JP5176802B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides an image process having a function of performing one or more image processes to which one or more image processes are applied, including at least one resized image process in which the image size is changed before and after the process on input image data. apparatus, an image processing method for performing such image processing, and an image forming apparatus having the above image processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, multi-function machines in which a facsimile function, a printer function, an online communication function, and the like are integrated into a copying machine have been put into practical use, and products having different functions in the same model are provided in a lineup.

In many cases, such a multi-function peripheral is provided with an advanced image processing function. Examples of such advanced image processing functions include filter processing, editing processing, and scaling processing. Filter processing improves the image quality of the scanned image and achieves specific image effects (such as edge enhancement). Editing processing inserts a specific image into the scanned image or deletes part of the image. The scaling process is a process for enlarging / reducing the read image.
JP 2006-80684 A

  Here, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) device is often used as hardware of an image processing device that realizes these advanced image processing functions.

  The image processing apparatus realized by the ASIC apparatus can perform data processing at high speed and can reduce the production cost due to the effect of mass production, but has a defect (so-called “bug”) in its internal function. In some cases, it cannot be corrected, and there is a problem that the function in which the problem has occurred cannot be used.

  For example, a document reading device used in a multifunction machine for reading a document image uses a book document reading function for reading a document image by placing the document between a contact glass and a pressure plate, and an ADF (automatic document feeder). Some have a sheet original reading function for reading an original image while conveying the original.

  Among these, when the book document reading function is used, the document size sensor provided near the contact glass can detect the document size at the stage before starting the document reading, but the sheet document reading function is used. In this case, the document size cannot be detected until the trailing edge of the document is read. Here, the operation mode for detecting the document size using the book reading function is hereinafter referred to as “standard mode”, and the operation mode for detecting the document size using the sheet document reading function is hereinafter referred to as “automatic size”. This is called “detection mode”. In the automatic size detection mode, the number of sub-scanning lines is detected as the document size.

  On the other hand, in image processing that involves changing the size of an image, such as editing processing and scaling processing, the image size after processing is determined according to the size of the input image. The editing processing function and scaling processing function cannot be started.

  However, when the book original reading function is used, the size information is notified from the original reading apparatus at the stage before the original reading, so the stage before the image data of the read original is transferred to the image processing apparatus. Thus, the size information notified to the editing processing function and the scaling processing function can be determined by software. In this case, the size information to be notified can be uniquely determined with respect to the document size information. For example, the size information to be notified is previously registered in a register for notifying the editing processing function and the scaling processing function. This can be dealt with by setting a value, and the editing processing function and the scaling processing function can be started immediately after the reading of the original is started.

  On the other hand, when the sheet document reading function is used, it operates in the above-described automatic size detection mode. After processing the document size (number of sub-scanning lines) detected in this automatic size detection mode as input data By automatically configuring the size automatic setting function that calculates the image size of the image and notifies the edit size function and scaling process function to the calculated size information, a series of image processing can be performed automatically without software intervention. Can be done.

  However, when a problem occurs in the circuit of the ASIC device for realizing the automatic size setting function, the editing process or the scaling process referring to the size information calculated by the automatic size setting function is normally completed. Therefore, there is a possibility that the editing processing function and the scaling processing function cannot be used in the automatic size detection mode even though the editing processing function and the scaling processing function are not defective. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an image that can appropriately execute image processing that involves changing the size of an image even when a problem occurs in the automatic size setting function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus, a control method therefor, and an image forming apparatus.

The present invention provides an image input interface unit for inputting image data output from an image reading device, and a size-changed image process in which an image size is changed before and after the process for the image data input by the image input interface unit. Image processing means for applying one or more image processing, at least one image processing means, control means, and size information to be referred to by the resized image processing according to the size of the image data to be processed. A size management unit that outputs the calculated size information to the image processing unit, and the size management unit rewrites the size information output to the image processing unit in accordance with an instruction from the control unit. It is to be prepared .

A first data transfer unit provided at a position preceding the data input position of the size-changed image processing and transferring input image data to the size-changed image processing to an external memory; and the first data transfer. Second data transfer means provided at a subsequent stage position for inputting the input image data transferred by the first data transfer means to the external memory at a position before the data input position of the resize image processing. The control means transfers the input image data to the external memory by the first data transfer means only when the image reading apparatus is in the document size automatic detection mode, and the second data is inputted input image data from the external memory by the transfer means, further, the size information, wherein the size management means outputs to the image processing unit, wherein While rewrites the switching means, in which comprises means for performing a first control to operate the image processing unit.

Further, the control means determines that the total amount of the input image data transferred from the external memory by the second data transfer means is the amount of the input image data transferred to the external memory by the first data transfer means. The second data transfer means is controlled so as to be smaller than the total data amount.

  The size of the image data to be processed that is input to the size management unit is measured by the image input interface unit or the first data transfer unit.

The size-change image processing is a predetermined pre-editing process, a predetermined scaling process, and a predetermined editing process, and the size management means includes size information for pre-editing processing referred to by the pre-editing process, The scaling processing size information referred to by the scaling processing and the editing processing size information referred to by the editing processing are calculated according to the size of the image data to be processed, and the rewriting means The size information for pre-editing processing, the size information for scaling processing, and the size information for editing processing are rewritten according to an instruction from the control means .

Further, when the image processing unit does not perform the size-changed image processing , the control unit performs the first data transfer unit even when the image reading apparatus is in the document size automatic detection mode. Without transferring the input image data to the external memory and the input image data from the external memory of the second data transfer means, the input image data is directly input to the image processing means , the one in which a second means for controlling to prevent having to rewrite means rewrite of the size information.

  The first data transfer means and the second data transfer means also serve as external memory interface means for sub-scanning enlargement processing in scaling processing.

An image processing apparatus including an image input interface unit that inputs image data output from the image reading device and a control unit is configured to reduce the image size before and after processing with respect to the image data input by the image input interface unit. An image processing step that applies at least one image processing including at least one size-changed image processing to be changed, and a size to be referred to by the size-changed image processing according to the size of image data to be processed A size management step that calculates information, and uses the calculated size information for processing in the image processing step ; an output step that outputs the output of the image processing step to the next stage; and a data input step of the size-changed image processing in even front and forwards the input image data to the resized image processing to the external memory A first data transfer step, in a subsequent stage of the first data transfer step, the first data transfer step before the input image data transferred than the data input of the resized image processing to the external memory A second data transfer step that is input as image data to be processed in the step, and the size management step rewrites the size information used for the processing in the image processing step in accordance with an instruction from the control means Is provided .

An image forming apparatus including any one of the image processing apparatuses described above .

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when there is a problem in the automatic size setting function, the size information notified to the resized image processing can be rewritten from the external control means, and input to the resized image processing. Since the image data is temporarily stored in the external memory, even if a problem occurs in the automatic size setting function, the effect that the resized image processing can be appropriately executed is obtained. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus includes a controller unit UN1 for controlling operations of the units constituting the apparatus, an operation display unit UN2 for configuring a user interface for a user to operate the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus. Connects to the power supply unit UN3 that supplies power to each unit, an external device or a network, exchanges various information with the connected external device, and exchanges various information between other terminal devices via the network. A communication unit UN4, a scanner unit UN5 for reading a document image to form image data, and a plotter unit UN6 for recording and outputting a copy image, a print image, etc. on a recording sheet.

  Among the units constituting the image forming apparatus, the scanner unit UN5 and the plotter unit UN6 are configured to be detachable, and have predetermined interface rules (physical requirements, signal input / output requirements, etc.) If there is, a plurality of types can be appropriately exchanged and connected. For example, the scanner unit UN5 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a monochrome reading function, and a color reading function. The plotter unit UN6 includes a recording paper post-processing function (sorting function, stapling function, fold function, etc.), a monochrome printing function, and a color printing function.

  Similarly, the communication unit UN4 can be selected and connected from a plurality of types according to the device configuration. For example, a host I / F that is connected to a host device such as a personal computer device and a network I / F that is connected to a network and a device that has only a host I / F may be appropriately connected. Is possible. Depending on the configuration of the image forming apparatus, the communication unit UN4 may not be connected (a so-called stand-alone configuration (such as a copying machine)).

  For example, when the scanner unit UN5 and the plotter unit UN6 are connected together, an image forming apparatus having a copying function, a printer function, a network printer function, a network facsimile function, a network scanner function, and the like can be realized. Further, a communication unit UN4 having an appropriate function is connected according to the function provided in the image forming apparatus.

  Further, when only the printer unit UN6 is connected, an image forming apparatus having a printer function and a network printer function can be realized. Also in this case, similarly, the communication unit UN4 having an appropriate function is connected according to the function of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the controller unit UN1.

  In the figure, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1 controls the operation of the controller unit UN1, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2 stores data such as programs executed by the CPU 1. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 3 constitutes a work area used when the CPU 1 executes, and constitutes a buffer area for temporarily storing various data. 5 is for exchanging data between other units.

  The image processing unit 4 inputs read image data output from the scanner unit UN5, document size information, and the like, and performs predetermined image processing, such as filter processing, editing processing, and the like, on the input read image data. In addition, a scaling process or the like is applied, and image data as a result of the processing is stored in the RAM 3 and is constituted by an ASIC device.

  The CPU 1, ROM 2, RAM 3, external interface circuit 5, and image processing unit 4 are connected to an internal bus 6, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 6. An interrupt signal generated from the image processing unit 4 is directly output to the CPU 1.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the image processing unit 4 (ASIC device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Since the image processing unit 4 is realized by an ASIC device, the image processing unit 4 is configured by combining various elements provided by a base system. However, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, an image processing unit 4 changes the size of the image data before and after the processing among the image processing calculation unit 41 for executing a plurality of image processing and the image processing executed by the image processing calculation unit 41. The size management unit 42 is configured to notify the size of the processed image data for the resized image processing.

  The image processing calculation unit 41 is divided into an image processing first half 41a and an image processing second half 41b. In this division mode, paying attention to the flow of the image data, the first half 41a of the image processing is used up to the part where the image data is temporarily stored in the external memory, and the second half 41b is the image processing after that.

  In the first half of image processing 41a, the scanner interface circuit 41aa inputs read image data from the scanner unit UN5, and transfers the input read image data to the image processing A calculation unit 41ab at the next stage and is input. The number of sub-scanning lines of the read image data is counted, and the counted value is stored in the input size register 42a of the size management unit 42.

  The image processing A operation unit 41ab performs predetermined image processing (for example, filter operation) without changing the size, and its output is temporarily stored in the RAM 3 as an external memory by the memory interface circuit (DMA) 41ac. Alternatively, it is directly output to the image processing B calculation unit 41ba in the next stage.

  In the second half of the image processing 41b, the image processing B operation unit 41ba is read from the image data input from the previous image processing A operation unit 41ab or the RAM 3 as the external memory by the memory interface circuit (DMA) 41bb. The image data is input, and predetermined image processing (for example, filter calculation or the like) without changing the size is performed, and the output is output to the pre-edit processing unit 41bc.

  The pre-edit processing unit 41bc performs predetermined pre-edit processing (for example, processing such as inserting a specific logo image at a specific resolution), that is, size change, on the image data input from the image processing unit B calculation unit 41ba. The accompanying image processing is performed, and the output is output to the scaling unit 41bd. Further, the pre-edit processing unit 41bc executes the processing calculation using the size information added from the size management unit 42. In some cases, an operation mode in which the processing of the pre-editing processing unit 41bc is not performed may be set. In this case, the pre-editing processing unit 41bc keeps the input image data as it is and the subsequent scaling processing unit 41bd. To output.

  The scaling processing unit 41bd applies predetermined scaling processing, that is, image processing with size change, to the image data input from the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, and the output is output to the editing processing unit 41be. Is done. In addition, the scaling processing unit 41bd uses the size information added from the size management unit 42 to execute the processing calculation. In some cases, an operation mode in which the processing of the scaling processing unit 41bd is not performed may be set. In this case, the scaling processing unit 41bd keeps the input image data as it is to the subsequent editing processing unit 41be. Is output.

  The edit processing unit 41be performs a predetermined edit process (for example, a process of deleting a part of an input image to create an output image), that is, an image process with a size change, and the output is The image is output to the image processing C calculation unit 41bf. Further, the edit processing unit 41be uses the size information added from the size management unit 42 to execute the processing calculation. In some cases, an operation mode in which the processing of the editing processing unit 41be is not performed may be set. In this case, the editing processing unit 41be keeps the input image data as it is to the subsequent image processing C calculation unit 41bf. Is output.

  The image processing C calculation unit 41bf performs predetermined image processing (for example, filter calculation) without changing the size of the image data input from the previous editing processing unit 41be, and its output is an output interface. It is output to the circuit (DMA) 41bg.

  The output interface circuit (DMA) 41bg transfers the image data output from the image processing C calculation unit 41bf to the RAM 3 and outputs it.

  In the size management unit 42, the input size register 42a stores size data (number of sub-scanning lines) input from the scanner interface circuit 41aa, and the stored value is referred to by the size calculation unit 42aa. The size calculation unit 42aa calculates size information referred to by the pre-edit processing unit 41bc in the automatic size detection mode. Based on the size data read from the input size register 42a, a size calculation process ( The details are omitted), and the calculation result is added to one input terminal of the selector 42ac.

  The size register 42ab stores size information referred to by the pre-edit processing unit 41bc in the standard mode, and the stored value is added to the other input terminal of the selector 42ac. Here, the CPU 1 sets the stored value in the size register 42ab, for example.

  The forced size register 42ad is for forcibly replacing the output value of the selector 42ac with a specific value, and its operation is controlled by the forced setting on / off control unit 42e. Also, the CPU 1 sets the stored value in the forced size register 42ad, for example. The output value of the forced size register 42ad is added to the pre-edit processing unit 41bc as size information, and is also added to the size calculation unit 42ba.

  The size calculating unit 42ba calculates size information referred to by the scaling processing unit 41bd in the automatic size detection mode. Based on the size data input from the forced size register 42ad, a predetermined size calculating process ( The details are omitted), and the calculation result is added to one input terminal of the selector 42bc.

  The size register 42bb stores size information referred to by the scaling unit 41bd in the standard mode, and the stored value is added to the other input terminal of the selector 42bc. Here, the CPU 1 sets the stored value in the size register 42bb, for example.

  The forced size register 42bd is for forcibly replacing the output value of the selector 42bc with a specific value, and its operation is controlled by the forced setting on / off control unit 42e. The stored value is set in the forced size register 42bd by the CPU 1, for example. The output value of the forced size register 42bd is added as size information to the scaling processing unit 41bd and also to the size calculation unit 42ca.

  The size calculating unit 42ca calculates size information referred to by the editing processing unit 41bf in the automatic size detection mode. Based on the size data input from the forced size register 42bd, the size calculating unit 42ca The calculation result is added to one input terminal of the selector 42cc.

  The size register 42cb stores size information referred to by the editing processing unit 41be in the standard mode, and the stored value is added to the other input terminal of the selector 42cc. Here, the CPU 1 sets the stored value in the size register 42cb, for example.

  The forced size register 42cd is for forcibly replacing the output value of the selector 42cc with a specific value, and its operation is controlled by the forced setting on / off control unit 42e. In addition, the CPU 1 sets the stored value in the forced size register 42cd, for example. The output value of the forced size register 42cd is added to the edit processing unit 41be as size information.

  The size setting selector control unit 42d is for controlling the operation of the selectors 42ac, 42bc, 42cc.

  In the above configuration, when there is no problem in the automatic size setting realized by the size calculation units 42aa, 42ba, and 42ca, depending on whether or not to perform image processing with a size change, as shown in FIG. Do the same.

  Here, “image processing with one stroke pass” means that the image data is a scanner interface circuit 41aa, an image processing A calculation unit 41ab, an image processing B calculation unit 41ba, a pre-editing processing unit 41bc, a scaling processing unit 41bd, and an editing processing unit. 41be and the operation mode processed through image processing C calculating part 41bf one by one. In this case, if the size of the image data is not changed, the image processing of the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be may be passed through without being executed.

  “Image processing via external memory” means that image data is input from the scanner interface circuit 41aa to the image processing A calculation unit 41ab, transferred from the memory interface circuit (DMA) 41ac to the RAM (external memory) 3, and temporarily stored. The stored and temporarily stored image data is input from the RAM 3 to the image processing B calculation unit 41ba by the memory interface circuit (DMA) 41bb. Thereafter, the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing are sequentially performed. The operation mode processed through the part 41be and the image processing C calculation part 41bf is said.

  If there is no problem with the automatic size setting and the image processing with the size change is not executed, the image processing with “one-stroke pass” is performed in both the automatic size detection mode and the standard mode. An operation mode is set. In this case, the pre-edit processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the edit processing unit 41be are set with an operation mode for passing through data without performing each image processing operation. For example, the CPU 1 controls the operation modes of the pre-edit processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the edit processing unit 41be.

  In addition, when there is no problem with automatic size setting and image processing that involves changing the size is executed, the image processing is performed with a single stroke pass in both the automatic size detection mode and the standard mode. Is set. In this case, the operation mode of the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be is set to a mode in which each image processing operation is performed.

  In the case of the automatic size detection mode, when the scanner interface circuit 41aa completes the input of the image data for one page, the counting of the number of sub-scanning lines is finished, and the count value is set in the input size register 42a. The size setting selector control unit 42d controls the selectors 42ac, 42bc, and 42cc to select the outputs of the size calculation units 42aa, 42ba, and 42ca, respectively, and the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd are forcibly set. The on / off control unit 42e sets the operation mode in which the outputs of the selectors 42ac, 42bc, and 42cc are output as they are. Thereby, the size information set in the input size register 42a is referred to, and the size information sequentially calculated and output by the size calculation units 42aa, 42ba, and 42ca is referred to, and the pre-edit processing unit 41bc and the scaling process are performed. The image processing of the unit 41bd and the editing processing unit 41be is performed.

  In the standard mode, the size information is stored in advance in the size registers 42ab, 42bb, and 42cb by software executed by the CPU 1. Then, the size setting selector control unit 42d controls the selectors 42ac, 42bc, 42cc to select the outputs of the size registers 42ab, 42bb, 42cb, respectively, and the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, 42cd are forcibly set. The on / off control unit 42e sets the operation mode in which the outputs of the selectors 42ac, 42bc, and 42cc are output as they are. Thereby, the size information output from the selectors 42ac, 42bc, and 42cc is referred to, and the image processing of the pre-edit processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the edit processing unit 41be is performed.

  Next, when the content of the image processing accompanying the size change is “large enlargement / reduction ratio”, the operation mode of “image processing via external memory” is the operation mode in both the automatic size detection mode and the fixed mode. Is set. This is because the size of the image data to be processed increases when the predetermined enlargement / reduction magnification is large, and the processing of the image processing first half 41a is not in time for the processing of the image processing first half 41a. For example, when the operating frequency of the second half of the image processing 41b is twice that of the first half of the image processing 41a, the processing of the second half of the image processing 41b is delayed at an enlargement magnification at which the data amount is twice or more. Become.

  Further, when the operation mode of “image processing via external memory” is set, the read side (data read side) is temporarily stored in the RAM 3 so as not to overtake the write side (data write side). The operation in which the memory interface circuit (DMA) 41bb reads data from the RAM 3 and the operation in which the memory interface circuit (DMA) 41ac writes data to the RAM 3 are synchronized so that at least one line (or one transfer unit) remains. Taken.

  That is, the memory interface circuit (DMA) 41bb reads data so as not to exceed the number of lines written to the RAM 3 until the memory interface circuit (DMA) 41ac stops, and after the memory interface circuit (DMA) 41ac stops. Reads data from the RAM 3 continuously as usual.

  Further, when the operation mode of “image processing via external memory” is set, at the first time, only the first half of image processing 41a is activated and the second half of image processing 41b is not activated. After the data is written, the image processing latter half 41b is activated.

  In the case of the automatic size detection mode, when the scanner interface circuit 41aa completes the input of the image data for one page, the counting of the number of sub-scanning lines is finished, and the count value is set in the input size register 42a. The size setting selector control unit 42d controls the selectors 42ac, 42bc, and 42cc to select the outputs of the size calculation units 42aa, 42ba, and 42ca, respectively, and the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd are forcibly set. The on / off control unit 42e sets the operation mode in which the outputs of the selectors 42ac, 42bc, and 42cc are output as they are. Thereby, the size information set in the input size register 42a is referred to, and the size information sequentially calculated and output by the size calculation units 42aa, 42ba, and 42ca is referred to, and the pre-edit processing unit 41bc and the scaling process are performed. The image processing of the unit 41bd and the editing processing unit 41be is performed.

  In the standard mode, the size information is stored in advance in the size registers 42ab, 42bb, and 42cb by software executed by the CPU 1. Then, the size setting selector control unit 42d controls the selectors 42ac, 42bc, 42cc to select the outputs of the size registers 42ab, 42bb, 42cb, respectively, and the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, 42cd are forcibly set. The on / off control unit 42e sets the operation mode in which the outputs of the selectors 42ac, 42bc, and 42cc are output as they are. Thereby, the size information output from the selectors 42ac, 42bc, and 42cc is referred to, and the image processing of the pre-edit processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the edit processing unit 41be is performed.

  Next, an operation in the case where there is a problem with the automatic size setting will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this case, when the image processing accompanied with the size change is not executed, the operation mode of “image processing with one stroke pass” is executed as in the case described above, and thus the description of the operation is omitted.

  Next, a case where image processing with a size change is executed and the automatic size detection mode is set will be described. In this case, in the automatic size detection mode, an operation mode of “image processing via an external memory” is set, and the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be The operation mode is set to the mode of performing the operation.

  This is because an interrupt is issued after the scanner interface circuit 41aa determines the size of the original image, the software reads the size information, and correct size setting is performed by the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing. This is because, when the operation of setting to the unit 41be is employed, the hardware processing of the ASIC device is too early for the software processing executed by the CPU 1, and thus it is not in time.

  In other words, before the module that requires size setting, it is necessary to save the image once in the memory (RAM 3) and allow time for the software to process. However, it is not realistic to prepare a new path for this purpose.

  Therefore, when there is a problem with the automatic size setting function and the automatic size detection mode is set, a path via memory (flow of image data) may be set and used.

  When the scanner interface circuit 41aa finishes inputting the image data for one page, the counting of the number of sub-scanning lines is finished, and when the count value is set in the input size register 42a, the scanner interface circuit 41aa detects the size. The CPU 1 outputs an interrupt signal indicating that the process has been completed.

  As a result, the CPU 1 reads the number of sub-scanning lines, that is, the size information from the input size register 42a of the size management unit 42, and sets it in the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be. The power size information is calculated, and the calculated size information is written in the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd, respectively.

  In this case, the forced size on / off control unit 42e sets the operations of the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd to on. As a result, the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd output the size information set by the CPU 1 at that time to the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be, respectively. The editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be can perform appropriate arithmetic processing.

  In addition, when the image processing accompanied by the size change is executed and in the standard mode, the operation mode of “image processing with one stroke pass” is set, and the pre-edit processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and The edit processing unit 41be is set to an operation mode for performing each image processing operation.

  In this case, in the scanner unit UN5, the document size is detected by a document size sensor (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the contact glass before the document reading starts, and is notified to the CPU 1 of the controller unit UN1. Therefore, the CPU 1 calculates size information to be set in the pre-edit processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the edit processing unit 41be based on the notified document size, and the calculated size information Are written in the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd, respectively.

  Next, the forced setting on / off control unit 42e sets the operations of the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd to on. As a result, the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd output the size information set by the CPU 1 at that time to the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be, respectively. The editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be can perform appropriate arithmetic processing.

  Next, when the content of the image processing accompanying the size change is “large enlargement / reduction ratio”, the operation mode of “image processing via external memory” is the operation mode in both the automatic size detection mode and the fixed mode. In addition to the setting, the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be are set in an operation mode in a mode in which each image processing operation is performed.

  In the automatic size detection mode, the forced size register setting operation similar to that described above is performed.

  In the standard mode, the scanner unit UN5 detects the document size by a document size sensor (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the contact glass before the start of reading the document, and the CPU 1 of the controller unit UN1. Therefore, the CPU 1 calculates the size information to be set in the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be based on the notified document size. The size information is written in the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd, respectively.

  Next, the forced setting on / off control unit 42e sets the operations of the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd to on. As a result, the forced size registers 42ad, 42bd, and 42cd output the size information set by the CPU 1 at that time to the pre-editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be, respectively. The editing processing unit 41bc, the scaling processing unit 41bd, and the editing processing unit 41be can perform appropriate arithmetic processing.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a flowchart of the operation setting process accompanying the size change executed by the image processing unit 4.

  First, it is checked whether or not there is a size change (determination 101). If the result of determination 101 is YES, it is checked whether or not there is a problem with the size automatic setting function for size change setting (determination 102). If there is no size change and the result of determination 101 is NO, the process proceeds to process 104 described later, and image processing is performed with a single stroke pass as described above.

  If there is no problem with the automatic size setting function for size change setting and the result of determination 102 is NO, then it is checked whether the enlargement magnification is large (decision 103). When NO, image processing is performed with a single stroke pass as described above (processing 104). On the other hand, when the result of determination 103 is YES, as described above, image processing is performed via the external memory (RAM 3) (processing 105).

  If there is a problem with the size automatic setting function for size change setting and the result of determination 102 is YES, size forcible setting is performed as described above (processing 106), and the size automatic detection mode is set at that time. Whether it is set is checked (decision 107).

  When the automatic size detection mode is set and the result of determination 107 is YES, the process proceeds to processing 105, image processing is performed via the external memory, and the automatic size detection mode is not set. When the result of 107 is NO, the process proceeds to decision 103, and the subsequent processing is executed.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which showed an example of the structure of the principal part of a controller unit. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image processing unit 4. Schematic which showed an example of the operation | movement aspect of the image process part 4. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation flow of the image processing unit 4.

Explanation of symbols

UN1 controller unit UN5 scanner unit 4 image processing apparatus 41 image processing operation unit 41a first half of image processing 41aa scanner interface circuit 41ab image processing A operation unit 41ac memory interface circuit 41b second half of image processing 41ba image processing B operation unit 41bb memory interface circuit 41bc Pre-edit processing unit 41bd Scaling processing unit 4
41be edit processing unit 41bf image processing C calculation unit 41bg output interface circuit 42 size management unit 41a input size register 42aa, 42ba, 42ca size calculation unit 42ab, 42bb, 42cb size register 42ac, 42bc, 42cc selector 42ad, 42bd, 42cd forced size Register 42d Size setting selector control unit 42e Forced setting on / off control unit

Claims (9)

Image input interface means for inputting image data output from the image reading device;
Image processing means for applying one or more image processes including at least one resized image process in which an image size is changed before and after the process on the image data input by the image input interface means;
Control means;
A size management unit that calculates size information to be referred to by the size-changed image processing according to the size of image data to be processed, and outputs the calculated size information to the image processing unit ;
The image processing apparatus, wherein the size management means includes rewriting means for rewriting size information to be output to the image processing means in response to an instruction from the control means . A first data transfer means provided at a position preceding the data input position of the size-changed image processing and transferring input image data for the size-changed image processing to an external memory;
The input image data provided at the subsequent stage of the first data transfer means and input to the external memory by the first data transfer means is input to a position before the data input position of the resize image processing. A second data transfer means;
The control means transfers the input image data to the external memory by the first data transfer means and only by the second data transfer means only when the image reading apparatus is in the automatic document size detection mode. First control for operating the image processing unit in a state in which input image data is input from an external memory and the size information output from the size management unit to the image processing unit is rewritten by the rewriting unit. the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for performing. The total data amount of the input image data transferred from the external memory by the second data transfer unit by the control unit is the total data of the input image data transferred by the first data transfer unit to the external memory. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second data transfer unit is controlled so as to be less than the amount. The size of the image data to be processed input to the size management means, any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is measured by the image input interface unit or the first data transfer means The image processing apparatus described. The resized image processing is a predetermined pre-editing process, a predetermined scaling process, and a predetermined editing process,
The size management means processes size information for pre-editing processing referred to by the pre-editing processing, size information for scaling processing referred to by the scaling processing, and size information for editing processing referred to by the editing processing. Calculate according to the size of the target image data ,
5. The rewriting means rewrites the size information for pre-editing processing, the size information for scaling processing, and the size information for editing processing according to an instruction from the control means. The image processing device according to any one of the above. In the case where the image processing unit does not perform the size-changed image processing , the control unit is configured to use an external memory of the first data transfer unit even when the image reading apparatus is in the document size automatic detection mode. The input image data is not directly transferred to the image processing unit, and the input image data is not transferred from the external memory of the second data transfer unit. the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means for performing a second control to prevent to perform the rewriting of the size information means. Said first data transfer means and said second data transfer means, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that also serves as a external memory interface means for subscanning enlargement processing in the scaling Image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus comprising image input interface means for inputting image data output from the image reading apparatus and control means,
An image processing step of applying one or more image processes to the image data input by the image input interface means, including at least one resized image process in which an image size is changed before and after the process;
According to the size of the image data to be processed, size information to be referred to by the resized image processing is calculated, and the size management step for using the calculated size information for processing in the image processing step;
An output step of outputting the output of the image processing step to the next stage;
In a stage preceding the data input step of the resized image processing, a first data transfer step of transferring the input image data to the resized image processing to the external memory,
In the subsequent stage of the first data transfer step , the input image data transferred to the external memory in the first data transfer step is used as image data to be processed in a step prior to the data input of the resize image processing. Performing a second data transfer step to be input ,
The size management step, an image processing method characterized by comprising a rewriting step of rewriting in accordance with the size information to be subjected to processing in the image processing step on the instruction from the control unit. An image forming apparatus comprising the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.