JPH09224136A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the productivity of image outputs while effectively utilizing the idle time of an image output device by storing image data from an internal input device or an external input device while fractionating them, reading the fractionized image data and outputting them. SOLUTION: When storing the image data sent from an internal input device 2 or an external input device 3 into a storage device 4, a controller 6 fractionizes these image data and stores them. Namely, the image data are fractionized and the image data for an amount corresponding to the idle time of the storage device 4 are transferred to the storage device 4. Besides, when image data are transferred from the internal input device 2 and the external input device 3, an image data bus switcher 7 is changed over and the fractionized image data are efficiently stored in the storage device 4. Further, the controller 6 connects the external input device 3 and an image output device 5 while controlling the image data bus switcher 7 so that prescribed images transferred from the external input device 3 can be outputted to the image output device 5.

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 captures an image by input means, temporarily stores it in a storage means and outputs it by an image output means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing device such as a digital copying machine, an original image read by an image input device is processed as a digital signal, and an image output device outputs it to a predetermined sheet to reproduce the original image. There is. In such a digital copying machine, since the original image is processed as a digital signal, an external device such as a computer or a facsimile is connected to output the image created by the computer or the original received by the facsimile onto a predetermined sheet. You can also

As described above, in the image processing apparatus to which the external device is connected, when the original image is read from the image input device and output by the image output device, the image between the external device and the image output device is output. The data flow is separated and the image input device and the image output device are connected to transfer the image data.

On the other hand, when outputting image data from an external device, the flow of image data between the image input device and the image output device is cut off, and the external device and the image output device are connected to each other. Have been transferred.

However, in such a configuration for switching the connection, the image data from the external device cannot be output while the image data from the image input device is being output by the image output device. Further, while the image data from the external device is being output by the image output device, the image data from the image input device cannot be output. In particular, since external devices require a lot of time for internal processing such as rendering, the use of external devices makes it impossible to use the image input device for a long time, which causes a decrease in productivity.

Therefore, as an application of an image processing apparatus having a storage device capable of holding a plurality of document images for the purpose of improving productivity, a scan return time at the time of document reading by an image input device is used, and in the meantime. It is considered that image data from an external device is divided and sent to a storage device (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-305777).

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of processing in this image processing apparatus. For example, when there is a job processing request from an external device while executing two processes of a job and a job using the image input device, the image input device reads the job (R) at the first pitch. , Read (R) the job at the second pitch. In the storage device, the job is written (W) at the first pitch, and the job is written (W) at the second pitch.
I do. Then, in the image output device, in synchronization with this, the first
Job writing (W) is performed at the pitch, and job writing (W) is performed at the second pitch.

If a job is processed by an external device during processing of the job by the image input device,
The scan return time after writing the job of the storage device in the first pitch is 1 / of the job from the external device.
2 (first half) is read (R), and in synchronization with this, writing (W) to the storage device is performed. In addition, the second
The scan return time after writing the job of the storage device at the pitch is 2/2 of the job from the external device.
(Ratter half) is read (R), and in synchronization with this, writing (W) to the storage device is performed.

Then, at the third pitch at which the job and the output of the job have been completed, the job written in the storage device is read (R) and written in the image output device.

[0010]

However, in such an image processing apparatus, since the image from the external device is input and stored in the storage device at the scan return time of the image input apparatus, the reading apparatus having no scan return time. Is not applicable, and the image data cannot be read ahead when output from an external device, which causes a reduction in productivity of images input from the image input device.

The image output device is controlled on the basis of a synchronization signal called a pitch. However, in addition to the scan return time, due to the restrictions of the image output device, an empty time is generated in the pitch on the image data bus. , This is also the cause of productivity drop.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of effectively utilizing the idle time of the image output apparatus to improve the productivity of image output.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an image processing apparatus configured to achieve the above object. That is,
The present invention relates to an internal input unit that is provided integrally with or adjacent to the apparatus main body to capture an original image image, an external input unit connected to the outside of the apparatus main body to transfer a predetermined image to the apparatus main body, an internal input unit or an external unit. Storage means for storing the image data obtained from the input means, image output means for outputting the image data read from the storage means to a predetermined medium, and image data for storing the image data in the storage means The image processing apparatus includes: a control unit that stores the data in a divided manner and stores the divided image data from the storage unit and sends the image data to the image output unit.

In such an image processing apparatus, when the image data of a predetermined image is transferred from the external input means while the original image is read and output by the internal input means, or when the image data of the predetermined image is transferred from the external input means. When the image data of the original image is sent from the internal input unit while the output process of the predetermined image is being performed, the control unit subdivides the image data into an amount according to the idle time of the process of the image output device. Write to the storage means. As a result, it is possible to effectively use the idle time of the image output device to perform efficient writing to the storage device.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image processing apparatus of the present invention. That is, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes an internal input device 2 that is provided integrally with or adjacent to the apparatus main body 10 and that captures a document image, and a predetermined image that is connected to the outside of the apparatus main body 10 to the apparatus main body. An external input device 3 for transferring, a storage device 4 for storing image data obtained from the internal input device 2 or the external input device 3, and an image output for outputting the image data read from the storage device 4 to a medium such as paper. A device 5 and a control device 6 that performs various controls are provided. In addition, the device body 10 includes an internal input device 2
An image data bus switching device 7 for switching the image data bus between the external input device 3 and the external input device 3 is also provided.

Of these, the internal input device 2 is composed of, for example, an image input section having a scanning mechanism for the sensor section, and an image input section having a conveyance mechanism for feeding the document while the sensor section is fixed. The external input device 3 is composed of a computer that creates a predetermined image and a terminal such as a facsimile that receives a document image and the like.

The control device 6, which is a characteristic part of the image processing device 1 in the present embodiment, stores the image data sent from the internal input device 2 or the external input device 3 in the storage device 4 by storing the image data. Control is performed to subdivide the memory. In other words, subdivide the image data,
Image data of an amount corresponding to the free time of the storage device 4 is transferred to the storage device 4. Further, when image data is transferred from the internal input device 2 and the external input device 3, the image data bus switch 7 is switched to efficiently store the subdivided image data in the storage device 4. ing.

Next, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment
The operation will be described based on a specific example. In the following,
One black-and-white original (job) transferred from the external input device 3 while copying two black-and-white originals (job, job) from the internal input device 2 without scanning operation
An example of outputting is described. FIG. 2 is a timing chart of the processing in this case. Note that reference numerals not shown in FIG. 2 refer to FIG.

First, at the first pitch, the control device 6
The original image read by the internal input device 2 is the image output device 5.
The image data bus switching device 7 is controlled to be output to
The internal input device 2 and the image output device 5 are connected. In this state, the first original is read by the internal input device 2 (job) and divided into tens to hundreds of blocks per page. Then, the image data is sent to the image output device 5 for each block and is output on a sheet or the like.

Next, the control device 6 controls the image data bus switching device 7 so that the predetermined image transferred from the external input device 3 is output to the image output device 5, and the external input device 3 and the image output device 5 are controlled. 5 is connected. And the internal input device 2
Based on the free time of the image data bus within the same pitch as the job, which is calculated from the document size, pitch interval, and reduction ratio required for the job output by, the number of blocks that can be transferred to the storage device 4 within the free time is determined. The image data is read from the external input device 3 and transferred to the storage device 4 for storage.

Even when the internal input device 2 which does not perform the scanning operation is used, a predetermined idle time occurs within the pitch due to the operation of the image output device 5. The control device 6 calculates this free time and receives an image from the external input device 3 during that time. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the number of blocks corresponding to the first half (1/2) of the first image (job) from the external input device 3 is transferred and writing to the storage device 4 is performed.

Similarly in the next second pitch, the control device 6 controls the image data bus switching device 7 to output the second original document (job) read by the internal input device 2 to the image output device 5. After that, the image data bus switching device 7 is controlled so that the external input device 3 can be operated during the idle time at the same pitch.
From the first image (job), the number of blocks corresponding to the latter half (2/2) of the remaining half of the first image (job) is transferred and written to the storage device 4.

The original image read by the internal input device 2 can be output at the first pitch and the second pitch, and the image transferred from the external input device 3 by utilizing the idle time of these pitches. Can be stored in the storage device 4. In the next third pitch, the image data bus switch 7 is controlled to transfer the image data from the external input device 3 stored in the storage device 4 to the image output device 5 and output it to paper or the like. .

As a result, even when the original image is copied by the internal input device 2 which does not perform the scanning operation, the external input device can be used with a free time within the same pitch determined by the original size, the pitch interval and the expansion / contraction ratio. The image from No. 3 can be read ahead, and the productivity of image output can be improved.

In this example, the image is transferred from the external input device 3 while the original input device 2 is copying the original image, but the image transferred from the external input device 3 is reversed. The same applies when the original image is read and output by the internal input device 2 during processing.

Next, another example will be described based on the timing chart of the processing of FIG. In the following description, reference numerals not shown in FIG. 3 shall refer to FIG. The timing chart shown in FIG. 3 is, for example, A3 size (JIS standard).
In the image processing apparatus 1 including a digital full-color copying machine capable of outputting up to 1 A4 size (JIS standard) full-color original from the internal input device 2, while the external input device 3 also outputs one A4 Size (JI
(S standard) The processing in the case of accepting a full-color original and making a copy is taken as an example.

In the image processing apparatus 1 composed of a digital full color copying machine, four colors (K: black,
Since the images of Y: yellow, M: magenta, and C: cyan are superimposed and output, the processing pitch of each color is constant.
For example, in a digital full-color copying machine capable of outputting up to A3 (JIS standard) size, the pitch is fixed at a pitch corresponding to the output of A3 size paper.

In such a case, first, black (K) of a job of A4 (JIS standard) size is read from the internal input device 2 at the first pitch and is output to the image output device 5. Since this processing is required only in the first half of the first pitch that matches the A3 (JIS standard) size, in the remaining second half of the same first pitch, the external input device 3
To A4 (JIS standard) size black (K) jobs are transferred and stored in the storage device 4.

At the next second pitch, similar processing is performed for yellow (Y) of the job and yellow (Y) of the job,
In the subsequent third pitch, the job magenta (M) and the job magenta (M) are performed, and in the next fourth pitch, the job cyan (C) and the job cyan (C) are performed. The four colors of the job are overlapped by the first to fourth pitches and are output as full color on the paper.

Further, the image data corresponding to the four colors of the job are stored in the storage device 4 by these four pitches. For jobs, 4 after the fifth pitch
Image data of four colors are read out and written in the image output device 5 at one pitch (only the fifth pitch is shown in FIG. 3), and full-color output is performed.

Therefore, the external input device 3 includes the first to fourth
Processing for the job is completed with only four pitches of
After the fifth pitch, it is possible to shift to a new job such as rendering of the next page, and productivity can be improved.

[0032]

As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following effects. That is, since the control means subdivides the image data sent from the internal input device or the external input device and stores it in the storage means, the amount of image data corresponding to the idle time within the pitch of the image output device is efficiently stored. It becomes possible. Further, even when an image is read from an input device without a scan return, it is possible to obtain an image from another input device in a vacant time within the pitch, and it is possible to pre-read and improve the productivity. Become.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart (No. 1) of processing of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart (No. 2) of processing of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Processing Device 2 Internal Input Device 3 External Input Device 4 Storage Device 5 Image Output Device 6 Control Device 7 Image Data Bus Switcher 10 Device Main Body

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An internal input unit that is provided integrally with or adjacent to the apparatus main body to capture an original image, an external input unit that is connected to the outside of the apparatus main body and transfers a predetermined image to the apparatus main body, Storage means for storing image data obtained from the input means or the external input means, image output means for outputting the image data read from the storage means to a predetermined medium, and image data to the storage means. When storing, the image data is subdivided and stored, and the subdivided image data is read from the storage unit and sent to the image output unit. Processing equipment. 2. An image of a predetermined image transferred from the external input unit between one capture and the next capture when the internal input unit captures a plurality of original images. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus controls the data to be subdivided and received and stored in the storage unit. 3. The image data of an original image captured by the internal input unit between one transfer and the next transfer when the external input unit transfers a plurality of predetermined images. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is controlled so as to be subdivided and received and stored in the storage unit. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit stores image data at regular intervals.