JP2003271355A - Image forming device, and information recording medium stored with control program for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accept an instruction for the transition of an image storing device to a power saving mode even during image conversion such as thumb nail preparation to a stored image. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with an original reading part 5 for acquiring image data, an image storing device 10 for storing the data of images acquired by the original reading part 5, an MSU 6 for displaying the stored images, and a CPU 1 for executing at least one conversion processing of image magnification conversion, image format conversion, and image compression/extension conversion to the data of newly stored images after storing the images. At the time of receiving a request for the stop of the supply of a power to the image storing device 10, and for the transition of the image storing device to a power saving mode during the conversion processing of the image data, the transition to the power saving mode is executed after the end of the conversion processing without executing any conversion processing to conversion stand-by image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a digital copy,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a digital copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus capable of accumulating image information of a printer, a FAX, a scanner or the like in the image forming apparatus or the outside thereof and outputting the accumulated image at an arbitrary time has been put into practical use. In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to browse the stored images by accessing the image forming apparatus from a computer via a network.

Normally, the image format and compression format are in accordance with the means for storing, but not the format or compression format that can be handled as standard on a computer. The image data stored in the image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine has a high resolution necessary for reprinting. However, when viewing the stored images on an image storage device or a computer, a high resolution is not required, and it is preferable that the data size is small in order to send and receive the image data via the network. Therefore, it is necessary to convert the image resolution.

Further, when arranging a plurality of documents on the display of a computer, it is necessary to reduce the magnification of the image for display.

For this reason, when the image data stored in the image processing apparatus is handled by the computer, it is necessary to perform processing for converting the image data into a format or a compression format that is easy for the computer to handle. The data is called a thumbnail. The creation of such a thumbnail is a known technique such as the "document processing system" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-307831.

[0006]

When browsing stored images on a computer, there is a method of creating thumbnails of only necessary images at any time, but it takes time to create thumbnails, which leads to deterioration of computer response. Therefore, a method of creating a thumbnail in advance each time an image is stored is used.

Since the image conversion may be slower in processing speed than the image storage speed, continuous image storage may result in accumulation of image data waiting for image conversion. In this case, even after the operator finishes the image storage work, only the image conversion operation is continuously executed in a form invisible from the surface. Since image data needs to be read from an image storage device such as a hard disk during image conversion, the contents of the image storage device cannot be erased or the power of the image storage device cannot be turned off.

Therefore, the conventional image forming apparatus rejects the image storage device even if the operator tries to shift the image storage device to the power saving mode during image conversion or when there is image data waiting to be converted. Therefore, there is a problem that the usability is not good for the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and allows the image storage device to shift to the power saving mode even during the image conversion such as the thumbnail creation for the stored image. The purpose is to be able to accept orders.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, as a first aspect of the present invention, an image acquisition unit for acquiring image data, and an accumulation unit for accumulating image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. Means, means for displaying the accumulated image, and means for executing at least one of conversion processing of image magnification conversion, image format conversion, and image compression / expansion conversion on the data of the newly accumulated image after the accumulation. In the image forming apparatus provided with, when a request to stop the supply of power to the storage means and shift to the power saving mode is received during the conversion process of the image data, after the conversion process is completed,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus characterized by shifting to a power saving mode without performing conversion processing on image data waiting for conversion. In the above configuration, when the power saving mode returns to the steady state, it is preferable to execute the conversion process on the image data waiting to be converted before shifting to the power saving mode.

In order to achieve the above object, as a second aspect of the present invention, image acquisition means for acquiring image data, and storage means for accumulating image data acquired by the image acquisition means are accumulated. Image formation including means for displaying an image, and means for performing at least one of image magnification conversion, image format conversion, and image compression / expansion conversion on data of a newly stored image after storage If the device receives a request to stop the power supply to the storage unit and shift to the power saving mode during the conversion process of the image data, after the conversion process is completed, the conversion process is not performed for the image data waiting for conversion. The present invention provides an information recording medium that stores a control program that causes an operation of shifting to a power mode.

In order to achieve the above object, as a third aspect of the present invention, image acquisition means for acquiring image data, storage means for storing image data acquired by the image acquisition means, and storage An image including means for displaying the stored image, and means for performing at least one conversion processing of image magnification conversion, image format conversion, and image compression / expansion conversion on the data of the newly stored image after the storage. When the forming apparatus receives a request to stop the power supply to the storage unit and shift to the power saving mode during the image data conversion process, after the conversion process is completed, the conversion process for the image data waiting for conversion is not performed. The operation to shift to the power saving mode, and when the power saving mode returns to the steady state, the conversion processing is performed on the image data waiting to be converted before shifting to the power saving mode. There is provided an information recording medium storing a control program to perform the operation and that.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The CPU 1 controls each unit of the device. The ROM 2 stores a program for the CPU 1 to control each unit of the device. RAM3 is
A work area when the CPU 1 executes a program,
Various data are stored. The non-volatile RAM 11 is a memory for storing various settings and image attribute groups that retain stored contents even when the power is turned off. The document reading device 5 is, for example, a scanner, and a plurality of documents are set in the scanner one by one by a DF (document feeder: automatic document feeder), and the read document images are stored in the image memory 7 or the image storage via the MSU 6. Sent to device 10. The MSU 6 is a controller for the image memory, and controls the image memory 7 by commands from the CPU 1. The functions of the MSU 6 are: (1) The image data from the document reading device 5 is stored in the image memory 7. (2) The image in the image memory 7 is stored in the image storage device 10. (3) The image stored in the image storage device 10 is expanded on the image memory 7. (4) Delete the image stored in the image storage device 10. (5) The printer 8 outputs the image developed in the image memory 7. (6) The image data stored in the image storage device 10 is opened to the public via the network I / F 12. and so on. The image memory 7 is a memory for storing an image for output and can be accessed by the MSU 6. The printing device 8 is a device that prints an image. The operation unit 9 includes hard keys such as a start key and a touch panel. The image storage device 10 can store the image data expanded on the image memory 7. Further, the stored image data can be expanded on the image memory 7. The network I / F 12 can be connected to an external computer or the like via a LAN. The power supply device 13 can turn on and off the power supply to the image storage device 10, the document reading device 5, and the printing device 8 according to an instruction from the CPU 1. In the power saving mode, this turns off the power supply.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the operation unit 9. The ten-key pad 801 is a key for inputting each number from 0 to 9. The enter key 802 is a key for confirming the numerical value input using the numeric keypad 801. A clear key 803 is a key for clearing the numerical value input using the numeric keypad 801. The start key 804 is a key for starting an operation such as copying. The LCD display unit / touch panel unit 805 displays information to be presented to the user and receives input of information from the user via the touch panel. A copy key 806 is a key for selecting a copy function. Scanner accumulation key 807
Is a key for selecting the function of storing the image data read by the document reading device 5 in the image storage device 10. The storage output key 808 is a key for selecting a function of outputting the image stored in the image storage device 10 from the printing device 8. The initial setting key 809 is a key for displaying a menu screen for selecting an operation such as collectively deleting the images stored in the image storage device 10. The power key 811 is a key that is turned on to supply power to the image forming apparatus and activate the apparatus. The power saving mode key 812 is a key for switching between the normal mode and the power saving mode.

The tasks of the image forming apparatus are shown in FIGS. These tasks can be simultaneously operated in parallel by time division of the CPU 1. In addition, it is possible to communicate by messages between the respective tasks.

3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing when documents are stored. First, the power saving flag is reset as an initialization operation (step S30).
1). After that, in response to the key event from the operation unit 9,
Document storage starts. The CPU 1 checks whether or not the power saving flag is set (step S30).
2). The power-saving flag is set after a request for shifting to the power-saving mode is made until after the shift to the normal mode from the power-saving mode, and documents are not stored during SET. When the power saving flag is not set (step S302 / No), various modes are set (step S303). After that, the CPU 1 checks whether or not the power saving mode key 812 is pressed in the normal mode (step S304). Power saving mode key 812
When is pressed (step S304 / Yes), the power saving flag is set (step S311), and a message for shifting to the power saving mode is transmitted to the task in FIG. Here, even if the image conversion is in progress, the transition to the power saving mode is not rejected because the image conversion is in progress.

If the power saving mode key 812 is not pressed in the normal mode (step S304 / No),
By pressing the start key 804 (step S30
5 / Yes), the document is read, and the image is stored (step S306). If there are remaining originals (step S307 / Yes), the process is repeated again, and if not (step S307 / No), the file is saved (step S308).

After saving the file, the image conversion flag = SE
If there is T or image conversion waiting data (step S309)
/ Yes), the ID of the image accumulated this time is set in the image conversion waiting data (step S313). If not (step S309 / No), a message is transmitted to the task of FIG. 5 (step S310). The image conversion waiting data is in a FIFO queue.

If the power saving flag is set when the key event from the operation unit 9 is received (step S302 / Yes), the CPU 1 has pressed the power saving mode key 812 during the power saving mode. Whether or not it is monitored (step S314). If the power saving key 812 is pressed (step S314 / Yes), a message indicating return from the power saving mode is transmitted to the task of FIG. 6 (step S315).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing at the time of automatic deletion. When the image conversion message is received (step S401 / Yes), the image conversion flag is set (step S402). This is the SE during image conversion (while access to the image storage device 10 occurs).
T is done. After that, the MSU 6 expands the image data from the image storage device 10 onto the image memory 7 (step S4).
03). The CPU 1 performs image conversion (format, resolution, magnification, compression format conversion, etc.) by software (step S404). The MSU 6 stores the converted image data in the image storage device 10 (step S405). Then, the image conversion flag is reset (step S
406). The CPU 1 confirms whether the power saving flag is set (step S407). If it is set (step S407 / Yes), it means that there is a request for shifting to the power saving mode during image conversion, so a power saving shifting message is transmitted to the task of FIG. 6 (step S409). The image conversion process is interrupted even if there is remaining image conversion waiting data.

If the power saving flag is not SET (step S407 / No), it is confirmed whether there is image conversion waiting data (step S408). If there is image conversion waiting data (step S408 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S402. On the other hand, if there is no image conversion waiting data (step S408 / No), step S40
Go to 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of the power saving mode process. The CPU 1 checks the reception of the power saving mode return message (step S501). If received (step S501 / Yes), CPU
1 starts up the power supply device 13 (step S50
5), start supplying power to the data storage device 10 and the like.
Next, the power saving flag is reset (step S50).
6). If there is a remaining image conversion request (step S507 / Yes), the image conversion message is transmitted to the task of FIG. 4 (step S508).

When the power saving mode return message is not received (step S501 / No), it is confirmed whether or not the power saving mode shift message is received (step S501).
502). If the image conversion flag is not set (step S503 / No), the CPU 1 stops the power supply to the image storage device 10 and the like using the power supply device 13 (step S504).

[0024]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a request for shifting to the power saving mode of the image storage device is made even during the image conversion such as the thumbnail for the stored image. By accepting the request, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus with good operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus in which the present invention is preferably implemented.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when documents are accumulated.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when documents are stored.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow at the time of automatic deletion.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a power saving mode process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 5 Original reading device 6 MSU 7 Image memory 8 printing devices 9 Operation part 10 Image storage device 11 Non-volatile RAM 12 Network I / F 13 Power supply device 801 numeric keypad 802 Enter key 803 clear key 804 Start key 805 LCD display / touch panel 806 copy key 807 Scanner accumulation key 808 Accumulated image output key 809 Initial setting key 811 power key 812 Power saving mode key

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03G 21/00 398 G03G 21/00 398 H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 C F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 HN04 HN15 HT04 2C187 AD04 AE01 BF41 CC08 DB26 DD01 2H027 EE07 EE08 EF16 FD02 FD08 ZA01 ZA07 5B021 AA02 BB01 BB04 CC05 MM00 QQ04 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB17 AC23 AC01 AC01 AC22 AC24 AC02 AC01 AC22 AC24 AC25 AC01 AC22 AC24 AC01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image acquisition unit for acquiring image data, an accumulation unit for accumulating image data acquired by the image acquisition unit, a unit for displaying the accumulated image, and an image newly accumulated after accumulation. An image forming apparatus comprising: a unit that performs at least one conversion process of image magnification conversion, image format conversion, and image compression / expansion conversion on data, wherein power supply to the storage unit is stopped. When the request to shift to the power saving mode is received during the conversion process of the image data, the shift to the power saving mode is performed after the conversion process is completed without performing the conversion process on the image data waiting for conversion. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein when the power saving mode returns to a steady state, the conversion process is executed on the image data waiting to be converted before the power saving mode is entered. Forming equipment. 3. An image acquisition unit for acquiring image data, an accumulation unit for accumulating image data acquired by the image acquisition unit, a unit for displaying the accumulated image, and an image newly accumulated after accumulation. An image forming apparatus having a means for performing at least one conversion processing of image magnification conversion, image format conversion, and image compression / expansion conversion on data is stopped to stop power supply to the storage means. When a request to shift to the mode is received during the conversion process of the image data, a control program for performing the operation of shifting to the power saving mode without performing the conversion process on the image data waiting to be converted after the conversion process is completed. Stored information recording medium. 4. An image acquisition unit for acquiring image data, an accumulation unit for accumulating image data acquired by the image acquisition unit, a unit for displaying the accumulated image, and an image newly accumulated after accumulation. An image forming apparatus having a means for performing at least one conversion processing of image magnification conversion, image format conversion, and image compression / expansion conversion on data is stopped to stop power supply to the storage means. When a request to shift to the mode is received during the conversion processing of the image data, an operation of shifting to the power saving mode without performing the conversion processing on the image data waiting for conversion after the conversion processing, and the power saving mode When the normal state is restored to the power saving mode, the control process that causes the conversion waiting image data before the shift to the power saving mode to perform the conversion process is performed. Information recording medium storing grams.