JPH08186682A - Picture processor and controlling method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To realize the transfer of information which is highspeed and easy to control while the number of lines required for connection being minimized by connecting a picture processor to a host computer through general purpose interface specification. CONSTITUTION: The host computer 200 starts the copy driver, etc., for instance, of a control program, and outputs the send request of status information to a CPU 1 through an external bi-centro 30. The CPU 1 requests a printer 20 to send the status information through an internal bi-centro 40. After that, when the host computer 200 judges a device to be in an operatable state as the result of the read of the status information, it outputs command information to instruct to start a scanner 10 and read an original picture to the CPU 1 through the external bi-centro 30. The CPU 1 starts the scanner 10 and starts reading operation, and transmits read color information to the host computer 200 through the external bi-centro 30.

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 which is connected to a host computer via an interface to exchange information with the host computer and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to connect a conventional scanner to a host computer, it has been necessary to use a special connection according to the interface specifications for the scanner. Also, when connecting a conventional printer to a computer, a special connection according to the interface specifications for the printer is required.

[0003]

Therefore, in order to connect the scanner and the printer to the host computer, a plurality of interface means having different specifications are required on the host computer side, which makes connection difficult for the user. In addition, the cost of preparing a plurality of interfaces has been a burden.

[0004]

The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and has the following structure as one means for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is, an image processing apparatus that is connected to a host computer and sends and receives information to and from the host computer, and includes a control unit that controls overall control, and a scanner that is connected to the control unit and reads document data as a color multi-valued image. Section, and a bus-type bidirectional interface section connected to the control section for exchanging information with the host computer, wherein the host computer transfers read data of the scanner section via the interface section. It is characterized in that it can be captured and a color image can be output to the printer.

For example, the information read by the scanner unit is sent to the host computer via the interface unit, the host computer performs predetermined image processing, returns the print data to the control unit, and returns the print data to the printer. It is characterized in that a copy operation is possible by printing out from a copy.

[0006]

[Operation] With the above configuration, the scanner and printer can be connected to the host computer via the same general-purpose interface, the number of lines for connection is minimal, and high-speed and easy-to-control information can be exchanged. At the same time, it can be a highly versatile device that is not limited to the type of computer to be connected.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a CPU that controls the overall control of the apparatus of the present embodiment, 2 is a control procedure of the CPU 1 and ROM that stores the default values of the scanner and printer described later, and 3 is the read data from the scanner and the print data to the printer. It is a RAM for temporarily storing data such as. Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation panel section for inputting a start instruction of a copy operation, for example, a power switch, an online / offline key, a monocopy key, a color copy key, a stop key, etc. Note that this key type is not limited to the above example, and for example, only a start key is provided, and all other types may be configured to be possible by an instruction from the host computer 200. Reference numeral 5 denotes a user-specific color tone adjustment setting value for the scanner unit 10 and various setting values from the host computer including the output color tone adjustment setting value of the printer unit 20 are temporarily retained. It is a department. The control unit of the apparatus of this embodiment is configured by the above-described configurations.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a scanner mechanism section for reading a set original image, and 12 denotes a scanner mechanism section 1.
An automatic document feeder (ADF) that conveys the read originals one by one to an original reading position 1 is a CCD that forms a read image from the original, converts it into a corresponding electric signal, and outputs it. In the embodiment, the CCD is capable of detecting each of the three primary colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) so that a color image can be read. A reference numeral 14 is required to receive the read color image signal from the CCD 13, convert the read color image signal into multi-valued data or binary data, store a predetermined amount, and then store the stored image in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 3 under the control of the CPU 1, for example. A read image processing unit that performs minimum processing. The read image processing unit 14 is connected to the CPU 1 via the CPU bus 6, and the read data is transferred to the RAM 3, for example, by direct memory access (DMA). There is. The scanner unit 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment that can read the color original document is formed by the above-described configurations.
0 is directly connected to the CPU 1 via the CPU bus 6. A conventional color scanner can be used as it is as the configuration of each of the scanner units, and can be a general one.

Further, 21 is a printer engine section capable of color printing, and 22 is a printer control section, which form the printer 20 of this embodiment. The printer engine unit 21 of the present embodiment has an inkjet printer configuration capable of color printing, and the printer control unit 2
2 is IEEE-P128 for which a new standard is being established
It has four standards, that is, a bi-directional Centronics standard, {Bi-Centro} interface (hereinafter, referred to as "Bi-Centro") specifications. The control unit 10 and the printer unit 20 are connected to the CPU bus 6 of the control unit 10 via the internal bi-centro interface 42, and the control unit in the apparatus and the printer unit 20 are internally connected to the bi-centro interface cable (hereinafter referred to as “internal It is connected by ". In addition,
Data transfer between the centro interface 42 and the CPU 1 is performed at high speed using DMA. Although the inkjet method is used as the printer in the above description, the printing method is not limited and a printer of any printing method can be used.

In addition to the internal bi-centro interface 42 described above, the device of this embodiment is provided with an external bi-centro interface 32 for connection with the host computer 200 connected to the device of this embodiment. The host computer 200 can be connected to the host computer 200 via a bi-centro type interface, and can be connected by a bi-centro type communication medium having a very simple configuration.

In this embodiment, since the apparatus of this embodiment including the scanner unit and the host computer are connected by the bi-centro interface as described above, the structure of the interface unit can be simplified and the data transfer speed is high. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can be used by simply connecting it to a bi-centro interface that can be called a general-purpose interface without selecting a connected computer.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a host computer, which controls the apparatus of the present embodiment by reading and operating the control program 50 of the apparatus of the present embodiment. The apparatus of the present embodiment aims at simplifying the configuration of the apparatus body and reducing the manufacturing cost as much as possible so that it can be used for personal use. Various image processing for print output including reproduction color space matching processing is performed by using a computer, and this processing program is stored in, for example, a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, and the present embodiment is executed. Example Sold together with the device body.

The user is allowed to actually operate the apparatus of this embodiment by reading and storing the processing program in his / her own personal computer and operating the control program. To do. That is, general image processing for the read image, general image processing for the connected printer of the edited image, and the like are all performed according to the control program stored in the host computer 200.

Conventionally, the primary consideration has been to reduce the load on the host computer, but the prices of computers and related equipment have increased in recent years, such as increasing the capacity and cost of storage devices and improving the processing capacity of CPUs. In order to cope with the dramatic performance improvement / price reduction of the above, not only the scanner / printer as in the present embodiment does not execute all the processing required by the device itself, but a high-performance CPU is mounted. Various kinds of control including programs for achieving these processes are stored in the host computer, and the host computer is made to perform various kinds of general image processing and control of mechanical units using the program.

As a result, the main body of the apparatus can be constructed to have the minimum necessary structure centering on mechanical ones, and the cost of the main body of the apparatus can be kept low. Further, since the host computer 200 is in charge of image processing and device control, even when the device needs to be upgraded due to improvements in image processing technology, the entire device can be replaced,
It is possible to deal with it by simply re-inserting the control program without an operation such as modifying the inside of the apparatus by a dedicated service person, and it is possible to make the maintenance very excellent.

By the way, the present embodiment is not limited to the above example, and the read image processing unit 14 and the CPU 1 are configured to perform various general image processing, and the printer control unit 22 is separately provided. The printer engine unit 21 includes a dedicated image processing unit including a CPU for converting the image data into image data to be printed out and outputting the image data. The host computer side and the image processing apparatus side both perform image processing. It can be configured to have a function. With this configuration, for example, when the image read by the scanner unit 10 is used as a so-called copier that prints out the image with the printer 20, the above processing can be executed without imposing an excessive load on the host computer 200. You can Further, further, the printer unit 20 has an independent I / O.
The printer can be positioned as an O device, and for example, as long as it is equipped with a bi-centro interface, it is possible to exchange and connect any different printer units, and it is possible to easily cope with upgrading of the device.

In any case, in the host computer 200, a color reading operation mode in which the apparatus of this embodiment is used as a color image reading apparatus, a color printing operation mode in which the apparatus of this embodiment is used as a color printer apparatus, and Example A device having a single driver capable of executing at least three operation modes of a color copy operation mode in which the apparatus is used as a color copying apparatus, and any one of the above operations is performed while a user of the host computer 200 is executing an application program. When the apparatus of this embodiment is used in the mode, the OS program of the host computer 200 executes the above-mentioned driver so that the desired operation can be realized. Here, it is also possible to prepare a driver corresponding to each of the above three operation modes.

The outline of the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described below. [Color Image Reading Process] The outline of the color image reading process in this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in order to read a color original image using the apparatus of the present embodiment, the host computer 200 activates, for example, the scanner driver of the control program 50 for the apparatus of the present embodiment, and displays status information indicating the status of the apparatus. A sending request is output, and the device status sent in response to this request is received via the external bi-centro 30 (). Here, there are a status indicating whether or not a read document is set in the scanner 10, an online / offline status, a busy status indicating a work, a status indicating an error, and the like.

When the host computer 200 reads the status and determines that the apparatus is in the operable state, command information for instructing to start the scanner and read the original image is sent to the CPU 1 via the external bi-centro 30. Output to (). This command is sent to the CPU
1 analyzes and activates the scanner 10 to start the reading operation, and transmits the reading color information to the host computer 200 via the external bi-centro 30 (). As a result, the color original reading operation based on the control of the host computer 200 is realized.

[Color Printing Operation] FIG. 3 shows an outline of the color printing operation in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in order to print out a color image using the apparatus of this embodiment, the host computer 200 activates, for example, the printer driver of the control program 50 for the apparatus of this embodiment, and
A request for sending status information indicating the status of the apparatus of this embodiment is output to the CPU 1 via the centro 30 (). The CPU 1, which has received this request via the external by-centro 30, makes a request for sending status information to the printer 20 via the internal by-centro 40 this time ().

The printer 20 returns to the CPU 1 via the internal bi-centro 40 the status indicating whether or not the recording paper is set and the status indicating an error (). Upon receiving the status from the printer 20, the CPU 1 generates status information as the apparatus of the present embodiment together with the current online / offline status of the apparatus, the status indicating busy status, etc. Send via Bi-Centro 30. The host computer 200 receives this device status via the external bi-centro 30 ().

When the host computer 200 determines that the apparatus is in an operable state, it outputs command information for instructing to start the printer 20 to start printing and print data to the CPU 1 via the external bi-centro 30. To (). Upon receiving the command and the print data, the CPU 1 activates the printer 20 and sequentially sends the print data sent from the host computer 200 to the printer 20 via the internal bi-centro 40 for each predetermined amount (). Printer 20 that received this print information
Then, recording paper is sequentially fed in accordance with the print data thus sent, and color printing is performed. As a result, the color printing operation based on the control of the host computer 200 is realized.

[Color Copy Operation] FIG. 4 shows an outline of the color copy operation in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in order to copy and output a color image using the apparatus of this embodiment, the host computer 200 activates, for example, a copy driver of the control program 50 for the apparatus of this embodiment, or a scanner driver and a printer driver, A request for sending status information indicating the state of the apparatus of this embodiment is output to the CPU 1 via the external bi-centro 30 (). The CPU 1, which has received this request via the external by-centro 30, makes a request for sending status information to the printer 20 via the internal by-centro 40 this time ().

The printer 20 returns to the CPU 1 via the internal bi-centro 40 a status indicating whether recording paper is set and a status indicating an error (1).
0). Upon receiving the status from the printer 20, the CPU 1 confirms the current online / offline status of the apparatus, the status of whether or not the read document is set in the scanner 10, the status indicating busy status, and the like. The status information as the apparatus of the embodiment is generated and transmitted to the host computer 200 via the external bi-centro 30. The host computer 200 receives this device status via the external bi-centro 30 ().

When the host computer 200 reads the status and determines that the apparatus is in an operable state, command information for instructing to start the scanner and read the original image is sent to the CPU 1 via the external bi-centro 30. Output to (). This command is sent to the CPU
1 analyzes and activates the scanner 10 to start the reading operation, and transmits the reading color information to the host computer 200 via the external bi-centro 30 (). As a result, the color original reading operation based on the control of the host computer 200 is realized. The host computer 200 is
When the received read image requires predetermined image processing, for example, color reproduction range matching processing or layout processing, this is executed to obtain print data, and when these processing is performed by the apparatus of this embodiment, The received read data is the print data.

When the necessary image processing and the like are completed in this way, the host computer 200 sends command information for instructing to start the printer 20 to start printing and print data to the CPU 1 via the external bi-centro 30.
Output to (). Upon receiving the command and the print data, the CPU 1 activates the printer 20 and sequentially sends the print data sent from the host computer 200 to the printer 20 via the internal bi-centro 40 for each predetermined amount (). Printer 2 that received this print information
At 0, the recording paper is sequentially fed according to the sent print data, and color printing is performed. Thus, the color copy operation based on the control of the host computer 200 is realized.

When there are a plurality of originals read by the scanner 10, the read data is sequentially transmitted to the host computer 200 and the print data is received. In the above description, various image processes are mainly performed on the side of the host computer 200. However, the read image processing unit 14, the printer processing unit 22 and the CPU 1 of this embodiment require the copy operation. Image processing can be executed, and the read image is transferred to the host computer 2 via the external bi-centro 30.
It is possible to control the CPU 1 to directly send the color reading information received from the scanner 10 to the printer unit 20 via the internal bi-centro 40 without sending it to 00. In this case, there is no need to transfer image data via the external bi-centro 30, the load on the host computer 200 can be reduced, and the processing can be simplified. Copy processing is also possible. Therefore, it is desirable that the apparatus of the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute a certain amount of image processing and the special image processing can be performed by the host computer 200 as much as possible.

The color tone adjustment at the time of reading or printing of the scanner 10 and the printer 20 in the above description is as follows.
This is performed according to a standard default value registered in the ROM 2 or the like in advance or a readjustment value unique to the user of the host computer 200 registered in the set value holding unit 5. Then, it is possible to selectively execute a mode in which all of the setting values are processed and a mode in which the processing is performed with any of the setting values only during the corresponding one printing process.

The above description is for one embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. As described above, according to this embodiment, since the host computer 200 and the device of this embodiment as a scanner device are connected via the bi-centro, it is possible to exchange information at high speed even though it is a general-purpose interface. In addition, the communication medium for connection can be made simple and can be widely connected regardless of the model of the connected computer. Further, since the printer is built in the apparatus side, it can operate not only as a scanner but also as a printer, and also as a copying machine.

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.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, an image processing apparatus such as a scanner can be connected to a host computer through a general-purpose interface face specification, and the number of lines for connection can be minimized. It is also possible to exchange information at high speed and with simple control. Moreover, it is possible to provide a highly versatile device that is not limited to the type of computer to be connected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a color image reading operation mode of the apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a color printing operation of the apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a copy operation of the apparatus of this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 Operation Panel Section 5 Set Value Holding Section 10 Scanner Section 11 Scanner Mechanism Section 12 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 13 CCD 14 Read Image Processing Section 20 Printer Section 21 Printer Engine Section 22 Printer Control Section 30 External Bi-Centro 32 External Bi-Centro Interface 40 Internal Bi-Centro 42 Internal Bi-Centro Interface 200 Host Computer

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

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus connected to a host computer for exchanging information with the host computer, comprising: a control unit for controlling the overall control; and a multi-valued color image data document data connected to the control unit. And a color printer unit that prints out information read by the scanner unit or output data from the host computer, and is used for exchanging information between the control unit and the host computer. An image processing apparatus comprising: a bus-type bidirectional interface unit, wherein the host computer can capture read data from the scanner unit and output a color image to the printer unit via the interface unit. 2. The information read by the scanner unit is sent to the host computer via the interface unit, the host computer performs predetermined image processing and returns the print data to the control unit, and the printer unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a copy operation is possible by further printing out. 3. Information read by the scanner unit is sent to the host computer via the interface unit, predetermined image processing is performed by the host computer and returned as print data to the control unit, and the printer unit sends the print data. 2. The image processing according to claim 1, further comprising: a first mode for printing out and a second mode for printing out the information read by the scanner section from the printer section without passing through the interface section. apparatus. 4. The interface unit is IEEE-P1.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus complies with the 284 standard. 5. A control unit connected to a host computer for overall control, a scanner unit connected to the control unit for reading document data as a color multi-valued image, read information from the scanner unit or from the host computer. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus including a color printer unit for printing out the output data of, wherein the host computer and the image processing apparatus are connected via a bidirectional interface in a bus form, A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, wherein the operation of the image processing apparatus can be controlled from a host computer side. 6. Information read by the scanner unit is sent to the host computer via the interface,
6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a copy operation is possible by performing predetermined image processing in the host computer, returning the print data to the control unit as print data, and printing out the print data from the printer unit. Control method. 7. The information read by the scanner unit is sent to the host computer via the interface unit, the host computer performs predetermined image processing, returns the print data to the control unit, and returns the print data from the printer unit. 6. The image processing according to claim 5, wherein the image processing has a first mode for printing out and a second mode for printing out information read by the scanner section from the printer section without passing through the interface section. Device control method. 8. The interface unit is IEEE-P1.
The control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control method complies with the H.284 standard.