JP2009225255A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a manufacturing and sorting operation in a consuming region base by neglecting necessity of new development of a controller software. <P>SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus combining any one of a monochrome type scanner unit 3 and a color type scanner unit 2 relating to a monochrome plotter unit "E", an image processing is performed by a monochrome type SIU unit 8' which intermediates between a monochrome SBU 31 and a common IPU unit "C" when the monochrome type scanner unit 3 is combined to the plotter unit "E", and by a color type SIU unit 8 which intermediates between the color SBU 21 and the common IPU unit "C" when the color type scanner unit 21 is combined to the plotter unit "E". <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that has a scanner unit and a plotter unit, and can be combined with either a monochrome scanner unit or a color scanner unit with respect to a monochrome plotter unit, preferably a copy function, a printer function, The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that is realized as a multifunction digital multi-function peripheral that realizes at least two functions of a scanner function, a FAX function, and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers, a controller including an image processing ASIC (Application Specific IC) and a CPU is connected to an engine unit, and image forming processing is often performed using this controller. For example, in the case of a copier, an ASIC having a plurality of image processing hardware elements is mounted on a controller, the ASIC and an engine unit are connected by a PCI interface, and a CPU and an ASIC arranged in the same controller are further connected. And a copy process is performed under the control of the CPU. When creating a new image forming apparatus with excellent performance, the controller that controls the drawing and control is replaced with a high-speed one for each unit.

  An invention described in Patent Document 1 is known as a technique related to such performance unit replacement.

On the other hand, apart from an image forming apparatus with excellent performance, there is also a problem of the demand ratio between color machines and monochrome machines. In digital multifunction devices, the demand for color printers is on the rise, but the proportion of monochrome printers in the total is 80% or more. Here, in the development of monochrome machines and color machines, only the scanner unit can be colorized according to the user's needs for monochrome machines, and models that are monochrome as the copying function but color as the scanner function are also considered. It is done. In such a case, it is necessary to prepare a monochrome scanner configuration version and a color scanner configuration version separately in the same model. In particular, in overseas where there is a great demand for monochrome machines, there is a significant demand for separately creating a monochrome scanner configuration version and a color scanner configuration version within the same model.
Japanese Patent No. 3682443

  However, it is difficult to predict the ratio of the needs of the monochrome scanner configuration version and the color scanner configuration version of the machine. There is a risk of stocking a small version of machine inventory in overseas warehouses. Therefore, the base plotter unit, monochrome scanner unit, and color scanner unit are shipped in color only in the required quantities (in the state of a semi-finished machine as a machine), depending on the needs of users at overseas consumption bases. It can be seen that the accumulation of the above-mentioned machine inventory can be avoided by assembling a monochrome scanner configuration or a color scanner configuration machine with as little effort as possible to obtain a finished product.

  Here, to perform the creation separately including the IPU unit (image processing unit) serving as the core of the scanner image processing necessitates new development or significant change of resources in the controller software. Such new developments or significant resource changes involve risks and significant development time, meaning that products cannot be released to the world in a timely manner. Furthermore, the time and labor involved in the production at the base of the consumption area becomes large when the production including the IPU is made, which is not preferable in manufacturing.

  However, since the interface between the IPU in the color scanner and the monochrome scanner is optimized for each characteristic and cost, there is a difference. Therefore, when the IPU unit is shared, a means for absorbing the difference is required. .

  Furthermore, since it is necessary to reduce the cost of the monochrome component machine as much as possible, it is necessary to optimize the cost of the monochrome component machine even when the IPU unit is shared.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to eliminate the need for new development of controller software and to simplify the separate work at the base of consumption.

  In order to solve the above problems, the first means is an image forming apparatus in which either a monochrome scanner unit or a color scanner unit can be combined with a monochrome plotter unit, and the monochrome scanner unit and Monochrome and color-only reading means provided in the color scanner unit, and image processing for color image data of the monochrome scanner unit and the color scanner unit provided in the plotter unit. A common image processing means for performing the above-described image processing, and an interface means provided in the scanner unit, between the color-only and monochrome-reading means and the common image processing means. When combining the scanner unit for monochrome, the monochrome interface means is When the color scanner unit is combined with the plotter unit between the color reading unit and the common image processing unit, a color interface unit is shared with the color dedicated reading unit and the common image processing unit. The image processing means is configured to mediate between the image processing means.

  In this case, an interface circuit for monochrome reading means and a memory having a capacity necessary for monochrome image processing are mounted on the monochrome interface means, and for the color reading means on the color interface means. And a memory having a capacity necessary for color image processing. On the monochrome interface means, an interface connector for connecting to the monochrome-dedicated reading means via a harness, and monochrome and color for connecting to the common image processing means via a harness. An interface connector common to the reading device for color, an interface connector for connecting to the reading unit dedicated to the color via a harness, and the common image processing means and the harness on the color interface means. It is desirable to provide an interface connector common to monochrome and color readers for connection.

  The second means is an image forming apparatus in which either a monochrome scanner unit or a color scanner unit can be combined with a monochrome plotter unit in the monochrome scanner unit and the color scanner unit. Common monochrome and color reading means provided respectively, and common image processing means provided in the plotter unit for performing image processing on color image data of the monochrome scanner unit and the color scanner unit Provided in the plotter unit, provided in an interface means between the color-only and monochrome-only reading means and the common image processing means, and provided in the monochrome-only reading means and the color-only reading means, respectively. Dedicated connection detection signal generating means, and the interface means The connection detection signal generating means determines whether the monochrome or color reading means is connected according to the color connection signal, and determines whether the interface is monochrome according to the result determined by the determination means. And a switching function for switching to either correspondence or color correspondence.

  In this case, based on the result determined by the determination function, the switching function is used to switch the interface to monochrome compatible or color compatible, and the switched processing of the monochrome scanner compatible processing and the color scanner compatible processing is executed. To.

  Examples of the image forming apparatus include a digital multi-function peripheral that realizes multiple functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a FAX function.

  In the embodiment described later, the monochrome plotter unit is denoted by reference numeral 1, the monochrome scanner unit is denoted by reference numeral 3, the image forming apparatus is denoted by the digital multi-function peripheral 4, and the monochrome reading unit is monochrome SBU 31 (or the monochrome scanner A). '), The color scanner unit is denoted by reference numeral 2, the color reading unit is the color SBU 21 (or color scanner A), the common image processing unit is the IPU unit 12, and the monochrome interface unit is the monochrome SUI unit. The color interface means for B ′ is in the color SUI section B, the monochrome interface circuit is in the TTL I / F 32, the color interface circuit is in the LDVS I / F 22, and the storage means is in the frame memory (RM) 23, 33, the harness is denoted by reference numerals H1, H1 ', the connector is denoted by H2, H2 The discriminating function and the switching function correspond to the function of the multiplexer 37, respectively.

  According to the present invention, the configuration of each means described above eliminates the need for new development of controller software, and simplifies the separate production work at the consumption base.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the background for carrying out the present invention. When exporting and selling digital multifunction devices, etc., that can be combined with various functions overseas, they are shipped in color in a semi-finished state where each component unit is not assembled, and the functional configuration according to the needs is made at the consumption base. For this purpose, the necessary units are combined into a finished product. FIG. 1 shows an example of a digital multi-function peripheral in which a monochrome or color scanner unit can be arbitrarily combined with a monochrome output plotter unit.

  In FIG. 1, the plotter unit 1, the color scanner unit 2, and the monochrome scanner unit 3 exist as individual units at the aggregation base as a form at the time of shipment. After these units are shipped in color at an aggregate base, either the color scanner unit 2 or the monochrome scanner unit 3 is assembled to the plotter unit 1 according to needs at the base of consumption, and the digital multifunction device 4 is completed. .

  2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration when the color scanner unit 2 and the plotter unit 1 are combined. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration when the monochrome scanner unit 3 and the plotter unit 1 are combined. FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the color scanner unit 2 includes a color reading device (hereinafter referred to as a color scanner) A and a color scanner interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a color SIU unit) B. The color scanner A is mounted on the color scanner unit 2 before shipment from the central location. The color SIU unit B is mounted on the plotter unit 1 when the color scanner unit 2 is assembled to the plotter unit 1 at the base of consumption. Symbol C is a common image processing unit (also referred to as IPU unit in this specification), symbol D is a controller, symbol E is a writing unit, symbol F is an operation unit, and also has a display function and functions as an operation display unit. . The IPU unit C is mounted on the plotter unit 1 in advance from before the shipment at the central location.

  In FIG. 3, the monochrome scanner unit 3 has a monochrome reading device (hereinafter referred to as a monochrome scanner) A ′ and a monochrome scanner interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a monochrome SIU unit) B ′. The monochrome scanner A 'is mounted in the monochrome scanner unit 3 in advance before shipment from the central location. The monochrome SIU unit B ′ is mounted on the plotter unit 1 when the monochrome scanner unit 3 is assembled to the plotter unit 1 at the base of consumption. Also in the case of the monochrome scanner unit 3, the IPU unit C, the controller D, the writing unit E, and the operation display unit F are provided in the same manner as the color scanner unit 2. The IPU unit C, the controller D, and the writing unit E are common to the monochrome machine and the color machine, respectively, and the controller D and the writing unit E are also mounted in the plotter unit 3 in advance. That is, in this embodiment, when assembling the color scanner unit 2 or the monochrome scanner unit 3 to the plotter unit 1 at the consumption base, the color SIU unit B or the monochrome SIU unit B ′ suitable for each is mounted in the plotter unit 1. .

  The color scanner A has a color reading unit (hereinafter referred to as a color SBU unit) 21 and an LVDS I / F 21a, and uses three types of image data signals of R / G / B as color for the read color image with LVDS output. Send to SIU part B. The LVDS I / F is used for the color image signal I / F because each signal group of R / G / B (about 10 bits each) is transferred by parallel-to-serial conversion, so that the number of signal lines can be reduced and high-speed transfer is performed. The reason for this is that it can be used, it is resistant to external noise, has little signal degradation, and it is difficult to generate noise itself, which is advantageous for EMI (unwanted radiation) countermeasures.

  The color SIU unit B includes an LVDS receiver 22 and a frame memory (indicated by FM in the drawing) 23 provided for each of RGB colors. The LVDS receiver 22 receives the R / G / B signals that have been color serially transferred by the color SBU 21 of the color scanner A, and converts them into parallel data (about 10 bits each). The frame memory 23 temporarily captures the image data that has been color-transferred by the color SBU unit 21 and absorbs the difference in processing speed with the scanning image processing unit 11 (shown as image processing 1 in the figure). In the case of color data, a memory capacity for three colors of R / G / B is required.

  The scanning image processing unit 11 (shown as image processing 1 in the figure) processes the image signal sent to the color SBU unit 21 as a scanner signal, sends it to the controller D, processes it as a print signal, and prints it. And a function of sending to the image processing unit 12 (shown as image processing 2 in the figure). The image processing unit 12 for printing further processes the image data transferred in color by the scanning image processing unit 11 as printing data. The print image processing unit 12 transfers the processed image data to the write control unit 13. The writing control unit 13 has a function of converting the printing image data processed by the printing image processing unit 12 into a writing signal and transferring it to the writing unit E. In the present embodiment, the scanning image processing unit 11 and the printing image processing unit 12 are each configured by an ASIC.

  Since there is a difference between the processing speed of the scanning image processing unit 11 and the data transfer speed of the color SBU unit 21, the image data is temporarily stored in the frame memory 23 and absorbed, but the image to the color SBU unit 21 color frame memory 23 is absorbed. Data capture is performed in synchronization with the data transfer clock signal 25 sent out by the color SBU 21 color, and image data sent to the frame memory 23 color scanning image processing unit 11 is taken in by the scanning image processing unit 11 color sending. This is performed in synchronization with the clock signal 26.

  On the other hand, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the circuit configuration for the monochrome machine is shown in FIG. 2 by replacing the color SBU 21 of the color machine with the monochrome SBU 31 and the TTL I / F instead of the LDVS I / F 21a. The F31a, the TTL 32 instead of the LVDS 22, and the one-color frame memory 33 instead of the three-color frame memory 23, and the signal form conversion unit 34 is provided between the TTL 32 and the frame memory 33. The configuration of the IPU unit C, the controller D, and the writing E is the same as that of the color machine shown in FIG.

  The monochrome SBU unit 31 includes a TTL I / F 31a, and sends one type of black (K) image data signal to the monochrome SIU unit B 'by TTL output for the read color original. The TTL I / F is adopted as the monochrome image signal I / F because the TTL elements constituting the I / F are inexpensive and the number of signals in monochrome is smaller than that of color (about 1/3). It is possible to send the method in all bits in parallel, and in this case, the reason is that the data transfer rate is within an allowable range.

  The receiver of the TTL 32 receives the K signal transmitted by the monochrome scanner A ′ color parallel transfer, and passes it to the signal form conversion unit 34. The signal form conversion unit 34 has a function of converting all-bit parallel image signal data transmitted in the monochrome SBU unit 31 color into a data form that can be captured by the scanning image processing unit 11. Since the frame memory 33 only needs to have a memory capacity for one color of K, the required capacity is 1/3 of the color.

  In the case of a color configuration, each R / G / B data is transferred to each R / G / B data input port of the scanning image processing unit 11 via the color SIU unit B. In the case of a monochrome configuration, the data output from the frame memory 33 is wired so that the same data is simultaneously input to the R / G / B data input ports of the scanning image processing unit 11 in the monochrome SIU unit B ′. Is done.

  In the above description, the mounting positions of the color-configured frame memory 23 and the monochrome-configured frame memory 33 are not the common IPU unit C, but the SIU units B and B ′ and the memories of the frame memories 23 and 33, respectively monochrome / color. The minimum required capacity is installed to reduce the cost especially in monochrome configuration.

In FIG. 2, symbol H1 is a harness for connecting the color scanner A and the color SIU part B. The harness H1 and the color SIU part B are connected by a color SIU dedicated connector H2. The color SIU part B and the IPU part C are connected by a board TO board connector H3, and the connector H3 is common to the color SIU part B and the monochrome SIU part B ′.
In FIG. 3, symbol H1 ′ is a harness for connecting the monochrome scanner A ′ and the monochrome SIU part B ′, and the harness H1 ′ and the monochrome SIU part B ′ are connected by a monochrome SIU dedicated connector H2 ′.

  By using the harness H1 for connecting the color scanner A and the color SIU unit B and the harness H1 ′ for connecting the monochrome scanner A ′ and the monochrome SIU unit B ′ in this way, the color SIU unit B inside the plotter unit 1 is used. The degree of freedom in the arrangement of the monochrome SIU part B ′ can be increased. In addition, the harness H1 and the color SIU part B, the harness H1 ′ and the monochrome SIU part B ′, the color SIU part B and the IPU part C, and the monochrome SIU part B ′ and the IPU part C are respectively connected by a board TO board connector. Yes. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the image signal from being deteriorated, and the image signal circuit including the frame memories 23 and 33 can be mounted on the color SIU part B and the monochrome SIU part B ′.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main part of the monochrome SIU part B ', and FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the output timing of signals in the monochrome SIU part B' shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, blocks surrounded by a wavy line show details of a main part of the signal form conversion unit 34. Also, the timings T1 to T7 in FIG. 5 correspond to the timings T1 to T7 shown in FIG. 4, respectively.

  In FIG. 4, monochrome SBU31 color all-bit parallel data (FIG. 4-T1) is taken into the monochrome SIU unit B 'via the TTL I / F 31a. This data is generally about 16 bits. A data transfer clock T2 is sent to the TTL I / F 31a color monochrome SIU unit B 'side. This data transfer clock corresponds to the data transfer clock 35 shown in FIG. The data transfer clock T2 is transmitted in monochrome SBU31 color, and all bit parallel data (T1 in FIG. 4) is transmitted in synchronization with the data transfer clock T2 (35). In FIG. 5, T1 is all-bit parallel data and changes in synchronization with the rising edge of T2.

  In FIG. 4, the signal form conversion unit 34 includes first and second latch circuits (indicated by LATCH A and LATCH B in the figure) 34a and 34b, an inverter 34c, and a frequency conversion circuit 34d. The first latch circuit 34a is a latch circuit that temporarily holds only even-numbered bit data (generally about 8 bits) of the all-bit parallel data T1, and only the data line of even-numbered bit data is input to the input section. Are connected. The second latch circuit 34b is a latch circuit that temporarily holds only odd-numbered bit data (generally about 8 bits) of the all-bit parallel data T1, and only the odd-bit data line is connected to the input section. Is done. Further, the output T4 of the latch circuits 34a and 34b is obtained by connecting the same bit lines of the respective outputs. That is, bit 1 of output T4 is connected to output bit (line) 1 of first latch circuit 34a and output bit (line) 1 of second latch circuit 34b, and bit 2 of output T4 is connected to the first latch circuit. The output bit (line) 2 of 34a and the output bit (line) 2 of the second latch circuit 34b are connected, and the bit lines are connected equally up to the last bit (generally about 8 bits). . These latch circuits 34a and 34b hold data at the rising edge of the clock signal input to the CLK input, the holding state is output when the signal input to the OE input is High, and the output is output during the Low period. It becomes a high impedance state.

  The inverter 34c inverts the data transfer clock T2 (T3). That is, the all-bit parallel data T1 transferred in synchronization with the data transfer clock T2 is divided into even bits and odd bits in the first latch circuit 34a and the second latch circuit 34b at the rising edge of the data transfer clock T2. The first latch circuit 34a makes the output valid during the period when the data transfer clock T2 is High, and the second latch circuit 34b makes the output valid while the inverted clock T3 is High. As a result, the state of the output T4 is as shown in FIG.

  The frequency conversion circuit 34d performs frequency conversion that doubles the frequency of the input clock. In this embodiment, a PLL circuit is used. Here, the data transfer clock T2 is input to the frequency conversion circuit 34d, and the double frequency clock T5 is output. The state of the clock T5 is as shown in FIG.

  Latch output data T4 is connected to the frame memory 36 as input data, and is fetched in synchronization with the rising edge of the double frequency clock T5. Further, the data output T7 of the frame memory 36 is output in synchronization with the data capturing clock signal T6 transmitted in color by the scanning image processing unit 11. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the data input T4 and the data output T7 of the frame memory 36 can be processed asynchronously in accordance with the respective required speeds.

  The reason why the scanning image processing unit 11 capable of color processing inputs the even bits and the odd bits serially time-divided for each R / G / B is to reduce the number of image signals. It is. In order to use the scanning image processing unit 11 in common with a monochrome scanner, it is necessary to convert the data format of the monochrome image data to the color image data format, and thus the configuration is as described above. Further, the signal form conversion unit (circuit) 34 portion surrounded by a wavy line is usually made into an ASIC.

  On the other hand, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the discrimination signal generation circuit 15 indicating whether the SIU parts B and B ′ themselves are the color SIU part B or the monochrome SIU part B ′ is scanned to the IPU part C via the connector H3. The discrimination signal connected to the image processing unit 11 and generated by the discrimination signal generation circuit 15 is input to the input unit (IN2) of the scanning image processing unit 11. The distinction signal circuit 15 is connected to GND in the color SIU part B and pulled up in the monochrome SIU part B ′. Therefore, the color SIU part B is connected to the input part (IN2) of the scanning image processing part 11. Low is input when is connected, and High is input when the monochrome SIU part B ′ is connected.

  Further, the connectors H2 and H2 ′ are dedicated, and the color SIU part B can be physically connected only to the color SBU part B, and the monochrome SIU part B ′ can be connected only to the monochrome SBU part B ′. By adopting such a structure, an erroneous combination of each scanner A, A ′ and each SIU part B, B ′ is prevented.

  Further, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a connection detection signal line 16 indicating whether or not the scanners A and A ′ and the SIU units B and B ′ and the IPU units C and C ′ are connected is input to the scanning image processing unit 11. Part (IN1). The connection detection signal line 16 is connected to the GND at the color SBU unit 21 and the monochrome SBU unit 31 and is connected to the color / monochrome via the color / monochrome harness H1 and the color / monochrome dedicated connectors H2, H2 ′. Via each SIU part B, B ', it is connected to the IPU part C, C' via the connector H3, and input to the input part (IN1) of the scanning image processing part 11.

  Here, the main connection detection signal line 16 is pulled up in the IPU units C and C ', and this signal is active low. Accordingly, the connection detection signal is obtained when the color or monochrome SBU units 21 and 31 and the color or monochrome SIU units B and B ′ are securely connected to the IPU unit C in both the color scanner configuration and the monochrome scanner configuration. Only when it is in the active state (Low), when it is not connected in series, it is in the inactive state (High).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining whether the current connection state is the color configuration or the monochrome configuration, and shifting to the processing corresponding to each according to the determination result. This determination is performed by the scanning image processing unit 11 in the IPU unit C. This processing procedure is for shifting to processing corresponding to each according to the determination result, and is provided in the scanning image processing unit 11 as software.

  In FIG. 6, after the apparatus is turned on, this determination process is started. By starting the discrimination process, the scanning image processing unit 11 reads the input state of its own input unit (IN1) (step S101). Next, if the input state of the input unit (IN1) is not Low (step S102-N), it is determined that either the color or monochrome SBU unit 21 or 31 or the color or monochrome SIU unit B or B ′ is not connected. Then, the process proceeds to error processing (step S103). When the input state of the input unit (IN1) is Low (step S102-Y), the color SBU unit 21 and the color SUI unit B, or the monochrome SBU unit 31 and the monochrome SIU unit B ′ become the IPU unit C. The scanning image processing unit 11 determines that it is securely connected, and reads the input state of its own input unit (IN2) (step S104).

  Next, the scanning image processing unit 11 determines the input state of its input unit (IN2) (step S105), and when the input state of the input unit (IN2) is Low, the color SIU unit B is connected. After determining the color configuration and displaying the color scanner configuration on the operation display unit F (step S106), the process proceeds to the color scanner processing (step S107), and the color configuration processing is executed. On the other hand, if the input state of the input unit (IN2) is not Low, it is determined that the monochrome SIU unit B ′ is connected and has a monochrome configuration, and after displaying the monochrome scanner configuration on the operation display unit F (step In step S108, the process proceeds to a monochrome scanner process (step S109), and a monochrome configuration process is executed.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
1) By sharing the IPU and dedicating the SIU, the interface difference between the monochrome SBU unit and the color SBU unit is absorbed to create a monochrome configuration and a color configuration separately. This makes it possible to simplify the creation process at the consumption base.
2) Costs can be optimized for a monochrome component machine by creating a separate scanner interface unit as a circuit configuration having a minimum required image processing memory for each dedicated scanner interface unit. .
3) The connection between the reading device and the scanner interface unit is a harness connection via a dedicated connector for each color / monochrome machine, and the connection between the scanner interface unit and the supplied image processing means is a common color / monochrome I / F connector. By using the harness connection via the cable, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the scanner interface section in each color / monochrome scanner machine is increased, and the separate operation at the base of the consumption area can be simplified.

4) The connection between the SBU and SIU is a harness connection via a dedicated connector for each color machine and monochrome machine, and the connection between the SIU and the IPU is a harness connection via an I / F connector common to the color machine and monochrome machine. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of SIUs in the scanners of the color machine and the monochrome machine is increased, and it is possible to simplify the creation work at the base of the consumption area.
5) Since the monochrome scanner I / F is a TTL I / F and the color scanner I / F is an LVDS I / F, the cost can be optimized for the characteristics of each image signal.
6) Since the image transfer form of the monochrome scanner is converted into the image transfer method of the color scanner in the monochrome SIU, it is possible to optimize the cost for the characteristics of each image signal while sharing the IPU.

7) Since a distinction signal for monochrome SIU and color SIU is provided, it becomes possible for the IPU to know the current configuration, and not only the hardware of the IPU but also the software can be shared.
8) Since the SBU I / F connector mounted on the monochrome SIU and the color SIU can be physically non-common, erroneous connection between the SBU and SIO is prevented, and the SBU identification signal is Connections can be prevented from being mixed.
9) Since a signal for detecting whether or not they are securely connected to monochrome and color SBUs and SIUs is provided, connection failure between SBUs, SIUs and IPUs is prevented, and the reliability of SIU discrimination signals Can be secured.
10) With respect to the discrimination signal and connection detection signal of monochrome SIU and color SIU, it is possible to detect the connection state with the IPU software, determine the configuration, and further perform processing suitable for the configuration. By sharing not only the IPU hardware but also software, the plotter unit itself can be shared.
11) Since the current configuration state can be displayed according to the determination result, the current configuration state can be easily informed to workers, users, service personnel, etc. in the manufacturing process by simply turning on the power switch of the apparatus. be able to.
There are effects such as.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment.
The second embodiment is an example in which the color and monochrome SIU portions B and B ′ in the first embodiment are made as common SIUs without being separately made in color and monochrome. Basically, the color SIU part B and the monochrome SIU part B ′ are combined. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to each part equivalent to each part demonstrated in Example 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  In the second embodiment, the color SIU unit B in FIG. 2 and the monochrome SIU unit B ′ in FIG. 3 are used as a common SIU unit Ba, and the color SBU unit 21 and the monochrome SBU unit 31 can be connected by a common SIU connector H2a. ing. The common SIU connector H2a is obtained by combining the connector H2 shown in FIG. 2 and the connector H2 'shown in FIG. 3 and assigning each signal to a pin in the common SIU connector H2a. In FIG. 7, in order to represent that the signal groups of the harnesses H1 and H1 ′ are arranged on different pins in the common SIU connector H2a, two signal groups of the harnesses H1 and H1 ′ are intentionally connected to the common SIU connector H2a at the same time. Although shown as being connected, in reality, only one of the harness H1 for sending the color signal group or the harness H1 ′ for sending the monochrome signal group is connected to the common SIU connector H2a.

  In FIG. 7, a multiplexer 37 is arranged at the subsequent stage of the frame memories 23 and 33 of the common SIU unit Ba. The multiplexer 37 selects one of the signal group input to A1, A2, A3 and the signal group input to B1, B2, B3 according to the state of the signal input to each terminal of SEL1 and SEL2. Thus, S1, S2 and S3 color output is performed. In this embodiment, when SEL1 is Low and SEL2 is High, the A series is selected, and when SEL1 is High and SEL2 is Low, the B series is selected and S1, S2, S3 color output is set. ing.

  That is, a monochrome SBU image signal 38 is connected to the A1, A2, and A3 inputs of the multiplexer 37. This image signal 38 corresponds to the output of the frame memory 33 in FIG. A color SBU image signal 39 is connected to the B1, B2 and B3 inputs of the multiplexer 37. The image signal 39 corresponds to the output of the frame memory 33 in FIG.

  The signal 16a is a color SBUA connection detection signal, and the signal 16b is a monochrome SBU unit A 'connection detection signal. When a monochrome signal group (harness H1 ') is connected to the common SIU connector H2a, the monochrome SBUA' connection detection signal 16b is Low, and the color SBUA connection detection signal 16a is High. When the color system signal group (harness H1) is connected to the common SIU connector H2a, the connection detection signal 16b of the monochrome SBU part A ′ is High, and the connection detection signal 16a of the color SBU part A is Low. Become. Since the connection detection signals 16a and 16b are connected to SEL1 and SEL2 of the multiplexer 37, when the monochrome signal group (harness H1 ′) is connected, the signal 38 connected to A1, A2, and A3. Are output in S1, S2, S3 color, and when the color signal group (harness H1) is connected, the signal 39 connected to B1, B2, B3 is output in S1, S2, S3 color. That is, the multiplexer 37 switches the connection between the monochrome signal group and the color signal group.

  The S1, S2, and S3 color outputs are input to the scanning image processing unit 11 via the connector H3a. Also, the scanning image processing unit 11 can know whether the current configuration is a monochrome configuration or a color configuration by reading the signal state of its input unit (IN1 and IN2). The IPU unit C in the first embodiment is equivalent to the IPU unit C in the second embodiment. Note that the common SIU unit Ba in the second embodiment is generally implemented as an ASIC. Reference symbol E denotes a writing unit.

  FIG. 8 shows a discrimination process for the scanning image processing unit 11 in the common IPU unit C to determine whether the current connection state is a color configuration or a monochrome configuration, and to shift to a process corresponding to each according to the determination result. It is a flowchart which shows a process sequence. The processing procedure of this discrimination processing is provided in the scanning image processing unit 11 as software and processed.

  This determination process is started when the apparatus is turned on. When the process is started, first, the scanning image processing unit 11 reads its own IN1 input state (step S201). When the input state of IN1 is Low (step S202-Y), it is determined that the monochrome SBU 31, common SIU unit Ba, and common IPU unit C are securely connected, and the process proceeds to step S203, and its own IN2 is read. . If the input state is not Low, it is determined that the monochrome SBU 31 and the common SIU unit Ba or the common SIU unit Ba and the common IPU unit C are not connected, and reads its own IN2 (step S208).

  If the input state of IN2 is Low in Step S203 (Step S204-Y), it means that both the monochrome SBU 31 and the color SBU 21 are connected to the common SIU unit Ba. In step S205, error processing is executed. If the input state is not Low (step S204-N), it is determined that the configuration as a monochrome scanner is established, and the operation display unit F is notified in step S206 that the current machine configuration is a monochrome scanner configuration. The image is displayed and the process for the monochrome configuration is performed (step S207).

  On the other hand, after the scanning image processing unit 11 reads the input state of its own IN2 in step S208, it determines the input state of IN2, and if it is not low (step S209-N), both the monochrome SBU31 and the color SBU21 are common. It is determined that the SIU unit Ba is not connected or the common SIU unit Ba and the common IPU unit C are not connected, and error processing is executed in step S210.

  On the other hand, if the input state is Low in step S209, it is determined that the color SBU 21, the common SIU unit Ba, and the common IPU unit C are securely connected, and the configuration as a color scanner is established. In step S211, the fact that the current machine configuration is a color scanner configuration is displayed on the operation display unit F, and processing for the color configuration is performed (step S212).

As described above, according to this embodiment,
1) Since the SIU is standardized so that monochrome / color switching is possible, there is no need to create SIUs separately.
2) Depending on the result of determining whether it is a color scanner configuration or a monochrome scanner configuration, processing suitable for each is performed. Therefore, even when SIU is shared, not only the IPU hardware but also software is shared, The part itself can be made common.
3) Since the current configuration state can be displayed in accordance with the result of the configuration determination, even in the case where the SIU is shared, it is possible to easily perform an in-manufacturer and user by simply turning on the power switch of the device. , The current configuration state can be notified to a service person or the like.
There are effects such as.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but covers all technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims.

It is a figure for demonstrating the background for implementing this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a circuit configuration when a color scanner unit and a plotter unit in Example 1 are combined. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a circuit configuration when a monochrome scanner unit and a plotter unit in Example 1 are combined. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of a monochrome SIU part. 5 is a timing chart showing output timings of signals in the monochrome SIU part B shown in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which discriminate | determines whether the present connection state is a color structure or a monochrome structure. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a scanning image processing unit according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Plotter part 2 Color scanner part 3 Monochrome scanner part 4 Digital compound machine 11 Scanning image processing part 12 Printing image processing part 13 Write control part 15 Discrimination signal generation circuit 16 Connection detection signal line 16a Connection detection signal of color SBUA 16b Monochrome SBU Part A 'connection detection signal
21 Color SBU
21a LVDS I / F
22 LVDS
23, 33, 36 Frame memory 31 Monochrome SBU
31a TTL I / F
32 TTL
34 Signal form converter (circuit)
37 Multiplexer A Color scanner A 'Monochrome scanner B Color SIU B B Monochrome SIU Ba Common SIU
C IPU part Ca Common IPU part D Controller E Writing part F Operation display part H1, H1 'Harness H2, H2a, H3, H3a Connector

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus in which either a monochrome scanner unit or a color scanner unit can be combined with a monochrome plotter unit,
A monochrome-only and color-only reading means provided in each of the monochrome scanner unit and the color scanner unit;
A common image processing unit provided in the plotter unit, which performs image processing on color image data of the monochrome scanner unit and the color scanner unit;
An interface unit provided in the scanner unit, between the reading unit dedicated to color and monochrome, and the common image processing unit;
With
When the monochrome scanner unit is combined with the plotter unit, a monochrome interface unit is mediated between the monochrome reading unit and the common image processing unit, and the color plotter unit is connected to the plotter unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a color interface unit that mediates between a color-dedicated reading unit and the common image processing unit when combining a scanner unit for image processing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
On the monochrome interface means, an interface circuit for monochrome reading means and a memory having a capacity necessary for monochrome image processing are mounted.
An image forming apparatus, wherein an interface circuit for a color-dedicated reading unit and a memory having a capacity necessary for color image processing are mounted on the color interface unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
On the monochrome interface means, a connector for connecting to the monochrome reading means via a harness, and monochrome and color readings for connecting to the common image processing means via a harness. A common connector is provided,
On the color interface means, a connector for connecting to the color-dedicated reading means via a harness, and a monochrome and color reading for connecting to the common image processing means via a harness. An image forming apparatus having a connector common to the apparatus. In an image forming apparatus in which either a monochrome scanner unit or a color scanner unit can be combined with a monochrome plotter unit,
A monochrome-only and color-only reading means provided in each of the monochrome scanner unit and the color scanner unit;
A common image processing unit provided in the plotter unit, which performs image processing on color image data of the monochrome scanner unit and the color scanner unit;
An interface unit provided in the plotter unit, between the color-only and monochrome-only reading unit and the common image processing unit;
A dedicated connection detection signal generating means provided in each of the monochrome reading means and the color reading means;
With
The interface means determines whether the monochrome or color reading means is connected according to the connection signal of the connection detection signal generating color, and the result determined by the determining means. An image forming apparatus having a switching function for switching the interface to either monochrome or color in response. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The interface is switched to monochrome compatible or color compatible by the switching function based on the result determined by the determination function, and the switched processing is executed among the monochrome scanner compatible processing and the color scanner compatible processing. Image forming apparatus.

Images