JPH10336366A - Comprehensive image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a comprehensive image forming device capable of efficiently operating a copying function, a printer function and a facsimile function respectively with a small-sized and simple, configuration. SOLUTION: Facsimile reception data, digital image data from an image red section 11 and print data from a printer controller section 14 are given to an image processing section 16 and required image processing is conducted through the selection of selectors 19, 20, and data are sent/received in time division at a transmission rate to about 10 MHz/8-bit among input interface circuits 28a, 28b, output interface circuits 27a, 27b and the image processing section 16. Data are sent/received in time division at a transmission rate of about 10 MHz/32-bit between a memory controller 26 and a memory section 25 synchronously with the transmission above, the data write/read access by pluralities of function sections to the image storage means are conducted simultaneously apparently and pluralities of the functions of a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile equipment are executed efficiently.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a general image forming apparatus having a copying function, a printer function and a facsimile function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus such as a copying machine which handles image data as a digital signal, image data read by an image reading section 11 is input to an image processing section 16 as shown in FIG. The unit 16 performs gamma correction on image formation density, filtering of wavelength region setting,
Various types of image processing including image quality processing such as setting of a scaling factor, shading correction, and MTF are performed, and the image recording unit 15
To form an image.

[0003] FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the image processing unit 1 is different from the configuration shown in FIG.
6 is connected to an image storage unit 17A so that data can be exchanged.
An image forming apparatus provided with the image forming apparatus is disclosed in
No. 6,086,045. In the image recording apparatus according to the present disclosure, the image data of the original is read when the original is read.
In the case where the same document is stored in the image forming unit 7A and a plurality of copies of the same document are formed, the image recording unit 15 forms an image based on the image data read from the image storage unit 17A.
The document feed at F is always performed once for the same document,
In addition to simplifying the structure of the document conveyance path and preventing document feeding damage, image formation is performed at a high speed without operation noise, and the order of reading image data from the image storage unit 17A is changed. It is also possible to form an image with the data rotated.

[0004]

In recent years, many image forming apparatuses have a general form having a printer function and a facsimile function in addition to a copying function. In the forming apparatus, it is necessary to operate a plurality of functions efficiently. However, FIG.
In the integrated image forming apparatus based on the configuration of (1), when any one of the copy function, the printer function, and the facsimile function is accessed to the image storage section 17A, the other functions are not stored in the image storage section 17A.
A cannot be accessed.

[0005] For this reason, for example, during operation as a copying machine, input of print data of the printer and reception of facsimile cannot be performed, and it cannot be said that the comprehensive image forming function is sufficiently exhibited. In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed to provide an image storage unit for each of the copy function, the printer function, and the facsimile function.
A problem arises in the production cost, and the size of the apparatus is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the present situation of such an integrated image forming apparatus as described above, and its object is to provide a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function with a simple and compact structure. Are to provide a comprehensive image forming apparatus capable of operating each of them efficiently.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document reading device which reads a document image, converts the document image into digital image data, and inputs the digital image data, based on a facsimile reception signal. Facsimile data input means for inputting facsimile reception data, print data input means for inputting print data, and selectively input data from the original reading means, the facsimile data input means, and the print data input means. An image processing means for performing image processing, at least one of which is connected to an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit provided with a plurality of systems, and an image storage means for storing an output signal from the image processing means; and Image forming means for forming an image based on the read data; A comprehensive image forming apparatus and a facsimile transmission means for facsimile transmission based on the read data from the input-output interface operation between said image storage means the image processing means,
It is characterized by having control means for performing time-division via the input interface circuit and the output interface circuit.

[0008] Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a plurality of input interface circuits and a plurality of output interface circuits are provided. It is a feature.

[0009] Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the first aspect, wherein the input interface circuit is provided with one system and the output interface circuit is provided with a plurality of systems. It is a feature.

[0010] Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a plurality of input interface circuits and a single output interface circuit are provided. It is a feature.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a document document is read as image information.
Document reading means for converting to digital image data, image processing means for performing scaling processing, filter processing, γ correction processing, various image quality improvement processing on the digital image data sent from the document reading means, and image processing Image storage means capable of storing the applied digital image data for a plurality of originals, and an image for recording an image by forming an image on a recording material based on the digital image data sent from the image processing means or the image storage means Recording means, connecting means for exchanging digital image data between the external application and each of the means, and control means for controlling these operations, the image storage means for inputting digital image data And two output paths for outputting digital image data.
Alternatively, input image data from a plurality of each of the units can be apparently simultaneously stored in a time-sharing process, and a capacity sufficient to store a plurality of pages of digital image data is provided, and further, a plurality of secondary storage devices are provided. It is characterized by the following.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a document document is read as image information.
Document reading means for converting to digital image data, image processing means for performing scaling processing, filter processing, γ correction processing, various image quality improvement processing on the digital image data sent from the document reading means, and image processing Image storage means capable of storing the applied digital image data for a plurality of originals, and an image for recording an image by forming an image on a recording material based on the digital image data sent from the image processing means or the image storage means Recording means, connecting means for exchanging digital image data between the external application and each of the means, and control means for controlling these operations, the image storage means for inputting digital image data Has two or more input paths and one output path for outputting digital image data. Has a capacity enough to store input image data from a plurality of the respective units apparently at the same time by time-division processing, and has a capacity to store a plurality of pages of digital image data, and further has a plurality of secondary storage devices. It is characterized by the following.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operation of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an overall control unit 18 for controlling the overall operation is provided, and the overall control unit 18 has an image processing unit 1 for performing various image processing.
6 and an image storage unit 17 in which various data are stored and read out. The image processing unit 16 includes:
An input-side selector 19 and an output-side selector 20 are provided. Between the selector 19 and the selector 20, a γ correction unit 21 for performing γ correction for obtaining an optimum recording density, and a filter processing unit for setting a wavelength region A scaling unit 23 for setting a scaling ratio and an image quality processing unit 24 for performing image quality processing such as shading correction and MTF are connected in parallel with each other.

The input-side selector 19 receives a facsimile signal, demodulates the facsimile reception signal signal, and inputs facsimile reception data obtained by restoring information. The facsimile reception unit 12 reads an original image and converts it into digital image data. And an image reading unit 11 for inputting and inputting print data, and a printer controller unit 14 for inputting print data.
To the selector 20 on the output side, a facsimile transmission unit 13 for performing facsimile transmission and an image recording unit 15 for performing image recording are connected, and the selectors 19 and 20 are connected so as to be able to exchange signals with each other.

The image storage section 17 is provided with a memory controller 26 for controlling writing and reading of data. Various data are written into the memory controller 26,
Further, a memory section 25 to be read is connected, and further, output interface circuits 27a and 27b are connected in parallel between the memory controller 26 and the selector 19, and input interface circuits 28a and 28b are connected between the memory controller 26 and the selector 20. Are connected in parallel with each other.

The operation of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described. At the time of a copying operation in the present embodiment, digital image data obtained by reading a document by the image reading unit 11 is input to the selector 19, and the γ correction unit 21, the filter processing unit 22, Magnification unit 2
3. The image quality processing unit 24 is sequentially selected in a predetermined order, and performs gamma correction, setting of a wavelength region, setting of a magnification ratio, shading correction, MTF, and the like on the digital image data to obtain an optimum recording density. Image quality processing is performed by selectors 19 and 2
It is sequentially performed by the selection operation of 0.

The digital image data that has been subjected to the image processing in the image processing section 16 is input from the selector 20 to the memory controller 26 via one of the input interface circuits 28a and 28b, and At a predetermined timing according to a command from the unit 18, the data is stored in the memory unit 25 by the memory controller 26.

The digital image data stored in the memory unit 25 is read out from the memory unit 25 by the memory controller 26 at a predetermined timing according to a command from the overall control unit 18 and read out. The digital image data is output to the output interface circuits 27a,
7b is input to the selector 19. Further, the digital image data is input from the selector 19 to the image recording unit 15 via the selector 20, and the image recording unit 15 forms an image of the original.

At the time of a printing operation in the present embodiment, print data is sent from the printer control unit 14 to the selector 1.
9, when image processing is required by the image processing unit 16, a selector 19
Is operated, for example, the scaling unit 23 is selected, the scaling process is performed, and the print data for which necessary image processing is completed is sent from the selector 20 to the input interface circuits 28a and 28b.
Is input to the memory controller 26 through any of the above, and is stored in the memory unit 25 by the memory controller 26 at a predetermined timing according to a command from the overall control unit 18.

The print data stored in the memory unit 25 is read out from the memory unit 25 by the memory controller 26 at a predetermined timing in accordance with a command from the overall control unit 18, and the read print data is read out. The data is input to the selector 19 via one of the output interface circuits 27a and 27b. Further, the print data is input from the selector 19 to the image recording unit 15 via the selector 20, and the image recording unit 15 prints the print data.

In the facsimile receiving operation in the present embodiment, the received facsimile signal is demodulated and restored in the facsimile receiving section 12, and the obtained facsimile receiving data is input to the selector 19, and the facsimile receiving data is inputted. Is input to the memory controller 26 from the selector 19 through the selector 20 via one of the input interface circuits 28a and 28b, and is transmitted to the memory unit 25 by the memory controller 26 at a predetermined timing according to a command from the overall control unit 18. Is stored.

The facsimile reception data stored in the memory unit 25 in this manner is transmitted to the overall control unit 18.
Is read out from the memory unit 25 by the memory controller 26 at a predetermined timing according to the instruction, and the read facsimile reception data is output to the output interface circuit 2.
The signal is input to the selector 19 via one of 7a and 27b. Further, the facsimile reception data is input from the selector 19 to the image recording unit 15 via the selector 20, and the facsimile reception data is printed by the image recording unit 15.

At the time of facsimile transmission operation in the present embodiment, digital image data obtained by reading a document by the image reading unit 11 is input to the selector 19 and image processing by the image processing unit 16 is required. In response to a command from the overall control unit 18, the selector 19 is operated to select and perform necessary image processing. Digital image data that has been subjected to necessary image processing is transmitted from the selector 20 to the input interface circuits 28a and 28b. The data is input to the memory controller 26 via one of them, and is stored in the memory unit 25 by the memory controller 26 at a predetermined timing according to a command from the overall control unit 18.

The digital image data stored in the memory unit 25 is read out from the memory unit 25 by the memory controller 26 at a predetermined timing according to a command from the general control unit 18 and read out. The digital image data is output to the output interface circuits 27a,
7b is input to the selector 19. Further, the facsimile reception data is input from the selector 19 to the facsimile transmission unit 13 via the selector 20, and the facsimile transmission unit 13 performs information compression and modulation to perform facsimile transmission.

Here, the time division operation performed at a predetermined timing when accessing the memory unit 25 in the image storage unit 17 according to the present embodiment will be described.

Here, the input interface circuit 28
a, 28b and output interface circuits 27a, 27
b is configured by an 8-bit data bus, and inputs and outputs data in 8-bit units at a frequency of 10 MHz (that is, 100 ns). As described above, the input / output interface circuits 28a and 28b and the output interface circuits 27a and 27b exchange data with the image processing unit 16 at a rate of 10 MHz / 8 bits.
In order to transmit and receive data to and from the memory unit 25 in synchronization with this speed, the input and output of data to and from the memory unit 25 must be 10M.
Hz / 32 bits.

The data input / output operation of the memory controller 26 is performed at the timing shown in FIG. 2. When each cycle of 8-bit input is represented by T1 to Tn, the data is inputted at T1 to T4 by the input interface circuit 28a. The data of A1 to A4 are stored in the memory unit 2 in cycle T5.
5 is input. Similarly, the input interface circuit 28
The data of B1 to B4 input at T1 to T4 by b are input to the memory unit 25 in the T6 cycle. In the case of output, data output from the memory unit 25 in the T3 cycle is output in the order of C1 to C4 in the T5 to T8 cycles, and data output from the memory unit 25 in the T4 cycle is output in the T5 to T8 cycles. Are output in the order of D1 to D4.

At such timing, the input / output operation is time-divisionally processed, so that the input interface circuit 28
a, 28b and output interface circuits 27a, 27
This makes it possible to perform processing in which input and output via b are apparently performed simultaneously. Input interface circuit 2
8a, 28b and output interface circuits 27a, 2
When one of the memory cells 7b is not used, for example, if there is no input in the input interface circuit 28b, there is no data of B1 to B4 in the cycle of T1 to T4 in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the facsimile reception data from the facsimile reception unit 12, the digital image data from the image reading unit 11, and the print data from the printer controller unit 14 are transmitted to the image processing unit 16
When image processing is required, the general control unit 1
8 by the selectors 19 and 20 operated by the command
After necessary image processing is performed, the image data is input to the memory controller 26 via one of the input interface circuits 28a and 28b. Then, the input interface circuits 28a and 28b and the output interface circuit 27a,
27b and the image processing unit 16 transmit and receive data in a time-division manner at a rate of 10 MHz / 8 bits, and the memory controller 26 transmits and receives data to and from the memory unit 25 at 10 MHz in synchronization with this speed. / 32 bits are time-divisionally performed, so that the writing and reading accesses to the image storage means by the plurality of functional units are apparently simultaneously performed, respectively, and a plurality of functions of the integrated image forming apparatus are performed. Can be executed efficiently.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment already described with reference to FIG.
The memory controller 26 and the selector 20 are connected by one input interface circuit 28a. The configuration of other parts of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first
Since the embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description will not be repeated.

The operation of this embodiment is based on the time chart of FIG. 2 in which the data of B1 to B4 in the cycle of T1 to T4, the data of B5 to B8 in the cycle of T5 to T8,.
.. Since there is no memory, the memory unit 25 in the T6 and T10 cycles
No access to. Other operations of the present embodiment are the same as the operations of the first embodiment already described, and therefore, will not be described repeatedly.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the facsimile reception data from the facsimile reception unit 12, the digital image data from the image reading unit 11, and the print data from the printer controller unit 14 are transmitted to the image processing unit 16
When image processing is required, the general control unit 1
8 by the selectors 19 and 20 operated by the command
After the necessary image processing is performed, the image data is input to the memory controller 26 via the input interface circuit 28a. Data is exchanged between the input interface circuits 28a and the output interface circuits 27a and 27b and the image processing section 16 in a time-division manner at a rate of 10 MHz / 8 bits, and the memory controller 26 is synchronized with this rate. As a result, the exchange of data with the memory unit 25 is 1
Since the access is performed in a time-division manner at 0 MHz / 32 bits, the reading of data from the image storage means by a plurality of functional units is apparently performed simultaneously, and the plurality of functions of the integrated image forming apparatus are efficiently executed. It becomes possible to do.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment already described with reference to FIG.
The memory controller 26 and the selector 19 are connected by one output interface circuit 27a. The configuration of other parts of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first
Since the embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description will not be repeated.

In the operation of the present embodiment, the data of D1 to D4 in the T4 and T8 cycles and the data of D5 to D8 are not read in the time chart of FIG. There is no output. Other operations of the present embodiment are the same as the operations of the first embodiment already described, and therefore, will not be described repeatedly.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the facsimile reception data from the facsimile reception unit 12, the digital image data from the image reading unit 11, and the print data from the printer controller unit 14 are transmitted to the image processing unit 16
When image processing is required, the general control unit 1
8 by the selectors 19 and 20 operated by the command
After the necessary image processing is performed, the image data is input to the memory controller 26 via the input interface circuit 28a. Data is exchanged between the input interface circuits 28a and 28b and the output interface circuit 27a and the image processing unit 16 in a time-division manner at a rate of 10 MHz / 8 bits, and the memory controller 26 is synchronized with this rate. As a result, the exchange of data with the memory unit 25 is 1
Since the access is performed in a time-division manner at 0 MHz / 32 bits, the writing of data to the image storage means by a plurality of functional units is apparently performed simultaneously, and the plurality of functions of the integrated image forming apparatus are efficiently performed. It is possible to execute.

[Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present embodiment. The overall configuration and operation are as described in the first to third embodiments. Here, the description will focus on the image storage unit 17 which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment. The image storage unit 17
Two input interface units are IN (1) 41 and IN (1)
(2) 42, two output interface units OUT (1)
43 and OUT (2) 44, storage control unit (memory controller) 26, primary storage unit 45, variable length coding unit (1) 4
6, variable length decoding unit (1) 47, secondary storage unit (1) 48,
A variable length encoding unit (2) 49, a variable length decoding unit (2) 50,
It is assumed that the secondary storage unit (2) 51 is formed.

For example, as a path for storing the image data from the document reading section 11 in the primary storage section 45, the path from the image processing section 16 to the input interface section IN of the image storage section 17
(1) 41, it flows to the primary storage unit 45 through the storage control unit 26. On the other hand, the path from the primary storage unit 45 to the image recording unit 15 passes through the storage control unit 26 and flows to the image recording unit 15 through the output interface unit OUT (1) 43. The same applies to the path from the facsimile unit 31 or the printer controller unit 14 to the image storage unit 17.

By storing the image data in the primary storage unit 45, it is possible to copy the data stored in the primary storage unit 45 without operating the image reading unit 11 as many times as necessary when copying a plurality of original images. Copying can be performed by sending it to the recording unit 15 a required number of times.

Next, the operation of using the secondary storage unit 51 in the electronic sort function will be described. As described above, after the image data is stored in the primary storage unit 45 from the image reading unit 11 or the like, the stored image data is stored in the storage control unit 2.
The data is sent to the variable-length coding unit (1) 46 via 6 and the data is compressed and stored as code data in the secondary storage unit (1) 48. The above operation is performed for all the original images composed of a plurality of pages, and all pages of the original image data are stored in the secondary storage unit (1) 48 in a compressed form.

Of course, if the secondary storage unit (1) 48 and the secondary storage unit (2) 51 have a sufficient capacity necessary to store a desired plurality of original images, the above description is given. The compression / decompression processing in the variable length coding unit (1) 46 and the variable length coding unit (2) 49, the variable length decoding unit (1) 47 and the variable length decoding unit (2) 50 can be omitted. is there.

Next, the recording operation is performed. In this case, the coded data stored in the secondary storage unit (1) 48 is sent to the variable length decoding unit (1) 47, where the decoding is performed and the original data is decoded. Is returned to the primary storage unit 45 via the storage control unit 26. Here, after the image data for one page is returned, the image processing unit 1 further passes through the output interface unit OUT (1) 43 via the storage control unit 26.
6 and, after being subjected to necessary image processing, sent to the image recording unit 15 to be recorded on transfer paper.

When the flow from the secondary storage section (1) 48 to the image recording section 15 is repeated for the number of stored originals, the copying operation of a plurality of originals is completed. If this operation is repeated a desired number of times, a plurality of copies can be made by electronic sorting.

Next, simultaneous operation by a plurality of applications will be described. First, the input / output time-sharing operation of the image storage unit 17 will be described. Although there are four paths for input and output of the image storage unit 17 in the figure, there is only one path between the storage control unit 26 and the primary storage unit 45. This is because there is only one input / output port in storage devices such as semiconductor memories and hard disks that are currently used in the world. (Semiconductor memory has elements that have separate inputs and outputs. It cannot be read and written at the same time, so it can be regarded as one),
It is necessary to consider a method of distributing one to the primary storage unit 45 to four interface units.

For the sake of explanation, these four inputs and outputs are each constituted by an 8-bit data bus, and the input and output of data in units of 8 bits is performed at a frequency of 10 MHz (that is, 100 n).
s). Of course, these numerical values are different depending on the system configuration, and may be different numerical values. However, for the sake of simplicity, we will do so here.

Input / output interface units IN (1) 41-41
Image data is exchanged between the OUT (2) 44 and the image processing unit 16 at a rate of 10 MHz / 8 bits as described above. In order to perform data input / output to / from the primary storage unit 45 in synchronization with this speed, input / output to / from the primary storage unit 45 must be 10M
Hz / 32 bits. However, since input and output cannot be performed simultaneously, 32 inputs and outputs must be combined.
Not 8 bits, 4 8 bit inputs 32 times
This means that the operation is performed at 10 MHz in a single bit.

FIG. 2 shows an example of data input / output timing performed by the storage controller 26. When the individual cycles of the 8-bit input are represented by T1 to Tn, the data of A1 to A4 input during the T1 to T4 cycles by the input interface unit IN (1) 41 is input to the memory in the T5 cycle.

Similarly, the input interface unit IN (2)
The data of B1 to B4 input during the T1 to T4 cycle at 42 are input to the memory in the T6 cycle.
In the case of output, the data output from the memory in the T3 cycle is output in the order of C1 to C4 in the T5 to T8 cycles, and similarly, the data output from the memory in the T4 cycle is the data of D1 to D4 in the T5 to T8 cycles. Output in order.

By performing the time division processing of the input / output at such timing, it becomes possible to operate as if the four input / outputs are apparently performed simultaneously. If one of these is not used, for example, the input interface unit IN
(2) When there is no data input at 42, since there is no data of B1 to B4 during the T1 to T4 cycles in FIG. 2, only the memory access is lost in the T6 cycle, and especially the control timing changes. Not in translation.

Next, as an example of the simultaneous operation, a case where the printer application performs the electronic sort operation during the electronic sort operation of the copy application will be described. First, in the electronic sort operation in the copy application, as described above, the image data is transferred from the image reading unit 11 to the image processing unit 16 through the input interface unit IN (1) 41 and the time-divided operation. After being stored in one page memory of the primary storage unit 45 through the storage control unit 26, the stored image data is transmitted to the variable length coding unit (1) 46 via the storage control unit 26. The data is compressed and stored as code data in the secondary storage unit (1) 48.

At the same time, image data is sent from the printer controller 14. This is also stored in the other page memory of the primary storage unit 45 via the image processing unit 16, the input interface unit IN (2) 42 and the storage control unit 26 that have been time-shared, and then stored. The obtained image data is sent to the variable length coding unit (2) 49 via the storage control unit 26, where it is compressed and stored as code data in the secondary storage unit (2) 51. Input is performed by repeating the above operation for a desired number of sheets.

Next, regarding the output operation, if the output target is the image recording unit 15, simultaneous operation cannot be performed. Therefore, it is necessary to select whether to output sequentially in application units or alternately in page units. is there. For example, in the case of alternate output in page units, the following operation is performed.

First, as for the electronic sort output in the copy application, the code data stored in the secondary storage unit (1) 48 is sent to the variable length decoding unit (1) 47, where it is decoded and the original image is decoded. The data is returned to the data and sent to one page memory of the primary storage unit 45 via the storage control unit 26. Here, after the image data for one page is returned, the output interface unit OUT further goes through the storage control unit 26.
(1) The image data is sent to the image processing unit 16 through 43, subjected to necessary image processing, and then sent to the image recording unit 15 to be recorded on transfer paper. Subsequently, an electronic sort operation of the printer application is performed.

That is, the code data stored in the secondary storage unit (2) 51 is sent to the variable length decoding unit (2) 50, where it is decoded and returned to the original image data. The data is sent to the other page memory of the primary storage unit 45 via the. Here, after the image data for one page is returned, the image data is further sent to the image processing unit 16 via the output interface unit OUT (2) 44 via the storage control unit 26 and subjected to necessary image processing. Later, it is sent to the image recording unit 15 and recorded on the transfer paper.

The above operations are alternately repeated, so that the application is apparently executed at the same time. In this case, it is convenient that the image recording unit 15 has a function of sorting transfer papers output by two applications.

Next, as another example of the simultaneous operation, a case will be described in which an image is read by a facsimile application and then an electronic sort operation is performed by a printer application during a transmission operation. The image data is transmitted after the image is read by the facsimile application. The image data is transmitted from the image reading unit 11 via the image processing unit 16 to the input interface unit IN (1) 41 and the storage control unit 2 which are time-divisionally operated.
6 and is stored in one page memory of the primary storage unit 45. At the same time, the printer controller 1
4 sends image data.

This is also stored in the other page memory of the primary storage unit 45 through the image processing unit 16, the input interface unit IN (2) 42 and the storage control unit 26 that have been time-divisionally operated. The stored image data is sent to the variable-length encoding unit (1) 4 via the storage control unit 26.
6, where the data is compressed and stored in the secondary storage unit (1).
48 stores the code data. Input is performed by repeating the above operation for a desired number of sheets.

Next, regarding the output operation in the facsimile application, the image data stored in one page memory of the primary storage unit 45 passes through the storage control unit 26,
The image data is sent to the image processing unit 16 through the output interface unit OUT (1) 43, subjected to necessary image processing, and then sent to the facsimile unit 31, where the transmission operation is performed. At the same time, an electronic sort operation of the printer application is performed.

That is, the coded data stored in the secondary storage unit (1) 48 is sent to the variable length decoding unit (1) 47, where it is decoded and returned to the original image data. The data is sent to the other page memory of the primary storage unit 45 via the. Here, after the image data for one page is returned, the image data is further sent to the image processing unit 16 via the output interface unit OUT (2) 44 via the storage control unit 26 and subjected to necessary image processing. Later, it is sent to the image recording unit 15 and recorded on the transfer paper. The above operations are alternately repeated, so that the facsimile application and the printer application are executed apparently simultaneously.

As another example of the simultaneous operation, a case where the electronic sort operation is continuously performed by the copy application will be described. First, regarding the electronic sorting operation in the first copy application, the image data is input from the image reading unit 11 via the image processing unit 16 to the input interface unit IN (1) 41 and the storage control unit 26 which are time-divisionally operated. , And stored in one page memory of the primary storage unit 45, the stored image data is sent to the variable-length encoding unit (1) 46 via the storage control unit 26, where it is sent. The data is compressed and stored as code data in the secondary storage unit (1) 48. When the above-described image input operation is performed for the number of originals, the process proceeds to the output operation.

That is, the coded data stored in the secondary storage unit (1) 48 is sent to the variable length decoding unit (1) 47, where it is decoded and returned to the original image data. The data is sent to one page memory of the primary storage unit 45 via 26. Here, after the image data for one page is returned, the image data is further sent to the image processing unit 16 via the output interface unit OUT (1) 43 via the storage control unit 26, and subjected to necessary image processing. Later, it is sent to the image recording unit 15 and recorded on the transfer paper.

At this point, since the image reading section 11 is not used, the electronic sort operation in the second copy application can be accepted during the electronic sort output in the first copy application. That is, at this time, image data is sent from the image reading unit 11. This is also stored in the other page memory of the primary storage unit 45 via the image processing unit 16, the input interface unit IN (2) 42 and the storage control unit 26 that have been time-shared, and then stored. The stored image data is stored in the storage controller 26.
Is sent to the variable-length coding unit (2) 49 via the, where it is compressed and stored as code data in the secondary storage unit (2) 51. By repeating the above operation for a desired number of sheets, the electronic sort input in the second copy application is performed simultaneously and independently of the electronic sort in the first copy application.

Thereafter, after the electronic sort output in the first copying application is completed, the code data stored in the secondary storage unit (2) 51 is sent to the variable length decoding unit (2) 50, where it is decoded. Is performed, the image data is returned to the original image data, and sent to the other page memory of the primary storage unit 45 via the storage control unit 26. Here, after the image data for one page is returned, the image processing unit 1 further passes through the storage control unit 26 and the output interface unit OUT (2) 44.
6 and, after being subjected to necessary image processing, sent to the image recording unit 15 to be recorded on transfer paper. Output in the second copy application is executed as described above.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the primary storage unit 45 and the secondary storage units 48 and 51 capable of storing a plurality of pages of image data while preparing a plurality of input / output paths of the image storage unit are provided. By effectively controlling these by time-division processing, a plurality of functions are apparently operated simultaneously using the image storage means. As a result, one function does not occupy the image storage unit and other functions cannot be used. Therefore, the “one or two roles” in the multifunction peripheral (the general image forming apparatus) is literally a function in almost all cases. It becomes possible. Further, in the copying operation, after the image reading is completed in the first copy job (electronic sort), the next copy job (electronic sort) is performed while recording the transfer paper.
, Image reading can be started, so that usability of the copying machine is improved and productivity is also improved.

[Fifth Embodiment] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the output path for outputting digital image data is one system [output interface (1) 43]. The other configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and basically operates in the same manner, so that the description will be omitted. Also, the input / output time-sharing operation of the image storage unit is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, and the description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the same effects as in the fourth embodiment can be obtained. In addition, although there is a functional limitation due to the fact that the number of output paths is one less than in the fourth embodiment, the function can be improved as compared with the related art. For example, it becomes possible to receive print data as a printer or receive facsimile data during a copying operation.

[0069]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of the copy function and the facsimile transmission function, the document image is read by the document reading means and converted into digital image data and input, and at the time of the facsimile reception function, the facsimile data is read. The facsimile reception data based on the facsimile reception signal is input by the input unit, the print data is input by the print data input unit at the time of the print function, and the image processing unit selectively performs image processing on the input data. Performed based on the data stored in the image storage means and read out from the image storage means,
Image formation by the image forming apparatus and facsimile transmission by facsimile transmission means are performed. In this case, the interface operation of data input / output between the image processing means and the image storage means is performed in a time-division manner via an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit, at least one of which is provided in a plurality of systems. Apparently, at least one of writing and reading access to the image storage means from the unit is performed simultaneously, so that a plurality of functions of the integrated image forming apparatus can be efficiently executed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of input interface circuits and a plurality of output interface circuits are provided, two data out of digital image data, facsimile reception data and print data are selected. Thus, in the image storage means, it is apparently written and read simultaneously in a time-sharing manner, and the effect of the first aspect of the invention is obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since one input interface circuit and a plurality of output interface circuits are provided, one data selected from digital image data, facsimile reception data and print data can be used as an image. The two data of these data are written to the storage means and are selected and read out from the image storage means at the same time and apparently in a time-sharing manner, thereby obtaining the effect of the first aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the input interface circuit has a plurality of systems, and the output interface circuit has one.
System, two data of the digital image data, facsimile reception data and print data are selected, and apparently simultaneously written to the image storage means in a time division manner, and selected from these data. The other data is read out from the image storage means, and the effect of the invention described in claim 1 is obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by preparing a plurality of input / output paths of the image storage unit and controlling them so as to be effective in time-division processing, apparently a plurality of applications can be simultaneously operated in the image storage unit. , The situation where one application occupies the image storage unit and other applications cannot be used can be avoided, and the productivity can be improved. In addition, by providing a plurality of secondary storage devices in the image storage unit, a plurality of applications can simultaneously use convenient functions such as electronic sorting, so that restrictions on simultaneous operation are greatly relaxed. Further, in the copying operation, after reading the document image data, it is possible to perform the next document reading operation without waiting for the output from the image recording unit to be completed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there are a plurality of input paths for the image storage section, which makes it possible to receive print data or facsimile reception as a printer during a copying operation, for example.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 image reading unit 12 facsimile receiving unit 13 facsimile transmitting unit 14 printer controller unit 15 image recording unit 16 image processing unit 17 image storage unit 18 overall control unit 19, 20 selector 25 memory unit 26 memory controller 27a, 27b output interface circuit 28a, 28b input interface circuit

Claims (6)

[Claims] An original reading means for reading an original image, converting the digital image data into digital image data and inputting the digital image data, a facsimile data input means for inputting facsimile reception data based on a facsimile reception signal, and a print data input for inputting print data Means for selectively performing image processing on input data from the document reading means, the facsimile data input means, and the print data input means; and an input interface circuit provided with at least one of a plurality of systems. And an output interface circuit, the image storage means storing an output signal from the image processing means, an image forming means for forming an image based on data read from the image storage means, and the image storage means Facsimile transmission based on the data read from A comprehensive image forming apparatus comprising a transmission unit and an input / output interface operation between the image processing unit and the image storage unit in a time-division manner via the input interface circuit and the output interface circuit. An integrated image forming apparatus having control means for performing the operation. 2. The integrated image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input interface circuit is provided in a plurality of systems, and said output interface circuit is provided in a plurality of systems. 3. The comprehensive image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input interface circuit is provided in one system, and said output interface circuit is provided in a plurality of systems. 4. The integrated image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input interface circuit is provided in a plurality of systems, and said output interface circuit is provided in one system. 5. A document reading means for reading a document document as image information and converting it into digital image data; a scaling process, a filter process, a γ correction process for digital image data sent from said document reading device; Image processing means for performing image quality improvement processing, image storage means capable of storing a plurality of originals of digitized image data subjected to image processing, and digital image data transmitted from the image processing means or the image storage means. Image recording means for forming an image on a recording material to record an image, connecting means for exchanging digital image data between the external application and each of the means, and control means for controlling these operations, The image storage means includes an input path for inputting digital image data and an output path for outputting digital image data. It has two paths each, and it is possible to store input image data from one or a plurality of the respective means apparently at the same time by time division processing, and to have a capacity to store a plurality of pages of digital image data. An integrated image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of secondary storage devices. 6. A document reading means for reading a document document as image information and converting it into digital image data; a scaling process, a filter process, a γ correction process for digital image data sent from said document reading device, Image processing means for performing image quality improvement processing, image storage means capable of storing a plurality of originals of digitized image data subjected to image processing, and digital image data transmitted from the image processing means or the image storage means. Image recording means for forming an image on a recording material to record an image, connecting means for exchanging digital image data between the external application and each of the means, and control means for controlling these operations, The image storage means has two or more input paths for inputting digital image data, and It has one output path for outputting, and can store input image data from one or a plurality of the above means apparently at the same time by time-division processing, and has a capacity enough to store a plurality of pages of digital image data. And a plurality of secondary storage devices.