JPH07203162A - Composite image input output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute instruction processing to which key assignment is applied to each user in excess of a limit of a key number designating a user memory. CONSTITUTION:When an instruction is registered to an external storage device 6 corresponding to each key or an instruction is read and executed for an external storage device 6 corresponding to each key input means based on a discrimination result of a core section 10 discriminating which of the registration of an instruction to the external storage device 6 or the execution of the instruction entered from an operation section, the instruction executed or registered is informed by the core section 10 to a screen of the operation section 124.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite image input / output device capable of arbitrarily adding a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a printer formatter function and an electronic file function using a digital copying machine. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a scanner section of a digital copying machine,
There has been proposed a composite image input / output device capable of performing facsimile communication by using a printer section, or by using a printer section of a digital copying machine to expand code data from a computer into bitmap data and print it out. There is.

A composite image input / output device of this type has three functions such as a copying function, a facsimile function, a printer formatting function, an image electronic file function, an image memory function and the like.
The device is configured with one or more functions as one unit.

Conventionally, in a file input / output operation, in order to avoid a redundant operation, a user combines a plurality of operations and assigns them as one instruction to one memory key and registers them. It had a function to be registered in the wear itself.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when there are a plurality of external storage media such as magneto-optical disks, which are the objects of processing such as retrieval and storage, and when hardware is shared by them. Since all instructions peculiar to each external storage medium are registered on the hardware, the number of memory keys to be registered is limited as the number of external storage media increases.

Further, since a dedicated storage area has to be prepared on the hard disk side, there is a problem in that there are more design restrictions.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and various commands of each user for each function processing means are registered in an external storage medium to control execution of a series of registered commands. By doing so, it is an object of the present invention to provide a composite image input / output device with excellent operability that allows each user to execute command processing in which each user has individually assigned keys, exceeding the limit of the number of keys that specify the user memory.

[0008]

A first composite image input / output device according to the present invention provides an image on a recording medium based on a plurality of different function processing means and output information sequentially output from each function processing means. An image forming means for forming an image, an operation panel means for inputting a series of respective image input / output processing commands required for execution by each function processing means according to a screen display, and image data output by the image forming means are stored. External storage means having an exchangeable external storage medium, and a plurality of key inputs for instructing allocation registration of a series of respective image input / output processing commands input from the operation panel means to the exchangeable external storage medium of the external storage device. Means, a judging means for judging whether a request for registering an instruction to the external storage medium inputted from the operation panel means or executing the instruction is made, and the judging means Registration command processing means for registering a command in the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means or for reading and executing a command in the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means based on the disconnection result, and the registration command processing A composite image input / output device, comprising: notifying means for notifying a screen of the operation panel means of a command executed by the means or a command to be registered.

In the second composite image input / output device according to the present invention, the notifying means is that the command has already been registered on the external storage medium for any key input means for which the registration command processing means has requested registration. When the judgment is made, the judgment result is notified on the screen of the operation panel means.

In the third composite image input / output device according to the present invention, the registration command processing means is set in each key input means when the command is registered in the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means. The group information is configured to be registered in each group area of the external storage medium with reference to the group information.

[0011]

In the first aspect of the present invention, the registration command processing is performed based on the judgment result of the judgment means for judging whether the request for registering the command to the external storage medium input from the operation panel means or executing the command is made. When the means registers an instruction in the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means or reads and executes the instruction in the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means, the notification means is executed by the registration instruction processing means. A command to be registered or a command to be registered on the screen of the operation panel means so that the user can change a series of commands according to his / her preference regardless of a fixed user memory area of the device. It is registered and executed.

In the second aspect of the present invention, when the registration command processing means determines that the command has already been registered on the external storage medium for any of the key input means requested to be registered, The determination result is notified to the screen of the operation panel means to avoid a situation in which a series of commands already registered in the external storage medium are rewritten due to a user's operation error.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the registration command processing means refers to the group information set in each key input means when registering the command in the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means. The user's command registered in each group area of the external storage medium and registered in the external storage medium is registered in association with each key input means.

[0014]

1 is a block diagram for explaining the structure of a composite image input / output device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is an image input device for converting an original into image data (hereinafter referred to as a reader section), 2 is a plurality of recording paper cassettes, and image data is recorded on the recording paper by a print command. An image output device (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit) for outputting a visible image, 3 is the reader unit 1
It is an external device electrically connected to and has various functions. The external device 3 has a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a man-machine interface unit 6 connected to the file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7 for connecting to a computer, and information from the computer as a visible image. A formatter unit 8 for storing information from the reader unit 1, an image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing information sent from a computer, and a core for controlling the functions 1 to 9 above. It is provided with a section 10 and the like.

The functions of the respective units 1 to 8 will be described in detail below. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. The configuration and operation will be described below.

The originals stacked on the original feeding device 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the original table glass surface 102. When the document is conveyed, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate the document. The reflected light of the document is reflected by the mirrors 105, 106, 1
After passing through the lens 108, the light is input to the CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter referred to as CCD).

The signal input to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal by the exposure control unit 201 and illuminates the photoconductor 202 according to the image signal. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (photoconductor) 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer paper stacking unit 204 or the transfer paper stacking unit 205 at the same timing as the development, and the developed toner image is transferred to the transfer unit 206. The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207, and then discharged from the paper output unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is
When the sort function is effectively operating in the sorter 220, the sheets are discharged to each bin. Further, when the sort function of the sorter 220 is not operating normally (at the time of jamming), the sorter 220 is discharged to the top bin of the sorter 220.

Next, a method for outputting sequentially read images on both sides of one output sheet will be described.

After the output sheet fixed by the fixing section 207 is once conveyed to the sheet discharge section 208, the direction of the sheet is reversed and the re-feeding transfer sheet stacking section is provided via a conveyance direction switching member (flapper) 209. It is conveyed to 210. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above-mentioned program, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section (intermediate tray) 210. Original images can be output on the front and back of paper.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a printer controller section, which is a CP.
U211a, ROM211b, RAM211c is provided,
The image forming process is controlled based on a control program stored in the ROM 211b including the memory mode processing procedure shown in FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing a signal processing configuration of the reader unit 1 shown in FIG. The configuration and operation will be described below.

The image information input to the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here and converted into an electric signal. CCD109
The color information from the following amplifiers 110R, 110G,
At 110B, the signal is amplified according to the input signal level of the A / D converter 111. The output signal from the A / D converter 111 is
Input to the shading circuit 112, where the lamp 1
The light distribution unevenness of No. 03 and the sensitivity unevenness of the CCD are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is input to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 119. The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 calculates the signal from the shading circuit 112 based on the following equation (1) to obtain the Y signal.

Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B (1) Further, it has a color detection circuit for separating the R, G, B signals into seven colors and outputting the signals for the respective colors. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to the scaling / repeat circuit 114. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed according to the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and the scaling / repeat circuit 114 performs scaling in the main scanning direction. Further, the scaling / repeat circuit 114 can output a plurality of identical images. The contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 obtains edge emphasis and contour information by emphasizing a high frequency component of the signal from the scaling / repeat circuit 114. The signal from the contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 is input to the marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 and the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117. The marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 reads a portion of a document written with a marker pen of a designated color to generate contour information of the marker, and the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 uses this contour. Thicken, mask and trim from the information. Further, patterning is performed by the color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. Patterning / Thickening / Masking / Trimming circuit 117
The output signal from the device is input to the laser driver circuit 118 and variously processed signals are converted into signals for driving the laser. The signal of the laser driver circuit 118 is input to the printer unit 2 and image formation is performed as a visible image.

Next, the external I / F switching circuit 119 for interfacing with an external device will be described.

The external I / F switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 to the connector 120 when the image information is output from the reader unit 1 to the external device 3. . When the reader unit 1 inputs image information from the external device 3, the external I
The / F switching circuit 119 inputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

The above image information is stored in the CPU circuit section 122.
The area signal generation circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the image processing from the value set by the CPU circuit unit 122 in accordance with the instruction. Further, communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the CPU circuit unit 122. Sub CPU123
Controls the operation unit 124 and communicates with the external device 3 using the communication function built in the sub CPU.

The configuration and operation of the printer unit 2 will be described below with reference to FIG. The signal input to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal by the exposure control unit 201, and the photoconductor 202 is illuminated according to the image signal. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer sheet is conveyed from the transfer sheet stacking section 204 or the transfer sheet stacking section 205 at the same timing as the latent image, and the developed image is transferred at the transfer section 206. The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207 and then discharged from the paper output unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is discharged to each bin when the sort function is working in the sorter 220 or to the highest bin of the sorter when the sort function is not working. .

Next, a method for outputting sequentially read images on both sides of one output sheet will be described. Fixing unit 20
The output paper sheet fixed at 7 is once conveyed to the paper discharge unit 208, then the conveyance direction of the paper sheet is reversed, and is conveyed to the re-transferred transfer paper stacking unit 210 via the conveyance direction switching member 209. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, so that the same sheet is eventually placed on the front surface and the back surface. Two original images can be output.

The system configuration operation of the external device 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.

The external device 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 by a cable, and the core unit in the external device 3 controls signals and controls each function. In the external device 3, there are provided an interface between the computer and a facsimile unit 4 for performing facsimile transmission / reception, a file unit 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the same, and a formatter unit 8 for developing code information from the computer into image information. The information from the computer interface unit 7 and the reader unit 1 is stored,
It comprises an image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing information sent from a computer and a core unit 10 for controlling the above-mentioned functions.

The configuration and operation of the core section 10 of the external device 3 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the core section 10 shown in FIG.

The connector 1001 of the core section 10 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader section 1 by a cable. The connector 1001 contains four types of signals, and the signal 1057 is an 8-bit multilevel video signal. Signal 1
Reference numeral 055 is a control signal for controlling the video signal. The signal 1051 communicates with the CPU 122 in the reader unit 1. The signal 1051 and the signal 1052 are the communication IC 1002.
Then, the communication protocol processing is performed and the communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1053.

The signal 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line, which enables the core unit 10 to receive information from the reader unit 1 and output the information from the core unit 10 to the reader unit 1. The signal 1057 is the buffer 101.
0, where bidirectional to unidirectional signal 1
058 and signal 1070 are separated. The signal 1058 is
It is an 8-bit multivalued video signal from the reader unit 1 and is input to the LUT 1011 in the next stage. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table (LUT).

The output signal 1059 from the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 or the selector 1013. The binarization circuit 1012 has a simple binarization function for binarizing a multi-valued signal 1059 at a fixed slice level, a binarization function for a variable slice level in which the slice level varies from pixels around a target pixel, and It has a binarization function by the error diffusion method. The binarized information is converted into a multivalued signal of "00H" when it is "0" and "FFH" when it is "1", and is input to the selector 1013 at the next stage. The selector 1013 selects the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012. Selector 10
The output signal 1060 from 13 is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 outputs the output video signals from the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9 to the connectors 1005, 1006, 1007, 1 respectively.
Signal 1 input to the core unit 10 via 008, 1009
064 and the output signal 1060 of the selector 1013 are C
It is selected by the instruction of the PU 1003. Selector 1014
The output signal 1061 of 1 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 has a function of rotating the input image signal by +90 degrees, -90 degrees, and +180 degrees.

The rotating circuit 1015 converts the information output from the reader unit 1 into a binary signal by the binarizing circuit 1012, and then stores it in the rotating circuit 1015 as information from the reader unit 1. Next, according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates and reads the stored information.
The selector 1016 controls the output signal 10 of the rotation circuit 1015.
62 or the input signal 1061 of the rotating circuit 1015 is selected, and as the signal 1063, the connector 100 with the facsimile unit 4 and the connector 100 with the file unit 5 are selected.
6, a connector 10 to the computer interface unit 7
07, a connector 1008 with the formatter unit 8, a connector 1009 with the image memory unit 9 and a selector 1017
Output to.

The signal 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the core unit 10 to the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. The signal 1064 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. Signal 106
It is the video control circuit 1004 that controls the synchronous bus of the signal 3 and the signal 1064.
The control is performed by the output signal 1056 from the No. 4.

Further, the connectors 1005 to 1009 are provided with
Other signals 1054 are connected respectively. Signal 1054
Is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus for exchanging data commands asynchronously. Facsimile section 4, file section 5, computer interface section 7,
Information transfer between the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10 can be performed by the two signals 1063 and 1064 and the CPU bus 1054.

The signal 1064 from the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 is sent to the selector 1014.
Is input to the selector 1017. Selector 1016
Inputs the signal 1064 to the rotation circuit 1015 at the next stage according to the instruction from the CPU 1003.

The selector 1017 selects the signal 1063 and the signal 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal 1065 of the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching unit 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching unit 1018 performs pattern matching with the pattern of the input signal 1065 in advance, and when the patterns match, outputs a predetermined multilevel signal to the signal line 1066. Pattern matching 1018
If they do not match in the pattern matching process, the input signal 1065 is used as the output signal 1066 and the selector 10
It outputs to 19.

The selector 1019 selects the signal signal 1065 and the output signal 1066 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal 1067 of the selector 1019 is the L signal of the next stage.
It is input to the UT 1020. The LUT 1020 converts the input signal 1067 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting the image information to the printer unit 2.

The selector 1021 selects the output signal 1068 and the signal 1065 of the LUT 1020 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal of the selector 1021 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 at the next stage. Enlargement circuit 1022
In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, the enlargement ratio can be set independently in the X and Y directions. The expansion method is a first-order linear interpolation method. The output signal 1070 of the expansion circuit 1022 is input to the buffer 1010. The signal 1070 input to the buffer 1010 is output to the CPU 1
In response to the instruction of 003, it becomes a bidirectional signal 1057 and is sent to the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001 and printed out.

The signal flow of the core section 10 and each section will be described below. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Facsimile Unit 4] A case of outputting information to the facsimile unit 4 will be described. The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans a document according to this document scan command. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is stored in the connector 1001 of the core unit 10.
Entered in. Further, the image information input to the connector 1001 is input to the buffer 1010 through the multi-level 8-bit signal line 1057. Buffer 1010 is C
The unidirectional signal 1058 based on the bidirectional signal 1057 is input to the LUT 1011 according to an instruction from the PU 1003. LU
At T1011 the image information from the h reader unit 1 is converted into a desired value using a look-up table (LUT).

For example, the background of the original can be skipped. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage. The binarization circuit 1012 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal 1059 into a binarized signal. The binarization circuit 1012 converts “00H” when the binarized signal is “0” and “FFH” when the binarized signal is “1” into two multilevel signals. The output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 is
It is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016 via the selectors 1013 and 1014.

The output signal 1062 of the rotating circuit 1015 is also input to the selector 1016, and the selector 1016 selects either the signal 1061 or the signal 1062. The signal selection is determined by the CPU 1003 communicating with the facsimile unit 4 via the CPU 1054. The output signal 1063 from the selector 1016 is the connector 100
The data is sent to the facsimile section 4 via 5.

Next, the case of receiving information from the facsimile section 4 will be described.

The image information from the facsimile section 4 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1005. The signal 1064 is generated by the selector 1014 and the selector 10
17 is input. When the image at the time of facsimile reception of the printer unit 2 is rotated and output according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates the signal 1064 input to the selector 1014. The output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is the selector 1016 and the selector 10.
It is input to the pattern matching 1018 via 17.

When the image at the time of facsimile reception is directly output to the printer unit 2 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching unit 1018.

The pattern matching unit 1018 has a function (smoothing function) for smoothing the jaggedness of an image when received by facsimile. The pattern-matched signal is sent to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019.
Entered in. The LUT 1020 can change the table of the LUT 1020 by the CPU 1003 in order to output the image received by facsimile to the printer unit 2 at a desired density.

The output signal 1068 of the LUT 1020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The expansion circuit 1022 has two values (“00H”, “F”).
The 8-bit multi-value data having FH ") is subjected to expansion processing by a linear interpolation method of the first order. An 8-bit multi-valued signal having many values from the expansion circuit 1022 is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. The reader unit 1 inputs this signal to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via the connector 120. External I / F switching circuit 11
Reference numeral 9 inputs the signal from the facsimile section 4 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. Y signal generation / color detection circuit 11
The output signal from 3 is processed as described above,
The image is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on the output paper. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from File Unit 5] A case of outputting information to the file unit 5 will be described.

The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and sends a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs the image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans the document according to this command. Reader unit 1
The external device 3 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the reader unit 1
Information is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is converted into a desired signal by the LUT 1011 from the signal 1058 which is a multi-valued 8-bit signal which becomes a unidirectional signal 1058 by the buffer 1010. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is output to the selectors 1013, 1014, 10
It is input to the connector 1006 via 16.

That is, without using the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015, the 8-bit multi-value data is transferred to the file unit 5 as it is. CPU bus 1054 of CPU 1003
When filing the binarized signal by communicating with the file unit 5 via the, the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015 are used. The binarization process and the rotation process are the same as in the case of the facsimile unit 4 described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the case of receiving information from the file section 5 will be described.

The image information from the file section 5 is the connector 1
A signal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 via 006. For 8-bit multi-valued filing, to selector 1017; for binary filing, selector 1014 or selector 101
It is possible to input in 7. In the case of binary filing, since the processing is the same as that of the facsimile unit 4, description thereof will be omitted.

In the case of multi-value filing, the selector 10
The output signal 1065 from 17 is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. In the LUT 1020, a look-up table is created according to an instruction from the CPU 1003 in accordance with a desired print density. LUT1020
The output signal 1068 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. 8-bit multilevel signal 10 expanded to a desired expansion ratio by the expansion circuit 1022
70 is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. The information of the file section sent to the reader section 1 is output to the printer section 2 and image formation is performed on the output paper, similarly to the operation of the facsimile section 4 described above. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Computer Interface Unit 7] The computer interface unit 7
It interfaces with a computer connected to the external device 3. The computer interface unit 7 is an SCS.
I, RS232C, and a plurality of interfaces for communicating with Centronics system. The computer interface unit 7 has three types of interfaces as described above, and information from each interface is stored in the connector 10
11 and the data bus 1053 to the CPU 1003. The CPU 1003 performs various controls based on the contents sent. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Formatter Unit 8] The formatter unit 8 has a function of expanding command data such as a document file sent from the computer interface unit 7 into image data. C
When the PU 1003 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1053 is data regarding the formatter unit 8, the PU 1003 transfers the data to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1012.
The formatter unit 8 develops the transferred data in the memory as a meaningful image such as characters and figures.

Next, a procedure for receiving information from the formatter unit 8 and forming an image on an output sheet will be described.

The image information from the formatter unit 8 is transmitted as a multi-valued signal having two values ("00H", "FFH") on the signal line 1064 via the connector 1008. The signal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. The selector 1014 and the bid 1017 are controlled by the instruction of the CPU 1003. Subsequent operations are similar to those of the facsimile unit 4, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. [Processing of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Image Memory Unit 9] A case of outputting information to the image memory unit 9 will be described.

The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 to issue a document scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs the image information to the connector 120 when the document scanner unit 104 scans according to this command. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is multivalued 8
It is sent to the LUT 1011 via the bit signal line 1057 and the buffer 1010. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is output by the selectors 1013, 1014, 101.
6. Transfer multivalued image information to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. The image information stored in the image memory unit 9 is stored in the CPU bus 1054 of the connector 1009.
Is sent to the CPU 1003 via. CPU1003
Transfers the data sent from the image memory unit 9 to the computer interface unit 7 described above. The computer interface unit 7 transfers to a computer (workstation 790 in this embodiment) by a desired interface among the above-mentioned three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS232C, Centronics).

Next, a case where information is received from the image memory unit 9 will be described.

First, the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 to which the image information is sent from the computer to the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the image memory from the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1053. If it is determined that there is data relating to the section 9, it is transferred to the image memory section 9 via the connector 1009. Next, the image memory unit 9 transmits the 8-bit multilevel signal 1064 to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017 via the connector 1009. The output signal from the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 is C
The above-mentioned facsimile unit 4 is instructed by the PU 1003.
Similarly, the image is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on the output paper.

The configuration of the facsimile section 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the facsimile section 4 shown in FIG.

The facsimile section 4 is connected to the core section 10 by the connector 400 and exchanges various signals. The binary information from the core unit 10 is stored in the memory A405 to the memory D408.
In the case of storing in any of the above, the signal 453 from the connector 400 is input to the memory controller 404, and under the control of the memory controller 404, any one of the memory A405, the memory B406, the memory C407, and the memory D408, or two sets. It is stored in the memory of cascade connection.

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41
According to the instruction No. 2, a mode for exchanging data with the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, the memory D 408 and the CPU bus 462, and a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 463 of the CODEC 411 having an encoding / decoding function. , Memory A405, memory B406, memory C407, memory D408 contents D
The scaling circuit 403 is controlled by the MA controller 402.
Mode for exchanging data with the bus 454 from
A mode in which binary video input data 454 is stored in one of the memories A405 to D408 under the control of the timing generation circuit 409, and a mode in which the memories A405 to D4 are stored.
It has a function of five modes in total, which is a mode in which the memory content is read from any one of 08 and output to the signal line 452.

Each of the memories A405 to D408 has a capacity of 2 Mbytes and stores an image of A4 size with a resolution of 400 DPI. The timing generation circuit 409 is connected to the connector 400 by a signal line 459, and controls signals (HSYNC, HSYNC) from the core unit 10.
EN, VSYNC, VEN)
Generate signals to accomplish one function. One is that the image signal from the core unit 10 is sent to the memories A405 to D4.
08, the function of storing in any one memory or two memories, the second is the memory A405 to memory D40
The image signal is read out from any one of
It is a function to transmit to 52.

The dual port memory 410 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 461 and the CP of the facsimile unit 4 via the signal line 462.
U412 is connected. The CPUs exchange commands via the dual port memory 410. The SCSI controller 413 is a hard disk (HD) connected to the facsimile unit 4 shown in FIG.
Interface with. It stores the data when sending and receiving a facsimile. CODEC4
Reference numeral 11 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A405 to D408 and outputs MH, MR, and M.
After encoding by the desired method of the MR method, the memory A
405 to memory D 408 and stores as encoded information.

Further, the coded information stored in the memories A405 to D408 is read out, and MH, MR and M are read.
After decoding by the desired MR method, the memory A
405 to memory D 408, and stored as decryption information, that is, image information. MODEM414
Is a CODEC 411 or SCSI controller 41
A function for modulating coded information from a hard disk (HD) connected to the mobile phone 3 for transmission on a telephone line;
It has a function of demodulating the information sent from the NCU 415, converting it into decoding information, and transferring the coding information to a hard disk (HD) connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413. The NCU 415 is directly connected to a telephone line and exchanges information with an exchange installed in a telephone office or the like according to a predetermined procedure.

The facsimile transmission processing operation will be described.

The binarized signal from the reader unit 1 is sent to the connector 4
The signal 453 input from the signal 00 through the signal line 453 and reaching the memory controller 404 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. The timing to be stored in the memory A 405 is generated by the timing generation circuit 409 from the reader unit 1 at the timing 459. The CPU 412 replaces the memory A 405 and the memory B 406 of the memory controller 404 with the CODEC 411.
Connected to the bus line 463. CODEC 411 is
The image information is read from the memory A 405, encoded by the MR method, and the encoded information is written in the memory B 406.

A4 size image information is converted to CODEC4
When 11 is encoded, the CPU 412 connects the memory C 406 of the memory controller 404 to the CPU bus 462. The CPU 412 stores the encoded information in the memory B4.
The data is sequentially read from 06 and transferred to the MODEM 414.
The MODEM 414 modulates the coded information and the NC
Send facsimile information over the telephone line via U415.

Next, the facsimile transmission processing operation will be described.

The information sent from the telephone line is NCU.
It is input to the facsimile unit 4 in a predetermined procedure by the NCU 415. Information from NCU 415 is M
It enters the ODEM 414 and is demodulated. CPU 412 is C
The information from the MODEM 414 is stored in the memory C407 via the PU bus 462. Information on one screen is memory C4
When stored in 07, the CPU 412 controls the memory controller 404 to change the data line 457 of the memory C407 to the bus line 46 of the CODEC 411.
Connect to 3. The CODEC 411 sequentially reads the encoded information in the memory C407 and decodes it, that is, stores it in the memory D408 as image information.

The CPU 412 is the dual port memory 4
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 communicates with the printer unit 2 via the memory D 408 through the core unit 10.
Make settings to print out the image. When the setting is completed, the CPU 412 causes the timing generation circuit 409 to
The signal line 460 outputs a predetermined timing signal to the memory controller 404. The memory controller 404 reads the image information from the memory D 408 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 409, transmits it to the signal line 452, and outputs it to the connector 400. The operation up to the output from the connector 400 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the operation of the core unit 10, and thus the details will be omitted.

The detailed configuration and operation of the file unit 5 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the file unit 5 shown in FIG.

The file section 5 is connected to the core section 10 by the connector 500 and exchanges various signals. The multi-valued input signal 551 is input to the compression circuit 503, where it is converted from multi-valued image information into compressed information and output to the memory controller 510. Output signal 552 of compression circuit 503
Is a memory A50 under the control of the memory controller 510.
It is stored in any one of 6 to the memory D 509, or one in which two sets of memories are cascade-connected. The memory controller 510 is instructed by the CPU 516 to execute the memory A50.
6-Mode for exchanging data between the memory D509 and the CPU bus 560, and CODEC for encoding / decoding
Data exchange mode with the CODEC bus 570 of 517 and DMA of the contents of the memory A506 to the memory D509.
The signal 563 is sent to the memory A under the control of the timing generation circuit 514 in a mode in which data is exchanged with the bus 562 from the scaling circuit 511 under the control of the controller 518.
506 to a mode stored in any one of the memories D509,
5 of the mode in which the memory contents are read from any of the memory A506 to the memory D509 and output to the signal line 558
Has two functions.

Each of the memories A506 to D509 has a capacity of 2 Mbytes and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 DPI. Timing generation circuit 514
Are connected to the connector 500 by a signal line 553, and control signals (HSYNC, VSYNC) are sent from the core unit 10.
C, HEN, VEN) to generate signals to achieve the following two functions. One is the core part 1
The function of storing the information from 0 in any one of the memories A506 to D509 or two memories, and the second is to read the image information from any one of the memories A506 to D509 and read the signal line 556. It is a function to transmit to.

The dual port memory 515 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 554 and the CPU 516 of the file unit 5 via the signal line 560. Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 515. SCSI
The controller 519 interfaces with the external storage device 520 connected to the file unit 5 of FIG.
The external storage device 520 in this embodiment uses a magneto-optical disk (MO) as a storage medium and stores data such as large-capacity image information.

The CODEC 517 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A506 to D509, encodes it according to a desired one of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then stores it in one of the memories A506 to D509. Is stored as encoded information. Also, memory A
The encoded information stored in the memory 506 to the memory D509 is read and decoded by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, and then the encoded information, that is, image information, is stored in any of the memory A506 to the memory D509. Memorize as.

The operation of storing file information in the external storage device 520 will be described below.

The 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 500, passes through the signal line 551, and is input to the compression circuit 503. The signal on the signal line 551 is input to the compression circuit 503, where it is converted into a compressed signal 552. The compressed signal 552 is input to the memory controller 510. Memory controller 51
In the case of 0, the timing generation circuit 514 generates the timing signal 559 by the signal 553 from the core unit 10, and the compressed signal 552 is stored in the memory A 506 according to this signal. The CPU 516 connects the memory A 506 and the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 to the bus line 570 of the CODEC 517. The CODEC 517 reads the compressed information from the memory A 506, encodes it by the MR method, and writes the encoded information in the memory B 507. When the CODEC 517 finishes encoding, the CPU
516 is a memory B50 of the memory controller 5150
7 to the CPU bus 560. The CPU 516 sequentially reads the encoded information from the memory B507, and
Transfer to the CSI controller 519. The SCSI controller 519 sends the encoded information to the external storage device 52.
Store at 0.

Next, the processing operation for extracting information from the external storage device 520 and outputting it to the printer unit 2 will be described.

Upon receiving the information retrieval / printing command, the CPU 516 receives the encoded information from the external storage device 520 via the SCSI controller 519 and transfers the encoded information to the memory C508. At this time, the memory controller 510 changes the CPU bus 560 to the bus 5 of the memory C508 according to an instruction from the CPU 516.
Connect to 66. When the transfer of the encoded information to the memory C508 is completed, the CPU 516 causes the memory controller 5
By controlling memory C508 and memory D
509 to bus 570 of CODEC 517. C
The ODEC 517 reads the encoded information from the memory C 508, sequentially encodes the encoded information, and then transfers the encoded information to the memory D 509.

When it is necessary to change the magnification such as enlargement / reduction when outputting to the printer unit 2, the memory D509 is changed to the magnification change circuit 5.
11 connected to the bus 562 and the DMA controller 518
The contents of the memory D509 are scaled under the control of. CPU5
16 is the core unit 1 via the dual port memory 515.
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 1003 of No. 0, passes through the core unit 10 from the memory D509, and performs setting for printing out an image to the printer unit 2. When setting is completed, CPU51
6 activates the timing generation circuit 514 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the timing signal 559 to the memory controller 510. Memory controller 510
Is synchronized with the signal from the timing generation circuit 514,
The decoded information is read from the memory D509 and transmitted to the signal line 556. The signal line 556 is used for the expansion circuit 50.
4 and expand the information here. The output signal 555 of the expansion circuit 504 is sent to the core unit 10 via the connector 500.
Output to. The operation up to outputting from the connector 500 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the processing of the core unit 10 and will be omitted.

The configuration of the operation unit 124 shown in FIG. 3 will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining the structure of the operation unit 124 shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, the touch panel 200
1 displays the setting screen in the current mode of the system, and the user inputs the setting of functions, the execution of commands, and the like. A reset key 2002 is used to reset a set function, set a predetermined standard function, or reset an input command in the memory mode. Start key 2003 and stop key 2004
Is used to start and stop each document reading and output. The ten-key pad 2005 is used to input numbers. In the memory key unit 2006, for example, 30 registration keys are provided and when folded, a desired function command is registered in the storage area corresponding to each key. The memory key unit 2006 executes a registered command or allocates a command for each external storage device.

In the composite image input / output device configured as described above, a request for registering an instruction to the external storage medium (external storage device 6) input from the operation panel means (operation unit 124) or executing the instruction is issued. The external storage medium corresponding to each key input unit by the registration command processing unit (CPU 1003 of the core unit 10) based on the determination result of the determination unit (the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 executes according to the flow chart described later) for determining When a command is registered in or is read out and executed in the external storage medium corresponding to each of the key input means, a notification means (core unit 1
CPU 1003) of 0 notifies the screen of the operation panel means of a command to be executed by the registration command processing means or a command to be registered, and a series of commands are exchanged regardless of the fixed user memory area of the device. The user registers or executes each of the possible external storage media according to his / her preference.

In the second aspect of the present invention, when the notification means determines that the command has already been registered on the external storage medium for any key input means for which registration has been requested, The determination result is notified to the screen of the operation panel means to avoid a situation in which a series of commands already registered in the external storage medium are rewritten due to a user's operation error.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the registration command processing means, when registering a command in the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means, follows the flow chart (see FIG. 9) described later to each key input means. The set group information is referred to be registered in each group area of the external storage medium, and the user's command registered in the external storage medium is registered in association with each key input means.

The memory mode processing operation in the composite image input / output apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the first memory mode processing procedure in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step.

The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is the operation unit 1
The memory mode request input by the user from 24 is accepted. The core unit 10 informs the file unit 5 and the operation unit 124 that there is a request to switch to the memory mode, and the file unit 5 and the operation unit 124 make settings accordingly.
Hereinafter, similarly, the user's request from the operation unit 124 is notified to the operation unit 124 and the file unit 5 through the core unit 10.

Next, the user inputs an instruction from the operation unit 124 switched to the display in the memory mode to register the command or to execute the command already registered. In response to this request, the CPU 1003 determines whether or not the registration is instructed (1), and when it is determined to be “registration”, the user designates the memory key to which a command to be registered next is designated by the operation unit 124. Memory key section 2006
Select the desired key by pressing it (2). Next, it is determined whether or not the input key is already assigned to another command (3), and if it is assigned, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation unit 124, and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, in the case of NO in the determination in step (3), when the key setting is completed, the key code is stored in the buffer of the file section 5. Then, the user issues commands to be registered (for example, a series of continuous operations such as selection of index cell, input of document name and document number, search execution, file selection, screen display, enlargement, rotation, printout) in that order. Input (4) and save the contents in the buffer of the file section 5. Next, the content of the input instruction is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 124 for confirmation by the user (5). It is determined whether the displayed content is OK (6), and if the user determines that the content is incorrect, the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the displayed content is OK,
The user presses the OK key (located on the operation unit 124) for confirming the input instruction (7). In response to this pressing, the file unit 5 links the key command and the instruction in the buffer and transfers the data to the storage medium in the external storage device 6.

At this time, the storage medium stores the data in a predetermined area secured in advance.

Then, it is judged whether or not there is another command to register (8). If there is another command to register, the process returns to step (1), and if NO, the process ends.

On the other hand, in step (1), if the received request is "execute", the memory key to which the instruction having the contents to be executed by the user is assigned is operated by the operation unit 12.
Select key 4 and press it (9). Based on this key press, the core unit 10 transfers the key command corresponding to the input key to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 refers to the external storage device 6 based on the received key command and is assigned. The specified command can be read from the external storage device 6 and its contents are displayed (10).

Then, the displayed contents are checked to determine whether the OK key is pressed (11). If the command having the wrong contents is selected, the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the OK key is pressed in the determination in step (11), the file section 5 sequentially executes the read instructions (12). Then, it is determined from the pressed state of the key whether there is another command to be executed (13). If there is another command to be executed, the process returns to step (1). If not, the process is executed. finish. An input key may be provided at each step so that the memory mode can always be terminated. Further, the instruction to be registered or executed is not limited to the one shown as an example, and may be appropriately adapted to the content that the user can input.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the second memory mode processing procedure in the composite image input / output device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (12) indicate each step.

The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is the operation unit 1
The memory mode request input by the user from 24 is accepted. The core unit 10 informs the file unit 5 and the operation unit 124 that there is a request to switch to the memory mode, and the file unit 5 and the operation unit 124 make settings accordingly.
Hereinafter, similarly, the user's request from the operation unit 124 is notified to the operation unit 124 and the file unit 5 through the core unit 10.

Next, the user inputs a command from the operation unit 124 switched to the memory mode and outputs a request for registering or executing a command already registered. In response to this request, it is determined whether or not registration is instructed (1), and if it is determined to be "registration", the user inputs an instruction to be registered in that order (2), and the content is stored in a file. Save it in the buffer of part 5. At this time, it is judged whether the command entered by the user includes "registration", "search", or both, and saves the result. deep.

Next, the registered contents are displayed on the operation unit 124 (3), the user is inquired whether the contents match the requested contents, and it is judged whether or not the user has pressed the OK key. (4) If NO, return to step (1).

On the other hand, if the displayed content is OK,
The user presses the OK key (located on the operation unit 124) for confirming the registered command (7).
In response to this pressing, the file unit 5 links the key command and the instruction in the buffer and transfers the data to the storage medium in the external storage device 6.

At this time, after the user confirms the registered contents,
Based on the result determined in the command stored in the buffer of the file unit 5, the memory key is divided into each group of “registration key”, “search key”, and “composite key” in advance based on the determination result. Every other time, for example, memory keys “01” to “12” are used as registration keys to divide into groups, it is determined which group they belong to, and the memory memory keys of the belonging group have a higher priority. Link the key code of and the previous instruction,
Data is transferred to a storage medium in the external storage device. Then, the storage medium stores the data in a predetermined storage area.
At this time, the user is notified of the position of the key to which the currently registered command is assigned from the operation unit screen (6). Hereinafter, steps (7) to (12) are the same as the first memory mode process, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

According to the above-described embodiment, a command peculiar to each exchangeable external storage medium is written in the external storage medium itself, and each time the external storage medium is set in the external storage device,
By allocating the memory keys on the hardware, it is possible to use the limited memory keys effectively and efficiently without waste.

Further, by storing the data in the external storage medium, it is not necessary to equip the hardware of the main body with a dedicated user memory, so that the cost can be saved and the designer's memory limit can be released and the memory resource can be saved. Can be effectively used.

[0111]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the present invention, the registration command processing means uses each key based on the judgment result of the judgment means for judging whether the request for registering the command to the external storage medium input from the operation panel means or executing the command is made. An instruction or registration executed by the registration instruction processing means by the notification means when registering an instruction in the external storage medium corresponding to the input means or reading and executing the instruction in the external storage medium corresponding to each of the key input means The command is sent to the screen of the operation panel means, so that the user can register or execute a series of commands for each exchangeable external storage medium as desired, regardless of the fixed user memory area of the device. Can be made.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the registration command processing means determines that the command has already been registered on the external storage medium for any of the key input means for which registration has been requested, Since the judgment result is notified on the screen of the operation panel means, it is possible to avoid a situation where a series of commands already registered in the external storage medium is rewritten due to a user's operation error.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the registration command processing means refers to the group information set in each key input means when registering a command in the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means. By registering in each group area of the external storage medium, the user's command registered in the external storage medium can be registered in association with each key input means.

Therefore, there is an effect that each user can execute the instruction processing to which each key is individually assigned, beyond the limit of the number of keys for designating the user memory.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite image input / output device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit shown in FIG.

3 is a circuit block diagram showing a signal processing configuration of a reader unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a core section shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a facsimile unit illustrated in FIG.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a file unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a first diagram of a composite image input / output device according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart showing an example of a memory mode processing procedure of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a second view of the composite image input / output device according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart showing an example of a memory mode processing procedure of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Printer unit 201 Exposure control unit 202 Photosensitive drum 203 Developing device 204 Transferred paper stacking unit 205 Transferred paper stacking unit 206 Transfer unit 207 Fixing unit 208 Paper discharge unit 209 Conveying direction switching member 210 Refeed transfered paper stacking unit 211 Printer controller

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuyoshi Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of different function processing means, an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium on the basis of each output information sequentially output from each function processing means, and necessary for each function processing means to execute. From the operation panel means, an operation panel means for inputting a series of image input / output processing commands according to a screen display, an external storage means having an exchangeable external storage medium for storing image data output by the image forming means, A plurality of key input means for instructing allocation and registration of a series of inputted image input / output processing commands in a replaceable external storage medium of an external storage device, and registration of commands to the external storage medium input from the operation panel means. Alternatively, a determination means for determining which request is executed, and the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means based on the determination result of this determination means Registration command processing means for registering a command in the body or reading and executing the command in the external storage medium corresponding to each of the key input means, and the operation panel means for executing a command executed by the registration command processing means or a command to be registered. And a notification means for notifying the screen of the composite image input / output device. 2. The notifying means, when the registration command processing means determines that the command has already been registered on the external storage medium for any of the key input means requested to be registered, the notification result is displayed on the operation panel means. 2. The composite image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the screen is notified. 3. The registration command processing means refers to the group information set in each key input means when registering a command in the external storage medium corresponding to each key input means, and each of the external storage media is referred to. The composite image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the composite image input / output device is registered in a group area.