JPH01160256A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain copying and preservation, etc., for diversified documents or the like by configurating the unit so as to attain the copying from a paper original into a floppy disk and the print-out from the floppy disk onto the copy paper. CONSTITUTION:With an original desired to be saved in an FD (floppy disk) set to a scanner 1, an operation display section 4 is operated to set the copy mode to 'copy from paper to FD', then the reading of the scanner is executed and the content of the page memory is saved on the FD. In case of copying from FD to paper, the FD with a file desired to be copied recorded thereupon is set to an FDD, then the operation display section 4 is operated to select the mode 'copy from FD to paper'. The file directory of a file (FD) to be copied is read and a file list is displayed on a display section of the operation display section 4. Upon the depression of the print start key by the operator, the read of the FD is executed and the content of the page memory is printed out on the printer.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an image processing device, and in particular, in addition to the main function of a digital plain paper copying machine, which is copying from a paper original to paper, it is also capable of copying between different types of media. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus applicable to a multi-media copying machine, a so-called multimedia copying machine.

[Prior art]

2. Description of the Related Art In addition to copying from paper originals to paper, multi-media copying machines are being developed that are capable of copying between different types of media, such as paper and floppy disks.

In this type of multi-media copying machine, for example, when copying from paper to a floppy disk and from a floppy disk to paper, image data (including characters) that has been read from a paper document by a scanner is saved. ,
It becomes possible to obtain the required number of copies at any time, and to copy the floppy disk containing data using another copying machine.

However, document files created with other information devices such as personal computers and word processors often have different file formats depending on the model, and in most cases, the file formats of devices made by different manufacturers are not common.

An image processing device with a copying function added with a copying function between a floppy disk and paper can also copy documents on a floppy disk created with other information devices mentioned above, and can also copy image signals read from originals. If you can save it as a document file on a floppy disk,
Its multifunctionality can be demonstrated even more.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention enables a multi-media copying machine that uses a floppy disk as a medium different from paper to decode and output copies of documents in various file formats stored (recorded) on the floppy disk. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an image processing device with the following features.

〔composition〕

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image converting means for reading a predetermined image and converting it into an electrical image signal, an image forming means for forming an image on copy paper, and an image forming means for converting data stored in a floppy disk. a floppy disk device capable of accessing tracks outside the normal data area of the floppy disk; control means for controlling the floppy disk device; After accessing, an out-of-area track recording means for recording on this track, a format determination means for reading and determining file format-specific data from the track outside the normal data area, and a format determination means for reading data by file format l from the track outside the normal data area, and determining whether file format identification data is recorded. identification data recording means for recording identification data of a file format on the floppy disk after copying data on a floppy disk; a file format converting means for converting the file format of data read from the floppy disk; raster data conversion means for converting the text code data into raster data; memory means for storing the raster data; output means for outputting the data stored in the memory means to the image forming means; and the image conversion means. recording means for recording the image signal obtained from the means on a floppy disk; decoding the document file recorded on the floppy disk according to its file format;
The present invention is characterized in that it is configured to be printed out (copied) on paper using rask conversion.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multi-media copying machine II (multimedia copying machine) to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a system block diagram thereof, in which 1 is an image reading device (scanner); It is an input unit, and is image conversion means that converts image information of a document placed on a document table into an electrical signal (image signal) using an image pickup device such as a COD (charge coupled device).

2 is a floppy disk memory device (FDM)
, 3 is a printer (image forming apparatus), and 4 is an operation/display section.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a floppy disk memory device 2 records/reproduces image signals, and records image signals (raster data) from a scanner, and reproduces the recorded signals or records them using other systems. image signal (raster data).

vector data, text data, etc.).

Also includes internal page memory, scanner interface,
It has a printer interface and an operation/display interface, and also controls the entire device and buffers the image data.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image reading apparatus 1, in which 111 is a platen glass, 112 is a document, and the document 112 is placed on the platen glass 111. The original 112 is illuminated by light sources (fluorescent lamps) 115 and 1 provided on a carriage 114 that moves on a slide rail 113.
16. The movable mirror unit 118 is provided with mirrors 119 and 119', and the mirror unit 11B moves on the slide rail 113 and, in combination with the first mirror 117 provided on the carriage 114, rotates the document on the platen glass 111. The optical image of 112 is introduced into a lens reading unit) 120. The carriage 114 and the movable mirror unit 11B are driven by a stepping motor 121 via a wire 126. 124, the carriage 114 is driven at a speed V and the movable mirror unit 118 is driven at a speed 1/2v in the same direction. platen glass 111
A standard white plate 127 is provided on the back side of the home position portion of the printer, and the configuration is such that a standard white signal can be obtained before the start of document reading scanning. Lens reading unit 12
0 is composed of a lens 128 as a reading lens system and a line sensor 129 attached to a reading board. The optical image of the original transmitted by the first mirror 117 and the mirrors 119 and 119' is focused by the lens 128 and formed on the light receiving surface of the line sensor CCD 129. The line sensor CCD 129 converts the density of the original image into an electrical signal (image signal).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an image signal processing circuit.

In the figure, the image signal from the line sensor CCD 129 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 130, and the analog/digital (analog/digital)
The A/D) converter 131 converts each pixel into a multi-valued digital image signal. This digital image signal is processed by the shading correction circuit 132 to detect (1) uneven light emission of the light source, (
2) Optical system (mirror).

Removes shading caused by uneven light intensity distribution of the lens), uneven sensitivity of the 31CCD, etc.Binarization circuit 133
In this case, (11) A black and white image signal such as a character or a drawing manuscript is converted into a fixed binary level.

That is, the value processed by the central processing unit (CPU) 134 is transferred to the latch circuit (random access memory: RA).
M) A method of binarizing with a pattern level (threshold level) of 135, (2) Binarizing with a dither pattern stored in read-only memory: ROM136 for things that require gradation such as photographs. method (dithering),
is selected using the document select switch on the operation unit 4 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and switched using the selector 137 to obtain an optimal copy image.

The image data that is binarized for each pixel corresponds to one line, that is, for an A3 size scanner, it is A4 size (210X
If the resolution of the longitudinal feed (297 mm) is 400 dpi (dots/inch), the output buffer 139 outputs a serial image signal v0 to the printer 2 via the line buffer 138 configured with a RAM of 297 x 16 = 4752 dots (bits). (Figures 1 and 2).

The oscillation circuit 140 is a CCD for driving the CCD 129.
A signal is given to a drive circuit 141 and an image (pixel) signal synchronization signal generation circuit 142. In addition, l, 5ync
is the laser beam position signal (scanning synchronization signal) of the printer.

The output of the oscillation circuit 140 is counted by a counter 143, the count value is input to a decoder 144, and a pulse for driving the CCD 129 is generated by a CCD drive circuit 141 based on the decoded output.

Other outputs of the decoder 144 are generated by the synchronization generation circuit 142: (1) a clock VCX synchronized with the pixels, (2) a main scanning synchronization signal (LGATE) in the line (main scanning) direction, and (3) a sub-scanning signal in the sub-scanning direction. A synchronization signal (FGATE) is generated.

The CPU 134 (for example, Intel 8086) is R
It operates according to a control program written in the OM145, and is composed of a working memory RAM146, input/output (Ilo) ports) 147, 148, and 149, and the scanner 1
control the entire The I10 port 147 controls on/off of actuators such as the drive pulse motor 121 and the fluorescent lamps 115 and 116 for illuminating the document, and also detects sensors S such as the home position switch of the scanner and document detection. The I10 port 149 is an interface for communicating with a control circuit within the floppy disk memory device, and performs parallel data transfer using a handshake method.

5(al) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the timing relationship of the scanner, and FIG. 5(a) is a timing chart,
The LSYNC signal is output from the printer 2 and is a synchronization signal for laser beam scanning. Vo is read data (image signal) and image clock ■. clocked by Figure 5 (■ shown at the bottom in al, VCK is an enlarged version of VD and VCK shown at the top. Figure 5 (bl is the paper, main scanning signal (LGATE) and sub-scanning signal (FGATE) ), the sub-scanning signal (FGATE) in the longitudinal direction of the paper and the main scanning signal (LGAT) in the horizontal direction
Covered by E).

Next, the structure and operation of the floppy disk memory device 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a floppy disk memory device, where 210 is an 8-inch floppy disk device, 211 is a 5.25-inch floppy disk device, and 212 is a 3.5-inch floppy disk device. In the figure, one floppy disk device with different media sizes is mounted, but such a configuration is not necessarily required, and the number of installed floppy disk devices of a specific size may be one or more. 21
3 is a control electronic circuit; 214 is an interface connector/cable that connects to the scanner; 215 is an interface connector/cable that connects to the printer;
16 is an interface connector cable connected to the operation/display section.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control circuit for a floppy disk memory device. This control circuit is based on a general microcomputer system, and controls each peripheral via a so-called bus.

In the figure, 213 is the control electronic circuit 21 of FIG.
3, a microprocessor (MPU) 221 supplies data, address, and control signals to the bus 229. Floppy disk devices (hereinafter referred to as FDD) 210, 211, 212 are physically controlled (read, read, etc.) through an FDD interface (I/F) 220.
writing) is performed. RAM222 is R for working
It is operated by the MPU 221 in AM. The ROM 223 is the part where the program of this system is written and stored.
This program controls the F'DDs 210, 211, and 212, the scanner (image reading device) 1, the printer 3, and the page memory 228. 224 is a scanner I/F constituted by a parallel data interface, which controls the operation of the scanner 1. The read data from scanner 1 is transferred to this scanner I/
This is done via the serial/parallel (S/P) converter 226 without going through the F224. Data from S/P converter 226 is expanded to page memory 228. The page memory 228 has a data capacity to hold a full dot image of printer output paper.

Further, the image data in the page memory 228 is transferred to the printer 3 through a parallel/serial (P/S) data converter 227. Printer interface (1
/F) 225 indicates the operation of printer 3 (print start,
status read, etc.), and serves as a parallel data interface. It is connected to the operation/display section 4 through an I10 port 230. 2
31 is a character generator, and 232 is a code memory.

Next, the configuration of the printer 3 will be explained.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a laser printer (image forming apparatus) for an electrophotographic process, and the photosensitive drum 301 is indicated by the arrow A.
direction, is charged by a charging charger 302 , a latent image is formed by exposure to a laser 311 , and a latent image is made visible by a developer 303 .

The paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 1-304 by the paper feed conveyance unit 305 is adjusted and conveyed by registration rollers 306 that align the leading edge of the paper with the leading edge of the image. This paper is the photosensitive drum 301
The image developed by the transfer separation charger 307 is transferred onto paper, and the image is conveyed in the direction of arrow B, fixed by the fixing device 308, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 309. On the other hand, residual toner on the photoreceptor drum 301 is collected by a cleaning section 310. In addition, in the same figure, 312 is a collimator lens,
313 is a polygon mirror, 314 is an f-θ lens, 31
5 is a mirror, and 322 is a copy paper size detector.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the laser printer, in which the synchronization signal L from the floppy disk memory device 2 is
GATE, FGATE, V. The input buffer 323 receives the image signal VD synchronized with the input signal VD, and writes it into the line memory 320A or 320B.

Line memories 320A and 320B are toggled by a toggle switching signal 331 of CPU 324, and one line memory, for example, line memory 320
When A is in the write state, the other line memory 320
B is in a read state. The address counter 321 of the line memory counts at V⊙ which is opened at LGATE, is reset by the toggle switching signal 331, and reading/writing is always performed from address zero. Reading side memory 32
0B controls the lighting of the laser 311 by the laser driver circuit 319, and the emitted light is made into parallel light by the collimator lens 312, and the photoreceptor drum 3 by the polygon mirror 313.
01 width, the distortion is corrected by the -θ lens 314, and the light is exposed onto the photoreceptor 301 via the mirror 315. In FIG. 9, 316 is a beam detection mirror (BD mirror).
, 317 is a beam position detector, 318 is a beam position detection circuit, and 323 is an image signal (■) from a floppy disk memory device. 325 is a ROM that stores printer control and LGATE counter 334 control programs, 326 is a RAM that is a working memory of the CPU 324, 327 is a printer drive motor M1, a fixing heater actuator HA, and the presence or absence of paper. ,
Input/output (I
10) Port 328 inputs LGATE330,
This is counted by the LGATE counter 334 and the FGATE
335 to the AND gate 333, and a reset signal 331 of the line memory address counter 321.
An I10 port 329 is an I10 port for transmitting and receiving control signals between the floppy disk I10 boat 149 and the printer interface 225. Therefore, the CPU 324 is operated by the ROM 325 that stores the control program. Further, control is performed via the I10 port 329 to transmit start and stop commands from the operation unit 4, abnormal conditions such as a paper jam in the printer 3, and copy paper size to the floppy disk memory device 2.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation/display section. The operation/display section 4 includes a standard operation section 460 for a copying machine, a special dot liquid crystal display section 465, and soft keys 466 for data input. An operation section 461 is provided. The standard operation section 460 is for when the "Gi to Gio copy" function is used, and includes a numeric keypad 462 for setting the number of copies, a number display section 463, a print start key 464, a key and display section 470 for setting copy conditions, etc. configured.

The special operation section 461 is used in a copy mode for recording/reproducing data on a floppy disk, and is composed of soft keys 466 and a liquid crystal display section 465. These are I10 port 2 in floppy disk memory device 2.
It is connected to a microcomputer system through 30 (see FIG. 7). The meanings of the soft keys and the data displayed on the liquid crystal display are determined by a program within every microcomputer system.

In the above-described configuration, the present invention not only provides a conventional digital copying function called "paper-to-paper copying function" in which image signals read from a scanner are output to a printer, but also outputs image signals read from a scanner to a floppy disk. "Copy function from paper to FD" that records on (FD)
and image signals (raster data, vector data) recorded on the FD.

It has three functions: rFD-to-paper copying function that handles three types of text data) and outputs it to a printer.
A format translator program is automatically selected and applied to the file format of a document file stored in the computer to decode the document file, thereby making it possible to output a copy.

The functions of copying between paper and FD will be sequentially explained below.

・Copying from paper to FD FIG. 11 is a flowchart explaining the procedure for copying from paper to FD. First, set the original to be recorded on the FD into the scanner 1, and operate the operation/display section 4 to set the copy mode. is set to "copy from paper to FD" (step 1).

Next, copy conditions are set (step 2). The copying conditions include setting the copying range, selecting the FD type, inputting the file number for file identification within the FD, or the file name. Thereafter, the operator presses the print start key 464 shown in FIG. 10 to complete the operation (step 3). The copying conditions are set using the program stored in the ROM 223 in the floppy disk memory device (FDM) shown in FIG. This is done interactively with key 466. When the setting of copy conditions is completed and the operator presses the print start key 464, the program checks the FD through the FDI/F 220 (step 4). Here, checking the FD means, for example, whether the FD is set in the FD memory device, whether it has been formatted, and whether the file name or file number is registered twice. F
When the check of D is completed, the program executes the scanner reading operation through the scanner I/F 224. The data read from the scanner 1 is expanded into the page memory 228 through the S/P converter 226 (step 5). Since the page memory capacity is reserved for the original paper, development in the memory continues until the original reading operation is completed. When the reading operation is completed, next, the contents of the page memory are recorded on the FD (step 6).

This recording operation is performed through the FDDI/F 220.

- Copying from FD to paper Figure 12 is a flowchart explaining the procedure for copying from FD to paper. First, set the FD containing the file you want to copy on paper into the FDD that matches its size.
The operation/display section 4 is operated to select the "copying from rFD to paper" mode (step 10). Next, copying conditions such as specifying the number of copies and selecting the FDDO size to be copied are set (step 11). This setting is made interactively by the program stored in the ROM 223 in the floppy disk memory device shown in FIG. conduct.

After setting the copy conditions, the program in the ROM223 is transferred to the FD.
The FD is checked through DI/F'2Q (step 12). This FD check means, for example, whether an FD is set in the floppy disk memory device or not.
This is to check whether there are any problems with the hardware. Next, the file format identification data is read from the FD and it is determined whether or not the FDD is in the Ready state (step 13). If there is an abnormality in the FDD hardware and the Ready state is not reached, the program is The operator is notified of the occurrence of an error through the operation/display unit 4, and an error handling routine is entered.

Note that this error processing is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, so a description thereof will be omitted.

Furthermore, if the file format identification data is not read from the FD, it is determined that there is no file format identification data (step 14).
A request is made to the operator to input the format type of the file to be copied (step 15). When the operator enters the file format type or the file format identification data is read from the FD, the program loads and starts the file format translator (step 16).

Various file format translators are ROM2
23 or a separately prepared ROM, and is loaded into the working RAM as a translator program corresponding to the specified file format type.

Next, the file directory of the file to be copied (FD) is read, a file list is displayed on the display section of the operation/display section 4, prompting the operator to select the file to be copied, and the operator operates the operation/display section 4. Input is made using the internal soft keys (step 17). At this point, the series of condition settings are completed, so the operator presses the print start key 464 (step 18).

The main program executes the FD read operation, and
Data for one page is read (step 19). Determine whether the data of the read file is raster data or text code data (step 20), if it is raster data, expand it to the page memory 228 as is (step 27), and if it is text code data, -time The code is stored in the working RAM (step 21), and then the rask pattern according to this code is extracted from the character generator 230 and developed in the page memory 228 (step 22).

This series of operations is executed not only by the main program but also by linking with the file format translator program.

After the data for one page is developed into the page memory, the contents of this page memory are output to the printer (
Step 23). The printing format of this combination uses the format recorded in the FD.

If there is a next page (step 24), the process returns to step 19 and is repeated for each page.

In this way, copying ends when all the data of the file has been output to the printer, but step 1
In the case of an FD in which there is no file format identification data in step 4, that is, no identification data is recorded,
After recording this step 25 and 26), the copying operation is completed.

Next, file format identification data will be explained.

The file format identification data is unique to the present invention and represents the type of file format of an information device such as a word processor or a personal computer among the file formats recorded on the FD.

Generally, the file formats of word processors, personal computers, etc. from different manufacturers are unique to each manufacturer and are often incompatible.

In the present invention, in order to have the function of copying FD files with different file formats created by information devices of a large number of unspecified manufacturers, a plurality of file format translators for decoding each file format are installed in the ROM. The file format translator corresponding to the file format identification data read from the FD or the file format identification data input by the operator is loaded and automatically started.

By the way, the data area of FD is fixed, and generally,
In a 5.25-inch 2DD FD, available tracks are physical track addresses 00 to 79. In the present invention, file format identification data is recorded outside the range of this data area.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a file format identification data recording means, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 13.

In Figure 13, 500 is a floppy disk (FD).
), 501 is the data area (00 to 79 tracks), 50
2 is a jacket, 503 is a head access opening, 504
is the file format identification data recording track (-0
11-rack).

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 13. In this example, a file format identification data recording track (-01 track) 504 is provided outside the data area 501, and the text of the current glFD is provided here. Code file format identification data can be recorded.

Since such a -01 track is added separately from the data track, the FDD also has a structure in which this track 504 is physically accessible.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of means for recording file format identification data, in which 600 is a data track, 601 is a file data area used in information devices such as word processors and personal computers;
602 is a sector added outside the file data area to record file format identification data;
3 is preamble, 604 is file data sector, 6
05 is a gap, and 606 is an index pulse.

As shown in the figure, in this example, a sector 602 is provided outside the file data recording sector area on the file data recording track 600, so that file format identification data can be recorded in this sector 602.

Now, the file format translator is a program, and each file format translator is prepared corresponding to the above file format identification data. The file format translator specified by the file format translator identification data is retrieved from the ROM or the like.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the main program and the file format translator program.
, --------, a N" is used by being incorporated into the program execution flow of the main program in response to reading or inputting file format translator identification data, and its functions include (i) Analyzes the structure of the file, informs the main program of the structure and contents of the file directory, external character data, and line data.
(ii) Code conversion of text data, etc.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to copy from a paper manuscript to a floppy disk, and to print out from a floppy disk to copy paper, and it is also possible to copy an FD from an unspecified number of word processors, personal computers, etc. It becomes possible to copy documents, etc. to paper or other FD, and it is possible to provide an image processing device that can copy and save various documents, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multi-media copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a system block diagram thereof, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image reading device, and FIG. 4 is an image Block diagram showing the signal processing circuit, Fig. 5(a), (
b) is an explanatory diagram of the timing relationship of the scanner; FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a floppy disk memory device;
Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the floppy disk memory device, Fig. 8 is a configuration diagram of the laser printer, Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the laser printer, and Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram explaining the operation/display unit. 11 is a flowchart explaining the procedure for copying from paper to a floppy disk,
FIG. 12 is a flowchart explaining the procedure for copying from a floppy disk to paper, FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a file format identification data recording means, FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 16 is a conceptual diagram showing another example of the file format identification data recording means, and FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the main program and the file format translator program. 1----Scanner, 2----Floppy disk memory device, 3----Printer, 4--
---Operation/display section, 220 --- Floppy disk interface (FD I/F), 221
--------Microcomputer, 222...---
---~Working RAM, 223...-ROM,
226----Serial/parallel (S/P) converter, 228---Page memory, 230------
-Person/output (I 10) port, 46.1-----
Print start key, 466-- soft key. Figure 1 Figure 5 (a) Figure 5 (b) Figure 11 Figure 13'gJ Figure 14 Toph, 7 Figure 16

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image converting means for reading a predetermined image and converting it into an electrical image signal, an image forming means for forming an image on copy paper, a data reading means for reading data stored on a floppy disk, and normal data on the floppy disk. a floppy disk device capable of accessing tracks outside the area; a control means for controlling the floppy disk device; track recording means; format determination means for reading and determining file format identification data from the track outside the normal data area; and identification of the file format after copying data from a floppy disk in which file format identification data is not recorded. identification data recording means for recording data on the floppy disk; file format conversion means for converting the file format of data read from the floppy disk; and raster data for converting text code data read from the floppy disk into raster data. converting means, memory means for storing the raster data, output means for outputting the data stored in the memory means to the image forming means, and recording the image signal obtained from the image converting means on a floppy disk. An image processing device comprising a recording means.