JP3926030B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus suitable for application to, for example, a color digital copying machine or a high-speed monochrome digital copying machine having an electronic sorting function for outputting paper while sorting paper.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a digital copying machine, when a plurality of copies of a document consisting of a plurality of pages are copied, the document image is temporarily input using a scanner, subjected to image compression processing, and then stored in a storage means such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk device. Remember. Next, in order to perform the first copy, the compressed data of the first page is read from the storage means, the compressed data is expanded into image data, expanded in the page memory, and then input to the printer engine. Form.
[0003]
Next, the compressed data for the second page is read from the storage means, image formation is performed in the same manner as for the first page, and the page order is repeated. In the second and subsequent copies, the same processing as in the first copy is performed, so that a plurality of copies can be obtained by performing electronic sorting without using a mechanical sorter.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to realize the electronic sort function, it takes time to read a compressed image from a storage means such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk device, perform decompression processing, develop it into image data, and complete image formation by the printer engine. However, if it does not fall within the image forming cycle of the engine, the performance of the printer engine cannot be utilized, a waiting state of the printer engine occurs, and the copying performance is inferior to that of a mechanical sorter.
[0005]
Such a phenomenon occurs particularly in a high-speed monochrome digital copying machine or a color digital copying machine that can generate a very large amount of data in order not to deteriorate the image quality even when image compression is performed. For example, when a color image is composed of three colors of RGB or YMC, and each pixel has 8 bits for each color and 600 dpi, the data capacity is 108 MB (megabyte, the same applies hereinafter) in A4 size.
[0006]
The hard disk device has a performance of about 5 MB / s in consideration of seek time overhead and the like. For this reason, when raw image data is stored in the hard disk device, only the transfer time of the image data takes about 22 seconds and only about 3 ppm of copying performance can be produced. It can be seen that even if this image data is compressed to about 1/6 by a compression technique, the transfer time of the image data takes about 4 seconds and only a copying performance of about 15 ppm can be obtained.
[0007]
On the other hand, the semiconductor memory can provide more than 10 times the performance of the hard disk drive, but it is more expensive than the hard disk drive, making it difficult to have a large capacity memory, and realizing a high-speed electronic sort function at a low cost. It was difficult to do.
[0008]
Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of realizing a high-speed electronic sort function at a low cost without degrading performance that becomes a problem when the electronic sort function is executed in a color digital copying machine or a high-speed monochrome digital copying machine. The purpose is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: Image reading means for reading an image from a document and outputting image data, image storage means for storing image data output from the image reading means, and compression processing for the image data stored in the image storage means An image compression means for performing the comparison, a comparison means for comparing the volume of compressed data obtained from the image compression means with a predetermined value set in advance, and as a result of comparison of the comparison means, the volume of the compressed data is greater than the predetermined value. If the capacity of the compressed data is larger than the predetermined value as a result of comparison between the first storage means for storing the compressed data obtained from the image compression means and the comparison means, the image compression Second storage means for storing compressed data obtained from the means, accessible at higher speed than the first storage means, and the first storage means or the first storage means The compressed data is read from the storage means, and the decompressed process is performed on the read compressed data to obtain the original image data, and on the recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image decompressing means. Image forming means for forming an image; image data fetching operation for storing image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means; and compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means An electronic sort function executing means for executing an electronic sort function for sorting and outputting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation for reading the image and performing image formation by the image forming means It has.
[0011]
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention also includes an image reading unit that reads an image from a document and outputs image data, an image storage unit that stores image data output from the image reading unit, and a memory stored in the image storage unit. An image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data, a determination means for determining whether or not the capacity of the compressed data obtained from the image compression means affects the image formation time, and the determination means A first storage unit that stores compressed data obtained from the image compression unit and a determination unit that determines that the image formation time is affected when it is determined that the image formation time is not affected; In addition, the compressed data obtained from the image compression means is divided into at least two and one of the divided compressed data is stored in the first storage means. Means, a second storage means for storing the other of the compressed data divided by the dividing means, accessible at a higher speed than the first storage means, and the first storage means or the second storage The compressed data is read from the means, and the decompressed processing is performed on the read compressed data to obtain the original image data, and the image is formed on the recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image expanding means. Image forming means for performing image data, an image data fetching operation for storing image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and reading compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means By independently controlling an image forming operation for forming an image by the image forming means, an electronic sort function for outputting while sorting the recording media is implemented. It is provided with an electronic sorting function executing means for.
[0012]
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention also includes an image reading unit that reads an image from a document and outputs image data, an image storage unit that stores image data output from the image reading unit, and a memory stored in the image storage unit. An image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data, a comparison means for comparing the volume of compressed data obtained from the image compression means with a predetermined value set in advance, and a comparison result of the comparison means, When the compressed data capacity is smaller than the predetermined value, the comparison between the first storage means for storing the compressed data obtained from the image compressing means and the comparing means indicates that the compressed data capacity is the predetermined data. When the value is larger than the value, the compressed data obtained from the image compression means is divided into at least two, and one of the divided compressed data is divided into the first storage means. A dividing means for storing; a second storage means for storing the other of the compressed data divided by the dividing means, accessible at a higher speed than the first storage means; and the first storage means or the first storage means. The compressed data is read from the storage means 2, and the decompressed process is performed on the read compressed data to obtain original image data, and on the recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image decompressing means. An image forming means for forming an image, an image data fetching operation for storing the image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and compression from the first storage means or the second storage means By independently controlling an image forming operation of reading data and forming an image with the image forming means, an electric power to be output while sorting the recording medium It is provided with an electronic sorting function executing means for executing a sorting function.
[0013]
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention also includes an image reading unit that reads an image from a document and outputs image data, an image storage unit that stores image data output from the image reading unit, and a memory stored in the image storage unit. An image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data, a first determination means for determining whether the volume of the compressed data obtained from the image compression means affects the image formation time, and A first storage unit that stores compressed data obtained from the image compression unit when the first determination unit determines that the image formation time is not affected, and an image formation time by the first determination unit. A second storage unit that stores compressed data obtained from the image compression unit when it is determined to affect the second storage unit, and is accessible at a higher speed than the first storage unit; When the compressed data is stored in the second storage means, the second determination means for determining whether or not there is an empty area in the second storage means, and the second determination means When it is determined that there is no free space in the storage means, the compressed data having the smallest capacity is selected from the compressed data stored in the second storage means, and the selected compressed data is stored in the first storage. Means for storing and erasing from the second storage means, and then storing the compressed data in the second storage means, and the compression from the first storage means or the second storage means Image decompression means for reading the data and performing decompression processing on the read compressed data to obtain original image data, and an image on the recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image decompression means Image forming means for performing image formation, an image data fetching operation for storing the image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means Electronic sort function executing means for executing an electronic sort function for sorting and outputting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation of reading and forming an image with the image forming means.
[0014]
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention also includes an image reading unit that reads an image from a document and outputs image data, an image storage unit that stores image data output from the image reading unit, and a memory stored in the image storage unit. An image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data, a comparison means for comparing the volume of compressed data obtained from the image compression means with a predetermined value set in advance, and a comparison result of the comparison means, When the compressed data capacity is smaller than the predetermined value, the comparison between the first storage means for storing the compressed data obtained from the image compressing means and the comparing means indicates that the compressed data capacity is the predetermined data. A second storage means for storing compressed data obtained from the image compression means when it is greater than the value, accessible at a higher speed than the first storage means; and When storing the compressed data in the second storage means, a determination means for determining whether or not there is a free area in the second storage means, and there is no free area in the second storage means by this determination means. Is selected, the compressed data with the smallest capacity is selected from the compressed data stored in the second storage means, the selected compressed data is stored in the first storage means, and the first And then reading the compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and erasing the compressed data from the second storage means, and then storing the compressed data in the second storage means. Image decompression means for obtaining original image data by performing decompression processing on the compressed data, and an image for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image decompression means Forming means, an image data fetching operation for storing the image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and reading the compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means to read the image And an electronic sort function executing means for executing an electronic sort function for sorting and outputting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation for forming an image by the forming means.
[0015]
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention also includes an image reading unit that reads an image from a document and outputs image data, an image storage unit that stores image data output from the image reading unit, and a memory stored in the image storage unit. An image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data, a calculation means for calculating a difference value between a volume of compressed data obtained from the image compression means and a predetermined value set in advance, and the calculation means A value obtained by accumulating the calculated difference value and the capacity of the compressed data, and comparing means for comparing the result of the addition with a predetermined value set in advance. As a result of comparison between the first storage means for storing the compressed data obtained from the image compression means and the comparison means when the value is smaller than the predetermined value, the addition result is equal to the predetermined value. The second storage means for storing the compressed data obtained from the image compression means, and accessible at a higher speed than the first storage means, and the first storage means or the second storage. The compressed data is read from the means, and the decompressed processing is performed on the read compressed data to obtain the original image data, and the image is formed on the recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image expanding means. Image forming means for performing image data, an image data fetching operation for storing image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and reading compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means An electronic sorter that outputs an image while sorting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation for forming an image by the image forming means. It is provided with an electronic sorting function executing means for executing.
[0016]
Further, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives an image file representing image data sent from an external device, a data structure interpreting unit that interprets the data structure of the image file received by the receiving unit, and the data structure When the interpretation unit interprets the data structure as a predetermined data structure, the first storage unit stores the image file received by the reception unit, and the data structure interpretation unit interprets that the data structure is not a predetermined data structure. In this case, a second storage means for storing the image file received by the receiving means, and the image file is read from the first storage means or the second storage means, and a recording medium is based on the read image file. And image forming means for forming an image.
[0017]
According to the present invention, when the capacity of the image data after compression is large and when the performance of the electronic sort function is reduced when the image data is stored in the storage means having a slow access speed such as a hard disk device, Since the image data is stored in a semiconductor memory having a higher access speed than the hard disk device, for example, a high-speed electronic sort function can be realized regardless of the capacity of the compressed image data.
[0018]
Also, if the compressed image data capacity is large, the image data is divided and stored in a storage means with a low access speed, such as a hard disk device, for the capacity that does not cause a decrease in performance, and the rest is stored in a semiconductor memory, etc. Therefore, a high-speed electronic sorting function can be realized with a small memory capacity.
[0019]
Further, when the capacity of the expensive memory is insufficient, the smallest capacity image data stored in the memory is transferred to a slow storage means such as a hard disk device, so that the performance degradation can be minimized.
[0020]
Further, since it is determined whether the data is stored in the hard disk device or the semiconductor memory based on the accumulation of the capacity stored in the hard disk device, the memory capacity can be reduced.
[0021]
Furthermore, since data in a structured file such as the TIFF format is detected and stored in a storage means having a high access speed, the hard disk device cannot be copied due to a bottleneck, and the page memory is also reduced. No longer needed.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a color digital copying machine according to the present embodiment. This color digital copying machine includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 that controls the entire apparatus, and a semiconductor memory (hereinafter simply referred to as memory) as second storage means for temporarily storing compressed data obtained by compressing programs and image data. 12, a memory controller 11 for controlling access to the memory 12, a control panel 13 for interfacing with the user, and a first storage means for storing compressed data, programs, fonts, management information, etc., compressed image data A hard disk device (HDD) 14, a page memory 16 as storage means for storing image data in page units, a compression / decompression unit 17 as compression / decompression means for compressing / decompressing image data, and reading an image of a document Scanner 2 as image reading means for outputting data An image processing unit 20 that performs various image processing, a printer engine 22 as image forming means for forming image data on a sheet as a recording medium, a page memory 16, a compression / decompression unit 17, and an image processing unit 20 In order to output input image data from the scanner 21 to the printer engine 22, image data transfer control is performed, and the memory 12 includes a data transfer control unit 15 that performs data transfer control via the system bus 18. The
[0024]
Next, a case where one copy of a document consisting of a plurality of pages, which is a basic copying operation of a digital copying machine, is described.
[0025]
First, a document is set on the ADF (automatic document feeder) of the scanner 21, and the control panel 13 is operated to instruct one copy. The CPU 10 receives this instruction and controls each unit to start a copying operation. First, the first document is set on the reading unit of the scanner 21 by ADF. Next, by scanning the carriage, the image of the original is read by the CCD sensor in the scanner 21 and the image data is output.
[0026]
Image data output from the scanner 21 is input to the image processing unit 20, subjected to appropriate image processing, and stored in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15. In this embodiment, a color original is targeted, and the scanner 21 prepares RGB three-color CCD sensors and outputs RGB image data of 8 bits for each RGB. Also, the capacity of the image data at this time is as much as 108 MB in 600 dpi and A4 size.
[0027]
Such image data is color-converted into the CMY color space by the image processing unit 20, and is further subjected to fixed-length compression in which 2 × 2 pixels are represented by 16 bits to be converted into 18 MB image data, which is a page memory. 16 is stored.
[0028]
Subsequently, the printer engine 22 supplies the paper, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is read out using the DMA of the data control unit 15, and the image processing unit 20 performs image data compressed at a fixed length. Is returned to the original 8-bit image data for each YMC, and B (black) image data is generated from this image data and output to the printer engine 22. The printer engine 22 receives the image data, forms an image on the photosensitive drum for each color, and superimposes and transfers the image on a sheet, thereby forming a color duplicate image.
[0029]
When the image formation is completed, the original set in the reading unit of the scanner 21 is removed, and the second original is set in the reading unit of the scanner 21 by the ADF, and the same operation as the first sheet is repeated. This operation is repeated until it is detected by the ADF that there is no next original, and one copy operation is completed.
[0030]
Next, the basic operation of multiple copy using the electronic sort function will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0031]
First, for example, three A4 size originals are set on the ADF of the scanner 21, and the control panel 13 is operated to instruct to make three copies. The CPU 10 receives this instruction and controls each unit to start a copying operation. Similar to the basic copying operation described above, first, the first document is set on the reading unit of the scanner 21 by ADF. Next, the scanner 21 reads a document and outputs image data.
[0032]
Image data output from the scanner 21 is input to the image processing unit 20, subjected to appropriate image processing, and 18 MB of fixed-length image data is stored in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15. Next, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the data control unit 15 and the image data is compressed. The compression at this time uses an LZ variable length codec in the present embodiment.
[0033]
The compressed data is sequentially sent to the memory 12 using the DMA of the data control unit 15 and stored in the temporary storage area of the memory 12. Next, the compressed data stored in the memory 12 is stored in the hard disk device 14 via the memory controller 11.
[0034]
Subsequently, the ADF removes the first original, sets the next original on the original reading unit of the scanner 21, reads the original, and repeats the same operation as the first. If this operation is repeated up to the third sheet, the ADF cannot detect the fourth document, and thus the reading is finished. At this time, the three originals are stored in the hard disk device 14 as compressed data obtained by compressing the image data. The storage state of the compressed data stored in the hard disk device 14 and its management information are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively.
[0035]
As described above, when the reading of the document is completed, image formation is started. First, in order to form the first copy, the CPU 10 reads the compressed data of page 1 from the hard disk device 14 and temporarily stores it in the memory 12.
[0036]
Next, the first compressed data stored in the memory 12 is read by the memory controller 11, transferred to the data control unit 15 via the system bus 18, and the compressed data input to the data control unit 15 is compressed and expanded. After the expansion by 17, the 18 MB image data expanded again via the data control unit 15 is stored in the page memory 16.
[0037]
Subsequently, the printer engine 22 supplies the paper, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is read out using the DMA of the data control unit 15, and the image processing unit 20 performs image data compressed at a fixed length. Is returned to the original 8-bit image data for each YMC, and B (black) image data is generated from this image data and output to the printer engine 22.
[0038]
The printer engine 22 receives the image data, forms an image on the photosensitive drum for each color, and superimposes and transfers the image on the paper, whereby a color image of the first page 1 is formed.
[0039]
Next, in order to form the image of page 2, the CPU 10 reads the compressed data of page 2 from the hard disk device 14 and temporarily stores it in the memory 12 in the same manner as the image formation of page 1. The compressed data of page 2 is read from the memory 12, transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the memory controller 11, the system bus 18, and the data control unit 15. After decompression, the image data is expanded and stored in the page memory 16. To do.
[0040]
Here, in the present embodiment, since the page memory 16 has a capacity of two pages, while the image of the page 1 is being formed, transfer of compressed data from the hard disk device 14 is performed. The operation of storing the image data expanded into the image data by the compression / decompression unit 17 in the page memory 16 can be executed simultaneously. Therefore, if the development of the image data of page 2 is completed before the image formation of page 1 is completed, the image formation of page 2 can be performed at the same time as the image formation of page 1 is completed, and there is no time loss. Image formation is possible.
[0041]
When the expansion of the image data of page 2 is completed and stored in the page memory 16 and the image formation of page 1 is completed, the image of page 2 stored in the page memory 16 is next processed in the same manner as page 1. Data is read out using the DMA of the data control unit 15, sent to the printer engine 22 via the image processing unit 20, and an image is formed on the leaf paper. Page 3 is also performed in the same manner as described above, and image formation for the first copy is completed.
[0042]
Next, for image formation of the second copy, the compressed data of page 1 is read from the hard disk device 14 during the image formation of page 3 of the first copy, and further decompressed into image data by the compression / decompression unit 17 to be page memory. 16, after the image formation of page 3 of the first copy is completed, image formation of the second copy from page 1 of the second copy is performed. By repeating this in sequence, three copies can be obtained as shown in FIG. A timing chart in this case is shown in FIG.
[0043]
In FIG. 6, as can be seen from the management information in FIG. 4, since the image data of page 2 has a large compressed data capacity after data compression, it takes time to write to and read from the hard disk device 14, so page 2 In the image formation, the performance of the printer engine 22 cannot be utilized, and there is a waiting time for image formation.
[0044]
Next, the performance of the electronic sort function will be described.
[0045]
Assuming that the access performance of the hard disk device 14 is L (bytes / sec) and the capacity of compressed data obtained by compressing image data is M (bytes), the time required for writing to and reading from the hard disk device 14 is M / L (sec). It becomes. Here, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the access performance of the hard disk device 14 is the same for both writing and reading, and the performance is also in consideration of overhead such as seek time and rotation waiting time.
[0046]
Next, regarding the performance of the compression / decompression unit 17, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the performance depends only on the capacity of the image data, not on the capacity of the compressed data. / Sec) can be compressed or expanded. Therefore, if the capacity of the image data is P (bytes), the time required for compression or expansion by the compression / decompression unit 17 is P / N (sec).
[0047]
Here, the access performance of the memory 12 and the page memory 16 and the performance of the system bus 18 are sufficiently faster than the performance of the hard disk device 14 and the compression / decompression unit 17 and do not greatly depend on the data capacity. (Sec) and fixed.
[0048]
As a result, the time for reading the compressed data from the hard disk device 14 and decompressing the compressed data to the original image data by the compression / decompression unit 17 and storing it in the page memory 16 is M / L + P / N + Q (sec). . If this time is within the cycle time of the printer engine 22, it is possible to form an image with the maximum performance of the printer engine 22, but if the cycle time is exceeded, the performance deteriorates.
[0049]
Next, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0050]
First, for example, three A4 size originals are set on the ADF of the scanner 21, and the control panel 13 is operated to instruct to make three copies. The CPU 10 receives this instruction and controls each unit to start a copying operation. First, the first document is set on the reading unit of the scanner 21 by ADF. Next, the scanner 21 reads a document and outputs image data.
[0051]
Image data output from the scanner 21 is input to the image processing unit 20, subjected to appropriate image processing, and 18 MB of fixed-length image data is stored in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15. Next, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the data control unit 15 and the image data is compressed. The compressed data that has been compressed is sequentially sent to and stored in the memory 12 using the DMA of the data control unit 15.
[0052]
Next, the CPU 10 recognizes the compressed data capacity of the page 1 stored in the memory 12 and compares it with a threshold value that affects the performance of the electronic sort function (which affects the image formation time). In this embodiment, this threshold is 10 MB. Assuming that the performance of the compression / decompression unit 17 is fixed at the size of the image data, it is assumed that the time until the compressed image data is stored in the page memory 16 is not significantly different from other overheads. This is because it depends on the access performance of the hard disk device 14, that is, the capacity of the compressed data.
[0053]
Since page 1 is based on the management information shown in FIG. 9 and the compressed data capacity is 5 MB, which is smaller than the threshold value of 10 MB, the compressed data of page 1 stored in the memory 12 is stored in the hard disk via the memory controller 11. It is stored in the device 14.
[0054]
Subsequently, the ADF removes the first original, sets the next original on the original reading unit of the scanner 21, reads the original, and repeats the same operation as the first. At this time, since the compressed data capacity of page 2 is 15 MB and exceeds the threshold value of 10 MB, it is not transferred to the hard disk device 14 but stored in the temporary storage area of the memory 12.
[0055]
Similarly, page 3 is stored in the hard disk device 14 because the threshold value is not exceeded. Next, since the fourth original cannot be detected in the ADF, the reading is finished. The management information in this case is shown in FIG.
[0056]
As described above, when the reading of the document is completed, image formation is started. First, in order to form the first image, the CPU 10 recognizes from the management information whether the number of pages of the document 1 and the compressed data of each page is stored in the hard disk device 14 or the memory 12. First, since page 1 is stored in the hard disk device 14, the CPU 10 reads the compressed data of page 1 from the hard disk device 14 and temporarily stores it in the memory 12.
[0057]
Next, the first compressed data stored in the memory 12 is read by the memory controller 11, transferred to the data control unit 15 via the system bus 18, and the compressed data input to the data control unit 15 is compressed and expanded. 17 is extended. The expanded 18 MB image data is stored again in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15.
[0058]
Subsequently, the printer engine 22 supplies the paper, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is read out using the DMA of the data control unit 15, and the image processing unit 20 performs image data compressed at a fixed length. Is returned to the original 8-bit image data for each YMC, and B (black) image data is generated from this image data and output to the printer engine 22.
[0059]
The printer engine 22 receives the image data, forms an image on the photosensitive drum for each color, and superimposes and transfers the image on the paper, whereby a color image of the first page 1 is formed. At this time, since only the image data of page 1 is stored in the page memory 16 and the image data of the other page can be stored, the image data of page 2 is developed simultaneously with the image formation of page 1.
[0060]
That is, when the management information is viewed in order to form the image of page 2, since the compressed data of page 2 is stored in the memory 12, the compressed data of page 2 is read directly from the memory 12, and the data control unit 15 is read. The compressed data that has been compressed is transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 and expanded, and then the image data is expanded and stored in the page memory 16.
[0061]
Next, when the image formation for page 1 is completed, the image formation for page 2 is started. That is, the printer engine 22 supplies paper, and subsequently reads the image data stored in the page memory 16 using the DMA of the data control unit 15 and sends it to the printer engine 22 via the image processing unit 20. Then, an image is formed on the paper.
[0062]
For page 3, as with page 1, the compressed data is read from hard disk device 14 during the image formation on page 2, and after the image formation on page 2 is completed, the image formation on page 3 is started. The image formation for the eyes is finished.
[0063]
Next, for image formation of the second copy, the compressed data of page 1 is read again from the hard disk device 14 during image formation of page 3 of the first copy, and image formation similar to that for the first copy is performed. This is sequentially repeated to obtain three copies. A timing chart in this case is shown in FIG.
[0064]
As described above, in the first embodiment, since the compressed data of page 2 has a large capacity, it is not stored in the hard disk device 14 and is temporarily stored in the memory 12 that can access data faster than the hard disk device 14. It is stored in the storage area. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, an overhead in reading of the hard disk device 14 does not occur, and an electronic sorting function that does not degrade the performance of the printer engine 22 can be realized.
[0065]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0066]
First, for example, three A4 size originals are set on the ADF of the scanner 21, and the control panel 13 is operated to instruct to make three copies. The CPU 10 receives this instruction and controls each unit to start a copying operation. First, the first document is set on the reading unit of the scanner 21 by ADF. Next, the scanner 21 reads a document and outputs image data.
[0067]
Image data output from the scanner 21 is input to the image processing unit 20, subjected to appropriate image processing, and 18 MB of fixed-length image data is stored in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15. Next, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the data control unit 15 and the image data is compressed. The compressed data that has been compressed is sequentially sent to and stored in the memory 12 using the DMA of the data control unit 15.
[0068]
Next, the CPU 10 recognizes the capacity of the compressed data of the page 1 stored in the memory 12 and compares it with a threshold that affects the performance of the electronic sort function. In the present embodiment, assuming that 10 MB is a threshold value, page 1 has a compressed data capacity of 5 MB and does not exceed 10 MB from the management information shown in FIG. The data is stored in the hard disk device 14 via the memory controller 11.
[0069]
Subsequently, the ADF removes the first original, sets the next original on the original reading unit of the scanner 21, reads the original, and repeats the same operation as the first. At this time, since the compressed data capacity of page 2 is 15 MB and exceeds the threshold value of 10 MB, the compressed data of page 2 is divided into two, 10 MB and 5 MB, and the compressed data of 10 MB is stored in the hard disk device 14. Transfer and store. On the other hand, the remaining 5 MB is not transferred to the hard disk device 14 but stored in the temporary storage area of the memory 12. The management information at this time is created as shown in FIG.
[0070]
Similarly, page 3 is stored in the hard disk device 14 because the threshold value is not exceeded. Next, since the fourth original cannot be detected in the ADF, the reading is finished. FIG. 14 shows the divided state of the compressed data in this case, and FIG. 13 shows the management information.
[0071]
As described above, when the reading of the document is completed, image formation is started. First, in order to form the first image, the CPU 10 determines whether the number of pages of the document 1 and the compressed data of each page are stored only in the hard disk device 14 from the management information, or both in the hard disk device 14 and the memory 12. Recognize what is stored. First, since page 1 is stored in the hard disk device 14, the CPU 10 reads the compressed data of page 1 from the hard disk device 14 and temporarily stores it in the memory 12.
[0072]
Next, the first compressed data stored in the memory 12 is read by the memory controller 11, transferred to the data control unit 15 via the system bus 18, and the compressed data input to the data control unit 15 is compressed and expanded. 17 is extended. The expanded 18 MB image data is stored again in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15.
[0073]
Subsequently, the printer engine 22 supplies the paper, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is read out using the DMA of the data control unit 15, and the image processing unit 20 performs image data compressed at a fixed length. Is returned to the original 8-bit image data for each YMC, and B (black) image data is generated from this image data and output to the printer engine 22.
[0074]
The printer engine 22 receives the image data, forms an image on the photosensitive drum for each color, and superimposes and transfers the image on the paper, whereby a color image of the first page 1 is formed.
[0075]
Next, in order to perform image formation for page 2, when viewing the management information, the compressed data for page 2 is divided and stored in both hard disk device 14 and memory 12. For this reason, during the image formation of page 1, 10 MB of compressed data is read from the hard disk device 14, combined with the remaining 5 MB of compressed data stored in one memory 12, and temporarily stored in the memory 12.
[0076]
Next, the compressed data of page 2 is read from the memory 12, and the compressed data is transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the data control unit 15. After decompression, the image data is expanded in the page memory 16, Remember.
[0077]
Next, when the image formation for page 1 is completed, the image data for page 2 is read from page memory 16 and input to printer engine 22 to form an image on the paper. For page 3, since the compressed data is stored only in the hard disk device 14, the same processing as that for page 1 is performed, and the image formation for the first copy is completed.
[0078]
Next, for image formation of the second copy, during the image formation of page 3, the compressed data of page 1 is read again from the hard disk device 14, and image formation similar to that of the first copy is performed. This is sequentially repeated to obtain three copies. A timing chart in this case is shown in FIG.
[0079]
Thus, in the second embodiment, since the compressed data of page 2 has a large capacity, it is divided and stored in both the hard disk device 14 and the memory 12. Since the capacity of the data stored in the hard disk device 14 is a capacity that allows electronic sorting without degrading the performance of the printer engine 22 in advance, no overhead occurs and high-speed image formation is possible.
[0080]
Furthermore, since the compressed data is stored in the hard disk device 14 as much as possible without degrading the performance, the capacity of the memory 12 can be reduced, and a high-performance electronic sort function can be realized at a low price.
[0081]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0082]
First, for example, five A4-size originals are set on the ADF of the scanner 21 and the control panel 13 is operated to instruct to make three copies. The CPU 10 receives this instruction and controls each unit to start a copying operation. First, the first document is set on the reading unit of the scanner 21 by ADF. Next, the scanner 21 reads a document and outputs image data.
[0083]
Image data output from the scanner 21 is input to the image processing unit 20, subjected to appropriate image processing, and 18 MB of fixed-length image data is stored in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15. Next, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the data control unit 15 and the image data is compressed. The compressed data that has been compressed is sequentially sent to and stored in the memory 12 using the DMA of the data control unit 15.
[0084]
Next, the CPU 10 recognizes the compressed data capacity of the page 1 stored in the memory 12 and compares it with a threshold value (10 MB) that affects the performance of the electronic sort function. Since page 1 has a compressed data capacity of 5 MB from the management information shown in FIG. 18, the compressed data of page 1 stored in the memory 12 is stored in the hard disk device 14 via the memory controller 11.
[0085]
Subsequently, the ADF removes the first original, sets the next original on the original reading unit of the scanner 21, reads the original, and repeats the same operation as the first. At this time, since the compressed data capacity of page 2 is 15 MB and exceeds the threshold value of 10 MB, the compressed data is not transferred to the hard disk device 14 but stored in the temporary storage area of the memory 12.
[0086]
Similarly, page 3 is stored in the hard disk device 14 because the compressed data capacity is 3 MB and does not exceed the threshold value. Next, since page 4 is 11 MB, the capacity of the compressed data exceeds the threshold (10 MB), so it is stored in the hard disk device 14.
[0087]
Here, assuming that the capacity of the compressed data that can be temporarily stored in the memory 12 is 30 MB, when pages 4 and 4 are input, the compressed data stored in the memory 12 is 26 MB in total for the pages 2 and 4. Next, when page 5 is input from the scanner 21 like the other pages, compressed by the compression / decompression unit 17 and transferred to the memory 12, the capacity is 13 MB. When this is compared with the threshold value, it exceeds 10 MB, so it is necessary to store it in the memory 12. However, as described above, since the remaining capacity of the memory 12 is 4 MB, the compressed data of page 5 is stored in the memory 12. I can't do it.
[0088]
Therefore, the data capacity of other pages stored in the memory 12 is compared. As a result of this comparison, it can be seen that page 4 (11 MB) <page 5 (13 MB) <page 2 (15 MB). Therefore, the compressed data of page 4 having the smallest capacity among page 2, page 4, and page 5 is stored in hard disk device 14 and erased from memory 12, and instead, the compressed data of page 5 is stored in memory 12. Since the total capacity of the compressed data of page 2 and page 5 does not exceed 30 MB, the compressed data of page 4 with the smallest capacity is read from the memory 12 and the hard disk device via the memory controller 11 14 stored. On the other hand, the compressed data of page 5 transferred to the memory 12 is stored in the temporary storage unit of the memory 12.
[0089]
Next, since the sixth original cannot be detected in the ADF, reading is terminated. The management information in this case is shown in FIG.
[0090]
As described above, when the reading of the document is completed, image formation is started. First, in order to form the first image, the CPU 10 recognizes from the management information whether the number of pages of the document 1 and the compressed data of each page are stored only in the hard disk device 14 or stored in the memory 12. To do. First, since page 1 is stored in hard disk device 14, the compressed data of page 1 is read from hard disk device 14 and temporarily stored in memory 12.
[0091]
Next, the first compressed data stored in the memory 12 is read by the memory controller 11, transferred to the data control unit 15 via the system bus 18, and the compressed data input to the data control unit 15 is compressed and expanded. 17 is extended. The expanded 18 MB image data is stored again in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15.
[0092]
Subsequently, the printer engine 22 supplies the paper, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is read out using the DMA of the data control unit 15, and the image processing unit 20 performs image data compressed at a fixed length. Is returned to the original 8-bit image data for each YMC, and B (black) image data is generated from this image data and output to the printer engine 22.
[0093]
The printer engine 22 receives the image data, forms an image on the photosensitive drum for each color, and superimposes and transfers the image on the paper, whereby a color image of the first page 1 is formed.
[0094]
Next, when the management information is viewed in order to form the image of page 2, the compressed data of page 2 is stored in the memory 12. Therefore, 15 MB of compressed data is read from the memory 12 during the image formation of page 1, transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the data control unit 15, decompressed, and stored in the page memory 16.
[0095]
Thereafter, when the image formation for page 1 is completed, the image data for page 2 is transferred to the printer engine 22 via the data control unit 15 and the image processing unit 20 to form an image.
[0096]
Since page 3 and page 4 are stored in hard disk device 14, the same processing as page 1 is performed. Since page 5 is stored in the memory 12 in the same manner as page 2, the compressed data is read from the memory 12 to form an image. As described above, the image formation for the first copy is completed.
[0097]
Next, for image formation of the second copy, the compressed data of page 1 is read again from the hard disk device 14 and image formation similar to that of the first copy is performed. This is sequentially repeated to obtain three copies. A timing chart in this case is shown in FIG.
[0098]
Thus, in the third embodiment, since the compressed data of page 4 exceeded the threshold value, it was temporarily stored in the memory 12. The compressed data of page 5 also has a large capacity and exceeds the threshold value. Therefore, it must be stored in the memory 12, but the capacity of the memory 12 is insufficient. If the compressed data of page 5 is stored in the hard disk device 14 as it is, the compressed data of page 4 is compared with the case where the compressed data of page 4 and the storage location are switched as in this embodiment. Since the capacity of the compressed data of page 5 is smaller than that of the memory 12, the compressed data of page 4 can be accessed at a higher speed if the hard disk device 14 is accessed at a lower speed than the memory 12. That is, since the image data can be sent to the printer engine 22 as much as possible, the overhead is reduced, and as a result, the overall processing becomes faster.
[0099]
Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0100]
First, for example, five A4-size originals are set on the ADF of the scanner 21 and the control panel 13 is operated to instruct to make three copies. The CPU 10 receives this instruction and controls each unit to start a copying operation. First, the first document is set on the reading unit of the scanner 21 by ADF. Next, the scanner 21 reads a document and outputs image data.
[0101]
Image data output from the scanner 21 is input to the image processing unit 20, subjected to appropriate image processing, and 18 MB of fixed-length image data is stored in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15. Next, the image data stored in the page memory 16 is transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the data control unit 15 and the image data is compressed. The compressed data that has been compressed is sequentially sent to and stored in the memory 12 using the DMA of the data control unit 15.
[0102]
Next, the CPU 10 recognizes the capacity C of the compressed data of the page 1 stored in the memory 12 and takes a difference from the threshold T (= 10 MB) that affects the performance of the electronic sort function. That is, page 1 has a compressed data capacity of 10 MB from the management information shown in FIG. 22, and when the difference value is calculated, S (1) = 10 + 0−10 = 0, and the difference value is “0” or less. The compressed data of page 1 stored in the memory 12 is stored in the hard disk device 14 via the memory controller 11.
[0103]
Subsequently, the ADF removes the first original, sets the next original on the original reading unit of the scanner 21, reads the original, and repeats the same operation as the first. At this time, the capacity of the compressed data of page 2 is 5 MB, and when the difference value is calculated, S (2) = 5 + 0−10 = −5, and since the difference value is “0” or less, it is stored in the memory 12. The compressed data of page 2 is stored in the hard disk device 14 via the memory controller 11.
[0104]
Similarly, for page 3, the compressed data capacity is 15 MB, and the hard disk device 14 exceeds the threshold in time for the image forming performance of the printer engine 22, but the hard disk device 14 before page 3 Since the accumulated difference in storage capacity is S (2) = − 5 MB, S (3) = 15−5−10 = 0, and since the sum of the difference values is “0” or less, it is stored in the memory 12. The compressed data of page 2 is stored in the hard disk device 14 via the memory controller 11.
[0105]
Next, for page 4, the compressed data is 15 MB, and when the difference value S (4) is calculated, S (4) = 15−10−10 = 5 MB, which exceeds “0”. Is stored in the temporary storage area. As a result, the compressed data of page 4 is stored in the memory 12 and the access performance of the memory 12 is sufficiently faster than the hard disk device 14 and can be ignored. As a result, since the data stored in the hard disk device 14 is reduced by one page, there is a surplus, and the total difference is S (4) = S (3) −10 = −10.
[0106]
Next, when page 5 is input from the scanner 21 like the other pages, compressed by the compression / decompression unit 17 and transferred to the memory 12, the capacity is 20 MB. When the difference is calculated, S (5) = 20−10−10 = 0, and since the difference value is “0” or less, the capacity of the compressed data is 20 MB, which exceeds 10 MB that affects the performance of the hard disk device 14. However, it is stored in the hard disk device 14.
[0107]
Next, since the sixth original cannot be detected in the ADF, reading is terminated. The management information in this case is shown in FIG.
[0108]
As described above, when the reading is completed, the management information as shown in FIG. 22 is finally generated, and only the compressed data of page 4 is stored in the memory 12, and the others are stored in the hard disk device 14. .
[0109]
As described above, when the reading of the document is completed, image formation is started. First, in order to form the first copy, the CPU 10 recognizes from the management information whether the number of pages of the document 2 and the compressed data for each page are stored in the hard disk device 14 or the memory 12. . First, since page 1 is stored in hard disk device 14, the compressed data of page 1 is read from hard disk device 14 and temporarily stored in memory 12.
[0110]
Next, the first compressed data stored in the memory 12 is read by the memory controller 11, transferred to the data control unit 15 via the system bus 18, and the compressed data input to the data control unit 15 is compressed and expanded. 17 is extended. The expanded 18 MB image data is stored again in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15.
[0111]
In the present embodiment, the page memory 16 can store a plurality of pages, and the memory 12 can also store a plurality of compressed data. Therefore, the compressed data from the hard disk device 14 is read and written to the memory 12. Operation, processing for reading the compressed data stored in the memory 12, transferring the compressed data to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the data control unit 15, decompressing and writing to the page memory 16 as image data, and storing in the page memory 16 The operation of reading out the image data and transferring it to the printer engine 22 to form an image can be performed in parallel.
[0112]
That is, during the image formation of page 1, the compressed data of page 2 stored in the memory 12 is expanded into image data by the compression / decompression unit 17 and written to the page memory 16. An operation of reading the compressed data and writing it into the memory 12 can be performed.
[0113]
Therefore, after the expansion of the image data of page 1, the printer engine 22 supplies paper, and the image data stored in the page memory 16 is read out using the DMA of the data control unit 15, and the image is stored. In the processing unit 20, the fixed-length compressed image data is returned to the original 8-bit YMC image data, and B (black) image data is generated from the image data and output to the printer engine 22.
[0114]
The printer engine 22 receives the image data, forms an image on the photosensitive drum for each color, and superimposes and transfers the image on the paper, whereby a color image of the first page 1 is formed.
[0115]
Next, with respect to page 2, when the management information is viewed, the compressed data of page 2 is stored in the hard disk device 14. For this reason, the compressed data of page 1 is read from the memory 12, transferred to the compression / decompression unit 17 via the data control unit 15, decompressed, and stored in the page memory 16 while being compressed. Data is read from the hard disk device 14 and written to the memory 12.
[0116]
Further, when the image formation of page 1 is started, the compressed data of page 2 is read by the memory controller 11, transferred to the data control unit 15 via the system bus 18, and the compressed data input to the data control unit 15 is transferred. Expansion is performed by the compression / expansion unit 17. The expanded 18 MB image data is stored again in the page memory 16 via the data control unit 15.
[0117]
If the compressed data can be read from the hard disk device 14 sufficiently quickly, the compression / decompression unit 17 of the present embodiment can develop the image data at a fixed rate. Therefore, before the image formation of the image data of page 1 is completed. Then, the development of the page 2 image data is completed, and when the image formation of the page 1 is completed, the image data of the page 2 is transferred to the printer engine 22 via the data control unit 15 and the image processing unit 20 to form the image. Is done.
[0118]
Since page 3 is stored in hard disk device 14, the same processing as page 1 and page 2 is performed. Here, page 3 is 15 MB, which exceeds 10 MB of the performance of the hard disk device 14 that forms an image without loss, but since the compressed data of page 1 is 10 MB and the compressed data of page 2 is 5 MB, 5 MB Therefore, even if the image is stored in the hard disk device 14, the image forming performance does not deteriorate.
[0119]
Next, the compressed data of page 3 is read from the memory 12, and the compressed data of page 4 is read while being decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 17 and expanded in the page memory 16. At this time, when viewing the management information, since the compressed data of page 4 is stored in the memory 12, when the expansion of page 3 is completed and the image formation of page 2 is completed, the image formation of page 3 is performed in parallel. The compressed data of page 4 is read from the memory 12, decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 17, and stored as image data in the page memory 16.
[0120]
In parallel with the development of the page 4 image data, the compressed data of the page 5 is read from the hard disk device 14 and written into the memory 12. At this time, although the compressed data of page 5 is 20 MB, since the compressed data of page 4 is stored in the memory 12, there is a margin of 10 MB. It is possible to decompress the compressed data of page 5 immediately after the image formation of the image data of page 3 is completed without inserting, and it is possible to form the image of page 5 without adding weight continuously to the image formation of page 4. Become. By repeating this multiple copies, it is possible to realize high-speed electronic sort copying with minimal memory and no loss. A timing chart in this case is shown in FIG.
[0121]
As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the compressed data of page 4 exceeds the accumulated difference value and is stored in the memory 12. The compressed data of page 3 and page 5 exceeds the threshold of 10 MB, but is stored in the hard disk device 14 because there is room due to the calculation of the accumulated difference value. With respect to the compressed data of page 5, the compressed data of page 4 can be stored in the hard disk device 14 by storing the compressed data of page 4 in the memory 12, and the compressed data of page 4 can be stored in the memory 12. As compared with the case where the image data is stored in the hard disk device 14, image formation can be performed at high speed.
[0122]
Next, a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
[0123]
FIG. 24 schematically shows the configuration of a color digital copying machine according to the fifth embodiment. The color digital copying machine includes a CPU 10 for controlling the entire apparatus, a semiconductor memory (hereinafter simply referred to as a memory) 12 as a second storage means for temporarily storing compressed data obtained by compressing programs and image data, and the like. A memory controller 11 that performs access control, a control panel 13 that performs an interface with a user, and a hard disk device (HDD) 14 as a first storage unit that stores compressed data obtained by compressing image data, programs, fonts, management information, and the like. A compression / decompression unit 17 as a compression / decompression unit for compressing / decompressing image data; a printer engine 22 as an image forming unit for forming image data on a sheet as a recording medium; a memory controller 11; System bus 18 with 22 Data control unit 15 for performing transfer control of data via, and an external interface (I / F) 30 for exchanging data with an external device such as a personal computer (PC) 31.
[0124]
With such a configuration, an operation for forming an image of an image file sent from the personal computer 31 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
[0125]
First, the personal computer 31 issues a request for image formation via the external I / F 30. In response to this request, the CPU 10 prepares to receive data, and when ready, gives data transfer permission to the personal computer 31 via the external I / F 30. The personal computer 31 transfers the filed image data via the external I / F 30 and is temporarily stored in the memory 12.
[0126]
The CPU 10 interprets the header (see FIG. 26) recorded in the image file, and recognizes what kind of file the image file is, the number of image formation pages, the number of image formation copies, the data structure, and the like. If the amount of data is large, it is stored in the hard disk device 14 via the memory controller 11.
[0127]
When the data transfer is completed, the image forming operation is started. In this embodiment, since there is no page memory, it is necessary to interpret the data at the engine speed and send the image data to the engine. The image file has a format as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. FIG. 26A is divided into pages, and each page data is image data. Therefore, in this case, if the performance of the hard disk device 14 is in time for the engine performance, the printer engine 22 is read via the data control unit 15 via the memory 12 without reading the data from the hard disk device 14 without having a page memory. The image data is sent to the end of the image formation.
[0128]
In the case of FIG. 5B, the format is allowed in a structured file such as TIFF, and an image of one page is divided into blocks. Not necessarily first. Therefore, in this case, in a system having no page memory, an image cannot be formed if there is a head image at the end of the file. In the present embodiment, the CPU 10 recognizes in advance whether or not the file is such a structured file, and in the case of structured data, it is not stored in the hard disk device 14 but is stored in the memory 12. As a result, the memory 12 can be accessed at a sufficiently high speed as compared with the hard disk device 14, so that image formation cannot be made in time.
[0129]
Even if the structured data is stored in the hard disk device 14, it can be read once to the memory 12 and image formation can be started. However, the processing time is regarded as overhead for the time of reading the file data from the hard disk device 14. Therefore, the waiting time is generated in the printer engine 22 and the overall image forming performance is deteriorated. However, as shown in the present embodiment, since only data that affects the image forming performance such as structured data is stored in the memory 12, it can be realized with a smaller capacity memory without degrading the image forming performance. Become.
[0130]
As described above, according to the above embodiment, when the compressed data capacity is large and the image data is stored in the hard disk device having a low access speed and the electronic sort function is executed, the performance is deteriorated. Since the image data is stored in a semiconductor memory that can be accessed at a higher speed than the hard disk device, a high-speed electronic sort function can be realized regardless of the capacity of the compressed image data.
[0131]
In addition, when the compressed image data capacity is large, the image data is divided, and only the capacity that does not cause performance degradation is stored in the hard disk device, and the rest is stored in the semiconductor memory. A high-speed electronic sorting function can be realized.
[0132]
Further, when the capacity of the expensive semiconductor memory is insufficient, the smallest capacity image data stored in the memory is transferred to the hard disk device, so that the performance degradation can be minimized.
[0133]
Further, since it is determined whether the data is stored in the hard disk device or the semiconductor memory based on the accumulation of the capacity stored in the hard disk device, the memory capacity can be reduced.
[0134]
In addition, since structured file data is detected and stored in a high-speed semiconductor memory as in the TIFF format, there is no possibility of image formation due to a read-out of the hard disk device, and a page memory is also required. Not.
[0135]
Therefore, a high-speed electronic sort function can be realized at low cost without deteriorating the performance that becomes a problem when the electronic sort function is executed in a color digital copying machine or a high-speed monochrome digital copying machine.
[0136]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a high-speed electronic sort function can be provided at a low cost without deteriorating the performance that becomes a problem when executing the electronic sort function in a color digital copying machine or a high-speed monochrome digital copying machine. An image forming apparatus that can be realized can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a color digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a basic operation of multiple copy using the electronic sort function.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating data stored in a hard disk device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining management information stored in a hard disk device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating electronic sorting.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart during electronic sorting.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the first embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining management information stored in the hard disk device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a timing chart at the time of electronic sorting in the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining management information stored in a hard disk device according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating division of compressed data according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a timing chart at the time of electronic sorting in the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining management information stored in a hard disk device according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a timing chart at the time of electronic sorting in the third embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining management information stored in a hard disk device according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a timing chart at the time of electronic sorting in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a color digital copying machine according to a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining structured data.
FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining an image based on structured data.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... CPU, 11 ... Memory controller, 12 ... Semiconductor memory (second storage means), 13 ... Control panel, 14 ... Hard disk device (first storage means), 15 ... Data transfer control unit , 16... Page memory (storage means), 17... Compression / decompression unit (compression / decompression unit), 18... System bus, 20... Image processing unit, 21. Engine (image forming means), 30... External I / F, 31... Personal computer (external device).

Claims (11)

Image reading means for reading an image from a document and outputting image data;
Image storage means for storing image data output from the image reading means;
Image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data stored in the image storage means;
Comparison means for comparing the volume of compressed data obtained from the image compression means with a predetermined value set in advance;
A first storage means for storing compressed data obtained from the image compressing means when the compressed data capacity is smaller than the predetermined value as a result of comparison by the comparing means;
As a result of comparison by the comparison means, when the volume of the compressed data is larger than the predetermined value, the compressed data obtained from the image compression means is stored and can be accessed at a higher speed than the first storage means. Two storage means;
Image decompression means for reading the compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and obtaining original image data by performing decompression processing on the read compressed data;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image expansion means;
Image data fetching operation for storing the image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and reading out compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and the image forming means An electronic sort function executing means for executing an electronic sort function for output while sorting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation for forming;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit is a hard disk device, and the second storage unit is a semiconductor memory. Image reading means for reading an image from a document and outputting image data;
Image storage means for storing image data output from the image reading means;
Image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data stored in the image storage means;
Determination means for determining whether the volume of compressed data obtained from the image compression means affects the image formation time;
A first storage unit that stores compressed data obtained from the image compression unit when it is determined by the determination unit that the image forming time is not affected;
When the determination means determines that the image forming time is affected, the compressed data obtained from the image compression means is divided into at least two, and one of the divided compressed data is divided into the first storage means. Dividing means for memorizing,
A second storage means for storing the other of the compressed data divided by the dividing means and accessible at a higher speed than the first storage means;
Image decompression means for reading the compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and obtaining original image data by performing decompression processing on the read compressed data;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image expansion means;
Image data fetching operation for storing the image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and reading out compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and the image forming means An electronic sort function executing means for executing an electronic sort function for output while sorting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation for forming;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Image reading means for reading an image from a document and outputting image data;
Image storage means for storing image data output from the image reading means;
Image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data stored in the image storage means;
Comparison means for comparing the volume of compressed data obtained from the image compression means with a predetermined value set in advance;
A first storage means for storing compressed data obtained from the image compressing means when the compressed data capacity is smaller than the predetermined value as a result of comparison by the comparing means;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison means, when the compressed data capacity is larger than the predetermined value, the compressed data obtained from the image compression means is divided into at least two, and one of the divided compressed data is Dividing means for storing in the first storage means;
A second storage means for storing the other of the compressed data divided by the dividing means and accessible at a higher speed than the first storage means;
Image decompression means for reading the compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and obtaining original image data by performing decompression processing on the read compressed data;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image expansion means;
Image data fetching operation for storing the image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and reading out compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and the image forming means An electronic sort function executing means for executing an electronic sort function for output while sorting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation for forming;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first storage unit is a hard disk device, and the second storage unit is a semiconductor memory. Image reading means for reading an image from a document and outputting image data;
Image storage means for storing image data output from the image reading means;
Image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data stored in the image storage means;
First determination means for determining whether or not the volume of compressed data obtained from the image compression means affects the image formation time;
A first storage means for storing compressed data obtained from the image compression means when the first determination means determines that the image forming time is not affected;
Second data that is stored at a higher speed than the first storage unit, stores compressed data obtained from the image compression unit when the first determination unit determines that the image forming time is affected. Storage means;
Second determination means for determining whether or not there is a free area in the second storage means when storing the compressed data in the second storage means;
When it is determined by the second determination means that there is no free space in the second storage means, the compressed data with the smallest capacity is selected from the compressed data stored in the second storage means, Control means for storing the selected compressed data in the first storage means and deleting it from the second storage means, and then storing the compressed data in the second storage means;
Image decompression means for reading the compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and obtaining original image data by performing decompression processing on the read compressed data;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image expansion means;
Image data fetching operation for storing the image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and reading out compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and the image forming means An electronic sort function executing means for executing an electronic sort function for output while sorting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation for forming;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Image reading means for reading an image from a document and outputting image data;
Image storage means for storing image data output from the image reading means;
Image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data stored in the image storage means;
Comparison means for comparing the volume of compressed data obtained from the image compression means with a predetermined value set in advance;
A first storage means for storing compressed data obtained from the image compressing means when the compressed data capacity is smaller than the predetermined value as a result of comparison by the comparing means;
As a result of comparison by the comparison means, when the volume of the compressed data is larger than the predetermined value, the compressed data obtained from the image compression means is stored and can be accessed at a higher speed than the first storage means. Two storage means;
Determining means for determining whether or not there is a free area in the second storage means when storing the compressed data in the second storage means;
When the determination means determines that there is no free space in the second storage means, the compressed data with the smallest capacity is selected from the compressed data stored in the second storage means. Control means for storing compressed data in the first storage means and erasing from the second storage means, and then storing the compressed data in the second storage means;
Image decompression means for reading the compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and obtaining original image data by performing decompression processing on the read compressed data;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image expansion means;
Image data fetching operation for storing the image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and reading out compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and the image forming means An electronic sort function executing means for executing an electronic sort function for output while sorting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation for forming;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first storage unit is a hard disk device, and the second storage unit is a semiconductor memory. Image reading means for reading an image from a document and outputting image data;
Image storage means for storing image data output from the image reading means;
Image compression means for performing compression processing on the image data stored in the image storage means;
A computing means for calculating a difference value between the compressed data capacity obtained from the image compressing means and a predetermined value set in advance;
Comparing means for adding the accumulated value of the difference value calculated by the calculating means and the capacity of the compressed data, and comparing the addition result with a predetermined value set in advance;
A first storage means for storing compressed data obtained from the image compression means when the result of comparison by the comparison means is smaller than the predetermined value;
When the addition result is larger than the predetermined value as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, a second data that is stored at a higher speed than the first storage means for storing compressed data obtained from the image compression means is stored. Storage means;
Image decompression means for reading the compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and obtaining original image data by performing decompression processing on the read compressed data;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data obtained from the image expansion means;
Image data fetching operation for storing the image data output from the image reading means in the image storage means, and reading out compressed data from the first storage means or the second storage means, and the image forming means An electronic sort function executing means for executing an electronic sort function for output while sorting the recording medium by independently controlling an image forming operation for forming;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Receiving means for receiving an image file representing image data sent from an external device;
Data structure interpreting means for interpreting the data structure of the image file received by the receiving means;
A first storage means for storing an image file received by the receiving means when the data structure interpreting means interprets the data structure as a predetermined data structure;
Second storage means for storing an image file received by the receiving means when the data structure interpreting means interprets that the data structure is not a predetermined data structure;
Image forming means for reading out the image file from the first storage means or the second storage means and forming an image on a recording medium based on the read image file;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first storage unit is a hard disk device, and the second storage unit is a semiconductor memory.

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