JP3295044B2 - Image data transfer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image data transfer device for transferring image data of an image read by a handy scanner to an output device such as a facsimile machine, a printer, or a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recent facsimile apparatus, a handy scanner is detachably provided on a main body of the facsimile apparatus. With the handy scanner attached to the main body of the facsimile apparatus, a transmission original is read by the handy scanner. There has been an increase in the type of reading a book or the like by a handy scanner while being detached from a facsimile apparatus main body.

In such a conventional facsimile apparatus, a UART (universal asynchronous receiver transceiver) is provided in both the handy scanner and the main body of the facsimile apparatus.
and the image data of the image read by the handy scanner is transferred to the facsimile apparatus main body by UART.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile apparatus, since the transfer of image data is performed using the UART, there is an inconvenience that the transfer speed is low. That is, in the communication using the UART, the communication speed is about 100 Kbps or less, and the communication speed is 500 Kbps.
The transfer speed is lower than in the case of using clock synchronous communication of about bps to 1 Mbps, and much time is required for transfer. Of course, such a problem is not peculiar to the facsimile apparatus, but also applies to the transfer of image data from a handy scanner to a personal computer or a printer.

In order to solve such a problem, UAR
It is conceivable to install both a communication system based on T and a communication system based on clock synchronization. However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to provide two independent communication paths, which increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, it hinders downsizing of the device. Note that if all communication is performed by a communication system using clock synchronization, it is very inefficient when transmission / reception of a command with an extremely small data amount is repeated, such as communication of device information performed prior to transfer of image data. As a result, the communication speed is rather reduced, and a communication system using UART is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and speeds up the transfer of image data from a manual scanning device to an output device without providing two independent communication paths. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image data transfer apparatus capable of performing the above.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image data transfer apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
An image data transfer device for transferring image data read by a manual scanning device to an output device that executes various processes using the image data, and is installed in both the manual scanning device and the output device. A UART that transmits and receives information necessary for transferring image data between the manual scanning device and the output device, and is installed in both the manual scanning device and the output device, and transfers image data from the manual scanning device to the output device. A synchronous communication circuit that performs clock communication by clock synchronous communication, a communication path shared by the communication between the UARTs and the communication between the clock synchronous communication circuits, and a communication path that is installed in both the manual scanning device and the output device. A selector circuit for switching between a state connected to a UART and a state connected to a clock synchronous communication circuit, and a selector circuit installed in both the manual scanning device and the output device; By controlling the circuit communication path UAR
Switching control means for switching between a state connected to T and a state where the communication path is connected to the clock synchronous communication circuit.

As the manual scanning device, for example, a so-called handy scanner can be considered.

The image data may be color image data or monochrome image data.

As various processes executed by the output device, recording on a recording sheet, display on a display screen, transmission to another communication device, and the like are conceivable, but are not limited thereto.

As an output device, a facsimile machine, a digital copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine thereof,
Alternatively, a computer such as a personal computer is conceivable, but is not limited thereto.

According to this image data transfer device, the UAR
Since the communication path can be shared between the communication between the T and the communication between the clock synchronous communication circuits, the transfer speed of the image data from the manual scanning device to the output device is increased without providing two independent communication lines. it can. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily shorten the transfer time of the image data while minimizing the increase in the manufacturing cost and the size of the apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image data transfer apparatus as set forth in the first aspect, wherein the switching control means includes: By controlling the selector circuit, the state where the communication path is connected to the UART is switched to the state where the communication path is connected to the clock synchronous communication circuit.

According to this image data transfer apparatus, the UAR
Immediately after communication of information by T, communication of information by clock synchronization can be performed.

Further, an image data transfer device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image data transfer device according to the first or second aspect, wherein a part of a communication path is provided between a manual scanning device and an output device. It is installed on both sides, and is constituted by conductor pieces that come into contact with each other by mounting the manual scanning device at a predetermined position on the output device.

According to this image data transfer device, in addition to the effect of the image data transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, since a part of the communication path is constituted by the conductor pieces, the contact between the conductor pieces is achieved. Thus, the communication path can be closed, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced, and the device can be further downsized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data transfer apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a part of a communication path is provided between a manual scanning device and an output device. The connector is provided on both sides, and is configured by a connector that is fitted to each other by mounting the manual scanning device at a predetermined position of the output device.

According to this image data transfer device, in addition to the effect of the image data transfer device according to the first or second aspect, since a part of the communication path is constituted by the connector, it can be compared with the conductor piece. The connection is secure and the handling of the manual scanning device is easier than with cables.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image data transfer apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a part of the communication path includes a manual scanning device and an output device. It consists of connecting cables.

According to this image data transfer device, in addition to the effects of the image data transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, since a part of the communication path is constituted by a cable, it can be compared with a conductor piece. The connection is secure, and the durability is superior compared to the connector.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a facsimile apparatus provided with an image data transfer apparatus according to the present invention.
This facsimile machine includes a facsimile machine main body 1 and
A handy scanner 2 is provided. The facsimile apparatus main body 1 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an output unit 14, an interface 15, a UART circuit 16, a clock synchronous data input circuit 17, a selector 18, and external terminals 19a to 19d. CPU 11, R
The OM 12, the RAM 13, the output unit 14, and the interface 15 are interconnected by a bus line. The bus lines include a data bus, an address bus, and a control signal line. The handy scanner 2 includes a CPU 21 and an R
It has an OM 22, a RAM 23, a reading unit 24, an interface 25, a UART circuit 26, a clock synchronous data output circuit 27, a selector 28, and external terminals 29a to 29d. The CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, the reading unit 24, and the interface 25 are mutually connected by a bus line. The bus lines include a data bus, an address bus, and a control signal line.

The facsimile apparatus main body 1 records or stores an image received via a telephone line (not shown), and transmits or copies an image read by the handy scanner 2.

The handy scanner 2 accumulates image data corresponding to the read image and outputs the image data to the facsimile machine main body 1. The handy scanner 2 is detachable from the main body 1 of the facsimile apparatus. By mounting the handy scanner 2 at a predetermined position on the main body 1 of the facsimile apparatus, the external terminal 19a and the external terminal 29a, and the external terminal 19b and the external terminal 29b, the external terminal 19c and the external terminal 29c, and the external terminal 19d and the external terminal 29d are in contact with each other, and the facsimile apparatus main body 1 and the handy scanner 2 are electrically connected.

CPU (central processing unit) 11
Controls the entire facsimile apparatus body 1.

The ROM (read only memory) 12 has a CP
A program for operating U11 and various data are stored.

The RAM (random access memory) 13
A work area is provided to the CPU 11 and the handy scanner 2 is provided.
Various types of data such as image data transmitted from the server are stored.

The output unit 14 receives image data input via a telephone line, demodulates and decodes the received image data, and outputs an image on a recording sheet based on image data from the receiving unit or the handy scanner 2. There are provided recording means for recording, and transmission means for encoding and modulating image data from the handy scanner 2 and transmitting it to a telephone line.

The interface 15 is connected to the CPU 11 and the U
The communication between the ART circuit 16, the clock synchronous data input circuit 17, and the selector 18 is controlled.

The UART circuit 16 converts the parallel device information from the CPU 11 into serial data and transmits it to the UART circuit 26 of the handy scanner 2, and converts the serial device information from the UART circuit 26 of the handy scanner 2 into parallel data. And supplies it to the CPU 11. The device information is various types of information necessary for transferring image data from the handy scanner 2 to the facsimile apparatus body 1, and includes the data amount of image data stored in the RAM 23 of the handy scanner 2, the number of pages of an image, Output request page,
Alternatively, information such as enlargement, equal magnification, and reduction is included.

The clock synchronous data input circuit 17 performs clock synchronous communication with the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 of the handy scanner 2 and receives image data from the clock synchronous data output circuit 27. The clock synchronous data input circuit 17 includes a serial-parallel conversion circuit and a DMAC (direct memory access controller), and converts the serial image data from the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 of the handy scanner 2 into parallel, and DMA transfer.

The selector 18 is controlled by the CPU 11 to control the input / output terminals of the UART circuit 16 and the external terminals 19a.
19d and the state where each input / output terminal of the clock synchronous data input circuit 17 is connected to the external terminals 19a to 19d.

The external terminals 19a to 19d are constituted by conductor pieces such as metal, and are connected to the UART circuit 16 and the UART.
It forms part of a communication path with the T circuit 26 and between the clock synchronous data input circuit 17 and the clock synchronous data output circuit 27.

The CPU 21 controls the entire handy scanner 2.

The ROM 22 stores programs for operating the CPU 21 and various data.

The RAM 23 provides a work area to the CPU 21 and stores various data such as image data read by the reading unit 24.

The reading section 24 has a line image sensor and outputs image data corresponding to the read image.

The interface 25 is connected to the CPU 21 and the U
The communication between the ART circuit 26, the clock synchronous data output circuit 27, and the selector 28 is controlled.

The UART circuit 26 converts the device information of the parallelism from the CPU 21 into serial data and transmits it to the UART circuit 16 of the facsimile device body 1, and also converts the serial device information from the UART circuit 16 of the facsimile device body 1 into parallel data. And supplies it to the CPU 21.

The clock synchronous data output circuit 27 is connected to the clock synchronous data input circuit 17 of the facsimile machine body 1.
, And transmits the image data stored in the RAM 23 to the clock synchronous data input circuit 17. The clock synchronous data output circuit 27 includes a parallel / serial conversion circuit and a DMAC (direct memory).
y access controller).
The parallel image data transferred by MA is converted to serial data and transmitted to the clock synchronous data input circuit 17.

The selector 28 is controlled by the CPU 21 to control the input / output terminals of the UART circuit 26 and the external terminals 29a.
29d and the state where each input / output terminal of the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 is connected to the external terminals 29a-29d.

The external terminals 29a to 29d are constituted by conductor pieces such as metal, and
It forms part of a communication path with the T circuit 26 and between the clock synchronous data input circuit 17 and the clock synchronous data output circuit 27.

That is, the facsimile apparatus body 1 constitutes an output device for recording, displaying or transmitting image data of an image read by a handy scanner, based on the image data.

The handy scanner 2 constitutes a manual scanning device for reading an image and outputting image data.

UART circuit 16 and UART circuit 26
Is installed in both the handy scanner and the output device, and constitutes a UART that transmits and receives information necessary for transferring image data between the handy scanner and the output device.

The clock synchronous data input circuit 17 and the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 are installed in both the handy scanner and the output device, and perform clock synchronous communication for transferring image data from the handy scanner to the output device by clock synchronous communication. It constitutes a communication circuit.

External terminals 19a to 19d and external terminal 2
9a to 29d constitute a part of a communication path shared by communication between UARTs and communication between clock synchronous communication circuits. The external terminals 19a to 19d and the external terminals 29a to 29d are provided on both the handy scanner and the output device, and are constituted by conductor pieces that come into contact with each other when the handy scanner is mounted at a predetermined position of the output device. .

The selector 18 and the selector 28 are provided in both the handy scanner and the output device, and constitute a selector circuit for switching a communication path between a state of connecting to a UART and a state of connecting to a clock synchronous communication circuit. .

The CPU 11 and the CPU 21 are stored in the ROM 1
2 is installed on both the handy scanner and the output device by operating based on the program stored in the ROM 22 to control the selector circuit to determine whether the communication path is connected to the UART and the communication path. Realizes switching control means for switching to a state in which it is connected to the clock synchronous communication circuit.

Next, the operation will be described. When the user detaches the handy scanner 2 from the facsimile apparatus main body 1 and reads an image of, for example, a book, image data corresponding to the read image is output from the reading unit 24 and stored in the RAM 23. At this time, the external terminals 19a to 19d of the facsimile
9a to 29d are not in contact with each other, and are in a state where communication between the UART circuit 16 and the UART circuit 26 and between the clock synchronous data input circuit 17 and the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 cannot be performed.

When the user mounts the handy scanner 2 at a predetermined position on the main body 1 of the facsimile apparatus, the external terminals 19a to 19d and the external terminals 29a to 29d come into contact with each other, and the selector 18 and the selector 28 are electrically connected. Connected. When the user performs a predetermined operation, C
The PU 11 is connected to the selector 18 via the interface 15.
And the input / output terminals of the UART circuit 16 and the external terminal 1
9a to 19d and the CPU 2
1 controls the selector 28 via the interface 25, and the input / output terminals of the UART circuit 26 and the external terminals 29a to 29a.
29d are connected to each other. Thereby, the communication path between the UART circuit 16 and the UART circuit 26 is closed,
Various types of device information necessary for transferring image data are stored in the CPU 1.
1 is transmitted and received between the CPU 21 and the UART circuit 16 and the UART circuit 26. At this time, the transmission data TXD from the UART circuit 16 is input to the UART circuit 26 as reception data RXD via the selector 18, the external terminal 19a, the external terminal 29a, and the selector 28. The transmission data TXD from the UART circuit 26 is sent to the UART as reception data RXD via the selector 28, the external terminal 29b, the external terminal 19b, and the selector 18.
Input to the circuit 16. The transmission request signal RTS from the UART circuit 16 is input to the UART circuit 26 as a transmission clear signal CTS via the selector 18, the external terminal 19c, the external terminal 29c, and the selector 28. UAR
The transmission request signal RTS from the T circuit 26 is
8. The transmission clear signal CTS is input to the UART circuit 16 via the external terminal 29d, the external terminal 19d, and the selector 18. UART circuit 16 and UART circuit 2
6 is about 100 Kbps.

When the transmission / reception of the device information is completed, the CPU 1
1 controls the selector 18 via the interface 15, and the selector 18 controls the clock synchronous data input circuit 17.
The CPU 21 controls the selector 28 via the interface 25, and the selector 28 connects the input / output terminal of the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 with the input / output terminal of the clock synchronous data output circuit 27. The state is switched to a state of connecting the external terminals 29a to 29d. Thereby, the clock synchronous data input circuit 1
7 and the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 are closed, and the image data stored in the RAM 23 is
The data is transferred to the RAM 13 via the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 and the clock synchronous data input circuit 17. At this time, the clock signal CLK from the clock synchronous data input circuit 17 is input to the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 via the selector 18, the external terminal 19a, the external terminal 29a, and the selector 28. The output image data DOUT from the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 is input to the clock synchronous data input circuit 17 as input image data DIN via the selector 28, the external terminal 29b, the external terminal 19b, and the selector 18. The start signal START from the clock synchronous data input circuit 17 is input to the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 via the selector 18, the external terminal 19c, the external terminal 29c, and the selector 28. The stop signal STOP from the clock synchronous data output circuit 27 is supplied to the selector 28 and the external terminal 29.
d, the external terminal 19 d, and the clock synchronous data input circuit 17 via the selector 18. Clock synchronous data input circuit 17 and clock synchronous data output circuit 2
7 is about 1 Mbps.

The image data transferred to the RAM 13 is recorded on recording paper by the recording means of the output unit 14, or is encoded and modulated by the transmission means of the output unit 14 and transmitted to the telephone line.

Of course, when the original is conveyed along a predetermined path in a state where the handy scanner 2 is mounted at a predetermined position of the facsimile apparatus main body 1, the image of the original is read by the reading unit 24 of the handy scanner 2. Read. Also in this case, the image data from the reading unit 24 is processed in the same manner as described above.

By switching the connection state by the selectors 18 and 28 in this manner, the UART circuits 16 and 26 are switched.
The communication path can be shared between the communication between the handy scanner 2 and the facsimile apparatus without providing two independent communication paths. The transfer speed of image data to the main body 1 can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily shorten the transfer time of the image data while minimizing the increase in the manufacturing cost and the size of the apparatus.

In the above embodiment, the reading unit 2
4 without compressing the image data read by
Although stored in the AM 23 and transferred to the RAM 13, the reading unit 2
RAM after compressing the image data read by step 4
23 may be configured to be transferred to the RAM 13. In this case, the image data read from the RAM 13 is expanded and then supplied to the output unit 14.

Further, in the above embodiment, the external terminals 19a to 19d and the external terminals 29a to 29d are constituted by simple conductor pieces, and the communication paths are closed by the contact of the conductor pieces with each other. , External terminal 19
a to 19d and the external terminals 29a to 29d may be constituted by connectors. For example, a connector socket may be provided on the facsimile apparatus body 1, a connector plug may be provided on the handy scanner 2, and the plug may be attached to and detached from the socket.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the external terminals 19a to 19d and the external terminals 29a to 29d are constituted by simple conductor pieces, and the communication paths are closed by contacting the conductor pieces with each other. , External terminal 19
a to 19d and the external terminals 29a to 29d may be configured by cables. That is, even when the handy scanner 2 is detached from the facsimile apparatus main body 1, the facsimile apparatus main body 1 and the handy scanner 2 may be configured to be connected by a cable.

[0059]

As described above, according to the image data transfer apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the communication path can be shared for communication between UARTs and communication between clock synchronous communication circuits. The transfer speed of image data from the manual scanning device to the output device can be increased without providing independent communication paths. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily shorten the transfer time of the image data while minimizing the increase in the manufacturing cost and the size of the apparatus.

According to the image data transfer apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the image data transfer apparatus of the first aspect, immediately after the communication of the information by the UART, the information can be transferred by the clock synchronization. Communication can be performed.

Further, according to the image data transfer apparatus of the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the image data transfer apparatus of claim 1 or 2, a part of the communication path is constituted by a conductor piece. Therefore, the communication path can be closed by contact between the conductor pieces, so that the manufacturing cost can be further reduced and the device can be further downsized.

According to the image data transfer apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the image data transfer apparatus of the first or second aspect, a part of the communication path is constituted by a connector. Therefore, the connection is more reliable than the conductor piece, and the handling of the manual scanning device is easier than that of the cable.

According to the image data transfer apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the image data transfer apparatus of the first or second aspect, a part of the communication path is constituted by a cable. Therefore, the connection is more reliable than the conductor piece, and the durability is better than the connector.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a facsimile apparatus provided with an image data transfer device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile apparatus main body 2 Handy scanner 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 Output unit 15 Interface 16 UART circuit 17 Clock synchronous data input circuit 18 Selector 19a-19d External terminal 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 RAM 24 Reading unit 25 Interface 26 UART circuit 27 Clock Synchronous data output circuit 28 Selector 29a-29d External terminal

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image data transfer device for transferring image data read by a manual scanning device to an output device that executes various processes using the image data, the image data transfer device comprising: Installed in both, UART to transmit and receive information required for the transfer of the image data between the manual scanning device and the output device, and installed in both the manual scanning device and the output device, A clock synchronous communication circuit that performs transfer of image data from the manual scanning device to the output device by clock synchronous communication, a communication path shared by communication between the UARTs and communication between the clock synchronous communication circuits, A state where the communication path is connected to the UART and a state where the communication path is connected to the clock synchronous communication circuit, which is installed in both the manual scanning device and the output device. A selector circuit for switching the, is installed in both of said manual scanning device and the output device, and controls the selector circuit, wherein the communication path is the U
An image data transfer device comprising: a switching control unit that switches between a state connected to an ART and a state where the communication path is connected to the clock synchronous communication circuit. 2. The switching control means, when communication of information between the UARTs is completed, controls the selector circuit to change the communication path from a state in which the communication path is connected to the UART. The image data transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the image data transfer device is switched to a state in which the image data transfer device is connected to a clock synchronous communication circuit. 3. A conductor piece which is installed in both the manual scanning device and the output device, and which is in contact with each other by mounting the manual scanning device at a predetermined position of the output device. The image data transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the image data transfer device comprises: 4. A connector in which a part of the communication path is installed in both the manual scanning device and the output device, and the manual scanning device is fitted to a predetermined position of the output device, and is fitted to each other. The image data transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the image data transfer device comprises: 5. The image data transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the communication path is configured by a cable connecting the manual scanning device and the output device.