JPH0793114A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To utilize one image memory for a ring buffer to receive band data and a memory for file registration by providing a control means for storing inputted image data for the unit of a file, for performing file management, for storing inputted image data for the unit of a band and for successively outputting them. CONSTITUTION:A control part 12 stores the image data for the unit of the file inputted from an interface 8 or 9 in a memory unit 10 and performs the file management of the stored image data. On the other hand, when executing buffering with a ring buffer system while using the memory unit 10, namely, when transferring the band data for printing from a host computer to a digital copy machine 7, since the file stored in the memory unit 10 is replaced with image data expressing any prescribed image, the locked file is saved to an HD 13. Thus, the desired image data can be protected so as not to be erased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, for example, an image processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in page printers and the like,
The image memory, page memory for PDL expansion, etc.
It was used separately for the registration of image data files.
Further, in an inkjet printer or the like, the image memory is used for a ring buffer for receiving band data and for file registration.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems. In the case of a page printer, its image memory is divided into a page memory and a file registration memory for use, so even if printing is performed, the registered file will not be deleted, but it will be large. Needed a large amount of memory. On the other hand, in the case of an inkjet printer, its image memory is used as a ring buffer and for file registration, so a relatively small capacity of memory is sufficient, but when used as a buffer, the registered file is deleted and When registering, there was a drawback that it could not be used as a buffer. If you want to protect the registered file, you must first save the file to the hard disk of the host computer, and then restore the saved file after printing, but save / restore image data with a large data size. It takes time and labor, and the load on the host computer is large, which hinders efficient operation.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and has the following structure as one means for solving the above problems. That is, it comprises an input / output unit for inputting / outputting image data, a storage unit for storing image data, and a control unit for controlling the storage unit and the input / output unit, and the control unit is input by the input / output unit. The image data stored in the storage unit is stored in the storage unit, and the stored image data stored in the storage unit is sequentially stored in the storage unit. The image data is sequentially output from the input / output means.

Preferably, the control means locks or unlocks image data for file management based on a user's instruction, and saves the locked image data when inputting image data in band units by the input / output means. The image data for each band is sequentially output from the input / output unit, and then the saved image data is restored.

[0006]

According to the above construction, the input image data in file units is stored in the storage means, the stored image data is managed as a file, and the input image data in band units is sequentially stored in the storage means. It is possible to provide an image processing device for sequentially outputting the image data stored in the memory, for example, one image memory, a ring buffer for receiving band data,
It can be used as a memory for file registration. Furthermore, if it is desired to protect the registered file, it is not necessary to save the file to the hard disk of the host computer, etc., and efficient operation can be performed.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0008]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system including an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a frame type digital copying machine, which has a print function of printing image data input in frame units via an external input / output video interface, and scans an image on a document table. It has a function of outputting image data. The digital copying machine 1 also includes a paper feed cartridge 5 for supplying recording paper and a tray 4 for ejecting printed recording paper.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a band type digital copying machine, which has a print function of printing image data input in band units via an external input / output video interface, and scans an image on the platen to display the image. It has a function to output data. A host computer 6 outputs image information. An image processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is external (for example, host computer 6, digital copying machines 1 and 7).
The function of storing the image data input from the, the function of transmitting the stored image data as an image signal to the printer engine, the function of managing the stored image data as a file, and the function as a ring buffer for band printing. Is equipped with. Hao, the image data is digital copier 1,
It is registered and stored as a file in the image processing apparatus 2 by the operation unit 7 or the host computer 6.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the storage unit and the interface of the image processing apparatus 2. In the figure, a control unit 12 controls the entire image processing apparatus 2 according to a program stored in a built-in ROM or the like.
8 is an interface for the digital copying machine 1, 9 is an interface for the digital copying machine 7, 10 is a memory unit including a RAM for storing image data, 13
Is a storage unit (hereinafter referred to as “H
"D"). The memory unit 10 and the hard disk 13 are directly connected to each other, and high-speed data transfer is possible.

A selector 11 connects the interface 8 or 9 and the memory unit 10 in accordance with a selection signal input from the controller 12. As a result, a request signal from the interface connected by the selector 11 is sent to the memory unit 10, and image data is input / output between the memory unit 10 and the digital copying machine 1 or 7 via the interface. Will be possible.

In this embodiment, in the printing system having the above-described configuration, a lock function is provided for each file of image data, and when the memory unit 10 is accessed, the locked image data (hereinafter referred to as "locked "File") is protected from being deleted. The lock function is performed by a table managed by the control unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 2 as shown in FIG. The figure shows a case where files A and D are locked and files B and C are unlocked.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how image data is stored and saved. In the memory unit 10, for example, four image data A, B, C, D read by the digital copying machine 1 are stored as files. When storing these image data in the memory unit 10, the user can lock / lock the image data in file units, for example, via the host computer 6.
Specify unlock. This designation can be performed even after the image data is stored, and the locked file can be arbitrarily changed to the unlocked file and the unlocked file can be changed to the locked file. In the figure, files A and D are locked files, and files B and C are unlocked files.

Then, using the memory unit 10,
For example, when buffering is performed by the ring buffer method as shown in FIG. 5, that is, when band data for printing is transferred from the host computer 6 to the digital copying machine 7, it is stored in the memory unit 10. Since the files A, B, C, and D are replaced with the image data representing the image shown in FIG. 6, the locked files (files A and D in this case) are saved in the HD 13.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure of the present embodiment, which is executed by the control unit 12 when there is a band data transfer request.
In the figure, it is determined in step S1 whether or not there is a locked file in the memory unit 10. If a locked file exists, the locked file is saved to the HD 13 in step S2.

Then, in step S3, the memory unit 10 is used to buffer the band data by the ring buffer method, and in step S4, the memory unit 10 and the interface 9 are connected to each other to connect the band data to the band. The data is sequentially transferred to the digital copying machine 7 for each. The digital copying machine 7 prints the image represented by the transferred band data.

After the transfer of the band data is completed, step S5
Then, the access to the memory unit 10 due to a band data transfer request or the like is waited for a predetermined time, and if the access is generated, the process returns to step 1. If access does not occur even if the predetermined time is exceeded, in step S6, HD1
The locked file saved in 3 is restored to the memory unit 10.

As described above, when locking / unlocking is designated for each file of image data and, for example, the band data is buffered by the ring buffer method using the memory unit 10, the locked file is HD13. Since the image data is restored after being saved in, the user can protect the desired image data from being deleted.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since the memory unit 10 is used as a buffer at the time of printing and as a file memory for registering an image data file at the time of scanning and the like, lock / unlock of the file is designated, so that the file designated by the lock is protected. , The following effects are obtained. (1) File registration with a lock function for image data and buffer printing can be realized by one device without exclusive execution.

(2) Even if one memory is shared by the buffer memory and the file registration memory, when the memory is used as the buffer memory, it is necessary to save the image data file having a large data size to the host computer or the like. Since there is no such thing, the image data is saved to a hard disk or the like directly connected to the image memory, so that image data exchange via the interface is not necessary and efficient operation can be performed. Further, the load on the host can be reduced.

[0021]

[Second Embodiment] An image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the second embodiment, the first
About the same configuration as the embodiment, the same reference numerals are given,
Detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, in the printing system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a file protection function is provided for each user of image data, and the memory unit 10 is provided.
Protects protected files from being deleted when is accessed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First,
When storing the image data read by the digital copying machine 1 in the image processing apparatus 2, the user registers it together with the user ID. This prohibits other users from accessing the image data. Note that this function is managed by the control unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 2, as shown in FIG.
The table shown in FIG. In the figure, files A and D are for the user with ID = 1, and file B is I.
It is shown that the file C of the user of D = 2 is the file of the user of ID = 5.

Then, when the user with ID = 2 performs printing, for example, using the memory unit 10, as shown in FIG.
When the buffering by the ring buffer method as shown in FIG. 6 is executed, the files A, B, C, D stored in the memory unit 10 are replaced with the image data representing the image shown in FIG. , Files of other users (files A, C, D in this case) are saved to the HD 13.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure of this embodiment, which is executed by the control unit 12 when there is a band data transfer request such as when a user with ID = 2 prints. Is. In the figure, it is determined in step S11 whether or not there is a file with ID ≠ 2 in the memory unit 10. If there is a file with ID ≠ 2, the file is stored in the HD 13 in step S12.
Save to.

Subsequently, in step S13, the band data is buffered by the ring buffer method using the memory unit 10, and in step S14, the memory unit 10 and the interface 9 are connected and the band data is banded. The data is sequentially transferred to the digital copying machine 7 for each. The digital copying machine 7 prints the image represented by the transferred band data.

After the transfer of the band data is completed, step S1
In step 5, the access to the memory unit 10 due to a band data transfer request or the like is waited for a predetermined time, and if the access occurs, the process returns to step 11. If no access occurs even if the predetermined time is exceeded, in step S16,
The file of UD ≠ 2 saved in the HD 13 is restored to the memory unit 10.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since the image data is registered together with the user ID, the memory unit 10 can be used, for example, when the user prints.
For example, when band data is buffered by the ring buffer method, the file of another user is saved in the HD 13 and then restored, so that the image data of another user can be protected without being deleted. Therefore, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0028]

[Third Embodiment] An image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the third embodiment, the first
About the same configuration as the embodiment, the same reference numerals are given,
Detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, in the printing system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a file protection function is provided for each controller to prevent the protected file from being deleted when the memory unit 10 is accessed. is there. A film scanner (not shown) for scanning, for example, a 35 mm film is also connected to the image processing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, and image data from the film scanner is also registered and stored. The above-mentioned controllers are the operation units of the host computer 6, the digital copying machines 1 and 7, the operation unit of the film scanner, and the like.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. For example, when the image processing apparatus 2 stores the image data read by the digital copying machine 1, the image processing apparatus 2 registers it together with the controller ID of the operation unit of the digital copying machine 1. This allows
Access to the image data by other controllers is prohibited. Note that this function is performed by a table managed by the control unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 2 and an example of which is shown in FIG. In the figure, files A and D have ID = 11.
Of the controller (for example, the digital copying machine 1), file B is for the controller with ID = 21 (for example, film scanner), and file C is for the controller with ID = 12 (for example, host computer 6).

Then, when printing is performed in accordance with an instruction from the controller of ID = 12, that is, the host computer 6 in this case, the memory unit 10 is used to execute buffering by the ring buffer method as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In such a case, the files A, B, C, D stored in the memory unit 10 are replaced with the image data representing the image shown in FIG. 6, so that the files of other users (in this case, the files A, B, C, D) is saved to the HD 13.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure of this embodiment, which is executed by the control unit 12 when a band data transfer request is made, such as when printing is performed according to an instruction from the controller with ID = 12. It is something. In the figure, it is determined in step S21 whether or not there is a file with ID ≠ 12 in the memory unit 10, and if there is a file with ID ≠ 12, step S2
In step 2, the file is saved in the HD 13.

Subsequently, in step S23, the band data is buffered by the ring buffer method using the memory unit 10, and in step S24, the memory unit 10 and the interface 9 are connected to each other, and the band data is banded. The data is sequentially transferred to the digital copying machine 7 for each. The digital copying machine 7 prints the image represented by the transferred band data.

After the transfer of the band data is completed, step S2
In step 5, the access to the memory unit 10 due to a band data transfer request or the like is waited for a predetermined time. If no access occurs even if the predetermined time is exceeded, in step S26,
The file with ID 12 not saved in the HD 13 is restored to the memory unit 10.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since the image data is registered with the controller ID,
For example, when printing is performed according to an instruction from the host computer 6, for example, when band data is buffered by the ring buffer method using the memory unit 10, a file of another controller is saved in the HD 13 and then restored. , It is possible to protect without deleting the image data of other controllers. Therefore, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, since the host computer 6 and the digital copying machines 1 and 7 are usually arranged apart from each other, the user who accesses the printing system from the host computer 6 and the digital copying machine 1 to the printing system are not provided. It is difficult for the user who accesses from the operation unit to communicate with each other to perform efficient printing, but according to the present embodiment, it is possible to protect the image data for each controller, and maintainability of the printing system is improved. Can also be improved.

In each of the above-described embodiments, when the memory unit 10 is used, for example, when buffering is performed by the ring buffer method, necessary files are saved regardless of the free memory of the memory unit 10. However, it goes without saying that buffering can be executed without saving if there is sufficient free memory.

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

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the input image data in file units is stored in the storage means, and the stored image data is file-managed, and the input image data in band units is stored in the storage means. An image processing device that sequentially stores and sequentially outputs the stored image data can be provided, and for example, one image memory can be used as a ring buffer that receives band data and a file registration memory. Further, when it is desired to protect the registered file, it is not necessary to save the file to the hard disk of the host computer or the like, and there is an effect that efficient operation can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system including an image processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a storage unit and an interface of the image processing apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a file management table managed by a control unit of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how image data is stored and saved in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of buffering by a ring buffer method.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a file management table managed by a control unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a file management table managed by a control unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Frame type digital copying machine 2 Image processing apparatus of this embodiment 6 Host computer 7 Band type digital copying machine 8 Interface for digital copying machine 9 Interface 10 for digital copying machine 10 Memory unit 11 Selector 12 Control Division 13 Storage (HD)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An input / output unit for inputting / outputting image data, a storage unit for storing image data, and a control unit for controlling the storage unit and the input / output unit, wherein the control unit is the input / output unit. Storing the image data in file units input by the means in the storage means, managing the stored image data, and sequentially storing the image data in band units input by the input / output means in the storage means. An image processing apparatus, wherein the stored image data is sequentially output from the input / output unit. 2. The control means locks or unlocks image data for file management based on a user's instruction, and saves the locked image data when inputting image data in band units by the input / output means, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data saved in each band is sequentially output from the input / output unit and then the saved image data is restored. 3. The control means manages the file of the image data together with the user information of the image data, and when the image data of the band unit is inputted by the input / output means, the user information which does not match the user information of the image data is generated. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the associated image data is saved, the image data in band units is sequentially output from the input / output unit, and then the saved image data is restored. 4. The control means manages the file of the image data together with the source information of the image data, and when inputting the image data in band units by the input / output means, the source information of the image data does not match the source information. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data accompanied by the original information is saved, the image data of the band unit is sequentially output from the input / output unit, and then the saved image data is restored.