JPH08307692A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the device copying again an image with high quality through the provision of output paper by allowing an expansion means to expand compressed image data when the compression image data are read from an original and allowing a print means to print out the expanded image data. CONSTITUTION: A scanner section 11 reads only compressed image data from output paper on which usual image data and compressed image data are printed out and writes the data to an area B of an image memory 12. Then an image processing section 13A expands the compressed image data written in the area B of the memory 12 to an area A of the memory 12. Then the processing section 13A outputs image data stored in the area A of the memory 12 to a lst printer section 14. Succeedingly the processing section 13A outputs the compressed image data stored in the area B of the memory 12 to a 2nd printer section 15. The compressed image data outputted are printed out by the printer section 15 on paper on which image data have been previously printed out. The image is printed out again in this way.

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 such as a digital copying machine, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of re-copying a high quality image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus, when the same printed matter is reprinted, if there is no original document or data, the once printed matter is copied.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, there is a problem that the original output image is inevitably deteriorated.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and image formation capable of re-copying a high-quality image is possible even if there is no original original or data and output paper. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The means of the present invention for solving the above problems will be described.

An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads compressed image data from a document, a decompressing unit that decompresses the read compressed image data, and a printing unit that prints the decompressed image data. It is characterized by that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for reading image control data from a document, developing means for developing image data in accordance with the read image control data, and printing means for printing the developed image data. It is characterized by having.

An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention determines a reading unit that reads data from a document and whether the data read by the reading unit includes compressed image data, and the compressed image data is included. If yes,
It is characterized by having a decompressing means for decompressing the compressed image data and a printing means for printing the decompressed image data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which comprises a reading unit for reading data from an original document and a judgment as to whether or not the data read by the reading unit includes image control data. If yes,
It is characterized in that it has a developing means for developing the image data according to the image control data and a printing means for printing the developed image data.

[0010]

The operation of the present invention having the above construction will be described.

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, when the reading unit reads the compressed image data from the original, the decompressing unit decompresses the compressed image data and the printing unit decompresses the decompressed image data. Print. This makes it possible to reproduce the image from the compressed image data without copying the output paper.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, when the reading means reads the image control data from the original, the decompressing means decompresses the compressed image data in accordance with the image control data and the printing means decompresses. Print the image data. This makes it possible to reproduce the image from the image control data without copying the output paper.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when the reading means reads the data from the document, the developing means
It is determined whether or not the read data includes the compressed image data. If the read data includes the compressed image data, the compressed image data is expanded, and the printing unit prints the expanded image data. To do. As a result, it is possible to automatically determine whether the original is an ordinary image or contains compressed image data.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, when the reading means reads the data from the document, the developing means
It is determined whether or not the read data includes image control data. If the read data includes image control data, the image data is expanded according to the image control data, and the printing unit is expanded. Print the image data. As a result, it is possible to automatically determine whether the original is an ordinary image only or includes image control data.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 1A of this embodiment prints the image data transferred from a host computer (hereinafter referred to as "host") 2A as shown in FIG. To do.

The apparatus 1A comprises a scanner section (reading means) 11 for reading image data from a document, an image memory 12 for storing image data and the like, and an image processing section (expanding means) 13A for compressing and expanding image data. A first printer section (printing means) 14 for printing the image data stored in the image memory 12, and a second printer section 15 for printing the compressed image data stored in the image memory 12.
And a host interface (I / F) 16 for receiving data from the host 2A.

The scanner unit 11 can read only data in a predetermined area from a document.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image memory 12 has an area A for storing ordinary uncompressed image data and an area B for storing compressed image data and the like.

The image processing section 13A includes a compression circuit composed of a DSP, a CPU, etc. for compressing the image data transferred from the host 2A, and performs image compression by a known compression method such as JPEG. is there.

The first and second printer sections 14 and 15
Has substantially the same configuration and prints output data on a sheet using toner or ink, but the location of the sheet on which an image is printed or the printing color is different.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the operation from receiving image data from the host 2A to printing out will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The host 2A transfers the image data stored in advance in the host 2A to the image forming apparatus 1A (S).
1).

The image processing section 13A receives the image data transferred from the host 2A via the host I / F 16 and stores it in the area A of the image memory 12.

When the image data for one page is stored in the area A of the image memory 12, the image processing section 13A compresses the image data stored in the area A and writes it in the area B (S2).

When the compression of the image data is completed, the image processing section 13A outputs the image data stored in the area A of the image memory 12 to the first printer section 14. The first printer unit 14 prints the output image data on paper (S3).

Subsequently, the image processing section 13A outputs the compressed image data stored in the area B of the image memory 12 to the second printer section 15. The second printer unit 15 prints and adds the output compressed image data onto a sheet on which the image data has been printed in advance so that the compressed image data can be read later (S4).

The sheet on which the ordinary image data and the compressed image data are printed in this manner is used as data for reprinting in the image forming apparatus 1A shown in FIG. The paper on which the normal image data and the compressed image data are printed can be used as a normal print output paper.

Next, the case of printing the output paper output in step S4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the scanner section 11 reads only the compressed image data in a predetermined area from the output paper on which the ordinary image data and the compressed image data are printed out, and the read compressed image data is stored in the image memory 12.
Is written in the area B (S11).

Next, the image processing unit 13A operates the image memory 1
The compressed image data written in the area B of No. 2 is expanded and expanded in the area A of the image memory 12 (S12).

When the development is completed, the image processing section 13A outputs the image data stored in the area A of the image memory 12 to the first printer section 14. The first printer unit 14 is
Print the output image data on paper (S1
3).

Subsequently, the image processing section 13A outputs the compressed image data stored in the area B of the image memory 12 to the second printer section 15. The second printer unit 15 prints the added compressed image data on a sheet on which the image data has been printed in advance so that the compressed image data can be read later (S14). In this way, the image is reprinted.

According to the above-described first embodiment, when printing on paper, not only the image itself but also the compressed image data necessary for reprinting the image is printed on the same paper, so that the original Even if there is no manuscript or data, it is possible to reprint high-quality images as long as there is output paper.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 1B of the present embodiment prints according to the control code transferred from the host 2B, as shown in FIG. Here, the "control code" is image control data that is the basis of image development, and includes a page description language.

The apparatus 1B has a scanner section 11, an image memory 12, first and second printer sections 14 and 15, and a host I / F 16 as in the first embodiment, and further, The image processing section 13B is different from that of the first embodiment.

The image processing section 13B expands and develops the image data according to the control code transferred from the host 2A.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the operation from reception of control data from the host 2B to printing out will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The host 2B transfers a control code for image development to the image forming apparatus 1B. Image processing device 13B
Sends the control code transferred from the host 2B to the host I /
It is received via F16 and stored in the area B of the image memory 12 (S21).

Next, the image processing unit 13B causes the image memory 1
The control code stored in the area B of No. 2 is interpreted to develop a predetermined image, character or figure in the area A of the image memory 12 (S22).

After the expansion, the image processing section 13B outputs the image data stored in the area A of the image memory 12 to the first printer section 14. The first printer unit 14 is
The output image data is printed on paper (S2
3).

Subsequently, the image processing section 13B outputs the control code stored in the area B of the image memory 12 to the second printer section 15. The second printer unit 15 prints and adds the output control code to the paper on which the image data has been printed in advance so that it can be read later (S2).
4).

Next, the case of printing the output paper output in step S24 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the scanner section 11 reads only the control code in a predetermined area from the output paper on which ordinary image data and control code are printed out, and the read control code is read in the area B of the image memory 12. (S31).

Next, the image processing unit 13B causes the image memory 1
The control code stored in the area B of No. 2 is interpreted to develop a predetermined image, character or figure in the area A of the image memory 12 (S32).

When the expansion is completed, the image processing section 13B outputs the image data stored in the area A of the image memory 12 to the first printer section 14. The first printer unit 14 is
The output image data is printed on paper (S3
3).

Subsequently, the image processing section 13B outputs the control code stored in the area B of the image memory 12 to the second printer section 15. The second printer unit 15 prints and adds the output control code to the paper on which the image data has been printed in advance so that the control code can be read later (S3).
4). In this way, the image is reprinted.

According to the second embodiment described above, when printing on paper, the control code necessary for reprinting the image is printed on the same paper in addition to the image itself, so that the original document is printed. It is possible to reprint high-quality images as long as there is output paper without data or data.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 1C of this embodiment prints the image data transferred from the host 2A and reprints the image data once printed.

Like the first embodiment, the apparatus 1C has a scanner section 11, an image memory 12, first and second printer sections 14 and 15, and a host I / F 16, and further, An image processing unit 13C different from that of the first embodiment and an operation unit 17 are included.

The image processing section 13C includes the scanner section 11
It is determined whether or not the data read by includes compressed image data, and if the compressed image data is included, the compressed image data is expanded.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the operation from receiving image data from the host 2A to printing out will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The host 2A transfers the image data stored in advance in the host 2A to the image forming apparatus 1C (S).
41).

The image processing section 13C receives the image data transferred from the host 2A via the host I / F 16 and stores it in the area A of the image memory 12.

Here, the image processing section 13C has the operation section 17
It is determined whether or not an instruction to print the compressed image data is given by the operation (S42), and if the instruction is given, the image processing unit 13C stores in the area A of the image memory 12. The compressed image data is compressed and written in the area B (S43), and the flag 1 is set to 1 (S44). If the instruction is not given in step S42, the flag 1 is set to 0 (S45).

Next, the image processing section 13C causes the image memory 1
The image data stored in the second area A is output to the first printer unit 14. The first printer unit 14 prints the output image data on paper (S46).

The state of the flag 1 is checked (S47). If the flag 1 is set to 1, the image processing unit 13
C outputs the compressed image data stored in the area B of the image memory 12 to the second printer unit 15. The second printer unit 15 prints the compressed image data that has been caught on the paper on which the image data has been printed, and adds the compressed image data so that it can be read later (S48).

In step S47, the flag 1
Is set to 0, the above S46 and S48
Exit without executing the step.

Next, the case of printing the output paper output in step 48 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the scanner unit 11 reads the printed output paper, writes normal image data of the read data in the area A of the image memory 12, and writes compressed image data in the area of the image memory 12. Write to B (S51).

Here, the image processing unit 13C confirms whether or not the data read by the scanner unit 11 includes the compressed image data (S52), and if the compressed image data is included. Is set to 1 (S53), and if not included, flag 1 is set to 0 (S54). Further, the operation unit 17 for whether or not to also print the compressed image data at the time of printing
Check the settings in (S55). To print compressed image data as well, set flag 2 to 1 (S
56) If not printing, flag 2 is set to 0 (S57).

Here, the state of flag 1 is checked (S5
8). When the flag 1 is set to 1, that is, when compressed image data is included, the image processing unit 1
The 3C expands and expands the compressed image data stored in the area B of the image memory 12 into the area A (S60).

If the flag 1 is set to 0 in step S58, that is, if the compressed image data is not included, the state of the flag 2 is checked (S59). When the flag 2 is set to 1, that is, when compressed image data is not included but compressed image data is also printed, the image processing unit 13C
Writes the image data stored in the area A of the image memory 12 into the area B after compression (S61).

In step S59, the flag 2
Is set to 0, that is, when the compressed image data is not included and the compressed image data is not printed, the image processing unit 13C determines that the area A of the image memory 12
The image data stored in is output to the first printer unit 14. The first printer unit 14 prints the output image data (S63).

The state of flag 2 is checked (S63). When the compressed image data is also printed, the image processing unit 13C
Outputs the compressed image data stored in the area B of the image memory 12 to the second printer unit 15. The second printer unit 15 prints and adds the output compressed image data onto a sheet on which the image data has been printed in advance so that it can be read later (S64). In this way, the image is reprinted.

According to the above-described third embodiment, it is possible to automatically discriminate whether the original is an ordinary image only or an image containing compressed image data.

In the third embodiment, the image processing section 13C determines whether or not the data read by the scanner section 11 includes the control code. The image data may be expanded according to the control code. As a result, it is possible to automatically determine whether the original is an ordinary image only or includes image control data.

[0074]

According to the present invention described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the compressed image data read from the original is expanded and the image data is printed. Therefore, even if there is no original original or data, output paper is of high quality. An image forming apparatus capable of re-copying an image can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the image data is expanded according to the image control data read from the original,
Since the image data is printed, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of re-copying a high-quality image as long as there is output paper even if there is no original document or data.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether the read data includes the compressed image data or not, and whether the original is only a normal image or the image includes the compressed image data. It will be possible to automatically determine whether it is a thing.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether the read data includes image control data or not, and whether the original is only a normal image or the image control data is included. It will be possible to automatically determine whether it is a thing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a storage area of an image memory in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A, 1B, 1C Image forming apparatus 2A, 2B Host computer 11 Scanner unit (reading unit) 12 Image memory 13A, 13B, 13C Image processing unit (expanding unit) 14 First printer unit (printing unit) 15 Second printer unit 16 Host I / F

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads compressed image data from a document; a decompressing unit that decompresses the read compressed image data; and a printing unit that prints the decompressed image data. . 2. A reading means for reading image control data from a document, a developing means for developing image data according to the read image control data, and a printing means for printing the developed image data. Image forming apparatus. 3. A reading unit for reading data from a document,
It is determined whether or not the data read by the reading means includes compressed image data, and if the data includes compressed image data, the decompressing means for decompressing the compressed image data and the decompressed image An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints data. 4. A reading unit for reading data from a document,
It is determined whether or not the data read by the reading means includes image control data. If the data includes image control data, a developing means for developing the image data according to the image control data and a developing means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a printing unit configured to print the image data thus obtained.