JPH06303405A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily protect a file at the time of page printing operation by saving image data, which are inhibited from being accessed, in an external storage device when the image data are registered in an internal memory. CONSTITUTION:When PDL data sent from a host computer are developed into pages, the lock state of files registered in a file control table is checked and when there are locked files, the free capacity of an image memory as the internal memory is checked. Then when it is decided that there is not a free area required for the page development in the image memory, the locked files (files 1 and 4 in this case) are saved in the external storage device, e.g. a hard disk HD. Then the data are developed into pages and printed out after file transfer ends. A page memory and a memory for file registration can both be present, image data need not be uploaded to a host computer at each time, and file protection at the time of printing operation is facilitated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system which uses an internal memory as a page memory or a file memory and has a protection function for a registered file.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image processing system, particularly a page print system, a memory of a storage device is divided into a page memory for image expansion of a page description language and a buffer for scanning or a memory for file registration. And, basically, it is not configured to share the memory.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned memory which is shared without dividing the two memories uses a single memory area, and therefore only one of them can be exclusively used.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional system has the following problems. That is, (1) In the case of a system in which the memory is divided, the memory area is managed by dividing it into a page memory and a scanning buffer / file registration memory. Therefore, even when page printing is performed after scanning. Although the locked file is never cleared, it is necessary to have a memory for registering the image file separately from the page memory.

This is convenient for a large-scale system for printing work, but the load is too heavy for a small-scale system such as an office so that the memory cannot be used efficiently. (2) In the case of a system that shares a memory, a single memory area is used for page memory / file registration, so if page printing is performed after file registration, the registration file will be cleared and the locked file will
It is necessary to upload to the host computer side every hour. Therefore, a huge memory for saving image data must be prepared on the host computer side before page printing, which is a great load.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system in which a page memory and a file registration memory coexist to reduce the load on a host computer in handling image data and to easily protect a file during page printing. It is to be.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the present invention inputs image data or scan data of an original image as image data from the outside and stores the image data in an internal memory. In an image processing system for exchanging the stored image data with an external storage device, memory control means for sharing the internal memory as a page memory at the time of printout and a registration memory for the image data, and the image data. When access control means for selectively prohibiting access in a predetermined unit and when the memory control means uses the internal memory as a page memory, image data in the access prohibited state is registered in the internal memory , Data saving for saving the image data in the external storage device And means, executes a page printing after the evacuation.

[0008]

With the above arrangement, the function of protecting the specific file is achieved even if the page print is executed.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of an image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the digital copying machine main body 1 has a video interface for external input / output, a printer function for printing out input video data, and scanning a document image on a document table, and outputting the video data. Have a function. The image processing apparatus main body 2 has a function of holding video data input from the outside, a function of transmitting the data as a video signal to the printer engine side, a memory for one page, and a page description language developed in the memory ( PDL) interpreter function is provided.

Reference numeral 3 is a power switch of the image processing apparatus, 4 is an output tray of the digital copying machine, and 5 is a paper feed cartridge. Reference numeral 6 is a host computer that sends image information to the image processing apparatus 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 9 is a central control unit (CPU) that controls the entire image processing apparatus, and 10 is a CPU 9.
This is a ROM that stores processing programs and the like executed in. Reference numeral 11 is a RAM used as a memory used by the system.

Reference numerals 12a, 12b and 12c are data transmission / reception devices for transmitting / receiving video signals to / from external devices. Further, 13 is a bus for transferring data, address and control signals, and 14 is for storing image information, for example, R
An image memory composed of AM. Next, the operation of the image processing system according to this embodiment will be described.

In the image processing system according to this embodiment, a lock function for protecting the contents of each file is provided to prohibit access by others. In addition, even when printing a page, the locked file is protected without being deleted. In other words, when registering the image data read from the scanner unit of the digital copying machine 1 in the image processing apparatus 2, lock / unlock is selected, and the locked file is accessed by another person until the lock is released. Make it impossible.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a file management table in the image processing system according to this embodiment, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in the image processing system according to this embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the processing procedure shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 3, in this image processing system, when files 1 and 4 are locked files, when the PDL data sent from the host computer 6 is page-expanded, first, on the file management table. The locked state of the file registered in is checked (step S1 in FIG. 4). If there is a locked file, the free space of the image memory 14, which is the internal memory, is checked (step S
2).

If it is determined in step S2 that the image memory 14 does not have a free area required for page expansion, a locked file (here, a locked file) is stored in an external storage device (not shown) such as a hard disk (HD) in step S3. , File 1 and file 4) are saved (see FIG. 5). And
After the file transfer is completed, the page is developed and printed out (step S4).

When this page expansion is performed, the non-locked files 2 and 3 are overwritten and deleted. FIG. 5C shows the state of the image memory when this overwriting is performed. As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the internal memory is used as the page memory and the file registration memory at the time of printout, a lock function is provided for each file and the locked file is saved at the time of printout. The page memory and the file registration memory can coexist, and it is not necessary to upload the image data to the host computer each time, and the load on the host can be reduced and the file can be easily protected during page printing. .

A modification of the first embodiment will be described below. <Modification 1> Modification 1 will be described below. In addition,
The configuration of the image processing system according to this modification is the same as that of the image processing system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Here, illustration and description thereof are omitted.

In this modification, as is apparent from the file management table shown in FIG. 6, a lock function for protecting a file is provided for each user to prohibit access from others, and further, it is locked even when printing a page. Protects the backup file. Then, in accordance with an instruction from the user 1, when the image data read from the scanner unit of the digital copying machine 1 is registered as a file in the image processing apparatus 2, the image data is registered together with the user ID so that other users cannot access the image data at all. .

Therefore, in this state, the processing procedure when the user 2 prints a page will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the user 1 has already registered the files 1 and 4 with the user ID of 1 and the user 2 has registered the files 2 and 3 as the user ID 2.

In this state, when the user 2 expands the page of the PDL data sent from the host computer 6, the user ID of the file registered in the file management table is checked (step S11 in FIG. 7). Then, I other than the user ID 2 assigned to the user 2
There is a file with D and the image memory 14
Then, it is checked whether or not there is a sufficient empty area required for page expansion (step S12).

When the free area of the image memory 14 is not enough to satisfy the page expansion, that is, step S1
If the determination result in 2 is no, files other than ID2 are saved in the external storage device (step S13). After the file transfer is completed, the page of the PDL data is developed and printed out (step S14). At this time, the files 2 and 3 owned by the user 2 are overwritten and deleted.

As described above, by providing the lock function for each user and saving the locked file at the time of printing out, it becomes possible to protect the file at the time of page printing. <Modification 2> Next, Modification 2 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image processing system according to this modification. In the image processing system shown in the figure, the same components as those of the image processing system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Here, the description is omitted. In the image processing system shown in FIG. 8, the image processing apparatus 2 is connected to a film scanner 7 that scans a 35 mm film and registers the obtained image data in the image processing apparatus 2. Then, in the image processing apparatus 2, an operation unit (not shown) provided in the reader unit of the digital copying machine main body 1, an operation unit (not shown) of the file scanner 7, and the host computer 6 can be used for image registration. Become.

Next, the operation of the image processing system according to this modification will be described. In this modification, a lock function for protecting files is provided for each controller (host, reader operation unit, film scanner operation unit) to prevent access from other controllers and to erase files even when printing a page. It protects locked files without damaging them.

Therefore, when the image data read from the scanner of the digital copying machine 1 by the reader operation unit is registered in the image processing apparatus 2 as a file, the file name and the controller ID are registered together as shown in FIG. It is inaccessible from other controllers.
Hereinafter, a process when the page print is performed by the host computer (controller ID = 2) in the above state will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that files 1 and 4 are already registered in the file management table from the reader operation unit, and their controller ID is 1. In addition, the film scanner operation unit
Image data files 2 and 3 obtained by scanning a 5 mm film are registered with controller ID = 3.

At this time, the P sent from the host computer 6 is operated by the operation of the host computer 6.
When the page of the DL data is expanded, the controller ID of the registered file is checked in the same manner as the processing according to the first modification shown in FIG. As a result, it is checked whether or not a file having a controller ID other than 2 exists in the file management table, and whether or not the image memory has an empty area of a sufficient capacity necessary for page expansion.

If there is no free area, files other than ID = 2 are saved in the external storage device, and after transfer is completed,
The page of PDL data is developed and printed out. As described above, the lock function is provided for each controller, and the locked file is saved at the time of printing out, so that it is possible to protect the file for each controller even at the time of page printing.

Further, since the host computer is usually remote from the main body of the copying machine, it is difficult to coexist with a person who operates the reader operation section, the film scanner, etc. near the main body of the copying machine. By protecting the file on a per-unit basis, the maintainability can be improved and the unauthorized use of the file can be prevented. Moreover, since each controller is locked, it is not necessary to lock each file / user, so that an image processing system that is easy to use can be realized. [Second Embodiment] Next, an image processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image processing system according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and therefore its illustration is omitted.

The operation of the image processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the first
Similar to the embodiment, a lock function for protecting the contents of each file is provided to prevent access from others. In addition, even when printing a page, the locked file is protected without being deleted. Therefore, when registering the image data read from the scanner section of the digital copying machine 1 in the image processing apparatus 2, lock / unlock is selected, and the locked file can be accessed by others until unlocked. Make it impossible.
The structure of the file management table in the image processing system according to the present embodiment is the same as the table according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

When the files 1 and 4 are locked files in the image processing system according to the present embodiment as in the first embodiment, when PDL data sent from the host computer 6 is page-expanded. First checks the lock status of the file registered in the file management table (step S21 in FIG. 10). If there is a locked file, the free space of the image memory 14, which is the internal memory, is checked (step S2).
2).

If it is determined in step S22 that the image memory 14 has no free space required for page expansion, in step S23 a locked file (here, a locked file) is stored in an external storage device (not shown) such as a hard disk (HD). , File 1 and file 4) are saved. After the file transfer is completed, the page is developed and printed out (step S24). When this page expansion is performed, the non-locked files 2 and 3 are overwritten and deleted.

Further, if there is no access to the image processing apparatus for a certain period of time after the page expansion and printout, the locked file saved in the external storage device in step S23 is restored in the image processing apparatus. (Step S25). As described above, in this embodiment, the locked file is saved at the time of printing out, and the locked file is restored while the image processing apparatus is not accessed from the outside, thereby improving the efficiency of restore and at the time of page printing. File protection can be performed.

In the second embodiment as well, similar to the first modification of the first embodiment, a lock function for file protection is provided for each user to prohibit access from others, and page printing is performed. Sometimes locked files may be protected. In addition, the second modification of the first embodiment described above
Similarly, a lock function for file protection may be provided for each controller such as the film scanner operation unit to prohibit access from other controllers, and the locked file may be protected even at the time of page printing. . [Third Embodiment] An image processing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The image processing system according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and therefore its illustration is omitted.

11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure in the image processing system according to the present embodiment. Also in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, a lock function for protecting the contents of each file is provided.
Access from others is prohibited. It also protects the locked file without deleting it when printing a page.

When the image data read from the scanner section of the digital copying machine 1 is registered as a file in the image processing apparatus 2, lock / unlock is selected, and the locked file is not locked until it is unlocked. Person cannot access. The configuration of the file management table according to the present embodiment is also similar to the table according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, when the file 1 and the file 4 are locked files, the image processing system first expands the page of the PDL data sent from the host computer 6, first, the file management table. The lock state of the file registered above is checked (step S31). If there is a locked file, the free space of the image memory 14, which is the internal memory, is checked (step S32).

If it is determined in step S32 that the image memory 14 does not have a free area required for page expansion, the reduction ratio is calculated in step S33, and when expanding to page memory, it is reduced to 1 / n once. And writes it in the memory (step S34). Then, when reading the data, the page is enlarged to n times and then the page is printed out (step S35).

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a reduction / enlargement processing procedure in the image processing system according to the present embodiment. In the figure, in step S41, the ratio between the output page size and the remaining memory size registered in the file is obtained. In step S42, the PDL data is reduced to 1 / n based on the ratio calculated in step S41, and the page is expanded.

In step S43, the files 1 and 2 are set to 1
The page layout is performed by reducing the size to / n, and in the subsequent step S44, the data is enlarged by n times and the page is output. When this page expansion is performed, the non-locked files 2 and 3 are overwritten and deleted. As described above, according to this embodiment, the lock function is provided for each file, the locked file is saved at the time of printout, and the reduced page expansion is performed in the remaining free area memory without saving the file. , By expanding at the time of output, the page memory and the file registration memory can be shared, and even if sufficient capacity cannot be secured in the external memory for saving the locked file,
You can print pages without erasing locked files.

In the third embodiment as well, similar to the first modification of the first embodiment, a lock function for file protection is provided for each user to prohibit access from others, and at the time of page printing. Locked files may be protected. Also, as in the second modification of the first embodiment, a lock function for protecting files is provided for each controller such as the film scanner operation unit to prohibit access from other controllers, and even during page printing. Locked files may be protected.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the internal memory is shared as the page memory and the file registration memory and the file has a protect function, the file registration and page printing are exclusively performed by saving the file to the external storage device at the time of page printing. Therefore, file protection and page printing can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a file management table in the image processing system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the image processing system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the processing procedure shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a file management table according to a modified example 1 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the system according to the modified example 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image processing system according to a second modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a file management table according to Modification 2;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image processing system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the image processing system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the image processing system according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Digital copying machine main body 2 Image processing device main body 3 Power switch for image processing device 4 Output tray 5 Paper feed cartridge 6 Host computer 7 Film scanner

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Image data from outside or scan data of an original image is input as image data, the image data is stored in an internal memory, and the stored image data is exchanged with an external storage device. In the image processing system, a memory control unit that shares the internal memory as a page memory at the time of printout and a registration memory of the image data; an access control unit that selectively sets the image data in an access prohibited state in a predetermined unit; When the memory control means uses the internal memory as a page memory, if image data in the access prohibited state is registered in the internal memory, a data saving means for saving the image data in the external storage device. And page printing is executed after the evacuation. The image processing system according to claim Rukoto. 2. A detecting means for detecting a free state of the internal memory, wherein the detecting means determines that the free area of the internal memory is sufficient for data expansion for page printing. 2. The data expansion for page printing is performed in an area other than the memory area in which the image data in the access prohibited state is registered, without performing data saving by the data saving means. Image processing system. 3. The data saved in the external storage device is restored to the internal memory when the system is not accessed from outside for a certain period of time after the data saving is performed by the data saving means. The image processing system according to claim 1, which is characterized in that. 4. A means for calculating a reduction rate of the image data based on an output page size and a memory size other than a memory area of the internal memory in which the image data in the access prohibited state is registered. Further, the detection means further detects a free area in the external storage device, and the detection means does not allow the free area in the internal memory and the free area in the external storage device to be sufficient for data expansion for page printing. 3. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein when not present, the image data is reduced and expanded according to the reduction ratio, and at the time of output, the image data is enlarged and page printing is performed. 5. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the access control unit puts the image data in an access prohibited state for each registered file, each user, or each device.