JP2003345738A - Multifunction system and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a nultifunction system capable of realizing efficient transfer corresponding to situations by enabling a device with a high priority to immediately perform a bus cycle. <P>SOLUTION: In this multifunction system having an image input-output part that needs an exchange of image data on a PCI (peripheral components interconnect) bus in real time, when there is no device that acquires a bus right on the PCI bus, a device that performs bus parking is automatically determined in accordance with a system operation mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a PCI (Peripheral)
The present invention relates to a multifunction system, such as a network device or a digital copying machine, for performing image data transfer using a component interconnect (bus), and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, processing systems for transferring image data using a PCI bus have already been provided. Also, the PCI bus is used for image transfer of an image processing system that requires real-time image transfer like a conventional digital copying machine, and processing such as real-time image transfer and network transfer coexist on the same bus. A method has also been implemented.

[0003] On such a bus, arbitration in which the priority of access for real-time image transfer is made higher and the priority of access for other devices is made lower to secure a real-time system. Is already running.

[0004]

However, since a device set to a higher priority as described above is not necessarily set as a device for bus parking, a bus cycle is immediately started when returning from a bus idle state. Therefore, after issuing a request for acquiring the bus right, the transfer cycle must be started after the bus right is acquired.
Further, in the related art, since a device to be bus-parked is not selected according to the operation mode, there is a portion that lacks optimality as a means for performing highly efficient transfer according to the situation. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to automatically determine a bus parking device according to an operation mode when there is no device that acquires a bus right on a PCI bus. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunction system and a control method thereof, which enable a high-priority device to immediately start a bus cycle and realize highly efficient transfer according to a situation.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a multifunction system according to the present invention comprises a PCI
In a multifunction system having an image input / output unit that requires real-time image data transfer on a bus, if there is no device that acquires a bus right on the PCI bus, a bus parking system is set according to an operation mode of the system. And a deciding means for automatically deciding a device to perform.

Here, when the predetermined operation mode is selected, the determination means selects and determines a PCI device, which is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data, as the device to be bus-parked. It can be a feature.

Further, the determining means selects and determines a PCI device, which is expected to be accessed frequently, as the device to be bus-parked when another predetermined operation mode is selected. It can be a feature.

[0008] The criterion for selecting the PCI device which is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data may be an operation mode set by a user.

[0009] Further, the criterion for selecting the PCI device which is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data is based on the content of the detection of the application of the means for outputting the PDL by the user.

In order to achieve the above object, a method of controlling a multifunction system according to the present invention is directed to a multifunction system having an image input / output means that requires real-time image data transfer on a PCI bus. When there is no device that acquires the bus right, a device to be bus-parked is automatically determined according to the operation mode of the system.

[0011] Preferably, in the determination, when a predetermined operation mode is selected, a PCI device which is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data is selected and determined as the bus parking device. It is.

[0012] Preferably, in the determination, when another predetermined operation mode is selected, a PCI device that is expected to be frequently accessed is selected and determined as the bus parking device. That is.

Preferably, a criterion for selecting a PCI device which is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data is an operation mode set by a user.

Preferably, the criterion for selecting the PCI device that is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data depends on the content of the user detecting the application of the means for outputting PDL.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and its operation will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (Hardware) [Overall Configuration] FIG. 3 shows an overall configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control device 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070 which is an image input device and a printer 2095 which is an image output device, and on the other hand, a LAN (run: local area network) 2011 or a public line (WAN:
A controller for inputting and outputting image information and device information by connecting to a wide area network (2051). A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM (random access memory) 2002 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001 and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM (read only memory) 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD (hard disk drive) 2004 stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F (interface) 2006 is an interface unit with an operation unit (UI: user interface) 2012.
2 is output to the operation unit 2012. The operation unit I / F 2006 is provided with an operation unit 2012.
From the network system user to which the present invention is applied to the CPU 2001. A network I / F 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011 to input and output information. Modem 2050 is public line 2
051 to input and output information. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

The CPU 2001 connects an image bus 2008 for transferring image data at a high speed with the system bus 2007, and has a built-in bus bridge for converting a data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI, a bus, or the IEEE 1394 of the high-speed bus standard. Image bus 20
On 08, the following devices are arranged. A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 develops a PDL (Page Description Language) code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 2020 includes a scanner 2070 and a printer 2095, which are image input / output devices, and a control device 200.
0, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The scanner image processing unit 2080 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. Image rotation processing unit 203
0 rotates the image data. Image compression processing unit 2040
Means that multi-valued image data is JPEG (Joint Photographic E
xperts Group), the binary image data is JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group), MMR (modified modified READ), or M
H (Modified Huffman) compression / expansion processing is performed.

[Image Input / Output Unit] FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the image input / output device of this embodiment. A scanner unit 2070, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper serving as a document, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor (not shown)
Is converted into an electric signal as raster image data. The manuscript paper is set on a tray 2073 of a manuscript feeder 2072, and when the apparatus user gives an instruction to start reading from the operation unit 2012 in FIG. 3, the controller CPU 2001 in FIG. 3 gives an instruction to the scanner 2070. A document image is read by feeding one sheet at a time.

Printer 2095 which is an image output device
Is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper.The printing method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array to directly print an image on paper. There is an ink jet system for printing, and any printing system may be used.
The start of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the controller CPU 2001. The printer 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected.
01, 2102, 2103, and 2104. The paper discharge tray 2111 receives the printed paper.

[Operation Unit] FIG. 5 shows the appearance of the operation unit 2012. As shown in the figure, a touch panel sheet for touch input is affixed on a liquid crystal screen in an LCD (liquid crystal display element) display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012, thereby displaying an operation screen of the system. When a key (soft key) displayed thereon is pressed, the position information is transmitted to the controller CPU 2001. A start key 2014 is used to start a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key 2014, there is a two-color LED (light emitting diode) 2018 of green and red, and the emission color indicates whether the start key 2014 is in a usable state. For example, the setting is such that the start key 2014 can be used when emitting green light. A stop key 2015 functions to stop an operation in operation. ID
An (identifier, identification number) key 2016 is used to input a user ID of a user. A reset key 2017 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

[Scanner Image Processing Unit] FIG. 6 shows a detailed configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080. Filter processing unit 2
Reference numeral 082 performs a convolution operation (convolution operation) using a spatial filter. The editing unit 2083 recognizes, for example, a closed area surrounded by the marker pen from the input image data, and performs image processing such as shadowing, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed area. When changing the resolution of the read image, the scaling unit 2084 performs interpolation calculation in the main scanning direction of the raster image to perform enlargement and reduction. Zooming in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). The table 2085 is a look-up table for performing table conversion for converting image data, which is read luminance data, into density data. The binarizing unit 2086 binarizes the multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing.

[Printer Image Processing Unit] FIG. 7 shows the detailed configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090. Resolution converter 20
Reference numeral 92 denotes resolution conversion for converting image data transmitted from the LAN 2011 or the public line 2051 into the resolution of the printer 2095. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs a process of smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary such as an oblique line) of the image data after the resolution conversion.

[Image Compression Processing Unit] Image Compression Processing Unit 204
0 is shown in FIG. The input buffer 2042 temporarily stores the received image data and transfers the image at a constant speed in response to an image data request. RAM2044
Temporarily stores the image data received by the image compression unit 2043. The output buffer 2045 temporarily stores the image data subjected to image compression by the image compression unit 2043, and then transfers the image data to the image bus I / F controller 2041.

Next, a detailed operation of the image compression processing section 2040 will be described. The CPU 20 via the image bus 2008
01 to the image bus I / F controller 2041 for setting for image compression control. With this setting, the image bus I
The / F controller 2041 makes settings necessary for image compression to the image compression unit 2043 (for example, MMR compression / JBI
G expansion etc.). After performing the settings required for image compression, the CPU 2001 again permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data.
According to this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041
Starts transfer of image data from the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008 via the image switching unit 2062. The received image data is input buffer 2
The image is temporarily stored in the storage unit 042, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to the image data request of the image compression unit 2043. At this time, the input buffer 2042 determines whether or not image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, and determines whether or not image data can be transferred.
Of image data from the image compression unit 2043
If it is not possible to write an image into the memory, control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as a handshake).

The image compression section 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. When performing image compression, this depends on the type of image compression processing to be performed.
This is because data for several lines is required, and image compression for several lines must be prepared before image compression can be performed.
The image data subjected to image compression is immediately output to the output buffer 2.
045. The output buffer 2045 performs handshaking with the image switching unit 2062 and the image compression unit 2043, and transfers image data to the image bus I / F controller 2021 via the image switching unit 2062. The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred compressed (or decompressed) image data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008.

Such a series of processing is performed until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from the image compression unit 2043 (errors during compression and decompression are generated). Time, etc.).

[Image rotation processing unit] Image rotation processing unit 203
0 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus sequence, controls the mode setting and the like in the image rotating unit 2032, and transfers the image data to the image rotating unit 2032. Control. The processing procedure of the image rotation processing unit 2030 will be described below.

The CPU 200 via the image bus 2008
1 to the image bus I / F controller 2031 to make settings for image rotation control. With this setting, the image bus I /
The F controller 2031 performs settings necessary for image rotation (for example, setting of image size, rotation direction, angle, and the like) for the image rotation unit 2032. After setting necessary for image rotation, the CPU 2001 again permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data.
According to this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2031
Starts transfer of image data from the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008. Here,
The image size to be rotated is set to 32 × 32 (bit) using 32 bits as the size of the image data, and the image data is transferred in units of 32 bits when the image data is transferred onto the image bus 2008. The image is assumed to be binary).

As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the above-described unit data transfer 32 times, and to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses ( See FIG. 10).

The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written to the RAM 2033 so that the image data is rotated to a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, 90
If the rotation is counterclockwise, the first transmitted 32 bi
The image data of t is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. By reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.

32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (RAM
After the completion of the writing to the image rotation unit 2033, the image rotation unit 20
Reference numeral 32 denotes an image bus I / F controller 2031 which reads image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described reading method.
Transfer images to. The image bus I / F controller 2031 having received the image data having been subjected to the rotation processing performs the sequential addressing, and executes the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2
008 to each device.

Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed).

[Device I / F Unit] Device I / F Unit 2
FIG. 12 shows the detailed configuration of the 020. An image bus I / F controller 2021 connects to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence, and
The control and timing of each device in the / F unit 2020 are generated. Further, the image bus I / F controller 202
1 generates a control signal to the image switching unit 2062.

The scan buffer 2022 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image switching unit 2062,
The image data is output in synchronization with the image bus 2008.
Serial-parallel / parallel-serial converter 2023
The image bus 20082 arranges or decomposes image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order.
To the data width of the image data that can be transferred to

The parallel-serial-to-serial / parallel converter 2024 decomposes or arranges the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 and converts the image data into a data width of image data that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025 is connected to the image bus 2008.
And temporarily outputs the image data to the printer 2095 in response to a transfer request from the image switching unit 2062.

Next, a processing procedure at the time of image scanning will be described. The image data sent from the scanner 2070 is sent to the image switching unit 2062 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2070. Image switching unit 2
062, the image received from the scanner 2070 is copied to the CP
The image is sent to the transfer destination selected according to the setting from U2001. Normally, the image received from the scanner 2070 is sent to the scanner image processing unit 2080, and after performing predetermined image processing, is stored in the scan buffer 2022 via the image switching unit 2062. And the image bus 200
8 is a PCI bus, when the buffer contains image data of 32 bits or more, the image data is sent from the buffer to the serial / parallel / serial / serial conversion unit 2023 in a first-in / first-out manner, and the 32-bit image data is sent. To the image bus I / F controller 202
1 on the image bus 2008. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the image data in the buffer is sent from the buffer to the serial / parallel / serial / serial conversion unit 2023 on a first-in first-out basis.
The image data is converted into serial image data and transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2021.

Next, the procedure for printing an image will be described. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller 2021 and sent to the parallel / serial / serial / parallel converter 2024 where the printer 2095 receives the image data. The image data is decomposed into image data of the number of input data bits and stored in the print buffer 2025.
When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the serial image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller 2021 and sent to the parallel / serial / serial / parallel converter 2024 where the input data of the printer 2095 is input. The image data is converted into image data of a bit number, and is stored in the print buffer 2025. The image data is sent from the print buffer 2025 to the printer image processing unit 2090 via the image switching unit 2062. After performing predetermined image processing on the printer image processing unit 2090, the image data in the print buffer 2025 is first-in-first-out by synchronizing with the timing signal sent from the printer 2095 again via the image switching unit 2062. Send to printer 2095.

(Software) [Overall System] FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure,
Reference numeral 1001 denotes an apparatus to which the present invention is applied, which is called a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction copying apparatus. The apparatus includes the above-described scanner and printer, and reads an image read from the scanner by a local area network (hereinafter, referred to as LAN) 1010.
Or print out the image received from the LAN by the printer. In addition, the apparatus 1001 of the present invention transmits an image read from a scanner to a PSTN (public telephone network) or ISDN by a facsimile transmission unit (not shown).
(Integrated service digital network)
Images received from the STN or ISDN can be printed out by a printer.

1002 is a database server,
The binary image and the multivalued image read by the apparatus 1001 of the present invention are managed as a database. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a database client of the database server 1002, which can browse / search image data stored in the database 1002. An electronic mail server 1004 can receive an image read by the apparatus 1001 of the present invention as an electronic mail attachment.

Reference numeral 1005 denotes an e-mail client which can receive and browse the e-mail received by the e-mail server 1004, and transmit e-mail. 1006 is HTML (Hypertext Markup Lan)
guage) WWW (Word Wide Wed) to provide documents to LAN
b) A server, which is WW by the apparatus 1001 of the present invention.
The HTML document provided by the W server can be printed out. 1007 through the router 1011
LAN 1010 to Internet / Intranet 10
12 is a server for connection to the server.

The apparatus 1020, which is similar to the apparatus 1001, the database server 1002, the WWW server 1006, and the electronic mail server 1004 of the present invention described above,
1021, 1022, and 1023 are connected to the Internet / intranet 1012, respectively. on the other hand,
The device 1001 of the present invention is a PSTN or ISDN 10
30, it is possible to transmit and receive data to and from a facsimile (fax) device 1031. Also, a printer 1040 is connected to the LAN 1010, and the device 100 of the present invention is connected to the printer 1040.
1 is configured to be able to print out the image read by the external printer 1040.

[Overall Configuration of Software Block] FIG. 2 shows a multifunction machine (1001 or 10 in FIG. 1) embodying the present invention.
20) shows the configuration of software. In the figure, 1
Reference numeral 501 denotes a UI (user interface), which is a module that mediates with an apparatus when an operator performs various operations and settings of the multifunction peripheral. The UI module 1501 transfers input information to various modules to be described later, requests processing, sets data, and the like in accordance with the operation of the operator.

Reference numeral 1502 denotes an address book, that is, a database module for managing data transmission destinations, communication destinations, and the like. The contents of the address book are stored in the UI module 150
Data addition, deletion, and acquisition are performed by the operation from 1, and data transmission / communication destination information is given to each module described later by the operation of the operator.

Reference numeral 1503 denotes a web server module (web server device manager accounting), which is used to notify management information of the multifunction peripheral in response to a request from a web client (not shown). This management information is stored in a control-API (Application
The program is read via a program interface (1518) 1518, and is described later as an HTTP (Hypertext Transport Protocol) 151.
2. TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol /
The Web client is notified via the Internet Protocol) 1516 and the network driver 1517.

Reference numeral 1504 denotes a universal send (Univer
sal-Send), that is, a module that manages data distribution, and distributes data specified by the UI module 1501 to the operator to the communication (output) destination similarly specified. Also, when the operator instructs to generate the distribution data using the scanner function of the multifunction device, the module 1504 operates the device via a control-API 1518 described later,
Generate data. Reference numeral 1505 denotes a module (P550 module) executed when a printer is designated as an output destination in the universal send 1504. 150
Reference numeral 6 denotes a module (E-mail module) that is executed when an E-mail address is specified as a communication destination in the universal send 1504. Reference numeral 1507 denotes a module (DB module) that is executed when a database is designated as an output destination in the universal send 1504. 1508 is a universal send 1504
A module (DP (Data Processing) module) executed when a multifunction peripheral similar to the present multifunction peripheral is designated as an output destination.

Reference numeral 1509 denotes a remote copy scan (Remote copy scan).
te-Copy-Scan) module that uses the scanner function of this multifunction device, outputs to another multifunction device connected via a network, etc., and performs scanning equivalent to the copy function realized by this multifunction device alone This is a module that performs processing.
1510 is Remote-Copy-Pr
int) module that uses the printer function of this multifunction peripheral to perform print processing equivalent to the copy function realized by this multifunction peripheral alone, with another multifunction peripheral connected via a network or the like as an input destination. Module.

Reference numeral 1511 denotes a web pull print (Web-Pu
ll-Print), that is, a module for reading and printing information of various homepages on the Internet or an intranet (1012 in FIG. 1).

Reference numeral 1512 denotes a module (HTTP module) used when the multifunction peripheral communicates by HTTP.
The TCP / IP 1516 module described below provides communication to the web server module 1503 and the web pull print module 1511 described above. Reference numeral 1513 denotes an lpr (Line Printer: print command) module, which is a TCP / IP1 described later.
The 516 module provides communication to the printer module 1505 in the universal send 1504 described above. 1514 is SMTP (Simple Mail Tr)
ansfer Protocol) module, which will be
With the IP1516 module, the universal
It provides communication to the email module 1506 in the send 1504. 1515 is SLM (Salutation
-Manager: a solution manager) module, and a database module 1517, a DP (Data Processing) module 1518, and a remote copy scan module 1 in the universal send 1504 described above by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.
509, providing communication to the remote copy print module 1510.

Reference numeral 1516 denotes a TCP / IP communication module, which is operated by a network driver 1517 described later.
It provides network communication to the various modules described above. Reference numeral 1517 denotes a network driver which controls a portion physically connected to the network (1010, 1012, 1030 in FIG. 1).

Reference numeral 1518 denotes a control API, which is a job manager (Job-Manager) 15 described later for an upstream module such as the universal send 1504.
It provides an interface with downstream modules such as 19, and reduces the dependency between the upstream and downstream modules and enhances their diversion.

Reference numeral 1519 denotes a job manager, which interprets a process instructed from the above-described various modules via the control API 1518 and gives an instruction to each of the modules described later. This module 1519
Is for centrally managing hardware processes executed in the MFP.

Reference numeral 1520 denotes a CODEC (encoder / decoder)
A manager (CODEC-Manager) that manages and controls various types of data compression and decompression in the processing specified by the job manager 1519. Reference numeral 1521 denotes an FBE encoder (FBE-Encoder).
19. The data read by the scan processing executed by the scan manager 1524 is stored in the FBE (First
Binary Encoding) format. Reference numeral 1522 denotes a JPEG-CODEC, which is a job manager 1519, a scan process executed by the scan manager 1524, and a print manager 1
In the printing process executed by the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Groove) 526,
up) Performs compression and JPEG expansion processing of print data. Reference numeral 1523 denotes an MMR-CODEC, which is a scan process executed by the job manager 1519 and the scan manager 1524, and a print manager 1
In the printing process executed by 526, MMR (modified modified READ) compression of the read data and MMR decompression of the print data are performed.

Reference numeral 1524 denotes a scan manager (Scan-Man).
ager), which manages and controls the scanning process specified by the job manager 1519. 1525 is S
A CSI (small computer interface) driver for communicating between the scan manager 1524 and the scanner unit internally connected to the multifunction peripheral.

Reference numeral 1526 denotes a print manager (Print-Ma).
nager), which manages and controls the print processing instructed by the job manager 1519. Reference numeral 1527 denotes an engine I / F driver, which is a print manager 152.
6 to provide an I / F between the printer 6 and the printing unit.

Reference numeral 1528 denotes a parallel port driver, which provides an I / F when the Web-Pull-Print module 1511 outputs data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port. .

[Application] Next, an embodiment of a built-in application to be built in the multifunction peripheral of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 13 shows a configuration of an embedded application related to distribution to which the present invention is applied. In the figure,
Reference numeral 4050 denotes an operation unit application (1 in FIG. 2) of the present invention.
501). Reference numeral 4100 denotes a block indicating the transmitting side of the remote copy application (1509, 1510 in FIG. 2). Reference numeral 4150 denotes a block indicating a transmitting side of the broadcast distribution. Reference numeral 4200 denotes a web pull print module (1511 in FIG. 2). 4250 is a web server module (1 in FIG. 2).
503).

Reference numeral 4300 denotes a block indicating a remote copy receiving side (printing side). Reference numeral 4350 denotes a block for receiving and printing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution using a general-purpose printer. Reference numeral 4400 denotes a block indicating the receiving side (printing side) of the remote print.

Reference numeral 4450 denotes a block for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution in a known note server. A block 4500 receives and stores the binary image transmitted by the broadcast distribution. Reference numeral 4550 denotes a block for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution in a known mail server. Reference numeral 4600 denotes a block for receiving and storing the multi-valued image transmitted by the broadcast distribution.

Reference numeral 4650 denotes a known web server including information contents. Reference numeral 4700 denotes a known web browser (Web-Browser) for accessing the web server or the like of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the application group will be described in detail with reference to each block. The details of the user interface (hereinafter, UI) shown in the [User Interface (User Interface) application] block 4050 are as described above.
Book). This address book is stored in a non-volatile storage device (such as a non-volatile memory or a hard disk) in the device of the present invention, in which the characteristics of the device connected to the network are described.
For example, the address book includes those listed below. (A) The official name or alias name of the device (b) The network address of the device (c) The network protocol that the device can process (d) The document format that the device can process (e) The compression type that the device can process (f) Image resolution that can be processed by the device (g) Paper size that can be fed in the case of a printer device, paper feed stage information (h) Folder name that can store documents in the case of a server (computer) device

Each application described below can determine the characteristics of the distribution destination based on the information described in the address book 4051. This address book can be edited, and can be downloaded from a server computer or the like in a network and used, or can be directly referred to.

[Remote Copy Application] The remote copy application sends the resolution information that can be processed by the device designated as the distribution destination to the address book 40 described above.
In accordance with the resolution information, the binary image read by the scanner is compressed by using a known MMR compression, and is compressed by a known TIFF (Tagged Image File Format).
t), and sends it to the printer device on the network through the SLM 4103. The SLM 4103 is a well-known salutation manager (or Smart Link Manager).
Is a type of network protocol that includes device control information and the like.

[Broadcast Distribution Application] The broadcast distribution application, unlike the above-mentioned remote copy application, can transmit images to a plurality of distribution destinations by one image scanning. The distribution destination is not limited to the printer device, and can be directly distributed to a so-called server computer. Hereinafter, description will be made in order according to the distribution destination.

A device of a distribution destination is a known network printer protocol, LPD (Lineprinter Daemon),
If it is determined from the address book 4051 that a known LIPS can be processed as a printer control command, the image is read according to the image resolution similarly determined from the address book 4051, and the image itself is a known image in this embodiment. FBE (First Binary Encoding)
, And further compressed by LIPS (LBP (Laser Beam Pri
nter) Image Processing System) encodes the data and transmits it to the partner device using lpr, which is a known network printer protocol.

If the destination device is a server device capable of communicating with the above SLM, the server address and the designation of the folder in the server are determined from the address book 4051, and the same as the remote copy application, the scanner is used. The read binary image is compressed using a known MMR compression, and is compressed into a known TIFF (Tagged ImageFi
le format), and can be stored in a specific folder of the server device on the network through the SLM.

In the device of the present embodiment, if the server which is the partner device determines that the well-known JPEG-compressed multi-valued image can be processed, similar to the above-described binary image, the multi-valued image is processed. The image whose value has been read is subjected to a known JFIF (JPEG File Interchang
e Format: color still image format), and through SLM,
It can be stored in a specific folder of a server device on the network.

If the device of the distribution destination is a known e-mail server, the mail address described in the address book 4051 is determined, and the binary image of the image read by the scanner is subjected to the well-known MMR compression. Compress the compressed image and use a well-known TIFF (Tagged Image File Forma
t) and converts it into the well-known SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Prot
ocol) 4153 to the email server. Subsequent distribution is performed according to mail server 4550.

[Web-Pull Print Application] The Web-pull print application is not directly related to the present embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[Web Server Application] The Web server application is not directly related to the present embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[Device Information Service]
In the web controller, a database that holds setting values for jobs, functions of devices (scanners, printers, etc.), status, billing information, and the like in a data format conforming to a control API, and an I / F with the database is a device information service. (Hereinafter, referred to as DIS). FIG.
The DIS 7102, the job manager 7101,
And the exchange of information between the scan document manager 7103 and the print document manager 7104.

Basically, dynamic information such as a job start command is directly instructed from the job manager 7101 to each document manager, and static information such as device functions and job contents is provided by the job manager 7101 as DI.
Reference is made to S7102. Each document manager 71
03, 7104, the job manager 710 via the DIS 7102
It is conveyed to 1.

Each document manager 7103, 71
04 to DIS7102 database (not shown)
When setting and acquiring data, the DIS 7102
Since the data format inside is compliant with the control API, the data format compliant with the control API,
The job manager 7101 performs a mutual conversion process between data formats that can be understood by the document managers 7103 and 7104. For example, when setting status data from each of the document managers 7103 and 7104, the job manager 7101 interprets the device-specific data and controls the device-specific data.
An operation of converting the converted data into corresponding data defined by the PI and writing the converted data into the database of the DIS 7102 is performed.

The job manager 7101 to the DIS 71
When setting and acquiring data in the database 02, no data conversion occurs between the job manager 7101 and the DIS 7102. Further, the event data is updated in the DIS 7102 based on various event information notified from the document manager 7101.

FIG. 15 shows various databases (hereinafter, referred to as DBs) held inside the DIS 7102, and each DB will be described below. FIG.
In the figure, rounded rectangles represent individual DBs. In the figure, 7201 is a supervisor.
A DB that holds status and user information for the entire device. On the other hand, such as a user ID and a password,
Information that needs to be backed up is stored in a non-volatile storage device such as an HD (hard disk) device or a backup memory.

Reference numeral 7202 denotes a scan component DB,
Reference numeral 7203 denotes a print component DB, and these component DBs are held corresponding to each existing component. For example, in the case of a device including only a printer, only the print component DB exists. For example, in the case of a device having a FAX, the FAX component DB is stored. A document manager corresponding to each component DB sets the function and status of the component at the time of initialization.

Reference numeral 7204 denotes a scan job service DB;
Reference numeral 7205 denotes a print job service DB. These job service DBs also set the functions that can be used by the corresponding document managers at the time of initialization, as well as the component DBs, as well as the component DBs.

Next, the job DB and the document DB will be described. 7206 is a scan job DB, 720
Reference numeral 7 denotes each job DB of the print job DB, 7208 denotes a scan document DB, and 7209 denotes a print document DB.

The job DBs 7206 and 7207 and the document DBs 7208 and 7209 are dynamically secured and initialized by the job manager 7101 every time a job and its accompanying document are generated.
Necessary items are set. Each of the document managers 7103 and 7104 executes the job DBs 7206 and 7207 and the document DB 720 before starting the job processing.
Items required for processing are read from 8, 7209, and the job is started. Thereafter, when the jobs are completed, the DBs of these jobs and the documents attached to the jobs are released. Since a job has one or more documents, a plurality of document DBs may be reserved for a certain job.

Reference numeral 7211 denotes each document manager 71
Reference numeral 7210 denotes a counter table (soft counter) for recording the number of times of scanning and the number of times of printing of the apparatus. Events notified from the document managers 7103 and 7104 include component state transitions from the scan document manager 7103, completion of scan processing and various errors, and print document manager 7103.
There are status transition of components from 104, print processing operation completion, paper jam, paper feed cassette open, etc., and an event ID for identifying each event.
Is predetermined.

Document managers 7103 and 710
4, when the event is issued, the DIS 7102 stores the event ID issued to the event database 7211.
And, if necessary, detailed data accompanying the event. Further, when the event cancellation is notified from the document managers 7103 and 7104, the DIS 7102 deletes the event data designated to be canceled from the event database 7211.

When polling for an event is performed by the job manager 7101, the DIS 7102
By referring to the event database 7211, a currently generated event ID and, if necessary, detailed data accompanying the event are returned to the job manager 7101. If no event is currently generated, the fact is notified to the job manager 7101. Reply.

When the event of the completion of the scanning process or the completion of the printing process is notified,
The DIS 7102 updates the counter value of the user who performed scanning and printing in the soft counter 7210.
The counter 7210 by this software is written back to the backed-up memory device or the non-volatile storage device of the HD device every time the value is updated so that the value is not lost due to accidental power-off or the like.

(Scan Operation) Next, the details of the scan operation of the multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 16 shows components of a control system related to this scanning operation. The CPU 81 is connected to the PCI bus 8105.
01, memory 8102, image compression / decompression board (CO
DEC) 8104, scanner 8107, and SCSI I / F that provides an I / F for connecting this system
A circuit (SCSI controller) 8103 is connected. SCSI I / F circuit 8103 and scanner (or scanner function unit of copier having multiple functions) 81
07 are connected by a SCSI interface cable 8106.

The PCI bus 8105 has an IDE
(Integrated Device Electronics: connection interface) A controller 8108 is connected, and an IDE hard disk 8110 is connected via an IDE cable 8109.
It is connected to the.

FIG. 17 shows a software structure related to the scanning operation of the multifunction peripheral in one embodiment of the present invention. The job manager 8201 has a function of classifying and storing application-level requests. The DIS 8202 stores parameters required for a scan operation from the application level. The request from the application is stored in the memory 8102. The scan operation management unit 8203 acquires information necessary for performing a scan from the job manager 8201 and the DIS 8202. The scan operation management unit 8203 transmits the job number and document number table data 8 shown in FIG.
301, and scan parameters 8302 from the DIS 8202 based on the job number and document number table data 8301. As a result, it is possible to perform a scan according to the scan condition requested by the application.

The scanning operation management unit 8203 is the DIS 82
The scan parameters 8302 obtained from “02” are transferred to the scan sequence control unit 8204 in document number order. Upon receiving the scan parameter 8302, the scan sequence control unit 8204 sets the scan image attribute 8308
The SCSI controller 8207 is controlled according to the contents of the above. As a result, by operating the SCSI controller 8103 connected to the PCI 8105 in FIG.
7, a scan is performed by sending a SCSI control command.

The image scanned by the scanner 8107 is S
The data is transferred to a SCSI controller 8103 via a CSI cable 8106 and further stored in a memory 8102 via a PCI 8105. Scan sequence control unit 8
204 is for compressing the scan image stored in the memory 8102 according to the content of the scan image compression format 8309 of the scan parameter 8302 when the scan is completed and the image is stored in the memory 8102 via the PCI 8105. , And issues a request to the compression / decompression control unit 8205. Upon receiving this request, the compression / decompression control unit 8205 controls the COD connected to the PCI 8105
Using the EC8104, the scan sequence control unit 82
The compression is performed by designating the scan image compression format 8309 from step 04.

The compression / decompression control unit 8205 stores the compressed image in the memory 8102 via the PCI 8105.

The scan sequence control unit 8204 has a compression / decompression control unit 8205 that has a scan image compression format 8309.
Compresses the scanned image into the format specified by
At the time when the compressed scan image is stored in the memory 8102, the compressed scan image stored in the memory 8102 is filed according to the image file type 8307 of the scan parameter 8302.

The scan sequence control unit 8204 sends the scan parameters 8 to the file system 8206.
A request is made to create a file in the file format specified by the image file type 8307 of 302. The file system 8206 stores the data in the memory 81 according to the image file type 8307 from the scan sequence control unit 8204.
02 into a file,
This is connected to the IDE controller 81 via the PCI 8105.
08 and the IDE cable 8109
By transferring the scanned compressed image to a hard disk 8110, the scanned compressed image is filed.

The scan sequence control unit 8204 determines that the file system 8206 is
When the filed image is stored in the scanner 8, the scanner 8
Assuming that the current process on one of the sheets 107 has been completed, a scan completion notification is sent back to the scan operation management unit 8203.

At this point, if there is an unscanned document on the scanner 8107 and a scan request from the job manager 8201 exists, the scan operation management unit 8203 stores the document in the DIS 8202 again. A scan operation is requested to the scan sequence control unit 8204 using the scan parameters 8302 that are present.

If there is no unscanned document on the scanner 8107 or if the job manager 82
If there is no scan request from 01, the scan operation management unit 8203 issues a scan end notification to the job manager 8201 assuming that the scan operation has ended.

(Print Operation) Next, the print operation of the multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 19 shows components of a control system related to this printing operation. CPU 905 is connected to PCI bus 9005
01, memory 9002, image compression / decompression board 900
4, an engine I / F board 9003 for providing an I / F for connecting the printer 9007 and this system. An engine I / F board 9003 and a printer (or a printer function unit of a copier having a multifunction function) 9007 are connected by an engine interface cable 9006.

Engine I / F board 9003 has D
It has a PRAM (Dual Port RAM), through which parameters are set to the printer 9007, the status of the printer 9007 is read, and print control commands are exchanged. This board 9003 has a video controller, and is a VC provided from a printer 9007 via an engine interface cable 9006.
LK (video clock: vertical synchronization signal) and HSYNC
The image data developed on the PCI is transmitted to the printer 9007 via the engine interface cable 9006 in accordance with the (horizontal synchronization signal). FIG. 20 shows the timing of this transmission.

As shown in FIG. 20, the above-mentioned VCLK signal is continuously output, and the above-mentioned HSYNC signal is output from the printer 900.
7 in synchronization with the start of one line. Engine I
The video controller of the / F board 9003 transmits the data for the set image width (WIDTH) to the set PC
The data is read from the memory (SOURCE) 9002 on I and output to the engine interface cable 9006 as a video signal. This is designated line (LINE
S) After the repetition, the video controller
Generate a _END interrupt signal.

As described above, the control program shown in FIG.
When a print job instruction is passed to the PI 1518, the control API 1518 passes this to the controller-level job manager 1519 (7101 in FIG. 14) as a job. Further, this job manager 1519
Stores the job settings in the DIS (7102 in FIG. 14) and print manager 1526 (7104 in FIG. 14).
To start the job. Print Manager 152
6 (7104 in FIG. 14) is DIS
Information necessary for job execution is read out from (7102 in FIG. 14), and this is read as the engine I / F board 9003 in FIG. 19.
And a printer 900 via a DPRAM (not shown)
Set to 7.

FIG. 21 shows the setting items of the engine I / F board 9003, and FIG. 22 shows the setting items, control commands, and status commands via the DPRAM of the printer.

For the sake of simplicity, the job to be printed is an uncompressed, letter (11 "× 8.5") size binary image, two pages, one copy, and the printer to execute is 600 dpi. Assuming that the printing operation has a performance of (dot / inch), the printing operation will be specifically described below.

First, upon receiving this job, the print manager 1526 (7104 in FIG. 14) calculates the number of image bytes of the width of the image (in this case, the side of 8.5 ″). WIDTH = 8.5 × 600 ８ 8 ６ 6
30 (Bytes) Next, the number of lines is calculated. LINES = 11 × 600 = 6600
(Row) These calculated values and the SOURCE address where the given image of the first page is stored are set in the memory areas of WIDTH, LINES and SOURCE shown in FIG. At this point, the engine I / F board 9003 has completed preparation for image output, but has not yet output image data because the HSYNC signal has not yet been received from the printer 9007 (VCLK has been received).

Next, the print manager 1526 (FIG. 1)
No. 4 7104) writes 1 as the number of output copies to a predetermined address (Book No.) of the DPRAM shown in FIG. Thereafter, the print manager outputs a feed request signal (FEED_REQ) for the output sheet for the first page, and the printer 9007 outputs an image request signal, IMA, which is an image request signal.
Wait for input of GE_REQ. Printer 9007 to IM
When the AGE_REQ signal arrives, the print manager issues an IMAGE_START signal which is an image start signal.

In response to the IMAGE_START signal, the printer 9007 starts to output an HSYNC signal.
Engine I / F board 900 waiting for SYNC signal
3 outputs an image. When the printer 9007 detects the trailing edge of the output sheet, the image end signal IMAGE_EN
A signal D is output, and when the output paper is discharged, a signal of a discharge completion signal, SHET_OUT, is output.

The print manager 1526 (7 in FIG. 14)
104) receives the IMAGE_END signal of the first page, and receives the WIDTH, LINES, and SOURC of the second page.
E data is set in the engine I / F board 9003,
Issue the FEED_REQ signal and wait for the IMAGE_REQ signal. The operation after the IMAGE_REQ signal of the second page comes is the same as that of the first page.

[Determination of Operation Mode and Device Priority] Next, with reference to FIGS. 23 to 25, the operation mode and device priority, which are the main components of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to specific examples. In accordance with the operation mode selected by the user from the operation unit 2012 in FIG.
An example of determining a device is given below.

In the case of copying, the image size after compression is predicted in accordance with the setting of the UI (for example, character, photograph mode). In the case of the photograph mode, the compression ratio is often small, and the data after compression is expected to be large.
Increase device priority for printing. In the present embodiment, the device I / F 2020 corresponds to a device for increasing the priority.

In the case of the character mode, since the compression ratio is often high and the data after compression is expected to be small, the priority of the device relating to scanning and printing is not emphasized, but rather. Increase the priority of devices that always access a large number of devices. In the present embodiment, the CPU 2001 corresponds to a device for increasing the priority.

At the time of PDL printing, a PCI device with a high priority is determined based on the image size after expansion and compression according to the application to be output according to the application. When the output application is graphic software, the compression ratio of the data after PDL expansion is often small, and the data after compression is expected to be large. Increase device priority related to image compression. In the present embodiment, the device I / F 2020 corresponds to a device for increasing the priority.

On the other hand, when the application to be output is a text-based application, the compression ratio is often high and the data after compression is expected to be small. Rather, always prioritize devices that access a large number of devices. In the present embodiment, the CPU 2001 corresponds to a device for increasing the priority.

[Control of Bus Right] After the PCI device having the higher priority is determined by the software based on the above-described criteria, the bus right control as shown in FIG. 23 is started before the scanning or printing operation is started. The setting for bus parking to a device with a higher priority is made to the unit 2099.

The bus right control unit 2099 includes an arbiter unit 209
8 and REQ switch 2096, GNT switch 209
7 (GNT is a signal name defined in the PCI standard). The arbiter unit 2098 is a normal PCI arbiter, and has a built-in mechanism for returning a GNT signal to a device that has requested a REQ signal in accordance with the priority set in the register 2094 and giving a bus right.
In general, the bus rights are rotated so as to be evenly distributed to each device. When no REQ signal is received from any device, the arbiter unit 2098 shifts to bus parking. This arbiter part 209
8 is a fixed bus parking, a specific REQ terminal, G
The NT terminal is a device for bus parking.

The REQ switch 2096 and the GNT switch 2097 can switch between the REQ signal and the GNT signal based on the setting of the register 2094. However, in order to prevent malfunction of the system, the switching is performed after detecting a bus idle state. By setting the priority of the device in the register 2094 in this manner, a desired device can be set as a bus parking device.

FIG. 23 shows that the register 2094 is set so that the priority of the device I / F 2020 becomes higher, whereby the REQ terminal and the GNT terminal for bus parking are connected to the device I / F 2020. A case where bus parking of the I / F 2020 is realized is illustrated. When a specific priority is set in the arbiter unit 2098, the REQ switch 2096, GNT
In consideration of the reconnection of the switch 2097, the REQ switch 2096,
At the same time as setting the GNT switch 2097, the arbiter unit 2
098 needs to be reset. The device for which bus parking has been set is, as shown in FIG.
Signal, the frame signal (FRAM
E) is asserted L (low level) and PCI is immediately
Cycle can be executed.

Since the device to which the bus parking is not set has not yet received the GNT signal, as shown in FIG. 25, it asserts the REQ signal and sets the arbiter unit 20.
After receiving the GNT signal from 98, it asserts the frame signal (FRAME) to L and executes the PCI cycle. Therefore, in this case, the start of the cycle is delayed by the time difference shown in FIG. 25 as compared with the case of starting from the bus parking. In cases where frequent bus parking is performed, the stacking of these will affect the throughput on the PCI bus.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the bus right control unit 2099 performs the bus parking for the device with the higher priority, so that the PCI transfer efficiency of the device with the higher priority is improved. Can be raised.

(Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus including a single device. May be applied.

According to the present invention, a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and a computer of the system or apparatus reads the supplied program to read the supplied program. It includes the case where it is also achieved by executing. In that case, the form need not be a program as long as it has the function of the program.

Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention also include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

In this case, as long as the program has the function of the program, the form of the program is not limited, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to an OS (Operating System).

As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-
ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card (IC memory card), ROM, DVD
(DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

In addition, as a method of supplying a program,
It can also be supplied by connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer and downloading the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. Further, the present invention can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. In other words, a WWW server that allows a user to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.

The program of the present invention is encrypted to
By storing the information in a recording medium such as a D-ROM and distributing it to users, and allowing users who have cleared predetermined conditions to download key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet and using the key information The present invention can also be realized by executing an encrypted program and installing the program on a computer.

The functions of the above-described embodiment of the present invention are realized when the computer executes the read program, and an OS or the like running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program. Some or all of the actual processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by the processing.

Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program,
CPU installed in the function expansion board or function expansion unit
Perform part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments of the present invention are also realized by the processing.

[0124]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a multifunction system having an image input / output unit that requires real-time image data transfer on a PCI bus, if there is no device that acquires a bus right on the PCI bus, bus parking is performed according to the operation mode of the system. Automatically determine which device to use, automatically determine the operating mode of the system, and allow higher-priority devices to immediately start a bus cycle, resulting in higher efficiency according to system conditions. Transfer can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system including a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of software of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the appearance of a scanner unit, a printer unit, and an operation unit of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an arrangement configuration of an operation unit of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer image processing unit in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image compression processing unit in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image rotation processing unit in FIG. 3;

10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of transferring image data by the image bus I / F controller in FIG.

11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of an image rotation process of the image rotation unit in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a device I / F unit in FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an embedded application of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 14 shows a DIS (Device Information Service) of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3E is a block diagram illustrating exchange of information among a job manager, a print manager, and a scan manager.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a database and counters inside the DIS of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a hardware control system related to scanning of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of information of software control in scanning of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

18 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a parameter table of a scan operation management unit in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a hardware control system related to printing of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

20 is a timing chart showing the transfer timing of print image data performed by the hardware control system relating to printing in FIG.

21 is an address map showing a table of a print parameter register in the engine I / F board of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is an address map showing a table of communication commands between the printer and the engine I / F board of FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a bus right control unit of a multifunction system (multifunction peripheral) that is a main component of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing the timing of a device parked in a bus in the circuit of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing the timing of a device in which the bus is not parked in the circuit of FIG. 23;

[Explanation of symbols]

1001, 1020 MFPs 1002, 1021 Database server 1003 Database client 1004 E-mail server 1005 E-mail client 1006, 1023 WWW server 1007 for providing HTML document to LAN Internet / Intranet connection server 1010 Local area network (LAN) 1011 Router 1012 Internet / Intranet 1030 PSTN (Public Telephone Network) or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) 1501 Module for UI (User Interface) 1502 Database Module 1503 Web Server Module 1504 Module for Universal Send 1505 Printer is specified as output destination Module 1506 to be executed when the Module 1507 executed when an address is specified Module 1508 executed when a database is specified as an output destination Module 1509 executed when a multifunction device similar to this multifunction device is specified 1509 Remote copy scan module 1510 Remote copy print module 1511 Web pull print module 1512 HTTP communication module 1513 lpr module 1514 SMTP module 1515 SLM module 1516 TCP / IP module 1518 Control-API module 1519 Job manager 1520 CODEC manager 1521 FBE encoder 1522 JPEG-CODEC 1523 MMR- CODEC 1524 Scan Manager 1525 SCSI Manager 15 6 Print Manager 1527 Engine I / F Manager 1528 Parallel Port Driver 2000 Controller 2001 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2002 RAM (Random Access Memory) 2003 ROM (Read Only Memory) 2004 HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 2006 Operation Unit I / F (Interface) 2007 System bus 2008 Image bus 2010 Network I / F 2011 LAN (Run: Local area network) 2012 Operation unit (UI: User interface) 2014 Start key 2015 Stop key 2016 ID (identifier, identification number) key 2017 Reset key 2018 Two-color LED (Light Emitting Diode) 2020 Device I / F unit 2021 Image bus I / F controller 2023 Serial / parallel / parallel / serial conversion unit 2022 scan buffer 2024 parallel / serial / serial / parallel conversion unit 2030 image rotation processing unit 2031 image bus I / F controller 2032 image rotation unit 2033 RAM 2040 image compression processing unit 2041 image bus I / F controller 2042 Buffer 2043 Image compression unit 2044 RAM 2045 Output buffer 2050 Modem 2051 Public line (WAN: wide area network) 2060 Raster image processor (RIP) 2062 Image switching unit 2072 Original feeder 2070 Scanner 2073 Tray 2080 Scanner image processing unit 2082 Filter processing unit 2083 Editing Unit 2084 scaling unit 2085 table 2086 binarization unit 2090 printer image processing unit 2092 Resolution conversion unit 2093 Smoothing processing unit 2094 Register 2095 Printer 2096 REQ switch 2097 GNT switch 2098 Arbiter unit 2099 Bus right control unit 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104 Paper cassette 2111 Output tray 4050 Operation unit application 4051 Address book 4100 Remote copy application Sender 4103 SLM 4150 Broadcast delivery sender 4153 SMTP 4200 Web pull print module 4250 Web server module 4300 Remote copy receiver (printer) 4350 Mail server 4400 that receives and prints broadcast delivery image Remote print reception Side (print side) 4450 Mail server 450 that receives and stores the image of broadcast distribution 0 Mail server 4550 that receives and stores binary images in broadcast distribution Mail server 4600 that receives and stores images in broadcast distribution Mail server 4650 that receives and stores multi-valued images in broadcast distribution A web browser 7102 for accessing a known web server 4700 including a web server, etc.
S) 7101 Job manager 7103 Scan document manager 7102 Device information service (DI
S) 7104 Print Document Manager 7201 Supervisor DB 7202 Scan Component DB 7203 Print Component DB 7204 Scan Job Service DB 7205 Print Job Service DB 7206 Scan Job DB 7207 Each Job DB of Print Job DB 7208 Scan Document DB 7209 Print Document DB 7210 Soft Counter 7211 Event table 8101 CPU 8102 Memory 8103 SCSI I / F circuit (SCSI controller) 8104 Image compression / decompression board (CODEC) 8105 PCI bus 8106 SCSI interface cable 8107 Scanner (or scanner function unit of copying machine) 8108 IDE controller 810 9 IDE cable 8110 IDE hard disk 8201 Job manager 8202 DIS 8203 Scan operation management unit 8204 Scan sequence control unit 8205 Compression / decompression control unit 8206 File system 8207 SCSI control unit 8301 Job number and document number table data 8302 Scan parameter 8303 Job number 8304 Document number 8305 Job number 8306 Document number 8307 Image file type 8308 Scan image attribute 8309 Scan image compression format 9001 CPU 9002 Memory 9003 Engine I / F board 9004 Image compression / decompression board 9005 PCI bus 9006 Engine interface cable 9007 Printer (or copy) Machine printer function unit)

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    F-term (reference) 5B061 BA01 BB15 BC02 RR02                 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB40 AB41 AB42                       AB46 AC48 AE01 AF00

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A multi-function system having an image input / output unit that requires real-time image data transfer on a PCI bus, wherein when there is no device that acquires a bus right on the PCI bus, an operation mode of the system A multi-function system having a determination unit for automatically determining a device to be bus-parked according to the following. 2. The bus parking device according to claim 2, wherein when a predetermined operation mode is selected, the determining unit selects and determines a PCI device that is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data as the bus parking device. The multifunction system according to claim 1, wherein 3. The bus control device according to claim 2, wherein the determining unit selects and determines a PCI device that is expected to be frequently accessed as the bus parking device when another predetermined operation mode is selected. The multi-function system according to claim 2, wherein 4. The multi-function system according to claim 2, wherein the criterion for selecting the PCI device assumed to transfer the largest amount of data is an operation mode set by a user. 5. A criterion for selecting a PCI device which is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data is based on a user
3. The multifunction system according to claim 2, wherein the content depends on the content of the application of the means for outputting the DL. 6. A multi-function system having image input / output means that requires real-time transfer of image data on a PCI bus, wherein when there is no device that acquires a bus right on the PCI bus, an operation mode of the system is set. A method for controlling a multi-function system, wherein a device to be bus-parked is automatically determined according to the condition. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined operation mode is selected, a PCI device that is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data is selected and determined as the bus parking device. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein
The control method of the multifunction system according to 1. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein when another predetermined operation mode is selected, a PCI device that is expected to be accessed frequently is selected and determined as the bus parking device. The method for controlling a multi-function system according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The control of the multi-function system according to claim 7, wherein the criterion for selecting the PCI device assumed to transfer the largest amount of data is an operation mode set by a user. Method. 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the criterion for selecting the PCI device that is assumed to transfer the largest amount of data is based on the content of the detection of the application of the means for outputting the PDL by the user. Control method for multifunction system.