JPH11146114A - Image processor, data processing method for it and storing medium storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure storage management without interrupting developing processing though a fault is generated at an image outputting means by developing data-inputted image information to be a visible image and storing information read-developed by an image reading means so as to output the developed image at any time. SOLUTION: After transferred to an image processing part 306 through an interface part 303, image data is stored in an image memory 307 and a control command is transferred to CPU 301. These image data stored in the memory 307 is image-processed by the part 306 based on the control command inputted by a scanner part 1, a formatter part 4, a facsimile part 5 and an operation part 6 under control by CPU 301 and then transferred to a printer part 2 through the part 303. When a job start request from the part 4 is informed at an image input/output control part 3, image storing operation is continued also at the abnormality generation of a printer part 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having various image input / output functions such as copy, print, facsimile, a data processing method of the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium storing a computer readable program. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus which inputs data described in a page description language (hereinafter also referred to as PDL data), forms an image, and outputs the image, includes a scanner and communication means, and has a copy function and a print function. There has been proposed an apparatus which realizes a plurality of image output functions using one image forming means, such as a facsimile function.

[0003] In addition, not only the image data developed to be printable from the printer is printed out as it is, but also various complex function processing such as facsimile transmission, transfer to an image storage device, and user's arbitrary printout later. Has also been proposed.

[0004]

However, in such a configuration, for example, when a paper jam or the like occurs during copying and the printer cannot be used, the function of expanding the PDL data cannot print out the expanded image. Therefore, until the printer in which the paper jam has been cleared can be used, the expansion operation is unavoidably stopped, or the printer goes offline to accept no data from the host.

As described above, while a plurality of image output functions can be realized by one apparatus, if a failure occurs in a printer in one function, the failure in the printer using other printer functions is eliminated. If not, the function processing could not be continued.

[0006] Above all, the copy function and the facsimile function are operated by the user in front of the apparatus. Therefore, when a failure occurs in the printer, the failure is removed immediately and the copy or facsimile function is continued. However, since the PDL print function mainly executes a function remotely, such as an information processing device connected on a network, the trouble occurring in the printer is removed to the device at the place, The operation of having to give a print instruction again from the information processing apparatus is extremely complicated, and there is a problem that the operability of the entire system is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a situation in which image output becomes impossible during a process of outputting image information to a recording medium. In addition, by continuing the image information expansion processing without interruption and managing the expanded image information individually, it is possible to freely prepare an image processing environment that can be output at any time or automatically, and each function of the image processing apparatus It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, a data processing method of the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, which can significantly improve processing efficiency and user convenience.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and said data input means. Image expanding means for expanding the input image information into a visible image, and an image capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing the image information read by the image reading means and the image information expanded by the image expanding means. A storage unit, an image output unit that outputs image information stored in the image storage unit, and an image read by the image reading unit for the plurality of storage areas by determining an output state of the image output unit. Control means for changing the storage destination of the information or the image information expanded by the image expansion means in the plurality of storage areas.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of storage areas include a virtual memory area which can be managed by user identification information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image output means includes an image forming means for outputting image information to a recording medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image output means includes communication means for outputting image information to a predetermined communication line.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image output means includes an image forming means for outputting image information on a recording medium and a communication means for outputting image information on a predetermined communication line.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and image information inputted from the data input means. Image expanding means for expanding the image into a visible image, first image storing means for temporarily storing image information read by the image reading means and image information expanded by the image expanding means, and the image reading means A second image storage unit for storing image information read by a computer and image information expanded by the image expansion unit so as to be manageable by user identification information, and the first image storage unit or the second image storage An image forming means for outputting image information stored in the means on a recording medium; and an output state of the image forming means, and In which a storage destination of the image information expanded by the read image information and the image developing means from the first image storage means and a control means for changing the second image storing means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the control means determines an output state of the image forming means,
Automatically reads out the image information stored in the storage means and outputs it to the image forming means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading means for reading an image, a data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and an image information input from the data input means. Image developing means for expanding the image into a visible image, image storing means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information expanded by the image developing means, and the image Image output means for outputting the image information stored in the storage means on a recording medium, communication means for outputting the image information stored in the image storage means on a predetermined communication line, and The output state is determined, and the image information read by the image reading unit or the image information expanded by the image expansion unit is stored in the plurality of storage areas. A storage destination change that, and, to determine the output request other than the image output unit is an image information stored in one of storage regions having a control means for outputting to said communication means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and image information input from the data input means. Image developing means for expanding the image into a visible image, image storing means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information expanded by the image developing means, and the image A data processing method of an image processing apparatus, comprising: an image output unit that outputs image information stored in a storage unit, wherein a storage state of image data in any storage area in the image storage unit and the image output A determination step of determining the output state of the means, and the storage state of the image data in the storage area is a storage disabled state or When it is determined that the storage state of the image data in the storage area is in the storage disabled state and that the image output from the image output unit is in the disabled state, the image information read by the image reading unit or the image development is performed. Changing the storage destination of the image information expanded by the means in the plurality of storage areas.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and image information inputted from the data input means. Image developing means for expanding the image into a visible image, image storing means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information expanded by the image developing means, and the image A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling an image processing apparatus having an image output unit for outputting image information stored in a storage unit, and a storage area in the image storage unit A determining step of determining a storage state of image data with respect to the image data and an output state of the image output means; When the storage state of the image data with respect to the storage area or the storage state of the image data with respect to the storage area is the storage impossible state, and when it is determined that the image output from the image output unit is the non-storage state, Changing a storage destination of the image information read by the reading means or the image information expanded by the image expanding means in the plurality of storage areas; and storing the program in a storage medium. is there.

[0018]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a scanner unit which reads an original image and outputs image data corresponding to the original image to the printer unit 2 or the image input / output control unit 3.

The printer unit 2 records an image on recording paper based on image data input from the scanner unit 1 or the image input / output control unit 3. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the scanner unit 1, the printer unit 2, the formatter unit 4, the facsimile unit 5, and the operation unit 6, and functions as a main controller that comprehensively controls these.

The facsimile unit 5 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the image input / output control unit 3, and also transmits the image transferred from the image input / output control unit 3. It has a function of compressing data and transmitting the compressed image data to an external device (not shown) via a telephone line.

The formatter unit 4 converts image data (for example, PDL data) transferred from an information processing device (PC / WS) 7 such as a personal computer or a workstation into image data (bitmap data) that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. It is developed and transferred to the image input / output control unit 3. Also,
The configuration information and the operation status of the entire image processing apparatus 100 are transferred to the information processing apparatus 7.

In accordance with an instruction from the image input / output control unit 3, the operation unit 6 displays a menu screen, a processing status screen, and the like for the user to make settings necessary for various image processing, and displays the user's setting contents on the image. Notify the input / output control unit 3.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration example of the scanner unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG.

In the scanner section 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a document feeder which feeds a document one by one from a last page onto a platen glass 102, and each time a reading operation of each document is completed, a document on the platen glass 102 is read. To discharge.

When a document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on and the scanner unit 104 is turned on.
Is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the original at this time is transmitted to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as CC) by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108.
D) 109. The read image data is transferred to the printer unit 2 or the image input / output control unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing.

In the printer unit 2, a laser driver 221 drives a laser light emitting unit 201 and a scanner unit 1.
Is irradiated with a laser beam based on the image data output from. This laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 202,
A latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to a portion of the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203.

The recording paper is conveyed to the transfer unit 206 by either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, and
02 is transferred.

The recording paper to which the developer has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by a discharge roller 208, and the discharged recording paper is stored in an appropriate bin by a sorter 220, whereby the recording paper is sorted.

When the sorter 220 is not set to the sorting mode, the sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin.
When the mode is set to the two-sided recording mode, after the recording paper is conveyed to the position of the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed and the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209.

Further, when the multiplex recording mode is set, the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 is fed again to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the scanner section 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, a CPU 114 is connected to a CPU bus 117, and is connected to the image processing unit 111, interface (I / F) unit 113, and RO via the CPU bus 117.
M115 and RAM 116 are connected. Hereinafter, the operation of each unit will be described based on the flow of signal processing.

The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and is subjected to shading correction. A / DS
The image data processed by the H unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111,
The data is transferred to the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 113.

The CPU 114 controls the image input / output control unit 3.
The image processing unit 111 and the interface unit 113 are controlled according to the setting contents instructed by the user.

For example, when a mode in which copying is performed after the trimming process is specified, the image processing unit 111 executes the trimming process and transfers the trimmed image data to the printer unit 2.

For example, when the facsimile transmission mode is designated, the read image data is transferred to the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 113. A control program of the CPU 114 that performs such control is stored in the ROM 115, and the CPU 114 operates based on the control program on the ROM 115. The RAM 116 is used as a work area of the CPU 114.

FIG. 4 shows the image input / output control unit 3 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is connected to a CPU bus 308, and via the CPU bus 308, an interface unit 300, an operation unit interface (I / F) unit 302, an interface unit 303, a ROM 304, an RA
M305 and an image processing unit 306 are connected. Less than,
The operation of each unit will be described based on the flow of signal processing.

The image data input from the scanner unit 1 is sent to the image processing unit 306 via the interface unit 303.
After that, it is stored in the image memory 307. The control command input from the scanner unit 1 is CP
Transferred to U301.

The image data input from the formatter unit 4 and the facsimile unit 5 are transferred to the image processing unit 306 via the interface unit 300, and then transferred to the image memory 30.
7 is stored. Control commands input from the formatter unit 4 and the facsimile unit 5 are transferred to the CPU 301 via the interface unit 300.

Under control of the CPU 301, these image data stored in the image memory 307 are processed by the image processing unit based on control commands input from the scanner unit 1, formatter unit 4, facsimile unit 5 and operation unit 6. After image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing is performed in 306, the image data is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the interface unit 303 or to the facsimile unit 5 via the interface unit 300.

When the CPU 301 receives a command requesting display on the operation unit 6 from among the control commands input from the scanner unit 1, the formatter unit 4, and the facsimile unit 5, the CPU 301 operates the specified display contents. Section I / F section 3
02 is displayed on the operation unit 6 via the keypad 02.

Further, when an operation operation is performed by the user on the operation unit 6, the operation information is input to the CPU 301 via the operation unit I / F unit 302. The CPU 301 transfers the operation information input from the operation unit I / F unit 302 to the scanner unit 1, the formatter unit 4, and the facsimile unit 5, or
Image input / output control is performed based on the operation information.

A control program of the CPU 301 for performing such control is stored in the ROM 304.
301 operates based on the control program on the ROM 304. The RAM 305 is used as a work area of the CPU 301.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the formatter unit 4 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 404 denotes a CPU, which is connected to a CPU bus 407, and via the CPU bus 407, a host interface (I / F) unit 400, an image data generating unit 401, an image memory 402, and an interface unit 40.
3, ROM 405 and RAM 406 are connected. Hereinafter, the operation of each unit will be described based on the flow of signal processing.

The PDL data sent from the information processing device (host computer) 7 is sent to the host I / F unit 400
Via the RAM 406. The CPU 404
The PDL data stored in the RAM 406 is interpreted, and data (intermediate data) for creating a bitmap image is transferred to the image data generation unit 401. The image data generator 401 converts the data sent from the CPU 404 into a bitmap image. Then, the created bitmap image is stored in the image memory 402.

The CPU 404 takes out the bitmap image stored in the image memory 402, transfers it to the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 403, and instructs the output destination of the transferred image and the output setting. Transfer control commands.

Display screens and setting information relating to the operation of the formatter unit 4 are stored in the ROM 405 and the RAM 4 in advance.
06, and the CPU 404 retrieves these as necessary, and transfers them to the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 403.

Further, based on the operation information of the operation unit 6 transferred from the image input / output control unit 3, the CPU 404
Performs various controls.

For example, when a clear operation of the receiving buffer of the formatter unit 4 is performed in the operation unit 6, the image input / output control unit 3 notifies the fact. CPU404
Is stored in the RAM 40 according to an instruction from the image input / output control unit 3.
The received data stored in No. 6 is cleared.

A control program of the CPU 404 for performing such control is stored in the ROM 406.
404 operates based on the control program on the ROM 405. Note that the RAM 406 is also used as a work area of the CPU 404.

Hereinafter, the characteristic structure of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In the image processing apparatus configured as described above, image reading means (scanner unit 1) for reading an image.
Input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language (host interface unit 400)
Image developing means (formatter unit 4) for developing image information input from the data input means into a visible image;
A plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading unit and image information expanded by the image expansion unit (a temporary area 90 shown in FIG. 9 described later).
1, an image storage means (image memory 307) capable of securing a personal box area 902), an image output means (printer unit 2, facsimile unit 5) for outputting image information stored in the image storage means, The output state of the image output unit is determined, and the storage destination of the image information read by the image reading unit with respect to the plurality of storage areas or the image information expanded by the image expansion unit with respect to the plurality of storage areas is changed. Control means (CPU 30
1 executes a control program stored in a ROM 304 and a memory resource (not shown) for control).
Even if a failure occurs in the printer unit 2, the image information is continuously expanded without interrupting the expansion processing by the formatter unit 4, and has already been expanded in the personal box area 902 that can be reliably stored until the failure is resolved. Image information can be stored and managed. Further, since the image information expanded until it can be output is stored so as to be able to be output at any time, even if a failure occurs in the image output means, the re-decompression processing to the image information is not necessary again, and the intended image information is stored. Can be output at high speed.

Further, since the plurality of storage areas include a virtual memory area (personal box area 902) that can be managed by user identification information, the virtual memory area is used as a storage area that can be securely stored until the failure is eliminated. Meanwhile, the image information can be stored and managed so that the already developed image information can be output only by a specific user.

The image output means includes an image forming means (printer section 2) for outputting image information on a recording medium, or a communication means (facsimile section 5) for outputting image information on a predetermined communication line. ) Or a facsimile unit 5 that outputs image information to a recording medium and a facsimile unit 5 that outputs image information to a predetermined communication line.
The image information can be continuously expanded without interrupting the expansion processing by the formatter unit 4, and the already expanded image information can be stored and managed in a storage area that can be reliably stored until the failure is resolved.

Further, a scanner unit 1 for reading an image,
Data input means (host interface unit 400) for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language;
An image expanding unit (formatter unit 4) for expanding the image information input from the data input unit into a visible image, and temporarily storing the image information read by the image reading unit and the image information expanded by the image expanding unit. A first image storage unit (image memory 307) for storing the image information read by the image reading unit and the image information expanded by the image expansion unit so as to be manageable by user identification information. Image storage means (secondary storage device, not shown, for example, a hard disk) and image forming means for outputting image information stored in the first image storage means or the second image storage means to a recording medium ( A printer unit 2) and image information or formatter read by the scanner unit 1 by determining the output state of the image forming unit. Control means for changing the storage destination of the image information expanded from the image memory 307 in the secondary memory by 4 (CPU 301 is ROM 304, controlled by executing a control program stored in the memory resources, not shown)
Therefore, even if a failure occurs in the printer unit 2, the second storage unit can continuously develop the image information without interrupting the development process by the formatter unit 4 and store the image information without fail until the failure is resolved. The image information already developed by the means can be stored and managed.

Further, the CPU 301 determines the output state of the printer unit 2 and automatically reads out the image information stored in the secondary storage device and outputs the image information to the printer unit 2, so that the failure of the image forming means is eliminated. Then, even if there is no output instruction from the user, the image can be formed quickly, the burden of the operation instruction by the user can be reduced, and the convenience for the user can be remarkably improved.

Further, image reading means (scanner section 1) for reading an image, data input means (host interface section 400) for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and input from the data input means. Image expanding means (formatter unit 4) for expanding the expanded image information into a visible image, and a plurality of storage areas (described later) for storing the image information read by the image reading means and the image information expanded by the image expanding means. An image storage means (image memory 307) capable of securing a temporary area 901 and a personal box area 902 in FIG. 9, a printer unit 2 for outputting image information stored in the image memory 307 to a recording medium, and an image memory Communication means (facsimile unit 5) for outputting the image information stored in 307 to a predetermined communication line. Determining the output state of the printer unit 2 and changing the storage destination of the image information read by the scanner unit 1 or the image information expanded by the formatter unit 4 in the plurality of storage areas; Control means for determining an output request other than the above and outputting image information stored in any one of the storage areas to the facsimile unit 5 (the CPU 301 executes the control program stored in the ROM 304 and a memory resource (not shown) to control Therefore, even if a failure occurs in the printer unit 2, the image information can be continuously expanded without interrupting the expansion processing by the formatter unit 4 and can be reliably stored until the failure is resolved. While storing and managing image information already developed in the area, the developed image information is transferred to an external device via a communication line without delay. Bets can be, the efficiency of image processing functions such as communicating by expanding the input image information can be remarkably improved.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the facsimile unit 5 shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, a CPU 504 is connected to a CPU bus 507 and modulates /
A demodulator (modem (MODEM) 500, a buffer memory 501, a codec / decoder (CODEC) 502, an interface unit 503, a ROM 505, and a RAM 506 are connected. Hereinafter, the operation of each unit will be described based on the flow of signal processing. I do.

At the time of facsimile reception, data received from the telephone line is demodulated by modem 500 and stored in buffer memory 501. The CPU 504 takes out the data stored in the buffer memory 501, sends it to the encoder / decoder 502, decodes it, and creates a bitmap image.

The CPU 504 transfers the created bitmap image to the image input / output control unit 3 and also transfers an output destination of the transferred image and a control command instructing output setting.

On the other hand, at the time of facsimile transmission, the image data transferred from the image input / output control unit 3 is transferred to the encoder / decoder 502 by the CPU 504, encoded, and stored in the buffer memory 501. At this time, various setting information related to facsimile transmission such as a telephone number is transferred from the image input / output control unit 3 to the CPU 504.

Then, the CPU 504 performs various facsimile transmission settings based on these pieces of information sent from the image input / output control unit 3, extracts transmission data stored in the buffer memory 501, and Modulate and transfer to telephone line.

The display screen and setting information relating to the operation of the facsimile unit 5 are stored in the ROM 505, R
It is stored in the AM 506, and the CPU 504 takes it out as necessary and transfers it to the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 503.

Also, based on the operation information of the operation unit 6 transferred from the image input / output control unit 3, the CPU 504
Performs various controls. For example, when an operation of outputting a communication management report of the facsimile unit 5 is performed on the operation unit 6, the image input / output control unit 3 notifies the fact. CP
U 504 responds to the instruction from the image input / output control unit 3 and
A bitmap image of the communication management report is created in the AM 506 and transferred to the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 503.

A control program of the CPU 504 for performing such control is stored in the ROM 505.
504 operates based on the control program on the ROM 505. The RAM 506 is used as a work area of the CPU 504.

As described above, the image input / output control unit 3 can perform processing combining functions of reading a document, printing an image, transmitting / receiving an image, and saving an image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the formatter section 4, image input / output control section 3, and page image transfer sequence shown in FIG. 1. For example, PDL data sent from the information processing apparatus 7 is converted into a visible image. Image input / output control unit 3
Corresponds to a control command between the formatter unit 4 and the image input / output control unit 3 and a flow of image data.

The formatter unit 4 interprets the PDL data sent from the information processing device 7 and, when receiving data for instructing the start of a job, instructs the image input / output control unit 3 to issue a job start request command “START- REQ ".

When the image input / output control unit 3 determines that the job specified by the job start command can be accepted, it returns “OK” as the status to the formatter unit 4.

The formatter unit 4 includes the image input / output control unit 3
, The PDL data received from the information processing device 7 is sequentially developed into a bitmap image. When a bitmap image for one page is generated, a page image output request command “PAGE-REQ” is sent to the image input / output control unit 3.

When the image input / output control unit 3 determines that it is possible to receive the input of the page image, it returns “OK” to the formatter unit 4 as a status.

The formatter unit 4 includes the image input / output control unit 3
Receives “OK” from the image memory 402, extracts the bitmap image for one page stored in the image memory 402, and transfers it to the image input / output control unit 3 by video.

The image input / output control unit 3 includes a formatter unit 4
The input image data is stored in the image memory 307. When all the images for one page have been input, the image input / output control unit 3 sends the status “O” to the formatter unit 4.
K ”.

Thereafter, each time a page image for one page is generated in the formatter section 4, the above-described page image transfer sequence is repeated.

The formatter unit 4 interprets the PDL data sent from the information processing device 7 and receives data instructing the end of the job, or ends the job halfway through a reset or the like. Sends a job end request command “END” to the output control unit 3,
End the job.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of control commands and data exchanged in the page image transfer sequence between the formatter unit 4 and the image input / output control unit 3 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8A shows a control command indicating a job start request, and “START” indicates a job start request. “Type of Job” indicates the type of job. The job types include a print job for outputting an image input from the formatter unit 4 to the printer unit 2, a facsimile transmission job for outputting to the facsimile unit 5, a designated area on the image memory 307 of the image input / output control unit 3. There is a personal box job to be stored in. In addition,
The personal box function will be described later.

“User ID” indicates the ID of the user who has executed the job on the information processing device 7. "Name o
“f Job” is, for example, a document name added when a document is created on the application of the information processing device 7.
Indicates the name for identifying the job.

"Paper Size" indicates the output paper size. “Resolution” indicates the resolution of the bitmap image created in the formatter unit 4. "Parameters of Print /
“Fax” indicates unique parameters at the time of a print output job and at the time of a facsimile transmission job, respectively. Next, details of each parameter will be described.

FIG. 8B shows parameters for a print output job, and is shown in “Page Orientation”.
n ”indicates the orientation of the image being drawn (Portlage /
(Landscape).

"Duplex mode" is one-sided output /
Indicates double-sided output. "Bind direction" indicates the binding direction (Longage Feed / Short).
dge Feed). "Sorting mod
"e" indicates a sorting method (not sorting / sorting / group sorting).

"Finishing mode" indicates a finishing mode (staple / punch).
“Darkness” indicates the toner density (1 to 9).
“Personal box No.” is an image memory 307 that is an image storage destination during a personal box job.
Number of the virtual memory box provided above (1-99)
Is shown.

FIG. 8 (c) shows parameters for a facsimile transmission job, "Resolution of
“fax” indicates the resolution at the time of facsimile transmission. "Fa
xNo. (N) "indicates a destination telephone number. "Suba
address ”is FaxNo. Indicates a sub-address attached to.

FIG. 8D shows a control command indicating a page image output, and “PAGE” indicates a page image output. “Page No.” indicates a page number. "Nu
"mber of copies" is the image input / output control unit 3.
When outputting an image from the image memory 307 to another output device, the same page image is repeatedly output. “XSize” indicates the size of the image output from the formatter unit 4 in the X direction. "YSize" is also Y
Indicates the size in the direction. "Transfer rate"
Indicates the transfer rate of the video output.

FIG. 8E shows a control command indicating the end of the job, and "END" indicates the end of the job. "Com
pletion Status ”is the formatter part 4
Indicates whether the job ended normally or abnormally.

FIG. 8 (f) shows status response data indicating the result of accepting a request in the image input / output control unit 3.

Next, the image developed by the formatter unit 4 is stored in a virtual memory box provided in advance on the image memory 307 of the image input / output control unit 3, and is later stored by the user from the operation unit 6. A function of specifying an image and performing printout (commonly called a personal box function) will be described.

The personal box function means that, for example, when printing out a confidential document that one does not want to be seen by others, it is temporarily stored in a memory such as an image memory 307 without being directly printed out on paper. The function is to print out on paper later when the user gives a printout instruction from the operation unit 6 of the main body.

This function is used when the same document is printed out many times by changing the output form.

FIG. 9 shows the image input / output control unit 3 shown in FIG.
3 is a diagram showing a logical use area of the image memory 307 of FIG. In the present embodiment, the storage area of the image memory is logically divided into a temporary area 901 and a personal box area 902 according to the intended use.

In the figure, a temporary area 901 is a storage area for temporarily storing image data input from the scanner unit 1, the formatter unit 4, and the facsimile unit 5. The temporary area 901 includes, for example, the formatter unit 4
For temporarily storing an image input from the formatter unit 4 and outputting the stored image to the printer unit 2 a plurality of times in an operation of outputting the image developed by the printer unit 2 to the printer unit 2 Used for

The personal box area 902 is a storage area for using the personal box function, and is divided into a small number of registered storage areas (hereinafter referred to as boxes) 903 to 905 as shown in the figure. Boxes 903 to 905 are assigned to each department such as each user or company, and each box 903 to 905 can be assigned a box name and a password. The user can access each of the boxes 903 to 905 by designating the box name. Unless a password is input, the user cannot actually see inside the box or output registered image data on paper.

Next, an example of using the personal box function will be described.

[Personal Box Registration Processing]
The registration process of the personal box will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a personal box registration operation screen on the operation unit 6 shown in FIG. 1, and individual boxes are created in the personal box area 902 on the image memory 307 shown in FIG. This corresponds to the operation screen flow showing the operation procedure when the operation is performed.

In the figure, reference numerals 1001 to 1004 correspond to screens constituted by an LCD display with a touch panel function provided on the operation unit 6. Hereinafter, a description will be given based on the flow of the personal box registration operation procedure.

First, in a screen 1001 for setting the image memory 307, when registration of a personal box is selected by a button instruction, a screen 1002 is displayed.
The screen 1002 displays the box number, the box name, and the entire personal box area of the image memory 307 as “10
The usage rate of each box when 0% is set is displayed. A box that has not been registered is displayed as “unregistered” in the box name.

On the screen 1002, when newly registering, a box to be registered is selected from unregistered boxes, the box number is selected and "registration" is designated, and a screen 1003 is displayed (unregistered). Box number “03” is selected). A screen 1003 is a screen for inputting a box name.
At 003, an arbitrary box name is registered.

When the user inputs the box name and selects the OK button on the screen 1003, the screen display shifts to the screen 1004. Screen 1004 is a screen for setting a password in the box. This screen 100
In the box in which the password is set in step 4, when the document name stored in the box is displayed later or the document is designated and printed out, the input of the set password is required. .

After the password has been set in this manner, or without setting the password, by clicking the OK button on the screen 1004, the registration of the box is completed. At this point, a new box (personal box) is created in the personal box area 902 shown in FIG.

[Output Processing from Personal Box] The output processing from the personal box will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams showing an example of an output instruction operation from the personal box in the personal box area 902 shown in FIG. 9, and a document stored in the personal box in the personal box area 902 is displayed. This corresponds to an operation indicating an operation procedure when a printout is performed by designating.

In these figures, 1101 to 1107
Is an LCD with a touch panel function provided on the operation unit 6
Corresponds to a screen composed of a display. Hereinafter, a description will be given based on the flow of the output operation procedure of the personal box.

First, on a screen 1101 for displaying a list of registered personal boxes, a box to be operated is selected.

At this time, if a password is set in the selected box, a screen 1102 for inputting a password is displayed. If no password is set, the selected box is displayed. A screen 1103 displaying a list of documents stored in the.

Then, when a password is set,
When the security code is entered on the screen 1102 and the OK button is selected, the correctness of the security code is determined. If the security code is incorrect or the cancel button is selected on the way, the contents of the display screen are changed. The screen returns to the screen 1101.

On the other hand, if the password is correct, the screen shifts to screen 1103.

Here, a list of documents stored in the selected box is displayed on the screen 1103. The displayed contents are the date, time, document name, and output status registered in the box.

The document name is added by the application that created the document or the printer driver when the image data is output from the information processing device 7, and is input to the present device. The output status is a status indicating whether the document has been printed out or has not been printed out. If the document has been printed out, "Printed" is displayed. Is displayed as "print OK".

The user selects a document to be printed out from the document list stored on the screen 1103 on the screen 1103.
Select on 4. At this time, if it is desired to select a plurality of documents, a plurality of selection buttons are designated, and then a plurality of documents are selected.

After the document to be printed out is selected in this way, when a print button is designated on the screen 1104, the screen shifts to a screen 1105 shown in FIG.

The screen 1105 is a screen for selecting whether the document selected on the screen 1104 is to be printed out and then deleted from the box or saved. The user selects one of them. Remove it from the box,
The printout of the selected document is started when the user selects to save the document. During printout, screen 1
106 is displayed, and the name of the document being printed, the number of pages, and a key for instructing stop of the printout are displayed.

When the printout is completed in this way, a screen 1107 is displayed. A screen 1107 is a screen displayed when the user selects to delete a document from a box after the printout is completed, and the printed-out document is deleted from the list. If the user selects to leave the document in the box even after printing out on the screen 1105 (selects the No button), the screen 1103 is displayed again.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a box management table held on the RAM 305 of the image input / output control unit 3 shown in FIG.

In the figure, a box management table 1201 is prepared for each box number, and includes a box number (PB No.) and a box name (PB Nam).
e), password (Pass Code), user ID
(User ID), Box Instructions (PB Siz
e) and a pointer ( ^* address) indicating the address of the document management table (document management table 1202) stored in the box.

Reference numeral 1202 denotes a document management table, which is a document number for management (File No.) and a document name (File N).
ame), registration date (Date), registration time (Tim)
e), output status (Status), output paper size (Paper Size), resolution (Resolution)
ion), various parameters at the time of printing (Parameter
ters of Print), a pointer ( ^* address1) indicating the address of the personal box area where the image is stored, and a pointer ( ^* address2) indicating the address of the next document management table.

Reference numeral 1203 denotes an example of the box management table and the document management table of the box number 72.

The operation contents shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are input from the operation unit 6 to the image input / output control unit 3 as control commands as described above. The image input / output control unit 3
The control commands input from these operation units 6 and FIG.
Based on the box management table 1201 and the document management table 1202 shown in FIG. 6, the management of the personal box and the output control from the personal box to the printer unit 2 are performed.

Next, in the image input / output control unit 3, a job start request from the formatter unit 4 (START-RE
Q), and a process for determining whether a job can be accepted will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 17 and sequence diagrams shown in FIGS. 16, 18, and 19. I do.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, the process waits for a job start request command (START-REQ) from the formatter unit 4 to be notified (1). When the job start request command is notified, the type of job ( Type of Jo
b) is determined (2). Hereinafter, when it is determined that the job is a personal box job according to the type of job, a personal box job routine is executed (3), and when it is determined that the job is a print job, a print job routine is executed (4), and facsimile is performed. If it is determined that the job is a job, a facsimile job routine is executed (5), and after the execution of each routine is completed, the routine returns.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a page image transfer sequence between the formatter unit 4 and the image input / output control unit 3 shown in FIG.

First, if the job is a personal box job, the box number is extracted (1), and the box management table 1201 shown in FIG. 13 is searched (2).
The specified box number is a registered box,
It is determined whether or not it can be stored in the box (3). If it is determined that the corresponding box exists and can be stored in the box, “OK” is returned to the formatter unit 4 (4), and the processing is performed. To end.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the designated box is not registered or the storage area of the designated box is not full and cannot be stored, "NG" is returned to the formatter unit 4. (5), and the process ends. When “NG” is returned, the formatter unit 4 ends the job without performing image transfer, as shown in the sequence shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. (1) to (8) indicate each step. 18 and 19 illustrate the formatter unit 4 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a page image transfer sequence between the image input / output control unit 3 and the image input / output control unit 3.

If it is determined in step (2) shown in FIG. 14 that the job is a print job, the image memory 30
It is checked whether or not the area for storing the image from the formatter unit 4 is free in the temporary area 901 of No. 7 (1), and if it is determined that it is free, the process proceeds to step (7), and the formatter unit 4 "OK" is returned. At this time, regardless of whether a failure has occurred in the printer unit 2, as long as the temporary area 901 is free, the job from the formatter unit 4 is accepted, and the image development processing in the formatter unit 4 is not interrupted.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the temporary area 901 is not vacant, it is checked whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2 (2).

This is for confirming that the image output from the temporary area 901 to the printer section 2 is delayed due to the abnormality of the printer section 2 and that the temporary area 901 has no free space.

If it is determined in step (2) that an abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2, it is determined that the image from the formatter unit 4 is switched to the personal box area 902 instead of the temporary area 901 and stored. Then, "User ID" is extracted from the data notified by the job start request (3). Next, the corresponding personal box management table 1201 is searched using the extracted “User ID” (4). Here, in the present embodiment, a box to be used is set in advance for each “User ID”, that is, “Use ID” is set.
It is assumed that the “r ID” is associated with the box number.

Next, it is determined whether or not the corresponding personal box is found (5). If it is determined that the corresponding personal box can be found and stored in the personal box area, the storage destination of the image from the formatter unit 4 is It is determined to switch from the temporary area 901 to the corresponding personal box area 902 (6), "OK" is notified to the formatter unit 4 (7), and the process ends. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, a job start request (ST
ART-REQ), “OK” is returned in STATUS, and the changed image output destination “OUTPUT” is returned. Thereafter, a normal image transfer sequence is performed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (2) that no abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2, or in step (5), there is no corresponding personal box or the corresponding personal box area is full. When it is determined that the job cannot be performed, the image from the formatter unit 4 is not stored in the personal box, and the formatter unit 4 is notified that the job start request command is retried after a while (8). 1
The process returns to step (1) 4 and waits for a job start request command from the formatter unit 4.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 19, the job start request (START-RE
In response to Q), the image input / output control unit 3 sets the status to R
Returns "entry". After a lapse of a while, the formatter unit 4 makes a job start request again, and when this is received by the image input / output control unit 3, a normal image transfer sequence is performed thereafter.

In step (6), the job whose storage destination has been changed from the temporary area 901 to the personal box area 902 is stored in the personal box in the same manner as when normally stored as a personal box job. .

The fact that the image data is not output to the printer unit 2 but stored in the personal box is known at the time when the status is notified from the image input / output control unit 3 in the formatter unit 4. By returning this notification to the information processing device 7, it is possible to notify the user.

Therefore, the user later goes to the main unit, and if the main unit still has a fault, the fault is removed on the spot, and then the operation unit 6 is used to operate the personal box as shown in FIG. By opening the output screen 1101 and selecting a registered document and instructing output, an output result can be obtained on the spot.

In the present embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the data is automatically output to the printer unit 2 after a lapse of a predetermined time after being saved in the personal box.
In this case, a time for automatically printing out is set in advance, and a status indicating automatic printout is set in the status of the document management table when the document is saved in the personal box.

Then, the image input / output control unit 3 periodically checks a document which is an automatic printout, and if a document which has passed a predetermined time from the stored time (Time) is found, an abnormality is detected in the printer unit 2. If the printout can be performed without any error, the printout is taken out and output to the printer unit 2.

As a result, the document saved in the personal box is automatically printed out.

As described above, in the image input / output control unit 3, when the job start request is notified from the formatter unit 4, the job type, the vacancy status of the temporary area 901, and the abnormality occurrence status of the printer unit 2 are determined. Check that the temporary area 901
Jobs are accepted as long as there is free space. If an abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2 and there is no free space in the temporary area 901, the storage destination of the image from the formatter unit 4 is changed to the personal box area 902, and By adopting a configuration that accepts a job start request, it is possible to accept a job from the formatter unit 4 as much as possible without interrupting the image development processing in the formatter unit 4 immediately due to an abnormality in the printer unit 2. .

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17 and the like.

Image reading means (scanner section 1) for reading an image constructed as described above, data input means (host interface section 400) for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, An image expansion unit (formatter unit 4) for expanding the image information input from the input unit into a visible image, and a plurality of image information units for storing the image information read by the image reading unit and the image information expanded by the image expansion unit. A data processing method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: an image storage unit (image memory 307) capable of securing a storage area; and an image output unit (printer unit 2) for outputting image information stored in the image storage unit. Or image reading means for reading an image, and data input for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language An image expansion means for expanding the stage, the image information inputted from said data input means into a visible image,
An image storage unit capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading unit and image information expanded by the image expansion unit; and outputting image information stored in the image storage unit. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling an image processing apparatus having an image output unit, the storage state of image data in any storage area in the image storage unit, and the image output unit (Step (1) in FIG. 17,
(2)) and, according to the determination step, the storage state of the image data in the storage area is in the storage disabled state, or the storage state of the image data in the storage area is in the storage disabled state, and the image output from the printer unit 2 is performed. Is determined to be in an unacceptable state, a change to change the storage destination of the image information read by the image reading means for the plurality of storage areas or the image information expanded by the formatter unit 4 for the plurality of storage areas. (Step 6 in FIG. 17), even if a failure occurs in the image output means, the image information is continuously expanded without interrupting the expansion processing by the image expansion means, and Image information that has already been developed can be stored and managed in a storage area that can be reliably stored until the problem is solved.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the control of the input image job from the formatter unit 4 in the image input / output control unit 3 has been mainly described. The present invention can be applied to control of an output image job. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an output image job management table in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the image input / output control unit 3, the formatter unit 4 and the facsimile unit 5 This corresponds to an output image management table used to control the input and output of the image stored in the temporary area 901 of the image memory 307 to the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 5.

The output image management table 2000 includes a management job number (JOB ID) and an image output destination (Type).
of Job), user ID (User ID), job name (Name of Job), output paper size (Paper Size), resolution (Resolution)
on), output parameters during printout or facsimile transmission (Parameters of Pri
nt / Fax), a pointer ( ^* address1) indicating the image storage destination address of the temporary area 901, a pointer ( ^* addr) indicating the address of the next output image table
ess2).

The output image management table 2000 is created when a job start request command is received from the formatter unit 4 or the facsimile unit 5, it is determined that the job can be started, and the job is received. It constitutes a queue.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the image input / output control unit 3, the output image queue is checked, and the printer unit 2 or the facsimile unit is checked. 5
Corresponding to the process until the image is output. (1)
(9) shows each step.

If there is an output image queue, the image output destination (output image queue) is checked (1). If it is determined that the output destination is output to the printer unit 2, an error has occurred. Check the printer unit 2 (2),
If it is determined that there is no abnormality in the printer unit 2 and output is possible, the image storage destination address (pointer ( ^* address1) indicating the image storage destination address of the temporary area 901) of the output image management table 2000 is referred to, and the temporary area is referred to. An image is extracted from the image data 901 and transferred to the printer unit 2 (3).

Next, it is determined whether the output of all the stored images has been completed (4). If it is determined that the output of all the images has not been completed, the process returns to step (3), and the process returns to step (3). If it is determined that the output has been completed, all the stored images are deleted, the output image management table 2000 is deleted from the output image queue (5), the process returns to step (1), and the output is performed again. The process proceeds to the image queue removal process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the image output destination is the facsimile unit 5, the image storage destination address of the output image management table 2000 (the pointer ( ^*) indicating the image storage destination address of the temporary area 901 ⁾ address1)) and refer to the temporary area 9
The image is taken out from 01 and transferred to the facsimile unit 5 (7).

Next, in the same way as when outputting to the printer unit 2, it is determined whether the output of all the stored images has been completed (8). If it is determined that the output of all the images has not been completed, Returning to step (7), if it is determined that the output of all images has been completed, all stored images are deleted, and the output image management table 2000 is deleted from the output image queue (9). Then, the process returns to step (1), and the process returns to the output image queue extracting process.

In step (2), if the image output destination is the printer unit 2, but a failure has occurred in the printer unit 2 (NG), the image output destination is selected from the output image queue. The output image management table, which is the facsimile unit 5, is searched. If no corresponding output image management table is found, the process returns to step (1). If a corresponding output image management table (not shown) is found,
The process proceeds to step (7) to perform image output processing to the facsimile unit 5.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of an output image queue in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The first output queue is an output queue to the printer unit 2, and the second output queue is a second output queue to the facsimile unit 5. This corresponds to the case where the output queue is stored.

In the case of the output queue as shown in FIG. 22A, if a failure has occurred in the printer unit 2, the output to the second facsimile unit 5 is performed according to the processing shown in FIG. The queue will be processed first,
With the execution of step (9) in FIG. 21, the state of the output queue becomes the state of the output queue as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data subordinate to various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

FIGS. 14, 15, and 1 in this embodiment.
7, the functions shown in FIG. 21 may be executed by the information processing device 7 by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

According to each of the above embodiments, if a failure occurs in the printer, the developing operation is continued without interruption, and the developed image is output to the virtual box prepared in the memory in advance. For example, in the case of facsimile transmission other than printing out an image, by processing this first, the convenience of the user is improved, and the total productivity is also improved.

[0169]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and an image for expanding the image information input from the data input means into a visible image Expansion means, image storage means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information expanded by the image expansion means, and stored in the image storage means Image output means for outputting image information;
The output state of the image output unit is determined, and the storage destination of the image information read by the image reading unit with respect to the plurality of storage areas or the image information expanded by the image expansion unit with respect to the plurality of storage areas is changed. Control means to perform image processing, even if a failure occurs in the image output means, continue to expand the image information without interrupting the expansion processing by the image expansion means, reliably until the failure is resolved Image information that has already been developed can be stored and managed in a storage area that can be stored.

Further, since the image information expanded until it can be output is stored so that it can be output at any time, even if a failure occurs in the image output means, it is not necessary to re-develop the image information again. Image information to be output at high speed.

According to the second aspect, since the plurality of storage areas include a virtual memory area that can be managed by user identification information, the virtual memory area is used as a storage area that can be securely stored until the failure is eliminated. Meanwhile, the image information can be stored and managed so that the already developed image information can be output only by a specific user.

According to the third to fifth aspects, the image output means includes an image forming means for outputting image information on a recording medium, or the image output means transmits the image information to a predetermined communication terminal. Since it includes communication means for outputting the image information on a recording medium and communication means for outputting the image information on a predetermined communication line, a failure caused by the recording medium occurs. In this case, it is possible to continuously expand the image information without interrupting the expansion processing by the image expansion unit, and to store and manage the already expanded image information in a storage area that can be securely stored until the failure is resolved. it can.

According to the sixth aspect, image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and image information input from the data input means are visible. Image developing means for developing into an image, first image storing means for temporarily storing image information read by the image reading means and image information developed by the image developing means, and reading by the image reading means. A second image storage unit that stores the expanded image information and the image information expanded by the image expansion unit in a manner that can be managed by user identification information; and the first image storage unit or the second image storage unit. Image forming means for outputting the stored image information on a recording medium,
The output state of the image forming unit is determined, and the storage destination of the image information read by the image reading unit or the image information expanded by the image expansion unit is stored in the second image from the first image storage unit. Since there is a control means for changing to the storage means, even if a failure occurs in the image output means, the image information is continuously expanded without interrupting the expansion processing by the image expansion means, and the failure is solved. The image information that has already been developed can be stored and managed by the second storage means that can reliably store the image information until the image data is developed.

According to the seventh aspect, the control means determines the output state of the image forming means, automatically reads out the image information stored in the second storage means, and reads out the image information. When the trouble of the image forming means is resolved, the image can be formed promptly without the output instruction from the user, the burden of the operation instruction by the user is reduced, and the convenience of the user is remarkably improved. it can.

According to the eighth aspect, image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and image information input from the data input means are visible. Image development means for developing an image, image storage means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information developed by the image development means,
Image output means for outputting image information stored in the image storage means on a recording medium, communication means for outputting image information stored in the image storage means to a predetermined communication line, and image output means Determining the output state of the means, changing the storage destination of the image information read by the image reading means or the image information expanded by the image expanding means with respect to the plurality of storage areas, and excluding the image output means Control means for judging the output request of the image output means and outputting the image information stored in any one of the storage areas to the communication means. The image processing is continuously performed without interrupting the expansion processing by, and the already expanded image information is stored and managed in the storage area that can be securely stored until the failure is resolved. , It is possible to greatly improve the efficiency of the external device can be transferred, expanded by the image processing functions Yo communicating image information input via a communication line without stagnating the image information expanded.

According to the ninth and tenth aspects, an image reading means for reading an image, a data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and an image input from the data input means Image development means for developing information into a visible image; image storage means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information developed by the image development means; An image processing method of an image processing apparatus having image output means for outputting image information stored in an image storage means, or image reading means for reading an image, and image information described in a predetermined page description language Data input means for inputting the image data, image expansion means for expanding the image information input from the data input means into a visible image, and the image reading means Image storage means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by a stage and image information expanded by the image expansion means, and an image output for outputting image information stored in the image storage means A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls an image processing apparatus, the storage state of image data in any storage area of the image storage unit and the output state of the image output unit. A determination step of determining whether or not the storage state of the image data in the storage area is in a non-storable state, or the storage state of the image data in the storage area is in a non-storable state, and If it is determined that the image output is not possible, the image information read by the image reading means or Changing the storage destination of the image information expanded by the image expansion means in the plurality of storage areas, so that even if a failure occurs in the image output means, the expansion processing by the image expansion means is interrupted. The image information can be continuously expanded without causing the image information to be expanded, and the already expanded image information can be stored and managed in a storage area that can be reliably stored until the failure is resolved.

Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which image output becomes impossible during the process of outputting image information to a recording medium,
Continue the image information expansion process without interruption, and
It is possible to freely maintain an image processing environment in which the developed image information is individually managed and output at any time or automatically, and it is possible to significantly improve the processing efficiency of each function of the image processing apparatus and the convenience of the user. It works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a scanner unit and a printer unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a scanner unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image input / output control unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a formatter unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a facsimile unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a formatter unit, an image input / output control unit, and a page image transfer sequence illustrated in FIG. 1;

8 is a diagram showing a configuration of control commands and data exchanged in a page image transfer sequence between the formatter unit and the image input / output control unit shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram illustrating a logical use area of an image memory of the image input / output control unit illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a personal box registration operation screen on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1;

11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output instruction operation example from the personal box in the personal box area illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output instruction operation from a personal box in the personal box area illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a box management table held on a RAM of the image input / output control unit illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a page image transfer sequence between the formatter unit and the image input / output control unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a page image transfer sequence between the formatter unit and the image input / output control unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a page image transfer sequence between the formatter unit and the image input / output control unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output image job management table in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output image queue in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 scanner unit 2 printer unit 3 image input / output control unit 4 formatter unit 5 facsimile unit 6 operation unit 300 interface unit 301 CPU 303 interface unit 304 ROM 305 RAM 306 image processing unit 307 image memory

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image reading means for reading an image, a data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and an image expansion for expanding the image information input from the data input means into a visible image Means, image storage means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information expanded by the image expansion means, and images stored in the image storage means Image output means for outputting information; determining an output state of the image output means; and determining whether the image information read by the image reading means or the image information developed by the image An image processing apparatus, comprising: control means for changing storage destinations for a plurality of storage areas. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage areas include a virtual memory area that can be managed by user identification information. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image output means includes an image forming means for outputting image information on a recording medium. 4. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image output means includes communication means for outputting image information on a predetermined communication line. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image output means includes image forming means for outputting image information on a recording medium and communication means for outputting image information on a predetermined communication line. Image processing device. 6. Image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and image expansion for expanding the image information input from said data input means into a visible image Means, first image storage means for temporarily storing image information read by the image reading means and image information developed by the image developing means, and image information read by the image reading means and A second image storage unit for storing image information expanded by the image expansion unit in a manageable manner by user identification information; and an image information stored in the first image storage unit or the second image storage unit. Forming an image on a recording medium, and determining an output state of the image forming unit, and reading image information read by the image reading unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that changes a storage destination of image information expanded by the image expansion unit from the first image storage unit to the second image storage unit. 7. The control unit determines the output state of the image forming unit, automatically reads out image information stored in the second storage unit, and outputs the image information to the image forming unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein 8. An image reading means for reading an image, a data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and an image expansion for expanding the image information input from the data input means into a visible image Means, image storage means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information expanded by the image expansion means, and images stored in the image storage means Image output means for outputting information on a recording medium, communication means for outputting image information stored in the image storage means on a predetermined communication line, and determining an output state of the image output means, Changing the storage destination of the image information read by the image reading unit or the image information expanded by the image expansion unit in the plurality of storage areas; And a control means for judging an output request other than the image output means and outputting image information stored in any one of the storage areas to the communication means. 9. Image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and image expansion for expanding the image information input from said data input means into a visible image Means, image storage means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information expanded by the image expansion means, and images stored in the image storage means An image processing method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: an image output unit that outputs information; and determining a storage state of image data in any storage area in the image storage unit and an output state of the image output unit. The determining step determines whether the storage state of the image data in the storage area is in a non-storable state or the image storage state in the storage area. When it is determined that the storage state of the data is the storage impossible state and that the image output from the image output unit is the impossible state, the image information read by the image reading unit or the image information expanded by the image expansion unit is displayed. A changing step of changing storage destinations of the image information in the plurality of storage areas, the data processing method of the image processing apparatus. 10. Image reading means for reading an image, data input means for inputting image information described in a predetermined page description language, and image expansion for expanding the image information input from said data input means into a visible image. Means, image storage means capable of securing a plurality of storage areas for storing image information read by the image reading means and image information expanded by the image expansion means, and images stored in the image storage means A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls an image processing apparatus having an image output unit that outputs information, wherein a storage state of image data in any storage area in the image storage unit and A determining step of determining the output state of the image output means; and When it is determined that the state is a non-storable state or the storage state of the image data in the storage area is a non-storable state, and that the image output from the image output unit is in the non-stable state, the image is read by the image reading unit. Changing a storage destination of the image information or the image information expanded by the image expansion means in the plurality of storage areas, wherein the computer-readable program is stored.