JP4999667B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a scanner, a printer, and a system controller, and in particular, but not intended to be limited thereto, a system controller that communicates with a computer such as a personal computer (PC) and executes a print command provided by the computer. The present invention relates to a multifunction printer (MFP) provided. The system controller is sometimes referred to as a printer controller.

JP-A-2005-7781 JP 2006-203702 A JP 2006-252191 A JP 2007-221731 A.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 shows that when an option board for function expansion is connected, an operation manual for basic functions and an operation manual for extended functions of the option board are displayed on a display when an operation manual is output. A forming apparatus is described. Patent Documents 2 to 3 describe image forming apparatuses using a preview image and a thumbnail image.

In a multi-function printer (MFP), for example, there are the following three points A to C as main functions, and depending on the function, image data is converted into RGB or CMYK as required. RGB and CMYK are called data systems. The main data system for each function is
A. Print (printer) function Print data from a computer such as a personal computer (PC) is converted into CMYK image data and printed by a printer.
B. There are two copy function methods:
B-1. First method (see Table 1)
RGB data (image data) read from the scanner is immediately converted to CMYK data and printed by a printer.
B-2. Second method (see Table 1)
The RGB data read from the scanner is not immediately converted to CMYK data, but is stored in storage such as RAM, HDD, external media (recording medium), and then edited (RGB), distributed to computers such as PC (RGB), Register media (RGB), print (convert to CMYK), etc.
C. Scanner accumulation function The function of accumulating RGB data read from a scanner in a storage is called a scanner accumulation function. The RGB data accumulated in the storage is used for editing (RGB), distribution to a computer such as a PC (RGB), media registration (RGB), printing (converting to CMYK), and the like.

  In the MFP, for example, a print function A and a copy function B are listed as the minimum necessary functions, and a scanner storage function C is listed as an extended function. Conventionally, the print function C is the same data method (CMYK) in both the first method and the second method.

FIG. 11 shows an image processing function of a general copying operation. The module with each function is defined as follows:
<Image reading unit>
・ Scanner γ
・ Filter ・ Color correction <Image output part>
・ Printer γ
・ Gradation processing <Image processing unit>
・ Image compression / decompression ・ Preview creation ・ Thumbnail creation.

The image data (RGB data) read from the paper medium by the scanner 4 that reads the image is subjected to AD conversion and shading correction, and then the image data is corrected and adjusted through scanner γ correction, filter processing, and the like. Thereafter, the color data is converted from RGB data to CMYK data by color correction, and then the printer γ correction for matching the image expression characteristics of the printer 3 and the image data conversion to gradation expression data suitable for the printer 3 are performed. It is given to the printer through the adjustment process. The printer 3 forms an image on a sheet based on the gradation expression data. Each function processes image data as follows.
-Scanner γ correction 21-
Correction of reading distortion due to conversion characteristics of image (light) / image data (electronic data) conversion by the scanner 4,
-Filter processing 22-
Moire removal (smoothing) or sharpness adjustment (edge enhancement) of the image represented by the scanned image data
-Color correction 23-
Convert RGB data to density CMYK data,
-Printer gamma correction 24-
The density of CMYK data is adjusted according to the image expression characteristics of the printer 3.
-Tone processing 25-
CMYK which is multi-bit data is converted into gradation expression data suitable for the printer.

The general copy function of the first method performs image processing in the order of the following flow 1 using each function shown in FIG.
-Flow 1-
Scanner ↓
Scanner gamma correction (RGB)
↓
Filter processing (RGB)
↓
Color correction (RGB → CMYK)
↓
CMYK data after color correction to RAM ↓
Printer gamma correction ↓
Grading process ↓
Printer.

The general copy function of the second method performs image processing in the order of the following flow 2 using the functions shown in FIG.
-Flow 2-
Scanner ↓
Scanner gamma correction (RGB)
↓
Filter processing (RGB)
↓
Compression & thumbnail creation & preview creation ↓
RAM
↓
Save to HDD ↓
Extension ↓
Color correction (RGB → CMYK)
↓
CMYK data after color correction to RAM ↓
Printer γ
↓
Grading process ↓
Printer.

Each function of the image processing unit shown in FIG. 12 processes image data as follows.
-Image compression / decompression 71-
Encoding and decoding of image data,
-Preview creation 72-
Convert scanned image data (RGB) to preview image data,
-Thumbnail creation 73-
Converts scanner read image data (RGB) into thumbnail image data.

  In the first method, RGB → CMYK conversion is performed by the color correction 23 immediately after the scanner γ correction 21 and the filter processing 22, and the data can be output to the image output unit as it is by handling the data in the CMYK method thereafter. It has become a mechanism.

  On the other hand, in the second method, after the scanner γ correction 21 and the filter process 22, instead of color correction, RGB is compressed as it is by the image compression 71 and stored in the HDD 5, and then read from the HDD 5 and decompressed by the image decompression 71. Then, the color correction 23 and the image output unit are output. By handling data in RGB as it is, there is an advantage that it can be stored at a higher resolution than CMYK.

However, in the second method, if the image processing units (71 to 73) are located between the image output units (24, 25) and the system controller (30), the order of image processing using each function is as follows. It becomes the following flow 3.
-Flow 3-
Scanner ↓
Scanner gamma correction (RGB)
↓
Filter processing (RGB)
↓
RAM
↓
Compression & thumbnail creation & preview creation ↓
RAM
↓
Save to HDD ↓
Extension ↓
Color correction (RGB → CMYK)
↓
CMYK data after color correction to RAM ↓
Printer γ
↓
Grading process ↓
Printer In this case, data writing / reading to / from the RAM is performed twice, and the number of times of data transfer is increased.

  For low-cost MFPs, there is a desire to omit the scanner storage function C for cost reduction, and there is a request to make the scanner storage function C expandable. Conventionally, since the data method (RGB, CMYK) is used differently in the first method and the second method, the model on which the scanner storage function C is to be installed needs to be developed in advance using the second method. There has been a problem that the image processing unit (71 to 73) must be mounted. At this time, the image processing units (71 to 73) are always mounted.

  The first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be expanded from the first method to the second method, which uses a different data method. In addition, the device can be extended to the second method. The second purpose is to simplify the inter-data transfer.

(1) A scanner (4) for reading an image and outputting read image data representing the image;
A printer (3) for forming an image represented by the recorded image data on paper;
Scanner γ correction means for correcting reading distortion of RGB data generated when the scanner (4) reads an image, filter processing means for smoothing or sharpening the image representation of the image data, and color correction for converting to CMYK data Image data input / output device comprising: means, printer γ correction means for correcting CMYK data to compensate for the image forming characteristics of the image forming means, and gradation processing means for converting the data into gradation expressed by the printer (3) (20), a system control device (30) for controlling the flow of image data processing for image reading and storing and copying, main side first and second connectors (22, 32), main side first connector (22) First connection means (21) for connecting to the image data input / output device (20), and second connection means for connecting the main-side second connector (32) to the system control device (30) ( 31), a main board (10) equipped with; and
The first option side first and second connectors (52, 53) connected to the main side first and second connectors (22, 32), and the first option side first connector (52) and second A first option board (50) equipped with a third connection means (51) for connecting the connector (53); or
Image processing device including first option and second connectors (62, 63) on the second option side connected to the first and second connectors (22, 32) on the main side, and image compression / decompression means for reading and storing images (70), a fourth connection means (71) for connecting the first connector (62) on the second option side to the image processing device (70), and the second connector (63) on the second option side as the image processing device The second option board (60) equipped with the fifth connection means (72) connected to (70) and the image data compressed by the image compression / decompression means connected to the image processing device (70) are written. And storage to read (5) ;
Equipped with a,
The main board (10) detects whether the option board connected to the main side first and second connectors (22, 32) is the first option board (50) or the second option board (60) (11). , 32);
When the detecting means (11, 32) detects the first option board (50), the filter control means (22) of the image data input / output device (20) corrects the system control device (30). The read RGB data is converted into CMYK data by the color correction means (23), and the recorded image data corrected by the printer γ correction means (24) and converted by the gradation processing means (25) is converted into the printer (3 ) To select the first system control for controlling the flow of image data processing of the first type of output to the output; when the second option board (50) is detected, the image data input / output device (20) Read RGB data corrected by the filter processing means (22) by the image compression / expansion means (71) of the image processing device (70) and stored in the storage (5), and The storage ( The data is read out from 5), decompressed to RGB data by the image compression / expansion means (71), converted to CMYK data by the color correction means (23), and corrected by the printer γ correction means (24). A second system control for controlling the flow of image data processing in the second type of copying, in which the recorded image data converted by the tone processing means (25) is output to the printer (3) is selected;
Image forming apparatus.

  In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol of the response | compatibility of the Example shown to a drawing and mentioning later or an equivalent element is added for reference for an illustration. The same applies to the following.

  When the first option board (50) is connected to the main board (10) by a connector, the first method can be copied in the flow 1 in the manner shown in FIG. When the second option board (60) is connected to the main board (10) by the connector, the second method can be copied in the flow 2 as shown in FIG. Editing (RGB), distribution to a computer such as a PC (RGB), media registration (RGB), etc. can also be performed. In device-to-device data transfer in the second type copy, data can be written / read to / from RAM only once.

  (2) The image processing device (70) includes a preview creation unit and a thumbnail creation unit; the image forming apparatus according to (1) above.

( 3 ) Means (11, 32) for detecting whether the option board connected to the main side first and second connectors (22, 32) is the first option board (50) or the second option board (60) A signal that makes the potential (ip) high (H) or low (L) by connecting the second connector (53/63) on the first or second option board side to the second connector (32) on the main side. One of the signal line potential (ip) high (H) / low (L) is connected to the first option board (50) and the other is connected to the second option board (60) The image forming apparatus according to (1) above.

( 4 ) Means (11, 32) for detecting whether the option board connected to the main side first and second connectors (22, 32) is the first option board (50) or the second option board (60), An option board which is the system control device (30), reads an option-side device ID via the main-side second connector (32), and is connected to the main-side second connector (32) is a second option board (60) is identified (FIG. 10); The image forming apparatus according to ( 1 ) above.

( 5 ) The image processing device (70) includes color correction means (74) for converting RGB data into CMYK data;
In the second-type copying, the system control device (30) replaces the color correction means (23) of the image data input / output device (20), and performs the color correction of the image processing device (70). The image forming apparatus according to any one of ( 1 ) to ( 4 ), wherein the RGB data expanded by the image compression / decompression unit (71) is converted into CMYK data using a unit (74).

( 6 ) Main-side high-speed serial transfer connecting main-side first and second connectors (22, 32) to the image data input / output device (20) and system control device (30) on the main board (10), respectively. Equipped with an interface;
To supply a clock to the first option board, the high-speed serial transfer interface on the option side connecting the first and second connectors (52, 53) on the first option side, and the high-speed serial transfer interface on the main side and the option side Equipped with SSCG;
The second option board has an option side high-speed serial transfer interface for connecting the first and second connectors (62, 63) on the second option side to the image processing device, and a clock for the main side and the option side high-speed serial transfer interface. Equipped with SSCG to give
The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to ( 5 ) above.

( 7 ) By attaching / detaching the connector (52, 53/62, 63) of the first or second option board (50/60) to the main side first and second connectors (22, 32) of the main board (10) The first option board (50) attached to the main board (10) can be removed from the main board (10), and the second option board (60) can be attached to the main board (10) instead; ( 6 ) The image forming apparatus according to any one of ( 6 ).

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

-1st Example-
FIG. 1 shows an electronic circuit arrangement of the main board 10, the first option board 50, and the second option board 60 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The main board 10 includes an image data input / output device 20, a system control device 30, an option board, and main side first and second connectors 22, 32 for electrically connecting to the devices 20, 30, and each connector 22. , 32 are connected to the devices 20, 30 on the main side high-speed serial transfer interfaces 21, 31.

  The first option board 50 includes a first option option first and second connectors 52 and 53 for connection to the main side connectors 22 and 32, an option side high-speed serial transfer interface 51 for connecting the option side connectors, And a through board equipped with an SSCG (Spread Spectrum Clock Generator) 40t for supplying a clock to the main-side and option-side high-speed serial transfer interfaces 21, 31, 51.

  The second option board 60 connects the second option option side first and second connectors 62 and 63 and the respective connectors to the image processing device 70 to connect to the image processing device 70 and the main side connectors 22 and 32. Optional device for function expansion, equipped with option-side high-speed serial transfer interfaces 71, 72 and SSCG 40d for supplying clocks to the main-side and option-side high-speed serial transfer interfaces 21, 31, 71, 72 It is a board.

  The first and second option boards 50 and 60 can be selectively mounted on the main board 10 and can be replaced. That is, in the aspect having only the first function copy function and the printing function such as printing according to the print command of the PC, that is, the basic (minimum) function of the MFP, the connectors 52 and 53 of the first option board 50 are connected to the connectors of the main board 10. By connecting connectors 22 and 32, the first option board 50 is mounted on the main board 10 as shown in FIG. With this attachment, the SSCG 40t on the first option board 50 transmits the clocks A and B, which are SSC (Spread Spectrum Clock), to the buses 21 and 31 of the devices 20 and 30 through the connectors 52 and 53, respectively. Give to the connected high-speed serial transfer interface. The devices 20 and 30 are connected by a bus 21, connectors 22 and 52, a bus 51, connectors 53 and 32, and a bus 31.

  In a function expansion mode including a second type copy function, a print function, and an image reading / accumulating function for temporarily accumulating read image data in a storage and then printing or distributing (transmitting to a PC or the like), the second option board 60 By connecting the connectors 62 and 63 to the connectors 22 and 32 of the main board 10, the second option board 60 is mounted on the main board 10 as shown in FIG. With this attachment, the SSCG 40d on the second option board 60 gives the clocks A and B, which are SSCs, to the high-speed serial transfer interface connected to the buses 21 and 31 of the devices 20 and 30 through the connectors 62 and 63. . To the image processing device 70 on the second option board 60, the SSCG 40d on the board 60 gives clocks C1 and C2 which are SSCs. The image input / output device 20 and the image processing device 70 which is an extended function device are connected by a bus 21, connectors 22, 62 and a bus 71, and the image processing device 70 and the system control device 30 are connected by a bus 72, connectors 63, 32 and They are connected by a bus 31.

  The high-speed serial transfer interfaces (21, 31, 51, 71, 72) of this embodiment are all PCI-EXPRESS, and the SSCGs 40t, 40d are a reference clock generator, a spectrum spreader, and a PLL (Phase Locked Loop), respectively. In addition, a frequency divider is provided as necessary, and SSCs obtained by frequency-spreading the reference clock generated by the reference clock generator with a spectrum spreader are output as clocks A, B, C1, and C2. The frequency deviations of the clocks A, B, C1, and C2 supplied by the SSCGs 40t and 40d in the respective electronic circuit devices 20, 30, and 70 are within the standard of PCI-EXPRESS.

  It is to be noted that a frequency divider for dividing the frequency-spread basic clock is provided in the SSCG, so that SSCs having different frequencies can be given to some devices. In addition, a plurality of PLLs may be provided in the SSCG, and a clock that is frequency-spread by a spectrum spreader may be applied to the plurality of PLLs so that a pulse output from each PLL can be selectively applied to each device.

  FIG. 3 shows a flow of data processing (order of data processing) between devices in the MFP having only the basic function shown in FIG. This arrow line does not indicate an actual data transfer line (bus line) but indicates a flow of data processing in the above-described first method “flow 1” in the mode shown in FIG. The same applies to the drawings). This data processing flow is realized by the system controller 31 of the system control device 30 controlling the high-speed serial transfer interface described above via the image data I / F control 33.

  A plurality of changeover switches are shown in the block of the image data I / F control 33 in FIG. 3, but these switches schematically represent the changeover of the data processing flow. An arrow directed to the RAM 34 means writing of data into the RAM 34, and an arrow coming out of the RAM 34 means reading of data from the RAM 34. An arrow directed to the system controller 31 means a flow of distribution data to the PC or the like, and an arrow output from the system controller 31 indicates the print information of the print command of the PC or the like and the CMYK data (image data) for the system controller 31 to print. The output from the system controller 31.

  The connectors 52 and 53 of the first option board 50 are connected to the main-side connectors 22 and 32, and the PRESENT terminal pin 54 and the ground connection pin 55 of the connector 53 on the first option board side are open. The input port ip to which the potential of the terminal pin 54 is applied is at a high level H (Vc) indicating that the first option board 50 is connected. Corresponding to this high level H, the system controller 31 selects the system control program (first system control) of the basic function mode, and in copying, the RGB data output from the scanner 4 is the scanner γ correction 21 and the filter processing. Through 22, it is given to the color correction 23, converted into CMYK data, and given to the printer γ correction 24. That is, the first type of copying is performed. When a print command is received from the personal computer PC via the communication I / F 2, the system controller 31 converts the print command document information into CMYK image data, that is, CMYK data, develops it in the RAM 34, and then outputs it to the printer γ correction 24. To do.

  FIG. 4 shows a flow of data processing between devices in the MFP having the extended function mode including the image reading / accumulating function C which is the extended function shown in FIG. This arrow line indicates the flow of data processing in the “flow 2” of the second method described above and the flow of data processing in the image reading and accumulating C. An image processing device 70 having an image compression / decompression function 71, a preview creation function 72, and a thumbnail creation function 73 is mounted on the second option board 60 that is an extension function board. The connectors 62 and 63 of the second option board 60 are connected to the main side connectors 22 and 32, and the connection terminal 64 shorts between the PRESENT terminal pin 54 and the ground connection pin 55 of the connector 63 on the second option board side. Therefore, the input port ip to which the potential of the PRESENT terminal pin 54 is applied is at a low level H (equipment ground) indicating that the second option board 60 is connected. Corresponding to this low level L, the system controller 31 selects the system control program (second system control) of the extended function mode, and in copying, the RGB data output from the scanner 4 is the scanner γ correction 21 and the filter processing. Through 22, the image data is supplied from the filter process 22 to the image processing device 70, where it is compressed and written to the RAM 34, a preview and a thumbnail are created, compressed and written to the RAM 34, and these compressed data are registered in the HDD 5. The data is read out from the HDD 5, converted back to RGB data, converted into CMYK data by the color correction 23, and given to the printer γ correction 24. That is, the second type copy is performed. In the case of image reading and accumulation, after registering in the HDD 5, distribution to a PC or the like or printing in response to a print instruction is performed. In this printing, the data is read from the HDD 5, converted back to RGB data, converted to CMYK data by the color correction 23, and then given to the printer γ correction 24. When a print command is received from the personal computer PC via the communication I / F 2, the system controller 31 converts the print command document information into CMYK image data, that is, CMYK data, develops it in the RAM 34, and then outputs it to the printer γ correction 24. To do.

  In the first method (FIG. 3), the HDD 5 (storage) is not mounted, and the HDD 5 is mounted only in the second method (FIG. 4). Therefore, the image processing device 70 and the HDD 5 (storage) are always paired. ing. If the HDD I / F is mounted on the image processing device 70 and the second option board 60 is paired, for example, the HDD 5 to the image processing device 70 is compared with the case where the HDD I / F is included in the system control device 30. The cost of connecting connectors and connection buses can be reduced.

  FIG. 5 shows selection of system control by the system controller 31. When the system controller 31 is activated by applying an operating voltage and finishes initialization (set to a standby state) inside and outside the system (step s1), the system controller 31 refers to the potential of the input port ip, and if it is H, The system control program of the system is read from the nonvolatile memory inside the controller 31 and written to the control RAM inside the controller 31 (steps s2 and s3), and system control is executed according to the program in the control RAM (steps s5 and s6). When the potential of the input port ip is L, the second system control program is read from the nonvolatile memory inside the controller 31 and written to the control RAM (steps s2 and s4), and the system control is executed according to the control RAM program. (Steps s5 and s6). In this way, the system board (image data processing sequence) is detected by detecting whether the option board mounted on the main board 10 is the second option board 60 having the image processing function or the first option board 50 having no image processing function. Therefore, it is easy to set (select) system control corresponding to the presence or absence of the extended function element.

-Second Example-
In the second embodiment, the image processing device 70 of the second option board 60 is also provided with a color correction 74 for converting RGB data obtained by image reading into CMYK data for recording by a printer.

  FIG. 6 shows the flow of data processing between devices in the MFP according to the second embodiment, which has only basic functions, with arrow lines. That is, the flow of data processing in “Flow 1” of the first method is shown. Corresponding to the high level H of the input port ip, the system controller 31 selects a system control program (first system control) of the basic function mode, and in copying, the RGB data output from the scanner 4 is the scanner γ correction 21. After passing through the filter processing 22, it is given to the color correction 23, converted into CMYK data, and given to the printer γ correction 24. That is, the first type of copying is performed.

  In FIG. 7, the flow of data processing between devices in the MFP of the extended function mode having the image reading / accumulating function which is the extended function of the second embodiment is indicated by an arrow line. An image processing device 70 having an image compression / expansion function 71, a preview creation function 72, a thumbnail creation function 73, and a color correction function 74 is mounted on the second option board 60 that is an extension function board. Corresponding to the low level L of the input port ip, the system controller 31 selects a system control program (second system control) of the extended function mode, and in copying, the RGB data output from the scanner 4 is the scanner γ correction 21. After passing through the filtering process 22, the filtering process 22 supplies the image processing device 70 with compression, writing to the RAM 34, creating a preview and thumbnail, compressing and writing to the RAM 34, and registering the compressed data in the HDD 5. Then, it is read from the HDD 5 and returned to RGB data, converted into CMYK data by the color correction 74 of the image processing device 70, and then given to the printer γ correction 24. That is, the second type copy is performed. In the case of image reading and accumulation, after registering in the HDD 5, distribution to a PC or the like or printing in response to a print instruction is performed. In this printing, the data is read from the HDD 5 and returned to RGB data, converted into CMYK data by the color correction 74 of the image processing device 70, and then given to the printer γ correction 24.

  Other hardware and functions of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. If the color correction in the second system uses the color correction function 23 of the image data input / output device as in the first embodiment, the image processing device will not be able to reach the printer γ correction 24 after the expansion work. 70, the image data input / output device 20, the image processing device 70, and the image data input / output device 20 must be circulated. However, by implementing the color correction function 74 in the image processing device 70 as in the second embodiment, the RGB data read from the HDD 5 and decompressed is not returned to the image data input / output device 20, but the image processing device 70. Can be converted into CMYK data.

  In the second embodiment, even in the MFP (FIG. 7) of the extended function mode (second method) equipped with the second option board 60a, the copy of the first method when the first option board 50a is equipped is used. Similar copying is possible. That is, the same image data processing sequence as the flow of image data processing in the first-type copy when the first option board 50a is installed can be implemented.

-Third Example-
In the third embodiment, the image data processing sequence of the image processing device 70 of the second embodiment is simplified, and the image data transfer control of the image data I / F control 33 is simplified.

  In FIG. 8, the flow of data processing between devices in the MFP (first method) having only the basic functions of the second embodiment is indicated by an arrow line. In this aspect, there is a data processing flow in which the color correction function 23 of the image data input / output device 20b converts to CMYK data, and then the printer γ correction 24 performs printer γ correction, whereby the first method is copied. .

  In FIG. 9, the flow of data processing between devices in the MFP of the extended function mode (second method) having the extended function of the second embodiment is indicated by an arrow line. In this mode, there is no printer γ correction by the printer γ correction 24 following the color correction 23 of the image data input / output device 20b, and copying by the data processing sequence similar to the first method is not possible. Accordingly, the functions of the second option board 60 and the image data I / F control 33 are simplified.

-Fourth embodiment-
In the fourth embodiment, the hardware elements (11, 54, 55, 64, etc.) for detecting which of the first and second option boards 50, 60 of the first to third embodiments are mounted on the main board 10 are used. ip) is omitted, the system controller 31 reads the device ID (identification data), and the system control program (first system control) in the basic function mode or the system in the extended function mode corresponding to the device ID. Select the control program (second system control).

  When the first option board 50 is mounted on the main board 10, the system controller 31 sets the device ID of the image data input / output device 20 via the first option board 50 as shown in FIG. read. In this case, since the first option board 50 is mounted, the system controller 31 selects the basic function mode system control program (first system control). However, when the second option board 60 is mounted on the main board 10, the system controller 31 reads the device ID of the image processing device 70 of the second option board 60 as shown in FIG. In this case, since the second option board 60 is mounted, the system controller 31 selects the extended function mode system control program (second system control). According to this embodiment, there is an advantage that an I / F detection terminal in the case of hardware detection (first to third embodiments) is unnecessary.

1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a main board 10, a first option board 50, and a second option board 60 of an MFP according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing a configuration of an MFP in which a first option board 50 is installed on the main board 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing a configuration of an MFP in which the second option board 60 is installed on the main board 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing by arrow lines in the MFP that performs the first-type copy shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing by arrow lines in the MFP that performs the second-type copy shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of setting one of first and second system controls by the system controller 31 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the flow of a data processing in MFP which performs the 1st system copy of 2nd Example of this invention with the arrow line. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a flow of data processing by an arrow line in an MFP that performs second-type copying according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing with an arrow line in an MFP that performs copying according to the first method of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing by an arrow line in an MFP that performs second-type copying according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the ID reading object device of the system controller 31 of 4th Example of this invention, (a) reads the device ID of the image data input / output device 20, and sets the system control of a 1st system (B) shows a mode in which the device ID of the image processing device 70 is read to set the second system control. It is a block diagram which shows the image processing function which performs the copy of a 1st system. It is a block diagram which shows the image processing function which performs the copy of a 2nd system.

21, 31, 51, 71, 72: PCI-EXPRESS bus 21pa, 31pa, 71a, 72a, which is a high-speed serial transfer interface: PCI-EXPRESS bus including MID-BUS

Claims (7)

A scanner that reads an image and outputs read image data representing the image;
A printer for forming an image represented by recorded image data on paper;
Scanner γ correction means for correcting reading distortion of RGB data generated when the scanner reads an image, filter processing means for smoothing or sharpening the image representation of the image data, color correction means for converting to CMYK data, CMYK data, and image data output device comprising gradation processing means printer γ correcting means and said printer is corrected to compensates for the imaging properties of the imaging means for converting the data to gradation expression, the image reading accumulation and System control device for controlling the flow of image data processing for copying, main side first and second connectors, first connection means for connecting the main side first connector to the image data input / output device, and main side second connector A main board equipped with a second connection means for connecting the to the system control device; And
First and second connectors on the first option side connected to the first and second connectors on the main side, and third connection means for connecting the first connector on the first option side and the second connector are provided. 1 option board; or
First and second connectors on the second option side connected to the first and second connectors on the main side, an image processing device including image compression / decompression means for image reading and storing, and a first connector on the second option side A second option board equipped with a fourth connection means for connecting to the image processing device and a fifth connection means for connecting a second connector on the second option side to the image processing device; and connected to the image processing device Storage for writing and reading image data compressed by the image compression / decompression means ;
Equipped with a,
The main board includes means for detecting whether an option board connected to the main side first and second connectors is a first option board or a second option board;
When the detecting means detects the first option board, the system control device converts the read RGB data corrected by the filter processing means of the image data input / output device into CMYK data by the color correcting means, and Selecting the first system control for controlling the flow of image data processing of the first type of copying, in which the recorded image data corrected by the printer γ correction unit and converted by the gradation processing unit is output to the printer; When the second option board is detected, the image reading / accumulating unit compresses the read RGB data corrected by the filter processing unit of the image data input / output device by the image compression / decompression unit of the image processing device and stores it in the storage. And image compression / decompression means for reading data from the storage A second-type copy that is expanded into RGB data, converted into CMYK data by the color correction means, and corrected by the printer γ correction means and converted by the gradation processing means and output to the printer; Selecting a second type of system control to control the flow of image data processing;
Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing device includes a preview creation unit and a thumbnail creation unit. The means for detecting whether the option board connected to the main side first and second connectors is the first option board or the second option board is such that the first or second option board side second connector is connected to the main side second connector. Including a signal line whose potential becomes high or low by being connected, one of high / low of the potential of the signal line indicates that the first option board is connected and the other indicates that the second option board is connected The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . Means for detecting whether the option board connected to the first and second connector on the main side is the first option board or the second option board is the system control device, and is provided on the option side via the main side second connector. It reads the device ID for identifying or optional boards connected to the main-side second connector is a second option board; image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image processing device includes color correction means for converting RGB data into CMYK data;
In the second type of copying, the system control device uses the color correction unit of the image processing device instead of the color correction unit of the image data input / output device, and the image compression / decompression unit converting the decompressed RGB data into CMYK data; image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A main-side high-speed serial transfer interface connecting the main-side first and second connectors to the image data input / output device and the system control device, respectively, on the main board;
The first option board is equipped with an option-side high-speed serial transfer interface for connecting the first and second connectors on the first option side, and an SSCG for supplying a clock to the main-side and option-side high-speed serial transfer interface And
An option-side high-speed serial transfer interface for connecting the first and second connectors on the second option side to the image processing device on the second option board, and an SSCG for supplying a clock to the main-side and option-side high-speed serial transfer interface Equipped with
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. By detaching the connector of the first or second option board with respect to the first and second connectors on the main side of the main board, the first option board mounted on the main board is removed from the main board, and the second option board is replaced with the main option board instead. It can be attached to the board; image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images