JPH0983690A - Input and output processing method in picture processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute the input and output processing of data in parallel without increasing its cost so much in a picture processing system. SOLUTION: The transfer of picture data from a scanner 2 to a system control unit 4 and that from the system control unit 4 to a printer 3 are executed in parallel by time division multiplex communication so as to execute input processing by means of the scanner 2 and output processing by means of the printer 3 in parallel. For example, the processing of converting print data sent from a personal computer 6 to picture data by the system control unit 4 and transferring it to the printer 3 and the processing of transferring picture data read by means of the scanner 2 to the system control unit 4 and transmitting it to a remote facsimile equipment 7 are alternately executed by the unit of the page.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input / output processing method in an image processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image processing system such as a digital copying machine system, a scanner (image reading means) for performing an input process for reading an image of an original and an image formation on a sheet based on the image data read by the scanner. A scanner, a printer, and an operation panel, which have a printer (image forming means) for performing output processing, an operation panel, and an external interface for transmitting and receiving data between a host (external data processing device such as a computer). There is a system control unit (system control means) for integrally controlling the system.

In such a conventional image processing system,
In addition to the copy mode in which the printer forms an image on a sheet based on the image data read by the scanner, the scanner input mode in which the image data read by the scanner is transmitted to the host through the external interface, and the printer from the host An image is formed on the paper based on the image data sent from the external interface (actually, the print data such as the character code is converted into image data in page units by the printer controller in the system control unit). There is a printer output mode to perform.

By the way, in such an image processing system, switching to the printer output mode or the scanner input mode is usually performed by an operation signal from the operation panel. However, when data is received from the host, the printer automatically operates. It is also possible to switch to the output mode.

[0005]

However, when the mode is automatically switched as described above, it is impossible to process other modes. That is, when the input processing by the scanner is performed during the output processing by the printer in the printer output mode, it is necessary to wait until the output processing is completed.

The reason why the image processing system cannot control the input processing by the scanner (in the scanner input mode) and the output processing by the printer (in the printer output mode) in parallel is that the bus for transferring the image data is the first. It was difficult to switch to full-duplex (bidirectional) during I / O processing, that is, the scanner and printer are controlled by the same control signal (clock, synchronization signal, etc.), and it is not possible to operate them separately. This is because they cannot be done at the same time. Secondly, the system control unit does not have the ability to simultaneously control both the input process by the scanner and the output process by the printer, that is, the function of scheduling a plurality of tasks.

In order to solve the above problems, there are some cases in which the control of the scanner and the control of the printer are made independent of each other. However, a bus (transmission line) for transferring image data is provided.
Is one, and it is impossible to operate the scanner and the printer at the same time.

In an image processing system having both a scanner and a printer, it is a matter of course that the input processing by the scanner and the output processing by the printer should be performed at the same time. An image processing system that cannot do this is a peripheral system of a computer or a network. When it is used as a terminal device, the processing capacity of the entire system including the host system is reduced, which is a big problem.

These required functions are extended functions in the image processing system, and it is not preferable to allow a copy function as a minimum structure from the beginning because it causes a cost problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in an image processing system, data input / output processing can be performed in parallel by mainly upgrading the software of the system control unit without changing the system configuration. The purpose is to be able to do so.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention performs image reading means for performing an input process for reading an image of a document and output processing for forming an image on a sheet based on image data. In an image processing system including an image forming unit and a system control unit for integrally controlling the image reading unit and the image forming unit, the image reading unit to the system control unit in an image processing system in which the above units are connected by a common communication medium. Of the image data and the image data from the system control means to the image forming means are performed in parallel by time division multiplex communication, so that the input processing by the image reading means and the output processing by the image forming means are performed in parallel. To provide an input / output processing method.

The image data may be transferred by the time-division multiplex communication on a page-by-page basis for reading by the image reading means or image formation by the image forming means.

Further, when data is transmitted and received between the system control means and an external data processing device, image data is transferred from the system control means to the image forming means or image reading means is transferred from the image reading means to the system control means. By transmitting the image data page by page, the data transmission / reception processing may be synchronized with the input processing by the image reading means or the output processing by the image forming means. In this case, it is desirable that the system control means converts the print data sent from the external data processing device into image data and transfers it to the image forming means.

Further, when the image data is transmitted and received between the system control means and the facsimile machine at a remote place, the image data is transferred from the system control means to the image forming means or the image reading means is transferred to the system control means. By transferring the image data of page by page,
The transmission / reception processing of the image data may be synchronized with the input processing by the image reading means or the output processing by the image forming means.

Furthermore, processing for converting print data sent from an external data processing device into image data by the system control means and transferring it to the image forming means, and system control for the image data read by the image reading means. It is advisable to alternately carry out the processing of transferring to a means and transmitting to a facsimile machine at a remote place in page units.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The image processing system 1 includes a scanner 2 which is an image reading means for performing an input process for reading an image of a document, a printer 3 which is an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on image data, and a scanner. A system control unit (SCU) 4 that is a system control unit that totally controls the printer 2 and the printer 3 is provided, and these are connected by a common bus 5 that is a common communication medium.

Further, a personal computer 6 is connected to the system control unit 4 via an external interface (not shown), and a facsimile machine 7 at a remote place is connected via a communication line. The system control unit 4 converts (draws) print data (character code data) sent from a personal computer 6 which is an external data processing device into image data page by page, and converts the image data of the already converted page. Has a printer controller function of transferring the data to the printer 3.

Further, the system control unit 4 has a facsimile communication function, and can transmit image data to the facsimile device 7 (facsimile transmission) by interrupting the data transfer to the printer 3 described above. . The facsimile transmission is performed by compressing the image data read by the scanner 2 and outputting the compressed image data to the communication line, but it is necessary to minimize the interruption between pages in order to improve the utilization efficiency of the communication line. This is also necessary in the sense of preventing too much communication charges.
Normally, if the image data of the next original is not sent from the scanner 2 after a certain set time or longer, the communication control unit (not shown) in the system control unit 4 automatically disconnects the line.

Therefore, the printing process by the system control unit 4 (the process of converting the print data sent from the personal computer 6 into the image data and transferring the image data to the printer 3 to form the image) and the facsimile transmission process (the scanner 2). Process of causing the image reading of the original to be performed and transmitting the image data to the facsimile device 7)
In the case where the above is continuously performed over a plurality of pages, the input process (reading) by the scanner 2 for facsimile transmission is prioritized.

Normally, the scanner 2 has a function as compared with the facsimile communication processing (facsimile transmission / reception processing) of the facsimile apparatus.
Since the speed of reading and printing (output processing) by the printer 3 is several times faster, it is possible to print two or three pages or the next reading during one page of facsimile transmission. Therefore, the system control unit 4 manages the input / output of image data in page units and appropriately controls the reading and printing so that the printing of two or three pages is interrupted and the reading is performed, and the facsimile transmission is performed. It is possible to prevent interruptions.

FIG. 2 is a time chart for explaining input / output processing using time division multiplex communication in this image forming system. The system control unit 4, which receives the print data from the personal computer 6, converts (develops) the print data into image data (image data), and transfers the image data to the printer 3 via the common bus 5. The printer 3 receives image data transferred via the common bus 5 and forms an image (print) on a sheet based on the image data.

Here, the first page (p
When the printing based on the image data of 1) is completed and the second page (p2) is printed, the scanner 2
When the start button is pressed after the other party's telephone number is input by the ten keys on the operation panel (not shown) with the original set on the original table, a transmission request (request) to the facsimile device 7 is generated.

When a transmission request occurs, the print processing by the system control unit 4 is interrupted, and the system control unit 4 causes the system control unit 4 to print the second page (p.
The printing process is interrupted after the completion of printing based on the image data in 2). On the other hand, the document feeder of the scanner 2 is activated in response to the transmission request, and when the document on the platen is conveyed to the reading section, the scanner is started and the image reading of the document is started. When this reading starts, the scanner 2 transfers the read image data (scanner input data) of the document (f1) to the system control unit 4 via the common bus 5.

The system control unit 4 prepares for communication with the destination facsimile machine 7 (sets the protocol), and then starts transmitting image data from the scanner 2.
Most of the facsimile transmission processing by the system control unit 4 is spent in preparation for this communication. During this time, the scanner 2 reads the image of the next document (f2) and transfers the image data to the system control unit 4.

The image data of the first original (f1) is stored in the internal memory of the system control unit 4, and as soon as the preparation for communication is completed, the system control unit 4 compresses the image data and establishes a communication line. It is transmitted to the facsimile device 7 via. Further, when the preparation for communication is completed and the transmission of the image data of the first document (f1) to the facsimile device 7 is started, the system control unit 4 temporarily suspends the facsimile transmission process (however, the communication control unit actually Data transmission continues as is), and returns to the control of the print processing.

As a result, the system control unit 4 restarts the printing process, and the third page (p3), the fourth page (p4), 5 received from the personal computer 6 is received.
The image data of the page (p5) is sequentially transferred to the printer 3 for printing. And the fifth page (p
When the transmission of the image data of the first original (f1) is completed during the image data processing of 5), a request for transmitting the image data of the next original (f2) is generated, and the print processing is interrupted again. The printing process is interrupted after the completion of printing based on the image data of the fifth page (p5) by the printer 3, the facsimile transmission process is restarted, and the scanner 2
To read the image of the third (f3) document.

Since the image data of the second (f2) original is already stored in the internal memory of the system control unit 4, facsimile transmission is continued without interruption, and the image data is sent to the facsimile apparatus 7. .
When the image reading of the third document (f3) is completed, the system control unit 4 returns to the control of the print processing again, and the image data of the sixth page (p6) and the seventh page (p7) received from the personal computer 6 is returned. To the printer 3 for printing.

As described above, in the image processing system of this embodiment, the transfer of the image data from the scanner 2 to the system control unit 4 and the transfer of the image data from the system control unit 4 to the printer 3 are performed by time division multiplex communication. By performing the processing in parallel, the input processing by the scanner 2 and the output processing by the printer 3 can be performed in parallel, so that no trouble in terms of cost is brought about.

Specifically, the process of converting the print data sent from the personal computer 6 into image data by the system control unit 4 and transferring it to the printer 3 (print process), and the image data read by the scanner 2 Is transmitted to the system control unit 4 and transmitted to the facsimile device 7 at a remote place (facsimile transmission process) in parallel (alternately in page units). Therefore, the common bus 5 used for each process is It can be used effectively. In addition, there is no need to wait for a facsimile transmission while printing data from the personal computer 6 or to wait because a print process using the data from the personal computer 6 cannot be started during a facsimile transmission.

In the processing described above, when the system control unit 4 carries out the processing for receiving the data from the personal computer 6, the image data is transferred to the printer 3 page by page, whereby the data receiving processing is carried out. Is synchronized with a facsimile transmission process (which may be a copy process or a data transmission process to the personal computer 6) including an input process by the scanner 2, but the system control unit 4 performs a data transmission process to the personal computer 6. At this time, by transferring the image data from the scanner 2 page by page, the data transmission process is synchronized with the facsimile reception process including the output process by the printer 3, the copy process, or the data reception process from the personal computer 6. You can also let it.

Alternatively, when the system control unit 4 performs transmission / reception processing of image data with the facsimile apparatus 7 at a remote place, transfer of image data to the printer 3 or transfer of image data from the scanner 2 is performed in page units. By performing the above process, the image data transmission / reception process includes a facsimile transmission process including an input process by the scanner 2, a copy process, a data transmission process to the personal computer 6, or a facsimile reception process and a copy process including an output process by the printer 3. , Or the data reception process from the personal computer 6 can be synchronized.

In the image processing system of this embodiment, the system control unit 4 converts the print data sent from the personal computer 6 into image data and transfers the image data to the printer 3. When the image data is sent, it may be transferred to the printer 3 as it is. Further, in the image processing system of this embodiment, the image data transfer by the time division multiplex communication is performed in page units of reading by the scanner 2 and image formation by the printer 3, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0034]

As described above, according to the image processing system of the present invention, without changing the system configuration,
Since the data input / output processing can be performed in parallel mainly by upgrading the software of the system control unit, the cost increase can be minimized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining input / output processing using time division multiplex communication in the image forming system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Image processing system 2: Scanner 3: Printer 4: System control unit 5: Common bus 6: Personal computer 7: Facsimile device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit for performing an input process for reading an image of a document, an image forming unit for performing an output process for forming an image on a sheet based on image data, the image reading unit and the image forming unit. An image processing system in which the above-mentioned respective units are connected by a common communication medium, and the transfer of image data from the image reading unit to the system control unit and the system control unit The input processing by the image reading means and the output processing by the image forming means are performed in parallel by performing the image data transfer to the image forming means in parallel by time division multiplex communication. Output processing method. 2. The input / output processing method according to claim 1, wherein the image data is transferred by the time division multiplex communication in page units of reading by the image reading unit or image formation by the image forming unit. 3. The input / output processing method according to claim 2, wherein, when data transmission / reception processing is performed between the system control means and an external data processing device, the system control means transfers data to the image forming means. By performing image data transfer or image data transfer from the image reading unit to the system control unit on a page-by-page basis, transmission / reception processing of the data is performed by input processing by the image reading unit or output processing by the image forming unit. An input / output processing method characterized by synchronizing. 4. The input / output processing method according to claim 3, wherein the system control means converts the print data sent from the external data processing device into image data and transfers the image data to the image forming means. Characteristic input / output processing method. 5. The input / output processing method according to claim 2, wherein when performing transmission / reception processing of image data between the system control means and a facsimile apparatus at a remote place, the system control means transfers the image data to the image forming means. Image data transfer or image data transfer from the image reading means to the system control means on a page-by-page basis, whereby the image data transmission / reception processing is input processing by the image reading means or output by the image forming means. An input / output processing method characterized by synchronizing with processing. 6. The input / output processing method according to claim 2, wherein print data sent from an external data processing device is converted into image data by the system control means and transferred to the image forming means. An input / output processing method characterized in that the processing of transferring the image data read by the image reading means to the system control means and transmitting the image data to a facsimile apparatus at a remote place is alternately performed page by page.