JPH07175916A - Image reading and forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute each function in parallel without remarkably increasing memory capacity in a device compositely having functions such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile equipment. CONSTITUTION:The memory size which is necessary for the execution of a function to be executed by a function execution means is designated by a memory size designation means S1, the size of the space area of a memory is calculated by a space area size calculation means S2, the calculated memory size of the space area of the memory and the memory size designated by the size designation means S1 are compared in a memory size comparison means S3. When it is decided that the designated memory size is larger than the size of the space area of the memory as the comparison result of this memory size comparison means S3, a file which is controlled under a non-used function is saved to an external storage device by a space area extension means S4. Thus, the space area of the memory is temporarily extended and plural functions becomes possible to be executed in parallel without hindrance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading / forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile has been developed and put into practical use. Such a device has an image reading function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like, and functions such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile are executed by selectively operating each of these functions according to a predetermined operation program. Is configured to.

That is, when the function of the copying machine is executed, for example, the image on the document surface placed on the contact glass is read by the image reading function, and the image based on the read image is formed by the image forming function. It is reproduced by and is transferred to the paper. In this case, if the function of the copying machine is that of an analog copying machine, the image reading function is executed in the process of irradiating the document surface with light and causing the reflected light to enter the photoconductor. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor by the incident light is developed and transferred to the paper, and the image forming function is executed in the process of fixing the transferred image. On the other hand, if the function of the copying machine is that of a digital copying machine, the image reading function is executed by reading the image information on the document surface with a CCD sensor or the like. And
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor based on the read image information by irradiation with a laser beam or the like, the electrostatic latent image thus formed is developed and transferred to a sheet, and the transferred image is fixed. The image forming function is executed in the process.

When the function of the printer is executed, the image forming function operates based on the print information transmitted from the host computer or the like, and predetermined printing is performed on the paper.

Further, when the function of the facsimile is executed, the image on the document surface is read by the image reading function and converted into a predetermined format, and the converted image information is transmitted by the communication function via the telephone line. The image is transmitted to another facsimile device, or an image based on the image information transmitted from the other facsimile device is reproduced by an image forming function and formed on a sheet.

[0006]

In an apparatus having such a plurality of functions in combination, the functions of a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc. may be simultaneously used and processed in parallel. However, when the functions of a digital copying machine or a facsimile are used, the image information is temporarily stored in the memory, but the amount thereof is enormous. Therefore, when such a function of the digital copying machine or the facsimile is used in parallel with other functions, there is a problem that the memory capacity tends to be insufficient.

Conventionally, when the memory capacity runs short while the apparatus is in use, the processing for one function is suspended until the processing for the other function is completed. However, in this case, there is a drawback that the execution time of the function whose processing has been interrupted becomes long, and the advantage that the structure in which a plurality of functions can be used in parallel is lost.

Further, the problem that the memory capacity tends to be insufficient when a plurality of functions are used in parallel can be easily solved by increasing the memory capacity. It becomes high, which is inconvenient.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 is
Function executing means for executing each of a plurality of types of functions, memory size specifying means for specifying a memory size required for executing the function executed by the function executing means, and a space for calculating the size of a free area of the memory Area size calculation means, memory size comparison means for comparing the free space size of the memory calculated by this free area size calculation means with the memory size specified by the memory size specification means, and the comparison result by this memory size comparison means As a result, a free area expanding means for saving a file under the control of an unused function to an external storage device when it is determined that the specified memory size is larger than the free area size of the memory is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function executing means for executing a plurality of types of functions, respectively, and a memory size calculating means for calculating a memory size required to execute the function executed by the function executing means. A free area size calculation means for calculating the size of the free area of the memory, and a memory size comparison for comparing the free area size of the memory calculated by the free area size calculation means with the memory size calculated by the memory size calculation means Means and the memory size comparing means, when it is determined that the calculated memory size is larger than the free area size of the memory as a comparison result, the file managed by the unused function is saved to the external storage device. A free area expanding means is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the free space expansion means according to the first or second aspect further includes a file usage status storage means for storing usage status of each file and each of the file usage status storage means. Priority setting means to set the priority of each file based on the usage status of the file,
A saving order determining means for determining the order of files to be saved in the external storage device according to the priority order set by the priority order setting means is further included.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the free space expanding means according to the first or second aspect includes save file selecting means for permitting selection of files to be saved in the external storage device.

[0013]

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 1 or 2,
The memory size required for execution of the function executed by the function executing means is specified by the memory size specifying means or calculated by the memory size calculating means, and the free area size calculating means calculates the size of the free area of the memory.
Then, the memory size comparing means compares the specified memory size in the invention of claim 1 and the calculated memory size in the invention of claim 2 with the size of the free area of the memory, and as a result of the comparison, When it is determined that the free area size is insufficient, the free area expanding means saves the file under the control of the unused function to the external storage device, and temporarily expands the free area of the memory.

Then, when the file under the control of the unused function is saved in the external storage device by the free space expanding means, in the invention according to claim 3, the usage status of each file, for example, by the file usage status storing means, The usage time and usage date and time are stored, the priority order of each file is set by the priority setting means based on such usage status, and the save order of the file is determined by the save order determining means according to the set priority order. Then, the files are saved to the external storage device in accordance with the save order thus determined. Further, in the invention according to claim 4, selection of a file to be saved in the external storage device is permitted by the save file selection means, and the selected file is saved in the external storage device.

[0015]

The first embodiment of the present invention is described in claims 1, 2 and 3.
An embodiment of the described invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is an example of an image reading / forming apparatus 2 connected to a host computer 1, and the image reading / forming apparatus 2 has the functions of a digital copying machine, a laser beam printer, and a facsimile. First, as illustrated in FIG. 2 as an example of electrical connection of each unit, a CPU 3 that centrally controls each unit by executing various arithmetic processes is provided, and the CPU 3 stores fixed data such as the operation program 4. ROM 5 and R as a memory for storing variable data
Bus connection with AM6. Further, an operation panel 8 is connected to the CPU 3 via an operation panel I / F 7 (I / F is an abbreviation for Inter Face) via a bus.
U3 is bus-connected to the host computer 1 via a host I / F 9 and bus-connected to a telephone line 11 via a communication I / F 10 including a modem. And the C
For PU3, scanner 1 via scanner I / F 12
3 is connected to the bus to execute the image reading process, and the engine 15 is connected to the bus via the engine I / F 14 to execute the image forming process. Here, the scanner 13 is composed of a CCD sensor or the like, and the engine 15 is composed of a laser beam printer. Further, the CPU 3 has an optional I / F 16
Is connected to the bus, and in this embodiment, the option I / F 16 is connected to a hard disk 17 as an external storage device.
And the font cartridge 18 are connected to each other.

Here, in the RAM 6, an intermediate buffer 19, a bitmap 20, a reception buffer 21, etc., various files 22 etc. are stored. As the file 22, a font 23 and a file usage status file 24 illustrated in FIG. 3 are provided. In this file usage status file 24, a storage area for the last use date / time 24b of the file and a save flag 24c is set for each file ID 24a (ID is an abbreviation for Identification) that identifies the file.

In such a configuration, the functions of the digital copying machine, the laser beam printer, and the copying machine are executed by the operation control of the CPU 3 based on the operation program 4 stored in the ROM 5, and the function executing means is configured here. ing.

That is, as the function of the digital copying machine,
When the execution of copying is designated by the operation on the operation panel 8, the image of the document placed on the contact glass (not shown) is read by the scanner 13 and temporarily stored in the RAM 6. Then, the engine 15 is driven based on the temporarily stored image read information. In this engine 15,
A laser beam is applied to a photoconductor (not shown) to form an electrostatic latent image according to a read image, the electrostatic latent image is developed and transferred to a sheet (not shown), and the transferred image is fixed. The processing is executed, and the image on the original surface is copied onto the paper.

Next, as the laser beam printer function, the print information transmitted from the host computer 1 is R
The engine 15 is temporarily stored in the AM 6, and the engine 15 is driven based on the temporarily stored print information. On this occasion,
If the print information is character information, a predetermined font corresponding to the character code which is the character information is selected from the font 23 or the font cartridge 18 in the RAM 6, and the engine 15 is selected based on the selected font and various format information. Is driven. If the print information is image information, the position where image formation, that is, dot formation, is to be addressed, and the engine 15 is driven based on the address thus specified and various format information. The operation of driving the engine 15 to execute printing on the paper based on the print information is the same as in the case of the digital copying machine function.

Next, as for the facsimile function, in the case of image transmission, the image of the original document placed on the contact glass is read by the scanner 13 and temporarily stored in the RAM 6, and the temporarily stored image information is called by the telephone. Line 11
Is converted into a format suitable for transmission via the telephone, and the converted image information is transmitted from the communication I / F 10 to another facsimile apparatus via the telephone line 11. Further, in the case of image reception, when image information from another facsimile device is transmitted to the communication I / F 10 via the telephone line 11,
The transmitted image information is converted into a predetermined format suitable for image reproduction and stored in the RAM 6, and the engine 15 is driven based on the thus stored image information. The operation when the engine 15 is driven and the image is reproduced on the paper is the same as in the case of the digital copying machine and the laser beam printer.

Here, the functions of the digital copying machine, the laser beam printer and the copying machine can be executed in parallel. At this time, if the functions of a digital copying machine or a facsimile are executed in parallel with other functions, the capacity of the RAM 6 may become insufficient. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to avoid such an inconvenience,
The operating program may shift to the free space expansion mode. This free space expansion mode is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 1, the memory size to be used is specified or calculated,
Free space expansion mode is executed. The memory size is designated by, for example, inputting the number of bytes by an operation on the operation panel 8. The memory size is calculated based on the information about the function to be executed, the paper size and the number of sheets of the function, etc., when the operation panel 8 is operated. This is performed by the arithmetic processing of the CPU 3. A memory size designating unit and a memory size calculating unit are configured by such step 1.

Then, in step 2, the memory usage in the RAM 6 is investigated and the size of the free area is obtained by the arithmetic processing of the CPU 3. The step 2 constitutes an empty area size calculation means.

Next, at step 3, the memory size designated or calculated at step 1 is compared with the free area size calculated at step 2. If the free space size is larger, that is, if the free space in the RAM 6 has a margin, the process proceeds to step 5, and if the specified memory size is larger, that is, the free space in the RAM 6 has a margin. If not, go to step 4. The memory size comparison means is constituted by such step 3.

As a result of the judgment in step 3, the RAM 6
If there is no room in the free area of the RAM 6 and the process proceeds to step 4, in step 4, the RAM 6 under the control of the unused function is used.
Among the files 22 in the file 22, the file 22 that has passed the most time since the last use is saved in the hard disk 17. File 22 that has passed the most time since last use
The search means will be described later. Step 4 like this
The empty area expansion means is configured by the above.

On the other hand, as a result of the judgment in step 3, R
When there is a free space in the AM 6 and the process shifts to step 5, in step 5, the display unit (not shown) on the operation panel 8 displays that the memory in the RAM 6 is available. Then, in step 6, it is checked whether or not the use of the memory used for executing the function that has caused the execution of the free space expansion mode is completed, and if it is completed, the process proceeds to step 7. In this step 7, it is checked whether or not there is the file 22 saved in the hard disk 17 in step 4, and if there is not, the free space expansion mode ends. If there is such a file 22, the file 22 is returned to the RAM 6 in step 8 and then the free space expansion mode ends.

The process of step 4 will be described below with reference to the file usage status file 24 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the flowchart of FIG. First, the file usage status file 24 is created regardless of whether the free space expansion mode is executed. That is, the RAM 6 is managed under the control of a certain function.
File ID 2 when each file 22 in is used
The date and time of the last use for each used file 22 specified in 4a is set in the last use date and time 24b. Here, a file usage status storage means is configured.

After step 3, step 4-1
The items of the file usage status file 24 are rearranged. The rearrangement order is the oldest date and time of the last use date and time 24b. As a result, the priority of each file 22 is set in the ascending order of usage frequency,
The step 4-1 as described above constitutes the priority order setting means.

Next, at step 4-2, the state of the save flag 24c of the file 22 having the first priority, that is, the file 22 having the oldest last use date and time is found. This evacuation flag 2
4c is off, the save flag 24c is turned on in step 4-3, and then the corresponding file 22
Are saved in the hard disk 17 in step 4-5. That is, in this step 4-5, prior to the process of saving the specific file 22 to the hard disk 17,
A process of determining the order of the files 22 to be saved in the hard disk 17 is executed according to the priority order set in step 4-1 and the save order determining means is configured here.

On the other hand, in step 4-2, the save flag 24c
If it is determined that the file 22 is turned on, the corresponding file 22 has already been moved to the hard disk 17, so in step 4-4, the file 22 having the second highest priority is selected as the file 22 to be saved in the hard disk 17. To be selected. Therefore, after the selection, the file 22 having the second highest priority becomes the file 22 having the first highest priority. Then, the processes of steps 4-2 and 4-4 are repeated until it is determined in step 4-2 that the save flag 24c is off.

When the process of step 4 is completed, the process returns to step 3, and the determination process as the memory size comparison means in step 3 is repeated. Therefore, the predetermined file 22 is saved in the hard disk 17 until there is a free space in the RAM 6.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the RAM 6 has no free space, the file 22 in the RAM 6 is saved in the hard disk 17, and the free space in the RAM 6 is temporarily expanded. This makes it possible to execute a plurality of functions in parallel without significantly increasing the capacity of the RAM 6. At this time, as shown in steps 4-1 to 4-5 of FIG. 4, the files 22 which are used less frequently are sequentially transferred to the hard disk 17. Therefore, the file 22 which is highly needed is stored in the hard disk 1
The frequency of saving to 7 is reduced, and parallel execution of a plurality of functions is realized more smoothly.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 as an embodiment of the invention described in claims 1, 2 and 4. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, in comparison with the first embodiment, the process in step 4 shown in FIG.
The contents of the operation program 4 stored in the OM 5 have been changed. CPU 3 based on such operation program 4
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing in the free space expansion mode executed by.

First, when the result of determination in step 3 is that the specified memory size is larger, that is,
If there is no free space in the RAM 6, the process proceeds to step 9. In step 9, the use status of the memory in the RAM 6 is displayed on the display unit (not shown) on the operation panel 8.
The display is performed, for example, by displaying the number of bytes of the free capacity or visually displaying the free capacity with respect to the total capacity with a graphic or the like. Then, after step 9 is completed, the process proceeds to step 10. This step 10 comprises steps 10-1 and 10-2, and waits for the designation of the file 22 under the control of the unused function in step 10-1, and then the file 22 is stored in the hard disk 17 in step 10-2. The process of saving is performed. The free space expanding means is constituted by such step 10, and the free space expanding means has step 10-1.
Included is a save file selection means.

When the process of step 10 is completed, the process returns to step 3, and the determination process as the memory size comparison means in step 3 is repeated. Therefore, the predetermined file 22 is saved in the hard disk 17 until there is a free space in the RAM 6.

Here, the file 2 in step 10-1
The designation of 2 is made, for example, by inputting a numerical value on the operation panel 8. As described above, in this embodiment, since the file 22 saved in the hard disk 17 is executed by the operator's input operation, the file 22 which the operator does not want may be saved in the hard disk 17. This prevents the execution of the free space expansion mode according to the operator's intention.

[0037]

According to the invention described in claim 1, a function executing means for executing a plurality of kinds of functions respectively, and a memory size specification for specifying a memory size required for executing the function executed by the function executing means are specified. Means, a free area size calculating means for calculating the size of the free area of the memory, and a memory for comparing the free area size of the memory calculated by the free area size calculating means with the memory size specified by the memory size specifying means. When it is determined that the specified memory size is larger than the free area size of the memory as a result of comparison by the size comparing means and the memory size comparing means, the file under the control of the unused function is stored in the external storage device. An empty area expansion means for saving is provided, and the invention according to claim 2 executes a plurality of types of functions, respectively. Function executing means, memory size calculating means for calculating the memory size required to execute the function executed by the function executing means, free area size calculating means for calculating the size of the free area of the memory, and the free space A memory size comparison means for comparing the free space size of the memory calculated by the area size calculation means with the memory size calculated by the memory size calculation means, and the free area size of the memory as the comparison result by the memory size comparison means. It is necessary to execute a certain function because there is a free space expansion unit that saves a file under the control of an unused function to an external storage device when it is determined that the calculated memory size is larger. If the free space size of the memory is insufficient for the memory size,
Files that are under the control of unused functions can be saved to an external storage device to temporarily expand the free memory area, allowing each function to execute in parallel without significantly increasing the memory capacity. Can therefore be
It is possible to reduce the execution time of each function during parallel execution, and to reduce the cost of parts.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the free space expansion means according to the first or second aspect further includes a file usage status storage means for storing usage status of each file and each of the file usage status storage means. Priority setting means to set the priority of each file based on the usage status of the file,
Since the system further includes save order determination means for determining the order of files to be saved in the external storage device according to the priority order set by the priority order setting means, the file external storage device under the control of unused functions When saving to, the files can be saved according to the save order of files determined according to the priority set based on the usage status of each file such as the usage time and the usage date and time. Files that are used less frequently can be sequentially saved in the hard disk, which has the effect of facilitating smooth execution of a plurality of functions in parallel.

According to the invention of claim 4, the free area expanding means of claim 1 or 2 includes save file selecting means for allowing selection of a file to be saved in the external storage device. When saving the managed file to the external storage device, it is possible to arbitrarily select the file to be saved to the external storage device, and thus it is possible to realize the file saving according to the operator's intention. It has the effect of being able to do so.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a free space expansion mode as a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of each unit.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a file usage status file.

4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in step 4 in more detail in the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a free area expansion mode as a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 memory 17 external storage device 22 file S1 memory size designating means S2 free area size calculating means S3 memory size comparing means S4, S10 free area expanding means S4-1 priority setting means S4-2 save order determining means S10-1 save file Means of selection

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A function executing means for executing a plurality of types of functions respectively, a memory size specifying means for specifying a memory size required to execute a function executed by the function executing means, and a memory free area. Free area size calculating means for calculating the size, memory size comparing means for comparing the free area size of the memory calculated by the free area size calculating means with the memory size specified by the memory size specifying means, and this memory As a result of the comparison by the size comparison means, when it is determined that the specified memory size is larger than the free area size of the memory, a free area expansion means for saving the file under the control of the unused function to the external storage device. An image forming and reading apparatus including: 2. A function executing means for executing each of a plurality of types of functions, a memory size calculating means for calculating a memory size necessary for executing the function executed by the function executing means, and a free space of the memory. Free area size calculating means for calculating the size, memory size comparing means for comparing the free area size of the memory calculated by the free area size calculating means with the memory size calculated by the memory size calculating means, and this memory A free area expanding unit that saves a file under the control of an unused function to an external storage device when it is determined that the calculated memory size is larger than the free area size of the memory as a comparison result by the size comparing unit. An image forming and reading apparatus including: 3. The free space expansion means sets the priority of each file based on the usage status of each file stored in this file usage status storage means and the usage status of each file stored in this file usage status storage means. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a priority order setting means for executing the setting, and a save order determining means for determining the order of files to be saved in the external storage device according to the priority order set by the priority order setting means. 2. The image reading and forming apparatus according to item 2. 4. The image reading / forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the free space expanding unit has a save file selecting unit that allows selection of a file to be saved in an external storage device.