JPH0497468A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce a lead on an operator by transferring prescribed information set on each input/output device by a transfer means to a host computer, and automatically starting the start-up of each input/output device by a control means by interpreting the information. CONSTITUTION:When prescribed switch information required for image processing is set on each input/output device (in this case, a scanner 2, a hard disk 3, a printer 4), the transfer means (set on the scanner 2, the hard disk 3, and the printer 4, however, it is set in the scanner 2 in this case) transfer the prescribed information set on the input/output devices 2-4 to the host computer 1 via an input/output bus 5. Transferred prescribed switch information is interpreted, and the control means (set on the host computer in this case) starts the start-up of the input/output devices 2-4 automatically in a state based on set prescribed information. Thereby, the start of an image reading operation from an image reader and density setting can be executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image processing system that performs image processing by converting image information read by optical scanning into electrical signals.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in an image processing system that uses a general-purpose interface to connect a host computer and an image reading device, there is no dedicated cable for transmitting switch information (therefore, it is difficult to instruct the image reading device to start image reading, etc.). There were no switches for setting the density, so the configuration was such that instructions to start image reading, density settings, etc. were directly input from the keyboard of the host computer.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional example described above, the image reading instructions, density setting values, etc. are input from the keyboard of the host computer, and therefore there are the following problems.

For example, when reading a plurality of originals, an operator sets the originals on an image reading device, goes to the location where the host computer is installed, and inputs an instruction to start reading images.

After reading the image, visit the location where the image reading device is installed again.
There is a problem in that the user must set the next original, return to the host computer's installation position, and input the start time of the image over and over for nine originals.

This invention has been made to solve the above problems, and allows image reading start instructions and density information input to the switch of the image reading device to be transmitted via a general-purpose interface cable that connects the host computer and the image reading device. An object of the present invention is to obtain an image processing system capable of starting an image reading operation and setting density from an image reading apparatus by configuring information such as setting values to be transferred to a host computer.

[Means to solve the problem]

The image processing system according to the present invention includes a transfer means for transferring each predetermined switch information set on each input/output device to a host computer via an input/output bus, and each predetermined switch information transferred from the transfer means. The control means analyzes the information and controls the activation of each input/output device at the transfer destination.

[Operation] In this invention, when each predetermined switch information necessary for image processing is set on each input/output device, the transfer means transfers each predetermined information set on each input/output device to the input/output bus. It is possible for the control means to automatically start the activation of each input/output device in a state based on each predetermined information set by interpreting each transferred predetermined switch information. shall be.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing system showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a host computer for controlling the system, 2 is an original document placed on a document table; An image reading device (scanner) converts information into electrical signals using an image sensor such as a CCD, and 3 is a hard disk serving as an external memory, in which system control programs, image information, etc. are stored. 4 is a high-speed printer (printer) such as a laser beam printer that records an image on a recording material based on information converted into an electric signal. 5 is the host computer 1. Scanner 2. Hard disk 3. printer 4
This is a 5C5I bus that electrically connects between

In recent years, SCSI (Small Computer S
systemInterface) is compliant with ANSIX 3.131 established in 1986.

The image processing operation will be explained below.

The host computer 1 first acquires the right to use the 5C3I bus 5 and selects the scanner 2.

Next, the host computer 1 sends the READ command to sc
The data is sent to the scanner 2 via the sr bus 5. The scanner 2 reads the original placed on the original table and transfers the image of the original to the host computer 1 via the SC3I bus 5. The postcomputer 1 stores this original image in its internal memory. Similarly, the host computer 1 selects the hard disk 3 to store the original image, transfers the original image in the internal memory of the post computer 1 to the hard disk 3 via the 5cSI bus 5, and writes it. Furthermore, in order to print out the original image, the host computer 1 selects the printer 4, transfers the original image in the internal memory of the host computer 1 to the printer 4 via the SC3I bus 5, and prints it out.

In the image processing system configured as described above, when each predetermined switch information necessary for image processing is set on each input/output device (in this embodiment, the scanner 2, hard disk 3, and printer 4), the transfer means ( Scanner 2. Hard disk 3 (provided in printer 4, etc., but in this embodiment provided in scanner 2) transfers each predetermined information set on each input/output device to host computer 1 via the input/output bus. Then, by interpreting each of the transferred predetermined switch information, the controller 8 (provided in the host computer 1 in this embodiment) automatically starts each input/output device in a state based on each predetermined information set. Start. Hereinafter, specific transfer processing and processing execution processing operations between the scanner 2 and the host computer 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the configuration of the scanner 2 shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration and operation will be described below.

A document is placed face down between a pressure plate 22 for an automatic document feeder and a document glass plate 20 and a document glass plate 20, and is pressed against the glass plate 20 by a pressing member 21 made of a soft material such as maltbrene. Pressed against the surface. The original is illuminated by a fluorescent lamp 23, and the reflected light is reflected by mirrors 24, 25,
26. An optical path 33 is formed to condense light through a lens 27 onto the surface of an image sensor 28 having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row. The sliding table 30 is a fluorescent lamp 2
3 and a mirror 24, and the sliding table 31 is equipped with a mirror 25. A mirror 26 is mounted and sub-scanning movement is performed along an axis 29.

The sliding table 30 and the sliding table 31 move at a relative speed of 2:1 while applying PLL by a DC servo motor. In the case of flatbed scanning, the sliding table 3o starts reading from the position shown by arrow B, moves in the direction of the arrow, and
The image sensor 28 captures the original image on the original glass plate 20.
The light is focused on the surface of the

The image sensor 2B outputs an 8-bit digital image signal indicating the light and shade read sequentially for each line.

The automatic document feeder 22 uses a document guide member 44, an automatic document feeder cover 40, five document feed rollers 41, and a driven roller 42 facing them to move the document in the direction indicated by the arrow 50.
From there, it is fed in the direction of arrow 51. Automatic document feeder 2
2, the reading position of the sliding table 30 is indicated by arrow C.
It will be in the position shown. When the leading edge of the document inserted from the direction of arrow 50 reaches the reading position C, reading the document starts,
After reading is completed, the original is ejected in the direction shown by arrow 51.

When a document is jammed in the automatic document feeder 22, the automatic document feeder cover 40 opens in the direction shown by an arrow 52 about a fulcrum 43 to take out the document.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a switch panel, on which a reading start instruction switch, a density setting switch, etc. are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the scanner 2 shown in FIG. 1.

In the figure, 71 is a central processing unit (CPU) consisting of a microcomputer. 72 is a scanner program ROM (read-only memory) in which a program for controlling the scanner is written in advance;
U71 is controlled and operated by the program in ROM72. 73 is a RAM (random access memory),
It is used as a working memory of the CPU 71. 74
is an image sensor composed of a CCD or the like, has a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row, and converts document information of a document into an electrical signal. 75 is a CCD driver circuit,
This is for driving the image sensor 74. 76
is an amplifier that amplifies the electrical signal output from the image sensor 74. 77 is an A/D converter for converting the analog signal output from the amplifier 76 into a digital signal.

An image processing circuit 78 performs image processing such as shading correction, enlargement, reduction, negative/positive inversion, and cropping of the digital image signal output from the A/D converter 77.

Reference numeral 79 denotes a buffer RAM, which stores the image signal output from the image processing circuit 78 in 1. This is an image memory for multiple lines that stores data in units of main scanning lines. Reference numeral 80 denotes an SC3I controller, which performs SC3I communication with the host computer 1 via the 5C3I bus 94, such as receiving image signals, receiving commands, and transmitting status.

81 is a timing circuit, and the CCD driver circuit 7
5 and the image processing circuit 78. Reference numeral 82 denotes an address controller, which controls the address when writing the image signal output from the image processing circuit 78 to the buffer RAM 79, and the address controller from the buffer RAM 79 to the SC.
An address for reading out the image signal is generated in the 3I controller 80. 83 is a CPU bus, and CPU7
1 and scanner program ROM72. RAM 73° Image processing circuit 78. Timing circuit 81. The address controller 82 and the like are electrically connected. 84 is a fluorescent lamp for illuminating the original. Reference numeral 85 denotes a power source for lighting the fluorescent lamp 84, and turns on and off the fluorescent lamp 84 according to instructions from the CPU 71. 86 is a motor,
The slide tables 30 and 31 shown in FIG. 2 are moved in the sub-scanning direction.

87 is a motor driver for driving the motor 86. Reference numeral 88 denotes a home position detection sensor, which is used to detect the reading start position of the moving base 30 shown in FIG.

89 is a motor for rotating the document feed roller 41 of the automatic document feeder 22 shown in FIG.

90 is a motor driver for driving the motor 89.

91 is a document sensor for detecting a document. 92 is a reading position detection sensor for detecting the leading edge of the document.

92 is a reading position detection sensor for detecting the leading edge of the document. A cover sensor 93 detects whether the automatic document feeder cover 40 is opened or closed. 94 is a 5C8I bus that electrically connects the host computer 1 and the scanner 2.

100 is a switch for inputting a reading start instruction, and 101 is a group of setting switches for setting a reading density value.

Next, the phase processing operation of the 5C3I bus 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

Each device connected to the 5C5I bus 5 controls the bus phases shown in FIG. 4 in the order of the arrows and performs command processing.

700 is a bus free face, in which the 5C3I bus 5 is not used by any device.

Reference numeral 701 is an arbitration phase, which is a phase through which devices connected to the 5C3I bus 5 acquire the right to use the bus.

702 is a selection phase, in which a device (initiator) that has acquired the right to use the 5C5I bus 5 in the arbitration phase 71 selects another device (target) and logically connects it.

In this embodiment, when reading an image, the host computer 1 is the initiator and the scanner 2 is the target, and when transferring image reading operation start information and reading density information, the scanner 2 is the initiator and the host computer 1 is the target.

703 is a command phase, which is a phase in which the target receives and receives a series of commands from the initiator.

704 is a data interface, which is a phase for exchanging data between the initiator and the target.

705 is a status phase, which is a phase in which the target transfers the command execution results to the initiator. When the command completes normally, go to GOOD.
After the status (00) is transferred and the command is completed, check condition is sent.
tionl status (02) is transferred.

706 is a message in phase, which is a phase in which the target transfers a message to the initiator. When the execution of the command is completed, a command complete message (00) is transferred.

707 is a reselection phase, which is a phase in which the target, which transferred the disconnect message in the message in phase 706 and temporarily released the bus, selects an initiator and logically connects.

The operation of reading a plurality of original documents will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the system processing procedure of the host computer 1 shown in FIG.

Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, the operator connects the scanner 2 to the host computer 1.
The host computer 1 waits for the 5END command to be input from the scanner 2 (2). At this point, the operator places the first document on the document table of scanner 2, sets the reading density value, reading resolution, reading magnification, reading size, etc. using the switches on the scanner 2 panel, and starts reading. When the switch is pressed, the scanner 2 transmits the density value, reading magnification, reading size, etc. set on the panel of the scanner 2 to the host computer 1 using a 5END command in the format shown in FIG. Thereafter, it waits for a READ command to be sent from the host computer 1.

Next, the host computer 1 interprets the 5END command sent from the scanner 2 and obtains the read density value,
Internally set the reading resolution, reading magnification, reading size, etc. (3) The host computer 1 issues a READ command to the scanner 2 and instructs it to start the document image reading process (4) The scanner 2 uses this READ command When the light is received, the sliding table 30 shown in FIG. 2 is moved to the position indicated by the arrow A, and the fluorescent lamp 23 is turned on to correct the amount of light.

Next, the sliding table 30 is moved to the position indicated by arrow B. and,
The scanner 2 reads the document line by line and transfers it to the host computer 1.

Next, the host computer 1 determines whether all the originals have been read. 5) If no, step (2)
The process returns to , repeats the document reading process, and ends the process if YES.

The processing operation in which the scanner 2 transfers switch information such as read density value, read resolution, read magnification, read size, and read start information to the host computer 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a switch information transfer processing procedure from the scanner 2 shown in FIG. 1 to the host computer 1. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, when the scanner 2 confirms that the 5C3I bus 5 is in the bus free phase 700, it enters the arbitration phase 701 and acquires the bus right (1).

Next, the scanner 2 puts the SC3I bus 5 into the selection phase 702 and selects the host computer 1. Here, the host computer 1 and the scanner 2 are logically connected.

In the following command phase 703, the scanner 2
Transfer Data Type to r80HJ (1
A 5END command, which will be described later, is sent in hexadecimal format.

On the other hand, upon receiving the 5END command, the host computer 1 transfers the 5END command.
The Data Type is checked, and when the value is r80HJ, it is determined that switch information is to be transferred (2) In the next data phase 704, switch information in the format shown in FIG. 7 is transmitted from the scanner 2 to the host computer 1. The host computer 1 interprets this switch information and determines the read density value, read resolution,
Stores the reading magnification, reading size, and reading start information in internal working memory (3) The scanner stores all switch information in the host computer 1.
When the transfer is completed, the host computer 1 puts the SC3I bus 5 in the status phase 705 and enters the Good status (OO
H) to the scanner 2 (4). The scanner 2 receives this Good status (OOH) and knows that the 5END command has ended normally.

Next, the SC3I bus 5 is connected to the message interface 76.
Then, the host computer 1 sends a command complete message (OOH) to the scanner 2 indicating that all 5END commands have been completed. The scanner 2 receives this command complete message (OOH) and knows that the command processing is completed (51SEN).The scanner 2 sends the SC3I bus 5 to the bus free phase 700LSEN.
Terminate the D command.

FIG. 7 shows the 5 points in the image processing system shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the format of an END command.

(a) shows the command disc libter block (CD B (Command Descriptor) for the 5END command.
torBlockl ), and is composed of bytes "○" to byte "9", and byte rOJ is an operation code, and is set to "r2AH" (hexadecimal number) indicating a 5END command.

Byte “2” is the transfer data type (Trar
+5fer Data Type), set r80hJ to transfer switch information.

Byte “6” to byte “8” are Transfer Length, and the number of parameter block transfer bytes is set to “13”.

(b) shows the parameter block of the 5END command, which is composed of bytes "0" to "12", the byte rOJ of the parameter block contains an operation instruction, and when it is "1", the operator presses the read start switch,
Indicates that the start of a read operation has been instructed.

The byte "1" contains a value from "1" to "255" indicating the read density, and with r128J as the center, "1" is the darkest (and "255" is the lightest).

Bytes "2" to "3" indicate resolution "75" to "30"
The value of 75 DP I (Dot Per
Inch), set "75", and when set to 300 DPI, set r300J.

Bytes "5" to "8" contain a value indicating the reading main scanning width in bytes.

Bytes "9" to "12" contain a value indicating the sub-scan reading length in line units.

In the above embodiment, all the information on the panel switch of the scanner except the file name and the number of originals to be read is transferred via the 5C3I bus 5, but some information is transferred to the host computer 5.
Of course, it is also possible to set the number of originals to be read using a panel switch of the scanner 2.

[Effects of the Invention 1] As explained above, the present invention includes a transfer means for transferring each predetermined switch information set on each input/output device to a host computer via an input/output bus, and information transferred from this transfer means. The control means analyzes each predetermined switch information and controls the activation of each input/output device at the transfer destination. , the settings can be automatically transferred to the host computer and processing can begin. Therefore, after the necessary initial setting processing on the host computer, each process can be executed simply by setting the necessary switch information on each input/output device.Compared to conventional host computer-based instruction operations, This has the effect of greatly reducing the burden on the operator when working on the system.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing system showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the configuration of the scanner shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1
A block diagram explaining the circuit configuration of the scanner shown in the figure,
FIG. 4 shows 5C in the image processing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining an example of the system processing procedure of the host computer shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram explaining the SI bus phase transition. Flowchart showing an example of switch information transfer processing procedure, seventh
The figure shows 5EN in the image processing system shown in Figure 1.
It is a figure which shows an example of the format of D command. In the figure, ] is a host computer, 2 is a scanner, 3 is a hard disk, 4 is a printer, and 5 is a 5C3I bus. Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an image processing system in which a host computer performs image processing by controlling multiple input/output devices connected via the same input/output bus, each predetermined switch information set on each input/output device is input/outputted. The present invention includes a transfer means for transferring information to the host computer via a bus, and a control means for analyzing each predetermined switch information transferred from the transfer means and controlling activation of each input/output device at the transfer destination. Featured image processing system.