JP2941836B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus equipped with an image memory.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus as this type of image processing apparatus has adopted a configuration as shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. That is, in FIG. 12, data obtained by reading a document image by the reading unit 1 (data replaced with binary values of 0 and 1 corresponding to the black and white of the image... Via the bus 6, the data is stored in the memory 5, and when the raw data stored in the memory 5 can be coded, the CPU 2 reads the raw data from the memory 5 again, codes it, and stores it again in the memory 5. In FIG. 13, the data encoded by the encoder 8 provided separately from the CPU 2 is stored in the memory 5 by the DMA controller 7 (hereinafter referred to as DMAC).

Next, a case where the image data read and encoded as described above and stored in the memory 5 is transmitted will be described.

Via the modem 4, the coded image data stored in the memory 5 is converted into a document size and a coding method in accordance with the connected device, and then the data is passed through the modem 4. Sent to the other party.

Here, in order to convert the document size and the encoding method, the CPU 2 takes in the encoded data stored in the memory 5 through the bus 6 and encodes the data into raw data. Reduction (or enlargement) is performed, the data is converted again into coded data corresponding to the coding method requested by the partner device, and transmitted via the modem 4.

 Next, the case of reception will be described.

In FIG. 2, the coded data from the partner device connected via the modem 4 is decoded by the CPU 2 and then error-checked for a signal, supplied to the recording unit 3 and supplied to the storage unit 3 in FIG. Is recorded.

The coded data is stored in the memory 5 as it is or converted to coded data having a higher compression rate as necessary, such as recording a plurality of sheets. When the other machine is a G2 machine, the received data is raw data, but it may be encoded by the CPU 2 and stored in the memory 5 at the time of proxy reception when there is no recording paper. In FIG. 3, the modem 4
The coded data received via the memory 5 is stored in the memory 5 as it is, and then the coded data read from the memory 5 is supplied to the decoder 9 via the bus 6 to be decoded. Be recorded.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, conventionally, particularly in a facsimile apparatus which performs transmission / reception in a memory, image data processing at the time of transmission (decoding (expansion) of read data compressed and accumulated in a memory → conformity of read data to transmission size / mode) In general, the common CPU performs image data processing (encoding of transmission data) and image data processing of the receiving unit (decoding of received data → data error check → data compression encoding for memory storage).

Therefore, a CPU capable of operating at a higher speed is required to realize high-speed communication at a high modem speed or to achieve high functionality such as multiplexing other operations during the communication operation. In addition, there is a limit to the enhancement of functions.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, a reading unit that reads an original image and outputs image data, a recording unit that records an image based on image data, a transmission unit that performs communication of image data, Storage means for storing image data, a first operation for storing image data from the reading means in the storage means, a second operation for transferring image data between the transmission means and the storage means, and the storage means A first controller and a second controller for operating, in parallel, any two of the third operations for causing the recording unit to record an image based on the image data of the first and second operations. At least one of the two controllers is a DMA controller;
Provide an image processing apparatus characterized by transferring image data via different bus lines.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an original image read photoelectrically by a CCD image sensor or the like and image information is converted into binary raw data. A reading unit 12 for controlling the apparatus, 13 a recording unit for recording an image on recording paper based on raw data, 14 a modem for modulating transmission data or demodulating received data, 15 Is a memory capable of storing about 70 pages of CCIT standard manuscripts, 16 is a CPU 12, an encoder 18, a decoder 19, a memory 15, a code (decode) unit 23, a modem 14, a decode (code) unit 21 and a DMAC 17 are connected. It is a bus.

The encoder 18 encodes the raw data read from the reading circuit 11 into an intermediate code including a run-length code and the like.
19 decodes the intermediate code into raw data and outputs it to the recording circuit 3.

The DMAC 7 performs DMA transfer of data from the encoder 18 to the memory 15 on the bus 16, DMA transfer of data from the memory 15 to the decoder 19, and DM of data between the memory 15 and the decoder (encoder) 23.
This is a multi-channel DMAC that performs A transfer and DMA transfer of data between the code (decoding) unit 23 and the memory 15.

Also, the DMAC 20 performs DMA transfer of data between the decoding (encoding) unit 21 and the memory 22 on the bus 24 and performs encoding (decoding) with the memory 22.
DMA transfer of data between the devices 23 is performed.

The decoding (encoding) unit 21 decodes the encoded data (intermediate code) inputted via the bus 16 at the time of transmission, and further converts the decoded raw data to a bit length by thinning out if necessary. A decoder that performs an operation of outputting the raw data input via the bus 16 as it is or after performing the bit length conversion as needed, and then outputting the raw data onto the bus 24; And an encoder that encodes raw data input via the bus 24 during reception into an intermediate code and outputs the intermediate code onto the bus 16.

The memory 22 stores raw data for several lines (for example, 16 lines) from the bus 24 and outputs the raw data to the bus 24.

The encoder (decoder) 23 encodes the raw data input via the bus 24 at the time of transmission, and outputs the encoded data to the bus 16, and the encoded data input from the bus 16 at the time of reception Is decoded into raw data and output to the bus 24, and a decoder performs an operation of directly transferring the raw data input from the bus 16 and outputting the raw data to the bus 24.

The DMAC 20, the decoding (encoding) unit 21, the memory 22, and the encoding (decoding) unit 23 are connected to a bus 24. Reference numeral 15 denotes a control signal line from the CPU 2.

Reference numeral 26 denotes an operation / display unit having an input key of a destination telephone number, an input key such as a transmission / copy start key, and a display for displaying a telephone number and the like.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The program procedures shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 11 are stored in advance in the internal ROM of the CPU 12.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a monitoring procedure, in which the CPU 12 normally executes this program, thereby determining what operation request has occurred at present.

That is, it is determined in step S21 whether or not a copy request has been made from the operation / display unit 26. If there is a copy request, the process proceeds to step S31 in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the reading unit 11 is performing a reading operation. If the reading unit 11 is performing the reading operation, a copy request is not accepted, and the step shown in FIG.
Proceed to S22.

If the reading operation is not being performed, the process proceeds to step S32 to determine whether or not the recording unit 13 is currently operating. If the recording operation is being performed, no copy request is accepted, and the process proceeds to step S22 in FIG. .

On the other hand, if neither the reading operation nor the recording operation is being performed, it is determined that the copying operation is possible, and the reading operation and the recording operation are started in steps S33 and S34, and then the process proceeds to step S22 in FIG.

Also, it is determined in step S22 whether or not a transmission read request has been made from the operation / display unit 26. If there is a transmission request, the process proceeds to step S35 in FIG. 3 (2), where it is determined whether or not the reading unit 11 is currently performing a reading operation. Is not accepted, and the process proceeds to step S23 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the reading operation is not being performed, it is determined that the document for transmission can be read, and the process proceeds to step S36. After the reading operation is started, the process proceeds to step S23 in FIG.

Also, it is determined in step S23 whether image data to be transmitted is stored in the memory 15. If the image data to be transmitted is stored in the memory 15, the flow advances to step S37 in FIG. 3 (3) to determine whether or not the transmission operation is currently being performed. The request is not accepted, and the process proceeds to step S24 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the transmission operation is not being performed, it is determined that the image data stored in the memory 15 can be transmitted, the process proceeds to step S38, and after the transmission operation is started, the process proceeds to step S24 in FIG.

Further, it is determined in step S24 whether there is an incoming call request via the modem 14. If there is an incoming call request, the flow proceeds to step S39 in FIG. 3 (4), and it is determined whether or not the receiving operation is currently being performed. If the receiving operation is being performed, the flow proceeds to step S25 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the reception is not being performed, the process proceeds to step S40 to start the reception operation. Then, the process proceeds to step S41, where it is determined whether or not the recording unit 13 is currently performing the recording operation. If the recording operation is being performed, the process proceeds to step S25 in FIG. 2 while the receiving operation is continued.

On the other hand, if the recording operation is not being performed, the process proceeds to step S42,
After activating the recording operation, the process proceeds to step S25 in FIG.

Further, it is determined in step S25 whether image data to be recorded is stored in the memory 15. If the image data to be recorded is stored in the memory 15, the flow advances to step S43 in FIG. 3 (5) to determine whether or not the recording unit 13 is performing the recording operation. If there is, the recording request is not accepted, and the process proceeds to step S45 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the recording operation is not being performed, the recording operation is started in step S44, and then the process proceeds to step S45 in FIG.

As described above, the CPU 12 constantly monitors five requests, and when a certain request occurs, determines whether or not the operation corresponding to the request is executable. After starting the operation, monitoring of the five requests is performed again. If a request for an operation that can be operated in parallel occurs even after the activation of a certain operation, the operation for the request is started even before the operation that has been started earlier is completed, and the parallel processing operation is started. I do.

In steps S45, S48, S51 and S54, respectively,
It is determined whether reading, transmitting, receiving, or recording is in progress. If any operation is in progress, steps S46, S49,
Proceeding to S52 and S55, respectively, determine whether the recording of one page is completed, the transmission of one page is completed, the reception of one page is completed, and the recording of one page is completed, and it is determined that the corresponding operation is completed. Then
Step S47, S50, S53 and S
Prohibit at 56.

FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 are diagrams showing detailed processing of the starting operation of each operation in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and a specific operation example will be described with reference to these drawings.

 First, the transmission operation will be described.

When the transmission / reading request is issued from the operation / display unit 26, step S36 in FIG. 3 (2) is performed according to the procedure described above.
Starts a reading operation.

 FIG. 4 shows a starting procedure of the reading operation.

When starting the original direct transmission operation, the CPU 12 transmits the reading unit 11, the encoder 18, and the DMAC 17 via the bus 16,
Alternatively, the transmission mode is set by the control signal line 25.

Then, after permitting the read interrupt as shown in FIG. 8, the process returns to the monitoring program.

In the reading interrupt shown in FIG.
To start. As a result, the reading unit 11 outputs the raw data read from the document to the encoder 18, and the encoder 18 encodes the raw data. The encoder 18 issues a DMA request to the DMAC 17 every time the encoded data is ready, thereby
The encoded data is stored in the memory via the bus 16 under the control of
DMA transfer to 15 and store. Similarly, by this reading interrupt process, the document is read and coded for each scanning line while the document is being conveyed by a document driving device (not shown), and the coded data is stored in the memory 15 until the trailing edge of the read document is detected. To be stored.

In parallel with or subsequent to the above operation, the CPU 12 determines the communication mode with the connected partner via the modem 4.

When the CPU 12 determines that the encoded data has been stored in the memory 15 in a state in which it can be decoded, the CPU 12 starts the transmission operation in step S38 of FIG. 3 (3) according to the procedure described above.

 FIG. 6 shows a start procedure of the transmission operation.

The CPU 12 executes a decoding (encoding) unit 21,
The transmission mode is set to the encoder (decoder) 23, DMAC 17, DMAC 20, and modem 14.

Then, after permitting a transmission interrupt as shown in FIG. 10, the process returns to the monitoring program.

In the transmission interrupt of FIG. 10, the CPU 12
, And the encoded data stored in the memory 15 is DMA-transferred to the decoding (encoding) unit 21 via the bus 16.

The decoding (encoding) unit 21 decodes the input encoded data, and every time decoded data, that is, raw data is formed,
Inform DMAC20 that raw data is ready (DR
Q). This allows the bus 24 to be controlled by the DAMC20.
And stores the raw data from the decoding (encoding) unit 21 via the memory
Store in 12 addressed areas.

Here, if an operation of reducing or enlarging the original size (changing the length of one line) is necessary, the decoding (encoding) unit 21 thins out or expands the raw data.

Also, needless to say, the raw data is input to the decoding (encoding) unit 21 and the raw data is output (hereinafter referred to as "transfer") by the initial setting of the CPU 2 or the transfer / reduction of the raw data is performed. It is quite easy to perform an operation of inverting and transferring 1 and so on.

The above decoding operation is repeated, and when the raw data that can be encoded is stored in the memory 22, the memory 22 is controlled under the control of the DMAC 20.
Raw data is transferred to a coder (decoder) 23 via a bus 24 via DMA.
Will be transferred. The encoding (decoding) unit 23 encodes the raw data input via the bus 14 under the control of the DMAC 20 by an encoding method adapted to the partner device connected via the modem 14, The CPU 1 is notified by the status FLAG or interrupt (not shown) that the encoded data has been prepared.
Inform 2

Here, as described above, the initial setting of the CPU 12 causes the encoding (decoding) unit 23 to perform a transfer operation of raw data, a transfer by reducing or expanding, or an operation of inverting and transferring data 0 and 1. Things can be done quite easily.

Each time the encoded data is prepared in the encoding (decoding) unit 23,
After storing the encoded data in the shared memory 15, the CPU 12 transmits the encoded data to the other party via the bus 16 and the modem 14 in response to a request from the modem 14.

By repeating the above operation, the image data read from the reading circuit 11 and stored in the memory 15 is transmitted.

 Next, the receiving operation will be described.

When an incoming call request is made via the modem 14, the receiving operation and the recording operation are started in steps S40 and S42 in FIG. 3 (4) in accordance with the procedure as described above.

 FIG. 6 shows a start procedure of the receiving operation.

When starting the receiving operation, the CPU 12 encodes (decodes)
The receiving mode is set to the decoder 23, the decoding (coding) unit 21, the DMAC 17, the DMAC 20, and the modem 14.

Then, after permitting the reception interrupt as shown in FIG. 11, the process returns to the monitoring program.

In the reception interrupt shown in FIG. 11, the encoded data sent from the partner device connected via the modem 14 is temporarily stored in the memory 15. Then, the data is DMA-transferred and decoded by the encoder (decoder) 20 via the bus 16 under the control of the DMAC 17. The decoded raw data is DMA-transferred to the memory 22 via the bus 24 and stored under the control of the DMAC 20.

When the raw data that can be encoded is stored in the memory 22, the raw data is DMA-transferred to the decoding (encoding) unit 21 via the bus 24 under the control of the DMAC 20. The data encoded and compressed by the decoding (encoding) unit 21 is transmitted to the bus 16 under the control of the DMAC 17.
, The data is DMA-transferred and stored in the memory 15.

 FIG. 5 shows a procedure for starting the recording operation.

When starting the recording operation, the CPU 12 sets the recording unit 13, the decoder 19 and the DMAC 17 in the recording mode.

Then, the recording interrupt shown in FIG. 9 is permitted.

In the recording interrupt shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 12 stores all the encoded data in the memory 15 so that the encoded data can be decoded, and if the recording unit 13 is in a recording operation enabled state, the CPU 12 controls the DMAC 17 to control the encoded data. Decoder 19 via bus 16
And the data is decoded by the decoder 19 to obtain raw data. Then, the raw data is recorded on a recording sheet as an image by the recording unit 13. If the recording unit 13 cannot record, encoded data is read from the memory 15, decoded, and recorded when the recording becomes possible. Here, as in the case of the transmission, the operation of the encoding (decoding) unit 23 and the decoding (encoding) unit 21 includes an operation of transferring the raw data as it is or after performing processing such as reduction and enlargement. Absent. Further, the control signal line 25 may be shared by the bus 16.

The transmission operation and the reception operation have been described above. In the case of the copy operation, the start-up procedure of the read operation and the start-up procedure of the recording operation shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are executed in parallel or sequentially. It will be readily understood that this is feasible.

As described above, each operation described above, that is, the reading operation,
The transmission encoding operation, the reception decoding operation, and the recording operation are controlled independently. Here, the reading operation means that the raw data is input from the reading unit 11 to the encoder 18, and the encoded data is transferred and stored in the memory 15 via the bus 16 under the control of the DMAC 17. To tell. A document driving device (not shown) is also included in this. The transmission encoding operation means that the encoded data stored in the memory 15 is transferred to the bus under the control of the DMAC 17.
The raw data is input to the decoder 21 via the memory 16 and stored in the memory 22 under the control of the DMAC 20.
Under the control of the DMAC 20, the data is input to the encoder 23 via the bus 24, converted into encoded data to be transmitted to the line, and stored in the memory.
15 until output to 15 and transmitted by modem 14.
The reception decoding operation is to store the reception coded data from the partner device demodulated via the modem 14 in the memory 15 and then to the bus 16
After being input to a decoder 23 and converted into raw data, the data is stored in a memory 22 via a bus 24 under the control of the DMAC 20 and is coded via the bus 24 under the control of the DMAC 20 21 until the encoded data is stored in the memory 15 via the bus 16. The recording operation is a bus
This means that the encoded data in the memory 15 is input to the decoder 19 via 16, converted into raw data, and then printed and recorded by the recording unit 13. A recording paper transport device (not shown) is also included in this.

By operating these independently operable elements in combination, a plurality of operations as described below can be performed simultaneously.

(1) Reading / Transmitting Operation While transmitting the image stored in the memory, another document is read and stored in the memory.

(2) Recording / Transmitting Operation While transmitting the image stored in the memory, the image stored in the memory is printed and printed.

(3) Reading / Receiving Operation The original is read into the memory while receiving the image into the memory.

(4) Recording / Receiving Operation The image stored in the memory is printed while receiving the image in the memory.

(5) Reading / Recording Operation The document is read into the memory while recording and printing the image stored in the memory.

As described above, since each operation can independently process a separate image, it is possible to perform dual access such as reading the next document without waiting for the end of transmission even during transmission. Further, since the buses are separated, dual access is possible without substantially lowering the operation speed of each bus.

As described above, the decoding (encoding), reduction (enlargement), and encoding (decoding) processes conventionally performed by the CPU serially are performed by the decoding (encoding) unit 21, the bus 24, the memory 22, the encoding ( Since it is performed simultaneously in parallel through the path of the decryption) unit 23,
The workload of the CPU 12 is extremely reduced, and the efficiency of the bus 16 is greatly improved because the huge raw data refined during the above processing does not flow on the bus 16.

Therefore, when compared with a facsimile machine of the same function, a lower CPU can be used, and a C
If you use PU, the CPU capacity will be greatly increased.

In addition, not only the efficiency of the CPU but also the above-mentioned series of decoding (encoding) and encoding (decoding) operations are performed simultaneously by the decoding (encoding) unit 21 and the encoding (decoding) unit 23. It will be able to demonstrate sufficient power for the conversion.

In the present embodiment, the image data from the reading unit 11 and the image data to the recording unit 13 are converted into intermediate codes and stored in the memory 15.
However, the raw data may be stored in the memory 15 by increasing the capacity of the memory 15 or reducing the number of stored pages.

Further, in this embodiment, a facsimile capable of transmitting and receiving is described as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to a facsimile apparatus capable of performing either transmission or reception. Further, it can be used not only as a facsimile apparatus but also as an input / output unit for an image electronic file or the like.

As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the processing of the CPU can be significantly reduced without significantly changing the basic configuration of the conventional technology. In particular, a series of transmission / reception encoding and decoding processes can be realized as interrupt processes. Therefore, CPU
Can perform processing at the required time and at the required frequency, eliminating unnecessary CPU constraints such as waiting time, and enabling efficient CPU use.

They also allow for higher modem speeds (eg,
14.4Kbps) The same CPU with multiple functions such as reading the next transmission original, outputting images stored in memory, or making copies during communication operation.
Will be able to do it.

(Effect)

As described above, according to the present invention, the first operation of storing image data from the reading unit in the storage unit, the second operation of transferring image data between the transmission unit and the storage unit, and the image of the storage unit Arbitrary two of the third operations for causing the recording means to record an image based on the data are performed by the first and second controllers at least one of which is appropriately operated in parallel by DMA transfer and is transferred via different bus lines. Therefore, parallel operation can be performed efficiently and at high speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIGS. 2 to 11 are flowcharts showing operation procedures of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are conventional figures. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure, 11 is a reading part, 12 is a recording part, 15 and 22 are memories, 17 and 20 are DMAC, 21 is a decoding (coding) device, and 23 is a coding (decoding) device.

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/21

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A reading means for reading an original image and outputting image data; a recording means for recording an image based on the image data; a transmitting means for communicating image data; a storage means for storing image data; A first operation of storing image data from the reading unit in the storage unit, a second operation of transferring image data between the transmission unit and the storage unit, and the recording unit based on the image data of the storage unit. A first controller and a second controller for operating in parallel any two of the third operations for recording an image at the first and second controllers, respectively, wherein at least one of the first and second controllers is a DM.
An image processing apparatus, comprising: an A controller, wherein the first and second controllers transfer image data via different bus lines, respectively. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two conversion units for compressing and encoding the image data, wherein said first and second controllers are provided. An image processing apparatus, wherein image data compressed and encoded by the two conversion units are transferred in parallel via the different bus lines. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third controller for controlling said reading means, said recording means, and said first and second controllers. An image processing apparatus, wherein the third controller causes the first and second controllers to perform DMA transfer of image data.