JPH05292267A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently store read image data and to reduce waiting time by immediately outputting required image data concerning the image forming device such as a digital copy machine, for example, which can store image data obtained by reading the images of originals and performs image formation based on the stored image data. CONSTITUTION:At the image forming device which can store the image data obtained by reading the images of originals and can perform image formation based on the stored image data, a code memory 306 is provided to store the read image data in the compressed state, and an image memory 304 is provided to store the read image data in the non-compressed state. Among the image data for plural pages obtained from one set of plural originals, the image data for designated pages are controlled to be stored in the image memory 304 at least, and the image data excepting for the designated pages are controlled to be stored in the code memory 306.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a digital image forming apparatus, configured to store image data obtained by reading an image of an original and to form an image based on the stored image data. Type copier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a digital copying machine, image data read by an image sensor such as a CCD can be stored in a memory.
A so-called memory in which image data read from one set of originals (one set of originals) composed of a plurality of pages is stored in a memory, and a required number of images are formed when necessary while reading the image data from the memory. Mode copy becomes possible.

However, when the number of pages of one set of originals or the number of such sets is large, the amount of image data becomes enormous, and the capacity of the memory for storing them becomes enormous. Therefore, in a conventional digital copying machine, in order to efficiently store the image data, the read image data is compressed and stored as code data (compressed data), and the code data is expanded when necessary. Then, the image data is restored (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-9737).
No. 2).

[0004]

However, in the conventional copying machine, all the image data obtained by reading is compressed into code data, and the entire original image is stored in the memory in the state of code data. There is a problem that it takes time for the decompression process for any page from when an image data output command is issued until the image data is actually output.

For example, when it is desired to know the content of a certain sentence (original set) prior to printing, it is conceivable to display the content of the first page on the display panel. Since a waiting time is required from when such an instruction is given until the image is actually displayed, the operator cannot perform the operation quickly and smoothly. Particularly in such a case, since no other operation such as a paper feeding operation is performed during that time, the net is a wasteful waiting time, and the operator feels longer than it actually is.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to efficiently store read image data and to immediately output necessary image data to reduce the waiting time.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is possible to store image data obtained by reading an image of a document and perform image formation based on the stored image data. The image forming apparatus configured as described above stores the read image data in a compressed state.
A storage unit and a second storage unit that stores the read image data in a non-compressed state are provided. Of the image data of a plurality of pages obtained from one set of originals including a plurality of pages, Image data is stored in at least the second storage unit, and image data other than the designated page is stored in at least the first storage unit.

[0008]

In the first storage section, the read image data is stored in a compressed state, for example, as coded data, and in the second storage section, the read image data is stored in a non-compressed state, for example, before being compressed. The decompressed image data is stored.

Of the image data of one set of originals consisting of a plurality of pages, the image data of the designated page, for example, the image data of the first page, the last page, etc., is uncompressed into the second image data.
The image data of the other pages stored in the storage unit are stored in the first storage unit in a compressed state.

When the image data is required, for example, when the content of the first page is displayed on the screen for confirming the content of the original, the uncompressed image data is read from the second storage unit at high speed. ..

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the present specification, a set of originals consisting of one page or a plurality of pages may be referred to as "original set""text". In particular, when it is emphasized that the document is stored in the memory and managed as one set of document, it is referred to as “text”.

FIG. 1 is a sectional front view showing the overall structure of a copying machine 1 according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel OP, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing a display example on a liquid crystal touch panel 91 in an image confirmation mode. It is a figure.

In these figures, the copying machine 1 includes a scanning system 10 for scanning a document and converting it into an image signal.
An image signal processing unit 20 for processing an image signal sent from
A memory unit section 30 for storing image data input from the image signal processing section 20, a print processing section 40 for driving two semiconductor lasers 61 and 62 based on the image data input from the memory unit section 30, a semiconductor laser 6
An optical system 60 that guides two laser beams from the lasers 1 and 62 to different exposure positions on the photoconductor drum 71, develops the latent image formed by the exposure, transfers the latent image onto the paper, and fixes it to form an image. Image forming system 70, operation panel OP provided on the upper surface of the main body, a document transport unit 500 that transports a document and reverses the front and back as necessary, and re-feeding to re-feed the sheet to the transfer position. It is composed of a section 600.

The scanning system 10 and the image signal processing unit 20
By the reading device IR, the print processing unit 40,
The printer device PRT is configured by the optical system 60, the image forming system 70, and the like.

The scanning system 10 includes an exposure lamp 11 and a first mirror 12, and second and third mirrors 13a, 13 mounted on a scanner 19 which moves below a platen glass 18.
b, a condenser lens 14, a dichroic mirror 15,
It is composed of photoelectric conversion elements 16 and 17 using a CCD array and a scan motor M2.

The dichroic mirror 15 reflects light of a specific color such as red among the light reflected from the document,
Transmits light of a complementary color of a specific color. Photoelectric conversion element 16, 1
Reference numeral 7 individually converts an image of a non-specific color mainly composed of black and an image of a specific color (red) in the document into electric signals.

The image signal processing unit 20 processes the image signals output from the two photoelectric conversion elements 16 and 17, and causes each pixel of the original image to have a specific color (second color) and other colors (first color).
The image data with color data is output to the memory unit section 30. Memory unit section 30
The details will be described later.

The print processing unit 40 distributes the image data with the color data to the two semiconductor lasers 61 and 62 according to the sent image data, and determines the difference in the exposure position corresponding to the two semiconductor lasers 61 and 62. Accordingly, the image data given to one of the semiconductor lasers 62 is delayed.

The optical system 60 includes semiconductor lasers 61, 62,
Dichroic mirror 63 for combining two laser beams, polygon mirror 65 for deflecting the combined laser beam, main lens 69, reflection mirror 67a, and dichroic mirror for separating the combined laser beam into the original two laser beams. 68, reflecting mirrors 67b and 67c, and the like.

The image forming system 70 comprises a developing and transferring system 70A, a conveying system 70B, and a fixing system 70C. The development transfer system 70A includes a photosensitive drum 71 that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, a first charging charger 72a and a first developing device 7 that are sequentially arranged around the photosensitive drum 71 from the upstream side in the rotation direction.
3a, the second charging charger 72b, the second developing device 73b,
The transfer charger 74, the separation charger 75, and the cleaning unit 76 are included.

The first developing device 73a contains a two-component developer consisting of a red toner corresponding to the second color and a carrier, and the second developing device 73b contains a black toner corresponding to the first color and a carrier. A two-component developer consisting of is stored.

The carrying system 70B is carried in from the cassettes 80a and 80b for storing the paper, the size detecting sensors SE11 and SE12 for detecting the paper size, the paper guide 81, the timing roller 82, the carrying belt 83, and the re-feeding unit 600. It is composed of horizontal transport rollers 86a to 86c for transporting the formed sheet.

The fixing system 70C comprises fixing rollers 84, 84 for conveying the paper while thermocompressing it, a discharge roller 85, and a discharge sensor SE62 for detecting the discharge of the paper.
The sheet re-feeding unit 600 temporarily stores the sheet ejected from the ejecting roller 85, reverses the front and back sides in the double-sided mode,
In the synthesizing mode, the front and back sides are not reversed, and the recirculation type is carried in to the horizontal carrying roller 86a of the carrying system 70B for another image formation (printing). Refeeding unit 60
Reference numeral 0 includes a switching claw 601 for switching between discharging to the discharge tray 621 and re-feeding, a conveying roller 602, a reversing roller 603, a reversing sensor SE61, and the like.

In the double-sided mode, the left end of the switching claw 601 is moved upward by a solenoid (not shown),
As a result, the sheet discharged from the discharge roller 85 is guided toward the conveying roller 602, passes through the conveying roller 602, and reaches the reversing roller 603.

When the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the reversing sensor SE61, the reversing roller 603 reverses, whereby the sheet is conveyed toward the horizontal conveying rollers 86a, passes through the horizontal conveying rollers 86b, c, and reaches the timing roller 82. Reach and wait. At this time, the next sheet is also sequentially conveyed at a predetermined interval, and the number of sheets of paper copied on one side that can stand by depends on the length of the sheet if there is no delay in image data. Become.

The document feeder 500 includes a document feed tray 51.
The original set on 0 is automatically conveyed onto the original glass 18, and after the original is read by the scanner 19, the original is ejected to the original ejection unit 511.

The document conveying section 500 includes a sheet feeding roller 501,
Separation roller 502, separation pad 503, intermediate roller 50
4, registration roller 505, conveyor belt 506, reversing roller 507, switching claw 508, discharge roller 509, paper feed tray 510, paper discharge tray 511, original scale 51
2, a paper feed sensor SE51, a discharge sensor SE52, and the like.

An original set consisting of one or a plurality of sheets is set on the paper feed tray 510, and one side thereof is read in the single-sided mode, and each original is inverted and read in the double-sided mode.

In the single-sided mode, for example, the lowermost original of the set originals is conveyed by the paper feed roller 501, and the originals conveyed by the separation rollers 502 and the separation pads 503 are separated and passed through the intermediate roller 504 and registered. The skew feeding is corrected by the roller 505, the feeding belt 506 feeds the original onto the original glass 18, and the feeding belt 506 slightly reverses and stops immediately after the trailing end of the original passes the left end of the original scale 512. by this,
The right end (rear end) of the original comes into contact with the edge of the original scale 512, and the original is accurately positioned on the original glass 18.

In this state, the scanner 19 scans to read the front surface (lower surface) of the original. When the reading of the original is completed, the original is conveyed to the left by the conveying belt 506, makes a U-turn by the reversing roller 507, and the switching claw 50
8 and the discharge tray 509 through the discharge roller 509.
11 is discharged onto. These operations are performed by the paper feed tray 510.
This is repeated until the original document is exhausted.

In the memory mode or the direct connection memory mixed mode, the image data is stored in the memory (the image memory 304 or the code memory 306 described later) at the same time when the original is read, and the entire set of originals is read. Thus, the reading job of one set of documents is completed. The image data of one set of documents stored in the memory is managed as one sentence.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the operation panel OP includes a liquid crystal touch panel 91, a numeric keypad 92 for inputting a numeral and a magnification, a clear key 93 for returning the numeral to a standard value "1", and a copying machine. Panel reset key 94 for returning the set value in 1 to the standard value, stop key 95 for stopping the copy operation, start key 96 for starting the copy operation, mode setting key for setting the copy mode 97, and mode display portions 97a to 97d for displaying the copy mode.

The liquid crystal touch panel 91 displays various states of the copying machine 1 such as occurrence of JAM, occurrence of service man call, occurrence of paper empty, exposure level, magnification, operation mode of the copying machine 1 such as paper, and various other information. While displaying, input for selecting operation mode.

On the initial screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 91, an image confirmation button 98a for selecting the image confirmation mode is displayed. Image confirmation mode is copy machine 1
This is a mode for confirming the content of the sentence read in the memory in, for example, prior to the printing.

When the image confirmation button 98a is pressed (touched), the confirmation screen HG1 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. On the confirmation screen HG1, the designated sentence number and the number of pages are displayed on the upper left side, the contents are read from the image memory 304 described later and displayed in the central portion, and the displayed sentence is printed. The execution button, the cancel button for canceling the image confirmation mode, the previous sentence button and the next sentence button for changing the designation of the sentence to be displayed are displayed. The number of pages displayed for each sentence is initially set to be the first page.

Next, the control unit 100 will be described. 4 and 5 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the control unit 100 of the copying machine 1. The control unit 100 includes eight CPUs 101 to 101.
108, and each of these CPUs 101 to 10
ROMs 11 to 11 storing programs, respectively.
118 and RA as a work area for program execution
M121 to 128 are provided. The CPU 10
6 is provided in the memory unit section 30, and the CPU 101 is provided in the operation panel section 130 (see FIGS. 6 and 9).

The CPU 101 controls the input and display of signals from various operation keys or buttons on the operation panel OP. The CPU 102 controls each unit of the image signal processing unit 20, and the CPU 103 controls driving of the scanning system 10. The CPU 104 controls the print processing unit 40, the optical system 60, and the image forming system 70, and the CPU 105 controls
Processing for adjusting the overall timing of the control unit 100 and setting the operation mode is performed.

The CPU 106 controls the memory unit section 30 to temporarily store the read image data in the memory (the image memory 304 or the code memory 306), read it and output it to the print processing section 40.

The CPU 107 controls the original conveying section 500, and the CPU 108 controls the re-feeding section 600. Serial communication by interruption is performed between these CPUs 101 to 108, and commands, reports, and other data are exchanged.

Next, each processing unit that processes image data will be described. First, the image signal processing unit 20 includes an A / D converter, a shading correction unit, a color determination unit that determines the color of a pixel of a document based on image data, a scaling processing unit, and
It consists of an image quality correction unit.

The image signal processing unit 20 quantizes the image signals input from the photoelectric conversion elements 16 and 17 into 8-bit image data for each pixel, and after various processing, outputs as image data D2. It At the same time, corresponding to each pixel of the image data D2, 1-bit color data DC indicating whether or not the specified specific color is output.

Next, the memory unit section 30 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the memory unit section 30. The memory unit section 30 includes an image switching section 301, C
A binary processing unit 302 that creates binary data based on parameter settings from the PU 106, a multi-port image memory 304, a code processing unit 305 having a compressor 311 and an expander 312 that can operate independently, and a multi-processor. Code memory 306 having ports, rotation processing unit 307, CP
It is composed of a multi-value quantization processing unit 308 that creates multi-value data based on the parameter settings from U106, and a CPU 106 that controls all of these.

In the image switching unit 301, connection and disconnection of the image signal are performed by the control signal. The image data stored in the image memory 304 is output to the print processing unit 40 as image data D3 and color data DC3, and to the operation panel unit 130 as image data D4 and color data DC4. Image switching unit 30
1 switches these output destinations.

The binarization processing unit 302 performs processing for converting multi-valued image data D2 into binary data within a recoverable range. For example, data is compressed by converting multivalued data into binary pattern data by a dither method or the like. In the multi-value conversion processing unit 308, the binarization processing unit 30
Contrary to 2, the multivalued value to be restored is estimated from the dot array of the binary data, and the process of restoring the original data is performed.

Image data D for the operation panel unit 130
When outputting 4, the image data D4 may be binary data, and therefore passes through the multi-value quantization processing unit 308 as it is, and the multi-value quantization processing unit 308 does not perform processing.

When the image data D2 is written in the image memory 304, the code processing unit 305 reads the data and compresses the data to create code data, and writes the code data in the code memory 306. In addition, according to a command from the CPU 106,
The code data written in the code memory 306 is read and decompressed to create image data.
Write to 04.

When one page of image data is generated in the image memory 304 by decompression, the image data is read out, rotated in the rotation processing unit 307 as necessary, and converted into multivalued data in the multivalued processing unit 308. Image data is generated and output as image data D3. The compressor 311 and the decompressor 312 can operate independently of each other and in parallel, and between these and the code memory 306, data is DMA-transferred by a DMAC (not shown). ..

By the way, the code memory 306 and the image memory 304 are the management table M stored in the RAM 126.
Managed by T1. FIG. 7 shows the management table MT
8 shows an example of the contents of No. 1 and FIG. 8 shows the code memory 306 and the image memory 304 corresponding to the contents of the management table MT1.
It is a figure which shows the storage state of the image data of.

The code memory 306 is divided into 32 Kbyte units of memory area, and code data for each page is stored in each area. Management table MT1
Is image data (or code data) stored in the image memory 304, the code memory 306, or both of them.
Used to manage. The management table MT1 is
Attributes such as the number indicating the area of the code memory 306 stored in the compressed state, the address of the image memory 304 stored in the uncompressed state (expanded state), the number for managing each sentence, the page number, and the color , The compressed state of whether it is placed in the code memory 306 or the image memory 304, etc. are collectively managed.

The management table MT1 also manages the reading job unit of one set of documents. Also,
In the compressed state, what is displayed as “compressed” is stored in the code memory 306, and what is displayed as “decompressed” is stored in the image memory 304. What is displayed in both is stored in both memories.

When the CPU 106 reads out the image data from the image memory 304 and compresses it, the management table MT
While creating the information of 1, the compressor 311 is controlled and stored in the code memory 306. When outputting image data, the code data is read from the code memory 306 by the reverse operation. The information in the management table MT1 is erased when the information of the corresponding page has been normally discharged in the required number of copies.

7 and 8, the image data of all pages of the sentences 1 to 3 are stored in the code memory 306 in a compressed state, and the image data of the first page of each sentence is Image memory 304 in uncompressed state
It is stored in.

The uncompressed image data stored in the image memory 304 is decompressed in the non-copy state after the reading job of one set of originals is completed,
When displaying on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 in the image confirmation mode, the uncompressed image data stored in the image memory 304 is read. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the decompression process after receiving the instruction for display, the image data of the first page of the instructed sentence can be immediately output and displayed, and the waiting time of the operator becomes unnecessary. ing.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the operation panel section 130. The image data D4 and the color data DC4 output from the memory unit section 30 are thinned out and their display positions are adjusted in the display adjustment processing section 131 so as to be easily displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91, and the display memory 13 is displayed.
Written to 2. The data transfer of the image data D4 here is configured to be DMA transfer without the CPU 101.

The display memory 132 has the CPU 10
By the control of No. 1, figures and characters such as operation buttons displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 are written. The content written in the display memory 132 is sent to the liquid crystal touch panel 91 through the I / O port and displayed.

Further, the CPU 101 also periodically scans the various keys 92 to 97 for notifying through the I / O port and the input from the liquid crystal touch panel 91, and sets the state as an internal parameter.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the print processing unit 40. The print processing unit 40 includes a color separation selector 40 that switches the output destination of the image data D3 based on the color data DC3.
1, 2 buffers 411, 412, delay memory 42
1. LD drivers 431 and 432 for driving the semiconductor lasers 61 and 62.

When the image data D3 input from the memory unit section 30 corresponds to the second color (red), the image data D3 is transferred from the color separation selector 401 to the buffer 411.
To the LD driver 431, and the drive control of the semiconductor laser 61 is performed based on this. In contrast,
When the image data D3 corresponds to the first color (black),
As described above, the image data D3 is stored in the buffer 411 due to the delay according to the difference in the exposure position on the photosensitive drum 71.
And is sent to the LD driver 432 via the delay memory 421, and drive control of the semiconductor laser 62 is performed based on this.

Next, the copying machine 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart.
The operation of will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the main routine of the CPU 101. After performing the initial setting (step # 11), the internal timer is started and the routine time is monitored to be constant (step # 12,
18), input control processing is performed on the operation panel OP and the like (step # 13).

At this time, when the image confirmation mode is instructed from the operation panel OP (Yes in step # 14), the image of the first page is stored in the image memory 304 in order to display the image of the first page on the liquid crystal touch panel 91. The image data is transferred to the display memory 132 of the operation panel unit 130 (step # 15). Here, by instructing the CPU 106 through the serial I / O, the image data D4
Are DMA-transferred to the display memory 132.

Then, the operation panel OP is displayed (step # 16), and other processing is performed (step # 16).
17). Although illustration is omitted, communication with other CPUs 102 to 108 is performed by interrupt processing.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the main routine of the CPU 102. After the image data input process (step # 23), the alignment process is performed to match the time difference due to the positional shift of the photoelectric conversion elements 16 and 17 (step # 24), and the color discrimination process, the image process, the image are performed. Data output processing and other processing are performed (step # 25).
~ 28).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the main routine of the CPU 103. The CPU 103 controls the scanning system 10. If in scan mode (step # 3
If YES in step 3, the scanning control for scanning the scanner 19 is performed (step # 34). In the follow shot mode (NO in step # 33), slider positioning control is executed (step # 35).

When a motor pulse interrupt is generated by a motor pulse generated in synchronism with the rotation of the scan motor M2, the interrupt interval time of the motor pulse is measured (step # 37), and the energization of the motor is turned on and off (step # 37). 38), the number of motor pulses is counted (step # 39).

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the main routine of the CPU 104. The CPU 104 is a printer device P
Control RT. The development transfer system 70A is controlled (step # 43), the conveyance system 70B is controlled (step # 44),
The fixing system 70C is controlled (step # 45), the print processing unit 40 is controlled (step # 46), and other processing is performed (step # 47).

In the control of step # 44 described above, after the sheet size is detected by the size detection sensors SE11 and SE12, the sheet re-feed path length, the sheet-to-sheet distance, and the sheet size are set to C.
Calculation is performed by the PU 104, and the number M of sheets that can be stacked on the refeed path is determined based on the calculation result. Since the re-feed path length and the inter-paper distance are constant, the number of paper passing paths is determined from the detected paper size.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the main routine of the CPU 105. The CPU 105 controls the overall operation of the copying machine 1 by issuing a start / stop command and an operation mode setting to the other CPUs. After checking the data input by communication by interruption, analyze the contents (step # 53), and depending on the contents, if there is something to be operated next or if the magnification is changed, start command or magnification A mode / command setting process for newly setting the mode data and the like is performed (step # 54).

Next, C for controlling the image forming system and the optical system, etc.
Based on the information from the PU 104, it is determined whether or not the one-sentence reading job is completed (step # 55), and if it is in the completed state (YES in step # 55), the code memory 30
Of the code data stored in 6, the decompression process for only the first page is requested. (Step # 56). In order to output a decompression request or the like by communication, those data are set in the output area (step # 57).

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the main routine of the CPU 106. The CPU 106 controls the memory unit section 30. Command reception processing from another CPU is performed (step # 62), status transmission processing is performed (step # 63), write control to the image memory 304 is performed (step # 64), and compression control is performed (step # 65). ), Decompression control (step # 66), and read control from the image memory 304 (step # 6).
7).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the main routine of the CPU 107. The CPU 107 is a document transport unit 50.
Control 0. Conveyor belt 50 that separates documents and corrects skew feeding
6 is performed (step # 73), and the document is conveyed to the reversing roller 507 by positioning the document at a predetermined reading position by the conveyor belt 506 (step # 73). 74), a document reversal ejection process is performed to control whether the document reaching the reversing roller 507 is ejected as it is, or is conveyed again to the conveyance belt 506 (step # 75).

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the main routine of the CPU 108. The CPU 108 is the refeed unit 600
To control. The printed sheet ejected from the image forming system 70 is temporarily stored for printing on the back side of the printed sheet or is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 621 as it is (step # 83). Inversion processing for inverting is performed (step # 84).

Incidentally, in the storing and discharging process, the image forming system 70
Whether or not the sheet has been discharged is detected by a discharge sensor SE62 provided at the discharge port, and the conveying roller 602 is rotated during discharging, and when the discharging is completed, the conveying roller 602 is stopped after a certain time.

In the reversing process, the reversing sensor SE
The reverse roller 603 is normally rotated while the sheet 61 is being detected, and the reverse roller 603 is reversed when the reverse sensor SE61 is turned off, and stopped after a certain time.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the input control process of step # 13. The input from the liquid crystal touch panel 91 is read (step # 101), and the image confirmation button 9 is displayed.
When 8a is pressed, the image confirmation mode is set (steps # 102 and 103), and if there is another input from the liquid crystal touch panel 91 or the operation panel OP, the internal parameters are changed accordingly (step # 104). ).

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of the image transfer request process of step # 15. First, the CPU 106 determines whether the requested image data exists in the image memory 304.
To confirm (step # 151). CPU
Reference numeral 106 checks the inquiry by referring to the management table MT1.

If the image data of the page corresponding to the request does not exist in the image memory 304, that is, if the image data has not been expanded yet (NO in step # 152), an expansion request is issued to the CPU 106 to perform the expansion process. Out (Step #
158), the status of the decompression request state is set to 1 to indicate the decompression request state (step # 159).

If the image data of the page corresponding to the request exists in the image memory 304, that is, if it has already been expanded (YES in step # 152), the status of the expansion request state is set to 0 (step # 153, step # 153). 154), DM the image data from the image memory 304 to the display memory 132.
After the command is set to execute the A transfer and the command is executed (step # 155), the image confirmation mode is reset (step # 156).

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of the command receiving process of step # 62. If a command is received (Yes in step # 301), if it is a read command, the write state of the image memory 304 is set to "1" (steps # 302 and 303), and if it is a compressed command, the compression state is set to " 1 "(step # 30
4, 305), if not a decompression command, step # 31
If it is a decompression command, it is judged whether or not the decompression request is a decompression request for only the first page issued at the end of the reading job (step # 307).

If it is a request to decompress only the first page, that is, in the case of the first page decompression mode (step # 3
If YES in step 07, the decompression state is set to "3" (step # 308). In other cases, that is, in the normal decompression mode (NO in step # 307), the decompression state is set to "1" (step # 308). 309), and the idle extension state is set to "0" (step # 310).

If it is a print command, the read state is set to "1" (steps # 312, 31).
3). FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the status transmission process of step # 63.

If there is a transmission status, it is transmitted (steps # 321 and 322). FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the image memory writing control processing in step # 64.

In the state "1", the write start address to the image memory 304, the XY length information, the image processing parameters, etc. are set (step # 332), the memory ready status is set and writing is started (step # 332). 333), and the state is set to "2" (step #
334).

In the state "2", when the writing to the image memory 304 is completed (YES in step # 335), the reading completion status is set (step #
336) and the state is set to “0” (step # 33).
7).

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of the compression control process of step # 65. In the state "1", settings for compression processing such as the read address from the image memory 304, the XY length information, the write address to the code memory 306, and the compression method are performed, and the contents of the management table MT1 are changed accordingly. The change is started and the compression process is started (step # 352), and the state is set to "2" (step # 353).

In the state "2", the setting is made each time the compression processing for one memory area divided into 32 Kbytes is completed (step # 358), and the compression is completed when the compression processing for one page is completed. The status is set (step # 356) and the state is set to "0" (step # 3).
57).

FIG. 25 is a flow chart of the expansion control process of step # 66. In state "1", it is determined whether or not the designated page has already been compressed (step # 37).
2) If yes, the memory unit section 30 is set and the decompression process is started (step # 373), and the state is set to "2" (step # 374).

If the answer is NO in step # 372, the expansion error status is set (step # 375), and it is checked by the idle expansion state whether or not the mode is expansion in idle (when not copying) (step # 37).
6). If in idle extension mode (step # 376
No,) and the state is set to "3" (step # 37).
8) In the normal mode, the state is set to "0" (step # 377).

In the state "2", the decompression completion status is set when the decompression process is completed (step # 37).
9, 380), if the mode is the normal mode in step # 376, the state is set to "0" in step # 377.

The state becomes "3" when it is requested to decompress the first page of all the sentences when the copy operation is not performed. In the state "3", the management table MT1 is searched for the image data of the first page of the sentence (step # 381), the idle extension state is set to "1" (step # 384), and the state is set to "1". , And the expansion processing is started (step # 385).

In the state "3", the decompression processing is repeated until the corresponding data of the first page is exhausted or the decompression cannot be performed due to the empty area of the image memory 304 (steps # 382, 383). The corresponding data means image data (code data) which is the first page of each sentence and has not been expanded yet. Therefore, a page that has already been expanded and has image data in the image memory 304 will not be expanded twice because the page is not corresponding data. Such management is performed by referring to the management table MT1.

When decompression becomes impossible (step # 382)
Alternatively, the idle extension state is reset (step # 386) and the state is set to "0" (step # 387).

FIG. 26 is a flow chart of the image memory read control process of step # 67. State "1"
Then, the read start address to the image memory 304, the amount of data, and other parameters are set (step # 39).
2), the state is set to "2" (step # 393).

In the state "2", when the reading from the image memory 304 is completed (Yes in step # 394), the print completion status is set (step # 394).
395) and the state is set to "0" (step # 39).
6).

By the above-described processing, the image data of the first page can be decompressed and stored in the image memory 304 during the non-copying operation after the reading of one set of originals is completed. When the image confirmation mode is set, the contents of the first page are immediately displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91.
Will be displayed in.

In the image confirmation mode, the first page of each sentence is displayed because the content of the sentence is best understood from the first page, but it is a special sentence. If it is desired to specify that another page should be displayed for that reason, it can be initialized by an internal panel (not shown).

Further, not only the display on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 but also when printing is performed by the printer PRT, the decompressed image data stored in the image memory 304 is used in order to speed up the first printing. Can be used. By doing so, the speed of first printing can be increased, and there is a greater effect particularly when the paper feeding time is short.

In this case, the first page is printed when face-down printing is performed, the last page is printed when face-up printing is performed, and the first page and the last page are performed when both of them are possible. , The image memory 30 is expanded respectively.
It should be stored in 4.

In this case, for example, step # 56 described above.
In step 3, a decompression request is issued to the page to be decompressed, and the decompression process is executed by the processes of step # 307 and step # 372 and thereafter.

In the above embodiment, all the read image data are once compressed and stored in the code memory 306, and the image data (code data) in the code memory 306 is stored.
Although all the first pages of the above are expanded again, the last read page may be compressed and the uncompressed data in the image memory 304 at that time may be left as it is without being erased. By doing so, when it is necessary to decompress the final page, it is not necessary to perform decompression processing for one page, and the processing time is shortened.

In the above embodiment, when the read image data is compressed and stored in the code memory 306,
Although the image data before compression is left without being deleted from the image memory 304, it may be deleted.

In the above embodiment, the image memory 304 and the code memory 30 provided in the memory unit section 30.
A plurality of memory chips may be used for 6, or the area of one memory chip may be divided and used.

In the above embodiment, one or a plurality of originals are read by moving the scanner 19, but they may be read by panning while the originals are moving. Further, the circuit configuration of the control unit 100 including the memory unit unit 30, the processing contents of the CPUs 101 to 108, the processing share, the software structure, and the structure of each unit of the copying machine 1 are as follows.
Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0103]

According to the present invention, the read image data can be efficiently stored, and necessary image data can be immediately output to reduce the waiting time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional front view showing the overall configuration of a copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a display example on a liquid crystal touch panel in an image confirmation mode.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a memory unit section.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a management table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a storage state of image data in a code memory and an image memory corresponding to the contents of a management table.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an operation panel unit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a print processing unit.

11 is a flowchart of a main routine of CPU 101. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a main routine of CPU 102.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a main routine of CPU 103.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a main routine of CPU 104.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a main routine of CPU 105.

16 is a flowchart of a main routine of CPU 106. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a main routine of CPU 107.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a main routine of CPU 108.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of input control processing.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of image transfer request processing.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of command reception processing.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of status transmission processing.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of image memory writing control processing.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of compression control processing.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of extension control processing.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of image memory read control processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Copier (Image Forming Apparatus) 304 Image Memory (Second Storage Unit) 306 Code Memory (First Storage Unit)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus configured to store image data obtained by reading an image of an original and to form an image based on the stored image data. The read image data is compressed. Of the image data of a plurality of pages obtained from a set of originals having a plurality of pages, and a second storage unit that stores the read image data in an uncompressed state. An image characterized by being stored so that image data of a designated page is stored in at least the second storage unit, and image data other than the designated page is stored in at least the first storage unit. Forming equipment.