JP4856604B2 - Image forming apparatus, image data processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that outputs image data generated by reading a document, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus, an image data processing method, and a program that read and write image data in a predetermined storage device.

  In a copying machine that reads an original and prints it on paper, the reading speed for reading the original and the recording speed for printing on the paper often do not match (the recording speed is slower). In order to absorb this speed difference between the recording speed and the reading speed, a method in which the reading device matches the processing capability of the recording device or a method using a page memory that stores image data for one page of the read original is adopted. Has been.

  The method of matching the processing capability of the recording apparatus is a method in which data is transferred from the reading apparatus only when a request signal for image data is issued from the recording apparatus, and the reading operation is set in a standby state otherwise.

  In addition, a method using a page memory is a method in which a page memory capable of storing at least one page of image data is provided, and the image data is buffered once to operate the reading device and the recording device asynchronously (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, image data of a read original is written in an image storage unit in units of pages, and further, image data stored in the image storage unit is stored on the basis of an output process of a recording apparatus or a user-set output order. An image processing apparatus that writes to a page memory is described. When writing image data read or stored in the image storage unit to the page memory, if there is a page that has been output, this image processing apparatus uses the area storing the page as the write destination and there is no page for which output has ended In this case, the usable area is searched in order from the area storing the page to be output last, and is set as the writing destination. With this configuration, it is possible to leave image data of a page with a high output priority in the page memory, and it is possible to improve convenience by reading a document or outputting an image at high speed.

In the case of printing a multi-value image, when image information from a reading device is formed with a gradation level of n or less, the image data is stored in the page memory, and the image information is stored with a gradation level exceeding the n value. In the case of forming an image, an image forming apparatus that synchronizes the reading device and the image forming unit has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2). Since the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 outputs an image having a gradation level exceeding the n value without passing through the page memory, the image memory having no gradation value equal to or less than the n value is not limited by the page memory capacity. Since it is stored in the memory, multiple copies and vertical and horizontal rotation are possible. Therefore, both cost reduction and high functionality can be achieved.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-236132 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-102830

  However, the method that matches the processing capability of the recording apparatus does not require page memory, so it is easy to reduce the cost.However, when printing the same page multiple times, the next page cannot be read unless all printing of the same page is completed. The problem arises that the copying operation takes time.

  On the other hand, the method using the page memory can achieve the alignment between the reading device and the output device by relatively simple control mainly for the management of the page memory, but on the other hand, the high-definition multi-value monochrome image or color image data. Is required to store a large amount of page memory, which increases the cost and makes it difficult to reduce the size.

  In addition, since the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 uses a special memory called SAF as a page memory, it is necessary to configure the page memory independently, and a case where a large number of images with gradation levels exceeding n values are copied. Assuming that there is a problem of increasing costs.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image data processing method, and a program capable of reducing the cost without using a dedicated storage device for page memory and reducing the time for copying operation. And

In view of the above problems, the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a document and generates image data of the document, a storage device that is a work area of an executed program, and an output unit that outputs the image data to a sheet. In the image forming apparatus, a storage area management unit that divides the storage device into an application area, a data area, and an area for storing the image data according to an application, and an area for storing the image data are secured. And a storage area securing means for prohibiting access to a process other than storing and reading out the image data, and an area for storing the image data in a predetermined number of pages for storing the image data. Image storage area control means for partitioning the memory, and reading out the image data stored in the page memory; After outputting the image data in the memory, anda page memory control means for storing the image data generated in the page memory by said reading means, said image storage area control means, the printing condition is color printing or monochrome The number or size of the page memories to be partitioned is determined according to printing or according to the paper size of the original or the paper size for printing .

According to the present invention, access control of image data can be realized with relatively easy control by allocating a part of a storage device used by an application to a page memory. Further, since the number of page memories can be controlled, a memory space suitable for the copy conditions can be provided.
According to the present invention, the number of page memories to be partitioned is determined according to whether it is a monochrome machine or a color machine, so that the number of page memories can be optimized and copying can be performed efficiently.
According to the present invention, the number of page memories can be optimized based on the size of the maximum reading area of the reading means, and copying can be performed efficiently.
According to the present invention, copying can be efficiently executed by flexibly determining the number of page memories based on the capacity of the storage device.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, when the output unit is normal, the page memory control unit stores the image data in the first page memory of the plurality of page memories, and when an output error occurs in the output unit, the page memory The control means stores the image data of the page that could not be output due to the output error in the second page memory of the plurality of page memories, and when the output error is resolved, the image data of the second page memory is stored in the image of the first page memory. It is characterized in that it is read out before data and sent to output means.

  According to the present invention, since a page in which an output error has occurred can be stored in the second page memory, rereading can be eliminated or minimized, and printing can be performed in the order of documents.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the page memory control unit sequentially stores the image data read by the reading unit until all of the plurality of page memories are in a storage state of the image data, and stores the image data in the page memory. In order, the image data is sent to the output means asynchronously with the output means, and when all of the plurality of page memories are in the storage state of the image data, the reading means is read into the page memory in which the oldest image data is stored. The read image data is overwritten.

  According to the present invention, since image data can be printed while being sequentially stored in a plurality of page memories, access control of image data can be realized with relatively easy control.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the page memory control means sequentially requests the output means to output the image data stored in the plurality of page memories when the separate image data is stored in the plurality of page memories. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, since storage and printing are repeated for each predetermined page, control such as double-sided printing can be easily realized.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the image storage area control means determines the number of page memories to be partitioned according to the processing speeds of the reading means and the output means.

  According to the present invention, the number of page memories to be partitioned is determined according to the processing speed of the reading means and the output means, so that the number of page memories is optimized according to the processing speed of the reading means and the output means, and copying is performed. Can be executed efficiently.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the image storage area control means determines the number of the page memories to be partitioned based on a processing speed when image data is stored in or read from the storage device.

  According to the present invention, the number of page memories can be optimized based on the processing speed of the storage device, and copying can be executed efficiently.

  It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an image data processing method, and a program capable of reducing the cost without using a storage device dedicated to the page memory and shortening the copying operation time.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment does not provide a page memory alone, but handles a part of a predetermined storage device as a page memory, thereby suppressing an increase in cost and facilitating input / output control of image data. Further, since the capacity of the page memory in the storage device is variable based on an arbitrary condition, a page memory configuration optimum for the condition can be obtained, and the time for the copying operation can be shortened.

  First, an outline of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is largely divided into a reading unit 132 for reading a document, an image forming unit 141 for forming an image, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 167, a document discharge tray 163 for stacking documents sent from the ADF 167, The paper feed unit 139 includes paper feed cassettes 135 to 138, and a paper discharge unit (discharge tray) 133 that stacks recording sheets.

  When the document D is set on the document table 166 of the ADF 167 and operated by an input device (not shown) (for example, a print key is pressed), the uppermost document D is sent in the direction of the arrow B1 by the rotation of the pickup roller 168, and the document is conveyed. By the rotation of the belt 165, the belt is fed onto the contact glass 164 fixed to the image reading unit 132, and stops there. The image of the document D placed on the contact glass 164 is read by the reading unit 132 located between the image forming unit 141 and the contact glass 164.

  The reading unit 132 includes an exposure lamp 131 that illuminates the document D on the contact glass 164, an optical system 160 that forms an image of the document, and the optical system 160 connects the first mirror 171, the lens 172, and the document image. It has a CCD 161 and the like for imaging. The exposure lamp 131 and the first mirror 171 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 173 and the third mirror 174 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When the first carriage moves in the sub-scanning direction and scans the document D, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length to the CCD does not change. The

  After the image reading is completed, the document D is transported in the direction of the arrow B2 by the rotation of the document transport belt 165 and discharged onto the discharge tray 163. In this way, the document D is fed one by one onto the contact glass 164 and the document image is read by the image reading unit 132.

  The image processing unit (not shown) of the reading unit 132 generates analog data by photoelectrically converting light reflected by the exposure lamp illuminating the document D by the CCD. Analog data is converted into digital image data by an A / D converter, and further subjected to shading correction, MTF correction, gamma correction, and the like. Further, MTF correction, γ correction, and the like are performed on the image data subjected to the shading correction. The image data (digital data) subjected to these processes is temporarily stored in a memory (RAM 16 in FIG. 2).

  Inside the image forming unit 141, a photoconductor 144 as an image carrier is arranged. The photosensitive member 144 is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the charging device 147 charges the surface to a predetermined potential. The writing unit 149 emits a laser beam L that is light-modulated according to the image information read by the reading unit 132, and is polarized by a polygon mirror that rotates at a high speed (not shown). The polarized laser light L passes through an imaging lens (not shown), is folded back by a mirror 143, and is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 144.

  The laser beam L exposes the surface of the charged photoconductor 144 for each line unit of image information, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 144. This electrostatic latent image is developed by adsorbing toner when passing through the developing device 142, and transferred to the recording material 9 fed between the photosensitive member 144 and the transfer device 145 by the opposing transfer device 145. The surface of the photoreceptor 144 after the toner image transfer is cleaned by a cleaning device 148.

  A plurality of paper feed cassettes 135 to 138 arranged at the lower part of the image forming unit 141 contain recording materials 9 such as paper, and the recording materials 9 are fed from any of the paper feed cassettes 135 to 138 in the direction of arrow B3. The toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 144 as described above is transferred onto the surface of the recording material 9.

  Next, the recording material 9 is passed through the fixing device 110 in the image forming unit 141 as indicated by an arrow B4, and the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording material 9 by the action of heat and pressure is fixed. The recording material 9 that has passed through the fixing device 110 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 134, discharged to the discharge tray 133 as indicated by an arrow B5, and stacked.

  Although FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 100 that performs monochrome printing, for example, monochrome, the fixing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment can be similarly applied to a color image forming apparatus 100. In the case of color printing, for example, toner images of four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) are overlaid to form a color image. For this reason, after the four color toner images are transferred one after another from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer member (belt or drum) in sequence, the four color toner images on the intermediate transfer member are collectively transferred to the recording material 9. Although the temperature and the like are different, fixing of the transferred unfixed image to the recording material 9 is the same as in the case of monochrome printing.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a scanner engine 19 (corresponding to the image reading unit 132 in FIG. 1) that reads image data of a document, and a printer engine 14 (corresponding to the image forming unit 141 in FIG. 1) that prints the read image data. Have. Then, from reading to printing of the document, the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the NVRAM 13, the RAM control unit 15, and the RAM 16 are controlled by a computer connected by a bus.

  In addition, an operation unit 18 and an operation unit interface (I / F) control unit 17 are provided, and an operation from a user is input. Although one form of the scanner engine 19 and the printer engine 14 has been described above, the form of the printer engine 14 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and in addition to the laser method, any method such as an LED method, an ink jet method, a gel jet method, etc. A printing method may be used. Further, the scanner engine 19 is not limited to the form in which the imaging elements are arranged one-dimensionally, and the document may be photographed by arranging two-dimensionally.

  The CPU 11 executes the program 20 stored in the ROM 12 and controls each block in an integrated manner. A plurality of ROMs 12 may be mounted to improve processing performance. The NVRAM 13 is a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM, and stores device-specific information (for example, a counter value of the number of copies, etc.).

  Each function of the software configuration diagram of FIG. 4 is realized by the CPU 11 executing the program 20 stored in the ROM 12. The program 20 may be shipped together with the image forming apparatus 100 in a state of being stored in the ROM 12, stored in the storage medium 21 and distributed, or downloaded from a predetermined server connected via a network, and the hard disk device Etc. may be installed.

  The RAM 16 is used for temporary storage of data processed by each block, particularly image data. For example, the image data read by the scanner engine 19 is temporarily stored in the RAM 16, and the image data is stored in the RAM 16 until it is sent to the printer engine 14. The RAM 16 has an image storage area G that can be used for storing image data in a part of the area.

  The RAM control unit 15 executes input / output of image data to / from the RAM 16, secures and releases a memory area (hereinafter referred to as page memory) for storing image data of one page of the document, and writes and reads image data. Since the RAM 16 serves as a work area for the application program, the RAM control unit 15 manages the address of the RAM 16 for developing the application program.

  That is, no other process can access the area reserved by the RAM control unit 15 as the image storage area G except for storing and reading out the image data. The RAM control unit 15 may be realized by a logic circuit, or may be realized by the CPU 11 executing the program 20.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a UI (User Interface) displayed on the operation unit 18. The operation unit 18 is a part serving as a man-machine interface between the user and the image forming apparatus 100, such as an operation button, an LED indicator for displaying a device status, and a speaker.
The user's operation content is detected by the operation unit I / F control 17 and sent to the CPU 11.

  The operation unit 18 includes a display unit 302, an initial setting key 308, an application switching key 306, a selection key 309, a reset key 304, a numeric keypad 303, a class top key 307, and a start key 305.

  An application switching key 306 is a button for switching between copying, printer, and scanner applications, and a menu displayed on the display unit 302 is switched according to a button operated by the user. The figure shows a state in which “copy” is selected from the application switching key 306. This menu is displayed by the operation unit I / F control unit 17.

  An initial setting key 308 is a button for initializing the size of the paper selected by the user, the number of copies, and the like, thereby preventing the next user from printing the paper size etc. by mistake.

  The display unit 302 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal configured with a touch panel, and displays characters and bitmaps. By touching the displayed menu, reading conditions and the like can be input, and the menu may be selected by a selection key 309 on which an arrow is printed.

  A numeric keypad 303 is one form of a keyboard for inputting the number of copies to be printed. A reset key 304 is operated when the copy mode is reset. The clear stop key 307 is operated when the copy operation is interrupted or the number of copies is reset. A start key 305 is operated to instruct the start of copying or document reading.

  Next, a software configuration diagram will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of a software configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 100. The scanner reading control unit 203 controls the scanner engine 19, and the plotter printing control unit 204 controls the printer engine 14.

  The data accumulation control unit 202 manages the current total size (capacity) of the image storage area G provided in a part of the area of the RAM 16 and the used capacity of the already accumulated image data.

  The system configuration management unit 205 manages the system configuration (for example, the scanner engine 19 and the printer engine 14), stores the system state in the NVRAM 13, and stores the information stored in the NVRAM 13 and the ROM 12 as needed. Provide to the block.

  The storage area management unit 206 manages the entire storage area of the RAM 16 and divides the area of the RAM 16 according to the application. On the other hand, the image storage area control unit 207 manages the image storage area G, and determines and partitions the capacity and number of each page memory when the image storage area G is divided. A method for determining the number of page memories and the like will be described in detail in the embodiment.

  The page memory control unit 201 stores the image data read by the scanner engine 19 in the page memory of the image storage area G, and reads the image data from the page memory in response to a request from the printer engine 14 to the printer engine 14. Send it out. The write permission flag F is a flag that is referred to for determining whether or not writing to the page memory is permitted (set = on = permitted, reset = off = prohibited).

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment treats a part of one RAM 16 as a page memory in this way, and the page memory control unit 201 stores and reads image data as described in detail in the embodiment. By appropriately controlling the timing, the scanner engine 19 and the printer engine 14 are efficiently operated, and as a result, a series of processing relating to copying and the like is accelerated.

  The image storage area G will be described. FIG. 5 shows an example of a region explanatory diagram of the RAM 16. The image storage area G is partitioned into one or more page memories, and image data of one page of the document is stored in one page memory.

  The area of the RAM 16 of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is divided into a data area D, an image storage area G, a program data area P, and a data area D.

  In the program data area P, a program 20 for realizing each function of the software configuration diagram of FIG. 4, a program corresponding to the application, and the like are expanded and stored. In the data area D, various setting conditions in the image forming apparatus 100, apparatus-specific data, calculated values when executing an application program, and the like are stored.

  In the present embodiment, the image storage area G is divided into an arbitrary number and each is handled as a page memory. In FIG. 5, all of the image storage area G is divided into page memories, but only a part may be secured as page memories.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that exclusive control of an application is performed, and the entire image storage area G can be used for copying when copying is executed. That is, when “copy” is selected by the application switching key 306, it is prohibited to store data other than image data in the image storage area G. Exclusive control is performed by the RAM control unit 15, for example.

  The storage area management unit 206 requests the image storage area control unit 207 to secure a part of the RAM 16 as the data storage area G. The image storage area control unit 207 reserves a part of the RAM 16 as the image storage area G. Further, the image storage area control unit 207 divides the image storage area G into an arbitrary number of page memories.

  The size and address of the image storage area G are variable within a predetermined range. The capacity of the RAM 16 is fixed, and the capacity required for the program data area P and the data area D is substantially constant. Therefore, the maximum size of the image storage area G is obtained by removing the use area of the program data area P and the data area D from the capacity of the RAM 16. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 can expand the capacity of the RAM 16 by adding a new RAM.

  The storage area control unit 207 can always set the maximum size as the image storage area G. However, the number of page memories to be formed in the image storage area G and the size of the page memory are determined as image formation. It is variable depending on various operating conditions of the apparatus 100. The remaining area when a part of the image storage area G is divided is not treated as a page memory.

  The image data of one page of the document read by the scanner engine 19 is stored in the page memory. On the other hand, the image data read from the page memory is sent to the printer engine 14 and output by printing on paper.

  In the following, a preferred example of timing control will be described taking an example of one-sided one-sided copying (printing only one sheet of the same image data) read by the ADF 167.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the page memory control unit 201 controls the timing for reading and writing image data. In FIG. 6, it is assumed that the number of page memories is 1, that is, the storage area management unit 206 secures one page memory from the image storage area G. The flowchart of FIG. 6 starts when the start key 305 is operated in the copy mode, for example.

  First, the page memory control unit 201 sets the write permission flag F to ON (S110). As described above, the write permission flag F is a flag that is referred to for determining whether or not writing to the page memory is permitted. Since it is switched on or off depending on whether or not image data is stored (whether or not it can be overwritten), it is turned on (permitted) when no image data is stored. In order to prevent overwriting of the image data, the write permission flag F is in the steady state in the off state (prohibited state).

  Next, the page memory control unit 201 determines whether a document is set on the image forming apparatus 100 (S120). If the document is not set (No in S120), it means that the document is finished, and the process is finished.

  When the document is set (Yes in S120), the scanner engine 19 reads the first page of the document and generates image data, and the page memory control unit 201 stores the image data in the page memory (S130).

  Then, the page memory control unit 201 resets the write permission flag F (S140). This can prevent overwriting before printing.

  The printer engine 14 waits until printing is possible (S150). When the printer engine 14 is ready to print (Yes in S150), the page memory control unit 201 reads image data from the page memory, and the printer engine 14 Printing is performed (S160). Thereafter, the processing from step S110 is repeated.

  Writing is permitted in step S110, but the writing permission flag F is turned on (permitted) after image data is read from the page memory so that writing is prohibited in step S140. That is, writing to the page memory is performed in a state where no data is stored in the page memory, or in a state where image data that has been read and is no longer needed is contained. As a result, when the number of pages of the document is plural, it is possible to reliably read and print without missing the image data of each page.

  In this embodiment, by providing a page memory in the RAM 16 used by the application, it is possible to eliminate the need for providing a memory dedicated to the page memory with high cost. Further, since the RAM 16 is shared with the application, its control is easy.

  In the present embodiment, the number of page memories is one, but the number of page memories is arbitrary and may be two or more. In this case, the first-in first-out (FIFO) method is applied to read out the written image data from the oldest, and the image data read by the scanner engine 19 is written into the page memory in which the oldest image data is written.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a description will be given of page memory access control when a part of the page memory is reserved for abnormal processing. In this embodiment, the number of page memories is two, but may be three or more.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a region explanatory diagram of the RAM 16 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in FIG. The two page memories are page memories M1 and M2, and since there are a plurality of page memories M1 and M2, the same number of write permission flags F are provided. The write permission flag F1 permits writing to the page memory M1, and the write permission flag F2 permits writing to the page memory M2. The write permission flags F1 and F2 are included in the page memory control unit 201 or the image storage area control unit 207.

  As described above, when there are two page memories M1 and M2, one is used as a page memory M1 which is used preferentially, and the other is used as a spare page memory M2 when image data is waiting in the page memory M1. Can do. For example, when there is an output error such as paper jam and image data in the page memory M1 cannot be taken out, only the image data of the original can be read and stored in the spare page memory M2.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a procedure in which the page memory control unit 201 stores image data in one page memory M1 or M2 when two page memories M1 and M2 are provided. Note that the ADF 167 of the image forming apparatus 100 is configured to start feeding a document after the reading start timing.

  First, the page memory control unit 201 sets the write permission flags F1 and F2 (S210, S220). That is, since no image data is stored in any of the page memories M1 and M2 or after printing, new writing is permitted.

  Next, the page memory control unit 201 determines whether there is a document (S230). If there is no document (No in S230), it means that the document to be copied has been completed, and the processing in FIG. 8 is terminated.

  When a document is detected (Yes in S230), when the document is read by the scanner engine 19, the page memory control unit 201 stores the image data in the page memory M1 (S240).

  Next, the page memory control unit 201 resets the write permission flag F1 (S250). As a result, writing to the page memory M1 is prohibited.

  Then, the page memory control unit 201 waits until the printer engine 14 can print (S260). When the printer engine 14 becomes printable, the page memory control unit 201 reads image data from the page memory M1, and the printer engine 14 Printing is performed (S270). While waiting, the scanner engine 19 does not read a new document.

  Since one-to-one printing does not require printed image data, the page memory control unit 201 sets a write permission flag F1 (S210). That is, it is determined that nothing is stored in the page memory M1.

  By the way, an output error may occur until output becomes possible (S260). The output error is, for example, a situation where printing is difficult, such as out of paper, that is, out of paper or toner.

  A case where an output error occurs will be described. When the sensor of the image forming apparatus 100 detects an output error (Yes in S280), the page memory control unit 201 resets the document corresponding to the image data that could not be output to the ADF 167 and cancels the output error. (S290). For example, the page memory control unit 201 displays a message such as “Please reset the last document in the ADF 167” or “Please set a paper size of XX” on the display unit 302.

  Note that the output error occurred in the original page one page before the original page corresponding to the image data currently stored in the page memory M1.

  While displaying the message, the page memory control unit 201 waits until the output error is cleared (S300). When it is detected that the output error has been canceled (Yes in S300), the page memory control unit 201 determines whether there is a next original page (S310). In step S300, the error cancellation is set as a trigger. However, a confirmation screen as to whether or not an output error document has been reset may be displayed on the display unit 302, and the user's response to the operation unit 18 may be used as a trigger. .

  Further, when the operation of the start key 305 by the user is detected, it may be detected that the document with the output error is reset. This prevents erroneous reading of another document page that is not an output error document.

  If the document is not detected (No in S310), the user is requested to reset the document again (S290). The display may continue until a document is detected.

  When a document is detected (Yes in S310), the image data is read by the scanner engine 19, and the page memory control unit 201 stores the image data in the page memory M2 (S320).

  Then, the page memory control unit 201 resets the write permission flag F2 (S330). This prohibits writing to the page memory M2. Since the image data in the page memory M2 can be printed by releasing the output error, the page memory control unit 201 reads the image data from the page memory M2 and prints the image data by the printer engine 14 (S340). Next, the page memory control unit 201 sets the write permission flag F2 (S350). That is, since the image data of the page memory M2 used for the output error is printed, overwriting is permitted to the page memory M2.

  Since the document with the output error has been output in step S350, the document on the next page of the page in which the output error has occurred, which is stored in the page memory M1, is output next, and the process can be returned to step S260 for output. It is determined whether or not. According to the above procedure, it is possible to print a document in page order even if an abnormality occurs. In addition, only by using two page memories, it is possible to minimize (one time) re-reading of a document having an output error. Therefore, for example, if two page memories M1 are preferentially used, it is possible to eliminate the need for re-reading, thereby improving the convenience for the user.

<Third Embodiment>
When there are a plurality of page memories, the image data of the next original can be printed without waiting for the image data to be printed, so that the copying can be speeded up. In the present embodiment, the page memory is divided into n, and the next document is read by the scanner engine 19 after the printer engine 14 requests the output of the image data in the page memory M1 to the end of output. The image forming apparatus 100 that stores the image data in the empty page memory M2 will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the page memory is divided into n pieces of M1 to Mn.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a procedure in which the page memory control unit 201 sequentially stores image data in n page memories M1 to Mn, and the printer engine 14 sequentially prints. Note that the write permission flags F1 to Fn are provided in the page memory control unit 201 corresponding to the page memories M1 to Mn, respectively, in order to determine whether or not writing to the page memories M1 to Mn is permitted. Referenced.

  First, the page memory control unit 201 sets the write permission flags F1 to Fn (S410). As a result, all page memories M1 to Mn are allowed to be written.

  Next, the page memory control unit 201 sets an initial value to the used page memory counter i (S320). Since the used page memory counter i indicates the number of used page memories M1 to Mn, the initial value is 1.

  Next, the page memory control unit 201 determines whether or not a document is detected (S430). If there is no document page to be read (No in S430), the process in FIG. 9 ends.

  If a document is detected (Yes in S430), it is determined whether or not the write permission flag Fi is set (S440). If the write permission flag Fi is set (Yes in S440), the scanner engine 19 reads the image data, and the page memory control unit 201 stores the image data in the page memory Mi (S450).

  Then, the page memory control unit 201 resets the write permission flag Fi (S460). As a result, writing to the page memory Mi is prohibited.

  The page memory control unit 201 waits until the printer engine 14 can print (S470). When the printer engine 14 becomes printable, the page memory control unit 201 reads image data from the page memory Mi and prints it with the printer engine 14. (S475). After printing, the write permission flag Fi of the page memory Mi is set.

  In parallel with this printing, the page memory control unit 201 adds 1 to the used page memory counter i (S480). If the used page memory count i is not equal to or greater than the number n of page memories (No in S490), the page memory Mi + 1 is empty, and the process returns to step S430 to determine whether or not the next document is detected. The determination is made (S430), and the process of writing the image data of the next page into the next page memory Mi + 1 is repeated.

  When the used page memory count i becomes equal to or larger than the number n of page memories (Yes in S490), the used page memory count i is set to an initial value 1 (S420), and the processing from step S430 is repeated. Since all the page memories Mn are used, the next page of the original is written in the first page memory M1.

  When the used page memory count i is initialized (S420), it is determined whether or not a document is detected (S430). If a document is detected, the page memory control unit 201 sets a write permission flag Fi. It is determined whether or not (S440).

  Since the image data is already stored in the page memories M1 to Mn, the write permission flags F1 to Fn are reset by the process of step S460. Therefore, the determination result (S440) of whether or not the write permission flag Fi is set is No.

  Next, the page memory control unit 201 determines whether image data of the page memory Mi has been output (S500). The determination as to whether or not the image data in the page memory Mi has been output refers to, for example, a flag provided in association with the page memory Mi.

  When the image data of the page memory Mi is not output (No in S500), the page memory control unit 201 waits until it is output.

  When the image data in the page memory Mi is output (Yes in S500), the process proceeds to step S450, the original is read, and the image data is stored in the page memory Mi (S450 to S475). The page memory control unit 201 repeats the above processing.

  According to the present embodiment, when the number of page memories M is sufficiently large and no output error has occurred, image data in the page memory Mi can be printed before the used page memory counter i becomes n or more. Therefore, the document can be read asynchronously with the printing of the image data, and the timing control of reading and printing becomes easy.

  Even if an output error occurs, the document one page before is stored in the page memory Mi. Therefore, if the printing is resumed by reducing the used page memory counter i by 1, for example, without reading the document again, the document Can be printed in the order shown.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the first to third embodiments, the printer engine 14 prints one sheet at a time. However, for example, printing may be performed every time image data for two pages is stored in the page memories M1 and M2. In the present embodiment, the number of page memories M is two, and the image forming apparatus 100 that performs printing by the printer engine 14 each time image data is stored in the two page memories M1 and M2 will be described. The configuration of the RAM 16 is the same as that in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a procedure for printing a predetermined number of image data each time the page memory control unit 201 stores the predetermined number of image data.

  First, the page memory control unit 201 sets the write permission flags F1 and F2 (S510). That is, no image data is stored in either of the page memories M1 and M2.

  Next, the page memory control unit 201 determines whether a document is set on the image forming apparatus 100 (S520). If the document is not set (No in S520), it means that the document is finished, and the process is finished.

  When the document is set (Yes in S520), the scanner engine 19 reads the first page of the document, and the page memory control unit 201 stores the image data generated by reading the document in the page memory M1 (530). .

  Next, the page memory control unit 201 resets the write permission flag F1 (S540).

  Then, the page memory control unit 201 performs the same process on the page memory M2. That is, the page memory control unit 201 determines whether or not a document is set on the image forming apparatus 100 (S550). When the original is set (Yes in S550), the scanner engine 19 reads the next page of the original, and the page memory control unit 201 stores the image data generated by reading the original in the page memory M2 (S560). .

  The page memory control unit 201 resets the write permission flag F2 (S570). The page memory control unit 201 first reads the image data in the page memory M2 and prints it by the printer engine 14 (S580). Next, the image data in the page memory M2 is read and printed by the printer engine 14 (S590).

  If both the page memories M1 and M2 have been output, the process returns to step S510, and the write permission flags F1 and F2 are set again (S510).

  Returning to step S550, after the image data is stored in the page memory M1, if the next document is not detected (No in S550), the number of pages of the document is an odd number, so the process proceeds to step S590, and the last Page is printed.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can easily cope with double-sided printing, for example, by printing after storing a predetermined number of image data. In double-sided printing, due to the characteristics of the paper transport path, printing must be done from the back side in order to match the order of the output results to the original. However, when the user specifies double-sided printing, Since it is sufficient to print after the data is prepared, it is only necessary to print from the back side, so that double-sided printing can be supported. Further, when four pages of the original document are reduced and printed on one sheet of paper, the number of page memories M may be set to four, so that the paper surface can be configured flexibly.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In the embodiments so far, it is assumed that the number of page memories M is fixed even if the number is one or more, but the number of page memories M can be made variable according to the operation situation.

  FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the relationship between the number of page memories and the waiting time when an output error occurs. FIG. 11A shows a case where the reading time by the scanner engine 19 and the printing time by the printer engine 14 are approximately the same. FIG. 11B shows that the reading time by the scanner engine 19 is longer than the printing time by the printer engine 14. It also shows a long case.

  11A and 11B, the number of page memories M is two, and some output error has occurred during the printing of the second page. Accordingly, the second page is not printed, but there are two page memories M, so that up to three pages of image data can be stored in the page memory M1 until the output error is restored. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, there is a difference in printing efficiency after returning from an output error.

  When returning from the error, the printer engine 14 resumes printing from the second page, and when printing of the second page ends, the page memory control unit 201 stores the image data of the fourth page in the page memory M2.

  When the printer engine 14 completes the printing of the second page, the printer engine 14 can print the third page. However, when the reading time of FIG. 11B> the printing time, the printing of the third page is completed. At the time, the image data for the fourth page is not yet stored in the page memory M2. For this reason, when the reading time> the printing time, a waiting time is generated in the printer engine 14 and the efficiency is lowered.

  That is, when the reading time and the printing time are identified as shown in FIG. 11A, if there are two page memories M, for example, even if an output error occurs and printing is interrupted / resumed, Since prefetching has been completed up to the original page, no waiting time is generated in the printer engine 14 after returning from the output error.

  However, when reading time> printing time as shown in FIG. 11B, if there are two page memories, a waiting time occurs in the printer engine 14 after returning from the output error. If the reading time> the printing time as shown in FIG. 11B, the printer engine 14 has a waiting time due to the relationship between the processing speed of the scanner engine 19 and the processing speed of the printer engine 14 even if no error occurs. Expected to occur.

  Since such a waiting time occurs because the number of page memories M is not sufficient, the time required for the entire copy can be shortened if the number of page memories M is increased regardless of whether or not an output error has occurred. That is, when the reading time> the printing time, the number of page memories M is increased, so that a delay in the copying speed due to the processing speed of the scanner engine 19 can be prevented after the printing is interrupted / resumed due to an output error.

  Note that the reading time and printing time are not fixed, but vary depending on color printing, the paper size of the original, the gradation, and the like. Therefore, the magnitude relationship between the reading time and the printing time can be changed according to the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100, and the number of page memories M is preferably determined based on the reading time and the printing time.

For example, how to decide
When reading time> printing time, number of page memories M: 3 or more Reading time> 2 × printing time, number of page memories M: 5 or more Reading time> 3 × number of page memories M when printing time: 7 or more.

  Since the reading time and the printing time are calculated from the processing speed and the data size of the image data, they may be determined according to the processing speed of the scanner engine 19 and the processing speed of the printer engine 14.

  When the start key 305 is operated, the image storage area control unit 207 calculates the reading time and the printing time from the operating conditions such as the presence / absence of color printing, the paper size, and the gradation, and the image storage area The number of page memories M to divide G is determined.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram in the case where the number of page memories M is determined depending on whether a color machine or a monochrome machine.

  Image data read and stored by the scanner engine 19 is stored in the page memory M for each color. In the case of a monochrome image, there is one color of K. In the case of a full color, there are four colors of CMYK, so the color image requires a page memory M that is four times the size of the monochrome image.

  Since the monochrome machine does not print in full color, it is sufficient to have a page memory M for one color in advance. In FIG. 12, the number of page memories M of the monochrome machine is two. Therefore, the size of the page memory M can be determined according to whether the device is a monochrome machine or a color machine, and the number of page memories M can be determined from the size of the page memory M. Since the monochrome or color machine is fixed, the size and number of page memories M can be determined at the time of shipment.

  In the case of a color machine, the size and number of page memories M may be determined according to whether color printing or monochrome printing is performed.

  As shown in the figure, when full-color copy is designated, eight page memories M, which is four times that in the case of monochrome, are necessary, but there are only seven page memories M. In this case, reading cannot be started until the output of the previous page is completed and writing of four or more page memories becomes possible. In this case, there is a possibility that a waiting state may occur although the scanner engine 19 can start reading.

  Therefore, by determining the number of page memories M according to whether or not the color machine (color printing) is used and the number of colors in the case of color printing, a copy delay caused by the number of page memories M is prevented. be able to.

  Next, a case where the number of page memories M is determined from the maximum reading size will be described. FIG. 13 shows an example of the relationship between the read size and the size of the page memory M. As described above, the maximum size of the image storage area G is limited. The page memory M is formed by dividing the image storage area G. For this reason, there is an inversely proportional relationship between the number of page memories M and the capacity of one page memory M, that is, the capacity of one page memory M is reduced when the number of page memories M is increased.

  On the other hand, since the maximum reading area is determined in the scanner engine 19 of the image forming apparatus 100, the page data can be stored in one page memory M even when the image data is read in the maximum reading area. One capacity of the memory M must be determined.

  FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the size of the page memory M required when the maximum reading area is A3 and A4. Since A3 has an area twice that of A4, if the reading conditions are the same, the page memory M needs to have a capacity twice as large as A4 when the A3 document is read.

  Accordingly, first, the maximum size of the image storage area G is required to have at least a capacity capable of storing the image data of the maximum reading area. The quotient when the maximum size of the image storage area G is divided by the capacity capable of storing the image data of the maximum reading area is the number of page memories M.

  In this way, by determining the number of page memories, it is possible to reliably store all the sizes of originals that can be read in the page memory M. Further, since the image reading apparatus 100 having the maximum reading area A4 does not have the page memory M having the capacity of A3, the RAM 16 can be used efficiently without generating unnecessary memory areas that are not used. . Since the maximum reading area is known, the size and number of page memories M can be determined at the time of shipment.

  By the way, even if the maximum reading area is A3, there are many cases where a smaller original such as A4 is copied when actually copying. In this case, if the size of the page memory M is determined according to the maximum reading area, there is a disadvantage that the number of the page memories M cannot be increased. Since it is not used, there arises a disadvantage that the use efficiency is lowered.

  Therefore, it is preferable to determine the size of the page memory M according to the paper size of the original or the paper size for printing. As the paper size of the original, the size of the original placed on the contact glass can be detected by a predetermined sensor, and the value input by the user from the display unit 302 may be used as the paper size. If the original paper size and the printing paper size are different, the larger one is used. The number of page memories M can be determined as a quotient when the image storage area G is divided by the size of the page memory M.

  By determining the number of page memories M according to the paper size of the document or the paper size for printing, the RAM 16 can be used efficiently and the number can be increased, so that the waiting time of the printer engine 14 is eliminated. Can be shortened.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In the fifth embodiment, the number of page memories M is determined according to the reading time and the printing time, but may be determined according to the processing speed of the RAM 16. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the processing speed (reading time and printing time) of the scanner engine 19 and the printer engine 14 are equal.

  FIG. 14 is a time chart showing the occurrence of a waiting time that occurs between reading and printing when the processing speed of the RAM 16 is taken into consideration. FIG. 14A shows a case where the processing speed of the RAM 16 is fast, and FIG. 14B shows a case where the processing speed of the RAM 16 is slow (about 1/2). Note that the processing speed of the RAM 16 refers to the processing speed of post-processing after writing image data to the RAM 16 and pre-processing before reading. Therefore, post-processing and pre-processing occur for each page. In the figure, it is assumed that the printer engine 14 starts printing when the post-processing is completed.

  When there are two page memories M, when the reading of the second page is completed, a delay occurs until the printing of the second page is started for post-processing and pre-processing. Since the page memory M1 is not released during the delay time, a waiting time is generated before the reading of the third page is started.

  This waiting time is caused by the processing speed of the RAM 16, as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b). Since the processing speed of the RAM 16 in FIG. 14B is 1/2 that in FIG. 14A, the waiting time is also doubled.

  That is, if there are two page memories, the waiting time of the scanner engine 19 occurs between the second and third pages according to the processing speed of the RAM 16. The slower the processing speed of the RAM 16, the longer the waiting time of the scanner engine 19.

Therefore, when the processing speed of the RAM 16 is low, the number of page memories M can be increased to prevent copying delay due to the processing speed of the RAM 16. Since the processing speed is known, the size and number of page memories M can be determined at the time of shipment.
In this embodiment, the processing speeds (reading time and printing time) of the scanner engine 19 and the printer engine 14 are the same. However, in combination with the fifth embodiment, the page memory M is further increased according to the reading time and the printing time. May be determined.

<Seventh Embodiment>
When the same application is executed, the capacities of the program data area P and the data area D are a predetermined fixed capacity, and the data storage area G can use the remaining capacity of the RAM 16.

  Then, if the application is different, the capacities of the program data area P and the data area D are also different. Therefore, when the capacity C of one page memory M is fixedly determined, the capacity of the image storage area G is also different. Thus, the number of page memories M can be determined according to the application.

  FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the capacity of the program data area P or the data area D and the capacity of the image storage area G. FIG. 15A shows a case where the program data area P is large, and FIG. 15B shows a case where the program data area P is smaller than that. The size of the data area D is common.

  Accordingly, in FIG. 15B, an image storage area G having a larger capacity than that in FIG. 15A can be allocated. Since the capacity of one page memory is the capacity C, the number of page memories M can be increased correspondingly in FIG.

  By determining the number of page memories M according to the capacity of the image storage area G, if the capacity of the image storage area G is large, the document can be pre-read, and the time taken to complete the reading can be shortened. If the capacity of the image storage area G is fixed, the size and number of page memories M can be determined at the time of shipment.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can optimize the timing of reading and writing image data with relatively easy control by allocating a part of the RAM 16 used by the application to the page memory. . In addition, since the RAM 16 can flexibly divide the area, the number and size of the page memory M are variably divided according to the reading and writing processing speed, the operating conditions such as the paper size, the processing speed of the RAM 16, and the like. Copy conditions can be provided.

1 is an example of a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus. 1 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of UI displayed on an operation part. 2 is an example of a software configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is an example of a RAM area explanatory diagram. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a procedure in which a page memory control unit controls the timing of reading and writing image data (first embodiment). It is an example of a RAM area explanatory diagram. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a procedure for causing a page memory control unit to store image data in one page memory M1 or M2 when two page memories M1 and M2 are provided. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a procedure in which a page memory control unit sequentially stores image data in n page memories M1 to Mn, and a printer engine 14 sequentially prints the image data. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a procedure for printing a predetermined number of image data every time the page memory control unit stores the predetermined number of image data. It is a time chart which shows the relationship between the number of page memories and the waiting time at the time of output error occurrence. It is explanatory drawing in the case of determining the number of page memories M according to color printing or monochrome printing. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a read size and a size of a page memory M. FIG. It is a time chart figure which shows generation | occurrence | production of the waiting time which arises between reading and printing when the processing speed of RAM is considered. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the capacity of a program data area P or data area D and the capacity of an image storage area G.

Explanation of symbols

11 CPU
12 ROM
14 Printer Engine 15 RAM Control Unit 16 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Scanner engine 20 Program 21 Storage medium 100 Image forming apparatus 201 Page memory control part 202 Data accumulation control part 203 Scanner reading control part 204 Plotter printing control part 205 System configuration management part 206 Storage area management part 207 Image storage area control part

Claims (11)

Reading means for reading an original and generating image data of the original;
A storage device serving as a work area for the executed program;
An image forming apparatus having output means for outputting the image data to paper;
A storage area management unit that divides the storage device into an application area, a data area, and an area for storing the image data according to an application;
Securing and releasing the area for storing the image data, and if secured, storage area securing means for prohibiting access to processes other than storing and reading the image data ;
An area for storing the image data, an image storage area control means for partitioning a predetermined number of the page memory for storing the image data,
Page memory control means for reading the image data stored in the page memory, storing the image data generated by the reading means in the page memory after outputting the image data of the page memory ,
The image storage area control means determines the number or size of the page memory to be divided according to whether the printing condition is color printing or monochrome printing, or according to the paper size of the document or the paper size for printing.
An image forming apparatus. If the output means is normal,
The page memory control means stores the image data in a first page memory of a plurality of page memories,
When an output error occurs in the output means,
The page memory control means stores image data of a page that could not be output due to an output error in a second page memory of a plurality of page memories,
If the output error is resolved,
Reading the image data of the second page memory before the image data of the first page memory and sending it to the output means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The page memory control means includes
The image data read by the reading unit is sequentially stored until all of the plurality of page memories are in a storage state of the image data,
Read the image data stored in the page memory asynchronously with the output means,
When all of the plurality of page memories are in the storage state of the image data, the image data read by the reading unit is overwritten on the page memory in which the oldest image data is stored.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The page memory control means includes
Each time the separate image data is stored in a predetermined number of the page memories of 2 or more,
Sequentially reading out the image data stored in the predetermined number of page memories and sending it to the output means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image storage area control means includes:
The number of the page memories to be partitioned is determined according to the processing speed of the reading unit and the output unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image storage area control means determines the number of page memories to be partitioned based on a processing speed when the image data is stored in or read from the storage device.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Reading means for reading an original and generating image data of the original;
A storage device as a work area for program execution;
In an image data processing method of an image forming apparatus having output means for outputting the image data to paper,
A storage area management means for dividing the storage device into an application area, a data area, and an area for storing the image data according to an application;
Image storage area control means partitioning the area for storing the image data into a predetermined number of page memories for storing the image data;
The image storage area control means determines the number and size of the page memories to be divided according to whether the printing condition is color printing or monochrome printing, or according to the paper size of the document or the paper size for printing. When,
A storage area securing means secures and releases an area for storing the image data, and if secured, prohibits access to a process other than storing and reading the image data ;
Page memory control means reads the image data stored in the page memory;
Storing the image data generated in the reading means in the page memory after outputting the image data in the page memory;
An image data processing method comprising: If the output means is normal,
The page memory control means storing the image data in a first page memory of a plurality of page memories;
When an output error occurs in the output means,
The page memory control means storing the image data of a page that could not be output due to an output error in a second page memory of a plurality of page memories, and
If the output error is resolved,
The page memory control means reads the image data of the second page memory before the image data of the first page memory, and sends it to the output means;
The image data processing method according to claim 7 . The page memory control means is
Determining whether the image data is stored in all of the plurality of page memories;
Storing the image data read by the reading means in the page memory when it is determined that the image data is not stored in all of the plurality of page memories;
Asynchronously with the output means, the image data is read in the order stored in the page memory,
When it is determined that the image data is stored in all of the plurality of page memories, overwriting the image data read by the reading unit on the page memory in which the oldest image data is stored;
9. The image data processing method according to claim 8, further comprising : The page memory control means is
Determining whether the separate image data is respectively stored in a predetermined number of the page memories of 2 or more;
Where separate the image data is determined to have been stored respectively in the two or more predetermined number of said page memory, sequentially reading the image data stored in the page memory the predetermined number, and out-feed to said output means Steps,
8. The image data processing method according to claim 7, further comprising : Reading means for reading an original and generating image data of the original;
A storage device as a work area for program execution;
An image forming apparatus having output means for outputting the image data to paper;
Dividing the storage device into an application area, a data area, and an area for storing the image data according to an application;
Determining the number and size of the page memory to be partitioned according to whether the printing condition is color printing or monochrome printing, or according to the paper size of the document or the paper size for printing;
Partitioning the area for storing the image data into a predetermined number of page memories for storing the image data;
Securing and releasing an area for storing the image data, and if secured, prohibiting access to processes other than storing and reading the image data ;
Reading the image data stored in the page memory;
Storing the image data generated in the reading means in the page memory after outputting the image data in the page memory;
A program that executes

Images