JPH1169116A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device in which a storage device consists of two storage sections and the operability and the productivity are improved by assigning a different function. SOLUTION: In the image forming device that has an image memory 66 storing an image signal converted into a digital signal and a memory controller 65 that controls input/output of the signal to/from the image memory 66, the image memory 66 has a primary storage device 706 that stores the converted image signal and a secondary storage device 707 that stores the image signal received by the primary storage device 706. When a storage request of an image signal comes, whether or not the image signal received by the primary storage device 706 is all stored in the secondary storage device 707 is discriminated by a CPU and the result of discrimination is reported to a request source of a data entry operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of selecting and outputting a plurality of input image signals and applied to, for example, a digital multifunction peripheral.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image signal read by a scanner is temporarily stored in an image memory, and for the second and subsequent copies, the image signal read from the image memory is sent to a printer without operating the scanner to form an image. It has been known. Further, there is also known an image forming apparatus which performs an operation of forming the image data read from the image memory with a printer, reading the next original with a scanner during the image formation, and inputting the same with the image memory. Further, a device for controlling the order of input and output of the stored normal image data is known, but no consideration is given to controlling the operation according to the use situation of the storage device.

As related techniques, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Sho 52-108822 and 55-13
The invention described in JP 7540 is known.

[0004]

By the way, when the operation is controlled in accordance with the use information of the storage device as described above, that is, a plurality of input image data are stored and the order of the input is determined. Output in a different order,
If a plurality of input data are aggregated and output in one image output, the storage capacity required of the storage device for storing the image data increases in accordance with the amount of the image data to be processed. Therefore, by compressing and storing the input data, the storage capacity is reduced and the processing data amount is improved. When compressing input data, if the data compression ratio is known as in the fixed-length compression method, the data amount after compression can be easily calculated based on the data size and compression ratio at the time of data input. Further, if the remaining amount of the storage device is known in advance, it is easy to predict whether or not data input can be executed based on the remaining amount, and to cancel the request. Therefore, the interface between the control means can be simplified by notifying the control means of the storage device of the execution request only when necessary, assuming that the notified operation can always be executed.

However, when the compression ratio is variable as in the variable length compression system or when the storage capacity can be increased as an additional function of the image forming apparatus, the data input request source determines whether or not the operation can be executed. It is not easy to make the determination, and it is expected that if the determination as to whether or not data input can be performed is made based on the remaining amount of memory, the accuracy will decrease and the utilization efficiency of the storage device will decrease.

Similarly, when a plurality of input image data are stored and output in an order different from the input order, or when a plurality of input data are aggregated and output by one image output, the The storage capacity required of a storage device for storing data increases according to the amount of image data to be processed, and the configuration of the storage means of the storage device also changes. Therefore, when the configuration changes, if the control method of the storage device differs for this change, when adding a plurality of storage devices having different configurations to the image forming apparatus, individual control units Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the control means of the image forming apparatus becomes complicated.

For example, the storage means is composed of a primary storage section for storing the image signal input from the reading section, and a secondary storage section for storing the image signal input to the primary storage section. When the number of image signals that can be stored in the primary storage unit is one and the configuration when the number of image signals is two, the following operation difference occurs. This operation example is 2
In this example, two copies of a document (image signal) are sorted and output.

(1) When the number of image signals that can be stored in the primary storage unit is one (1-1) One document is read and input to the primary storage unit (simultaneous output).

(1-2) The first image signal is stored from the primary storage unit to the secondary storage unit.

[The data in the primary storage unit is already stored in the secondary storage unit, so it is not necessary.] (1-3) The second original is read and input to the primary storage unit (simultaneously output) (1-4) ) Save the second image signal from the primary storage unit to the secondary storage unit.

[The data in the primary storage unit is already stored in the secondary storage unit, so it is not necessary.] (1-5) The first image signal is read from the secondary storage unit to the primary storage unit.

(1-6) Output the first image signal from the primary storage unit.

(1-7) The second image signal is read from the secondary storage unit to the primary storage unit.

(1-8) Output the second image signal from the primary storage unit.

(2) When the number of image signals that can be stored in the secondary storage unit is two (2-1) The first document is read and input to the primary storage unit (simultaneous output).

(2-2) The second document is read and input to the primary storage unit (simultaneously output).

(2-3) Output the first image signal from the primary storage unit.

(2-4) Output the second image signal from the primary storage unit.

In this example, when the number of image signals that can be stored in the primary storage unit is two, there is no need to store the image signals in the secondary storage unit. Sorting is completed, but in the case of one, eight steps of input / output operations are required.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can improve the utilization efficiency of a storage device even when the storage capacity changes or the input data amount is unknown, and which can easily control the operation. Is to do.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which a storage device is composed of two storage units and different functions are assigned to improve operability and productivity.

A third object is to automatically determine the difference in control due to the difference in the configuration of the storage device inside the storage device,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing an appropriate process by itself without an external command even when a storage device having a plurality of components is connected to the image forming apparatus.

[0023]

In order to achieve the above object, a first means converts an input signal into an image signal, visualizes the converted image signal, and outputs it.
In an image forming apparatus having means for storing an image signal converted to a digital signal and means for controlling input and output of a signal to and from the storing means, the storing means stores the converted image signal A first storage unit, a second storage unit for storing the image signal input to the first storage unit, and further, when a storage request for the image signal is issued, the first storage unit Means for determining whether or not all the input image signals have been stored in the second storage unit, and means for notifying a result of the determination by the determination means to a request source of the data input operation. And

The second means further includes, in addition to the first means, means for determining whether to suspend or execute the requested operation based on the determination result of the determining means, and based on the determination by the determining means. Means for interrupting the requested operation, means for canceling the requested operation when the requested operation cannot be executed, and means for selecting and notifying an operation that can be executed again It is characterized by:

The third means further includes means for requesting the control means to delete stored data from the second means, and deleting specified data from the storage means based on the request. Means for determining that the requested operation is not executable, and if there is unnecessary data, after deleting the unnecessary data, a request to execute the operation determined to be unexecutable is made again. Means.

The fourth means is characterized in that, in the second or the third means, when the requested operation cannot be executed according to the result of the judgment by the judging means, the contents are displayed. And

Fifth means is means for converting an input signal into an image signal, visualizing the converted image signal and outputting it, storing the image signal converted into a digital signal, and An image forming apparatus comprising: a unit configured to control input / output of a signal to / from a storing unit; wherein the storing unit stores a converted image signal;
A second storage unit for storing the image signal input to the first storage unit;
A first control unit for making an input / output request for an image signal; and a determination unit for determining whether or not the input-requested image signal can be input to the first storage unit. And a second control unit for controlling the storage of the image signal input from the first storage unit to the second storage unit based on the determination by the determination unit.

The sixth means is the fifth means, wherein the image signal requested to be input is transmitted to the first control means by the first control means.
When it is determined that it is not possible to input the image signal to the storage unit, the second control unit transmits all of the image signals stored in the first storage unit from the first storage unit to the second storage unit. It is characterized in that it is stored in a storage unit.

A seventh means is the fifth means, wherein the image signal requested to be input is changed to the first signal by the first control means.
When it is determined that it is impossible to input the image signal to the storage unit, the second control unit can input the image signal requested to be input among the image signals stored in the first storage unit. It is characterized in that only image signals corresponding to the capacity are stored from the first storage unit to the second storage unit.

Eighth means is the first or fifth means, wherein the input signal is read by an image reading means, and the read light signal is converted into an electric signal by means for converting the read light signal into an electric signal. It is characterized by comprising an image signal obtained by converting the converted electric signal into a digital signal.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view showing an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a document bundle placed on a document table 2 of an automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as "ADF") 1 with its image side down is placed on an operation unit 30 (FIG. 2). When the start key 34 is pressed, the document at the lowest position is fed by the feed roller 3 and the feed belt 4 to the reading position of the process on the contact glass 6. After reading the image data of the document on the contact glass 6 by the reading unit 50, the read document is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection sensor 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transport motor 26 as shown in FIG.

The transfer papers stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first paper feeder 11, the second paper feeder 12, and the third paper feeder 13, respectively. ,
The sheet is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor by the laser light from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. The toner on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed on the transfer sheet by the fixing unit 17, and the sheet is discharged to the finisher 100 of the post-processing device by the sheet discharge unit 18.

The finisher 100 normally transfers the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge unit 18 of the main body to the discharge rollers 1.
It can be guided in the 02 direction and the stapling section. Further, by switching the branch deflecting plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the sheet discharge tray (stacker tray) 104 via the transport roller 103. Further, by switching the branch deflecting plate 101 downward, the sheet can be conveyed to the staple tray 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper stacked on the staple tray 108 is aligned with the jogger 109 for paper alignment every time one sheet is discharged, and a copy is completed and the stapler 106 binds the paper. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the stapling completed paper discharge tray (fall tray) 110 by its own weight.

On the other hand, the normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth, and moves forward and backward for each paper discharge tray section, each document, or each copy sorted by the image memory, and is discharged. Sorts incoming copy paper easily.

When forming images on both sides of the transfer paper,
The transfer paper fed and imaged from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is not guided to the paper discharge tray 104 side, and the branch pawl 112 for path switching is set on the upper side, so that the double-sided paper feed is once performed. Stock in the unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper supply unit 111 is re-fed from the duplex paper supply unit 111 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 again, and the branch claws 112 for path switching are moved. It is set on the lower side and guided to the paper discharge tray 104. The double-sided paper supply unit 111 is used for forming images on both sides of the transfer paper in this manner.

The photoconductor 15, the conveyor belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18 and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25 (FIG. 4). The transmission is controlled by the paper feed clutches 22, 23, 24, respectively. The transmission of the driving force of the main motor 25 to the vertical transport unit 14 is controlled by the intermediate clutch 21.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the operation unit 30. In the figure, an operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel (display) 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 3
3, a print key 34, a mode clear key 35 and an initial setting key 38 are provided.
1 displays a mode setting function key 37, a message indicating the number of copies and the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows a liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30.
It is a figure which shows an example of a display. As can be seen from the figure, when the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. Further, when it is necessary to specify the details of a function such as a scaling value at the time of performing scaling, by touching a key, a detailed function setting screen is displayed. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses the dot display device, the optimum display at that time can be graphically performed.

FIG. 4 shows a control device centering on the main controller. Referring to FIG. 1, a main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 20 includes an operation unit 30 for displaying to an operator and performing function setting input control from the operator.
A distributed control device such as an image processing unit (IPU) 49 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 for controlling a scanner, writing an original image in an image memory, and performing image formation from the image memory is connected. ing. Each decentralized control device and the main controller 20 exchange machine status and operation commands as needed. Further, a main motor 25 and a transport motor 26 necessary for paper transport and the like, the document set sensor 7, and various clutches 21
To 24 are also connected.

The operation of reading an image and forming a latent image on the recording surface of the photoreceptor in the image forming apparatus constructed as described above will be described below. Here, the latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating the image on the surface of the photoconductor.

First, the reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, and a lens 5.
3, a CCD image sensor 54, a second mirror 55, a third mirror 56, and the like. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).

The original image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, and is converted from an optical signal to an electric signal and processed. The image magnification can be changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the horizontal direction in FIG. That is, the position of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in the figure is set corresponding to the designated magnification.

The writing unit 57 comprises a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59 and a mirror 60.
Inside the laser output unit 58, there is provided a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant high speed by a motor and a laser diode as a laser light source.

The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is deflected by the polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through the imaging lens 59, is turned back by the mirror 60, and is condensed on the surface of the photosensitive member to form an image. . The deflected laser light is exposed and scanned in a so-called main scanning direction orthogonal to the direction in which the photoconductor 15 rotates.
4, the recording of the image signal output in line units is performed. An image, that is, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photoconductor.

The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. The main scanning synchronization signal is applied to the laser beam irradiation position near one end of the photoconductor 15 (not shown). Is provided. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal output from the beam sensor, control of image recording timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for input / output of an image signal described later are performed.

The configuration of the image processing unit (IPU) 49 will be described with reference to FIG.

The illumination light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 irradiates the document surface and is reflected by the document surface. The reflected light is imaged by an imaging lens (not shown), enters the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 54, is photoelectrically converted, and is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction by a shading correction unit 62, and then MTF correction and γ correction are performed by an image processing unit 63. Then, the selector 64 selects the destination of the image signal to either the scaling unit 71 or the image memory controller 65. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 71 is scaled according to the scaling factor and sent to the writing unit 57.
The image memory controller 65 and the selector 64 are configured to be able to bidirectionally input and output image signals. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 5, the image processing unit 49 has a plurality of data input / output selections so that image data supplied from an external source as well as image data input from the reading unit 50 can be processed. There is also a function to perform. The image data supplied from the outside is data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer. Therefore, the input signal includes an input signal from an external device in addition to a signal read by the scanner.
The image processing unit 49 includes a CPU 68 for setting the image memory controller 65 and the like, and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57, and a ROM 69 and a RAM 70 for storing programs and data of the CPU 68. The CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the image memory controller 65. Each of these parts is I
The communication with the outside is performed via the / O port 67.

Here, the image signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

/ FGATE represents the effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. / LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is / LGAT
E. These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and data of one pixel is sent for one cycle of VCLK. The image processing unit 49 has separate / FGATE and / LSYN for image input and image output respectively.
It has a mechanism for generating C, / LGATE, and VCLK, and enables various image input / output combinations.

The memory controller and the image memory in FIG. 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The memory controller 65 includes an input data selector 701, an image synthesizer 7,
02, a primary compression / expansion unit 703, an output data selector unit 704, and a secondary compression / expansion unit 705. The setting of the control data in each section is performed by the CPU 68. The addresses and data in FIG. 5 are for image data, and the data and addresses connected to the CPU 68 are not shown.

The image memory 66 comprises primary and secondary storage devices 706 and 707 as first and second storage units. The primary storage device 706 writes data to a specified area of the memory or reads data from the specified area of the memory at the time of image output. A memory that can be accessed at a high speed, such as a DRAM, is used so as to be performed in synchronization. Also, the primary storage device 706
Has an interface unit with a memory controller (not shown) so that input and output of image data can be executed in parallel for each of a plurality of areas divided into a predetermined size.

The secondary storage device 707 is a large-capacity memory for storing data for synthesizing and sorting input images. If the primary storage device 706 has a sufficient capacity for processing image data, data is not input / output to / from the secondary storage device 707. If the secondary storage device 707 can write / read data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer rate required at the time of image input / output, it is possible to directly write the input / output image data to the secondary storage device 707, Reading from the storage device 707 is also possible. It is also possible to perform data processing without distinction between primary and secondary. If the secondary storage device 707 cannot write or read data substantially in synchronization with the data transfer rate required at the time of image input / output, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk is stored in the secondary storage device 707, for example. Even when used, data input / output to / from the secondary storage device 707 is performed by the primary storage device 706.
, The processing can be performed according to the data transfer capability of the secondary storage device 707.

With such a configuration, it is possible to select a storage element in accordance with the image data processing speed of the image forming apparatus. In addition, a compression rate and an expansion rate differ depending on the image data, in other words, depending on the type of data. Even if a method in which the data access speed to the memory is different is adopted, it is possible to cope with it. If the compression ratio and the expansion ratio are variable, the capacity of the storage device can be saved in some cases.

The operation of the memory controller 65 will be roughly described. The operation is divided into image input, image output, and image input / output. Therefore, these will be individually described.

1. Image input (storage in image memory) The input data selector 701 selects image data to be written into the image memory (primary storage device 706) from a plurality of data. The image data selected by the input data selector 701 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 702, and can be synthesized with the data already stored in the image memory. The image data processed by the image synthesis unit 702 is compressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 703, and the compressed data is written to the primary storage device 706. The data written to the primary storage device 706 is
If necessary, the data is further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 705 and then stored in the secondary storage device 707.

2. Image Output (Read from Image Memory) At the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 706 is read. When the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 706, the image data in the primary storage device 706 is decompressed by the primary compression / decompression unit 703, and the decompressed data or the decompressed data is obtained. The output data selector 704 selects and outputs data after image synthesis of the input data and the input data. The image synthesizing unit 702 includes:
Processing such as combining the data in the primary storage device 706 with the input data and selecting the output destination of the combined data is performed. In addition,
The synthesizing has a function of adjusting the phase of the image data. In the selection, image output, write-back to the primary storage device 706, and simultaneous output to both output destinations are set. If the image to be output is not stored in the primary storage device 706, the image data to be output stored in the secondary storage device 707 is converted to the secondary compression / decompression unit 70.
5, the data after the expansion is written into the primary storage device 706, and then the above-described image output operation is performed.

FIG. 8 is a main flowchart showing the operation procedure in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the main operation procedure will be described with reference to this flowchart.

In the following description of the operation, “storage device” refers to the secondary storage device 107 in FIG. 7 unless otherwise specified. The data input is a process of inputting data to the secondary storage device 107 via the primary storage device 106,
The determination of the free space is made based on the remaining capacity of the secondary storage device 207 when data is input to the secondary storage device 107 via the primary storage device 106. This is because the primary storage device 106 must reliably process the data from the image input device as described above, and thus a space corresponding to the maximum data input capacity is guaranteed.

In this process, first, it is determined whether there is a data input request to the storage device (step 80).
1). When there is no data input request, the process returns as it is. When there is a data input request, for example, data input such as designation of input data size, determination of availability of data input to a storage device, designation of a data input start position, etc. (Step 802). When the preparation for the execution of the data input is completed, a notification of the completion of the preparation for the execution of the data input is sent to the data input request source (step 80)
3) Permit execution of data input and wait for a data execution request from the request source (step 804). When the data input is executed, the data input operation is executed (step 8).
05) If there is no data input execution, monitoring is continued until there is a data execution request.

When the data input operation is executed in step 805, the image signal is stored from the primary storage device 706 to the secondary storage device 707. That is, data is sequentially stored, and it is monitored whether all image signals are stored in the storage device (step 806). When the storage is completed, the requesting source is notified that the data input operation has been normally completed (step 807), and the process ends. However, if the saving of all the image signals is not completed in step 806, the request source is notified that the data input has not been completed (step 80).
8) End the process.

As described above, the memory controller 6
5 notifies the storage device of the state of input and storage of the image signal,
Perform memory control.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 9 shows a processing procedure of control means (hereinafter, referred to as "main controller") for making an operation request to a memory controller in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart. Note that the processing of the image forming apparatus and its components shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and the processing of the memory controller shown in FIG. 8 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

When the processing is started, the main controller notifies the memory controller of a data input request (step 901), and monitors whether or not execution permission has been notified from the request destination in response to the post-notification request. When there is a notification, a data input request is notified (step 90).
3) If there is no notification, continue monitoring until there is a notification. If there is an input execution request in step 903, it is monitored whether or not the execution request has been notified of the execution end from the request destination. If there is a notification (step 904), step 905
It is determined whether there is an unexecutable operation in the subsequent image forming operation. If it is determined that execution is possible, the next operation is requested (step 905), and step 9 is executed.
If it is determined that the operation cannot be performed in step 05, a series of operations is selected with priority given to the executable operation, reconfigured (step 907), and the routine returns (the operation is continued).

These processes will be specifically described by taking a sorting operation using a memory as an example. In this example, five sets of image data are input, sorted, and two sets are output.
Here, in the primary storage device 706, an area for one image data is secured.

1-1 Input of Image Data 1 (Output to Memory at the Same Time as Output, Save to Storage Device) 1-2 Image Data 2 Input (Output to Memory at the Same Time as Output and Save to Storage Device) 1-3 Input of Image Data 3 (Output simultaneously with input to memory and save in storage device) 1-4 Input of image data 4 (Output simultaneously with input to memory and save in storage device) 1-5 Input of image data 5 (Output simultaneously with input to memory and storage device) 1-6 Output of image data 1 (read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 1-7 Output of image data 2 (read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 1-8 Output of image data 3 (Read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 1-9 Output image data 4 (Read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 1-10 Output image data 5 (Storage device 2 If the data of the image data 1 to 5 is normally stored in the storage device, the above-described series of image forming operations can all be performed, and two sets of sorted outputs can be obtained.

On the other hand, if the storage device runs out of free space during the input (save) of the image data 5 and the storage of all image signals of the image data 5 is not completed, the above-mentioned 1 to 10
2-1 operation becomes impossible. 2-1 Image data 1 input (output simultaneously with input to memory, save in storage device) 2-2 Image data 2 input (output simultaneously with input to memory, storage device 2-3 Input of image data 3 (Output simultaneously with input to memory, save in storage device) 2-4 Input of image data 4 (Output simultaneously with input to memory, save in storage device) 2-5 Input of image data 5 (Output to memory at the same time as input, save to storage device) (Fail to save image data 5) 2-6 Output of image data 1 (Read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 2-7 Output of image data 2 (Read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 2-8 Output image data 3 (Read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 2-9 Output image data 4 (Write from storage device 2) 2-10 Image data 5 input (input to memory and output at the same time) is selected and executed.

In the above operations 2-1 to 2-10, the sort output does not change even if the image data storage fails, but if the output is three copies, 3-1 image data 1 input ( 3-2 Image data 2 input (output simultaneously with memory, stored in storage device) 3-3 Image data 3 input (output simultaneously with input to memory, stored in storage device) 3-4 Input of image data 4 (Output simultaneously with input to memory, save in storage device) 3-5 Input of image data 5 (Output simultaneously with input to memory, save in storage device) (To save data of image data 5) 3-6 Output image data 1 (read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 3-7 Output image data 2 (read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 3-8 Output image data 3 (Read data from the storage device 2 to the storage device 1) 3-9 Output image data 4 (Read data from the storage device 2 to the storage device 1) 3-10 Output image data 1 (Data from the storage device 2 to the storage device 1) 3-11 Output image data 2 (Read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 3-12 Output image data 3 (Read data from storage device 2 to storage device 1) 3-13 Output image data 4 (Data is read from the storage device 2 to the storage device 1) 3-14 Input of image data 5 (simultaneously output to memory) 3-15 Output of image data 5 In this case, the output results are: (1) Sort output of images 1 to 5 (2) Sort output 1 of images 1 to 4 (3) Sort output 2 of images 1 to 4 (4) Output 2 of image 5 In other words, the operator integrates one output of (2) and (4) to finally obtain a desired product. The third and fourth means described above solve this problem.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation in response to a data deletion request in the memory controller, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another processing operation of the main controller.

As shown in FIG. 10, the main controller checks whether or not there is a data deletion request when the processing is started (step 1001). If there is no deletion request, the main controller returns and ends the processing. . If there is a request, reference is made to input data or data for managing a data group (step 100).
2). At the time of this reference, since data such as an input data number, a storage location, and a storage capacity are stored in the management data, the data is also referred to when data is read, and as a result of the data reference, there is data to be deleted. It is checked whether or not there is no data to be deleted (step 1003). If there is no data to be deleted, the process returns to the end, and if there is data to be deleted, the data or management data to be deleted is deleted. Is deleted (step 1004), and the process ends.

On the other hand, when the processing is started, the main controller notifies the memory controller of a data input request (step 1101), and monitors the presence or absence of notification of the determination result from the memory controller (step 1102). Then, at the time of the notification, it is determined whether or not the requested operation can be performed based on the determination result (step 1103). If the requested operation can be performed, a data input execution request subroutine is executed (step 1104), and the process ends. .

On the other hand, if execution is not possible in step 1103, it is checked whether there is any data unnecessary in the entire operation of the image forming apparatus and stored in the image memory 66 (step 1105). As a result of the check, if unnecessary data exists, the memory controller 6
5 is notified of a data deletion request (step 1107),
Returning to step 1101 again, a data input request is notified, and the subsequent processing is executed. Step 1
If there is no unnecessary data in the check at 105, a process that can be executed at present, such as a data process that has already been input, is selected (step 1106), and the process ends.

By operating as described above, it is possible to minimize the output division in the above-mentioned sorting operation, and it is possible to reduce the burden of the operator integrating the divided outputs after the output.

When the execution interruption processing is performed for a single requested operation, the output result for a series of operations requested to the image forming apparatus is different from the result when the interruption processing is performed. In other words, it is divided into a plurality of outputs instead of a series of outputs, but when it is determined that a single operation cannot be executed, unnecessary data is stored from a storage device so that the operation can be executed. By deleting, it is possible to control the output result as required as much as possible.

When deleting unnecessary data in this manner, for example, an operator operates an automatic document feeder (AD
F) The original is read without using step F).
When an attempt is made to input the image data 5 in the steps 1 to 2-10, that is, when the operation after the step 2-5 is automatically performed after the step 2-4, the operator is not required to input the image data 5. It is possible that you may not know if it was done. Therefore, the image memory as shown in FIG. 12 is full and the operator is notified that the input operation cannot be performed, and the subsequent operation of the image forming apparatus can be selected.

Even when the operation is automatically performed, if the output is divided, it is necessary to integrate the divided output after the output. Therefore, the fact is displayed and the operation is continued. By displaying in this manner, the productivity, operability, and reliability of the image forming output of the image forming apparatus can be improved without causing confusion for the operator.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the input operation of the memory controller of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. Note that the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and its components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

In this processing procedure, when the processing is started, it is first checked whether or not there is a data input request to the storage device (image memory 66) (step 1301). If there is no data input request, the process returns as it is to end the process. If there is a data input request, the requested input data capacity is calculated (step 1302). The size of the input data is calculated based on the size of the input data and the output size of the data (for example, when performing an aggregation operation, the size of the input data is different from the output size of the data, and it is necessary to secure a storage capacity for the output size in advance. If any), the number of data quantizations (the amount of data per unit data (number of bits)),
The data such as the density of the image signal (the number of data per unit input size) and the compression ratio (the compression ratio of the primary compression / decompression unit 703 in FIG. 7) at the time of inputting the data to the primary storage unit (part) 706 It is calculated based on the minimum value. The minimum value of the compression ratio indicates the compression ratio in the case of the fixed length compression system, and indicates the compression ratio in the case where no compression is performed at all in the case of the variable length compression system.

When the calculation of the input data capacity is completed in step 1302, the free capacity of the primary storage device 706 is checked based on the calculation result (step 1303). If there is free space for the requested input data capacity in the primary storage device 706 in this check,
A data input preparation process is performed to execute the data input process (step 1304). On the other hand, if there is no free space for the input data capacity, the data of the primary storage device 706 already input is saved (backed up) in the secondary storage device 707 and data can be input to the primary storage device 706. Free area is secured (step 1308), and step 1
Step 304 is performed.

In step 1304, necessary processing is executed prior to data input, such as designation of input data size, determination of data input into the secondary storage device 707, designation of a data input start position, and the like. When the preparation for data input is completed in step 1304, a data input execution preparation completion notification process is executed (step 1305), and a data execution request from a request source is waited for (step 1306). When there is a data execution request, a data input operation is executed (step 1307), and this processing is terminated. When there is no data execution request, monitoring is continued until there is a data execution request.

When a data input request is made to the storage device (image memory 66), the unnecessary data is discarded so that it is possible to determine whether or not it is necessary to save (hold) the data to be input. Although a request command is required, the storage device deletes the management information on the stored data, determines the free space of the primary storage device 706, and determines the necessity of the save operation based on the discard command.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation when an image signal is stored from the primary storage device 706 to the secondary storage device 707, and details the operation of step 1308 in FIG. In this process, when the process proceeds to step 1308 in the flowchart of FIG.
The image signal data stored in the next storage device 706 is searched (step 1401). When the search is completed, all the searched data are selected and stored in the secondary storage device 707 (step 1402). And save (evacuate) the data
Is completed, the process proceeds to step 1304,
Execute the following processing.

By performing such processing, control of the image forming apparatus when resuming the operation before the evacuation is facilitated. That is, for example, when performing a series of sort output operations while interrupting the operation and performing another operation (in the case of a multifunction device having a function such as a printer or a facsimile, which is generally called "interrupt copy" in the copy function, In general, an image forming apparatus that is set to be able to suspend / restart when receiving a facsimile or outputting to a printer during copy output is stored in the image forming apparatus.) The data after resumption is guaranteed by making it (evacuation) target. Even if the secondary storage device 707 runs out of free space during storage in the secondary storage device 707, it can be determined that data cannot be stored before the start of the interrupt operation. By displaying a warning on the display unit, it is possible to notify the operator of that, or to terminate the operation before the interruption before starting the interruption operation, and then to permit the interruption operation.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation when the image signal is stored from the primary storage device 706 to the secondary storage device 707. Step 13 in FIG.
08 shows details of the operation. In this process, when the process proceeds to step 1308 in the flowchart of FIG.
First, an image signal corresponding to a free space required for performing data input requested to the primary storage device 706 is selected,
It is determined as an image signal to be stored in the secondary storage device 707 (step 1501). Next, the image signal of the selected primary storage device 706 is stored in the secondary storage device 707.
When data saving (evacuation) is completed,
Step 304 and subsequent steps are executed.

By performing such processing, the data amount of the image signal to be saved can be suppressed to a necessary minimum, and the pre-processing time required for data input (required from data input request to completion of data input preparation). Time) can be shortened. As a result, even when a storage device is connected, it is possible to reduce a decrease in productivity of the image forming apparatus and to use an additional function using the storage device without confusion. If the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 and the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 are selectively executed, it is easy to maintain the productivity and simplify the control of the image forming apparatus.

[0086]

As is clear from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the use efficiency of the storage device can be improved even when the storage capacity changes or the input data amount is unknown. In addition to this, the operation of the image forming apparatus can be relatively easily controlled. Further, the entire capacity of the storage device can always be used irrespective of the capacity and compression method of the storage device, so that the storage device can be effectively used. Further, it is determined whether or not there is enough free space to store the input data, and the result of the determination is notified to the requester of the data input operation, so that the operation control of the entire image forming apparatus can be efficiently performed. Thus, the productivity of image formation output can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a single requested operation can be interrupted and another executable operation can be executed, so that the operation of the entire image forming apparatus can be executed without stopping. Operation control can be performed within a possible range, thereby improving the productivity of image formation output.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the specified data is deleted from the storage means, and if the requested operation is determined to be unexecutable, and there is unnecessary data, the unnecessary data is deleted. After the data is deleted, the execution request of the operation determined to be unexecutable is made again, so that the output result can be as requested as possible, whereby the operator can output the divided output result. Reduce the steps required to integrate and get the output you want,
Thus, productivity and usability can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the requested operation cannot be executed, there is provided a means for displaying the content of the request operation. This makes it possible to prompt the subsequent operation determination of the apparatus and does not cause confusion for the operator.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a difference in control due to a difference in the configuration of the storage device is automatically determined inside the storage device, and a storage device having a plurality of configurations is connected to the image forming apparatus. In addition, accurate processing can be performed by itself without an external command. In other words, even if the storage capacity changes or the configuration of the storage device is unknown, it is possible to unify the command form necessary for controlling the storage device, thereby improving the use efficiency of the storage device, It is possible to easily control the operation of the forming apparatus. At that time, there is no decrease in productivity.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of performing an interrupt operation, it is easy to determine whether or not the interrupt operation can be performed, and it is not necessary to perform complicated control for the operation after the restart. Become. Thus, even when the configuration of the storage device is diversified, the processing required for controlling the storage device does not become complicated.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the data amount of the image signal to be saved can be minimized, and the pre-processing time required for data input can be reduced. Thus, even when the storage device is connected, the decrease in productivity is small and the additional function using the storage device can be used without confusion for the operator.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, an apparatus excellent in usability when applied to a digital copying machine can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display state of a liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control device of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating details of an image processing unit in FIG. 4;

6 is a timing chart showing the timing of an image signal in the selector of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing details of a memory controller and an image memory in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a main flowchart illustrating a main operation procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a main controller in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the memory controller of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment in response to a data deletion request.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating another processing operation of the main controller of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example when there is no free space in an image memory in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a memory controller in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of a save process to a secondary storage unit in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another processing content of a subroutine of the storage processing in the secondary storage unit in FIG. 13;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 main controller 30 operation unit 49 image processing unit (IPU) 54 CCD 57 writing unit 61 A / D converter 62 shading correction unit 63 image processing unit 64 selector 65 memory controller 66 image memory 68 CPU 69 ROM 70 RAM 71 scaling unit 72 Editing unit 701 Input selector 702 Image synthesis unit 703 Primary compression / expansion unit 704 Output data selector 705 Secondary compression / expansion unit 706 Primary storage device 707 Secondary storage device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A means for converting an input signal into an image signal, visualizing and outputting the converted image signal, a means for storing an image signal converted into a digital signal, and a means for storing the image signal An image forming apparatus comprising: means for controlling input / output of a signal of the image forming apparatus; wherein the means for storing stores a first storage unit for storing a converted image signal, and an image signal input to the first storage unit. And a second storage unit for storing the image signal, and further determining whether all the image signals input to the first storage unit have been successfully stored in the second storage unit when the image signal is requested to be stored. An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for performing the determination by the determining means; and means for notifying the requester of the data input operation of the result of the determination by the determining means. 2. A means for determining whether to suspend or execute a requested operation based on a determination result of the determining means, a means for interrupting a requested operation based on a determination by the determining means, 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for canceling the requested operation when the requested operation cannot be executed; and means for selecting and notifying an operation that can be executed again. Image forming apparatus. 3. A means for requesting the controlling means to delete stored data, a means for deleting specified data from the storing means based on the request, and a requested operation is not executed. Means for determining, if there is unnecessary data and unnecessary data, deleting unnecessary data and then requesting the execution of the operation determined to be unexecutable again. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for displaying the content of the request if the result of the determination by the determination means indicates that the requested operation cannot be executed. . 5. A means for converting an input signal into an image signal, visualizing and outputting the converted image signal, a means for storing the image signal converted into a digital signal, and a means for storing the image signal An image forming apparatus comprising: means for controlling input / output of a signal of the image forming apparatus; wherein the means for storing stores a first storage unit for storing a converted image signal, and an image signal input to the first storage unit. A first storage unit for requesting input / output of an image signal; and determining whether the input-requested image signal can be input to the first storage unit. And a second control unit that performs storage control of an image signal input from the first storage unit to the second storage unit based on the determination by the determination unit. Characteristic image forming apparatus. 6. If the first control means determines that the input-requested image signal cannot be input to the first storage section, the second control means sets the first storage section. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein all of the image signals stored in the first storage unit are stored in the second storage unit. 7. When the first control means determines that the input-requested image signal cannot be input to the first storage section, the second control means sets the first storage section. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein only the image signals of a capacity capable of inputting the requested image signal among the image signals stored in the first storage unit are stored in the second storage unit from the first storage unit. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 8. An image obtained by reading the input signal by image reading means, converting the read light signal into an electric signal by an electric signal converting means, and converting the converted electric signal into a digital signal. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a signal.