JPH01272261A - Image input/output controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily generate an image file by providing a function to copy image information from paper to a storage means other than paper besides the principal function of a digital copying machine for copy from a paper original to paper. CONSTITUTION:An image processing part records/reproduces an image signal and records the image signal from a scanner 1 and reproduces this recorded signal or the image signal recorded by another system. This processing part is internally provided with a page memory 202, a scanner interface 200, a printer interface 210 and an operation and display part interface 205 to perform the control of the whole of a device and buffering of the image signal. Consequently, it is unnecessary to input a retrieval term like a keyword at the time of storing image information in an external storage means, and an objective file is immediately searched from printed-out results at the time of reading out image information stored in the external storage means. Thus, the image is easily input and output.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an image input/output control device, and particularly to a digital copying machine, in addition to its main function of copying from paper to paper, it also has the ability to copy to a medium other than paper. This invention relates to controlling the output of search information in a multi-media copying machine equipped with the following functions.

[Prior art]

Connects to the main computer, reads information such as images from a paper document, records the read information to an external storage device that is not removed from the paper, and reproduces information such as images recorded in the external storage device onto copy paper. Image input/output control devices have been around for a long time, but
In this case, input/output of images is controlled by main operations on the computer itself, and writing/reading to/from external storage means is performed, resulting in a large-scale system.

Also, when writing image information to a medium, search information is added to make it easier to read, but when adding this, -
Keywords are used for boat fishing.

However, the inputting of keywords and the above-mentioned operation of the computer can only be performed by a professional or trained operator, and it has the disadvantage that it cannot be easily used by general office workers.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional example, and in addition to the main function of a digital copying machine, which is copying from a paper document to paper, the present invention adds the function of copying from paper to a storage means that is removed from the paper. It is a human output control device (multi-media copying machine) that can add search information in a simple way so that information recorded on media other than paper can be quickly retrieved, and it can easily retrieve image files. An object of the present invention is to provide an image output control device that can create images.

〔composition〕

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides an image reading device that reads a predetermined image and converts it into an electrical image signal, an image processing section that stores the image signal in an external storage means, and an image processing section that stores the image signal in an external storage means. and an image forming device that forms an image on copy paper based on the image forming apparatus, and in addition to copying from a paper original to copy paper, it also copies from a paper original to the external storage means, and from the external storage means to copy paper. In the image input/output control device, a page memory in which the image processing unit develops image data, a write/read control unit that writes to/reads from the external storage means,
The present invention is characterized in that it includes means for printing out information for searching written image data.

More specifically, the image processing section includes a page memory for expanding image data, a write/read control section for writing to/reading from the external storage means, an interface with a reading device (scanner), and an image forming device. has an interface with. Furthermore, it has a CPU, ROM, and RAM for controlling these, and a printer that prints out information for searching the read image data as image data search information,
retrieving target image data from the external storage means;
This facilitates reading.

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 to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a system block diagram thereof. Reference numeral 1 in the figure is an image reading device (scanner), which is the input section of a digital copying machine, and converts the image information of the document placed on the document table into an electrical signal (image signal) using an imaging device such as a COD (charge coupled device). ).

Further, 2 is an image processing section for recording/reproducing image signals, etc., 3 is a printer (image forming apparatus), and 4 is an operation/display section.

The image processing unit 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 records/reproduces image signals, and records and reproduces image signals from the scanner 1.
Then, this recorded signal is reproduced or an image signal (raster data, vector data, text data, etc.) recorded by another system is reproduced. It also has an internal page memory, scanner interface, printer interface, and operation/display interface, and also controls the entire device and buffers image signals.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image reading device (scanner), in which 102 is a platen glass, 101 is a document, 103 is a document holding plate, and the document 101 is placed on this platen glass 102. The original 101 is illuminated by light sources (fluorescent lights) 104 and 104' provided on a carriage that moves on a slide rail (not shown).
In combination with mirrors 105, 106, and 107, the optical image of the original 101 on the platen glass 102 is guided through the lens block 108 to a photoelectric conversion element (CCD line sensor) 109 that constitutes a reading unit. C
The CD 109 converts the shading 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, an image signal from a line sensor CCD 109 is amplified by an amplifier circuit 110, passes through a shading correction circuit 111, and is converted into a multi-value digital image signal for each pixel by an analog/digital (A/D) converter 112. .

The shading correction circuit 111 extracts (11
In order to remove shading caused by uneven light emission of the light source, (2) uneven light intensity distribution of the optical system (mirror, lens), (3) uneven sensitivity of the CCD, etc., the light sources 104 and 104 are turned on immediately after the scanner l is powered on. ' is turned on, and the reflected light from the standard white plate provided on the back side of the document table 102 in FIG.
The signal is received by the CD 109, converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 112, and the value is stored in the random access memory R.
An operation is performed to store it in AM113. This RAM11
The value stored in 3 is converted into an analog signal by the D/A converter 114 and taken into the shading correction circuit 111 in order to apply the above correction to the image of the original. In addition, 115 is a first line buffer, 116 is a second line buffer, 117 is a scanner interface (scanner I/F), 118 is a scanner control (control unit),
119 is a lighting circuit, 120 is a motor driver, and 121 is a drive motor for the exposure optical system.

FIG. 5 explains the configuration of the image processing section 2, and FIG.
31 is a printer that prints out the search information of written image data; 213°, 214, and 215 are scanners 1. Printer 3. A cable 216 for transmitting and receiving data, etc. to and from the operation/display unit 4 is a mounted circuit board of the block shown in FIG. 5 fb).

FIG. 5(b) is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing section 2. As shown in FIG. 200 in the figure is an interface circuit that sends and receives control signals to and from the image reading device (scanner);
1 is a serial/parallel conversion circuit that converts the serial image signal from the scanner 1 into parallel data, 202 is a page memory that expands the image data, and 203 is a parallel circuit that converts the parallel image data from the page memory 202 into serial data. 210 is an interface circuit that sends and receives control signals from the image forming apparatus (printer); 205 is an interface circuit that inputs and outputs signals from the operation unit 4; 206 is a CPU that controls the processing unit; A read-only memory (ROM) in which processing unit control software is written, 208 a read/write memory (RAM) for temporarily writing/reading control software and data, 220 an image data writing/reading device (disk drive) 221 The interface circuit 230 sends and receives part of the data in the page memory 202 and recording/reading control information to the external storage means as search information to the printer device 231 (as data and control signals). This is an interface circuit.

Next, the image forming apparatus 3 will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus (laser printer) for an electrophotographic process. The photosensitive drum 305 is indicated by arrow A.
direction, is charged by a charging charger 304, a latent image is formed by laser exposure, and is visualized by a developing device 306.

The paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 316 by the paper feed conveyance unit 307 is moved to the registration rollers 3 that align the leading edge of the paper with the leading edge of the image.
Adjustment and conveyance is carried out at 08. This paper comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 305 and the developed image is transferred onto the paper by a transfer separation charger 309. The paper is conveyed in the direction of arrow B by a conveyor belt 310 and fixed by a fixing roller 311, and then placed on a paper discharge tray 31.
The paper is ejected to 3. On the other hand, the photoreceptor drum 305 is freed of charge by a charger 314, and residual toner is collected by a cleaning section 315. In the figure, 301 is a polygon mirror, 302 is an f-theta lens, and 303 is a mirror.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the image forming apparatus (laser printer). 331 in the figure is an interface, printer interface 210 (Figure 5)
The image data (DAT) developed in the page memory 209 of
E) in response to a print operation start signal (PRINT). Note that this interface 331 is a line synchronization signal (Lsync) to the printer interface 210.
, LGATE, write clock (CLK) and status (STATE). A data buffer 332 writes image data from the page memory 202 into one of line buffers 333 and 334.

The writing time of the line buffers 333 and 334 is regulated by a line width synchronization signal (LGATE) from the controller 330. When writing to the line buffer 333 is completed, the next data is written to the line buffer 334. On the other hand, data is read from the line buffer 333 for which writing has already been completed, and the laser driver (LED driver) 335 reads the data from the laser light emitting element 32.
Controls the lighting of 1.

The laser light from the laser light emitting element 321 is shaped into parallel light by the collimator lens 320, and the laser light is shaped into parallel light by the collimator lens 320.
The light is scanned in the width direction of the photoreceptor drum 305, the distortion is corrected by the f-theta lens 302, and the photoreceptor drum 305 is exposed to light via the mirror 303. In the figure, 322 is a beam position detector, and 340 is a beam position detection circuit. According to the positional deviation of the scanning beam in the beam detector 322 provided outside the effective scanning area of the laser beam, the beam position detection circuit 340 determines the scanning position. Correction signal (L'5yn
c) is obtained, and based on this, the control circuit 330 corrects the data writing position.

FIG. 8(a), (bl is an explanatory diagram of the timing relationship of the scanner, and FIG. 8(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 is clocked by the image clock VCK. In FIG. 8(a), VD and VCI shown at the bottom are shown at the top. This is an enlarged version of rVcK. 8th
Figure (b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the paper, the main scanning signal (LGATE), and the sub-scanning signal (FGATE).
Covered by TE).

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation/display section.

The operation/display section 4 includes a standard operation section 60 for a copying machine, and a special operation section 61 having a dot liquid crystal display section 65 and soft keys 66 for inputting operation data. The standard operation section 60 is for using the "paper-to-paper copy" function, and includes a numeric keypad 62 for setting the number of copies, a number display section 63,
It is composed of a print start key 64, a copy condition setting key, a display section 70, and the like.

The special operation section 61 is used in the recording/reproduction mode, and is composed of soft keys 66 and a liquid crystal display section 65.

These are connected to the system controller 216 through 110205 in the image processing unit 2 (see Figure 5).
. The meanings of the soft keys 66 and the data displayed on the liquid crystal display 65 are determined by programs in all system controllers.

In the above-described configuration, the present invention not only provides a conventional digital copying function of paper-to-paper copying in which image signals read from a scanner are output to a printer, but also outputs image data read from a scanner to an external storage means. It also has the function of copying from paper to a paper-removable medium and from a paper-removable medium to paper, such as reading image data recorded in an external storage means and reproducing it on copy paper. This is a simple filing system.

The operation of the present invention will be further explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 10 to 12.

When the device is powered on, it checks the status of each part, and if there are no abnormalities, it waits for key human power. If there is an abnormality in any of the devices, the status or contents are displayed and the operation is stopped (Sl-Step 1. The same applies hereafter).

(1) Normal copying operation When the print start key 64 of the operation/display unit 4 provided in the scanner l is pressed (S2), the key input from the operation/display unit 4 is transferred to the operation/display unit of the image processing unit 2. 4 via the interface (1/F) 205 connected to the CPU
206, ROM 207, RAM 208, and the like. The CPU 206 decodes the contents of the key input (S3), (SIO), determines that the mode is normal copy mode, and sends a control signal for operating the scanner 1 from the interface 200 via the interface 117 on the scanner 1 side. The data is sent to the control unit (scanner control) 118 of the scanner 1.

Upon receiving the scanner operation start signal, the control unit 118 drives the lighting circuit 119 to light the light source 104, and then drives the motor 121 with the motor driver 120 to cause the exposure optical system to scan.

When the optical system has scanned to a predetermined position, the light source 104 is turned off, the rotation direction of the motor 121 is changed, and the optical system is returned to its original position (home position).

According to the scanning of the exposure optical system, the light image from the original 102 is
The signal enters the CCD 109, is amplified by an amplifier (AMP) 110, undergoes a predetermined correction in a shading correction circuit 111, and is converted into a digital signal by an A/D conversion circuit 112. The image signal converted into a digital signal is written to one of the line buffers 115 and 116. The line buffers are controlled so that, for example, while writing to one line buffer 115, the other line buffer 11'6 is in a read operation, and both line buffers 115 and 116 alternately perform write and read operations. It will be done.

Line buffer 115 (or 116
) is processed as image data by the serial/parallel conversion circuit (S/P) 20 of the image processing section 2.
1, the data are sequentially written and recorded in the page memory 2゜2 (Sll). When writing to the page memory 202 is completed, control moves to reading image data.

CPU206. ROM207. The printer control interface (1
/F) Starting from 2.10 and other control signals are input to the control circuit 330 of the printer 3. As a result, the printer 3 is activated, and a request is made to read image data from the printer 3. According to this image data request, image data is read from the page memory 202, and the parallel/serial conversion circuit (P/5) 2
At 03, the data becomes serial data and is sent to the printer 3.

In FIG. 7, the printer 3 receives input image data (D
data) is received by the buffer 332, and the line buffer 3
Write to one of 33 and 334. line buffer 333
, 334 perform writing and reading alternately, and while one is writing, the other is reading.

The image data is outputted from one of the line buffers for which writing has been completed, for example, the line buffer 333, to the LED driver 335, the laser light emitting element 321 is turned on, and the image data is written onto the photoreceptor 305.

That is, the laser beam from the laser light emitting element 321 is irradiated onto the photoreceptor 305 via the collimator lens, the polygon mirror 301, the f-theta lens 302, and the mirror 303. As a result, printing is performed on copy paper (S12).

In addition, to print out multiple pages from one original (S
13), the read operation (S12) is repeated.

When the above operations are completed, the process returns to the initial operation and waits for key input from the operation/display section 4.

(2) Recording image data to external storage means (Figure 11)
With the soft key 66 of the special operation section 61 of the operation/display section 4,
When the image data registration mode is selected (S20), the key input from the operation/display unit 4 is transmitted to the CPU 206 via the interface 205 of the image processing unit 2. ROM207
．． The data is sent to a processing unit configured by RAM 208. Subsequently, when the print start key 64 of the operation/display section 4 is pressed (S21), the print data is similarly sent to the processing section. CPU20
6 decodes the contents of the key manual and enters the image data registration mode.

When there is an input signal from the print start key 64 of the operation/display section 4, the status of the external storage means and free space are checked (S22). If the external storage means has free space equal to or greater than the storage capacity for one time (S23), a writing start position is designated and other preparations are made for writing data to the external storage means (S24).

If there is no free space in the external storage means that is greater than the storage capacity for one time, the reason is displayed (527) and the image data registration mode is exited (S31).

When the preparation for writing data to the external storage means is completed, the image data is read, expanded to the page memory 202 (S25), and written and recorded from a predetermined position in the external storage means, as in the normal copy mode. Do (S2
6).

When there is an input signal from the print start key 64 again, the status and free space of the external storage means are checked again, and if there is free space in the external storage means that is greater than the storage capacity for the first time,
The management information of the external storage means, such as the size value of the write area, is changed, and newly read image data is written following the already written image data.

If a certain period of time has elapsed (328) and there is no input signal from the print start key 64, the CPU 206 moves on to the next operation and reads out part of the image data already written in the external storage means (529). Part of the image data and image data management information written to external storage means (
For example, the file identification information) is sent to the printer 231 as search information for the image data written in the external storage means and printed out (S30).

When these series of operations are completed, the registration mode is canceled (S31).

(3) Printing out the image data recorded in the external storage means (Fig. 12) Using the soft key 66 of the special operation section 61 of the operation/display section 4,
When the image data readout mode is selected (S40),
The key input from the operation/display unit 4 is transmitted to the CPU 206 via the interface 205 of the image processing unit 2. ROM207
．． The data is sent to a processing unit configured by RAM 208. C
The PU 206 decodes the contents of the key input, enters an image data read mode, and waits for input of search information. When inputting search information (for example, file identification when registering image data) (541) and then pressing the print start key 64 on the operation/display section 4 (S42), the management information written in the external storage means is read. Go to and find the file you want (
S43,544). If the target file does not exist, a message to that effect is displayed (549) and the read mode is canceled (S51). When the existence of the target file is confirmed, the content of the file, that is, the image data, is read from the management information and sequentially written to the page memory 2゜2 (S45), and the writing to the page memory 202 is completed. Then, the process moves to reading out image data. CPU2
Under the control from 06, the printer 3 is activated, data is read from the page memory 202, and the data is printed out on copy paper as in normal copying operations (346).
).

In order to print out the same content on multiple sheets, the reading operation is repeated (S47).

When the printout from the page memory 202 to the copy paper is completed, the management information is read again, and if all the data in the file has not been read out, the image data readout and printout are repeated (
348). When the series of operations such as data reading are completed, the read mode is canceled (S51).
.

Furthermore, if there is no input signal from the print start key 64 of the operation/display unit 4 even after a certain period of time has passed after manually inputting the search information (341), it is determined that the operation has ended and the reading mode is switched off. It is canceled (S51).

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, when storing image information in the external storage means, it is not necessary to input a search term such as a keyword, and also when reading out the image information stored in the external storage means, it is not necessary to print out the image information stored in the external storage means. You can quickly find the desired file from the results and easily input and output images.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multi-media copying machine to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a system block diagram thereof, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a scanner, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an image signal processing circuit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing section.
al is an overall transparent perspective view, the same figure (b) is its block diagram,
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing its control circuit, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the timing relationship of the scanner.
The figure fbl is a diagram of the relationship between paper, main scanning signals, and sub-scanning signals.
Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of the operation/display section, Figure 1O, Figure 11.
12 are control flowcharts according to the present invention. 202...Page memory, 221.231...Writing/reading device. Agent Patent Attorney Junji Takeshi Department (1 other person) Figure 1 Figure 5 (a) Figure 5 (b) Figure 8 (C) vc, 1111 11LII + Figure 8 (b) L GA rff Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image reading device that reads a predetermined image and converts it into an electrical image signal, an image processing unit that stores the image signal in an external storage means, and an image forming device that forms an image on copy paper based on the image signal. In the image input/output control device, the image input/output control device is capable of copying from a paper original to the external storage means and from the external storage means to the copying paper in addition to copying from a paper original to copy paper. The processing unit includes a page memory for developing image data, a write/read control unit for writing/reading to/from the external storage means, and means for printing out information for searching the written image data. Characteristic image input/output control device.