JP4083005B2 - Reading image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a read image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that perform predetermined processing on a read image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Image information is generated by reading an image from a multi-page document and stored in a storage device such as an HDD. The stored image information is subjected to image processing such as compression, rotation, density change, etc. 2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as digital copiers and scanners having a processing function for scanned images that are transferred and output are known.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  In the image forming apparatus having the above-described image processing function, image information before processing and image information after processing are stored in separate areas. Therefore, since it is necessary to secure an area for storing image information before processing and image information after processing in the storage device, the number of pages that can be processed is limited by the capacity of the storage device.
[0004]
  For example, when the image information before the processing and the image information after the processing require substantially the same storage area, approximately 1/2 of the storage area is required within the entire capacity of the image storage area in the storage device. The upper limit amount of image information that can be processed is limited.
[0005]
  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a read image processing apparatus capable of effectively utilizing a storage area for image information, and an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine and a scanner. is there.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  A read image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.Me 1Free space equivalent to pages andConsecutive to the free space,Image storage means having a storage area for storing read image information of a plurality of pages read by the scanner unit, and image information stored in the storage area of the image storage means are subjected to predetermined processing for each page. And a data control unit that controls reading of read image information from the storage area of the image storage unit and writing of the image information after the processing to the image storage unit when executing the processing by the processing unit WhenAn empty area setting means for setting the capacity of the empty area that the image storage means has in advance based on the image reading condition of the size and resolution of the read imageWithThe processing means performs processing for reducing the capacity of an area for storing image information, or processing for not changing the capacity.The data control means sequentially reads image information for each page from the storage area of the image storage means, sets a storage area in which the read image information is stored as a free area, and the image storage means The image information after the processing corresponding to the first page is written in the empty area previously stored, and the image information of the second and subsequent pages after the processing is sequentially written in the empty area set every time the image information is read. It is said.
[0007]
  According to the above configuration, the image storage means is preliminarily stored.Me 1Has free space equivalent to the page, andConsecutive to the free space,The read image information of a plurality of pages read by the scanner unit is stored in a storage area of the image storage unit, and the image information stored in the storage area of the image storage unit is processed for each page by the processing unit. When the processing process is performed and the processing process is executed by the processing unit, the data control unit controls reading of the read image information from the storage area of the image storage unit and writing of the image information after the processing process to the image storage unit Is done. Further, the data control means sequentially reads out image information for each page from the storage area of the image storage means, the storage area where the read image information is stored is set as a free area, and the image storage means The processed image information corresponding to the first page is written in the empty area previously stored, and the image information on the second and subsequent pages after the processing is sequentially written in the empty area set every time the image information is read.Further, the processing means performs processing for reducing the capacity of the area for storing the image information or image processing for which the capacity does not change. Further, the free area setting means sets the capacity of the free area that the image storage means has in advance based on the image reading condition of the size and resolution of the read image.
[0008]
  Therefore, the image information is sequentially read out from the storage area of the image storage means for each page by the data control means, and the storage area in which the read image information is stored is set as a free area, and the image storage means has in advance. The processed image information corresponding to the first page is written in the free area, and the image information of the second and subsequent pages after the processed process is sequentially written in the free area set every time the image information is read. It is possible to process and store image information that can be stored in the storage area, and to effectively use the storage area for image information.Further, since the capacity of the area for storing the processed image information does not increase more than the capacity of the area for storing the unprocessed image information, the image information that can be stored in the area excluding the pre-existing free area is stored and processed. Thus, the image information storage area can be used effectively. In addition, based on the image reading conditions of the size and resolution of the read image, the capacity of the free area that the image storage means has in advance is set to a size suitable for the image reading conditions, so that the image information storage area is further effective. It becomes possible to utilize.
[0009]
  The read image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the data control unit writes the processed image information in the set empty area, the data control unit writes from the start address of the set empty area. It is said.
[0010]
  According to the above configuration, when the processed image information is written in the set empty area by the data control means, the data is written from the head address of the set empty area. Therefore, the processed image information is written in a continuous storage area, so that it becomes easy to manage the processed image information and to effectively use the free area.
[0011]
  Claim3In the read image processing apparatus, the data control unit stores the image information of the previous page for the image information of the second and subsequent pages when the processed image information is written in the set empty area. It is characterized in that writing is performed from the top address of the storage area.
[0012]
  According to the above configuration, when the processed image information is written in the set empty area by the data control unit, the image information on the second page and thereafter is the empty in which the image information of the previous page is stored. Since writing is performed from the top address of the area, the processing for writing the processed image information is realized by simple processing.
[0013]
  Claim4The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, and an image acquisition apparatus that acquires image information for each page;3A read image processing apparatus according to any one of the above, and an image forming apparatus that generates an image corresponding to image information stored in the image storage unit of the read image processing apparatus and transfers the image to recording paper. It is said.
[0014]
  According to said structure, image information is acquired for every page by the image acquisition apparatus, Claims 1-3The image information is processed by the read image processing apparatus described in any one of the above, and an image corresponding to the image information stored in the image storage unit of the read image processing apparatus is generated by the image forming apparatus and transferred to the recording paper. The Accordingly, claims 1 to3Therefore, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus that can effectively use a storage area for image information.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  (First embodiment)
  FIG. 1 is an example of a schematic side sectional view mainly showing a mechanical configuration of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. The digital copying machine 1 includes a main body unit 200, a sheet post-processing unit 300 disposed on the left side of the main body unit 200, an operation unit 400 for a user to input various operation commands and the like, and an upper part of the main body unit 200. The document reading unit 500 disposed on the document reading unit 500 and the document feeding unit 600 disposed above the document reading unit 500.
[0016]
  The operation unit 400 includes a touch panel 401, a start key 402, a numeric keypad 403, and the like. The touch panel 401 displays various operation screens including a screen for setting an enlargement / reduction ratio, and displays various operation buttons and the like for the user to input various operation commands. The start key 402 is used for the user to input a print execution command and the like, and the ten key 403 is used for inputting the number of copies to be printed.
[0017]
  The document feeding unit 600 includes a document placement unit 601, a document discharge unit 602, a paper feed roller 603, a document transport unit 604, and the like, and the document reading unit 500 (corresponding to an image acquisition device) includes a scanner 501 and the like. . The paper feed roller 603 feeds out the original set on the original placement unit 601, and the original transport unit 604 transports the fed originals one by one on the scanner 501. The scanner 501 sequentially reads the conveyed document, and the read document is discharged to the document discharge unit 602.
[0018]
  A main body 200 (corresponding to an image forming apparatus) includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 201, a plurality of paper feed rollers 202, a transfer roller 203, an intermediate transfer body roller 204, a photosensitive drum 205, an exposure device 206, yellow, magenta, Cyan and black developing devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K, a fixing roller 208, a discharge port 209, and a discharge tray 210 are provided.
[0019]
  The photosensitive drum 205 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 206 converts the modulation signal generated based on the image data of the original read by the original reading unit 500 into a laser beam and outputs it, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 205 for each color. The developing devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K supply each color developer to the photosensitive drum 205 to form a toner image for each color. The intermediate transfer roller 204 is transferred with the toner image of each color from the photosensitive drum 205, and a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer roller 204.
[0020]
  On the other hand, the paper feeding roller 202 pulls out the recording paper from the paper feeding cassette 201 in which the recording paper is stored, and feeds the recording paper to the transfer roller 203. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer body roller 204 onto the conveyed recording paper, and the fixing roller 208 heats and fixes the transferred toner image on the recording paper. Thereafter, the recording paper is carried into the paper post-processing unit 300 from the discharge port 209 of the main body unit 200. The recording paper is also discharged to the discharge tray 210 as necessary.
[0021]
  The paper post-processing unit 300 includes a carry-in port 301, a recording paper transport unit 302, a carry-out port 303, a stack tray 304, and the like. The recording paper transport unit 302 sequentially transports the recording paper carried into the carry-in port 301 from the discharge port 209 and finally ejects the recording paper from the carry-out port 303 to the stack tray 304. The stack tray 304 is configured to move up and down in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the number of recording sheets stacked from the carry-out port 303.
[0022]
  FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram mainly showing the electrical configuration of the digital copying machine 1 shown in FIG. The digital copying machine 1 includes a scanner unit 11, a printer unit 21, an operation panel unit 31, a control unit 41, a parallel I / F unit 51, a serial I / F unit 52, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 53.
[0023]
  The scanner unit 11 includes an illumination light source 12 and a CCD (charge coupled device) 13 that constitute the first scanner 501 shown in FIG. The scanner unit 11 irradiates the original with the illumination light source 12 and receives the reflected light for each color by the CCD 13, thereby reading an image from the original, and image data (corresponding to image information) of each color corresponding to the read image. Is output to the control unit 41.
[0024]
  The printer unit 21 includes a sheet conveying unit 22 including the sheet feeding cassette 201 and the sheet feeding roller 202 shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer member roller 204, the photosensitive drum 205, the exposure device 206, and the developing device 207Y shown in FIG. , 207M, 207C, 207K, and the like, a transfer unit 24 including the transfer roller 203 shown in FIG. 1, and a fixing unit 25 including the fixing roller 208 shown in FIG. . Specifically, the paper transport unit 32 transports the recording paper to the image forming unit 33, the image forming unit 23 forms a toner image corresponding to the image data, and the transfer unit 24 transfers the toner image to the recording paper. Then, the fixing unit 25 fixes the toner image on the recording paper to form an image.
[0025]
  The operation panel unit 31 includes a touch panel unit 32 including the touch panel 401 shown in FIG. 1 and an operation key unit 33 including the start key 402 and the numeric keypad 403 shown in FIG. The operation panel unit 31 is used for a user to perform an operation related to the copy function, and gives an operation command or the like by the user to the control unit 41. The touch panel unit 32 includes a touch panel unit that combines a touch panel and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The touch panel unit 32 displays information on various operation screens, for example, enlargement / reduction ratio setting, and the user touches the part. To display operation buttons and the like for inputting various operation commands. The operation key unit 33 is used by the user to input a print execution command or the like.
[0026]
  The control unit 41 includes a microcomputer, a dedicated hardware circuit, and the like, and controls the operation of the entire apparatus. The control unit 41 performs predetermined processing (for example, compression, rotation, density change, etc.) for each page of the read image information of a plurality of pages, and after the read image information is read and processed It controls writing of image information. Note that the type of processing is selected upon receipt of an input from the touch panel unit 32.
[0027]
  The HDD 53 stores image data read by the scanner unit 11, an output format set for the image data, image data after various image processing (processing), and the like. Note that the writing of image data to the HDD 53 and the reading of image data from the HDD 53 are executed in accordance with instructions from the control unit 41.
[0028]
  Next, read image processing of the digital copying machine 1 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram for explaining the read image processing according to the first embodiment of the digital copying machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (configuration diagram of the read image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention). It is an example. The HDD 53 includes an image storage unit 531 (corresponding to image storage means) having a free area corresponding to at least one page in advance and a storage area for storing read image information of a plurality of pages. The control unit 41 performs processing on the image data stored in the image storage unit 531 for each page, a processing unit 411 (corresponding to a processing unit), and a processing process performed by the processing unit 411. A data control unit 412 (corresponding to a data control unit) that controls reading of read image data from the storage unit 531 and writing of processed image data to the image storage unit 531, and image reading such as the size of the read image An empty area setting unit 413 (corresponding to an empty area setting unit) that sets the capacity of an empty area that the image storage unit 531 has in advance based on conditions is provided.
[0029]
  The processing unit 411 performs the processing selected by the input from the touch panel unit 32 for each page on the image data stored in the image storage unit 531. However, the processing unit 411 performs, for example, processing for reducing the capacity of an area for storing image data, such as compression, rotation, and density change, or processing for which the capacity does not change.
[0030]
  The data control unit 412 controls the reading of the read image data from the image storage unit 531 and the writing of the image data after the processing process to the image storage unit 531 and the generation of these addresses when the processing unit 411 executes the processing. Is what you do.
[0031]
  In addition, the data control unit 412 reads image data for each page from the image storage unit 531, sets an area where the read image data is stored as a free area, and sets the free area in the image storage unit 531 in advance. The image data after the processing corresponding to the first page is written, and the image information of the second and subsequent pages after the processing is written in the set empty area. Furthermore, the data control unit 412 writes the processed image data from the start address of the empty area when writing the processed image data to the set empty area.
[0032]
  The free area setting unit 413 sets the capacity of the free area that the image storage unit 531 has in advance from image reading conditions such as the size of the read image. For example, when the capacity of the free area that the image storage unit 531 has in advance is set according to the size (area) and resolution (DPI) of the read image, the capacity of the free area that the image storage unit 531 has in advance is the area of the read image. And may be set in proportion to the resolution (DPI). As described above, since the capacity of the empty area that the image storage unit 531 has in advance is set to a size suitable for the image reading condition, the image data storage area can be effectively used.
[0033]
  FIG. 4 is an example of an explanatory diagram of image data read processing from the image storage unit 531 and image data write processing to the image storage unit 531 performed by the data control unit 412. (A) shows the storage state of image data before processing by the processing unit 411 (that is, read image data) in the image storage unit 531, and (b) shows an image of image data after processing by the processing unit 411. The storage state in the storage unit 531 is shown. In the following description, it is assumed that the number of pages of read image data is N (N is an integer of 2 or more).
[0034]
  As shown in (a), the image storage unit 531 is set with a pre-existing free area EA set by the free area setting unit 413 from the start address, and the image read from the address next to the final address of the area EA. Data storage areas P1D to PND are set, and read image data is stored in the storage areas P1D to PND. As shown in (b), the read image data of the first page is stored in the area P1E from the start address of the area EA after being processed by the processing unit 411. The read image data of the second page is stored in the area P2E from the address next to the final address of the area P1E after being processed by the processing unit 411. The read image data of the third page is stored in the area P3E from the address next to the final address of the area P2E after being processed by the processing unit 411. Thereafter, similarly, the processing unit 411 stores in the area PIE after the processing (I = 4 to N).
[0035]
  FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart of image data processing performed by the processing unit 411 and the data control unit 412. Here, it is assumed that the page number N of the read image data is stored in advance. First, the page number N is read (step S1). Next, the page counter K is initialized to 1 (step S3). Then, the read image data of the Kth page is read from the image storage unit 531 (step S5). Next, a processing process is performed on the read image data of the Kth page (step S7).
[0036]
  Then, it is determined whether or not the page counter K is 1 (step S9). If it is determined that the page counter K is 1, the processed image data generated in step S7 is written from the leading address of the empty area EA shown in FIG. 4 (step S11). Next, the area where the read image data of the first page of the image storage unit 531 is stored is set as an empty area (step S13). Next, the page counter K is incremented (step S15), and the process returns to step S5 and continues.
[0037]
  If it is determined in step S9 that the page counter K is not 1, the processed image data generated in step S7 is written from the start address of the free area (step S17). Next, the area where the read image data of the Kth page of the image storage unit 531 is stored is set as a free area (step S19). Then, it is determined whether or not the page counter K has reached the page number N (step S21). If it is determined that the number of pages N has been reached, the process is terminated. If it is determined that the number of pages N has not been reached, the page counter K is incremented (step S23), and the process returns to step S5. Will continue.
[0038]
  In this manner, the image data is read from the image storage unit 531 for each page by the data control unit 412, the area where the read image data is stored is set as a free area, and is stored in advance in the image storage unit 531. Since the processed image data corresponding to the first page is written in the free area EA and the image data on and after the second page after the processing is written in the set free area, the pre-existing free area EA is excluded. Image information that can be stored in the area can be stored and processed, and the storage area of the image data can be used effectively.
[0039]
  Further, since the processed image data is written in a continuous storage area, it becomes easy to manage the processed image data and to effectively use the free area. Furthermore, since the capacity of the area for storing the processed image data does not increase more than the capacity of the area for storing the unprocessed image data, the image data that can be stored in the area excluding the empty area EA previously stored is stored. It becomes possible to process, and the storage area can be used effectively.
[0040]
  (Second Embodiment)
  Next, a digital copying machine according to the second embodiment will be described. Here, for the sake of convenience, description of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different parts from the first embodiment will be described. 1 to 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the function of the data control unit 412 in FIG. 3 is different.
[0041]
  Similar to the first embodiment, the data control unit 412 reads the read image data from the image storage unit 531 and writes the processed image data to the image storage unit 531 when the processing unit 411 executes the processing. The image data is read from the image storage unit 531 for each page, the area in which the read image data is stored is set as a free area, and the image memory unit 531 has a free area in advance. The image data after processing corresponding to one page is written, and the image information of the second and subsequent pages after processing is written in the set empty area.
[0042]
  However, the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the data control unit 412 writes the processed image information in the set empty area from the start address of the empty area in which the image information of the previous page is stored. Different.
[0043]
  FIG. 6 is an example of an explanatory diagram of the image data reading process from the image storage unit 531 and the image data writing process to the image storage unit 531 performed by the data control unit 412. (A) shows the storage state of image data before processing by the processing unit 411 (that is, read image data) in the image storage unit 531, and (b) shows an image of image data after processing by the processing unit 411. The storage state in the storage unit 531 is shown. In the following description, it is assumed that the number of pages of read image data is N (N is an integer of 2 or more).
[0044]
  As shown in (a), the image storage unit 531 is set with a pre-existing free area EA set by the free area setting unit 413 from the start address, and the image read from the address next to the final address of the area EA. Data storage areas P1D to PND are set, and read image data is stored in the storage areas P1D to PND. As shown in (b), the read image data of the first page is stored in the area P1E from the start address of the area EA after being processed by the processing unit 411. The read image data of the second page is stored in the area P2F from the start address of the area P1D after being processed by the processing unit 411. The read image data of the third page is stored in the area P3F from the start address of the area P2D after being processed by the processing unit 411. Thereafter, similarly, the processing unit 411 stores in the area PIF after the processing (I = 4 to N).
[0045]
  FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart of image data processing performed by the processing unit 411 and the data control unit 412. Here, it is assumed that the page number N of the read image data is stored in advance. First, the page number N is read (step S31). Next, the page counter K is initialized to 1 (step S33). Then, the read image data of the Kth page is read from the image storage unit 531 (step S35). Next, a processing process is performed on the read image data of the Kth page (step S37).
[0046]
  Then, it is determined whether or not the page counter K is 1 (step S39). If it is determined that the page counter K is 1, the processed image data generated in step S37 is written from the leading address of the empty area EA shown in FIG. 6 (step S41). Next, the area where the read image data of the first page of the image storage unit 531 is stored is set as an empty area (step S43). Next, the page counter K is incremented (step S45), and the process returns to step S35 and continues.
[0047]
  If it is determined in step S39 that the page counter K is not 1, the processed image data generated in step S37 is an empty area corresponding to the storage area in which the (K-1) page is stored. Are written from the top address (step S47). Next, the area where the read image data of the Kth page of the image storage unit 531 is stored is set as an empty area (step S49). Then, it is determined whether or not the page counter K has reached the page number N (step S51). If it is determined that the number of pages N has been reached, the process is terminated. If it is determined that the number of pages N has not been reached, the page counter K is incremented (step S53), and the process returns to step S35. Will continue.
[0048]
  FIG. 8 is an example of an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the read / write processing of image data with respect to the image storage unit 531 performed by the data control unit 412. Here, for the sake of convenience, a case where the number of pages N of read image data is 5 will be described. (A) shows the storage state of the image data before the processing by the processing unit 411 (that is, read image data) in the image storage unit 531, and (b) shows that the first page is processed by the processing unit 411. (C) shows the storage state of the image data in the image storage unit 531 and (c) shows the storage state of the image data in the image storage unit 531 when the second page is processed by the processing unit 411. Indicates the storage state of the image data in the image storage unit 531 when the fifth page is processed by the processing unit 411.
[0049]
  As shown in (a), the image storage unit 531 is provided with an empty area EA and storage areas P1D to P5D for read image data, and the read image data is stored in the storage areas P1D to P5D. As shown in (b), the read image data of the first page is read from the storage area P1D of the image storage unit 531 by the data control unit 412, processed by the processing unit 411, and then processed image data. Is stored in the storage area P1F which is a part of the empty area EA of the image storage section 531 of the image storage section 531.
[0050]
  As shown in (c), the read image data of the second page is read from the storage area P2D of the image storage unit 531 by the data control unit 412, processed by the processing unit 411, and then processed image data. Is stored in the storage area P2F which is a part of the storage area P1D of the image storage unit 531. Similarly, the read image data of the third and fourth pages are read from the storage areas P3D and P4D of the image storage unit 531 by the data control unit 412, processed by the processing unit 411, and then processed. Are stored in storage areas P3F and P4F which are part of the storage areas P2D and P3D of the image storage unit 531 respectively. As shown in (d), the read image data of the fifth page is read from the storage area P5D of the image storage unit 531 by the data control unit 412, processed by the processing unit 411, and then processed image data. Are stored in the storage area P5F which is a part of the storage area P4D of the image storage unit 531.
[0051]
  In this way, all processed image data is stored in the storage area P1F to P5F which is a part of the empty area EA and the storage areas P1D to P4D of the image storage unit 531. Therefore, when the data control unit 412 writes the processed image information in the set empty area, the image information of the previous page is written from the leading address of the empty area in which the image information of the previous page is stored. The process of writing information is realized by a simple process.
[0052]
  In addition, this invention can take the following forms.
[0053]
  (A) In the first and second embodiments, the case where the image forming apparatus is the digital copying machine 1 has been described. However, another image forming apparatus such as a facsimile may be used.
[0054]
  (B) In the first and second embodiments, the case where the data control unit 412 writes the processed image data from the start address of the free area has been described. , A code representing the content of the processing, etc.) may be written, and the processed image data may be written from the subsequent address.
[0055]
  (C) In the first and second embodiments, a case has been described in which the processing by the processing unit 411 is processing that reduces the capacity of an area for storing image data, or processing that does not change the capacity. The capacity of the area for storing the image data may be increased within a range in which the processed image data can be stored in the image data storage area of the image storage unit 531.
[0056]
  (D) In the first and second embodiments, the case where the image information stored in the storage area of the image storage unit 531 of the digital copying machine 1 is input from the scanner unit 11 has been described. Also in a form in which image information is stored in the storage area of the image storage unit 531 by capturing image information stored in a memory such as an HDD or RAM (that is, an external memory) of a personal computer or the like connected via a communication line. Good.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image information is sequentially read from the storage area of the image storage means for each page by the data control means, and the storage area where the read image information is stored is set as an empty area. The processed image information corresponding to the first page is written in the empty area that is set and stored in advance in the image storage means, and the image after the second page after the processing is processed in the empty area that is set every time the image information is read. Since information is sequentially written, image information that can be stored in the storage area can be processed and stored, and the storage area for the image information can be used effectively.Further, since the capacity of the area for storing the processed image information does not increase more than the capacity of the area for storing the unprocessed image information, the image information that can be stored in the area excluding the pre-existing free area is stored and processed. Thus, the image information storage area can be used effectively. In addition, based on the image reading conditions of the size and resolution of the read image, the capacity of the free area that the image storage means has in advance is set to a size suitable for the image reading conditions, so that the image information storage area is further effective. It becomes possible to utilize.
[0058]
  According to the invention described in claim 2, since the processed image information is written in a continuous storage area, the management of the processed image information is facilitated, and it is easy to effectively use the free area. it can.
[0059]
  Claim3According to the invention described in the above, when the processed image information is written in the set empty area by the data control means, the image information of the previous page is stored for the image information of the second and subsequent pages. Since writing is performed from the start address of the empty area, the processing for writing the processed image information can be realized by simple processing.
[0060]
  Claim4According to the invention described in claim 1,3Accordingly, an image forming apparatus capable of effectively utilizing the storage area of the image information can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an example of a schematic side sectional view mainly showing a mechanical configuration of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining read image processing according to the first embodiment of the digital copying machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention). It is an example.
FIG. 4 is an example of an explanatory diagram of image data read processing from the image storage unit and image data write processing to the image storage unit performed by the data control unit;
FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart of image data processing performed by a processing unit and a data control unit;
FIG. 6 is an example of an explanatory diagram of image data read processing from the image storage unit and image data write processing to the image storage unit performed by the data control unit;
FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart of image data processing performed by a processing unit and a data control unit;
FIG. 8 is an example of an explanatory diagram showing an outline of read / write processing of image data performed by a data control unit on an image storage unit;
[Explanation of symbols]
  41 Control unit
  411 Processing part (processing means)
  412 Data control unit (data control means)
  413 Free space setting section (free space setting means)
  53 HDD
  531 Image Storage Unit

Claims (4)

An image storage unit having a storage area continuous with the free space and the air-out area corresponding to one page Me pre stores read image information of a plurality of pages read by the scanner unit,
Processing means for performing predetermined processing for each page on the image information stored in the storage area of the image storage means;
A data control means for controlling reading of read image information from the storage area of the image storage means and writing of the processed image information to the image storage means at the time of execution of the processing by the processing means ;
Based on the image reading conditions of the size and resolution of the read image, the image storage means includes a free area setting means for setting the capacity of the free area that the image storage unit has in advance ,
The processing means performs processing for reducing the capacity of an area for storing image information, or processing for not changing the capacity.
The data control means sequentially reads image information for each page from the storage area of the image storage means, sets a storage area in which the read image information is stored as a free area, and the image storage means The image information after the processing corresponding to the first page is written in the empty area previously stored, and the image information of the second and subsequent pages after the processing is sequentially written in the empty area set every time the image information is read. Read image processing apparatus.   2. The read image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data control unit writes the processed image information in the set empty area from the start address of the set empty area. . For the image information on the second and subsequent pages, the data control means starts from the top address of the storage area in which the image information of the previous page is stored when writing the processed image information in the set empty area. The read image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein writing is performed. An image acquisition device that acquires image information for each page;
The read image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus that generates an image corresponding to image information stored in the image storage unit of the read image processing apparatus and transfers the image to a recording sheet .

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