits of the 16-bit data and the lower 8 bits to the signal line 80-104, the address / data buffer block 80-4, and the signal line 80-. 116, internal bus 80-
5 to the disk memory 90 via the data bus 80-140.

(6) The above procedures (3) to (5) are repeated until the EXT signal appears on the signal lines 80-143.

(7) The I / O processor 80-1 includes the signal line 80-101, the bus line 113, and the multi-bus 3
0, the CPU circuit block 10 is interrupted, and D
Notifies the end of MA transfer.

(3.4) Multibus Memory Space FIG. 11 shows a CPU circuit block 1 related to the multibus 30.
0, a memory map of the buffer memory circuit block 20 and the DMA controller 80. Multibus 30
Has a 1 Mbyte address space from 00000H to FFFFFH as a memory mapped memory space. This space is divided as shown in FIG.
Addresses from FFFFFH to the CPU of the CPU circuit block 10.
10-1 program memory space, 10000H to EF
The address FFFH is stored in the bank space of the buffer memory (described later),
Addresses 06000H to 07FFFH are assigned to a communication program space between the CPU circuit block 10 and the DMA controller 80, and addresses 000000H to 05FFFH are assigned to C.
It is assigned to the work RAM space of the PU circuit block 10.
Here, each address space will be described.

The program memory space is used for storing a control program of the device of the present invention in the CPU circuit block 10.
This is the memory space of AM10-3.

The bank space of the buffer memory is 10,000
From the address H to the address EFFFFH, it has a capacity of 896 kilobytes. As described above, the storage capacity of the buffer memory circuit block 20 is 195,840 bytes.
Not all can be stored in the bank space of the buffer memory. Therefore, the buffer memory space is divided into three banks,
That is, the bank is divided into bank 0, bank 1 and bank 2, and the bank is switched by a bank switching signal output from CPU circuit block 10 via signal line 132 (see FIGS. 6 and 9), and the designated bank is changed. It is assigned to a memory map as shown in FIG. The process of division and allocation will be described in the description of FIGS.

The communication program space uses 8 KB of the RAM (32 KB) 10-3 in the CPU circuit block 10. Also, work R
The AM space uses 24 kilobytes obtained by subtracting 8 kilobytes used for the communication program from the 32 kilobytes of RAM 10-3 in the CPU circuit block 10.

FIG. 12 shows the buffer memory circuit block 20.
2 shows an address map of the buffer memory 22 in the inside. The buffer memory 22 has an A4 size (297 mm × 210
mm) of the original document into 16 pixels per mm. The reader section 500 performs main scanning of the A4 size document in the vertical direction (297 mm direction), and then the CCDs 570, 580, and 590 operate at 16
The image data is decomposed into pixels, and pixels of 4752 bits per scan are supplied to the image processing control unit 100. Also, the reader unit 500
Sub-scans the original in the width direction (direction of 210 mm)
D570, 580 and 590 also scan 16 lines per mm in this direction.
Scanning is performed for 0 lines. Therefore, A4 size originals
The image processing control unit 100 decomposes the pixels of 1756670 bits into the pixels of
It is supplied 0 times.

The procedure for addressing the image information thus supplied and storing it in the buffer memory 22 will be described. First, an A4 size document is divided into 1 mm × 1 mm square unit blocks, and is composed of 62370 blocks. 1
One unit block has 16 lines of 16-bit image information, that is, 256-bit image information.
If one bit is taken as one word and one address is given to one word, one unit block is composed of a pixel group having 16 addresses. For the first line,
That is, 4752 for one line of the original scanned first.
The serial image information of bits is supplied to the image processing control unit 100 after being divided into pixel groups of 16 bits each corresponding to 1 mm in the vertical direction of the document, and the first transferred 16-bit pixel group is stored in the buffer memory. 22 at address 000000H, the next 16-bit pixel group is at address 00010H, and similarly, the 16-bit pixel group is sequentially at address 16 (10H) at addresses 00020H, 00030H..., 012
It is stored like address 80H.

The addressing of each line to the buffer memory 22 is performed by the CPU circuit block 10 setting an initial value in the address counter 21-6. Further, image information is transferred from the buffer memory 22 to the printer unit 60.
When outputting to 0, as in the case of storing the image information, the address is read out every 16 addresses from the initially set address.

Next, the image information of 4752 bits for the second line is 00001H similarly to the first line.
Addresses are stored from the address to the address 01281H. In this way, 1536 from the first line to the 1536th line
Line (96 mm in width direction) from address 00000H to 6
This address space is stored at address F5FFH, and this address space is set as bank 0 on the buffer memory 22.

Next, 1536 lines from line 1537 to line 3072 are set to 70
000H to DF5FFH are stored, and this address space is defined as bank 1 on the buffer memory 22. In addition, 28 from line 3073 to line 3360
Eight lines are stored from address E0000H to address F4E1FH, and this address space is used as bank 2 on the buffer memory 22.

As described above, when the method of storing one word of image information with one address is used, 1 mm × 1 m
m as a unit block, the buffer memory 22
The entire area of the A4 size document can be stored in the upper consecutive addresses. This allows the operator to operate the console unit 2
When the image processing area is specified in units of mm using 00, when the specified area is registered in the disk memory 90, the DMA transfer can be performed only by setting the start address and the end address of the specified area. The data can be transferred at a high speed without going through the CPU circuit block 10.

That is, by designating one set of the first address and the last address, the image information of 16 lines (1 mm width) of the main scanning is DMA-transferred, so that the address setting at the time of the DMA transfer can be reduced. Transfer speed can be increased.

When the image information is stored as described above,
When the image information is extracted and edited, the addresses are continuous from right to left of the extracted image, which is more effective. For example, when extracting image information having a length of 20 mm in the vertical direction, the address setting by the CPU circuit block 10 only needs to be performed 20 times.

Further, since the address corresponds to the position on the document image in the unit of mm, the operator can simply specify the position on the document in the unit of mm when editing the image, which is convenient. In the present embodiment, CCDs 570, 580 and 590 having a reading capability of 16 bits per 1 mm are used, so that one address corresponds to 16 bits in the vertical direction. However, the number of bits corresponding to one address is as follows. Depending on the capabilities of the CCDs 570, 580 and 590, other numerical values may be used. Of course, the same effect can be obtained even if the address is set in units other than mm, for example, in inches.

FIG. 13 shows an address map when the buffer memory 22 is viewed from the multibus 30. The address space at addresses 000000H to 6F5FFH in FIG. 12 is designated as bank 0, the address space at addresses 70000H to DF5FFH is designated as bank 1, and the addresses at E0000H to F4E1FH are designated as bank 2. These spaces are respectively designated as addresses 10000H to EEBFEH as shown in FIG. 10,000H-EE
It corresponds to the address space of addresses BFEH, 10000H to 39C3EH. The multibus 30 has a 16-bit data bus and a 20-bit address bus, and the area accessible by the multibus 30 is 1 megabyte. That is, 10 ⁶ pieces of 8-bit data can be accessed, and when accessing 16-bit data, the address extends to two addresses.
As shown in FIG. 13, a continuous address is assigned to every other address for 16-bit data, and 16-bit data is input / output only when an even address is accessed.

Since the actual address in the buffer memory circuit block 20 is the address shown in FIG. 12, when accessing the buffer memory 22 from the multi-bus 30, as described above, the buffer memory circuit block 2
The address in FIG. 13 is converted to the address in FIG. 12 by the address converter 21-26 in 0. The address converter 21-26 can set an address area of the buffer memory 22 on an arbitrary address space.

(3.5) Disk Memory FIG. 14 shows the physical address configuration of the disk memory 90. Reference numeral 91 denotes a drive, which is numbered 0, 1,... According to the number of disk devices. In this embodiment,
Only one disk device, that is, only the drive of number 0 is used. The drive 91 comprises three heads 92, each head 92 serving 354 tracks 93, each track 93 comprising 18 sectors 94, each sector 94
Can store 512 bytes of data. Therefore, the storage capacity of the disk memory 90 is about 10 megabytes.

In the disk memory 90 having such a configuration, the addresses on the disk memory 90 are changed according to a predetermined sequence as shown in FIG. 15, and data is continuously accessed. As shown in this figure, a sequence number SN, a head number HN, and a track number TN
Has a relationship determined by the following equation (1).

[0091]

## EQU1 ## SN = 3 × TN + HN (1) (where HN = 0 to 2, TN = 0 to 353) That is, when a certain sequence number SN is determined, a track number TN and a head number HN are determined correspondingly. The address of the head 92 and the track 93 to be accessed next are the head number and the track number obtained corresponding to the sequence number SN + 1 obtained by adding 1 to the previously determined sequence number SN. And track 93
The access of the sector 94 in the sector number is performed by the sector number SCTN.
It is performed in order of younger.

FIG. 16 shows an index table provided in a predetermined area in the disk memory 90, and the use state of the disk memory 90 is managed by the index table. In this embodiment, the sector 94 having the head number HN = 0 and the track number TN = 0 is set as the area.
Of the sectors, sectors with sector numbers SCTN = 0 to 13 are defined as areas of the index table.
Sectors with sector numbers SCTN = 0 to 8 are allocated to a sector bit map table 94A indicating the use status of each sector on the disk memory 90, and the sector numbers SCTN are assigned.
= 9 to 13 are allocated to the file index table for file management. Sector number SCTN = 0
The 13th sector is written into the fixed area 6000H to 7BFFH of the RAM 10-3 by a program (open program) for reading the index table into the RAM 10-3 in the CPU circuit block 10, and undergoes a predetermined operation. A program (close program) for storing the fixed area of the RAM 10-3 in the disk memory 90 is written again to the disk memory 90.

The sector bit map table divides the area 94A into 1062 4-byte blocks from SN = 0 to SN = 1061 in ascending order of the SN of the sequence number, as shown in FIG. , Data indicating the usage status of one track, that is, 18 sectors, is stored by allocating one bit per sector.
As data indicating the usage status of a sector, for example, if a certain sector is in use, “1” is stored in a sector bit corresponding to the sector, and if it is not used, “0” is stored.

When a new data file is registered in the disk memory 90, an area where the number of sectors necessary for the registration is continuously vacant is found, and the sequence number SN and the sector number SCTN corresponding to the area are determined. Then, "1" is stored in the sector bit corresponding to the sector. Conversely, when deleting a data file, "0" is stored in the sector bit indicating the corresponding area. However, the bit corresponding to the index table, that is, block 0
, "1" is stored in advance, and writing to this block 0 is prohibited so that a data file is not erroneously registered in the index table.

The file index table has three types of files registered in the disk memory 90, that is, three types of files.
It manages image data files (image files), application files, and control programs for this system. FIG. 18 shows the management status of the image files as file type 0 and the application files as file type 2 using the file index table.

File index block FIT1
Is composed of four 2-byte blocks each having a status A, a MAX block, a block size, and a current B number, and is provided when the disk memory 90 is initialized, and stores the usage status of the entire file index table. I do. The status A is an area used for system expansion, and is not used in this embodiment.
The MAX block stores data of the total number of files that can be registered in the disk memory 90. In this embodiment, the total number is set to 50 (32H). One block size indicates the length of an index of various data pertaining to the file per file. In the present embodiment, the length is set to 38 (26H) bytes as described below. Current B
The number stores the number of files registered in the disk memory 90, and when one file is newly registered, M
Compared with the number stored in the AX size, if the number does not exceed the number, one is added and new registration is performed. If the number exceeds the MAX size, the new registration is performed without being added. Make it unacceptable. Conversely, when deleting one registered file, the number stored in the current B number is reduced by 1 and the file is deleted from the disk memory 90.

FIT2 and FIT3 indicate file index blocks for file type 0 and file type 2, respectively.
Stores byte data. In FIT2 and FIT3, RSV is a 2-byte area used for system expansion, and is not used in this embodiment. File No. Is a 2-byte area for identifying the file number when the operator assigns an arbitrary number from 1 to 99 to the file and registers it in the disk memory 90. The file type is a 2-byte area in which data of the above-described file type “0” or “2” is written. The bank and address in FIT3 indicate the bank and address of the RAM 10-3 on the CPU circuit block 10, and are used when allocating an application file to the RAM 10-3. These are 2-byte and 4-byte areas, respectively. The byte count is a 6-byte area for storing the data length of the registration file.

The sector count is a 2-byte area for storing the number of sectors used for the registered file. Sequence No., Drive No., Head No., Track N
o and the sector number are 2-byte areas for storing the sequence number, the drive number, the head number, the track number, and the sector number at the head of the storage area of the registered file. X0, Y0, X1, and Y1 in FIT2 are 2-byte areas, and when the file type is "0", the image information of the area to be edited is:
Coordinate data indicating which position on the copy sheet is arranged is stored. As shown in FIG. 19, X0, Y0, X1 and Y1 are the points where the original is placed on the original placing section 240 and points A and B which are the furthest from the points A and O on the editing area (oblique line) closest to the point O. By using the stylus pen 280, the coordinates X0 and Y0 of the point A and the vertical length X of the editing area
1 and the horizontal length Y1 are determined, and their numerical values are stored in hexadecimal. FIT3 for file type 2
As shown in the figure, X0, Y0, X1 and Y1 of FIT2
Is an unused area.

When a certain image data file is transferred from the disk memory 90 to the buffer memory 20, first, when the file number is specified, the index table is transferred to the RAM 10-3 by the open program, and the index block of the specified file number is stored. obtain. Next, X0, Y0, X1 and Y1 of the block
Is calculated from the data stored in the buffer memory 22, and the image information in the disk memory 90 is DMA-transferred to a corresponding area of the buffer memory 22.

When the position of the editing area on the copy paper is changed, since X1 and Y1 are unchanged, only X0 and Y0 are used as parameters, and only X0 and Y0 are transmitted from the console unit 200 to the image position. May be changed by a change command (described later).

The disk memory 90 stores the control program of the present system, sets the file to file type 1, and stores the file index block in the FI
The configuration is the same as T3.

(3.6) Switch FIG. 20, FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are block diagrams showing the circuit configuration including the switch 40 and the optical fiber interface 70 divided into three parts, where L1 to L12 are signal lines. Alternatively, the symbols A, B, and C in parentheses immediately after the signal lines indicate the signal lines or signal lines, and the signal lines or signal lines in FIGS. Indicates connection to a group.

Here, the signal selector 40-2 selects various signal groups output from the optical fiber interface 70 and the reader unit 500 and supplies them to the memory controller 21 in the buffer memory 22 to supply them to the buffer memory 2
2, a signal selector P40-6, which stores image information from each of these units, selects various signal lines output from the buffer memory 20, the optical fiber interface 70, and the reader unit 500, and supplies them to the printer unit 600. An exchange for copying image information from each of these units, and a signal selector F40-7 select various signal groups output from the buffer memory 20 and the reader unit 500 and supply them to the optical fiber interface 70, and This is an exchange to output to 700.

41, 42, 43, 45, 46 and 48
Are respectively a CPU circuit block 10, a buffer memory 22, an I / O interface 56, a reader unit 500,
A connector for the printer unit 600 and the DDX interface 60. Here, the slash "/" in the terminal code of each signal indicates negative logic.

Here, various signals will be described. SCAN
START is a signal for instructing the reader unit 500 to start scanning, FULL is a signal for specifying the size (for example, A3 size and A4 size) of a copied image, and SCAN STA
NDBY is a scanning standby state signal output from the reader unit 500, VSYNC is a vertical synchronization signal indicating the start of an image signal,
VIDEO ENABLE is a signal indicating an effective output period of an image signal for one line, SCAN ENABLE is a signal indicating an effective output period of an image signal for one document, and SCAN.
READY is a scan preparation completion signal of the reader unit 500, and V
IDEO is an image signal, and CLK is a clock signal.

PRINT REQUEST is a copy request signal to the printer unit 600, PRINT START is a copy start command signal, STATUS REQUEST is a signal requesting the output of the status of the printer unit 600, P
RINT READY, PRINT ENABLE, and PRINT END are respectively assigned to the printer unit 600.
, A signal indicating a copy period, and a copy end signal. REQUEST ACK is PRINT RE
The recognition response signal generated by the printer unit 600 in response to the QUEST signal, and 8-bit signals STATUS 0 to 7 are signals indicating the status of the printer unit 600. In these signals, signals suffixed with R, P and M are output from the reader unit 500, the printer unit 600, and the buffer memory 20, respectively, or supplied to those units. Indicates that

SELECT PF, SELECT PR
And SELECT PM are stored in the CPU circuit block 10.
Is a signal supplied to the signal selector P40-6 via the I / O interface 56.
40-6 selects the optical fiber interface 70, the reader unit 500, and the buffer memory 22 according to the signals, respectively. Similarly, the SELECT FR and the SELECT FM select the signal selector F40-7.
In response to the signals, the reader 500
And the buffer memory 20 is selected. Also, SELE
CT MR and SELECT MF are signals supplied to the signal selector M40-2, and the signal selector M40-2 responds to the signals by
The reader unit 500 and the buffer memory 22 are selected.

When simultaneously outputting the image information supplied from the reader unit 500 to the printer unit 600 of the present system and the printer unit of another system on the optical fiber network 700, the CPU circuit block 10 transmits the SELECT PR.
And SELECT FR can be activated.
When the image information stored in the buffer memory 22 is simultaneously output to the printer unit 600 and the printer unit of another system on the optical fiber network 700, SELE
What is necessary is just to energize CT PM and SELECT FM.
In addition, the CPU circuit block 10 can arbitrarily designate a supply source and a supply destination of the image information and set a plurality of paths of the image information.

Connector 4 with DDX Interface 60
8 and each signal line group related to the optical fiber interface 70 will be described later.

(3.7) DDX Interface FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the DDX interface 60. The DDX interface 60 is connected via a data / clock interface 60-1 and a control signal interface 60-2. The data / clock signal line 137 and the control signal line 139 are connected. 6
Reference numerals 0-3 and 60-7 denote switchers, and reference numerals 60-4, 60-5 and 60-6 denote line buffers. For example, when image information is transmitted from the apparatus of the present invention, the switch 60-3 is used.
Operates as a write switch, and the line buffer 60-
Image information is written by sequentially designating 4, 60-5 and 60-6. At this time, the switch 60-7 operates as a read switch, and reads image information from the line buffer in which image information has already been written while image information is being written in a certain line buffer. RL counter 60-
8 and the RL forward / reverse counter 60-9.

RL: The MH / MR converter 60-10 outputs R
The run length of one line of image information supplied from the L counter 60-8 is converted into a one-dimensional code (MH code).
By counting the relative position from the reference pixel supplied from the RL forward / reverse counter 60-9, the run length of one line of image information is converted into a two-dimensional code (MR code), and the obtained image data is compressed. V. 35 interface 60-
11 V. 35 interface 60-11
Is an interconnection circuit provided between the DDX line and the DDX interface 60.

Reference numeral 60-20 denotes a control circuit, which controls the signal line 139 and the control signal interface 6 from the image processing unit 10.
Various control signals supplied via V.0-2 are appropriately transmitted to V.0. 35
The DDX is supplied to the interface 60-11 to manage the DDX, and controls each unit of the DDX interface 60.

Numeral 60-21 denotes a dial pulse generating circuit which sets the transfer destination code of the image information supplied from the control circuit 60-20 or the dial setting test switch 60-22 to V.12. 28, and specify the transfer destination.

60-24, 60-25, 60-26 and 60-27 are DDX interfaces 60, respectively.
, A connection completion status indicator with another system, a transmission indicator to another system, and a reception indicator from another system.

An error count check signal line 60-30 counts errors generated during communication between the present system and another system by the control circuit 60-20, and the number of errors reaches a set value during one communication. Then, the control circuit 60
A signal line -20 generates a signal to disconnect the line and transmits the signal to the CPU circuit block 10.

Reference numeral 60-35 denotes a power supply circuit of the DDX interface 60, and reference numeral 60-36 denotes a power supply switch and 60-37.
Is an indicator light in a power-on state.

Reference numeral 801 denotes a line termination device (DCE) installed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, which is connected to the DDX interface 60, receives a signal from the DDX interface 60, and converts the signal into a signal suitable for transmission in the network. With
The signal transmitted through the network is transmitted to the DDX interface 60. In the present invention, this DCE801
A D-232 type home terminal unit is used. 8
Reference numeral 02 denotes a network control unit (NCU) which has a function of controlling connection / disconnection of a circuit switching network such as calling / restoring, and a DCE80.
Connect to 1. The NCU 802 includes NCU-2
A type 1 automatic transmission and automatic reception network controller is used. D
CE 801 is connected to V.C. 35 interface 60-11 and V.35. 28 interface 6
0-23, and the NCU 802 is connected to the V.0 via a connection cable 804. 28 interface 60-
23.

The method of MH coding and MR coding of image information by this system and transmitting it to another system is described in TIT of CCITT. According to 4 Recommendations, In applying the four recommendations to the present invention, the following points are considered.

(1) In the apparatus of the present invention, since the vertical direction (direction of 297 mm) of an A4 size document is one line and the resolution is 16 bits / mm, the maximum run length is
That is, when one line is all white or all black, the run length is 4752, which is the extended MH.
Exceeds the maximum code expression range 2623 (= 2560 + 63).

(2) In the apparatus of the present invention, transmission is performed by a two-dimensional encoding method in which the parameter K is infinite. That is, for an A4 size document, the first line transferred first to the DDX interface 60 is MH-coded, and then the remaining 3359 lines are MR-coded.

Regarding the point (1), one line is set in the length direction for the following reason. That is, (i) shortening the transmission time by reducing the number of lines to be transmitted, and (ii) reducing the entire moving distance of the sensor in the sub-scanning direction in the reader unit 500 to reduce the length of the reader. The size of the unit 500 is reduced.

Further, regarding the point (2), the parameter K
Is set to infinity in order to save the time for repeating the MH coding every K times by setting the parameter K to a small finite value. The basis for setting the parameter K to infinity is that the image information to be transmitted is already CCD. This is because the data is binarized by the driver 50 and once stored in the buffer memory 22, and the meaning of reducing the reading error by setting the parameter K to a small finite value is lost.

The process of transmitting image information from the present system to another system via the DDX line 800 will be described.

First, the signal line 13 is read from the buffer memory 22.
The image information of one line (4752 bits) transferred through the data / clock interface 6
The data is supplied to the line buffers 60-4, 60-5 or 60-6 via the switch 0-1 and the write switch 60-3. This image information is synchronized with a clock signal of 10 megahertz (MHz) and transferred to the line buffers 60-4 and 60- at a transfer rate of 1 bit per 0.1 microsecond (μs).
5 or 60-6. That is, the transfer time of one line of image information is 475.2 μs. The image information of the first line transferred first is supplied to the switch 60-3.
Is supplied to the line buffer 60-4, and when the line buffer 60-4 finishes storing the image information of the first line, the switch 60-7 sets the line buffer 60-
The gates of line buffers 60-5 and 60 are opened.
The gate of -6 is closed to provide the stored image information to the RL counter 60-8, for which the white and black run lengths have been counted and that the run length encoded first line of the first line has been counted. Image information is RL: MH / M
It is converted into an MH code by the R converter 60-10. While the line buffer 60-4 is outputting image information, the switch 60-3 switches the line buffers 60-4 and 60-6.
The gate to the line buffer 60-5 is closed, and the gate to the line buffer 60-5 is opened to transfer the image information of the second line to the line buffer 60-.
5 If all the image information of the first line is MH-encoded, the image information of the second line will be
7 to the RL forward / reverse counter 60-7,
The relative pixel change position from the line is counted and R
L: MR encoded by the MH / MR converter 60-10. The image information of the third line transferred to the line buffer 60-6 is also processed in the same manner as the second line. Hereinafter, for an A4 size document, up to the 3360th line, the line buffers 60-4, 60-5 and 60-6
Is output from the RL forward / reverse counter 60-
7, and is supplied to the RL: MH / MR converter 60-10, where it is MR-encoded.

Next, the RL: MH / MR converter 60-10
The run-length encoded image information supplied to the
Encoding or MR encoding and compression.

As described above, in the apparatus of the present invention, the maximum run length is 4752, which exceeds the maximum expression range 2623 of the extended MH code. Therefore, the MH code is further extended by the following method.

(1) When Run Length RL <2560 Expressed by a normal MH code. That is, when RL <64, it is represented by one terminating code. 64 ≦ RL
In the case of <2560, it is represented by one makeup code and one terminating code.

(2) When Run Length RL ≧ 2560 Makeup Code “00000000 111” of 2560
1 "is regarded as a special code and is handled as in the following (a) and (b).

(A) 2560 ≦ RL ≦ 2623 = 256
In the case of 0 + 63 As in the case of (1), it is represented by one makeup code (in this case, 2560 makeup codes) and one terminating code.

(B) In the case of 2623 <RL ≦ 4752 After the makeup code of 2560, one more makeup code is added, and then one terminating code is added. That is, in the case of (2), when the same color terminating code immediately follows the 2560 makeup code (a),
(B) may be followed by a makeup code of the same color, followed by a terminating code. A processing example in the case of (2) is shown below. The underlined numerical values are the added makeup codes.

Example: 2560 = 2560 + 0 2561 = 2560 + 1 2623 = 2560 + 63 2624 = 2560 + 64 + 0 4289 = 2560 + 1728 + 14752 = 2560 + 2176 + 16 Next, the image processing unit 1 shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 and FIG.
The meaning of each signal flowing along the signal line interconnecting 0 and the DDX interface 60 will be described.

Each signal in FIG. 24, its name, image processing unit 1
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the direction (arrow) of a signal between a DDX interface 0 and a DDX interface 60; Here, FG and SG are a security ground and a signal ground, respectively. The call request signal (CRQP) is a signal by which the image processing unit 10 requests the DDX interface 60 to connect (call) with another system, and this signal is a connection-in-progress signal (CND). At the same time, it is deactivated and the connection disabled signal (NR
When YD) is activated, it is processed as invalid.
The call signal (CIP) is a signal indicating that the DDX interface 60 has received an image from the other system to the image processing unit 10, and the processing for CND and NRYD is C
Same as RQP.

The dial number signal (DLN) is activated simultaneously with the activation of CRQP, and transfers the 7-digit station number of another system.

The connection request signal (CNQ) is transmitted to the image processing unit 10
Is a signal requesting the DDX interface 60 to connect to the DDX line. The signal is activated at the same time when either CRQP or CIP is activated, and is invalidated when NRYD is activated. Also, the CNQ is activated while the line is to be captured, and when the CNQ is deactivated, the line is disconnected.

The non-reception signal (NRYP) is activated when the image processing unit 10 cannot enter a state in which transmission or reception can be performed within six seconds. NRYD is DDX line 800
Indicates that the line cannot be connected, for example, when the not-ready switch of the NCU 802 is activated. This NRYD line is always energized or deactivated according to the disabled or enabled state of the line connection, respectively. If the CND is not activated after a certain time has elapsed after the CRQP is activated, the image processing unit 10 determines that connection is not possible.

CND activates CRQP or CIP,
When the communication condition between the present system and another system (the partner station) of the communication partner is established with the activation of the CNQ, the system is activated,
Indicates that the line connection has been completed and the system is ready for communication. The CND is deactivated when the CNQ is deactivated or when the partner station disconnects the line. The transmission enable signal (RDS) and the reception enable signal (RDR) indicate that the image processing unit 10 can be in a state where the image processing unit 10 can transmit and receive image information for one A4 size document within six seconds. , CNQ energized and RDS or RD
R is activated.

A transmission mode signal (MDS) and a reception mode signal (MRR) indicate that the system is set to a mode for transmitting and receiving image information, respectively.
These modes are determined by looking at the RDS and RDR of both the calling and called parties. Immediately after transmission or reception is completed, reception or transmission can be performed, respectively.

The transfer enable signal (RDT) is MDS or M
This indicates that DR has been activated within 6 seconds after activation, and that image information can be transferred in the transmission mode or the reception mode.

The transmission data request signal (RQS) is activated and deactivated at regular intervals, and the DDX interface 60 requests the image processing unit 10 to transfer one line of image information. When the RQS is activated, the image processing unit 10 activates the transmission data valid signal (SVA), and transfers one line of image information (SDT) from the buffer memory 20 to the DDX interface 60. RQS is deactivated upon completion of the transfer. The repetition period of RQS is longer than the minimum transmission time. SVA is energized in response to RQS and SVA
This indicates that sampling of the DT is allowed in synchronization with the transmission clock (SCK), and is deactivated when the transfer of the SDT is completed. RVA is energized at regular intervals and DDX
The interface 60 requests reception of the image information (RDT) received from another system and expanded for one line,
This indicates that sampling of the RDT in synchronization with the reception clock (RCK) is permitted. The repetition period of RVA is the same as that of RQS.

SDT and RDT are image information to be transmitted and received in binary in black and white, respectively, and SCK and RCK are sampling clocks of SDT and RDT, respectively.

In the apparatus of the present invention, when transmission is performed between the present system and another system on the DDX line 800, the transmission direction is determined by the calling system (calling station) and the called system. In both systems (called stations), the RDS and the RDR are compared and determined as shown in FIG. 25, thereby preventing errors in the transmission direction. That is, in FIG. 25, the energized state is indicated by 状態, the transmission direction is indicated by an arrow, and the deactivated state and the transmission disabled state are indicated by ×, and only the RDR of the calling side and at least R
When the DS is energized, and when only the RDR and RDS of the calling side and the RDS of the called side are energized, the transmission direction is from the called side to the calling side. Further, only the RDS of the calling side is replaced by at least R
When DR is activated, and when the RDS and RDR of the calling side and at least RDR of the called side are activated, the transmission direction is from the calling side to the called side. Then, the transmission is disabled in the combinations other than those described above of the RDS and RDR of both the calling and called stations.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a procedure for performing transmission between the calling station and the called station. Here, IDS is a transmission function identification signal, which is the transmission function of the calling and called stations, ie, RDS
And RDR. As the transmission format, for example, “0000 RDS R
The 8 bits of DR 10 "are sequentially transmitted from the most significant bit to the least significant bit, and the two stations transmit the RDS and RDR of the present system and the RDS and RD of the partner station.
From R, the transmission direction is determined as shown in FIG.

RDY is a transmission preparation completion signal, and its transmission format is, for example, "0001001".
0 "is transmitted in the same manner as the IDS.
Indicates that the preparation for transmission and reception of image information for one document in the transmission direction determined by the communication is completed.

MH1 is MH coded first line image information, and MR2 to MRn + 1 (1 ≦ n ≦ 3360) are M
R encoded image information of the second to (n + 1) th lines, MH
n is the MH-encoded image information of the n-th line, and
MRn + 1 to MR3360 are the (n + 1) th MR encoded data
To the 3360th line, MH1 to MR3
Reference numeral 360 denotes image information for one A4 size document.

[0145] RTQ is a retransmission request signal.
If there is an error in the image information of the line,
If the length of one line does not become 0 or 4752 bits as a result of demodulation of the transferred image information by the called station, this information is not stored in the buffer memory 22 of the called station. The station issues a retransmission request to the calling station.

[0146] RTC is a transmission end signal. A signal obtained by adding 1 to the line end code EOL in the four recommendations is transmitted to indicate the completion of transmission of one image information.

DCN is a line disconnection signal. As its transmission format, for example, "01000010" is transmitted in the same manner as the IDS, and the line disconnection is notified to each other.

Immediately after the line is connected, the calling station and the called station start transmitting IDS to each other, and repeat the transmitting at least three times until the own station is ready for the transmission mode. Here, for example, at time A, if the transmission direction cannot be determined, transmission is disabled (see FIG. 25), and both stations send DCN to each other to disconnect the line. When the preparation of the own station is completed, both stations transmit RDY at least three times until both preparations are completed, and when both preparations are completed and RDY is transmitted from both, that is,
At time point B, the called station enters a receiving state without sending a control signal to the calling station, and the calling station enters a transmitting state.

In the transmission of image information for one A4 size document, for example, at time E, if a transmission error occurs in the image information on the n-th line, the called station sends a call to the calling station. In response, the calling station MH-encodes the image information of the n-th line, and sequentially MR-encodes the (n + 1) th line to the 3360th line and transmits it.

When the transmission of the image information is completed as described above,
The calling station sends an RTC to the called station, and then both stations send IDSs to each other. If the transmission conditions are satisfied as shown in FIG. Sends and receives image information. On the contrary, if the condition is not satisfied, the DCNs are mutually transmitted and the line is disconnected.

(3.8) Optical Fiber Interface FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical fiber interface circuit 70. Optical fiber network 7
An optical signal (VIDEO signal) carrying commands or image information transmitted from 00 through optical fiber cables 701 and 702 and an optical signal (CLK) of a clock synchronized with the VIDEO signal are converted into optical / electrical signals, respectively. (O / E converters) 70-1 and 70-2 convert the signals into electric signals.
Command / image identification circuit 70-3 via 0-102
AND gates 70-4, 70-20, 70-30 and AND gates 70-5, 70-21, and 70-
31. The command / image identification circuit 70
Reference numeral -3 denotes a circuit for identifying whether the transmitted signal is a command for designating the size of a document or image information. When the transmitted VIDEO signal is command information, a command identification code is added to the head of the information, and the command / image identification circuit 70-3 extracts the code and identifies the command information as command information. In the case of image information, the CLK signal has a predetermined frequency (for example, 12.5 MHz), and the command / image identification circuit 70-3 identifies the frequency based on the frequency.

As a result, when the transmitted VIDEO signal is identified as command information, the command / image identification circuit 70-3 performs command recognition (CACK).
During the period in which a signal is generated and a command is received, this signal is transmitted via a signal line 70-103 to an AND gate 70-103.
4 and 70-5 and the CPU circuit block 10. At this time, AND gates 70-4 and 70-5
Have signal lines 70-101 and 70-10, respectively.
Since the VIDEO signal and the CLK signal have already been input through the AND 2, the input of the CACK signal causes the AND gates 70-4 and 70-5 to supply the command signal and the clock signal to the reception command register 70-10. When the reception of the command is completed and the CACK signal is deactivated, the CPU circuit block 10 is interrupted at that time, and the CPU circuit block 10 transmits the received command register via the signal line 136-1 and the address decoder 70-11. An address designating signal (ADR signal) is supplied to 70-10 to designate the address of the reception command register 70-10, and further, an I / O read command (I) is sent to the data buffer 70-12 via the signal line 136-2. / OR
C) Supply a signal to set the data buffer 70-12 to the output mode. With this operation, the command stored in the reception command register 70-10 is transmitted to the C buffer via the data buffer 70-12 and the data signal line 136-5.
It is read by the PU circuit block 10.

On the other hand, the command / image identification circuit 70-3
However, if the command / image identification circuit 70-3 determines that the VIDEO signal transmitted from the optical fiber network 700 is image information, the command / image identification circuit 70-3 performs image recognition (IACK).
A signal is generated, and the signal is output to the AND gate 70-2 via the signal line 70-104 during the period of receiving the image information.
0 and 70-21 and the CPU circuit block 10. At this time, the AND gates 70-20 and 70
-21 have signal lines 70-101 and 70, respectively.
Since the VIDEO signal and the CLK signal are supplied through -102, the input of the IACK signal causes the AND gates 70-20 and 70-21 to supply the image information signal and the clock signal to the reproduction circuit 70-25. Then, in accordance with the document size designation signal (FULL FO signal) supplied from the CPU circuit block 10, the reproduction circuit 70-25 prints a PRINT START which is a start request signal of the printer unit 600 from the transmitted image information.
A FO signal, a VSYNC FO signal as a vertical synchronization signal, a VIDEO ENABLE FO signal as a signal indicating an effective output period of an image signal for one line, and a SCAN as a signal indicating an effective output period of an image signal for one document.
It reproduces an ENABLE signal, a VIDEO FO signal which is an image signal transferred to the present system, and a CLKFO signal which is a clock signal, and converts those signals into an exchange 40.
Output to When it is necessary to transmit the received image information to another system in the optical fiber network 700, or when the received image information is not addressed to the present system, the CPU circuit block 10 decodes the command signal in advance and Recognizing that, the transmission request signal (TRSMTR signal) is sent via the signal line 70-110 to the AND gate 70-110.
30 and 70-31, and the VIDEO signal and the CLK signal from both AND gates are respectively supplied to OR gates 70-35 and 70-36, electric / optical signal converters (E / O converters) 70-40 and 70. -41, and via optical fiber cables 703 and 704,
Transmit to other systems.

From this system to the optical fiber network 7
When transmitting to the other system on 00, the CPU circuit block 10 first deactivates the TRSMTR signal and ends the output from the AND gates 70-30 and 70-31. Next, the transmission command register 70-50 via the signal line 136-1 and the address decoder 70-11,
An ADR signal is supplied to the command identification signal generator 70-51 and the transfer clock generator 70-52 to specify the address, and further, I / O writing to the data buffer 70-12 via the signal line 136-3. Command (I / O
WC) signal to set the data buffer 70-12 to the input mode. As a result, the command identification signal generator 7 is first stored in the transmission command register 70-50.
The command identification signal for which 0-51 has occurred is written, and then command data is written from the data buffer 70-12. At the end of writing the command data,
Transfer clock generator 70-52 generates as many clock pulses as transmit command registers 70-50 serially transfer command data to the E / O converter, and the command data and clock pulses are respectively E / O converters 70-40 and 70-41 output VIDEO signals and CLK signals to optical fiber cables 703 and 704, respectively.

Next, when transmitting the image information, the PRINT output from the signal selector F in the exchange 40 is output.
START FI signal, VSYNC FI signal, VI
The DEO FI signal and the CLK FI signal are converted to serial VIDEO signal and CLK signal by conversion circuits 70-55, respectively, and signal lines 70-111 and 7
0-112, OR gates 70-35 and 70-36,
The signal is output to the optical fiber cables 703 and 704 via the E / O converters 70-40 and 70-41.

(4) Reader Operation Unit FIG. 28 shows a reader operation unit 550. Here, reference numeral 551 denotes an application file number display, which displays the registration number of an application file for editing work registered in the disk memory. I do. Reference numeral 552 denotes a number display, which is used when copying is performed by the printer unit 600 (hereinafter, referred to as a local copy), and when image information is transmitted to another system on the optical fiber network 700 and the system performs copying. The set number of is displayed.
Reference numeral 553 denotes a paper size select key, and “PAPER
By pressing the "SELECT" key, the size is switched between A3 size and A4 size, one of them is selected, and the indicator on the selected side is turned on. 554 is a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, and 555 is the set number and file number. Is a "STOP" key for canceling the copying operation, and 557 and 558 are indicator lights for indicating that image information is being received and being transmitted, respectively.

Reference numeral 561 denotes a secret key group for selecting an off-premise system using a DDX line, and 562 denotes a select key group for selecting a premise system on the optical fiber network 700. Of these, 563 denotes a printer unit 600 of the present system. This is a select key to select. Two indicators are arranged under each key, and when the other party at the time of transmission / reception is selected by pressing each key, the indicator at the lower left of the pressed key lights up and an error occurs at the time of transmission / reception. Occurs, the lower right indicator lights up.

Reference numeral 565 denotes a "COPY" key, which is selected when performing local copy or transmission (hereinafter, referred to as a copy mode). Reference numeral 566 denotes an "EDIT" key, which is used to edit an image using the reader section 500. (Hereinafter referred to as edit R mode). An indicator lamp is provided above both keys, and at that time, the indicator lamp on the selected side is turned on. Reference numeral 567 denotes an "ENTER" key, which is depressed when setting the number of copies in local copy or private transmission. 568 is an “EXECUTE” key,
Depressed when starting execution of copy mode or edit R mode.

(5) Printer Status Display Section FIG. 29 shows the printer status display section 650. Where 6
Reference numeral 51 denotes a power status indicator, which lights when the power of the printer unit 600 is turned on. Reference numeral 652 denotes a ready lamp, which is turned on when the printer unit 600 can receive image information from the image processing control unit 100.

An online select key 653 is provided.
An indicator lamp is provided at the upper part thereof, and is depressed when the printer unit 600 and the image processing control unit 100 are connected online, and the indicator lamp is turned on simultaneously. Reference numeral 654 denotes a test print key which is depressed when checking the printer unit 600 to cause the printer unit 600 to draw a test pattern.

Reference numeral 655 denotes a document size display / selection unit. In the above-mentioned online state, the document size cannot be set in this portion. 656-1, 656-2
Reference numeral 656-3 denotes a printer unit 60 that can be removed by the operator.
06-1 is an error indicator for displaying an error of 06-1.
Means jam, 656-2 means no toner, and 656-
3 indicates that there is no copy paper. Reference numeral 657 denotes an error display for displaying an error of the printer unit 600 that cannot be removed to the operator.

(6) Image Editing Method Image editing is performed by appropriately performing DMA transfer between the buffer memory 22 and the disk memory 90. That is,
The image information of one A4 size document read by the reader unit 500 is stored at a predetermined address of the buffer memory 20, and a part of the image information is stored in the disk memory 90 via the DMA controller 80. Therefore, the buffer memory 22 is erased, the image information previously stored in the disk memory 90 is returned to the desired address space of the buffer memory 22 again, and the image data is copied by the printer unit 600, so that the unnecessary portion of the document is removed. Can be obtained.

Image editing such as image position change and trimming is performed in accordance with an image processing program created based on a command (described later) input from the command menu unit 220 shown in FIG. Such an image processing program can be stored in the disk memory 90, and the stored image processing program is defined as an application file. The image information stored in the disk memory 90 is defined as an image file. When registering these files in the disk memory 90, as described above, the files are given a two-digit file number as a file name and indicate whether or not the file can be deleted. I do.

(A), (B) and (C) of FIG.
Here is an example of simple image editing. First, as shown in FIG.
The first document L1 is read by the reader unit 500, and the image information is stored in the buffer memory 22. Document loading section 240
Then, point A and point B are designated by the stylus pen 280, and the image information within the range of M1 is extracted from the stored image information, and the image information M1 is assigned a file number “01”, for example. Register in the disk memory 90. 2
Similarly, the image information M2 extracted by designating the points C and D is assigned a file number "02" to the disc L2 as shown in FIG. Register in the memory 90. Next, the entire buffer memory 22 is erased, and points E and F are designated to specify the areas M1 and M2 stored in the image files of the file numbers "01" and "02" as shown in FIG. Are transferred to the address spaces corresponding to the N1 and N2 areas of the buffer memory 22, respectively. That is, the buffer memory 22 stores image information for one A4 size document in a state where the image information N1 and N2 are arranged as shown in FIG.

The contents of the buffer memory 22 are transferred to the printer section 600 and copied to obtain a desired edited image L3.

(6.1) Meaning of Command An editing command for editing an image will be described. The editing command is input by the command menu unit 220 on the console unit 200 as shown in FIG.
U circuit block) 10 performs image editing based on the editing command. Here, C is the command key group 2 in FIG.
A command in the block 22 is input by pressing a desired command key 222 or pressing an alphabet key group 223, and image processing corresponding to the command key can be performed. P is a parameter, and specifies coordinates and the like. The input procedure of the parameter P is performed by opening the parentheses after pressing the command key, inputting the parameters, and then closing the parentheses.

Several types of parameters can be input, as required, in correspondence with the commands, and the "," key is pressed between the parameters to distinguish them. (CR) is a carriage return, and indicates that the key 225 in FIG. 4 is depressed at the end of input of one edit command. The editing commands executed by the image processing unit 10 and their meanings are listed below. Note that (CR) immediately after each command indicates that a carriage return key 225 is added to the end of the command when the command is input.

(1) DZ (Dither Code A, Dither Code B, X0, Y0, X1, Y1) (CR) When binarizing a document image read by the reader unit 500,
The dither controller 54 specifies which dither code A is used to read the entire original image and what dither code B is used to read the designated area determined by X0, Y0, X1 and Y1. The dither codes A and B are, for example, 6 of 00, 01, 02, 03, 04 and 05.
Specify one of the species. Here, 00 to 04 are inputs for adjusting the image density, which can be adjusted in five stages.
If 05 is specified, halftone is expressed when reading a photograph or the like. Note that the specific area can be specified at a plurality of locations.

(2) RE (CR) The reader unit 500 is started, and the image information for one A4 size document read by the CCDs 570, 580 and 590 is stored in the buffer memory 22. No parameters are added to this command.

(3) CR (file number, file type, X0, Y0, X1, Y1) (CR) A space for storing the image file is secured in the disk memory 90, and the file information is stored in the file index table (FIG. 18). Register). That is, a file type “00” and a buffer memory 2
Positions X0 (mm) and Y0 (mm) on address 0
And the image size X1 (mm) and Y1 (mm).

(4) ST (File Number, File Type) (CR) The image information in the buffer memory 22 is stored in the disk memory 90.
To be stored. This command is executed based on the file information registered in the index table on the disk memory 90 by the CR (...) command.

(5) LO (file number, file type) (CR) The image position written in the index table FIT2 of the image file indicated by the file number input here is changed. That is, when this command is input, the CP
The U circuit block 10 searches the index table of the disk memory 90 for the corresponding file information by the open processing, and stores the coordinate information of the file on the CRT 300.
To be displayed. Since the command is an image file operation command, the file type is “00”.

(6) ADR (X0, Y0) (CR) The change positions X0 and Y0 of the image file specified by the LO (...) command are input. This command is input immediately after the LO (...) command.

(7) CL (CR) The image information stored in the buffer memory 20 is deleted.

(8) LD (file number, file type "00") (CR) The image file in the disk memory 90 is stored in the position information X0 and Y0 indicated in the file index table in the disk memory 90 corresponding to the file. Based on this, the data is stored in the buffer memory 22.

(9) DE (File Number, File Type) (CR) The file of the file number and file type input here is deleted from the disk memory 90.

(10) PR (number of copies) (CR) The image information stored in the buffer memory 22 is transferred to the printer unit 600, and the number of copies is copied by the number of copies input.

(11) XR (file number, file type “02”) (CR) Used when the editing station control section 450 reads an application file from the disk memory 90. Upon receiving this command, the image processing unit 10 searches the disk memory 90 for a corresponding application file, and transfers it to the editing station control unit 450.

(12) ED (file number, file type “02”) (CR) An image editing program composed of a command group created by the operator using the console unit 200 and stored in the RAM 456 of the editing station control unit 450 is Used when registering in the disk memory 90 as an application file. At this time, the image processing unit 10
0 is searched, and an application file having the same file number is found in the disk memory 9.
After confirming that the command group is not registered in 0, a command signal for transferring the command group is output to the editing station control section 450.

(13) DIR (CR) The file number, file type, and coordinate information of the application file and the image file registered in the index table of the disk memory 90 are stored in C.
Transfer to RT / console unit controller 470, CR
It is displayed at T300.

(14) KL (CR) The image processing unit 10 releases the editing station control unit 450 under its own control.

In the above commands, the file number, area (X0, Y0, X1, Y1) and position (X0, Y
0) and the number of prints
You can enter them as variables. For example, an application file to be described later can be created by setting the file number to N, the area to F, the position to P, and the number of prints to S.

(6.2) Error Message In the process of processing the above command, if the image processing unit 10 recognizes an error, the image processing unit 10 sends an error code and an error comment to the editing station control unit 45.
0 to be displayed on the CRT 300. FIG. 32 shows the display format. Here, EN is an error code displayed in hexadecimal, and EC is an error comment.

The error codes, error comments, and their contents are listed below.

(1) Error code 01: FILE NO
TFUND The file specified by the operator is not registered in the disk memory 90.

(2) Error code 02: COORDIN
ATE ERROR Coordinate information X0, Y0, X1, and Y1 input by the operator
Is incorrect. Commands corresponding to this error code are a CR (...) command and an ADR (...) command. The error code may be generated, for example, when the input coordinate information is a negative number, 0 to 9 In addition to the case where a character other than the variable F or P is included, there is a case like the following expression (2) that exceeds the range of the A4 size that can be edited in the present embodiment.

[0187]

[Expression 2] X0 + X1> 297 mm or Y0 + Y1> 210 mm (2) (3) Error code 06: INDEX BLOCK O
This means that the total number of files registered in the VER disk memory 90 exceeds a preset value, that is, 50 in this embodiment. That is, CR (...) command or ED
When an attempt is made to register a new file by a command (...), this error code indicates that the number of already registered files has reached 50 in the disk memory 90 and new registration cannot be accepted.

(4) Error code 07: NO VACA
Referring to the sector bit map table (see FIG. 17) indicating the use status of the NT SECTOR disk memory 90, it means that there is no free sector necessary for registering a new file.
That is, when the disk memory 90 is completely used and C
This error code indicates that a new file cannot be registered by the R (...) command or the ED (...) command.

(5) Error code 08: FILE AL
READY REGISTERED When a file is newly registered with a certain file number, it indicates that a file having the same file number as that file number has already been registered in the disk memory 90.

(6) Error code OA: FILE TY
PE ERROR Occurs when the wrong file type is entered for the file to be registered. For example, this error occurs when "02" indicating the file type of an application file is used when a CR (...) command for handling an image file is input.

(7) Error code OB: VACANT
As a result of searching the index table by the FILE INDEX DIR command, it shows a state in which no files are registered in the disk memory 90.

(8) Error Code OC: When the printer unit 600 is started by the PRINTER ERROR PR (...) command, it indicates that a mechanical error such as a jam has occurred on the printer unit 600 side.

(9) Error code OD: ILLEGAL
The number of copies specified by the COPY VOLUME PR (...) command is the set number of copies that can be simultaneously copied by the printer unit 600, for example,
Indicates that the number has exceeded 99.

(10) Error Code OE: READER ERROR Indicates that the reader unit 500 is not under the control of the image processing unit 10. For example, it indicates that the power supply of the reader unit 500 is not connected, or that the signal line 501 is not connected.

(11) Error code OF: PRINTE
R NOT READY Indicates that the temperature of the fixing unit (not shown) in the printer unit 600 has not reached the specified value.

(12) Error code 10: PRINTE
R NOT ON LINE Like the error code OE, it indicates that the printer unit 600 is not under the control of the image processing unit 10.

(6.3) Editing Procedure The editing procedure of image information using the editing station 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 33, 34, 35, and 36 to 41.

When the editing station 400 is started, first, in step S1, the screen of the CRT 300 is divided and the system constants are initialized. The CRT 300 has a screen 301 capable of displaying 40 characters horizontally and 24 lines vertically. FIG. 36 shows an example of the display division of the screen 301. Here, reference numeral 310 from the first line to the nineteenth line is a working area,
And the like to display the characters transferred to. A blank area 320 on the 20th line is not displayed in this area, but clarifies the boundary between the working area 310 and each of the following areas to the operator. Reference numeral 330 on the 21st line denotes a mode display area on which the operator operates the editing station 400.
Is displayed in which mode (described later) is used. Second
A message area 340 on the second line displays a command, a parameter, an error code, and the like to be input next by the editing station control unit 450 to the operator. A user input area 350 on the 23rd line monitors characters such as a file number input by the operator. A status display area 360 on the 24th line is an area for displaying the status of the image processing unit 10 and notifying the operator.

As another initialization, when a command is input, a command echoed back from the image processing unit 10 is displayed in the working area 310, a carriage return code is recognized, and the command is returned from the image processing unit 10. The next command to be displayed is displayed from the left end of the next line, and when the command is displayed from the first line to the 19th line, the working area 310 is scrolled up one line at a time. So that it can fit in.

When the editing station 400 is not online with the image processing control unit 100, the screen 301 in FIG. 36 is all blue, for example, and the message area 340 requests the operator to make an online request, that is, "REQ".
"NOT" as a message to accept the "UEST" key
READY. "ENTER REQUESTKEY" is displayed, and an input of a "REQUEST" key is waited in step S2.

The editing station 400 operates in roughly two modes: an echo mode and an edit mode. In the echo mode, a character input by the operator through the console unit 200 is directly transferred to the image processing unit 10, and a character transferred from the image processing unit 10 to the editing station 400 is directly transferred to the CRT.
This mode is displayed on the display 300. The edit mode is a mode for creating and modifying an application file and giving an execution command to the image processing unit 10. In this mode, a character input by the operator is first temporarily stored in the RAM 456 in the editing station control unit 450, and Is arbitrarily modified on the CRT 300 and then the image processing unit 10
Is forwarded to In the edit mode, a period during which an application file transferred from the disk memory 90 to the editing station control unit 450 via the image processing unit 10 is received is particularly referred to as a command mode.

FIG. 35 shows the operation of the editing station control section 450 when there is a key input in each mode. First, the mode is determined in step SA. As a result, if it is determined that the mode is the echo mode, the process proceeds to step SB, where the character echoed back from the image processing unit 10 is displayed in the working area 310, and the process proceeds to step SG. Then, the process returns to the normal routine shown in FIG. If it is determined that the mode is the edit mode, the process proceeds to step SC.
In this mode, since the working area 310 is being used by the screen editor, the character is displayed in the user input area 350, and the process proceeds to step SG.
If it is determined that the mode is the command mode, step S
Proceeding to D, it is determined whether the reception of the application file has been completed. If the determination is affirmative, the process shifts to step SF, sets the reception completion flag of the application file, and shifts to step SG. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step SE, where the transferred characters are sequentially stored in the RAM 456, and the process proceeds to step SG.
Move to

By instructing the "REQUEST" key, the process proceeds to step S3, where the editing station 400 is set to the echo mode.
0 is output as a start request signal for the image editing program. Next, in step S5, the start of the image editing program is confirmed. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S4.
If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the screen of the CRT 300 is set to, for example,
"ON-LIN" is displayed in green in the message area 340.
E "is displayed to inform the operator that the request for starting the editing program has become valid.
30 displays "ECHO MODE" to indicate that the editing station 400 operates in the echo mode, and waits for a command input in step S7.

In step S8, the input of the command key input from the console section 200 is determined, and the process proceeds to step S10, S15, S20, S25 or S30 according to the result of the determination.

In the echo mode, since the screen editing function of the CRT 300 does not exist, if there is an input from the key group 229 relating to the screen editing, it is processed as an invalid input in step S10. Wait for input. The same processing is performed when a key for ending the edit mode, that is, an edit reset key and an edit end key is input.

If a command character in the key group 222 has been input, the flow goes through step S15 to step S15.
Proceeding to 16, the input command is transferred to the image processing unit 10, and the system operates according to the command.
For example, when the "RE" key is input as shown in FIG.
The character "RE" is displayed on the screen 301, and when the carriage return key 225 is instructed, a reader drive signal is supplied to the reader unit 500 to read the original image.

When the coordinate input request key 227, that is, the "position designation" key and the "region designation" key are designated, the flow advances to step S20 to designate a desired point on the document placing portion 240 with the stylus pen 280. It becomes possible. When image editing is performed by designating an area to be edited, when an “area designation” key is designated, for example, “ENTER TOP RIGHT POSITI” is displayed in the message area 340.
ON "is displayed, the left half of the working area 310 is made white, and the operator is instructed to point A (see FIG. 19). The left half of the working area 310 is made white, and the image information editing area 315 is displayed. Is displayed.

When the operator designates point A, as shown in FIG. 38, point A 'corresponding to point A is placed on image editing area 311.
In the vertical and horizontal directions, for example, a green coordinate display line 3
12 is displayed, and the X and Y coordinates of the point A, that is, X0 and Y0 are displayed in the user input area 350 in mm units. Next, the message area 330 displays “E
NTER BOTTOM LEFT POSITIO
N "is displayed to prompt the operator to input the point B. When the point B is input, in step S21, the vertical and horizontal lengths X1 and X1 of the edited image are obtained from the coordinates of the point B and the coordinates of the point A. Y1 is calculated, and then, in step S22, the editing area specified by inputting the points A and B is displayed in a corresponding area 313 on the image editing area 311 in red, for example, as shown in FIG. At the same time, the message area 33
0 is "OK! AREA ISRECOGNIZE
D "is displayed to inform the operator of the completion of the editing area designation, and X0, Y0, X
1 and Y1 are indicated by numerical values in mm units. Next, the process proceeds to step S16, and these numerical values are transferred to the image processing unit 10.

To perform image editing by designating a position, a "position designation" key is designated. In this case, only one point is designated, that is, only the point A in the case of region designation is designated. When the point is input, for example, the coordinate display line 312 is displayed in red, and X0 and Y0 are displayed in the user input area 350 in mm units. When the editing station 400 recognizes the designated position, the message area 330 displays “OK! POSITION IS RECO
GNIZED "is displayed to inform the operator that the coordinates have been effectively input, and the numerical information of X0 and Y0 is transferred to the image processing unit 10.

When the area designation or the position designation is completed, the process returns to step S7, and the editing station 400 waits for an input from the console unit 200 again, and the command displayed before execution of the area designation or the position designation by the input of the new command. And the designated coordinates are displayed on the working area 310 as shown in FIG. Also, after pointing the “area specification” key or “position specification” key,
If the operator designates another command key before inputting coordinates, the state of waiting for input of coordinates for area designation or position designation is canceled and the "area designation" key or "position designation" key is pressed. Is displayed in the working area 310 before the command is issued.

The editing station 400 is connected to the image processing unit 10
In order to release from the management of and to release the online state, a KL command is input using the alphabet key group 223. At this time, after step S25, step S25
Then, the process proceeds to step S26, where the character information "KL" is output to the image processing unit 10, and a request is made to terminate the image editing program. In step S27, when the editing station control unit 450 detects that the editing program of the image processing unit 10 has not ended, a negative determination is made, the end input is invalidated, and the process proceeds to step S7. When an affirmative determination is made in step S27, the online state is released, and the process proceeds to step S1.

Key Group 2 Related to Application Files
When input of the key 28, that is, an instruction of a “regular work” key, an “application file call” key, and an “application file creation” key,
5, the editing station 40 in step S30.
0 is set to the edit mode.

Here, the “create application file” key is a key instructing when creating a new application file, and the “call application file” key is used to call and modify an application file registered in the disk memory 90. The key to specify when adding the
This key is used to call an application file, sequentially transfer the command sequence to the image processing unit 10, and perform image editing.

When these keys are input, step S
At 31, an input judgment is made for each of the routine work, application file call and application file creation. In the edit mode, a file number is indispensable for handling an application file. Therefore, in any case, first, in step S32, the editing station control unit 450
The screen of T300 is, for example, blue, and “ENTER FILE NO. AND CA” is displayed in the message area 340.
RRIAGE RETURN is displayed, and the operator is requested to input a file number.
DE "is displayed in the mode display area 330 to notify the operator that the editing station 400 is in the edit mode, the screen of the CRT 300 is returned to black, and the following processing is executed in each case according to the respective processing procedure. .

First, the procedure for creating an application file will be described. When the application file number is input in step S32, in step S40,
The editing station controller 450 controls the message area 34
"ENTERMENU!" Is displayed at 0 to urge the operator to create an application file. Then, the operator blinks the cursor 302 at the upper left corner of the working area 310 and waits for the input of a command. Then, the operator sequentially inputs desired command groups to create an editing program.
By inputting one command and further adding a carriage return, the command is transferred to the RAM 456 in the editing station control unit 450, and at the same time,
It is displayed in the working area 310. As described above, the input command group is stored in the RAM 456. Therefore, when the screen edit key group 229 is designated, the screen edit function, that is, the blinking line or character of the cursor 302 or the deletion of a new line, Alternatively, insertion of characters, movement of the cursor 302, and the like can be performed. If the number of lines that can be accommodated in the working area 310 is exceeded by creating a new line in the editing program, the working area
10 is scrolled up line by line, and cursor 3
Working area 31 by moving up and down 02
0 is scrolled up and down.

In the creation of an application file, the process of area designation input is executed in the same manner as in the echo mode, but the process of position designation input is executed as follows.
The position specification to be input in creating the application file is ADR (...) input next to the LO (...) command.
Since it is related to the input of the coordinates X0 and Y0 of the command, it is confirmed that the LO (...) command has been input in advance, and then CR (...) is searched from the already input command group to find the same. The coordinate information X0, Y0, X1, and Y1 of the file number is extracted. As a result, when the coordinate information cannot be extracted, the processing shown in FIG. 37 is performed as in the echo mode. On the other hand, when the coordinate information can be extracted, as shown in FIG. 40, the right half surface of the working area 310 is, for example, white,
In that plane, an area 314A defined by X0, Y0, X1, and Y1 is displayed, for example, in green. Then, the left half surface of the working area 310 is white, and the LO
An area 31 defined by the coordinates XO 'and Y0' newly specified by the (...) command and the ADR (...) command.
4B is displayed in red. The file numbers FN of the image files are displayed in the upper right corners of both areas 314A and 314B.

If the new editing area formed by X0 ', Y0', X1 and Y1 exceeds the editable area, the inputs of X0 'and Y0' are invalidated and a new valid input is waited for. . The edit image area displayed by inputting coordinate information is deleted by inputting a command,
Redisplay the commands being created.

When the "trace" key is input,
From the command group of the program being created, a LO (...) command and a C having a file number equal to the file number
R (...) command, and as shown in FIG.
The left side of the screen of the T300 is, for example, white, and areas 316A and 317A determined from the coordinate information X0, Y0, X1, and Y1 are displayed in red on the plane, and the file number of the image file is displayed in the upper right corner of the area. F
Display N. On the right side of the screen, for example, this is blue,
In the plane, the changed coordinate position information X0 'and Y0'
316B and 31 determined from X1 and Y1
7B is displayed in green. Also, a rightward arrow 318 is displayed at the center of the screen to indicate the movement of the image.

When the display of the movement of the image file has been completed, the message area 340 displays “END OF”.
"TRACE MODE" is displayed to inform the operator of the end of the trace.
When an arbitrary point on 00 is designated, the command group of the application file being created is displayed again.

That is, it is possible to visually recognize where the image information is moved by the application file currently being traced.

In the application file creation, as described above, the image file number, the edit image area (X0, Y0, X1, Y1), the change position (X0 ', Y0') of the edit image and the number of prints are designated by numerical values. In addition to this, it is possible to create a program using these variables as variables to give flexibility in image editing. For example, the following command group can be configured as an application file that performs trimming using variables.

(1) RE (CR) The original is read by the reader unit 500 and the buffer memory 2 is read.
2 (2) CR (N, 0, F) (CR) File number N, area F (X
(3) ST (N, 0) (CR) The image file of (2) is registered in the disk memory 90 as the file number N. (4) LO ( N, 0) (CR) Change position of image file with file number N (5) ADR (P) (CR) Change position to P (X0 ', Y0') (6) CL (CR) Buffer memory 22 Erase (7) LD (N, 0) (CR) Store image file of file number N in buffer memory 22 (8) DE (N, 0) (CR) Erase image file of file number N (9) PR ( S) (CR) The image information stored in the buffer memory 22 is copied S times.

That is, an application file is created with a file number N, an edited image area F, an image position P, and the number of copies S.

As described above, when the operator creates an application program and the creation is completed, the operator inputs an edit end key in step S34. At this time, the process proceeds to step S35, where the editing station control unit 4
50 is "STORE THI" in the message area 340.
S COMMAND FILE? Is displayed, and RAM4
The application program stored in 56
It is checked whether to register the file in the disk memory 90. If the operator denies this message and presses the "N" key, a negative determination is made in step S36, the editing station 450 ends the edit mode, erases the screen 301, shifts to step S37, and shifts to the echo mode. Return to.

On the other hand, if the operator inputs the "Y" key to request file registration, an affirmative determination is made in step S36, the process proceeds to step S38, and the operator enters the file number set in advance in step S32. Based on this, the editing station control unit 450 sends an ED (...) command to the image processing unit 10 to allow the transfer of the application file. If a file having the same file number as the file number is not registered in the disk memory 90, a negative determination is made in step S39, and the process proceeds to step S40. File registration is permitted, and the file is transferred.

When the file registration is completed, step S37
And returns to the echo mode. If a signal indicating that a file having the same file number as the created file has already been registered is transmitted from the image processing unit 10 to the editing station control unit 450, a positive determination is made in step S39. Is performed, and the process proceeds to step S41. In the message area 340, for example, “FILE”
ALREADY REGISTERED. DELET
E OLD? Is displayed and the operator is asked whether to delete the file having the corresponding file number in the disk memory 90.

If the operator makes a positive determination, step S42 is executed.
The editing station control section 450 proceeds to the image processing section 1
A DE (...) Command is sent for 0, and the process returns to step S38. If the operator denies, step S4
Then, the editing station control unit 450 displays “ENTER FILE NO. AND” in the message area 340.
"CARIAGE RETURN" is displayed to prompt the operator to input a new file number. When the operator inputs a new file number, the flow shifts to step S38.

The image processing section 1 for the ED command
If the response of “0” is other than the error code “08”, the editing station control unit 450 determines that the transfer of the application file is impossible, erases the screen 301 and shifts to the echo mode, and displays the message area 340 Error code to be displayed.

Next, a processing procedure when an application file call key is instructed will be described. Step S
When the file number is input at 32, the editing station 400 is set to the command mode, and the editing station control unit 450 sets the XR in accordance with the input file number.
(...) The command is output to the image processing unit 10. Therefore,
In step S46, the image processing unit 10
Call the corresponding application file from 0, and
Transfer to AM456. Editing station controller 450
When the reception of the application file is completed, the mode is reset to the edit mode in step S47, and then the process proceeds to step S33 to delete and insert lines and characters in the same manner as in the creation of the application file. To correct. If an error code is sent from the image processing unit 10,
The editing station controller 450 erases the screen of the CRT 300 and returns to the echo mode, and displays an error code, an error message corresponding to the error code, and a status in the message area 340 and the status display area 360, respectively. I do.

Next, the procedure of the routine work input processing will be described.
When the operator designates the “regular work” key and inputs the file number of the desired application file, the editing station control unit 450 stores the specified file in the RAM 45 in the same manner as in the case of calling the application file.
6 (steps S32, S45 to S47). Then, in step S48, the editing station control unit 45
“0” searches the command group stored in the RAM 456 from its head, and searches for variables N, F, P and S. In step S49, if there is no such variable as a result of the search, the process proceeds to step S53, and the command group of the application file is transferred to the image processing unit 10 one by one.
On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a variable, step S50
Proceed to. In step S50, when the editing station control unit 450 first finds the variable N, the CRT 300
Is displayed in the message area 340 to input the file number, and the variable N is replaced with the numerical value input by the operator. Next, when the variable F is found, a message area 340 is displayed so as to specify an image area, and the variable F is replaced with values X0, Y0, X1, and Y1 input by the operator. Next, when the variable P is found, a message area 340 is displayed so as to specify the image position, the variable P is replaced with the values X0 ', Y0' input by the operator, and the position specification input is CR (...). ) And LO (…)
If it relates to the combination with the command, the processing shown in FIG. 40 is performed, and if it relates to only the LO (...) command, the processing shown in FIG. 37 is performed. Further, when the variable S is found, a message area 340 is displayed so as to input a desired number of copies, and the variable S is replaced with a numerical value input by the operator.

As described above, when the operator replaces all variables in the command group with numerical values, the process proceeds to step S51,
The editing station control unit 450 performs a tracing process as shown in FIG.
Displayed above, and then, in a step S52, "OK?" Is displayed in the message area 340 to confirm with the operator whether the image editing mode is as desired. If, for example, the operator designates the “N” key and denies the confirmation, the editing station control unit 450 deletes the screen of the CRT 300 and proceeds to step S37. On the other hand, if the operator designates the "Y" key and makes an appointment, for example, the process proceeds to step S53, where the editing station control unit 450 saves the screen as it is, and sequentially transmits the command string to the image processing unit 10. To execute a predetermined program.

The image processing unit 10 echoes back the transmitted command character to the editing station control unit 450, and the editing station control unit 450 displays the command in the status display area 360 to operate the status of the present system. Make people aware. When the image processing unit 10 finishes executing a series of commands, the editing station control unit 450 proceeds to step S37, ends the routine work, and returns to the echo mode. If an error occurs during the execution of a command by the image processing unit 10, the editing station control unit 450 suspends transmission of the command,
The screen of the CRT 300 is erased, and a message area 340 is displayed.
Display an error code on the display and move to the echo mode.

The processing in the above-described edit mode,
That is, when the operator instructs the edit reset key during the input processing of step S33 or step S50 in the processing of command file creation, command file call, and routine work, the screen of the CRT 300 is immediately erased, and the process proceeds to step S37. Go back to echo mode. If there is an end input, a KL command is output to the image processing unit 10, and the online state between the image processing unit 10 and the editing station 400 is released, and step S
Move to 2.

(7) Editing and Transmission by Reader Operation Unit In this system, in addition to reading a document image using the reader operation unit 550 shown in FIG. Can edit. As described above, the reader unit 500 operates in the copy mode and the edit R mode. The procedure in which the operator selects one of these modes to perform copying, on-premises communication, and image editing will be described below.

(A) Copy mode (1) Press the "COPY" key 565.

(2) The number indicator 552 displays "01" and blinks.

(3) One of the off-premise select key group, the on-premise select key group, and the “LOCAL” key is pressed.

(4) According to the copy number setting key group, (3)
Sets the number of copies for the selected destination.
At this time, the set number is displayed on the number display 550. However, when off-premise communication is selected, the number of sheets that can be set is one, and the number indicator 552 displays “0” at that time.
1 "is displayed.

(5) Press the "ENTER" key. When this button is pressed, the transmission destination and the set number are set in the image processing
00 is input.

(6) In the case of simultaneously transmitting to other systems in addition to the destination selected in (3), the procedures of (3), (4) and (5) are repeated.

(7) When the "PAPER SELECT" key 553 is pressed, the document size is designated as A3 or A4. However, when off-premises destinations are included,
Limited to A4 size only.

(8) When the "EXECUTE" key is pressed, the apparatus starts copying and transmitting operations. In premise transmission, when a different number of copies are set for each transmission destination and copying is performed, the reader unit 500 scans the document image only the maximum number of times.

(B) Edit R mode (1) Press the "EDIT" key 566.

(2) The application file number display 551 blinks.

(3) The ten key 554 is depressed to input an application file number. At this time, the input file number is displayed on the display 551.

(4) Press the "EXECUTE" key 568.

(5) The image processing unit 10 includes the reader operation unit 5
The application file corresponding to the application file number designated by 50 is transferred from the disk memory 90 to the RAM 10-3.
Image editing is performed by sequentially executing commands.

If the application file specified by the reader operation unit 550 is not registered in the disk memory 90, the display 551 simply blinks. Then, the user presses the “CLEAR” key 555 and checks the registration status of the disk memory 90 using the “DIR” key on the console unit 200.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) A reader unit for reading a document image, an image processing control unit for controlling image processing and storing a processed image, an editing station for editing image information, An optical fiber interface for communicating image information with other systems, a DDX interface for communicating image information between this system and other systems on the DDX network, and a printer for copying image information And the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the processing of image information such as image reading, image editing, short-range communication of image information using an optical fiber network, and long-distance communication of image information using a DDX line. Communication and copying of image information can be performed easily, quickly, and at low cost.

(2) The image processing control unit is provided with a buffer memory to temporarily store image information, and an exchange is provided to enable the image processing in the apparatus of the present invention and the image information to be transmitted from another system via an optical fiber cable. The flow of image information transferred to the system is switched, and one or more of a buffer memory, an optical fiber interface, and a printer unit are selected and can be transferred to each unit, so that image information reading, short-range communication, And copying can be processed in parallel, and the image processing time can be reduced.

(3) Since image information transferred from another system on the DDX network via the DDX network and the DDX interface is stored in the buffer memory, processing of the image information stored in the buffer memory is performed. Has the same effect as the above item (2).

(4) When communicating image information between the present system and another system via the DDX line network, the communication between the present system and the other system has a predetermined size within a predetermined time. A signal indicating that the image information of the original can be transmitted
The RDS and the signal RDR indicating that the signal can be received are transmitted to each other.
Since the transmission direction of image information is determined from a certain combination with RDR, errors in the transmission direction can be prevented, and the transmission time of image information using a DDX line can be reduced.

(5) The DDX interface encodes one line of image information in the longitudinal direction of the original image by run-length encoding, and further converts the run-length encoded image information of one line into data by a two-dimensional encoding method. When performing compression, if the run-length length of one line of image information exceeds 2623, one makeup code corresponding to the required run-length length is added to the makeup code corresponding to the run-length length 2560. After the addition, data compression is performed by adding one terminating code, so that the total number of original image lines to be transferred can be reduced during communication using the DDX line, and the data Because compression can be performed efficiently,
Transmission time can be reduced.

(6) When communicating image information between the present system and another system via the DDX line network, the image processing control unit sends a signal CRQP to the DDX interface requesting connection to the other system. And a signal CNQ requesting capture of the DDX line, a signal NRYP indicating that the image processing control unit cannot be in a state capable of transmitting or receiving image information within a predetermined time, and a signal NRYP within the predetermined time. Signals RDS indicating that transmission and reception are possible, respectively.
And RDR, a signal RQS indicating the valid period of supplying one line of image information to the DDX interface, and the image information
Transfer with SDT. In addition, the DDX interface sends a signal CIP indicating that a call has been received from another system and a signal NR indicating that the DDX line cannot be connected to the image processing control unit.
A signal CND indicating that the connection of the YD and the DDX line has been completed and communication has become possible, and a signal MD indicating that the mode in which the DDX interface can transmit image information to another system is performed.
S, a signal MDR indicating that the mode has changed to a mode in which image information can be received from another system, a signal RQS requesting transfer of one line of image information, and one line demodulated and received by the DDX interface from the other system. A signal RVA for requesting reception of image information of the minute and image information received and demodulated from another system are transferred. With these signal groups, communication of image information between the present system and other systems can be reliably performed.

(7) When communicating image information via the DDX line, when the relationship between the calling system and the called system is determined between the present system and another system, both systems are determined. The systems inform each other of the transmission conditions, and when the transmission conditions of both systems are satisfied, send a transmission ready signal to each other, and the calling system starts transmitting image information for each line, and the called system The system monitors transmission errors for each transmitted line. If the called system finds a transmission error, it requests the calling system to retransmit the image information after the line where the transmission error occurred. In response to the request, the calling system changes the line from the line where the transmission error occurred to one.
2D encoding, followed by 2D encoding of the line 2
Data compression by the dimensional encoding method is performed, and transmission of image information is restarted. That is, image information can be transmitted reliably, and even if a transmission error occurs, the error can be quickly eliminated.

(8) The optical fiber interface converts an optical signal serially transmitted from another system on the optical fiber network into an electric signal, and reproduces a command relating to image recording and image information from the signal. The image data is supplied to the image processing control unit and transferred from the image processing control unit, and the command and image information relating to image recording for other systems are converted into optical signals and output to the optical fiber network. In the system that performs the image processing, the image information can be recorded without requiring any operation, and the speed of the image processing can be increased.

(9) The image processing unit (CPU circuit block) sends a status request to the printer unit, and the printer unit notifies the status of the printer unit to the image processing unit in response to the status request. The unit sends a record preparation command according to the status, and the printer unit records the image information in response to the command, so that the image processing information forming unit side recognizes the state of the printer unit. , Image recording can be performed directly, and thus image recording can be performed effectively.

(10) The image processing control unit has a disk memory, and the disk memory can store an image file, an application file, and a control program of the image processing control unit. Etc. can be easily performed.

(11) The image processing control unit sends a scanning start command to the reader unit, and the reader unit scans the document image in response to the command, and supplies image information to the image processing control unit. Therefore, it is possible to directly instruct the reading of the document image from the image processing information forming unit side, whereby the image reading can be performed efficiently.

(12) The reader unit has a reader operation unit, and the application file stored in the disk memory can be started from the reader operation unit, so that routine operations for image editing can be easily performed on the reader unit side. Can be.

(13) Image information can be specified and transmitted from the reader operation unit to a plurality of other systems on the optical fiber network and the DDX line.
When transmitting to another system on the optical fiber network, the number of copies can be specified for each destination, so that image information can be transmitted easily and quickly.

(14) The editing station is provided with a command menu section for the operator to input a group of commands for image editing and a digitizer for inputting the coordinates of the image to be edited. Can be easily performed.

(15) The editing station is provided with a display means such as a CRT so that information for image editing and a message generated from the image processing control unit are displayed on the screen of the CRT. Work can be performed while interacting with the editing station, image editing and creation of application files for image editing can be easily performed, and even if there is an error in input information, etc. Image editing can be performed efficiently.

(16) A command for activating the reader section is provided in the command menu section of the editing station, and by inputting the command, the reader section can perform an operation of reading a document image. For example, when it is necessary to cause the reader unit to execute a reading operation, such an operation can be executed only by operating the command menu unit, thereby simplifying the image editing work.

(17) Since a command capable of selecting a dither pattern is provided in the command menu section, such a selection can be performed only by operating the command menu section. Therefore, the same effect as the above item (16) can be obtained. Can be

(18) The command menu section is provided with commands for designating an area to be shaded and an area to be dithered when reading an original image. Work can be performed easily.

(19) A command for activating the printer section is provided in the command menu section, and the printer section can perform an image recording operation by inputting the command. In the case where it is necessary to execute a recording operation, the same effect as the above item (16) can be obtained.

(20) In the command menu part, a command for inputting a file number as a file name of an image file, a command for registering an image file with a file name in a disk memory, and a command for registering the registered image file Is provided in the buffer memory, so that image editing can be performed easily, reliably, and quickly.

(21) Since the area on the digitizer is made to correspond to the address of the buffer memory, image editing can be performed easily and without error.

(22) When editing an image and creating an editing program, the CRT display screen displays what the operator will do next. Even so, the operation procedure can be grasped, and image editing can be performed easily and quickly.

(23) At the time of image editing or the like, if the image editing area specified by the editing station exceeds the editable area of the apparatus, a warning is displayed on the screen of the CRT. Can be done.

(24) At the time of image editing or the like, an identification number is assigned to the editing area for each designation, the area is displayed as a frame on the CRT screen, and the identification number is displayed in the frame. With this configuration, the operator can visually confirm the editing area, and thus can easily and reliably perform image editing and the like.

(25) The execution form of the editing program can be traced on the CRT screen, so that the execution form can be visually confirmed. Therefore, not only the operator who created the editing program but also other operators can be traced. In addition, image editing can be performed easily and reliably.

(26) In creating the editing program,
Since the number of recordings, the editing area, and the like can be input as variables, the system can be provided with flexibility, and the image editing operation can be easily performed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to identify whether each of the original scanning means and the reproducing means is under the control of the control means, and whether the reproducing means is in the operation preparation state or in the error state. And the results of those detections are displayed in an identifiable manner, so that the operator individually grasps the states of these means and activates the functions of the document scanning means and the reproduction means as necessary. Can be. For example, operating only the original scanning means, operating only the reproducing means, keeping the original scanning means and the reproducing means under the control of the control means, waiting for the reproducing means to be ready for operation, Then, the functions of those means can be selectively utilized. Further, when the reproducing means is in an error state, the error can be canceled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an editing station in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram showing an example of a key layout in a command menu section of the console section.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an editing station control unit.

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the apparatus of the present invention, focusing on an image processing control unit 100;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing unit (CPU circuit block).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a buffer memory circuit block.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a memory controller that controls a buffer memory circuit block.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a DMA controller.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a multi-bus memory map.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an address map of a buffer memory.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an address map when a buffer memory is viewed from a multibus.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a physical address configuration of a disk memory.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a sequence in a case where data is continuously accessed by changing an address of a disk memory.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an index table.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sector bitmap table.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file index table.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram in a case where an area on an image to be edited is designated.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing one example of a circuit obtained by dividing an example of a circuit including an exchange and an optical fiber interface into three parts.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram similarly.

FIG. 22 is also a block diagram.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a DDX interface.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a signal transmission direction between an image processing unit and a DDX interface.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a signal transmission direction when performing DDX communication between the present system and another system.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure for transmitting a signal at the time of DDX communication.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an optical fiber interface.

FIG. 28 is a layout diagram illustrating an example of a key layout of a reader operation unit.

FIG. 29 is a layout diagram illustrating an example of a key layout of a printer status display unit.

FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C are explanatory diagrams showing an example of simple image editing.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a command input format.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of an error display format.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image editing and the like.

FIG. 34 is also a flowchart.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart similarly.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of display division of a CRT screen.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of display division.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of display division.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of display division.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of display division.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of display division.

[Description of Signs] 1 Image processing information forming unit 100 Image processing control unit 10 Image processing unit (CPU circuit block) 10-1 CPU 10-2 ROM 10-3 RAM 10-4 Dual port controller 10-5 Interrupt controller 10- 6 Timer 10-7 Communication interface 10-9 Baud rate generator 10-10 Peripheral device interface 10-11 Driver / terminator 10-12 Multibus interface 20 Buffer memory circuit block 21 Memory controller 21-1, 21-2 Shift for data writing Register 21-3 Data bus driver 21-4 Write timing generator 21-5 OR gate 21-6 Address counter 21-7 Address bus driver 21-8 OR gate 21-9 Control bus driver 21-21, 21-22 Data read shift Register 21-23 Terminator interface 21-24 Read timing generator 21-26 Address converter 21-27 Control bus driver Bus 21-41 bidirectional data bus driver 21-42 address bus buffer 21-45 decoder 21-46 command control circuit 21-50 command control circuit 21-55 refresh control circuit 21-101,21-102,21-103, 21-104,21-105,21-121,21-122,2
1-123,21-124,21-125,21-126,21-131,21-131 ', 21-132,
21-132 ', 21-133,21-145,21-146,21-147,21-154,21-156
Signal line 22 Buffer memory 23 Terminator 24 Internal bus 24-1 Data bus 24-2 Address bus 24-3 Control bus 30 Multibus 40 Switch 40-2 Signal selector M 40-6 Signal selector P 40-7 Signal selector F 41, 42,43,45,46,48 Connector L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, L11, L12 Signal line group 50 CCD driver 52 Shift memory 54 Dither controller 56 I / O interface 58 Operation unit interface 60 DDX interface 60-1 Data / clock interface 60-2 Control signal interface 60-3,60-7 Switching unit 60-4,60-5,60-6 Line buffer 60-8 RL counter 60-9 RL forward / reverse counter 60-10 RL: MH / MR converter 60-11 V.35 interface 60-20 control circuit 60-21 dial pulse generator 60-22 dial setting switch 60-23 V.28 interface 60-24 , 60-25,60-26,60-27,60-37 Indicator light 60-35 Power circuit 60-36 Power switch 70 Interface 70-1,70-2 optical / electrical signal converter 70-3 command / image identification circuit 70-4,70-5,70-20,70-21,70-30,70-31 AND gate 70- 10 Receive command register 70-11 Address decoder 70-12 Data buffer 70-25 Regeneration circuit 70-35, 70-36 OR gate 70-40, 70-41 Electrical / optical signal converter 70-50 Transmission command register 70-51 Command Identification signal generator 70-52 Transfer clock generator 70-55 Conversion circuit 70-101, 70-102, 70-103, 70-104, 70-110, 70-111, 70-112
Signal line 80 DMA controller 80-1 I / O processor 80-2 Bus arbiter 80-3 Bus controller 80-4 Address / data buffer block 80-5 Internal bus 80-6 Clock generator 80-7 Synchronous signal generation circuit 80-8 ROM 80-10 address decoder 80-101,80-102,80-103,80-104,80-105,80-107,80-110,8
0-111,80-112,80-113,80-115,80-116,80-120,80-122,80
-123,80-125,80-126,80-130,80-131,80-135,80-140,80-
141,80-142,80-143 signal line 90 disk memory 91 drive 92 head 93 track 94 sector FIT1, FIT2, FIT3 file index table 111,112,113,114,115 bus line 121,122,123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132,13
3,134,135,136,137,138,139,144,145,146,149,150,151,
152 Signal line 400 Editing station 200 Console section 220 Command menu section 221 Start and end request keys 222 Editing command keys 223 Alphabet keys 224 Numeric keys 225 Carriage return keys 226 Parameter input keys 227 Coordinate input request keys 228 Keys to be input when creating an editing program, etc.229 Screen edit keys 240 Original placement section 280 Stylus pen 300 CRT 301 Screen 310 Working area 311 Image editing area 312 Coordinate display lines 313,314A, 314B, 316A, 316B, 317A, 317B Area 318 Arrow 320 Blank area 330 Mode display area 340 Message area 350 User input area 360 Display area 450 Editing station control unit 420 RS232C interface 470 CRT / console unit controller 451 Clock generator 452 CPU 453 Data buffer 454 Address buffer, 455 ROM 456 RAM 457 Surain 458 peripheral device control circuit 459 Basic I / O control circuit 460 a video signal generator 500 reader unit 510 optical scanning motor driver 520 position sensor 560 the motor unit 570,580,590 CCD 550 reader operating section 551 application file number display 552 number indicator 553 Paper size select key 554 Numeric keypad 555 "CLEAR" key 556 "STOP" key 557,558 Indicators 561,562,563 Select keys 565 "COPY" key 566 "EDIT" key 567 "ENTER" key 568 "EXECUTE" key 600 Printer section 610 Printer sequence Controller circuit block 615 Printer drive and sensor unit 620 Laser driver 625 Laser unit 630 Polygon motor unit 635 Scanner driver 640 Beam detector 650 Printer status display 651 Power status indicator 652 Ready indicator 653 Online select key 654 Test print key 655 Original Document size display and selection section 656-1,656-2,656-3,657 Error indicator 700 Optical fiber network 701 Image information receiving optical fiber 702 Clock signal receiving optical fiber 703 Image information transmitting optical fiber 704 Clock signal transmitting optical fiber 800 DDX Line 801 Circuit terminating equipment (DCE) 802 Network controller (NCU) 803,804 Connection cable

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Katsuyoshi Maejima, Inventor Katsuyoshi Maejima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Nao Nagashima 3-30-2, Shimomaruko Ota-ku Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Asao Watanabe 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-52-114331 (JP, A) JP-A-56-60161 ( JP, A) JP-A-57-160847 (JP, A) JP-A-56-164672 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising: a document scanning unit that scans a document to convert the document into an image signal; and a reproducing unit that reproduces an image corresponding to the image signal, wherein the image processing system responds to print information from an external device. Control means for operating the reproducing means to reproduce the image, and outputting an image signal from the document scanning means to the external device, and the document scanning means is under the control of the control means, A detecting unit for detecting whether the reproducing unit is under the control of the control unit, in an operation preparation state, or in an error state; and the document scanning unit according to a detection result of the detecting unit. An image processing system comprising: a display unit for displaying each state of the reproduction unit in a distinguishable manner.