JP3624678B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a function of performing input / output of image data or processing necessary for the output.And image processing method used in the image processing apparatusIn particular, a so-called multi-function machine having a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as FAX) function.And image processing method used in the MFPIt is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an image processing apparatus, a multifunction machine having a copy function, a printer function, and a FAX function is widely known.
In general, a multi-function peripheral is an input device (such as a scanner) that inputs image data, an output device (such as a laser printer) that outputs image data, and a FAX device (FAX) that inputs and outputs image data via a public network. A combination of a plurality of modules such as a modem. Each module is connected by a bus, cable, or the like, and image data is transferred via the bus, cable, or the like, thereby realizing a copy function, a printer function, or a FAX function.
[0003]
In such a multifunction device, image data is normally transferred between modules as described below.
For example, in a multi-function peripheral mainly composed of a digital copying machine, the processing speed of image data in the input side module (input device) and the output side module (output device) is substantially the same. An output operation is performed on the output side while transferring image data to and from the output side. In addition, as disclosed in JP-A-6-245005, for example, the output module has a storage device such as a buffer memory, and the transferred image data is temporarily stored in the storage device. Some output operations occur after storage. Furthermore, a storage device such as a buffer memory is provided in the input-side module, and image data is temporarily stored in the storage device and then transferred in accordance with the processing speed of the output-side module. In some cases, auxiliary storage devices having sufficient storage capacity are provided on both sides, and image data is transferred between the auxiliary storage devices.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Incidentally, in recent years, there is an increasing demand for versatility that can cope with higher processing speeds and functional expansion of multifunction devices. Therefore, it is required to transfer image data at high speed and flexibly between modules.
[0005]
However, the above-described conventional multifunction peripheral cannot transfer image data between modules at high speed and flexibly for the following reasons.
For example, in a multi-function machine centering on a digital copying machine, it is possible to achieve high speed by improving the processing speed in each module and the transfer capability of the bus etc., but the processing speed in the module on the input side and output side is Since they must be substantially the same, it is not possible to change only a specific module according to the specification application, resulting in lack of flexibility in configuring the apparatus. That is, there are many restrictions in configuring the apparatus, and it is not possible to flexibly cope with function expansion and the like.
[0006]
In addition, in a multi-function peripheral in which a storage device is provided on one or both of the input side and the output side, it is possible to ensure transfer flexibility through the storage device, but it is necessary to pass through the storage device. For this reason, it may be difficult to increase the speed. In addition, since it is necessary to provide a storage device on at least one of the input side and the output side, when the number of modules increases, the number of storage devices also increases accordingly, resulting in a complicated device configuration. At the same time, the cost of the apparatus is increased.
[0007]
Accordingly, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus that includes a plurality of modules.And image processing method used in the image processing apparatusIt is an object of the present invention to enable high-speed and flexible transfer of image data between modules.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is an image processing apparatus devised to achieve the above object, and includes a plurality of modules provided for performing input / output of image data or processing necessary for the output, and the plurality of modules. When transferring image data, the recognition means for recognizing the data transmission speed in the transfer source module and the data reception speed in the transfer destination module and the plurality of modules are connected to each other to transfer the image data between the modules. And a bandwidth guarantee network capable of transferring a plurality of image data in parallel while ensuring a bandwidth necessary for transfer at a speed recognized by the recognition means and guaranteeing the transfer speed.If the storage means provided on the bandwidth guarantee network and temporarily storing the image data transferred between the plurality of modules, and the data transfer speed and the data reception speed recognized by the recognition means match, When the bandwidth guarantee network transfers image data at a speed recognized by the recognition means, and the data transfer speed recognized by the recognition means does not match the data reception speed, the transfer source module and the transfer destination Transfer control means for temporarily storing image data exchanged with the module in the storage meansAre provided.
[0009]
According to the image processing apparatus having the above configuration, since the modules are connected by the bandwidth guarantee network, the transfer of the image data secures the bandwidth necessary for the transfer at the speed recognized by the recognition unit, and the transfer of the image data. A plurality of image data can be transferred in parallel while guaranteeing the speed. In other words, between each module, there is a data transmission speed in the transfer source module and a data reception speed in the transfer destination module.If it matchesSince the transfer speed is guaranteed by the bandwidth guarantee network, it is easy to cope with the high-speed transfer of image data, and it is possible to flexibly cope with the addition of a new module.
In addition, when the data transmission speed in the transfer source module and the data reception speed in the transfer destination module do not match and the transfer speed of the image data between these modules is not guaranteed, the image data exchanged between these is stored in the storage means. Is temporarily stored. In other words, transfer is performed directly between modules only when the transfer speed of image data between modules is guaranteed, and when transfer speed is not guaranteed, transfer is performed via a single storage device provided on the bandwidth guarantee network. I do. Therefore, even if a new module is added, it is possible to flexibly cope with this, and a high-speed and flexible image processing apparatus is constructed.
[0010]
Further, the present invention provides an image processing method devised to achieve the above object, wherein a plurality of modules provided for performing input / output of image data or processing necessary for this output are connected between the modules. Are connected to each other via a bandwidth guarantee network capable of transferring a plurality of image data in parallel while securing a bandwidth necessary for image data transfer in the network and guaranteeing the transfer speed. And a storage means for temporarily storing the image data transferred between the plurality of modules. When transferring the image data between the plurality of modules, the data transmission speed in the transfer source module and the data in the transfer destination module are provided. If the data transfer rate recognized by the recognition unit matches the data reception rate, the recognition unit recognizes the reception rate. If the data transfer rate recognized by the recognizing unit does not match the data reception rate, the transfer is performed between the transfer source module and the transfer destination module. The image data to be stored is temporarily stored in the storage means.
[0011]
According to the image processing method of the above procedure, since the modules are connected by the bandwidth guarantee network, the transfer of image data secures the bandwidth necessary for the transfer at the speed recognized by the recognition means and the transfer of the image data. A plurality of image data can be transferred in parallel while guaranteeing the speed. In other words, if the data transmission speed in the transfer source module matches the data reception speed in the transfer destination module between the modules, the transfer speed is guaranteed by the bandwidth guarantee network, so it supports high-speed image data transfer. This makes it easier to add new modules.
In addition, when the data transmission speed in the transfer source module and the data reception speed in the transfer destination module do not match and the transfer speed of the image data between these modules is not guaranteed, the image data exchanged between these is stored in the storage means. Is temporarily stored. In other words, transfer is performed directly between modules only when the transfer speed of image data between modules is guaranteed, and when transfer speed is not guaranteed, transfer is performed via a single storage device provided on the bandwidth guarantee network. I do. Therefore, even if a new module is added, it is possible to flexibly cope with this, and a high-speed and flexible image processing method is constructed.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention based on the drawings.And image processing methodWill be described. However, here, a case where the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a copy function, a printer function, and a FAX function will be described as an example.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine of the present embodiment includes a scanner 1, a laser printer 2, a FAX modem 3, an image developing unit 4, an auxiliary storage device 5, and a bandwidth guarantee network that connects them together. 6.
[0014]
The scanner 1 is a module for inputting image data, and obtains image data by optically reading an image drawn on a document.
The laser printer 2 is a module for outputting image data, and outputs image data on a medium such as recording paper using a known electrophotographic technique.
The FAX modem 3 is a module for inputting / outputting image data, is connected to a public line network (not shown), and exchanges image data with a communication partner on the public line network.
The image development unit 4 is a module for performing processing necessary for outputting image data, and print data (code data or the like) generated by a host device such as a personal computer (not shown) can be output by the laser printer 2. The image is developed (decomposed) in the form of image data (bitmap data or the like). However, it is assumed that the host device that generates print data is connected to the image development unit 4 via a dedicated line or is provided on the bandwidth guarantee network 6.
[0015]
The auxiliary storage device 5 includes a storage device such as a hard disk device or a semiconductor memory, and temporarily transfers image data transferred between the modules 1 to 4 as necessary, as will be described in detail later. To remember.
[0016]
The bandwidth guarantee network 6 connects the above-described modules 1 to 4 and the auxiliary storage device 5 to each other and transfers image data between them. However, the bandwidth guarantee network 6 performs transfer in an asynchronous transfer mode called ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode).
[0017]
In ATM, data is divided and transferred into fixed-length transmission units called cells, so that the transfer rate can be freely changed by securing some of the cells that can be transferred per unit time. At the same time, the transfer rate can be guaranteed. In addition, since data is divided and transferred in cells, a plurality of image data can be transferred in parallel.
[0018]
In order to perform such ATM transfer, the bandwidth guarantee network 6 has an ATM switch 6a and an optical fiber cable 6a that connects the ATM switch 6a to each of the modules 1 to 4 and the auxiliary storage device 5. doing. As a result, the bandwidth guarantee network 6 has a capability of a transmission path speed of 155 Mbit / sec corresponding to, for example, the ATM adaptation layer 5 (AAL5) standard, and secures a bandwidth necessary for transferring image data, and the transfer speed. As a result, a plurality of image data can be transferred in parallel.
[0019]
The modules 1 to 4 and the auxiliary storage device 5 described above operate asynchronously. Further, in each of the modules 1 to 4 and the auxiliary storage device 5, when image data is transferred via the bandwidth guarantee network 6, when it becomes the transfer source of the image data, as will be described in detail later, The transfer destination of the image data is selected and determined, the transmission speed of the image data at the transfer source and the reception speed of the image data at the transfer destination are recognized, and the band guarantee network 6 is requested to secure the band based on the recognition result. It is like that.
Each of the modules 1 to 4 and the auxiliary storage device 5 may have a function of performing compression / decompression processing on image data.
[0020]
Next, a processing operation example in the multi-function machine configured as described above will be described. First, an example of processing operation when image data input by the scanner 1 is output by the laser printer 2, that is, when a copy function is realized will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0021]
In this multifunction device, when a user gives an instruction to copy a document (copy operation) on an operation panel (not shown) or the like (step 101, step is hereinafter abbreviated as S), the scanner 1 starts reading image data from the document.
[0022]
At this time, the scanner 1 reads image data based on setting values such as the size and image quality (resolution, gradation, etc.) of a document to be read and a reading speed determined in advance in the scanner 1. The transfer time required to transmit the image data on the bandwidth guarantee network 6 is calculated, and the calculation result is recognized as the data transmission speed in the transfer source module (S102). However, if the scanner 1 has a buffer for temporarily storing image data, the allowable transfer time represented by transfer time ≦ allowable transfer time x ≦ transfer time + allowable time when the storage time is defined as the allowable time. x is recognized as the data transmission speed in the transfer source module.
[0023]
When the data transmission speed is recognized, the scanner 1 subsequently searches for a module satisfying the function instructed by the user from among the modules connected on the bandwidth guarantee network 6. In this processing operation example, since the user is instructed to copy the document, the laser printer 2 corresponds to the module. Then, the scanner 1 recognizes the data reception speed in the laser printer 2 that can be the image data transfer destination module (S103). This recognition is performed by the scanner 1 inquiring of the laser printer 2. As in the case described above, the laser printer 2 may return the allowable transfer time y represented by transfer time ≦ allowable transfer time y ≦ transfer time + allowable time to the scanner 1 as the data reception speed. Good.
[0024]
When the data transmission speed and the data reception speed are recognized in this way, the scanner 1 satisfies a module that is suitable for realizing the instruction by the user, that is, a function instructed by the user, and the data transmission speed recognition result and data It is determined whether there is a module on the bandwidth guarantee network 6 that matches the reception speed recognition result (S104). Specifically, the laser printer 2 determines whether or not the above condition is satisfied. However, the term “match” here includes both the case where the data transmission rate and the data reception rate are completely matched and the case where the values are within a predetermined width (overlapping).
[0025]
When there is such a module, that is, when the data reception speed in the laser printer 2 matches the data transmission speed of the scanner 1, the scanner 1 acquires the use of the laser printer 2 and at the recognized data transmission speed. The bandwidth guarantee network 6 is requested to secure a bandwidth necessary for transferring image data. When the usage and the bandwidth can be acquired, the scanner 1 sends the image data read from the document and a command (command for instructing output from the laser printer 2) associated with the image data to the bandwidth guarantee network 6. Then, the bandwidth guarantee network 6 is requested to transmit to the laser printer 2 (S105). That is, the scanner 1 transmits the image data and the command directly to the laser printer 2 via the bandwidth guarantee network 6, and causes the laser printer 2 to output the image data onto the medium (S106).
[0026]
On the other hand, when there is no such module, that is, when the data reception speed in the laser printer 2 does not match the data transmission speed of the scanner 1, the scanner 1 communicates with the auxiliary storage device 5 within the allowable time described above. And requesting permission to use the auxiliary storage device 5 at a desired speed (S107). When the use permission is obtained, the scanner 1 transmits the image data read at the speed at which the permission is obtained and a command associated therewith to the auxiliary storage device 5 (S108).
[0027]
When image data and commands are transmitted from the scanner 1, the auxiliary storage device 5 receives them and temporarily stores them in the auxiliary storage device 5. Thereafter, the auxiliary storage device 5 interprets the command received from the scanner 1 to acquire the use of the laser printer 2 and secures a bandwidth necessary for transferring the image data within the allowable time in the laser printer 2. Request to the assurance network 6. When the usage and the band can be acquired, the auxiliary storage device 5 transmits the temporarily stored image data and command to the laser printer 2 in accordance with the data reception speed of the laser printer 2 (S109).
[0028]
That is, when the data reception speed in the laser printer 2 does not match the data transmission speed of the scanner 1, the scanner 1 transmits image data to the auxiliary storage device 5 once at the data transmission speed of the scanner 1, and the auxiliary storage. The device 5 is temporarily stored. Thereafter, the auxiliary storage device 5 transmits the image data to the laser printer 2 at the data reception speed of the laser printer 2, and causes the laser printer 2 to output the image data onto the medium (S106).
[0029]
Note that when image data is once transmitted to the auxiliary storage device 5, a command or the like accompanying the image data may be exchanged using a vacant band without acquiring a band for that purpose. In this way, processing can be speeded up and transfer efficiency can be improved. In addition, image data is transferred with a bandwidth secured, but if the allowable transfer time in both the transfer source module and the transfer destination module is infinite (∞), and the bandwidth cannot be acquired, The image data may be transferred using the free bandwidth. For example, it corresponds to a case where the amount of data to be transferred is larger than the capacity of the auxiliary storage device 5 or a case where the operation of the transfer source module or the transfer destination module can be stopped halfway.
[0030]
Next, an example of processing operation when the print data generated by the host device is developed into image data by the image development unit 4 and then the image data is output by the laser printer 2, that is, when the print function is realized, will be described with reference to FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0031]
In this multifunction device, when a print data output process (print process) request (print job) is received from a host device (not shown) (S201), the print job is accepted (S202), and the print data related to the accepted print job is received. Are temporarily stored in a predetermined area in the auxiliary storage device 5.
[0032]
Thereafter, in this multifunction device, the processing of the received print job is started in a predetermined order (for example, the order of reception). Specifically, the image development unit 4 develops print data related to the print job in the processing order into image data by decompression. However, at this time, the image expansion unit 4 divides the print data into band units of a predetermined size, converts the print data into intermediate codes in the band units, expands the image data into image data, and further, for each band. The development time is predicted (S203). Then, the maximum value of the predicted time is recognized as the data transmission speed in the transfer source module (S204). However, when the image development unit 4 has development buffers for n bands (n = 2, 3,...), The n-th predicted time is set as the allowable transfer time x. Bands that exceed that range should be expanded in advance.
[0033]
When recognizing the data transmission speed, the image development unit 4 searches for a module that satisfies the instruction from the host device among the modules connected on the bandwidth guarantee network 6. In this processing operation example, since a print job is instructed from the host device, the laser printer 2 corresponds to the module. Then, the image development unit 4 recognizes the data reception speed in the laser printer 2 that can be the image data transfer destination module, as in the case of realizing the copy function described above (S205).
[0034]
Thereafter, as in the case of realizing the copy function, if the data transmission speed and the data reception speed match (S206), the image development unit 4 obtains the use of the laser printer 2 and the bandwidth necessary for transferring the image data The developed image data is transmitted in band units directly to the laser printer 2 via the band guarantee network 6 (S207), and is output on the medium by the laser printer 2 (S208).
If the data transmission speed and the data reception speed do not match, the image development unit 4 once transmits the developed image data to the auxiliary storage device 5 at the data transmission rate in the image development unit 4, and the auxiliary storage device 5 is temporarily stored. After that, the auxiliary storage device 5 transmits the image data to the laser printer 2 at the data reception speed of the laser printer 2 (S209), and causes the laser printer 2 to output the image data onto the medium (S209). S208).
[0035]
At this time, the auxiliary storage device 5 may store the image data as it is, or may store the image data in a compressed state. Since the sum of the transfer time from the storage device 5 is the transfer time to the laser printer 2, if this is not in time for the allowable transfer time y in the laser printer 2, the image developing unit 4 performs the development in advance by that amount. It is necessary to keep.
[0036]
In the auxiliary storage device 5, if the laser printer 2 is not ready to output image data, it waits until output is possible while storing the image data, but the laser printer 2 can output image data. Even in the state, if the band necessary for transferring the image data cannot be acquired, the process waits in a state where the image data is stored until the band is acquired. However, at this time, the maximum bandwidth that can be acquired is checked, and if there is a job that can be processed within the bandwidth, the job may be processed with priority. In this way, it is possible to effectively use the bandwidth and speed up the processing.
[0037]
In the above processing operation example, the case where the image data input by the scanner 1 is output by the laser printer 2 and the case where the image data expanded by the image expansion unit 4 is output by the laser printer 2 are given as examples. However, there are other cases where image data is transferred from the FAX modem 3 to the laser printer 2, image data is transferred from the image developing unit 4 to the FAX modem 3, and image data is transferred from the scanner 1 to the FAX modem 3. Assume that the same processing as described above is performed.
[0038]
As described above, according to the multifunction peripheral (image processing apparatus) of the present embodiment, the modules 1 to 4 are connected to each other by the bandwidth guarantee network 6, so that transfer at the data transmission speed in the transfer source module is possible. Image data can be transferred while ensuring the necessary bandwidth and guaranteeing the transfer speed, and if there is a free band, other image data can be transferred in parallel in addition to transferring the image data. Be able to do. In addition, since the modules 1 to 4 are connected by the bandwidth guarantee network 6, it is possible to flexibly cope with addition of a new module on the bandwidth guarantee network 6. Therefore, in this multi-function peripheral, it is possible to more easily ensure versatility that can cope with high-speed image data transfer and function expansion.
[0039]
Further, according to the multifunction machine of the present embodiment, since the auxiliary storage device 5 is provided on the bandwidth guarantee network 6, the data transmission speed of the transfer source and the data reception speed of the transfer destination do not match, and these Even when the transfer speed of image data between modules is not guaranteed, the image data exchanged between these modules can be temporarily stored in the auxiliary storage device 5. That is, only when the transfer speed of the image data between the modules 1 to 4 is guaranteed, transfer between the modules is performed directly. When the transfer speed is not guaranteed, one auxiliary storage provided on the bandwidth guarantee network 6 By performing transfer via the apparatus 5, image data can be transferred even between modules having different processing speeds. Therefore, in this multifunction device, even if each module does not have a memory or the like, image data can be transferred between the modules via the auxiliary storage device 5, so that the configuration of the device is complicated. In addition, even if modules are changed or added on the bandwidth guarantee network 6, it is possible to flexibly cope with this, resulting in higher speed than before. A flexible image processing apparatus will be constructed.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, the case where the bandwidth guarantee network 6 includes the ATM switch 6a and the optical fiber cable 6a and performs transfer by ATM has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. For example, even when a serial SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) is used as the bandwidth guarantee network 6, the same advantages as in the case of performing transfer by ATM can be obtained.
[0041]
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a copy function, a printer function, and a FAX function has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is not limited to an image. Any other image processing apparatus can be applied as long as the image processing apparatus includes a plurality of modules provided to perform input / output of data or processing necessary for the output.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the image processing apparatus of the present inventionAnd image processing methodSince each module is connected by a bandwidth guarantee network, a plurality of image data can be transferred in parallel while guaranteeing a data transfer speed between the transfer source and the transfer destination. Therefore, this image processing apparatusAnd image processing methodThus, securing of versatility that can cope with high-speed transfer of image data, function expansion, and the like can be achieved more easily than in the past.
[0043]
Also, the image processing apparatus of the present inventionAnd image processing methodSince the auxiliary storage device that temporarily stores the image data is provided on the bandwidth guarantee network, the transfer between the modules is performed directly only when the transfer speed of the image data is guaranteed between the modules. If the speed is not guaranteed, transfer can be performed via the auxiliary storage device. Therefore, this image processing apparatusAnd image processing methodTherefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with changes and additions of modules without complicating the apparatus and increasing the apparatus cost. As a result, the image processing apparatus is faster and more flexible than before.And image processing methodWill be built.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation when a copy function is realized in the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation when a print function is realized in the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Scanner, 2 ... Laser printer, 3 ... FAX modem, 4 ... Image expansion part, 5 ... Auxiliary storage device, 6 ... Band guarantee network

Claims (2)

A plurality of modules provided to perform input or output of image data or processing necessary for the output;
Recognizing means for recognizing a data transmission speed in a transfer source module and a data reception speed in a transfer destination module in transferring image data between the plurality of modules;
The plurality of modules are connected to each other to transfer image data between the modules, and a plurality of images are secured while securing a bandwidth necessary for transfer at a speed recognized by the recognition means to ensure the transfer speed. Bandwidth guarantee network that can perform data transfer in parallel ,
A storage unit that is provided on the bandwidth guarantee network and temporarily stores image data transferred between the plurality of modules;
If the data transfer rate recognized by the recognition unit matches the data reception rate, image data is transferred to the bandwidth guarantee network at a rate recognized by the recognition unit, and the data transfer rate recognized by the recognition unit is And a transfer control means for temporarily storing the image data transferred between the transfer source module and the transfer destination module in the storage means when the data reception speed does not match. Processing equipment. A plurality of modules provided for image data input, output, or processing necessary for the output are secured to secure a bandwidth necessary for transferring image data between the modules and to guarantee the transfer speed. Connect to each other via a bandwidth guarantee network that can transfer multiple image data in parallel,
A storage means for temporarily storing image data transferred between the plurality of modules is provided on the bandwidth guarantee network,
In transferring image data between the plurality of modules, the data transmission speed in the transfer source module and the data reception speed in the transfer destination module are recognized,
If the data transfer rate recognized by the recognition unit matches the data reception rate, image data is transferred to the bandwidth guarantee network at a rate recognized by the recognition unit, and the data transfer rate recognized by the recognition unit is If the data reception speed does not match, the image data transferred between the transfer source module and the transfer destination module is temporarily stored in the storage means.
An image processing method.

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