JP3014877B2 - Image processing device - 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 apparatus,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having means for recording image data in a large-capacity memory such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk in a word processor, a digital multifunction peripheral, a medical device, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, magnetic disks and magneto-optical files have been variously used as large-capacity memories as means for recording and reading a large number of pages of image data in optical file devices and medical equipment. Is used by storing image data in the unit of a page in order on addresses of a large-capacity memory. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional image processing apparatus. In FIG.
RT (Cathode RayTube; cathode ray tube),
62 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and 63 is a hard disk. The hard disk 63 stores image pages corresponding to the addresses. For example, zone 1 and the first page image in zone 2, zone 3 and the second page image in zone 4, the zone N are stored in order as in the first M page image, the image displayed on CRT61 by CPU62 Is done.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional image processing apparatus, if the processing speed of an optical file, a word processor or the like is remarkably increased, the following problem occurs.
That is, as the processing speed of the system increases, the speed of recording and reading image data to and from the large-capacity memory necessarily increases. By increasing the speed, the processing speed inside the hard disk is limited. This is the hard disk, and rotate the disk at a constant high speed, in which case, since the the inner and the outer disc different lengths of circumference, taking a method for recording data at a constant length here However, there arises a problem that the processing speed is slow on the inner periphery of the disk and faster on the outer periphery. Therefore, as a system, if it is not desired to reduce the processing speed, only the outer periphery having the higher processing speed must be used. As a result, the use efficiency of the hard disk decreases, and it is necessary to use a hard disk having a larger capacity in order to record a predetermined amount. In addition , there is a problem that a large-sized one is used for this reason, and the space is large and the cost is high. The present invention relates to the above-mentioned prior art.
It was made in view of the problems in
Optimized for image data processing without lowering efficiency
The image processing device for the purpose of performing high-speed processing
provide.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a means for recording and reading image data.
As, a magnetic disk or optical disk or the like, treatment
In an image processing apparatus using a large-capacity memory having a plurality of zones having different processing speeds , a zone is selected and combined from a plurality of zones having different processing speeds of the large-capacity memory.
To the processing speed required by the image data to be processed.
Selection means for selecting a zone for matching the average processing speed of the free zone .

[0005]

According to the present invention, image data is created from a sheet document or the like by a scanner input circuit system. The obtained image data is subjected to density conversion, scaling processing, and quantization processing in an image processing system. Image data created by the image processing system is stored is written to the hard disk via the buffer memory. The writing method to the hard disk is performed by dividing the image data into a high-speed zone and a low-speed zone. With such a writing method, a predetermined operation can be performed without lowering the processing speed of the system and without lowering the usage efficiency of the hard disk.

According to the present invention, by dividing and recording one page of image data into a high-speed zone and a low-speed zone of a hard disk, predetermined data can be obtained without lowering the processing speed of the system and without lowering the usage efficiency of the hard disk. it allows the operation, also, as a result, the ability to use a small hard disk, the image processing device is provided which is to be carried out saving space and cost saving
You .

[0007]

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic disk used in an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. Zone 1, the innermost zone,
Numbers 1 to 10 were recorded with zone 10 being the outermost periphery. The data of the disk in FIG. 1 is recorded in the zone toward the outer circumference because the data is recorded at a constant pitch on the circumference and the disk is always rotated at a constant speed.
The amount of data to be is increased, the processing speed of the magnetic disk is the outermost (zone) is the earliest, the innermost circumference (zone) it is most late Kunar Ru determine. Then, the data processing speed in each zone is recorded in FIG. Processing speed of per page of image data is there at 3MB / sec
Assuming that, although zones 6-10 are usable, single zone since the zone 5 is less than 3MB / sec
Only 3MB / sec processing speed
Is impossible and cannot be used. FIG. 2 (b)
The Ri embodiment der of the present invention, where, for a single zone
Only 3MB / sec in a zone less than 3MB / sec.
It uses a zone that exceeds sec.
Zone 1 and Zone 10 are used together , and the results
As a result, the high-speed processing at an average processing speed of 3 MB / sec enables the zone 1 that cannot be used alone to be used. Similarly, for zones 2 to 5 that cannot be used alone,
However, (Zone 2 + 9), (Zone 3 + 8), (Zone
4 + 7), (Zone 5 + 6)
If the operating time of each combined zone is equal,
Average processing for each combination zone
It can be understood that the speed becomes 3 MB / sec, all become usable, and practically usable at 100% efficiency. As described above, the model-based idea has shown that the present invention can be realized by controlling a magnetic disk. Not 100
It is self-evident that about the same number of sheets are required.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a digital multifunction peripheral. In the figure, 1 is a scanner input circuit system, 2 is an image processing system, 3 is a buffer memory, and 4 is a hard disk. Reference numeral 5 denotes a control unit, and reference numeral 6 denotes a printer unit. The scanner input circuit system 1 creates electrical image data from a sheet document or the like. The image processing system 2 performs density conversion, scaling, and quantization of the obtained image data. Image data created by the image processing system 2 is written and stored in the hard disk 4 via the buffer memory 3. The method of writing data on the hard disk 4 was used in combination with the combination zone shown in FIG.
It goes without saying that the image data follows the division processing method of dividing and processing the image data in the zone . The buffer memory 3 is used as a buffer for compensating for the difference between the processing speed of writing data to the hard disk 4 and the processing speed of the image processing system 2. The plurality of image data written on the hard disk 4 are output to the printer unit 6, so that the processing speed is compensated by the buffer memory 3, the data is guided to the printer unit 6, and used as copy data.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of a digital copying machine as an embodiment of a two-sided image forming apparatus provided with a paper conveying device according to the present invention. A scanner unit, 12 is a laser printer unit, 1
3 is a multi-stage paper feed unit, 14 is a sorter, 15 is a document table, 16 is a double-sided automatic document feeder (RDF), 20
Is a scanner unit, 21 is a lamp reflector assembly, 22 is a photoelectric conversion element (CCD), 23 is a reflection mirror, 24 is a lens, 25 is a manual document tray, 26 is a laser writing unit, 27 is an electrophotographic processing unit,
8 is a photosensitive drum, 29 is a fixing device, 30 is a conveyance path, 31
Is a first cassette, 32 is a second cassette, 33 is a third cassette, 35 is a fifth cassette, 36 is a common transport path,
41 is a conveyance path.

The digital copying machine 10 includes a scanner 11
, A laser printer unit 12, a multi-stage paper feed unit 13, and a sorter 14. The scanner unit 11 includes a document table 15 made of transparent glass, a double-sided automatic document feeder (RDF) 16 and a scanner unit 20. The multi-stage paper feed unit 13 includes a first cassette 31,
It has a second cassette 32, a third cassette 33, and a fifth cassette 35 that can be optionally added. Further, in the multi-stage paper feed unit 13, the paper is sent out one by one from the paper stored in the cassette of each stage, and is conveyed to the laser printer unit 12.

The RDF 16 sets a plurality of originals at one time, automatically feeds the originals one by one to the scanner unit 20, and scans one side or both sides of the original according to the operator's selection. To read. The scanner unit 20 forms a lamp reflector assembly 21 for exposing a document, a plurality of reflection mirrors 23 for guiding a reflected light image from the document to a photoelectric conversion element (CCD) 22, and a reflected light image from the document on the CCD 22. Lens 24 is included.

The scanner unit 11 is configured to read a document image while the scanner unit 20 moves along the lower surface of the document table 15 when scanning a document placed on the document table 15. When the RDF 16 is used, the document image is read while the document is being conveyed while the scanner unit 20 is stopped at a predetermined position below the RDF 16. The image data obtained by reading the original image with the scanner unit 20 is sent to an image processing unit and subjected to various processes.
The image data is temporarily stored in the memory of the image processing unit, and the image data in the memory is supplied to the laser printer unit 12 according to the output instruction to form an image on a sheet.

The laser printer section 12 includes a manual document tray 25, a laser writing unit 26, and an electrophotographic processing section 27 for forming an image. Also,
The laser writing unit 26 includes a semiconductor laser that emits a laser beam corresponding to the image data from the memory described above, and a polygon mirror that deflects the laser beam at an equal angular speed. It has an f-θ lens and the like for correcting so as to tend to have a constant speed on the drum 28. The electrophotographic process unit 27 includes a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device, a peeling device,
A cleaning device, a static eliminator and a fixing device 29 are arranged. A transport path 30 is provided downstream of the fixing device 29 in the transport direction of a sheet on which an image is to be formed. The transport path 30 is connected to a transport path 37 leading to the sorter 14 and to the multi-stage paper feed unit 13. And a transfer path 38.

The transport path 38 branches off in the multi-stage paper feed unit 13 and, as a transport path after branching, the reverse transport path 3
0a and a double-sided / combined conveyance path 30b are provided. The reversing conveyance path 30a is a conveyance path for reversing the front and back of a sheet in a double-sided copying mode for copying both sides of a document. The duplex / combined transport path 30b transports a sheet from the reverse transport path 30a to the image forming position of the photosensitive drum 28 in the duplex copying mode, or prints an image of a different document or an image with a different color toner on one side of the sheet. This is a transport path for transporting the sheet to the image forming position of the photosensitive drum 28 without reversing the sheet in the one-sided composite copy mode for performing the composite copy to be formed.

The multi-stage paper feed unit 13 includes a common transport path 36. The common transport path 36 transfers sheets from the first cassette 31, the second cassette 32, and the third cassette 33 to the electrophotographic process unit 27. It is configured to be conveyed toward. The common transport path 36 joins the transport path 39 from the fifth cassette 35 on the way to the electrophotographic process section 27 and communicates with the transport path 40. The transport path 4
0 is the duplex / synthetic conveyance path 30b and the manual feed tray 2
5 and is joined at a junction 42 to communicate with an image forming position between the photosensitive drum 28 and the transfer unit of the electrophotographic process unit 27. The junction 42 is provided at a position close to the image forming position.

Therefore, in the laser writing unit 26 and the electrophotographic processing unit 27, the image data read from the above-mentioned memory is transferred to the laser writing unit 26.
The toner image formed as an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 by the laser beam
Is electrostatically transferred and fixed on the surface of the sheet conveyed from the printer.
The sheet on which the image is formed in this manner is transferred to the fixing device 29.
Is transported to the sorter 14 via the transport paths 30 and 37, or is transported to the reverse transport path 30a via the transport paths 30 and 38.

Next, the configuration and functions of the image processing unit and each control system included in the digital copying machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image processing unit and each control system included in the digital copier 10 with a facsimile function shown in FIG. 4, wherein 50 is an image data input unit, 50a is a CCD unit, 50b Is a histogram processing unit, 50c is an error diffusion processing unit, 51 is an image processing unit, 51a and 51b are multi-value processing units, 51c is a synthesis processing unit, 51d is a density conversion processing unit, and 51e is a scaling processing unit.
1f is an image processing unit, 51g is an error diffusion processing unit, 51g
h is a compression processing unit, 52 is an image data output unit, 52a is a decompression unit, 52b is a multi-value processing unit, 52c is an error diffusion processing unit, 52d is a laser output unit, 53 is a memory, 54 is an image processing CPU (central processing unit). Processing device).

An image processing unit included in the digital copying machine 10 includes an image data input unit 50, an image processing unit 51, an image data output unit 52, a memory 53 including a RAM (random access memory), and an image processing unit. A central processing unit (CPU) 54 is provided. The image data input unit 50 includes a CCD unit 50a and a histogram processing unit 50b.
And an error diffusion processing unit 50c. Further, the image data input unit 50 converts the image data of the original read from the CCD 22 in FIG. 4 into a binary value and processes the image data by an error diffusion method while obtaining a histogram as a binary digital amount. , Are temporarily stored in the memory 53. That is, in the CCD unit 50a, an analog electric signal corresponding to each image density of the image data is A / D-converted.
After the conversion, the MTF (Modulation Transfer Functio
n) Correction, black-and-white correction or gamma correction is performed, and the digital signal is output to the histogram processing unit 50b as a digital signal of 256 gradations (8 bits).

In the histogram processing section 50b, the digital signal output from the CCD section 50a is added for each of the 256 grayscale pixel densities to obtain density information (histogram data) and, if necessary, the obtained histogram data. Is sent to the image processing CPU 54 or sent to the error diffusion processing unit 50c as pixel data. The error diffusion processing unit 50c outputs the 8 bits output from the CCD unit 50a by an error diffusion method, which is a kind of pseudo halftone processing unit, that is, a method of reflecting a binarization error in the binarization determination of an adjacent pixel. The digital signal of bits / pixel is converted into one bit (binary), and a redistribution operation for faithfully reproducing the local area density in the document is performed.

The image processing unit 51 includes multi-value processing units 51a, 51
1b, a synthesis processing unit 51c, a density conversion processing unit 51d, a scaling processing unit 51e, an image processing unit 51f, an error diffusion processing unit 51g, and a compression processing unit 51b. The image processing unit 51 is a processing unit that finally converts the input image data into image data desired by the operator,
The processing unit is configured to perform processing until the converted output image data is finally stored in the memory 53. However, the above-described processing units included in the image processing unit 51 function as needed, and may not function.

That is, in the multi-value processing sections 51a and 51b, the data binarized by the error diffusion processing section 50c is converted again into 256 gradations. In the synthesis processing unit 51c, a logical operation for each pixel, that is, an operation of a logical sum, a logical product, or an exclusive logical sum is selectively performed. The data to be subjected to this calculation is the image data stored in the memory 53 and the pit data from the pattern generator (PG). The density conversion processing unit 51d arbitrarily sets the relationship between the input density and the output density for the 256-level digital signal based on a predetermined tone conversion table. In the scaling unit 51e, pixel data (density value) for the target pixel after scaling is obtained by performing an interpolation process based on the input known data in accordance with the designated scaling ratio. After the multiplication, the main scanning is scaled.

In the image processing section 51f, various image processes are performed on the input pixel data, and information collection such as feature extraction can be performed on the data sequence. The error diffusion processing unit 51g performs the same processing as the error diffusion processing unit 50c of the image data input unit 50. Compression processing unit 51h
In, binary data is compressed by encoding called run length. As for the compression of the image data, the compression functions in the final processing loop when the final output image data is completed. The image data output unit 52 is a restoration unit 5
2a, a multi-value processing section 52b, an error diffusion processing section 52c, and a laser output section 52d.

The image data output unit 52 restores the image data stored in the memory 53 in a compressed state,
It is configured to convert the data again to 56 gradations, perform error diffusion of quaternary data that provides a smoother halftone representation than binary data, and transfer the data to the laser output unit 52d. That is, in the restoration unit 52a, the image data compressed by the compression processing unit 51b is restored. Multi-value processing section 52b
In, the same processing as that performed by the multi-value processing sections 51a and 51b of the image processing section 51 is performed. The error diffusion processing unit 52c performs the same processing as the error diffusion processing unit 50c of the image data input unit 50. In the laser output section 52d, digital image data is converted into a laser on / off signal based on a control signal from the print section control CPU 59, and the laser is turned on / off. The data handled by the image data input unit 50 and the image data output unit 52 is basically stored in the memory 53 in the form of binary data in order to reduce the capacity of the memory 53. It is also possible to process in the form of quaternary data in consideration of deterioration.

[0024]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. That is, in a memory means such as a hard disk for recording image data , a low-speed zone which cannot be used by the memory means alone.
And selecting a high-speed zone combination, the image data to be processed
Average processing speed of each combination zone to the processing speed required by
Since the combined so that the image data of one page can be performed divided recording speed zone and slow zone of the hard disk, without reducing the processing speed of the system, also given without decreasing the utilization efficiency of the hard disk Actions can be taken. As a result, a small hard disk can be used, and space and cost can be saved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic disk used in an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data processing speed in each zone of a magnetic disk according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a digital multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a digital multifunction peripheral, which is an embodiment of a two-sided image forming apparatus provided with a sheet conveying device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image processing unit and each control system included in the digital multifunction peripheral with a facsimile function shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Scanner input circuit system, 2 ... Image processing system, 3 ... Buffer memory, 4 ... Hard disk, 5 ... Control part,
6. Printer section.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. Means for recording and reading image data
As, a magnetic disk or optical disk or the like, treatment
In an image processing apparatus using a large-capacity memory having a plurality of zones having different processing speeds , a zone is selected and combined from a plurality of zones having different processing speeds of the large-capacity memory.
To the processing speed required by the image data to be processed.
An image processing apparatus provided with a selection means for selecting a zone for matching an average processing speed of a deflecting zone .