JP3913152B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention stores a plurality of different types of language data in a storage means such as a memory card, reads out the corresponding language data for each region where the device is used, and displays the operation of the device based on the read language data The present invention relates to a processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Image processing devices such as digital copying machines are used for processing image information, so they are widely used across languages all over the world. However, when using the device, operations to set copy conditions, etc. The language displayed on the panel may not be understood because the language used by the user is different. For this purpose, a proposal has been made to prepare a plurality of languages and use a display language selected by the user.
However, when all the languages to be used are prepared, the memory and the like for that purpose become heavy. In order to avoid this point, generally, a method of exchanging information to be used from the outside is employed (for example, a necessary program is downloaded from a memory card loaded with an application program to the main body and used according to the purpose) ).
By applying the method of replacing the information to be used from the outside to the language data displayed on the operation panel of an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, it becomes possible to freely change the combination of multiple languages. A mechanism for downloading (installing) the language data stored in the external storage medium to the flash ROM of the apparatus main body is necessary.
On the other hand, when a memory card is used as an external storage medium, a method of separately preparing a memory card in which language data is recorded for each language is also conceivable. However, a plurality of language data is recorded on one card. When downloading languages, there is no card replacement, which is convenient.
Therefore, when language data is downloaded from the external storage medium to the main body ROM, the language data start address of the external storage medium side when the external storage medium is mounted is added to the language data and written. Has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-60196 (paragraph (0019), FIG. 7)
[0004]
However, in recent years, the number of languages supported by the operation panel display has been increasing, and there have been cases where language data cannot fit on one language card. In order to cope with such a case, the language card is divided into a plurality of cards, and different languages are stored in the respective language cards. However, the language card that the user wants to install in the digital copying machine cannot be understood. The problem occurs. Also, if the digital copier is turned off and turned on again, the language selected for installation will be erased before it is turned off, and the installation operation must be performed again when the power is turned on again. .
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to use a language that a user wants to use even if a plurality of different types of languages to be installed are stored separately on a plurality of language cards. The second purpose is to allow the image processing apparatus to be installed once and again when the image processing apparatus is turned off and on again, or when the language card is reinserted. The language data is to be automatically selected and can be installed.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus that stores language data in a rewritable storage means and displays information relating to the operation of the apparatus using the language data read from the storage means. Means for reading the language list from a memory storing language data and a language list having an identifier for distinguishing whether or not the language data can be stored; means for selecting language data instructed by a user from the read language list; An identifier for distinguishing whether or not the language data is stored in the storage means based on whether or not the selected language data has the identifier, or whether or not the language data can be stored from a plurality of different types of language data. An image processing apparatus comprising control means for displaying a memory in which a language list is stored so as to be selected.
[0007]
A second aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the memory is detachable from a mounting opening exposed to the outside of the image processing apparatus.
[0008]
A third aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the storage means is a nonvolatile storage means, and stores an identifier of the selected language data. It is.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the control means controls the language data of the identifier to be stored in the storage means with reference to the identifier stored in the storage means. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the main part of a control unit of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
With reference to FIG. 1, an outline of the configuration and operation of an image data processing unit from the time when an image signal read from a document in the copying machine according to the present embodiment is generated to the generation of copy creation image data will be described.
In FIG. 1, the flow of image data is represented by thick arrows. A paper document set on a contact glass (not shown) is read by the CCD 1, and the obtained image signal is sent to the reading control unit 2. The read control unit 2 performs AD conversion and the like and inputs the digital image data to the image processing unit 3. In the image processing unit 3, various correction / conversion processes normally performed in a digital copying machine are performed on the image data, and the image data is sent to the writing control unit 4. The write controller 4 generates a drive control signal for an LD (laser diode) 5 that performs optical writing based on the image data, and inputs the drive control signal to the LD 5 to control the laser light output. Laser writing is performed by exposing a photosensitive drum (not shown) by laser beam scanning, and an electrostatic latent image is formed in combination with a charging process (not shown), and an image is formed on a transfer sheet by a so-called electrophotographic process. . In this example, the print RAM 7 and the print control unit 6 are provided to generate write image data other than the original image.
[0011]
Further, as elements constituting an operation unit for setting operation conditions and giving operation commands to the control unit of the copying machine, a display unit including a VRAM 11, an LCD control unit 12, and an LCD (liquid crystal display device) 13, a key 15, and an input. An input unit comprising a port 14 is provided. FIG. 2 shows the operation panel 21 surface of the operation unit, which is provided with a display screen 22 in which the bitmap developed in the VRAM 11 by the LCD control unit 12 is transferred and displayed on the module of the LCD 13. Moreover, each key such as the language switching key 23 and the print key 28 whose keys are shown in FIG. 2 and the key formed on the display screen 22 corresponds to the key 15 in FIG. The CPU 10 reads the input through the input port 14.
The CPU 10 controls the above operation as a whole. The CPU 10, the read control unit 2, the image processing unit 3, the write control unit 4, the print control unit 6, the input port 14, and the LCD control unit 12 are an address bus and a data bus. The RAM 9 is used as a work memory by the program stored in the flash ROM 8 (which is not limited to the flash ROM but may be a commonly used ROM) and executes the control operation.
[0012]
As described above, one of the operations executed under the control of the CPU 10 is the operation of the operation unit that sets the operation conditions and gives an operation command to the copying machine, and programs and data necessary for this are prepared in the memory. Is done. Specifically, the flash ROM 8 has an operation program for the operation unit as one of the stored programs, and further holds language data (character font, text, icon bitmap data) used for screen display of the operation unit. The flash ROM 8 also holds stamp print image bitmap data.
The language displayed on the LCD 22 can be switched by the key operation of the language switching key 23 shown on the panel surface of the operation unit (see FIG. 2). The switching data is selected from the data stored in the flash ROM 8. The In addition to the flash ROM 8 incorporated in the apparatus, an external storage medium, in this example, an NVRAM 16 shown as an IC card can be used.
[0013]
Here, the mechanism of language switching in this embodiment and the way language-dependent data that can be switched are described. Here, the case of switching between two languages, Japanese and English, will be described, but three or four languages are possible.
Language-dependent data is stored in the block configuration shown in FIG. Each block of the first language data (Japanese) and the second language data (English) in FIG. 3 is data for one language. The block structure of the language data has a header portion 31 at the beginning and a language end 40 at the end of the language data, and the address of each data divided into character string array, icon, font, and proportional information is stored between them. The pointer tables 32, 34, 36, and 38 and the data bodies 33, 35, 37, and 39 are provided.
The header portion 31 includes a language ID, a character code ID used in the language, a character string array, an icon, the head address of the pointer table 32, 34, 36 of each font, and the head address of the pointer table to the proportional information used in the proportional font. 38 etc. are stored.
[0014]
The arrangement order of character strings, icons, and fonts in the pointer table is defined in advance. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, the contents of the pointer tables 32, 34, and 36 are expanded and illustrated (shown in Japanese and English), such as “Can be copied”, “Please wait”, etc. The arrangement order of the character strings is determined in the table. When the character string to be used is designated, the order is used, and the address of the data body of the character string is obtained by referring to the designated order table.
In the data body, character strings are character code arrays, and icons and fonts are binary data. In the case of font data, the contents of font types that are not supported in the language are left empty. The same applies to the proportional information used in the case of the proportional font. In the example of FIG. 3, the Japanese data is empty because no proportional font is installed. Thus, by dividing the language data into the pointer table and the data body, for example, when a program is written in C language, the language can be switched by switching the pointer table for referring to the address of the data for each language.
Also, the first language or the second language can be set as the default language, and display is performed in the default language when the power is turned on.
[0015]
Next, an embodiment in which the language data stored in the flash ROM 8 in units of blocks is rewritten with the language data recorded in the external recording medium having the block configuration shown in FIG. In this example, an IC card (memory card) 16 is used as an external storage medium, an IC card 16 in which language data is stored for a plurality of languages is mounted, data for one language is read from the IC card 16, and the program in the flash ROM 8 is read. The language data selected from the languages stored in the IC card (language card) 16 is downloaded by a language data download program that rewrites only the language data for displaying the operation section without changing the portion.
[0016]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a memory map when an IC card is attached.
As shown in FIG. 4, the upper half is allocated to the flash memory (flash ROM 8), and the lower half is allocated to the IC card. The language data download program is held on the flash memory side, the first language start address and the second language start address of the flash memory are fixed addresses, and the size of the language data in the flash memory is fixed. The IC card stores data in each language. Access to each language data in the IC card is performed using the start address and end address of each language in the language list.
[0017]
FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing by a language data download program for reading data for one language from the IC card and rewriting only the language data for displaying the operation section of the flash ROM.
In this processing flow, first, it is selected whether the language data is to be downloaded to the first language or the second language (S51). Next, after confirming that it has been selected (S52), it is selected which language stored in the IC card is to be downloaded (S53), and it is checked that the execution key has been pressed (S54). Is started. Data transfer from the IC card to the flash memory is performed (S55). When the data transfer is completed, the written value and the read value are verified (S56). The result is checked (S57). If it is OK, a message “transfer complete” is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit (S58). If it is NG, a message “abnormal end” is displayed (S59). .
[0018]
Here, the flow of the process of transferring language data from the IC card to the flash memory will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6. The end of the language data having the block configuration shown in FIG. It is checked whether or not the instruction is “Language End” (S61). If it is not “Language End”, the language data to be transferred is read from the IC card (S62), transferred to the flash memory, and written. (S63), and this procedure is repeated until the “language end” at the end of the language data is reached.
[0019]
When performing data transfer as described above, the data address stored in the pointer table is on the memory card, so it will be different from the data address when it is actually downloaded to the flash memory. A problem occurs.
[0020]
Therefore, the start address of each language data in the IC card, that is, the pointer of the header itself at the time of compilation (the start address of each language data on the IC card in FIG. 4) is added to the header of the language data. FIG. 7 shows an example of the added head address. In FIG. 7, data indicating the pointer 72 of the header itself at the time of compilation is inserted at the head of the header 71. When reading out the language data, access is made using an offset from the start address calculated based on the added start address.
[0021]
Here, the flow of processing when referring to language data in the flash memory will be described with reference to FIG. 8. First, language data is designated by number (S81), and the position of the number in the pointer table is viewed. Thus, the address of the language data is acquired (S82). It is checked whether or not the currently selected display language is the first language (S83). If the first language is the first language, the first address 72 (FIG. 7) of the language data is subtracted from the acquired address to obtain the first language. By adding the head address (FIG. 3), the address of the data on the flash memory can be obtained (S84). The same procedure can be performed when the current display language is the second language (S85).
[0022]
Next, installation of language data from the language card will be described.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a language data installation screen.
In FIG. 9, 51 is a first language key installed in the first language, 54 is a first language key installed in the second language, and 57 is a start key. When installing the language data in the first language, when the first language key 51 is pressed, the pop-up screen in FIG. 10 is opened, and keys of different types of languages mounted on the memory card, such as the Japanese key 61 and the English key. 62, an American key 63, a French key 64, and the like are displayed. Select the language to install from these. For example, when French is selected by the French key 64 and the OK key 65 is pressed, the pop-up screen is closed, and the French to be installed is displayed in the selected language column 53 at the same time as the language installation screen of FIG.
FIG. 11 shows a screen on which French to be installed is displayed in the selected language column 53.
When the start key 57 is pressed here, the installation of language data is started. The progress of the installation is displayed by gradually increasing the * mark 58 in FIG. When the French installation is completed, the installation screen shown in FIG. 11 is changed to the installation screen shown in FIG. 12, and is displayed as French in the installation language column (Now Lang) 62 of the first language. In FIG. 9, language installation can be performed by simultaneously specifying the first language and the second language.
[0023]
Next, a description will be given of how to deal with the case where the number of languages to be stored in the language card increases and cannot be accommodated on one card.
Here, a case will be described where the number of language data that can be stored in the language card is 8 languages and the number of supported languages 16 is divided into two language cards. However, the number of languages that can be stored in the language card and the number of supported languages can be other numbers. Similar processing is possible.
FIG. 13 shows a memory map of a language card when 16 languages are divided into two language cards.
The language card A in FIG. 13 has data in Japanese, English, American, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch, and the language card B has Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Polish , Portuguese, Hungarian, Czech and Finnish are memorized. Each card has a language list embedded in the language data stored in the card. Although the language card is divided into two here, the same applies to the case of three or more cards.
[0024]
When these language cards are inserted into a mounting opening (not shown) exposed outside the digital copying machine and mounted, a language installation screen is displayed.
14A and 14B are diagrams showing a language installation screen. FIG. 14A shows a case where the language card A is attached, and FIG. 14B shows a case where the language card B is attached. In the case of the language card A, since Norwegian is not displayed, the user cannot determine whether or not Norwegian is included in the corresponding language only by this screen.
[0025]
Therefore, the language list of the language stored in the language card B is added to the language list of the language card A, and the language card A1 in which the language ID is embedded in the added language list is created.
FIG. 15 shows a memory map of the language card A1 in which the language list stored in the language card B is added to the language list of the language card A.
In the language card of FIG. 15, if the language data is not in the language card, NULL is set to the start address and end address of the language list. In addition, the name of the language card in which the language is stored, such as Lang CardA and Lang CardB, are added to the members of the language list. The same applies to the language card B.
[0026]
When the language card A1 is now installed and the displayed first language key 51 in FIG. 9 is pressed, the CPU 10 selects a language and reads the language card A and the language card B combined with the language. Display as a list of selected languages. FIG. 16 shows this screen. Here, the user presses the Norwegian key 71 to select Norwegian.
[0027]
FIG. 17 shows a screen when Norwegian is selected as the selected language, and the Norwegian key 71 is inverted when Norwegian is selected. Here, when the OK key 72 is pressed, since the Norwegian language is not stored in the language card A1, a message is displayed to insert the language card B.
FIG. 18 shows an example of a message for inserting the language card B.
[0028]
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a flowchart of this process, which will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the language card A1 is attached to the digital copying machine and the process of installing language data is started, the CPU 10 refers to the language card A1 (S101) and displays a list of selected languages. When the user selects a predetermined language from this display, the CPU 10 determines whether or not NULL is set in the start address and end address of the language list of the selected language (S102). If NULL is not set, the selected language is installed in the flash ROM 8 as an installation language (S103). If NULL is set, a message for selecting and exchanging another language card is displayed (S104).
[0029]
Next, a case where the power is once turned off and turned on again, a case where the language card is reinserted, and the like will be described.
Even after the power is turned off and the language card is re-inserted, the selected language ID is stored in the flash ROM 8 (FIG. 1) so that the language ID selected in the first language and the second language is stored. Secure storage area.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of processing for storing the selected language ID in the language ID area. In this process, the process of storing the language ID is added to the process described with reference to FIG. 19, and the additional process part will be described. A message in which NULL is set and another language card (language card B) is inserted. Is displayed (step S104 in FIG. 19), and the selected language ID is stored in the flash ROM 8 (S201).
[0030]
Thus, the installation screen when the power is turned on again is as shown in FIG. The language (previously Norwegian in the present embodiment) 73 selected as the language to be installed as the first language is automatically set in the selected language column in FIG. This set automatically installs the last language selected.
[0031]
FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a process for automatically installing the previously selected language when the power is turned on again.
Once the power is turned off and then turned on again, the CPU 10 starts automatic setting of the previously selected language, and checks whether the language ID of the last selected language is set in the first language flash ROM 8 (S301). If it is set, the language list of that language is referred to. If the start address is not NULL, the language selection process for installing the language stored in the flash ROM 8 as the installation language is performed (S302). . If the first language for a flash ROM8 not set the language ID of the last selection, the second language flash ROM8 Check that sets the language ID of the last selected (S303), performs the same processing (S304 ).
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
Effects corresponding to claims 1 and 2: Even if a plurality of different types of languages to be installed are stored separately on a plurality of language cards, the user can easily select and install the language that the user wants to use.
Effects corresponding to Claims 3 and 4: The original language data can be automatically selected and installed even when the image processing apparatus is turned off and then turned on again or when the language card is reinserted. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a control unit of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel surface of an operation unit.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of language data stored in a memory.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map when an IC card loaded with language data is mounted.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of language data download processing;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of language data transfer processing.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of language data in which a header of language data on an IC card is added to a header.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing when referring to language data in a flash memory.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an installation screen for language data.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pop-up screen of an installation language.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an installation screen.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an installation screen.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a memory map of a language card when 16 languages are divided into two language cards.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a pop-up screen of an installation language.
15 is a diagram showing a memory map of a language card in which a language list stored in a language card B is added to a language list of a language card A. FIG.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a pop-up screen of an installation language.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a pop-up screen of an installation language.
18 is a diagram showing an example of a message for inserting a language card B. FIG.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart of processing for installing a selected language.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of processing for storing a selected language ID in a language ID area.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an installation screen.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a process for automatically installing a previously selected language when the power is turned on again.
[Explanation of symbols]
8 ... Flash ROM, 9 ... RAM, 10 ... COU, 11 ... VRAM, 12 ... LCD controller, 13 ... LCD, 14 ... Input port, 21 ... Operation panel.

Claims (4)

In an image processing apparatus that stores language data in a rewritable storage means and displays information related to the operation of the apparatus using language data read from the storage means.
Means for reading the language list from a memory storing a plurality of different types of language data and a language list having an identifier for distinguishing whether or not the language data can be stored;
Means for selecting language data instructed by the user from the read language list;
Based on whether or not the selected language data has the identifier, the language data is stored in the storage means, or has an identifier for distinguishing whether or not language data can be stored from a plurality of different types of language data. An image processing apparatus comprising control means for displaying a memory storing a language list so as to be selected. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory is detachable from a mounting opening exposed to the outside of the image processing apparatus. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a nonvolatile storage unit and stores an identifier of the selected language data. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the language data of the identifier to be stored in the storage unit with reference to the identifier stored in the storage unit. .

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