JP5096216B2 - Scanner device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanner device that sequentially reads from a memory and sequentially outputs data of a document image read from each document automatically supplied to an image reading unit and sequentially stored in a memory to a data output destination. In particular, the present invention relates to a scanner device that sequentially reads out image-processed data subjected to image processing of contents corresponding to each output destination from a memory and outputs the data to the output destination.

  In a scanner apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF), a document set on the automatic document feeder is supplied to an image reading unit, and a document image read from the document by the image reading unit is temporarily stored in a memory. The operation of outputting to an output destination such as a printer or a computer is simultaneously performed in parallel.

  For this reason, if reception of the original image data is delayed at the output destination side, the data being output in the memory cannot be erased until reception of the data at the output destination is completed, and the original image data accumulates in the memory. The capacity is full. Then, until the data currently output at the output destination has been output, the image reading unit cannot read the original image from the next original and store the data in the memory, and the original image reading side (automatic original The operation of the feeding device and the image reading unit is delayed.

  When such a stagnation occurs in the operation on the reading side of the document image, it is necessary to stop the reading operation of the document image and wait until the memory becomes empty. Then, when there is space in the memory and restarting the document image reading operation, it takes time and effort to start the drive system, and the memory space check is repeated until there is space in the memory. Will have to run.

  Therefore, when the memory is full of original image data, the reading speed of the original image is set in accordance with the communication speed of the original image data to the output destination. There has been a proposal for adjustment by change (for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, when an error occurs in the output of the read document image data, the document image is read from the next document before the data in the memory is normally output to the output destination, and the document image There has also been a proposal for delaying reading of a document image from the next document so that it is not rewritten by data (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2005-20537 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-46280

  However, in the former of the above-described conventional proposals, the fact that the memory is full of the original image data means that the output of the original image data to the output destination has already been delayed. Even if the reading speed of the original image is adjusted from the point in time, there is a high possibility that it will be too late and the reading operation of the original image will eventually have to be stopped.

  In addition, the adjustment of the reading speed of the original image is generally performed when changing the reading resolution of the original image, and performing the process of changing the reading speed of the original image in a scene where the resolution does not need to be changed changes the resolution. Therefore, it is necessary to construct a control logic so as not to be confused with the case of performing a process of changing the reading speed of the document image.

  The latter of the above-described conventional proposals merely performs an operation of delaying reading of a document image as proposed when an error occurs in the output of the document image data to the output destination. Does not prevent them from becoming full.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to read from the memory the data of a document image that is read from each document automatically supplied to the image reading unit and sequentially stored in the memory. Providing a scanner device that can smoothly operate as a whole by preventing the memory of the original image from becoming full when data is sequentially read and output sequentially to the data output destination. There is to do.

To achieve the above object, the scanner apparatus of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, in the image reading unit in the document or found page units that are automatically supplied to the images read unit by the automatic document feeder their The document image data that is read and sequentially stored in the memory is subjected to image processing with the content corresponding to the output destination of the data, and the data after the image processing is sequentially read from the memory to The scanner device that sequentially outputs to an output destination includes an interval adjustment unit that adjusts a length of an interval time between reading of the document image from the document and reading of the document image from the next document. And

  According to the scanner device of the first aspect of the present invention, the interval adjustment unit can adjust the length of the interval time between reading of a document image from one document and reading of a document image from the next document. Become.

  Therefore, the timing at which the document image data read from the next document by the image reading unit is stored in the memory is the time when the previous document image data has been output to the output destination, or immediately after that. The interval time can be adjusted by the interval adjusting means.

  For this reason, even if the data of the same document image is different in the amount of data to be output depending on the output destination, it is possible to prevent the memory from becoming full with the data of the document image. It is possible to efficiently store the original image data in the memory and manage the erasure so as to make the overall operation smooth by efficiently using the memory.

  In addition, since the speed of the operation for reading the original image from the original is not adjusted, it is not necessary to adjust the reading speed of the original image regardless of whether the resolution is changed. For this reason, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which it is not necessary to bother to construct a control logic that is not confused with the process of changing the document image reading speed in order to change the resolution.

The scanner device of the present invention according to claim 1, before Symbol further comprises a data quantity calculation means for calculating the data amount of data after the image processing, the interval adjusting means, said data amount calculation means The length of the interval time is adjusted according to the calculated amount of data.

According to the scanner apparatus of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the data amount calculating unit amount of data after the image processing of the original image which is actually output to the output destination is calculated, the magnitude of the amount of data Accordingly, the interval adjusting means adjusts the length of the interval time between reading of a document image from one document and reading of a document image from the next document.

  For this reason, the interval time is adjusted to a time according to the data amount of the image data of the document image that is actually output to the output destination to prevent the memory from being filled with the document image data. However, the memory can be used efficiently, and the overall operation can be made smooth.

Furthermore, the scanner device of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, based on the amount of data before Symbol data amount calculation means has calculated, to estimate the time required for output to the output destination of the data after the image processing output A time estimation unit , wherein the interval adjustment unit sets the interval time between the reading of the document image from the document and the reading of the document image from the next document in the image reading unit. The length is determined according to the time estimated by the output time estimation means .

According to the scanner apparatus of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the output time estimation means from the amount of data that the data amount calculation means has calculated the data output by performing image processing corresponding to the output destination to the data of the originals image The interval adjusting means determines the length of the interval time according to the estimated time required for outputting the document image data after the image processing.

  For this reason, it is possible to determine the interval time to an accurate length on the basis of the time expected to output the document image data, and to efficiently use the memory with higher accuracy.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the scanner device according to the first, second, or third aspect of the invention, the interval adjusting unit is configured to supply the original to the image reading unit and The length of the interval time from the supply of the original to the image reading unit is adjusted.

The scanner device of the present invention described in claim 2 is the scanner device of the present invention described in claim 1 , wherein the interval adjusting means supplies the document to the image reading unit and the next document. It is characterized in that the length of the interval time with the supply to the image reading unit is adjusted.

According to the scanner device of the present invention described in claim 2 , in the scanner device of the present invention described in claim 1 , the front and back document supply intervals when the document is intermittently supplied to the image reading unit. By adjusting the time, the interval adjusting means adjusts the reading interval time when the original images are read from the preceding and following originals.

  According to the present invention, even if the data of the same document image is different in the amount of data to be output depending on the output destination, the memory is filled with the document image data. The memory can be efficiently utilized and the original image data can be stored and erased in the memory so that the overall operation is smooth.

  In addition, since the speed of the operation for reading the original image from the original is not adjusted, it is not necessary to adjust the reading speed of the original image regardless of whether the resolution is changed. For this reason, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which it is not necessary to bother to construct a control logic that is not confused with the process of changing the document image reading speed in order to change the resolution.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Before that, an output destination for outputting document image data read from the document by the scanner device, and a data format and data amount of the document image data to be actually output are described. The relationship will be explained briefly.

  In a general scanner device, document image data read from a document is output to a printer and used for printing the document image, or transferred to a personal computer or the like via a network such as a LAN. Or saved as

  Therefore, the RGB color data generated by reading the original image by the image reading unit of the scanner device needs to be converted into CMYK color data for a printer that assumes printing, and printing is not necessarily assumed. It is necessary to output RGB color data as it is to a personal computer that does not.

  The RGB color data constitutes one image with three planes corresponding to the number of primary colors, while the CMYK color data constitutes one image with four planes according to the number of primary colors. In this case, the data amount per image is larger in CMYK than in RGB.

  However, for example, CMYK color data after drop modulation performed when the output destination of CMYK color data is an ink jet printer, the data amount of one image is RGB depending on the number of gradations after modulation. It may be lower than that of color data.

  As described above, even if the document image data that the scanner device reads and outputs from the original document, the data amount includes image processing (including modulation and data format conversion) performed on the original image data at the time of output. ) May vary depending on the content of

  The scanner device according to the embodiment of the present invention described later is configured in consideration of such circumstances so that the memory of the scanner device is not filled with the data of the document image. It is a thing.

  Hereinafter, a scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image printing system using a scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of the scanner device of FIG.

  An image printing system 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is configured by connecting a scanner device 3 to a controller 5 a built in an ink jet printer 5. In the present embodiment, the personal computer 7 is also connected to the controller 5a built in the printer 5 described above. The controller 5a can be configured by a computer having a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM.

  The scanner device 3 supplies the document M set on the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 one by one to the image reading unit 33, and reads the document image (not shown) of the supplied document M in the image reading unit 33. The read document image data is output to the controller 5a in a data format that can be processed by the printer 5 or the personal computer 7 under the control of a control unit 35 (see FIG. 2) described later.

  The printer 5 uses the data output from the scanner device 3 to print a document image on recording paper (not shown), and the personal computer 7 uses the data output from the scanner device 3 as application software. Saved (stored) as a corresponding file.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 5 and the personal computer 7 correspond to an output destination of document image data in the claims.

  Next, an electrical configuration of the scanner device 3 configured to realize the functions of the image printing system 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  In addition to the automatic document feeder 31 and the image reading unit 33 described above, the scanner device 3 includes a control unit 35 that controls these operations, an input / output interface 37, and an external storage device 39. The control unit 35 includes a CPU 35a, a RAM 35b, and a ROM 35c.

  The above-described RAM 35b, ROM 35c, automatic document feeder 31, image reading unit 33, input / output interface 37, and external storage device 39 are connected to the CPU 35a. The CPU 35 a is connected to a document sensor 31 a for detecting the presence or absence of the document M set on the automatic document feeder 31, and to the controller 5 a via an input / output interface 37.

  The RAM 35b has a data area for storing various data and a work area used for various processing operations. The work area has a frame memory area (corresponding to the memory in the claims). In the present embodiment, the frame memory area is configured with a capacity of three originals M. In this frame memory area, an input data storage unit that temporarily stores data of a document image read from the document M in the image reading unit 33 and data of a document image output to an output destination (the printer 5 or the personal computer 7). And an output data storage unit for temporarily storing. The ROM 35c stores a control program for causing the CPU 35a to perform various processing operations.

  The external storage device 39 stores data conversion information related to logic for converting data of a document image read from the document M by the image reading unit 33 into a data format that can be input to the printer 5 (RGB → CMYK conversion). ing.

  Next, the original image read from the original M by the image reading unit 33 is printed on the recording paper by the printer 5 or stored (stored) as file data corresponding to the personal computer 7 application software. A procedure of processing performed by the CPU 35a according to the control program will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  In a state where the power of the scanner device 3 is turned on, the CPU 35a first determines whether a scanning request is input from the printer 5 or the personal computer 7 via the controller 5a and the input / output interface 37 as shown in FIG. Is determined (step S1). If not input (NO in step S1), the CPU 35a repeats the process of step S1.

  When a scanning request is input (YES in step S1), the CPU 35a determines whether or not the document M is set on the automatic document feeder 31 based on the output of the document sensor 31a (step S3). . When the document M is not set on the automatic document feeder 31 (NO in step S3), the CPU 35a sends an error signal to the source of the input scanning request via the input / output interface 37 and the controller 5a. After outputting (step S5), a series of processing is terminated.

  When the document M is set on the automatic document feeder 31 (YES in step S3), the CPU 35a causes the automatic document feeder 31 to supply one of the set documents M to the image reading unit 33, and A document image is read from the document M by the image reading unit 33 (step S7).

  The CPU 35a stores the RGB color data (3 planes) of the original image of the original M read in step S7 in the input data storage unit in the frame memory area of the RAM 35b (step S9). It is determined whether or not it is necessary to convert the RGB color data (3 planes) of the stored document image into the data format of CMYK color data (4 planes) (step S11).

  Whether or not conversion from RGB color data (3 planes) to CMYK color data (4 planes) is necessary depends on whether the scanning request source input in step S1 requires conversion to CMYK color data (4 planes). It can be judged by whether or not.

  If conversion is not necessary (NO in step S11), the CPU 35a proceeds to step S15 described later. If conversion is necessary (YES in step S11), the CPU 35a performs input data in the RAM 35b in step S9. The RGB color data (3 planes) stored in the storage unit is converted into CMYK color data (4 planes) based on the data conversion information of the external storage device 39 (this is also a kind of image processing) (step S13). ), And the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the CPU 35a converts the RGB color data (3 planes) stored in the input data storage unit of the RAM 35b in step S9, or the converted CMYK color data (4 planes) when the conversion in step S13 is performed. Are stored in the output data storage section of the frame memory area of the RAM 35b as document image data to be output to the scanning request source input in step S1. At this time, both RGB and CMYK color data are subjected to image processing such as gradation modulation according to the scanning request source input in step S1, and then stored in the output data storage unit of the RAM 35b. .

  Subsequently, the CPU 35a calculates the data amount of RGB color data (3 planes) or CMYK color data (4 planes) stored in the output data storage unit of the RAM 35b (step S17), and from the calculated data amount, Output required to output RGB color data (3 planes) or CMYK color data (4 planes) stored in the output data storage unit of the frame memory area to the scanning request source input in step S1 The time T is estimated (step S19).

  Then, the CPU 35a outputs RGB color data (3 planes) or CMYK color data (4 planes) as document image data to be output to the scanning request source input in step S1, and the output data of the RAM 35b in step S15. After being stored in the storage unit, in step S33 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, an interval to be secured before starting the process of reading a document image from the document M next to the document M that has read the document image in step S7. The time TI is determined from the required output time T estimated in step S19 (step S21). Thereafter, the CPU 35a shifts the processing to step S23 described later.

  This interval time TI is from when the document image is read from the document M in step S7 until RGB color data (3 planes) or CMYK color data (4 planes) is stored in the output data storage unit of the RAM 35b in step S15. The known standard required time can be determined as the time subtracted from the output required time T estimated in step S19.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step S23, the CPU 35a receives the RGB color data (3 planes) or CMYK color data (4 planes) stored in the output data storage unit of the RAM 35b in step S15, in step S1. Output of the color data to the controller 5a is started as an output to the scanning request source. Then, the CPU 35a determines whether or not the interval time TI determined in step S21 has elapsed (step S25). If the interval time TI has not elapsed (NO in step S25), the CPU 35a repeats the process of step S25.

  When the interval time TI has elapsed (YES in step S25), the CPU 35a determines whether or not the document M is set on the automatic document feeder 31 based on the output of the document sensor 31a (step S27). When the document M is set on the automatic document feeder 31 (YES in step S27), the CPU 35a shifts the process to step S33 described later.

  When the document M is not set on the automatic document feeder 31 (NO in step S27), the CPU 35a finishes outputting the RGB color data (3 planes) or CMYK color data (4 planes) started in step S23. Whether or not (step S29). If not completed (NO in step S29), the CPU 35a repeats the process of step S29.

  When the output is completed (YES in step S29), the CPU 35a stores the RGB color data (three planes) stored in the input data storage unit of the RAM 35b in step S9 and the output data storage unit of the RAM 35b in step S15. After erasing the RGB color data (3 planes) or CMYK color data (4 planes) from the RAM 35b (step S31), the series of processing ends.

  Here, since it is only necessary to manage the usable frame memory area of the RAM 35b, in step S31, RGB color data and CMYK color data (one for input and one for output) of the document image for which output has been completed. Need not be physically deleted from the input data storage unit or the output data storage unit of the RAM 35b. For example, instead of erasing the RGB color data (3 planes) and CMYK color data (4 planes) in the input data storage unit and output data storage unit of the RAM 35b, the input data storage unit and output data storage unit managed by the CPU 35a are simply used. In step S31, the number of originals in the usable memory area may be incremented by the color data (one each for input and output) of the original image for which output has been completed.

  In step S <b> 33, the CPU 35 a causes the automatic document feeder 31 to supply one of the set documents M to the image reading unit 33, and causes the image reading unit 33 to read the document image from the document M. The CPU 35a stores the RGB color data (3 planes) of the original image of the original M read in step S33 in the input data storage unit of the frame memory area of the RAM 35b (step S35). The process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S37, the CPU 35a determines whether the output of the RGB color data (3 planes) or CMYK color data (4 planes) started in step S23 is completed. If not completed (NO in step S37), the CPU 35a repeats the process of step S37.

  When the output is completed (YES in step S37), the CPU 35a stores the RGB color data (3 planes) stored in the input data storage unit of the RAM 35b in step S9 and the output data storage unit of the RAM 35b in step S15. After the RGB color data (3 planes) or CMYK color data (4 planes) are deleted from the RAM 35b (step S39), the process proceeds to step S11.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, step S21 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is processing corresponding to the interval adjusting means in the claims. Further, in the present embodiment, step S17 in FIG. 3 is processing corresponding to the data amount calculation means in the claims. Furthermore, in this embodiment, step S19 in FIG. 3 is a process corresponding to the output time estimation means in the claims.

  Next, the operation (action) of the scanner device 3 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

  When a request for scanning the document image of the document M set on the automatic document feeder 31 of the scanner device 3 is input from the printer 5 or the personal computer 7 to the scanner device 3 via the controller 5a, the document M is automatically processed. The documents are fed one by one to the image reading unit 33 by the document feeder 31. Then, the image reading unit 33 reads the document image from the document M and generates the RGB color data. The generated RGB color data is stored in the RAM 35b frame memory area.

  Then, when the request source of the document image scanning is the printer 5, the image processing of the content corresponding to the printer 5 is performed. In this image processing, data format conversion of color data from RGB to CMYK and gradation processing of contents corresponding to the printer 5 are performed. If the original image scanning request source is the personal computer 7, the image processing of the content corresponding to the personal computer 7 is performed. In this image processing, the data format conversion of color data into CMYK is not performed, and only the gradation processing of the contents corresponding to the personal computer 7 is performed. The RGB or CMYK color data obtained in this way is stored in the frame memory area of the RAM 35b, and then the data format suitable for processing (printing and saving) in the requesting printer 5 or personal computer 7 (CMYK, RGB) is output to the controller 5a.

  Here, RGB or CMYK color data in a data format corresponding to the requested printer 5 or personal computer 7 after reading the original image from the previous original M and performing necessary image processing is output to the controller 5a. In the middle of reading, when reading a document image from the next document M, the RGB or CMYK color data of the previous document M is received before the image processing for the RGB color data of the document image is completed. The output to the controller 5a must be completed. Otherwise, the RGB or CMYK color data of the next original M cannot be stored in the frame memory area of the RAM 35b which has a capacity of only three sheets of the original M.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are timing charts for explaining the possibility of the above-described problem occurring. In the upper part of FIGS. 5A and 5B, image processing necessary for RGB color data of a document image obtained by reading the document image from one document M in the image reading unit 33 is started. The time required until the data is stored in the output data storage section in the frame memory area of the RAM 35b is shown in a timing chart. That is, the upper timing chart portion is a timing chart related to “reading and image processing”.

  5 (a) and 5 (b) are for the request source printer 5 and personal computer 7 that have already undergone the necessary image processing and are already stored in the output data storage section of the frame memory area of the RAM 35b. The timing required to finish outputting the RGB or CMYK color data to the controller 5a is shown in a timing chart. That is, the middle timing chart is a timing chart related to “output to output destination”.

  Further, in the lower part of FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the operations of “reading, image processing” and “output to output destination” are advanced at the timings shown in the timing charts of the upper part and the middle part. The free space in the frame memory area of the RAM 35b at each time point is shown by the number of documents M. That is, the lower timing chart is a timing chart related to “memory empty”.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, the time required to “output to the output destination” of the color data related to the original image of one original M is “read, image related to the original image of one original M”. If it is sufficiently shorter than the time required for “processing”, “reading and image processing” relating to the second original image is completed, and an area for storing color data relating to the second original image is stored in the frame memory area. Before it becomes necessary, the “output to output destination” of the color data relating to the first original image is completed, and the color data relating to the first original image can be erased from the frame memory area. There is no shortage of frame memory area.

  However, as shown in FIG. 5B, the time required to “output to the output destination” of the color data related to the original image of one original M is “read, image related to the original image of one original M”. If the time exceeds the time required for “processing”, the “output to output destination” of the color data relating to the first original image is completed, and the color data relating to the first original image can be erased from the frame memory area. Since the “reading and image processing” relating to the second original image is completed before the image data becomes an area, an area for storing color data relating to the second original image is required in the frame memory area. Insufficient capacity in the frame memory area.

  If there is insufficient capacity in the frame memory area of the RAM 35b, the interval between “reading and image processing” for the original images of the second and third originals M indicated by the symbol X in the upper part of FIG. In addition, it is necessary to set an interval that is extremely longer than the length of the interval that is normally required (the length of the interval between the first sheet and the second sheet in the upper part of FIG. 5B).

  Such a long interval requires the frame memory area of the RAM 35b to be periodically checked for free, or in some cases when the automatic document feeder 31 or the image reading unit 33 is put into the sleep state and a free space is generated in the RAM 35b. It may be necessary to perform processing such as wake-up, which hinders the smooth and efficient operation of the entire scanner device 3.

  Considering such a background, image processing performed on the color data of the document image read from the document M and output by the scanner device 3 of the present embodiment, that is, the color data of the document image is performed. Whether or not gradation processing and data format (RGB, CMYK) conversion are present and the amount of original image color data output from the scanner device 3 of the present embodiment is the printer 5 that requests the original image color data. It depends on whether it is a personal computer 7 or not.

  In addition, the amount of CMYK color data for the printer 5 that is an ink jet method varies depending on the contents of drop conversion corresponding to the resolution characteristics of the printer 5 performed as part of image processing.

  Therefore, in the scanner device 3 of the present embodiment, if no measures are taken, the timing relationship of “reading, image processing” and “output to output destination” is as shown in FIG. There remains a possibility of causing a situation where a shortage occurs in the frame memory area of the RAM 35b.

  In order to prevent such a situation from being caused, in the scanner device 3 of the present embodiment, image processing (gradation processing or a data format as necessary) according to the requesting printer 5 or personal computer 7 is performed. When the color data of the document image output to the controller 5a is stored in the frame memory area of the RAM 35b, the following operation is performed.

  The amount of RGB or CMYK color data output to the controller 5a toward the requesting printer 5 or personal computer 7 is calculated, and the RGB or CMYK color data is calculated from the calculated data amount. The required output time T required for output to the controller 5a toward the printer 5 or personal computer 7 is estimated.

  When the required output time T is estimated, the image reading unit 33 reads the original image of the original M for one sheet, performs necessary image processing (gradation processing and data format conversion), and the RAM 35b. The interval time TI is calculated by subtracting the standard required time until it is stored in the frame memory area from the estimated required output time T.

  Then, as shown in the upper part of the timing chart of FIG. 5C, when the interval time TI elapses after the “reading and image processing” relating to the original image of the previous original M is completed, the same FIG. As shown in the middle row, as long as the document M remains in the automatic document feeder 31 even during the “output to output destination” of the color data relating to the document image of the previous document M, FIG. As shown in the upper row, the next document M is supplied to the image reading unit 33 by the automatic document feeder 31 and “reading and image processing” regarding the document image of the next document M is started.

  When “reading and image processing” regarding the original image of the next original M is started at this timing, when the “reading and image processing” is finished, as shown in the middle part of FIG. When the “output to output destination” of the color data relating to the original image of the original M is completed, the color data relating to the original image of the previous original M from the frame memory area of the RAM 35b (one each of the input data storage unit and the output data storage unit) Are deleted).

  By calculating and setting the interval time TI as described above, when the output of four pieces of RGB or CMYK color data for the requesting printer 5 or personal computer 7 to the controller 5a is completed, FIG. As shown in 5 (b) and (c), a time difference of ΔT occurs. That is, the output end point of the fourth CMYK color data is advanced by ΔT.

  Accordingly, the RGB or CMYK color data output to the controller 5a toward the requesting printer 5 or personal computer 7 upon completion of “reading and image processing” regarding the original image of the next original M is stored in the RAM 35b. Even if it is necessary to store the image data in the frame memory area, the color data cannot be stored in the frame memory area due to insufficient capacity of the RAM 35b.

  Therefore, after the “reading and image processing” relating to the original image of the previous original M is completed, the frame memory area of the RAM 35 b is vacant before the “reading and image processing” relating to the original image of the next original M is started. This eliminates the need for a long interval to wait until the frame 35 is periodically checked, or when the automatic document feeder 31 or the image reading unit 33 is put into the sleep state and the RAM 35b is empty. Thus, it is possible to realize a smooth and efficient operation of the entire scanner device 3 by eliminating the need to perform a wake-up process.

  As described above, according to the scanner device 3 of the present embodiment, after “reading and image processing” relating to the original image of the previous original M is completed, “reading and image processing” relating to the original image of the next original M is started. The interval time TI to be secured until the time is not fixed but is changed according to the calculation result.

  Accordingly, the timing at which “reading and image processing” relating to the original image of the next original M ends at the same time or immediately after the completion of “output to the output destination” of the color data relating to the original image of the previous original M. Thus, “reading and image processing” regarding the original image of the next original M can be started.

  For this reason, when storing RGB color data of a document image newly read from the document M, or RGB or CMYK color data for output in the frame memory area of the RAM 35b, it is impossible to store the data due to insufficient capacity. While preventing, the frame memory area can be efficiently utilized, and RGB or CMYK color data can be stored and erased in the frame memory area so that the operation of the entire scanner apparatus 3 can be performed smoothly. be able to.

  Also, according to the scanner device 3 of the present embodiment, an environment in which RGB or CMYK color data can be stored and erased in the frame memory area as described above is read by the image reading unit 33 from the original M. Without changing the speed, the image reading unit 33 adjusts the reading interval of the original image from the original M.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the reading speed of the document image regardless of whether or not the resolution of the document image read from the document M is changed. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to construct a control logic that is not confused with the process of changing the reading speed in order to change the resolution of the document image.

  In addition, according to the scanner device 3 of the present embodiment, the data amount of RGB or CMYK color data output to the output destination is calculated as the interval time TI, and the interval time TI is adjusted according to the amount of the data amount. Therefore, the interval time TI is set to a length corresponding to the amount of data, and it is efficiently used while preventing color data from being stored due to insufficient capacity of the frame memory area. The operation can be made smooth.

  Further, the data amount of RGB or CMYK color data to be output to the output destination is calculated, the output required time T required for output to the output destination is estimated from the data amount, and the interval from the estimated output required time T is calculated. Since the time TI is determined, the interval time TI can be set to an accurate length so that the frame memory area can be efficiently used with high accuracy.

As described in this embodiment, the timing of supplying the document M to the image reading unit 33 by the automatic document feeder 31, by providing the configuration to match the interval time TI determined as described above, before and after This is advantageous because control of the interval (interval time) for reading the original image from each original M can be easily realized by controlling the timing of supplying the original M to the image reading unit 33.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the RGB color data of the original image read from the original M by the image reading unit 33 and the RGB or CMYK color data output to the output destination (printer 5 or personal computer 7) are stored. The case of the frame memory area of the RAM 35b has been described. However, if there is no hindrance such as access speed, the color data may be stored in the external storage device 39 described in the present embodiment or a dedicated external storage device.

  Further, the output destination from which the scanner apparatus of the present invention outputs document image data may be a printer that performs printing by a method other than the ink jet method described in the present embodiment, or other than a printer or a personal computer, Of course, various devices, units, and devices for handling image data may be used.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image printing system using a scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical schematic structure of the scanner apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which CPU of the control unit of FIG. 2 performs according to the program stored in ROM. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which CPU of the control unit of FIG. 2 performs according to the program stored in ROM. (A)-(c) is a timing chart which shows an example of the change of the empty state of the frame memory at the time of outputting sequentially the data of the original image read from the original to the output destination.

Explanation of symbols

3 Scanner device 5 Printer (output destination)
7 Personal computer (output destination)
33 Image reading unit 35 Control unit 35a CPU (interval adjusting means, data amount calculating means, output time estimating means)
35b RAM (memory)
M manuscript

Claims (2)

For the data of images read unit automatically each document or found, respectively Re its in the image reading unit in units of pages read and the original image is sequentially stored in a memory supplied by the automatic document feeder, the In the scanner device that performs image processing of contents according to the output destination of the data, sequentially reads the data after the image processing from the memory, and sequentially outputs to the output destination,
And interval adjusting means for adjusting the interval of time the length of the reading of the original image in the image reading unit, from the document image read and the next of the document from the previous SL document,
Data amount calculation means for calculating the data amount of the data after the image processing,
The interval adjusting means adjusts the length of the interval time according to the size of the data amount calculated by the data amount calculating means,
Based on the data amount calculated by the data amount calculating means, further comprising an output time estimating means for estimating a time required for outputting the image-processed data to the output destination;
In the image reading unit, the interval time between the reading of the original image from the original and the reading of the original image from the next original is the time estimated by the output time estimating means by the interval adjusting means. The length determined according to
A scanner device characterized by that. 2. The scanner apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interval adjusting unit adjusts the length of the interval time between the supply of the original to the image reading unit and the supply of the next original to the image reading unit.

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