JP3964341B2 - Image playback device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing image data as an image on transfer paper, for example, an apparatus for reading an image from a scanner and reproducing an image on transfer paper, and an image reproducing apparatus capable of obtaining a digital multifunction peripheral by adding an extended function About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In digital multifunction devices that combine functions such as copying, faxing, printers, and scanners, an image that realizes effective use of resources by effectively using memory with the combined functions and sharing control mechanisms including expansion units A processing apparatus has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). This image processing apparatus is configured to share resources among a plurality of applications.
[0003]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a conventional image processing apparatus. Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described. A reading unit 1401 that optically reads an original condenses the reflected light of lamp irradiation on the original on a light receiving element by a mirror and a lens. A light receiving element (in this embodiment, a CCD is taken as an example) is mounted on the sensor board unit 1402, and the image data converted into an electrical signal in the CCD is converted into a digital signal, and then output from the sensor board unit 1402. Is done.
[0004]
Image data output from the sensor board unit 1402 is input to the image data control unit 1403. The image data control unit 1403 controls all image data transmission between the functional device and the data bus. The image data control unit 1403 relates to the image data, the data transfer between the sensor board unit 1402, the parallel bus 1420, the image processing processor 1404, the system controller 1431 for overall control of the apparatus, the process controller 1411 for the image data, To communicate.
[0005]
Image data from the sensor board unit 1402 is transferred to the image processor 1404 via the image data control unit 1403, and signal degradation (signal degradation of the scanner system) due to quantization to the optical system and digital signal is performed. It is corrected and output to the image data control unit 1403 again.
[0006]
Next, there are a job for storing a scanned image of a document in the memory and reusing it, and a job for not storing in the memory. Each case will be described. As an example of storing in a memory, when copying a plurality of original documents, there is a method of operating the reading unit 1401 only once, storing it in the memory, and reading the stored data a plurality of times. As an example in which no memory is used, when only one original is copied, the read image can be reproduced as it is, so there is no need to perform memory access.
[0007]
First, when the memory is not used, the data transferred from the image processor 1404 to the image data controller 1403 is returned from the image data controller 1403 to the image processor 1404 again. An image processor 1404 performs image quality processing for converting luminance data from the CCD into area gradation. The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the image processor 1404 to the video data control unit 1405, and post-processing relating to dot arrangement and pulse control for reproducing the dots are performed on the signal converted into the area gradation. Then, the image forming unit 1406 forms a reproduced image on the transfer paper.
[0008]
The flow of image data in the case where additional processing such as rotation of the image direction or image synthesis is performed when the image is stored in the memory and read out will be described. The data transferred from the image processor 1404 to the image data control unit 1403 is sent from the image data control unit 1403 to the image memory / access control unit 1421 via the parallel bus 1420. Here, based on control of the system controller 1431, access control of the image data and the memory module 1422, expansion of print data of the external PC (personal computer) 1423, and compression / decompression of the image data for effective use of the memory are performed.
[0009]
Data sent to the image memory access control unit 1421 is stored in the memory module 1422 after data compression, and the stored data is read out as necessary. The read data is expanded and returned to the original image data, and is returned from the image memory / access control unit 1421 to the image data control unit 1403 via the parallel bus 1420. After transfer from the image data control unit 1403 to the image processing processor 1404, image quality processing and pulse control in the video / data control unit 1405 are performed, and an image forming unit 1406 forms a reproduced image on the transfer paper.
[0010]
In the flow of image data, the functions of the digital multi-function peripheral are realized by the bus control in the parallel bus 1420 and the image data control unit 1403. In the FAX transmission function, the read image data is subjected to image processing by the image processor 1404 and transferred to the facsimile control unit 1424 via the image data control unit 1403 and the parallel bus 1420. The facsimile control unit 1424 performs data conversion to the communication network, and transmits the data to the public line 1425 as FAX data.
[0011]
In FAX reception, line data from the public line 1425 is converted into image data by the facsimile control unit 1424 and transferred to the image processor 1404 via the parallel bus 1420 and the image data control unit 1403. In this case, no special image quality processing is performed, the video data control unit 1405 performs dot rearrangement and pulse control, and the image forming unit 1406 forms a reproduced image on the transfer paper.
[0012]
In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a FAX transmission / reception function, and a printer output function are operated in parallel, the system controller 1431 and the process controller 1411 allocate the reading unit 1401, the image forming unit 1406, and the parallel bus 1420 usage right to the job. Control. The process controller 1411 controls the flow of image data, and the system controller 1431 controls the entire system and manages the activation of each resource.
[0013]
The function selection of the digital multifunction peripheral is selected and input on the operation panel 1434, and processing contents such as a copy function and a FAX function are set. The system controller 1431 and the process controller 1411 communicate with each other via the parallel bus 1420, the image data control unit 1403, and the serial bus 1410. Data format conversion for the data interface between the parallel bus 1420 and the serial bus 1410 is performed in the image data control unit 1403.
[0014]
The mechanical drive of the image reproducing apparatus and the input / output control of various sensors are detected and controlled by the port of the I / O control unit 1440. Signal detection and driving are controlled by the process controller 1411, and the output of the sensor is monitored by interrupt processing.
[0015]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-316063 A
[0016]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the configuration in the above-described conventional invention is a configuration for sharing resources on the premise of the function of the digital multi-function peripheral, there is an unnecessary configuration when it is intended to provide only the basic image reproduction (copying function). As a result, the cost increases and extra power consumption occurs.
[0017]
The present invention provides an image reproducing apparatus that can provide basic functions related to image reproduction at a low cost in order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and that can be easily expanded to a composite function sequentially by adding optional units. For the purpose.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is an image reproducing apparatus having a basic function of an image copying function for reproducing and outputting image data input by reading a document. A controller board for adding multiple option units can be connected when using the extended function, and the operation mode and image data input / output mode of the basic function are common to the extended function using the controller board. And an expansion control means that can be used, and an operation display unit for operating the basic function and the extended function, wherein the display mode of the operation display unit is the basic function and the extended function The common function is displayed, and the extended function is displayed in the common display mode at the time of the extended function.
[0019]
According to the present invention, the basic function of image reproduction can be provided at low cost. In addition, the function can be easily expanded by adding an optional unit, and even in this case, the operation form and the input / output form of the image data can be maintained, and the operability and the processing efficiency can be improved.
[0044]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of an image reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0045]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram in the case where the image reproducing apparatus according to this embodiment of the present invention is configured with basic functions necessary for a copying machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram in the case where the image reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment of the present invention is configured as a digital multifunction machine by extending its functions. With the configuration of FIG. 2, it is possible to obtain functions equivalent to those of a conventional digital multifunction peripheral (see FIG. 14).
[0046]
The basic configuration of the copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. With this unit configuration, a basic copying function can be provided, and a multifunction function possessed by a digital multifunction peripheral such as a FAX, a printer, or a network connection is not provided. However, since the I / F terminal for expansion is included in the constituent elements, it can be easily expanded to a digital multi-function peripheral (details will be described later).
[0047]
The base engine 100 has an image data control function. The base engine 100 is provided with a local CPU bus 101, and the operation of each unit is controlled by the process controller 102. Operation instructions are stored in the ROM 103, and work data at the time of processing is stored in the RAM 104. The video control unit 105 performs image data processing and flow control. The I / O control unit 106 monitors / controls input / output of each drive system and sensor. These units are connected by a CPU bus 101. Access to the memory module 107 for image storage is controlled by the video control unit 105.
[0048]
A plurality of basic units are connected to the base engine 100. These basic units include an operation unit 110, a sensor board unit 111 as an image reading unit, a writing control unit 112, a paper feed / discharge peripheral device 113, a scanner drive mechanism 114, and a plotter drive mechanism 115.
[0049]
The operation unit 110 is connected to the process controller 102 via a serial port by a CPU peripheral control unit (see FIG. 3) provided in the video control unit 105. The video control unit 105 displays the basic operation content on the operation unit 110 and outputs an operation input of the operation unit 110 to the process controller 102. The process controller 102 monitors / controls each functional unit via the I / O control unit 106 based on the input instruction.
[0050]
In the case of a copying operation, the process controller 102 operates the scanner driving mechanism 114, optically reads the original with the sensor board unit 111, and transfers the digitized image data to the video control unit 105. . The video control unit 105 performs predetermined image processing on the image data and accumulates the image data in the memory module 107. At this time, the image data is always stored in the memory module 107 regardless of whether a plurality of copies or a single copy is made, and a data backup is performed to cope with the occurrence of a transfer paper jam in the plotter drive mechanism 115. It is like that.
[0051]
The image data read from the memory module 107 is subjected to smoothing processing and PWM modulation processing by the write image processing function of the video control unit 105, transferred to the write control unit 112, and a laser diode (LD) for writing. And the plotter drive mechanism 115 are simultaneously operated to form an image on the transfer paper.
[0052]
A copy of the original can be obtained by the above processing. At this time, the peripheral device 113 performs post-processing such as feeding, discharging, and stapling of transfer paper. By the way, the base engine 100 described above is equipped with a parallel bus I / F (described later) connected to the parallel bus 120. This function is not necessary for the basic functions such as the above-described copying machine, but is used when expanding functions to be described later.
[0053]
When the basic function shown in FIG. 1 is used, the base engine 100 is provided with a memory module 107 for storing image data, which is required for digital copying machines such as image rotation, electronic sorting, and history output. Operational functions can be provided without restricting basic essential functions. The memory module 107 of the base engine 100 is a unit such as a DIMM, which can be removed when not needed and used as a memory for the controller board 201 (see FIG. 2), and is a hardware resource. It can be used effectively without wasting it.
[0054]
Next, a case where a digital multi-function peripheral having an extended function is configured will be described with reference to FIG. An extended function is added on the basis of the base engine 100 described with reference to FIG. A controller board 201 as a motherboard mechanism is connected to the parallel bus 120 of the base engine 100. The controller board 201 includes a system controller 202 that monitors and controls the entire digital multi-function peripheral, an arbitration control unit 203 that adjusts the use authority when using resources shared by each application function, a memory module 107, and a function expansion unit. Are provided with terminals for connecting a plurality of option units unitized for each function. The optional units can be connected independently of each other so as to be easily expanded.
[0055]
The operation unit 110 is connected to the controller board 201. Since the operation unit 110 is a resource target used by a plurality of application APLs (APL 1 to 5), the system controller 202 monitors and controls via the arbitration control unit 203. When such an extended function is configured, provided functions and configuration states differ from those of the basic function described in FIG.
[0056]
A function of the digital multi-function peripheral is provided by adding a controller board 201 to the base engine 100 having a basic function controlled by the process controller 102 and adding a plurality of applications APL. This composite function is controlled by the system controller 202.
[0057]
The operation of the base engine 100 at the time of the composite function is basically the same as that in FIG. 1, but the system controller 202 and the process controller 102 communicate via the parallel bus 120 to perform resource allocation. Further, when the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 2 is configured, the memory module 107 on the base engine 100 is removed and used on the controller board 201 side (including expansion to the existing part), and a plurality of application APL resources As offered.
[0058]
For example, the application APL (APL1 to APL5) includes a FAX function, a printer function, a network function, a scanner function, a local storage function (LS), a document storage function, a document distribution function, and the like. The copy function is also positioned as one function among the plurality of applications APL.
[0059]
The arbitration control unit 203 arbitrates network control and access control of the memory module 107, and allocates resources to each application APL. Even during the simultaneous operation of the composite functions, the system controller 202 and the process controller 102 divide and map the resource occupancy rights of the base engine 100 into scanner resources (reading functions) and plotter resources (printing functions). Then, the system controller 202 manages the functions added by the extension function add-on to the basic function base engine 100, and distributes the load of a plurality of functions when the digital multifunction peripheral is configured.
[0060]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the video control unit 105 provided in the base engine 100. Image data from the sensor board unit 111 is subjected to correction processing (for example, shading correction, MTF correction, density conversion, gradation processing, scaling processing, etc.) by the read image processing unit 301. Whether it is high-speed hardware or a programmable processor, it can be similarly used as a means for realizing the function.
[0061]
The bus control unit 302 controls the data flow. Operations such as input / output control to the parallel bus I / F 303, path switching to the data conversion unit 304, path selection to the write image processing unit 305, and the like are selected based on control of the process controller 102. When the write image processing unit 305 outputs an input signal to the write control unit 112, the write image processing unit 305 converts the input signal into a signal driven by the write control unit 112 and image quality processing (for example, jaggies correction, density conversion, PWM modulation). , Image trimming, etc.). A modulation signal is transferred to the writing control unit 112, and a laser diode (LD) is driven by an LD driver (not shown) to create a latent image.
[0062]
The data converter 304 separates image data and command data, and the command data is transferred to the CPU function process controller 102 via the CPU peripheral controller 306. Command exchange is performed with the system controller 202 when the digital multifunction peripheral is expanded.
[0063]
The image data is encoded by the data compression unit 307 and stored in the memory module 107 by the memory access control unit 308 for accumulation in the memory module 107. Similarly, in reading data from the memory module 107, the memory access control unit 308 takes out code data at a predetermined address of the memory module 107, and the data decompression unit 309 converts it into image data. In image rotation, an image that has been decoded once is saved again in the work area of the memory module 107 without being encoded, and then the read image is changed to obtain a rotated image.
[0064]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the arbitration control unit 203 provided in the controller board 201. A system I / F 401 transmits and receives commands and data to and from the system controller 202. Basically, the system controller 202 controls the entire apparatus, and the system controller 202 also manages memory resource allocation. The other units are controlled via system I / F 401, access control unit 402, DMAC (direct memory access control unit) 403, parallel bus control unit 404, and parallel bus 120.
[0065]
Each unit of the image reproducing apparatus is basically connected to the parallel bus 120, and the parallel bus control unit 404 manages data transmission / reception to / from the system controller 202 and the memory module 107 by controlling the bus occupation. . A network control unit 405 controls connection with a LAN (local area network) 406 and manages data transmission / reception with an external expansion device connected to the network. The system controller 202 does not participate in operation management or the like for the connected devices on the network, but the system controller 202 controls the interface of the arbitration control unit 203.
[0066]
Connection to the serial bus 407 is interfaced by the serial port control unit 408 controlling a plurality of serial ports 409. It has port control mechanisms for various bus types, and for example, performs port control for USB and IEEE1284. In addition to the serial port 409 to the outside, command reception with the operation unit 110 and data transmission / reception related to display are controlled.
[0067]
The local bus control unit 410 makes an interface connection with a local serial bus 411 to which a font ROM for expanding RAM, ROM, and printer code data necessary for starting the system controller 202 is connected. The memory module 107 is interfaced via the memory control unit 412.
[0068]
Operation control of the arbitration control unit 203 is performed by command control via the system I / F 401 by the system controller 202. Data control manages memory access from an external unit with the memory module 107 as the center. Image data input from the base engine 100 is transferred from the parallel bus 120, taken into the arbitration control unit 203 by the parallel bus control unit 404, removed from the management of the system controller 202 by the DMAC 403, and accessed to the memory module 107. It can be done independently of system control.
[0069]
For access to the memory module 107, the access control unit 402 arbitrates access requests from a plurality of units, and the memory control unit 412 controls the access operation of the memory module 107 and data reading / writing. As for access from the network (LAN) 406 to the memory module 107, the data fetched into the arbitration control unit 203 via the network control unit 405 is accessed by the DMAC 414 to the memory module 107. At this time, the access control unit 402 mediates access to the memory module 107 by a plurality of jobs, and the memory control unit 412 reads / writes data.
[0070]
As for the access to the memory module 107 from the serial bus 407, the data fetched into the arbitration control unit 203 from the serial port 409 by the serial port control unit 408 is also accessed to the memory module 107 by the DMAC 415. At this time, the access control unit 402 mediates access to the memory module 107 by a plurality of jobs, and the memory control unit 412 reads / writes data.
[0071]
Print output data input from an external PC or the like via a network (LAN) 406 or a serial bus 407 is stored in the memory module 107 using font data bus-connected to the local serial bus 411 by the system controller 202. Expanded to the memory area.
[0072]
Interface connection with a plurality of external units is managed by the system controller 202, and memory access to the memory module 107 is managed by the respective DMACs 403, 414, and 415. In this case, since the DMACs 403, 414, and 415 independently execute data transfer, the access control unit 402 prioritizes job collision and access requests for access to the memory module 107.
[0073]
Access to the memory module 107 includes access from the system controller 202 via the system I / F 401 for developing bitmaps of stored data in addition to the DMACs 403, 414, and 415. The data transferred by the DMACs 403, 414, and 415 permitted to access the memory module 107 by the access control unit 402, or the data transferred from the system I / F 401 is transferred to the memory module 107 via the memory control unit 412. Direct access to.
[0074]
The arbitration control unit 203 includes a compression / expansion unit 417 that compresses or expands data for internal data processing, and an image editing unit 418 that edits an image. The compression / decompression unit 417 is a module that compresses and decompresses data so that image data or code data can be effectively stored in the memory module 107. The DMAC 420 controls an interface with the memory module 107. The image data once stored in the memory module 107 is called from the memory module 107 to the compression / decompression unit 417 via the memory control unit 412 and the access control unit 402 under the control of the DMAC 420. The compression / decompression unit 417 performs control to return the called image data to the memory module 107 after data conversion, or to output to the outside via a bus.
[0075]
The image editing unit 418 controls the memory module 107 with the DMAC 421 and performs data processing (clearing the memory area, rotating the image data, combining different images, etc.) in the memory module 107 area. Editing is performed by address control on the memory and data to be processed is converted. It is not suitable for compressed code data or printer code data. Processing is performed on the bitmap image developed on the memory module 107. Image compression for efficient data storage in the memory module 107 is performed on the data after image editing.
[0076]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the flow of data when the image reproducing apparatus is configured with basic functions (copiers). This figure shows a data flow using the block diagram of the video control unit 105 shown in FIG.
[0077]
In the figure, (1) is a reading path from reading of a document to memory accumulation, (2) is a path from memory reading to writing control, and (3) is an input / output control path at the time of operation. In the configuration with the basic functions shown in the figure, since the option unit is not connected, the controller board 201 is not connected to the base engine 100 and data transmission / reception via the parallel bus 120 is not performed. A memory module 107 in the base engine 100 is used as a memory for storing image data.
[0078]
(1) Reading path
The image data optically read by the sensor board unit 111 and converted into an electrical signal is subjected to read image processing by the read image processing unit 301. The image data after image processing by the read image processing unit 301 is transferred to the data conversion unit 304 by the bus control unit 302. The data conversion unit 304 selects a path to the data compression unit 307 for the image data, and transfers the image data for encoding.
[0079]
The data compression unit 307 encodes the image data, compresses the redundant data, and stores the compressed data in a predetermined storage address of the memory module 107 via the memory access control unit 308. Since the memory module 107 is configured to be mountable, the memory capacity can be increased or decreased depending on the application. The memory access control unit 308 performs memory management so that the maximum mounted capacity of the memory module 107 can be accessed.
[0080]
(2) Write path
The memory access control unit 308 searches and reads out the code data stored in the memory module 107. The read code data is decoded by the data decompression unit 309 and returned to the image data. The data conversion unit 304 transfers the image data to the bus control unit 302. The bus control unit 302 transfers the image data to the writing image processing unit 305 for writing, and converts the data into data for driving an LD driver provided in the writing control unit 112. The writing control unit 112 emits an LD for creating a latent image in the image forming system, and reproduces the image on the transfer paper through a process of latent image, development, and fixing.
[0081]
In the embodiment of the present invention, a latent image creation by an LD driver and an electrophotographic process are taken as an example. However, a configuration in which an electric signal is used for droplet ejection and an image is reproduced by an inkjet process is used. It may be.
[0082]
(3) I / O path during operation
The process controller 102 performs display of operation contents on the operation unit 110 and reception of operation input via the CPU peripheral control unit 306. Since only the functions related to the copy function and maintenance items are displayed and input is accepted, it is not necessary to manage the operation items related to the expansion of the option unit. For this reason, the configuration of the operation unit 110 may be a minimum configuration that is used only for managing basic functions. For example, since the number of menu display items is small, the display unit may be small, and there is no need to provide a destination setting button for FAX, and a small one can be used.
[0083]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a data flow when the image reproducing apparatus is configured as a function expansion (digital multifunction peripheral). This figure shows the data flow using the block diagram of the controller board 201 shown in FIG. 2 and the block diagram of the video controller 105 shown in FIG.
[0084]
The base engine 100 and the controller board 201 are connected via the parallel bus 120, and a plurality of application functions APL (APL1 to APL5) can be added using the controller board 201 as an expansion motherboard. The overall system control of the digital multi-function peripheral is controlled by the system controller 202 of the controller board 201, and the process controller 102 only controls the base engine 100.
[0085]
The operation unit 110 is used for all functions of the digital multi-function peripheral including an application relating to a copying function (copying). The system controller 202 manages drawing and command reception processing. The memory module 107, which is a memory for storing images, is not provided on the base engine 100 side, but is replaced on the controller board 201 as a shared resource.
[0086]
In the figure, (1) is a reading path from reading of a document to memory accumulation, (2) is a path from memory reading to writing control, and (3) is an input / output control path at the time of operation.
[0087]
(1) Reading path
Image data optically read by the sensor board unit 111 and converted into electric signals is subjected to image processing at the time of reading by the read image processing unit 301. The image data after image processing by the read image processing unit 301 is transferred to the parallel bus 120 by the bus control unit 302 via the parallel bus I / F 303. Image data is stored in the memory module 107 from the parallel bus 120 via the arbitration control unit 203 on the controller board 201 side. In the arbitration control unit 203, processing is performed by each of the internal parallel bus control unit 404, access control unit 402, compression / decompression unit 417, and memory control unit 412, and the encoded data is stored in the memory module 107. To do.
[0088]
(2) Write path
The memory control unit 412 of the arbitration control unit 203 reads the code data stored in the memory module 107 on the controller board 201. Processing is performed by each module of the access control unit 402, the compression / decompression unit 417, and the parallel bus control unit 404, and the decoded image data is transferred to the parallel bus 120. On the base engine 100 side, the image data from the controller board 201 is received by the parallel bus I / F 303, the image data is transferred from the bus control unit 302 to the writing image processing unit 305 for writing image processing, and the LD driver is driven. Convert to data for. The writing control unit 112 emits an LD for creating a latent image in an image forming system, and reproduces an image on a transfer sheet through a process of latent image, development, and fixing.
[0089]
(3) I / O path during operation
The display of the operation content to the operation unit 110 and the reception of the operation input are performed by the system controller 202 on the controller board 201 via the local bus control unit 410 of the arbitration control unit 203 and the system I / F 401. As the operation unit 110, a more sophisticated one is used so that an extended function can be performed using a plurality of option units. For example, an optional unit is added to a basic unit such as a large display panel, an address input mechanism on a network, an address assignment button for FAX.
[0090]
In this data flow, since the memory module 107 is not used on the base engine 100 side, image data is not transferred to the data compression unit 307, data decompression unit 309, and memory access control unit 308 in the video control unit 105. The bus control unit 302 transmits / receives data to / from the parallel bus I / F 303 of the video control unit 105 and the data conversion unit 304 in accordance with the form of the basic function shown in FIG. 5 and the form of the extended function shown in FIG. Select and control. Also for the display and command input, since there is no intervention of the process controller 102, command transfer from the operation unit 110 via the CPU peripheral control unit 306 is not performed.
[0091]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another data flow when the image reproducing apparatus is configured as a function expansion (digital multifunction peripheral). This figure shows a data flow when the process controller 102 of the base engine 100 controls the operation unit 110.
[0092]
As shown in the figure, (1) reading path and (2) writing path are the same as those in FIG. 6, and the memory module 107 on the controller board 201 is shared to store image data for copying. To do.
[0093]
(3) I / O path during operation
The operation unit 110 is connected to the controller board 201 as a shared resource of the digital multi-function peripheral, and passes through the arbitration control unit 203. The control of the operation unit 110 is performed by the process controller 102 on the base engine 100 side. The configuration function of the operation unit 110 uses an extended function with the addition of the functions of the digital multifunction peripheral. The system controller 202 manages resource management and system control for a plurality of applications. Then, screen drawing (display control) on the display unit provided in the operation unit 110 is configured to be executed by being shared by the process controller 102.
[0094]
The arbitration control unit 203 interfaces the command / drawing data for the operation unit 110 with the local bus control unit 410. The arbitration control unit 203 transfers command data to the parallel bus 120 via each module of the local bus control unit 410, system I / F 401, access control unit 402, and parallel bus control unit 404, and draws drawing data from the parallel bus 120. Obtain.
[0095]
The parallel bus 120 is connected to the base engine 100 and accesses the parallel bus I / F 303 in the video control unit 105. The video control unit 105 converts the command / drawing data into data by the data conversion unit 304 via the parallel bus I / F 303 and the bus control unit 302. Since this data is not image data for transfer, the data conversion unit 304 transfers the command data to the CPU peripheral control unit 306. The CPU peripheral control unit 306 communicates with the process controller 102 and performs display of the operation unit 110 and analysis of operation commands.
[0096]
When a plurality of option units operate at the same time, the load on the system controller 202 increases, which may lead to a decrease in drawing speed. For this reason, the process controller 102 having a performance margin other than the process control shares and executes the display control in the operation unit 110.
[0097]
As described above, the configuration form (option unit) of the operation unit 110 is different when the device configuration is configured with basic functions and when configured with function expansion. However, with respect to control, the process controller 102 is commonly involved and is performed using resources on the base engine 100 side.
[0098]
FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 show configuration examples for each function. FIG. 8 is a block diagram in the case where the image reproducing apparatus is configured with basic functions. In this case, only the base engine 100 is used and the controller board 201 is not connected. By using and controlling the resources of the base engine 100, a basic function of copying can be constructed. Processes including operation input, image reading, image reproduction on transfer paper, and paper control of transfer paper, by the configuration of the sensor board unit 111 centered on the base engine 100, the writing control unit 112, the operation unit 110, and the peripheral unit 113 All the resources of the base engine 100 are allocated to the copying function by managing the controller 102.
[0099]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram when the image reproducing apparatus is configured with an extended function. FIG. 9 is a configuration example when one application function (APL) is added as compared with the basic function (copying function) shown in FIG. 8. In this case, the controller board 201 is connected to the base engine 100, and an application APL is added to the controller board 201. The controller board 201 functions as a mother board of the digital multi-function peripheral, and becomes the center of control.
[0100]
The basic function possessed by the base engine 100 is one application (copying function application) among the functions of the entire digital multi-function peripheral. When viewed from the controller board 201, the base engine 100 portion becomes one of the shared resources of the digital multifunction peripheral.
[0101]
If the application APL is, for example, a network application (LAN connection function), distribution of image data read to the LAN 406 and a copy function for reproducing the image data distributed from the LAN 406 on transfer paper can be obtained. Each shared resource is distributed under the management of the system controller 202 to construct a composite function.
[0102]
When viewed from the controller board 201, both the network application and the copy function in the base engine 100 are equivalent resources, and no priority is given to the use of resources between applications. Note that the order of installation of option units and applications with respect to the base engine 100 and the controller board 201 is different, and no priority is given to resource use. To the last, optimal resource allocation is performed based on the connection state of the application at a predetermined time.
[0103]
FIG. 10 is another block diagram in the case where the image reproducing apparatus is configured to have an extended function. FIG. 9 is a configuration example when two application functions (APL) are added compared to the basic function (copying function) shown in FIG. 8. A plurality of applications APL (APL1, APL2) are added to the controller board 201 which is a motherboard. Prioritization of functional operations by addition order and combination does not occur. As seen from the controller board 201, the application functions APL1, APL2, and the copy function in the base engine 100 are recognized as processing functions having the same priority.
[0104]
For example, the application APL1 is a FAX function connected to a public line, and the application APL2 is a large-capacity image storage function LS. In this case, the memory module 107 on the controller board 201 is used as a temporary work data storage area, and the image storage function LS is used for long-term image storage and backup applications. For example, the image storage function LS stores the image data transmitted by FAX, the image data received by FAX, and the image data output by copying as digital data so that it can be read later.
[0105]
Furthermore, when a network application function is added as another application APL, the image data stored in the image storage function LS can be accessed from the network. In this way, the function of the image playback device can be easily expanded by adding an application.
[0106]
Next, the state of each unit during system standby will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the state of each unit during system standby when the image playback apparatus is configured with basic functions. Each unit indicated by a dotted line in the figure is a unit / module that stops functioning during system standby.
[0107]
In the configuration of the basic function shown in FIG. 11, there is no interrupt from an externally connected option during system standby. When the operator gives an input instruction from the operation unit 110, the mode shifts to the normal operation mode. Therefore, when the system is on standby, only the operation unit 110, the process controller 102 that monitors the operation unit 110, the CPU peripheral control unit 306 for the interface, and the CPU bus 101 are activated. There is no need to operate other units / modules. The sensor board unit 111 and the writing control unit 112 do not need to be energized. Since it is not necessary to operate the memory module 107, the clock can be stopped or the power can be cut off.
[0108]
A unit that is in a function stop state during system standby shuts off the power supply, and each unit in the video control unit 105 stops the clock supply. Each module described with a dotted line in the figure can stop its operation during standby to suppress power consumption. In addition, since the video control unit 105 can be configured with a single chip, the number of components mounted on the base engine 100 can be suppressed, and power consumption can be reduced during operation compared to the configuration with a plurality of chips. Function stop control during system standby can be performed by stopping clock supply to individual modules.
[0109]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the state of each unit during system standby when the image playback apparatus is configured with basic functions. In the configuration of the extended function shown in FIG. 12, a system activation request other than the operation unit 110 is generated from the outside. For example, there are FAX reception, image data output request from the network (LAN), and the like. However, since it is an irregular output request, if the entire system is always activated, an unnecessary amount of power is wasted.
[0110]
For this reason, at the time of system standby, only the unit having the function of accepting the activation request is activated, and the other units and modules are stopped. In the video control unit 105 of the base engine 100, modules (parallel bus I / F 303, bus control unit 302, data conversion unit 304, CPU peripheral control unit 306) on the path for transmitting information of the controller board 201 to the process controller 102 are Even when the system is on standby, leave it in the running state.
[0111]
In the controller board 201, the memory module 107 is stopped, and the clock supply to the memory control unit 412 in the arbitration control unit 203 is stopped. The controller board 201 activates the system I / F 401 and the access control unit 402 in the arbitration control unit 203 and the system controller 202 that monitors the system in order to detect the activation request. About application APL (APL1-5), the thing connected with the exterior has started. The unit connected to the public line, the network (LAN) or the like keeps the necessary modules in the activated state with the minimum activation, and stops the local storage function LS.
[0112]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing display screens before and after function expansion. FIG. 13A shows the content displayed on the operation unit 110 when the controller board 201 is not connected. The contents when the copy operation is performed in the basic form by the base engine 100 are displayed. For example, function items 1301 such as an operation state, the number of originals, the number of sets, the number of copies, and the like are displayed on the function display unit 1300 to explain the contents of the copying operation. FIG. 13B shows the contents displayed on the operation unit 110 when the controller board 201 is connected and expanded. At the time of this function expansion, the expanded function item 1302 is displayed as a selectable list on the operation unit 110. In the illustrated example, a state in which the functions of the FAX, the scanner, and the printer are expanded is displayed. FIG. 13C shows another display example at the time of expansion. When the FAX function is selected in the function item 1302, the function display unit 1300 displays a FAX display in order to explain the operation content at the time of FAX transmission. A display screen 1303 such as an operation state, a document setting instruction, and destination input guidance is displayed. In this way, the display contents before and after the expansion are shared, and the operability can be improved by switching and guiding the expanded functions.
[0113]
The image reproducing apparatus described in the above embodiment has been described mainly using an example in which an image is read from a scanner and the image is reproduced on a transfer sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied to a configuration in which data is input and an image is reproduced and output.
[0114]
The method for controlling the system configuration described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, floppy (R) disk, CD-ROM, MO, and DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program can be distributed via the recording medium and a network such as the Internet.
[0115]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the basic function of image reproduction can be provided at low cost. In addition, the function can be easily expanded by adding an optional unit, and even in this case, the operation form and the input / output form of the image data can be maintained, and the operability and the processing efficiency can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram when an image reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured with basic functions necessary for a copying machine.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram when the image reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as a digital multi-function peripheral by extending its functions.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video control unit provided in a base engine of the image reproduction device.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an arbitration control unit provided on a controller board of the image reproduction device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a data flow when the image reproducing apparatus is configured with basic functions (copiers).
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a data flow when the image reproducing apparatus is configured as a function expansion (digital multifunction peripheral).
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another data flow when the image reproducing apparatus is configured as a function expansion (digital multifunction peripheral).
FIG. 8 is a block diagram in a case where the image playback device is configured with basic functions.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram in a case where an image reproduction device is configured with an extended function.
FIG. 10 is another block diagram in the case where the image playback apparatus is configured to have an extended function.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a state of each unit during system standby when the image playback apparatus is configured with basic functions.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a state of each unit during system standby when the image playback apparatus is configured with basic functions.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen before and after the function expansion of the image playback device.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a conventional image processing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 base engine
101 CPU bus
102 Process controller
103 ROM
104 RAM
105 Video controller
106 I / O control unit
107 Memory module
110 Operation unit
111 Sensor board unit
112 Write controller
113 peripherals
114 Scanner drive mechanism
115 Plotter drive mechanism
120 parallel bus
201 Controller board
202 System controller
203 Arbitration controller
301 Scanned image processing unit
302 Bus controller
303 Parallel bus I / F
304 Data converter
305 Writing image processing unit
306 CPU peripheral control unit
307 Data compression unit
308 Memory access controller
309 Data decompression unit
401 System I / F
402 Access control unit
403, 414, 415, 420, 421 DMAC (Direct Memory Access Control Unit)
404 Parallel bus controller
405 Network control unit
406 LAN (Local Area Network)
407 serial bus
408 Serial port controller
409 serial port
410 Local bus controller
412 Memory control unit
417 Compression / decompression unit
418 Image Editing Department
APL (APL1-5) Application

Claims (1)

In an image reproducing apparatus having a basic function of an image copying function for reproducing and outputting image data inputted by reading a document,
A controller board for adding a plurality of optional units can be connected when using a desired extension function. When the extension function using the controller board is used, the operation mode and image data input / output mode in the basic function can be changed. Extended control means that can be used in common;
An operation display unit for operating the basic function and the extended function,
The extension control means displays a display form of the operation display unit in common with the basic function and the extended function, and displays the extended function in the common display form at the time of the extended function. Image playback device.

Images