JPS61176257A - Picture processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form an image at high speed by reading an original picture disposed on an CONSTITUTION:In an RMU retention mode the pictures are read out of a memory with the.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image processing system, and more particularly to an image processing system that forms an image in accordance with an image signal output from an image output unit such as an image reading device.

Image processing devices that form images based on image signals obtained by optically reading a document using an image sensor such as a CCD have been proposed in the past. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the parts, and if, for example, multiple image formations are desired, the reading of the document is repeated for each image formation.

Therefore, it has been proposed to provide a memory for storing image signals, temporarily store the read image signals in this memory, and repeatedly read out the same image signals from there, thereby executing image formation multiple times in the image forming section. It's been done ~・ru.

According to this, it is possible to form images multiple times by reading the original only once, and it is possible to achieve high-speed image formation.

However, when forming images from a plurality of originals, it is necessary to replace the originals, which hinders speeding up.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it speeds up image formation of the same image multiple times by using image signals from a storage means, and also allows originals to be replaced, removed, etc. at optimal times. The purpose is to enable high-speed image formation without interfering with speeding up image formation. Specifically, the purpose is to use a document table on which a document is placed, and a device that photoelectrically converts and reads the document image placed on the document table. a reading means, a storage means for storing an image signal from the reading means, an image forming means for repeatedly forming an image based on the same image signal stored in the storage means, and an image forming means for storing a document image by the reading means. The present invention provides an image processing apparatus having a display means for displaying a state in which the document on the document table can be removed or replaced after reading is completed.

First, the explanation of Fig. 82(a) will be given.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples.

The first part is an external view of the system according to the present invention. C
The signal line of the reader that reads the original image with an image sensor such as OD is connected to the image/image information storage HW (Retention Memory Unit).
Unit = RMU)) 2, and stores and outputs image information converted into electrical signals. A similar signal line is connected from the retention memory unit 2 to a printer 3 for recording an image on a recording material such as paper.

Next, a detailed explanation of the reader, the memory unit 2), the printer 3, and the invention will be given using FIGS. 2 to 6.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are configuration diagrams showing an example of the internal configuration of the reader. In this embodiment, in order to achieve high-speed, high-density reading, an original image is read by two CCDs, and this is combined into one signal to generate one line of image signal.

This is done by latch circuit 26 providing optical lens 10. ．． Reference numeral 11 is used to form an image of a document placed on a document table (not shown) onto CCDs 12 and 13. The document image is sequentially scanned by an optical system (not shown), but since such reading techniques are well-known techniques, detailed explanation will be omitted. - C0D12.13 converts the shading of the original image into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is amplified by an amplifier circuit 14.15 and converted into a multivalued digital signal indicating image density for each pixel by an analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter) 16.17.

Furthermore, the ≠digital signal is processed by the shading correction circuit 18.
19, the light emission unevenness of the light source, the unevenness of the luminous intensity distribution of the optical system, C'
After removing shading caused by CD sensitivity unevenness, etc., the ternary digital image signal 4jVD 1-A (IIT No., VDI-Bf
ll, VD2-A signal, and VD2-B signal, respectively.

The ternarization method uses a constant binarization level that is binarized in two stages, and the dither ROM 24.2.
In step 5, the selectors 22 and 23 are used to select a type of ternarization processing using the so-called dither method, which is a method that uses a series of binarization files that are periodically changed within a predetermined matrix size.Dither method is widely used in facsimile machine 9, etc. as a method of pseudo-reproducing halftones using binary □ signals.As will be explained later, it is not necessary to output a 3-value image, but a binary image. It may be necessary to output a signal. In this case, an appropriate threshold value for binarization is supplied from the latch circuit 26 or the dither ROM 24, 25.

In this embodiment, it is possible to obtain an optimal copy image by selecting a method that gives a constant binary level for text documents, etc., and a dithering method for documents that require Wtll, such as photographs. It has become.

It is also possible to select such that the two stages of binarization levels given from the latch circuit 26 have the same value. Dither patterns stored at addresses given by counters 28 and 29 that count the number of pixels are sequentially read out. Furthermore, C
In order to prevent the dither pattern from being disturbed at the joint when the electrical signals read by the CD 12° CCDI 3 are combined into one line, a latch circuit 30 is connected to the counter 29 to provide preset data for an optimal count. .

This latch circuit 30 and other latch circuits in FIG. 2 are connected to the CPU bus of the CPU 38, and
The data is latched by 38. The CPU 38 is '
[1,0 Operates according to the control program written in M39, RAM 40° I10 boat 41, timer circuit 42
) The entire reader is controlled using a serial circuit 43 and a key cover drive circuit 44.

The CPO 38 performs control for adjustment and operation confirmation based on the value set by the dip switch 46.

The key display drive circuit 44 is a key display drive circuit 44 that controls the key display drive circuit 44 of the operation unit 45.
This is a circuit for scanning the J-X and driving indicators such as LEDs. The serial circuit 43 also provides control commands to the printer and retention memory unit,
Conversely, a receiver is a circuit used to receive information.

The oscillation circuit 32 includes a COD drive circuit 31 for driving the CCDs 12 and 13, and other parts that handle image signals.
give timing. The oscillation signal is counted by a counter 33, and the count value is further input to a decoder 34 to generate timing for each part.

In the decoder 34, internal cycles per line in the sub-scanning direction)
-I S ('! is generated and input to the selector 35. The selector 35 receives a similar synchronization signal BD double signal sent from the printer when the printer is connected (described later)
The CPU as follows the procedure shown in the flowchart in Figure 1o, selects the BD double signal when a printer is directly connected to the reader, and selects the BD double signal depending on the operation mode when a retention memory unit is connected to the reader. Automatically selects HS signal. The selected signal is used as a synchronization signal in the sub-scanning direction as an H8BD signal. The 118BD signal is also input to the counter 33 and used as a count reset signal.

The counter 33 outputs the original clock of the 1-load clock when loading the VDI signal and VD2 signal of the image signal into the memories 60 to 63, which will be described later. This becomes the memory write clock WCLK signal. rate·
The multiplier 36 divides the frequency of the input clock M according to the value of a control signal (in this embodiment, the latch circuit 37) given from the outside, and outputs the result. In this example, it is used to change the magnification of an image in the main scanning direction.

Next, FIG. 2(b) will be explained.

Latch circuits 50, 51, and 52 provide preset data for write counter 53 and read counters 54 and 55, respectively. The write counter 53 is
~63, V, D1-A signal, VDl-B signal, V
The memory address when writing the D2-A4tl and VD2-B signals is shown in Figure 2 (at the rate shown in a3).
The read counters 54 and 55 are generated by the W(:'LK signal from the multiplier 36.
From 0 to 63, the memory address when reading the written VDI signal and vD2 signal is generated by the RCLK multiplication signal (described later).

The memory address signals output from the write Φ counter 53 and read counter 54.55 are output from the selectors 56 to 55.
59 and selects either the write counter 53 or the reading counters 54 and 55, and selects the signal input to the memories 60 to 59.
Give to 63.

The memories are divided into sets of memories 60 and 61 and memories 62 and 630, and when one set is performing a write operation, the other set is performing a read operation, thereby realizing signal speed conversion.

- The memories of the set repeatedly perform write operations and read operations, and during a write operation, the signal from the write counter 53 is selected, and during a read operation, the signal from the read counter 54.55 is selected from the selectors 56 to 59. It works as given. The repetition control of the write operation and read operation is performed by the above-mentioned H8B D (No. 1).

VDI-A signal read from memories 60 to 63, V
Dt-861, VD2-AM, ■D2-
The B signal is input to the selector 70 and synthesized into a one-line image signal, and further undergoes editing processing such as image inversion and trimming processing in the image processing circuit 71, and is sent to the printer or retention memory unit as a ternary or binary image signal. V.D.
A.

It is sent as VDB separated into two systems.

The oscillation circuit 66 generates an oscillation signal that serves as a reference timing during a read operation. The oscillation signal is two systems of VDA and V
It is output to a printer, etc. as a common synchronization signal of the DB, a video clock (VCLK). The control circuit 67 is a circuit for performing write control using the H813D signal from the selector 35, and controls the operations of the left margin counter 68 and the pip counter 69 at predetermined timings (described later).

The rate multiplier 64 and latch circuit 65 generate a read p-clock RCLK signal similarly to the rate multiplier 36 and latch circuit 37 described above. Further, a video enable (VB) signal, which will be explained in FIG. 5, is outputted from the control circuit 67 to a printer or the like.

The control circuit diagram of the memory unit 20 in FIG. 3 will now be explained. The retention memory unit 2 is roughly divided into a memory section and a control section. The microcomputer 75 of the control unit is connected to the RO by the CPU bus.
M76, RAM77, IO boat 78. Timer circuit 7
9. It is connected to a serial communication circuit 80, and the operation of each part is the same as that of the reader part, and the IO/- door 8 is connected to each selector of the memory part. The serial circuit 80 can be connected in parallel to the reader section and the printer section.

The memory section consists of a memory A85 and a memory B86, each of which is composed of a dynamic RAM and the like, in which image information for one A3 size page can be written. Note that a configuration may also be adopted in which the image information is stored after being compressed. There are selectors 97 and 98 on the input lines of the memories, so that image signals generated as ternary signals consisting of two systems of signals, VD-A and VD-H, are written into the respective memories. Further, the image signal generated as a binary signal is written to one or both of the memory and memory B. The image signal selected by the selector 97 is written into the shift register IA (82) in synchronization with the video clock VCLK, and is further written into the memory A (85) in synchronization with the address signal from the address generation circuit 83. Similarly, the image signal selected by the selector 98 is also transferred to the shift register IB (8).
4) and is written to memory B (86). In this way, two image signals can be written using a common video cook V.
This is done by CLK. Further, the address generation circuit 83 that specifies the address of the memory is connected to the video clock VC.
Synchronization is achieved with KS and video enable signal VE8, and addresses of memories A and B are controlled together.

During memory writing, the video clock VCK8 input to the address generation circuit 83 is set by the selector 81 to
'VCI, K is selected from among the VCLK communicated from the outside (for example, a reader) along with the image signal and the ICLKf generated by the internal generation circuit 91. Furthermore, the video enable signal VE8 input to the address generation circuit 83 is M
VE that is communicated from the outside (for example, a reader) along with the image signal, and IVE that is generated by the internal generation circuit 87.
W is selected by selector 88. Note that this address generation circuit 83 is also used when reading images from memories A and B.

Note that the start of writing to and reading from memories A and B is outputted by the CPU 75 via the I10 port 78.

The image information in memories A and B (85, 86) are both read out according to the address signal from the address generation circuit 83.
After being stored in the shift registers 2A, 2B (89, 90), it is output as serial data in synchronization with the common video click ICLK generated by the internal generation circuit 91.

At this time, the selector 81 selects internal ICLK as the video click VCK8. The video enable generation circuit 87 is a circuit similar to the H8BD generation circuit in the reader section, and generates the video enable at the timing shown in FIG.

In this way, shift registers 2A and 2 are transferred from memories A and B.
The image signal generated serially via the selector 9
2 and 93 select which of the two image signal lines A and B to output. The off circuits 94 and 95 perform an OR operation between the output of the selector 92 or 93 and the transparent image information that has passed through the transparent gate 99 and bypassed the memory, and outputs the result. Also, memory A.

The gate circuits 72, 73 and 100° 101 operate so as to take the three ORs of the outputs of both B and the clear image signal. Further, as the video clock, VCLK communicated from the outside by the selector 96 and ICLK generated by the internal generation circuit 91 are selected according to the operation mode and output to the subsequent stage.

As explained above, the retention memory unit has memory for the number of signal lines for multivalued image information, which is composed of a plurality of signal lines, and can store it, and also allows writing to each memory individually. , black and white binary formatting that does not require ternary expression such as formatting/,
: When storing image information, only one of the memories can be used, so the memory for one page of ternary images can also be used as the memory for two pages of binary images.
Therefore, the range of utilization of the memory unit can be expanded.

In addition, it has multiple image information storage units that store two systems of image information that form ternary information, and the output of each storage unit can be output to any of the multiple signal lines.
For example, by outputting a signal to only one side of the ternary signal line, the image reproduction capability is expanded, such as by making it possible to obtain an excitingly faint reproduced image when the signal lines from the original are overlapped.

In addition, in a system that communicates image information using multiple signal lines as multivalued information, the input/output circuit for image information can be improved by communicating signals for vIlwl and systems using a common image information synchronization signal. In addition to simplifying the process, it is also possible to reduce the cost by reducing the number of signal lines.

Furthermore, in the retention memory unit, a plurality of II! ii) There is an enemy memory unit that corresponds to the information signal line, and by configuring them so that they can be written and output using a common address generation circuit,
Multiple memory units can be controlled with a simple circuit.

On the other hand, image reproduction is speeded up by making it possible for the retinshiron memory unit to combine and output the image signal from the retention device and the image information already stored in the retention memory unit. In addition, the image control function can be improved.

In addition, the retention memory unit operates in the same way as a printer when storing data, and operates in the same way as a reading device when outputting image signals. The printer can be operated without being aware of the differences between the units, and the printer can be operated without being aware of the differences between the reading device and the retention memory unit during image playback, making it easy to develop these devices. In addition to this, the system can be easily configured.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the printer. The explanation will be given using FIG. The printer can be connected to the reader directly or indirectly via a retention memory unit.

A serial signal line from the reader or retention memory unit is input to the serial circuit 201 and sent to the CPU 200.
will be processed. (:'PU200 operates according to the control program stored in 1. ROM203, and RAM204
, timer circuit 202) controls the entire printer using the ear 10 port, 205. .

The input interface 207 performs input processing of sensor signals such as paper detection in the printer. Drive times $208
is a circuit for driving the motor, high voltage transformer, etc. shown in the strain diagram. The display circuit 206 uses no printing paper,
Used to display printer status such as jam occurrence.

The VDA signal and VDB signal (autobiographical signal) sent from the reader or retention memory unit are sent to the synthesis circuit 2.
17. It is synthesized into three values (VD signal) by the laser driver 2019. ! The laser beam C is focused by the collimator lens 211, and is approximately oriented relative to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 2140, which is rotated by a polygon mirror 212 at a predetermined rate. The scanned laser beam is scanned in a parallel direction.The scanned laser beam undergoes light intensity correction by an f-theta lens 213, and is irradiated onto a photosensitive drum 214 to form a latent image based on a VD signal.

Image formation in printers uses the so-called S-ton recording method, in which the required portion of the charge applied to the photosensitive drum 214 is removed using a laser beam, and this is developed using a developer to be printed onto print paper. This is done by transferring and fixing. Since the electrostatic recording method is a well-known technique, detailed explanation will be omitted.

Now, the laser beam scanned by the polygon mirror 212 is incident on the original fiber 215 before being applied to the photosensitive drum 214 at 1vA, and when the original detector 216 detects the incidence, it outputs a blood signal (BD double signal). .4th
As can be seen from the figure, if the VD signal is output after waiting for the time from when the BD double signal is generated until the laser beam reaches the photosensitive drum 214, a latent image will appear at a distant position on the photosensitive drum 214. is formed. It turns out.

The fifth section specifically shows the output timing of this VD signal.
The timing of the figure is Chanid.

Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which the reader is connected 1, the same applies to a case in which a retention memory is attached.

0. , FIG. 2(b), H due to BD signal generation
From the generation of the 8BD signal, the left mercy counter 68 starts counting, and when the corresponding count goes up at the above-mentioned time, the bit counter 69 is operated and the memory 60.61 or 11. Reading of V and D signals from the memories 62 and 63 is started. The bit/force 1 counter 69 stops operating after outputting the VD signal over the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 214, and prepares for inputting the <H8BD signal based on the next BD double signal input.

The vE signal is applied to the beat counter 69. This is a section signal indicating the period in which the

FIG. 6 shows a timing chart of image signals in the image signal synthesis circuit 217 shown in FIG.

The image signal VDA is synchronized with the video clock (VCLK).
, VDB is sent. By alternately selecting VDA and VD B at twice the frequency of the video clock, the two systems of image signals are combined and output to VD.
O is output.

FIG. 7 shows an operation unit provided on a reader connected to the system in this embodiment. The control section includes a standard operation section 252, a preset operation section 251, and liquid crystal display sections 25 and 6.
The special operation unit 250 includes a soft key and a soft key =2.57. The standard operating section 2.52 is equipped with a numeric keypad 254 for setting the number of copies, a set number display section 255, a copy start key 253, etc., and is used in the same way as a commonly used copying machine.

The special operation section 250 is for the user to create and create any copy mode, and includes a liquid crystal display section 256 that can display labels corresponding to the soft keys, copy mode, data, and various messages, and six soft keys. 257, and when you want to select the content displayed on the liquid crystal display section 256, you can create a copy mode etc. by pressing the soft key corresponding to the lower part of the display you want to select.

The preset operation section 251 is capable of registering copy modes (conditions) set by the standard operation section 252 and the special operation section 250. That is, by registering the copy mode to be used in advance in the RAM 40 and reading the copy mode from the memory with a single key operation without using the special operation unit 250, it is possible to easily perform copying in the desired mode. It is.

There are two ways to connect each device: a method in which the reader is connected to the printer via a retention memory unit, and a method in which only the reader and printer are connected. The connection state is determined by the application status described later.

Now, there are four operating modes using the retention memory unit shown in FIG. That is, for the first copy, the image signal from the reader is stored in the retention memory unit and at the same time the image is reproduced by the printer, and for the second and subsequent copies, the image is reproduced by the output from the retention memory unit and multiple copies are made. “Retention operation mode,
Overlay mode combines pre-stored image information with the output signal from the reader and reproduces the image on the printer; store mode simply stores the reader's image signal in the retention memory unit; This is a monitor mode in which the image information is output and the image is reproduced on the printer.These modes can be specified on the reader.In either mode, the retention memory unit (hereinafter referred to as RMU) is Works with instructions.

An example of setting the MU (retention memory unit) mode in the special operation section 250 of the reader will be described below with reference to FIG. In Fig. 8, 256 is a liquid crystal display, 257 is six soft keys (hereinafter referred to as SK or SK).
1 to 8 with 6). SK on the liquid crystal display section 256
Displays corresponding to I to SK6 are made.

When the power is turned on, the liquid crystal display section 256 displays E'r (: (meaning etcetra) in the part corresponding to key 8 and 6, as shown in FIG. 8 (1).Each time key SK6 is pressed, , the contents of the display section 256 corresponding to keys SK1 to SK8 are changed in a cyclical manner, so that the input mode can be changed 9 and selected according to the configuration of the system.

In other words, the reader uses signals from the printer to determine what is connected to the system and allows the user to select an input mode according to the system configuration.

If an RMU is connected to the system, “ETC
” by pressing the key SK6 corresponding to R,
The state in which the MU nested mode can be selected is displayed. ! The state is shown in FIG. 8(2). In this state, the RMU mode is selected by pressing the key SK2 corresponding to the display "RMU?". (If you do not select R, MU mode, press the key S corresponding to the display "g'rc".
By pressing K6, the display on the liquid crystal display section 256 changes and the mode moves to the next input mode. Furthermore, if tMU is not connected, the display shown in FIG. 8(2) is not displayed.

When the display section 256 is in the state shown in FIG.
If you press , the rLMU mode is selected and the display 25
6 changes to a display as shown in FIG. 8 (3).

Here, keys SKI to 8 and 4 each have a retention mode (high speed copy using memory) e overlay mode (superposition of memory and original).

Store mode (storing originals in memory) and monitor mode (sweeping from memory) are supported.

In addition, when the key 8K"6 corresponding to the display "BACK" is pressed, the display section 256 becomes the state shown in FIG. 8 (2),
The process returns to the input mode for selecting the RMU mode again.

In the display state shown in FIG. 8(3), the user selects the desired one of the four modes of the RMU. For example, if the key SKI corresponding to the display "Retention!" is pressed, , the retention mode is selected, and the display section corresponding to key 8 and 1 shows "" as shown in Figure 8 (4).
Retention! “ changes from “retention jl”. Here “! The 0 mark indicates that the corresponding mode is not selected, and when the corresponding key SK is pressed, the "〃" mark indicates that the mode has been selected. On the other hand, the "〃" mark indicates that the mode has already been selected.

After selecting the retention mode, press the start key 253 after setting the number of copies using the numeric keypad 254, similar to the operation of a conventional copying machine.
It is possible to form a predetermined number of images by reading a third document and sequentially reading out a plurality of identical memories. At this time, the selector in the retention memory is operated so that the two systems of ternary information @VDA and VDB read by the reader are written into the corresponding memories A and B, respectively.

Next, in the MU input mode, if the overlay mode is not selected (for example, when "Overlay i" is displayed as shown in Figure 8 (3)), press the key SK2 corresponding to the display "Overlay!" , overlay mode can be selected. When the overlay mode is selected, the display section 256 changes as shown in FIG. 8(3) to (5), and then continues in the display state of FIG. 8(6), waiting for key input.

Here, the selection is made as to which image stored in the two memories A and B of the memory unit is to be superimposed on the original image. A, memory B, memory A
, B, superposition with memory A+B (details will be described later)
corresponds to the selection. The operator presses key 8 from 1 to SK4.
After selecting the memories you want to overlap using
By setting the number of copies using the numeric keypad 254 and pressing the start key 253, the overlay operation between the document image currently being read and the image stored in the read memory unit is executed a desired number of times.

As in the case of the retention mode and the overlay mode, the store mode is selected by pressing 3 on the key 8 corresponding to the display "store i'" when the store mode is not selected in the RMU input mode. At this time, the display section 256 passes through the state shown in FIG.
8), and the system continues to wait for key personnel. This is the selection of which memory in the memory unit the image information read by the reader will be stored in. Keys 8 and 1 to SK3 correspond to storage in memory, memory B, and memory A and B, respectively. do. That is, by pressing the SK corresponding to the memory to be stored, the desired memory is selected.

Note that when either memory A or memory B is selected, the reader outputs the image as a binary code. on the other hand,
If Memo'JAB is selected, it is output as a 3-value number. After selecting the memory, by pressing the start key 253, the original is stored in the memory. This is from K.
This is a preparatory operation for overlay mode and monitor mode.

In the case of monitor mode, in the same way, when monitor mode is not selected in RMU input mode, the display “
monitor! When 4 is pressed on the key 8 corresponding to ", the monitor mode is selected and the display section 256 changes to (+41) through FIG. 8 (9).

Then, it waits for input as to which memory in the memory unit should output the stored image information. Keys SKI to S K 3 are memory person and memory B, respectively.
, corresponds to the outputs from memories A and B. In this manner, after the operator presses the key SK corresponding to the memory to be outputted, the operator sets the required number of copies using the numeric keypad 254 and presses the start key 253, thereby executing the monitor mode.

In this way, if a retention memory unit is provided, the retention mode can be set using that memory.
Four types of operations can be selectively executed from the reader unit: synthesis mode, store mode, and monitor mode.

In addition, if a retention memory unit is connected, it can be displayed on the operation panel of the reading device, so that the connected units of the entire system can be visually recognized at the succession device, allowing the expansion or reduction of the system. Operability is improved by allowing the operator to easily deal with the situation, and by being able to designate a retention memory unit and instruct each operation request.

Referring to Table 12, the operations of the reader, printer, and communication between each device during the copying operation (hereinafter referred to as copying operation) by this system will be explained.

The numbers in the table indicate the operations in the reader and the actions of the reader; ■ communication between the beam and the tension memory unit;
■ indicates the operation of the retention memory unit, ■ indicates the communication between the retention memory unit and the printer, and ■ indicates the operation of the printer. In the implementation system, information exchange between each device (reader/retention memory unit, retention memory unit, and printer) is mainly performed by serial signal communication except for image information.

In serial communication, the reader takes the initiative between the reader and the retention memory unit, and the retention memory unit takes the initiative between the retention memory unit and the printer.

The person with the initiative can detect whether the other party can receive serial signals (depending on the other party's power-on signal, receivable signal, etc.), and if communication is possible, output various commands in serial code. , the receiving side receives the above instruction,
Parity errors and the like are checked, and if the command is valid, information corresponding to the command is sent back (however, the retention memory unit may use a different communication method, which will be described later). If the command requests some action on the receiving side, the corresponding action is performed.

In communication, the person with the initiative outputs an instruction code (called a command), and the receiving side outputs information corresponding to that instruction code (
This is done on a 1:10 basis, in which the status (called the status) is always sent and returned.

FIG. 9 shows the overall basic flow of RMtJ communication.

Communication between the reader side unit and printer side unit is performed by exchanging 8-bit commands and statuses. In other words, the command is sent from the printer side unit to the printer side unit, and the status is
Puri/Me 1III: L, sent back from the knit to the leader side unit. At this time, one status is always returned in response to one command, and the status is never sent before the command.

First, the RMU inputs a command from the reader (8101
). It is determined whether this command is RMU instruction data shown in Table 11, which will be described later (8102). If the input command is RMU instruction data, RMU
The operation is started (8103), and the overall status shown in Table 3, which will be described later, is returned to the reader (8104). (On this occasion,
Do not send commands to the printer. ) If the input command is not RMU instruction data, the RMU determines whether the command needs to be sent to the printer (8105), and if it is necessary, returns the overall status to the company and reader. (8104
).

On the other hand, if it is necessary to send the input command to the printer, send the same command to the printer (s
to6).

When the printer receives a command from the RMU, it returns the status corresponding to the command within a certain period of time.几M
When U receives the status from the printer (8107),
It is determined whether the returned status is the application status shown in Table 9 below (slog). If the status is not an application status, the status returned from the printer is sent to the reader (S110).

On the other hand, if the status from the printer is an application status, information on whether or not it is connected to the RMU card system must be added to the application status. Therefore, if the status received from the printer is an application status, the status is processed into the RMU connection state (8109), and then the status is returned to the printer (8110).

In this way, in response to a command from the reader, the RMTJ transfers the command to the printer or returns the overall status to the reader. When the status is returned from the printer, the status is left as is or the status is processed and then returned to the reader, which is repeated as one cycle.

In this way, “the information of each unit is encoded and communicated,
By using a communication method in which the memory unit takes in only the necessary information and passes other information through, it is possible to speed up the transmission of information once, and only the reading device gA unit can communicate. By monitoring the communication protocol, it becomes possible to simplify the communication protocol.

The operation and communication of each part shown in Table 12 will be explained in detail below.

Table 1 shows status request commands for requesting printer information. This is sent to the printer via the retention memory unit.

Upon receiving the status request command, the printer returns a status signal corresponding to each status request command shown in Tables 2 to 9 to the reader. Table 2 shows the command error status that is returned when the received command is invalid; bit 6 is set when a parity error occurs.

Table 3 shows the status of the printer. The print request (bit 6), which is a paper feeding enable signal, is set when the printer becomes capable of paper feeding. Bit 5, Paper conveyance, is set if the printer is conveying paper. misprint,
Bits 4 and 3 of Waiting (fuser temperature rising), Pause (shutoff and power saving), and call error (operator call or serviceman call error)
, 2.1 are set when an error occurs in the printer.

Tables 4 and 5 show operator call errors and ? −'
The details of the Bisman call error are shown, and the bit corresponding to each error in each drive unit or process unit is set when the error occurs.

Table 6 shows the number of retransmission requests caused by jams and misprints. □ Tables 7 and 8 show the paper size of the printer.

Table 9 shows whether the retention memory unit is connected to bit 1 in the application status.
This is the status that is notified to the reader, and if a retention memory unit is connected, bit 1 (retention memory unit present) is set.

Table 10 shows execution commands that prompt the printer to execute. When the execution command is output, the printer and the rehabilitation memory unit are activated.

The overall status shown in Table 3 will be returned.

1 is a printer stop command that requests the printer to start a copy operation, 2 is a printer stop command that requests a stop of a copy operation, and 3 and 4 are paper feed instruction commands that instruct the paper feed cassette. This is a command that indicates an instruction to the 5-digit retention memory unit, and is output from the reader when there is a setting to use the retention memory unit in the reader.

Table 1.1 specifically shows the instruction contents of the 2nd byte of the retention memo 9z unit instruction command in 5 of Table 10. Bits 5 and 6 of the 2nd pie are the contents of the retention memory unit Bit 4 instructs which memory, memory A or memory H, to store the image signal in, and bit 4 instructs to pass the image signal through without going through the memory. Bit 3 and bit 2 indicate which memory A or B is used for both outputs. Therefore, in a normal copy operation, bit 4 is set to pass through, and in retention mode, bit 4 is set to pass through.
The pass-through instruction bit of , and the memory storage instruction bits of bits 5 and 6 are set. Further, in the store mode, the storage instruction bits of bit 6 and bit 5 are respectively set according to instructions from the operation section. Furthermore, in the monitor mode, bits 2 and 3 are set respectively according to instructions from the operating section. In the overlay mode, bit 4, the clear pass instruction bit, and bit 2 or bit 3, the image output bit, are set.

Serial communication using each of the above-mentioned commands will be explained below. □First, when the copy sequence is not being executed and there is no key input, the printer performs the communication shown in FIG. 11 before the communication shown in Table 12. Furthermore, selection of the H S n D signal is also performed according to the flowchart shown in Figure 10 above.

First, the reader outputs the application status request command and inputs the application status (816
-1) to know whether the retention memory unit is connected or not. After checking the copy start (816-2), the upper/lower cassette size is known from the output of the upper cassette status request command and lower cassette status request command in Table 1 (S16-3).
.

After obtaining the paper size information, etc., obtain the overall status using the overall status request command shown in Table 1 (S16
-4). However, since the copy sequence is not yet being executed at this stage, only whether there is a call error is determined based on the overall status (816-5). If there is no call error, the process returns to 816-1 to request the application status, and these steps are repeated.

If there is a call error, use the serviceman call error request command shown in Table 1 to obtain detailed information on the serviceman call error (S16-6). Furthermore, operator call number 9-1 in Table 1? The details of the operator call error are obtained by the request command (816-7). Thereafter, the process returns to (816-1) and repeats the same steps.

In this way, the communication before the five normal sequences is performed, and when the copy start key is pressed by the copy start check (816-2), the operations shown in Table 12 are executed.

Next, the communication operation during the copy sequence will be explained with reference to Table 12.

In the copy operation in the RMU operation mode, as shown in Table 12, the reader first issues an RMU operation instruction, and the RMU starts one of the retention operation, overlay operation, store operation, and monitor operation according to the instruction.

The copy operation when the ILMU is connected will be explained below.

First, when the operator inputs image forming conditions such as paper size and number of copies (one copy in store mode) from the operation panel in the reader and presses the copy key, the reader moves to the cassette stage. Directions to Printer (RMU)
). The cassette stage is loaded into the RMU as a paper size and then transferred to the printer.

After instructing the cassette stage, the reader sends a copy start command to the printer. When the RM unit receives a copy start command, it prepares to proceed to a copy operation if it is not a store operation, and also transfers the copy start command to the printer. When the printer receives copy start,
When each part of the printer starts operating and it becomes possible to receive image signals depending on the printer conditions, a signal indicating that paper feeding is possible is sent to R.
- Send to MUVc. A signal indicating a paper feed enable signal is transmitted to the RMU carder.

The above is a case other than a store operation, but in the case of a store operation, after receiving a copy start signal from the reader, the RMU directly sends a paper feed ready signal to the league without transmitting the signal to the printer. Send a signal indicating □.

After receiving the paper feed enable signal, the reader transmits a paper feed start signal to the printer side (1 (MU)).

The paper feed start signal is sent to the printer via the RMU in cases other than store operations. In cases other than the second and subsequent sheets in the monitor operation and retention operation, the reader reads the image after the paper feed start signal and sends one image signal to the printer@(RMU).

RMUFi controls image signals by each RMU operation. That is, in the case of the first copy in the retention operation, the image signal is stored in the memory of the retention memory unit and simultaneously transmitted to the printer. On the other hand, in the case of the second or later retention operation and in the case of the monitor operation, there is no image signal from the reader side, and the RM
U transmits the data from the memory to the printer as an image signal. In the case of over 1/2 operation, the image signal from the reader and the signal from the memory are synchronized and combined and then sent to the printer as an image signal. However, in the case of a store operation, the image signal is only stored in the memory and is not sent to the printer.

The reader counts down the number of sheets after the - number of simultaneous readings is completed. Then, the next time a paper feed ready signal is received,
The paper feed start signal is output again, and in the overlay mode, the document reading process is started, and in the retention mode, only the timer according to the output size is started, and the document reading scan is not performed, but waits for the timer to time out. The reader continues this operation until the set number of sheets have been printed.

However, in the case of a store operation, the number of copies is set to 1 as described above, the image signal is not sent from the RMU to the printer, and the reader performs one reading operation and ends.

When the reader finishes the final copy, it sends a command indicating printer stop to the printer via communication j) R and MU. When the printer receives the printer stop message, it stops the operation of each operating part of the printer.

FIG. 12 shows the failure of league operation using RMU.

First, when the copy key is pressed by the operator, the reader issues a MU operation instruction (810-1) and a %cassette stage instruction (810-2) to the RMU. Also, RMUK
On the other hand, when writing to only one side of memory A or memory B, the binarization circuit is set to output binary values (810
-25°1O-26)% On the other hand, when writing to both memories A and H, three values are output (810-27).

Next, the reader instructs the printer side (RMU) K to start copying (8to-3).

Furthermore, it is determined whether the reader is in the RMU monitor mode (810-6). It M U If the printer is not in monitor mode and paper feeding is possible (s
io-y), the printer side (RMU) instructs K to start feeding paper 510-8) starts % timer 1 (S
10-9), waits for a certain period of time until the timer 1 times out, starts scanning the 810-1 OL optical system (810-11), and starts reading the original (810-11).
0-12). Furthermore, wait until the reading process is completed (Sxo-
xa) Do. On the other hand, in the case of the rtMu monitor mode, after inputting the paper feed enable signal (810-20), a 1 paper feed start signal is transmitted (810-21)b. Furthermore, timer 2 is started (810-22), Wait for the timer to expire after a certain period of time (810-23). .

Next, the reader determines whether it is in RMU store mode (810-15), and if it is in RMU store mode, it sends a printer stop signal to the printer side,
The copy operation is ended (810-24). If it is not the RMU store mode, the set number of sheets is counted down (810-16). After that, by checking whether the countdown result is O (810-
17) When the end of copying is known and the final copying is completed, printer stop is sent to the printer to end the copying operation (810-24).

If the final copy is not completed, the copy operation is repeated until it is completed, but first the MU retention mode (8to-18) and the RMU monitor mode (
810-19), the process returns to the same flow as the first monitor mode copy (810-20), and the RM
Wait for U to flush memory. However, in other cases,
Return to the flow of copying the first sheet other than RMU monitor mode J)
(810-7), optical system scanning is performed.

In addition, the RMU latency mode is set (S10-18
), since the second and subsequent sheets are read out from the memory, there is no need to read and scan the original by League. Therefore, the flow of monitor copy mode (810-20
) Before returning the button, display a message on the display unit 256 informing the operator that it is OK to remove the original on the document table as shown in Figure 13-1 (810-25). The user can change to the next original or turn over five pages while copying the second and subsequent sheets to prepare for the next original reading scan, reducing the time spent on copying. Furthermore, when there is only one original, the Kii original can be taken away, and there is no need to wait for the copying of a large number of copies to be completed.

It should be noted that a display may be made to the effect that the document can be exchanged, and in addition to the visual display, an audio display or the like may be provided.

Further, this display disappears when the document cover is opened to remove or replace the document, or when a new copy is made manually.

As described above, when storing the output of the reading device in the retention memory unit, if only memory A or B is specified, the reading device automatically outputs binary information, thereby eliminating the possibility of missing information from both. This makes it possible to configure a system that is easy to operate without requiring the operator to be aware of this. In addition, in retention mode or when the operator selects both memories A and B, the league is 3
It automatically outputs the value.

Furthermore, if the output of the memory unit is managed by a reading device, the operator can know the number of reproduced images, and the processing load on the memory unit, etc. can be reduced.

FIG. 14 shows the operation of the microcomputer of the printer during the connection forming operation shown in Table 12. When a copy start request is received from the printer MU, the printer starts operating each part according to a predetermined sequence (S12-2).

Since this system uses an electrostatic recording printer using a drum as described above, preprocessing such as drum charging is required. Therefore, wait until the preprocessing is completed and paper can be fed, and if possible, start feeding paper from the cassette instructed by the league before starting copying (S
12-3, 812-4).

It waits until the fed paper reaches a position where it can receive the image Oj signal (812-5), and when it reaches the position, it outputs a signal indicating that it can receive both signals to the league (S12-6).

When the two-way signal is input, a series of copying operations such as copying, transferring to paper, and ejecting the paper to the outside of the printer are performed (812-7
, 812-8).

Then, it detects whether an error has occurred in a series of copy operations and sends that information to the league (812-
9,812-10).

After that, when a printer stop message is received, each part of the printer is stopped and the series of copying operations is completed.
812-13), and when a copy start is received, the next copy is started (812-12).

FIGS. 15(a) to 15(0) are flowcharts showing the flow of RMU operation. 3.

The R and MU control the video signal while changing the on/off state of the video signal gate and the selector state of the selector according to the mode. .

That is, there are selectors 97 and 98 between the two input signals VDA and VDB and the two memories A and H, and selectors 97 and 98 are provided between the two input signals VDA and VDB and the memory A1 and the signal VDA.
B to memory A1 signal V, D B to memory 4.
Performs one route switching operation. There are also two memories A,
Between H and the two output video signals VDA and VDB,
Selector 92.93 and gate 72,73°100.1
．． There is 01, from memory person to VDA, from memory person to V
To DB, memory B to VDA, memory B to V, D
Four output routes to B are selected. Furthermore, input VDA and output VDA.

There is a signal line for directly connecting the input VDB and the output VDB through the memory cell B, and a transparent gate 99 for switching the operation of the signal line is provided. R
By controlling the states of the four selectors 92, 93, 97 and 98 of the MU image line and the gates 72, 73, 100 and 101, the input/output path of the video signal is controlled.

FIG. 15(a) is a flowchart regarding the selection of four modes in the RMU operation.

If the command received from the league side is RMU instruction data, the RMU starts the RMU operation according to the day and evening (8103 in FIG. 9). , RMU operations are performed according to the MU instruction data received from the reader unit (Sill), retention (8112), overlay (Sl 13,), store (811'4), and monitor (811'4).
115).

FIG. 15(b) shows the flow of operations in the retention mode. After receiving the retention operation specification by the RMU operator's operation key operation, specify the number of sheets (8116
), and when the start key (8117) is pressed manually, the retention operation is started. .

After the RMU start key is input, horizontal synchronizing signals H8B and D are selected. That is, the BD scratch signal sent from the printer is used as a horizontal synchronization signal (8119).

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　.

The retention operation consists of reading the original image when forming the image on the first sheet, outputting the nine-image mail signal to the printer by bypassing the memory, and storing it in the first retention memory. For subsequent image formation, the data from the 5th image stored during the first image formation, the data from the sled,
If you sweep it out, it will be faster than k without scanning the original,
This is a tension motion.

First, it is determined whether it is the first copy (
8121,), if it is the first copy i, turn on the transparent pass gate 99 to allow the read image to pass through 5, operate the selectors 97 and 98 2, and input the input signal VDA.
, VDB are set to be stored in memory A (, MA) and memory B (MB), respectively (8122)
, image passing 8123), and memory storage (812
4) at the same time. Also, at the same time as 1 memory storage, a memory storage factor flag A prepared on the RAM 77 in FIG.
Set both FLAG and BFLAG to 0 (8120)
. This means that images are stored in memory B and memory B during the retention mode, and are used for security protection of the memory, which will be described later.

On the other hand, in the case of copying the second and subsequent sheets, selector 9.2
, 93 to make the output of memory A (M'A) the output VDAK and the output of memory B (MB) the output VDB. Output and perform (8126)% retention. The image output from the memory is repeated until the end number of images is reached (8127).

As described above, when operating in retention mode, the reading device performs the reading operation only once regardless of the set number of sheets, thereby making the system easier for the operator to operate. It is now possible to configure.

fE 15 Section 1 (c) and (d) show differences in operation in overlay mode. After receiving the overlay operation specification by the user's operation keys, the RMU selects the memory (8128) and specifies the % number of sheets (8129).
) and the start key is pressed manually (S130), the overlay operation starts. Memory selection (812g) is
Memory A and memory B specify which memory to superimpose the image obtained by scanning the original and the image read from which memory.

Memo IJAB (a total of two pages of overlay of the original image and one page worth of images stored as ternary information in Memories A and B), Memories A and B (overlay of the original image and one page of images stored in Memories A and B as ternary information) This is a selection of a total of three pages of overlay of two pages of images each stored as binary information.

As in the case of retention operation, after pressing the start key manually, the RMU receives the BD (813)
2) Use horizontal synchronization signal.

This operation is similar to that in retention mode.

Furthermore, each selector is set according to the RMU memory selection. First, in order to allow the original image information to be read from now to pass through to the printer side without going through the memory, the pass gate 99 is turned on (8134).
Further, depending on the contents of the memory selection (812B), selectors 92 and 930 are used to output the desired video from the memory.
Select and set.

Is a memory person selected (memory AB)?

Memo IJ (including A + B selection) judgment (S1
35), the memory A (
8136). If it is not selected, select selector 9 to set the image in memory B (MB) as VDA.
2 is set (S137). Similarly, if memory B is selected (813B) by determining whether memory B is selected (including selection of memory AB, memory A and B), the image in memory B (MB) is transferred to VDB. If it is not selected, set the selector 93 so that the image in memory A (MA) is set to VDB (8140).

Next, it is determined whether memory A+B is selected (8141), and if selected, further,
The selectors 92 and 93 are operated to output the image in memory A (MA) to VDH and the image in memory B (MB) to VDA (8142).

That is, if A+B is selected, 8136°51
All operations 39 and 5142 are performed, and the original image and 2
Together with the two memory images, it becomes a three-page overlay (8142).

After completing the mode setting of each selector, the memory accumulation factor flag is checked (8131). For example, if AFLAG is set to 0, that is, if the memory AK is stored and the nine ryo flight is due to the retention operation, the selector and gate are controlled so as not to output the image in the memory. In other words, when AFLAG=0 and only memory A is selected, selectors 92 and 93 are set to set the images of memory A as VDA and VDB, respectively. is set to prohibit all image output, and in the end only the clear image is output from the RMU to the printer. Also memory A
When B is selected, the selector 92 sets the image in the memory A to be VDA, so the gates 73 and 100 are controlled to inhibit the memory person from outputting the image.

Furthermore, when memory A+B is selected, selectors 92 and 9 are used so that only the images in memory B become VDA and VDH.
3 may be set to prohibit image output from memory A.

In the same manner, the relationship between the contents of AFLAG and BFLAG, the control of the selector and gate by the selection memory, and the result of that control, and the memory image synthesized with the pass-through signal for each of VDA and VDB will be explained in the 13th section. Shown in the table. In Table 13, the mark ○ in the gate section indicates permission for image output, and the mark X indicates disapproval.
The x mark in the A, V D B term indicates that there is no image from memory.

By controlling as described above, for example, in the retention copy mode, the original image is stored in the memory without the operator being aware of it, so the image is prevented from being output in unnecessary quantities and confidentiality is protected. I can do it.

On the other hand, since the images stored in the memory in the memory store mode are stored in the memory consciously by the operator, it is desirable for the monitor mode or %A to be output in the overlay mode, so this control is Use the flags mentioned above.

In this way, by automatically determining the nature of the image based on the memory usage mode, security can be ensured.

It also improves operability.

After completing the settings for each gate in this way, check whether there is a memory image that can be overlaid (8
168). If VDA and VDB in Table 13 are both marked x, a message indicating that there are no overlayable images in memory will be displayed as shown in Figure 13-2, and the copy operation will be canceled to avoid unnecessary copying. Prevent taking (8169).

Note that this may be indicated by voice or the like.

If there is a memory image that can be output, the RMU performs an overlay operation by synchronizing the document passing data and the data swept from the selected memory and outputting them at the same time (
8143). Image output is repeated until the end number of images is reached (8144).

FIG. 15(e) shows the flow of operation in K store mode. The RMU selects memory (8145) after receiving the system door operation specification by the user's manual operation keys.
, the store operation is started by manually pressing the start key (S146). Mesori selection (8145) is the selection of memory A, memory B, or memory AB by specifying in which memory the original is to be stored.

After inputting the start key, the RMU selects the H8 signal generated within the RMU as the image horizontal synchronization signal (814
7) After that, select which memory you want to store the data in.

First, it is determined whether memory A is selected (including memory AB selection) (8148), and if selected, I/C operates selector 97, and VDA selects memory I/C.
Set it in the gravel stored in JA (MA) (8149)
. Similarly, whether memory B is selected (memory A
8150) If s is selected, operate the selector 98 and set so that VDB is stored in memory B (MB)K.

After RMU gate selection, image data is stored in one memory. Furthermore, when storing memory AVc, 1iAFLAG=
I stored 1F Mesori BK. If so, set the memory accumulation factor flag by setting BFLAG=1 (811
B). As already mentioned, this flag can be used to ensure the confidentiality of the memory image during overlay output.

Figure 15 (0 shows the flow of monitor mode operation.
The MU starts the monitor operation by selecting 1 memory (8153), specifying the number of sheets (8154), and inputting the start key (8155) after receiving the designation of the monitor operation by the user's operation keys. Memory selection (8153) is the selection of which memory to read the image from.Memory A,
There are choices between memory B and memory AB.

After the start key is input, the RMU selects the BD double signal generated by the printer as the horizontal synchronization signal as the horizontal synchronization signal.

The RMU determines whether or not the memory person is selected (8159)b.
is operated to output the image in memory A (MA) as a VDA (8160).

On the other hand, if 5 is not selected, the selector 92 is operated to output the image of mesori B (MB) as a VDA (8161).

Next, it is determined whether memory B is selected (8162), and if selected, selector 9 is selected.
3 to set the image in memory B (MB) to be output as VDB (8163). In addition, if it is not selected, the selector 93 is operated and the memory A (
MA) image is output as VDB (8164).

After that, as already mentioned in the overlay mode copy, check the storage factor flag of the memory image, control the selector and gate as shown in Table 13, and store it in the memory without the operator being aware of it. This prevents the image currently displayed from being inadvertently copied and output (8156).

After setting the state of each selector and gate in RMU,
to check if there are any memory images that can be output (8157). If VDA and VDB are both marked with an X in Table 13, a message indicating that there are no images that can be output is displayed on the display unit 256 as shown in Figure 13-3, and copying is canceled (
8167)O In addition, /l<1 of VDAJfVDB is also 1
If there is an image that can be output on the other side, the image data is outputted from the memory (8165), and the output is repeated until the end number of images is reached (8166).

As explained above, in an image processing system that forms an image according to an image output unit such as an image @ reader, the efficiency of the copying operation is improved by providing an image information storage unit. Furthermore, it is possible to provide an image processing system that can perform a plurality of image formations simultaneously and is easy for an operator to operate.

Furthermore, the confidentiality of information can be maintained since the stored image signal will not be read out inadvertently, that is, in an inconvenient mode.

Furthermore, when the same image is formed multiple times, the number of original scans is 1.
In addition, it is possible to quickly remove the original and place the next original, thereby achieving high-speed image formation.

Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7 Table 8 Table 9 Table 10 Table 11

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an image processing system to which the present invention is applied;
Figures 2 (a) and (b) are internal configuration diagrams of the league, Figure 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the retention memory unit (RMU), Figure 4 is an internal configuration diagram of the printer, and Figure 5 is an image signal Fig. 6 is a timing chart relating to the synthesis of two systems of image signals, Fig. 7 is an external view of the operating section of the league, Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the display state of the operating section,
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing RMU communication operations, FIG. 10 is a flowchart regarding league timing signal selection, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing league communication operations, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart regarding league image reading operations. Figure 13-1, Figure 13-2 and Figure 1
Figure 3-3 is a diagram showing an example of a message, Figure 14 is a flow chart diagram showing the operating procedure of the printer, and Figure 15 (a).
-(f) are flowcharts showing the operation procedure for each operation mode of the RMU; 1. l is league, 2 is RMU, 3
is MIMOU, 4 and 5 are printers, 85.86 is memory, and 92.93.97 and 98 are selectors.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A document table on which a document is placed; a reading device for photoelectrically converting and reading an image of the document placed on the document table; a storage device for storing image signals from the reading device; and a storage device for storing image signals from the reading device. an image forming means for repeatedly performing image formation based on the same image signal stored in the image forming apparatus; and a display means for displaying a state in which the original on the original table can be removed or replaced after the reading of the original image by the reading means is completed. An image processing system comprising: (2) The image processing system according to claim (1), wherein the display means performs an audio display operation.