JPH09277665A - Image storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to empty the capacity of an image storing means in a short period of time even under the condition that the capacity of the image storing means is used as much as to its limit by a method wherein image data are controlled so as to be outputted according to the amount of data from the image storing means. SOLUTION: Whether a normal action mode is employed or not is judged at the step S3401. When no normal action mode is employed, whether an Almost Full or not is judged at the step S3403. When the Almost Full is employed, the changing-over to a read-out by priority is performed at the step S3404 or the read-out from a PBM is performed according to the size of a job so as to allow to ensure the remaining capacity of the PBM in a short period of time. Next, whether a PBM Full or not is judged at the step S3405. When the PBM Full is employed, the changing-over to a read-out by priority is performed at the step S3406. After that, whether the PBM Full or not is judged again. Thus, the storage capacity of the PBM can be brought to its empty state, even when the storage capacity of the PBM as an image storing means is used as much as to its limit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is provided in an image input / output device such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a scanner, a printer, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) or a workstation (hereinafter referred to as WS). The present invention relates to an image storage device that stores images by being stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, sorting or grouping in a copying machine has been performed by using an apparatus for physically sorting output sheets. Therefore, it is necessary to circulate the document many times, which causes damage to the document.

Therefore, there has been conventionally proposed an electronic sorter which reads a document image and electrically sorts it. A memory for accumulating image information is used for this electronic sorter. This memory uses a low-speed large-capacity hard disk or a high-speed small-capacity semiconductor memory, and the image from the input side has been in a long processing waiting state or a prohibiting state due to restrictions of the storage speed and storage capacity. Further, various job schedulings have been proposed to give priority to a user who brings a document in front of the main body of the digital copying machine. However, in today's large-capacity copying or large-capacity output from a personal computer. Are required to improve immediacy and processing speed.

[0004]

Therefore, a large-capacity image storage device using a semiconductor memory is used to improve immediacy and processing speed. However, this large-capacity semiconductor memory also has a limit of storage capacity. Controlling the equipment at the limit of its storage capacity has been a problem.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The object of the present invention is to achieve the above-mentioned short-term operation even when the capacity of the image storage means is used up to the limit. An object of the present invention is to provide an image storage device capable of reducing the capacity of the image storage means and suppressing the equipment.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, an image storage device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises an image storage means for storing a plurality of image data, and data for managing a data capacity of the image data. It is characterized by comprising a capacity management means and an output control means for controlling the image storage means to output the image data in descending order of data amount.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the image storage device according to claim 2 of the present invention is the image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the data capacity management means includes the number of gradations, the number of colors, the resolution, etc. It is characterized by managing information according to the processing of.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the image storage device according to claim 3 of the present invention is the image storage device according to claim 1, wherein a count for counting the data amount of the image data stored in the image storage means is provided. The data capacity management means manages the value obtained by the counting means.

In order to achieve the above object, the image storage device according to claim 4 of the present invention is the image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the output control means has a capacity of the image storage means of a predetermined value or less. When it becomes, the image data is output in order from the one with the largest amount of image data.

In order to achieve the above object, the image storage device according to claim 5 of the present invention is the image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the output control means has a capacity of the image storage means. The image data is output in order from the one having the largest amount of image data.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the image storage device according to claim 6 of the present invention is the image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the data capacity management means uses a plurality of the image data. The output priority order is determined by comparing the capacities of the image storage means.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus (copying machine) including an image storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an image recording unit (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit), 2 is an image reading unit (hereinafter referred to as a reader unit), 3 is an operation unit (operator control unit: hereinafter referred to as OCU) , 4 are finishing devices (post-processing devices).

The reader unit 2 includes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 200 for automatically feeding a document to a reading position, and a scanner unit 2 for optically reading a document image.
Consists of 50 and 50. The specific operation of the reader unit 2 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The printer unit 1 visualizes an image read by the reader unit 2 or an image sent from a computer terminal, various external devices (not shown) such as a facsimile, and records it on a transfer sheet or the like. Print on media. This printer section 1
Is equipped with a large-capacity print buffer memory (hereinafter referred to as PBM) 15 as shown in FIG. 8, which stores the image input from the ADF200 and the image sent from the external device and stores the image. Later, sorting processing such as page replacement is performed. A specific operation description of the printer unit 1 will also be described later.

The OCU 3 is composed of a display (display device) and an operation keyboard (or a touch panel type display), and is used to input various settings such as the number of copies setting, the number of copies setting, image editing and processing, etc. , Information indicating the selected mode and the state of the device is displayed. The finishing device 7 is a part that performs post-processes on the output paper recorded on the recording medium by the printer unit 1, and performs processes such as sorting, stapling, and binding.

Next, the basic operation of the image processing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described. User is leader
When a document is set on the second ADF 200 and the mode setting and copy start are designated by the OCU 3, the ADF 200 scans the document with the scanner unit 250 while feeding the document one by one. Scanner part 2
At 50, the exposed original image is photoelectrically converted by a CCD line sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 111 (see FIG. 2) and read as an electric signal. The read image signal is subjected to various kinds of processing in an image processing unit 11 described later, and then subjected to compression processing and transferred to the PBM 15 of the printer unit 1. Printer section 1
Then, the image is sequentially read from the PBM 15 according to the user setting from the OCU 3 described above, and the read image is converted into an optical signal for exposing the photoconductor.

After that, the image is recorded on the recording medium through the steps of charging, exposing, latent image, developing, transferring, separating and fixing in a usual electrophotographic process.

The above is the description of the basic operation of the image processing apparatus of FIG.

Next, the basic operation of the reader unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing the configurations of the ADF 200 and the scanner unit 250 described above. In the figure, 20l is a document tray on which documents are stacked, 202 is a first mirror that receives the document exposure and its reflected light, 203 is a flow reading document reading position, 204 is a book mode scan reading position, 205
Is a paper feed section, 206 is a conveyance path to the flow-reading original reading position 203, 207 is a conveyance path for discharging a single-sided original read at the flow-reading original reading position 203, and 208 is a document read at the flow-reading original reading position 203. Scan the back side again to scan the original document reading position 20
A conveying path for conveying to 3 and a conveying path 209 for discharging the reverse side of the original after the original is read at the original reading position 203.

Here, the flow-through reading original reading is the first
With the mirror 202 fixed at the original reading position 203 for flow reading,
This is a method of scanning an original sent from the original tray 201 by moving it over the original reading position 203. The flow of originals is conveyed along the direction of the arrow attached to the conveying path. If you want to scan the back of the document here,
The image is read as a mirror image of the image read on the document surface. The process for converting the mirror image into a normal image will be described later in the image processing section 11. In the figure, the solid line arrows indicate the flow direction of single-sided originals, and the dotted line arrows indicate the direction of flown double-sided documents.

Book mode scan is a book mode scan reading position in this flow reading original reading system.
This is a method of scanning while moving the optical device such as the first mirror 202 and the second mirror without moving the document placed on 204.

In both cases, the reading section moves relative to the original, so that the original is read by scanning.

The reflected light due to the exposure of the original passes through the lens 210 and is then projected onto the CCD 111 and photoelectrically converted. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the transport path 206 is configured to have a length that accommodates two A4 size originals in the case of vertical feed (portrait feed). Similarly, the transport path 208 is also configured to have a length to accommodate two A4 size originals in the case of vertical feed (portrait feed). Further, in the case of the horizontal feed (landscape feed), both of the transport paths 206 and 208 are configured to have a length to accommodate one A3 size document.

Documents placed on the paper feed tray 201 are face-up top page processing in which the front side of the document is placed on top and the top page is placed on top. In the case of single-sided original reading, the original is read sequentially along the solid line arrow in the figure. However, in the case of double-sided original reading, the half-size original (A4
Portrait, B5 portrait, A5 portrait) take different paper feed sequences. Half-size originals are fed two by two, and the back side of the two originals read at the original reading position 203 is read via the transport path 208. Then, at the same time when the reading of the second document of the back side reading is completed, a sequence in which the reading of the front side of the next two documents starts is performed. That is, the manuscript is 1
The first page is read, the second page is front, the first page is back, the second page is back, the third page is front, the fourth page is front, the third page is back, and so on. .

Such a double-sided original reading operation is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. In the figure, 1A and 2A are 1
The first sheet is the front side, the second sheet is the front side original image, 1B and 2B are the back side first and the second side is the back side original image, and 1A and 2A are 1
The first sheet is the front side and the second sheet is the front side original image. In 1B and 2B, the first side is the back side and the second side is the back side original image. The ADF 200 according to the present embodiment is a non-circulating document feeder that returns the document placed on the document tray 201 to the return tray 231 without returning to the document tray 201 again. In addition, the sheet feeding unit 205 and the transport paths 206, 207, 208, and 209 in FIG. 2 are configured so that they can be independently driven, and can be individually driven, stopped, and speed controlled. The control of the ADF 200 is controlled by the controller 123 (see FIG. 4) based on the designation from the OCU 3 and the state of the device.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 211 is a standby position in the transport path 206, and 212 is a standby position in the transport path 208.
These are the positions when the document is stopped in the conveyance path according to the state of the PBM 15, and the position control is performed based on the paper detection sensor passage time and the conveyance speed. In addition, in FIG.
Reference numeral 30 is a conveyance path for returning the document onto the return tray 231.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the image processing unit 11 for performing image processing on the read image data will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit 11. In FIG. 4, the CCD 111 receives the reflected light of the document that has reached the document reading position and photoelectrically converts it.
Generates RGB (red, green, blue) electrical signals. The image signal created here is the A (analog) / D (digital) conversion circuit 11
After being amplified by 2, it is converted into a digital image signal. Shading / color space conversion circuit 1 for digitized RGB signals
In step 13, black correction, white correction (shading correction), and color correction (masking) are performed to normalize and standardize. The standardized RGB signal is subjected to luminance / density conversion and black / red two-color separation processing in a color separation circuit 114 to generate a black image data signal 115 and a red image data signal 116.

Subsequent processing has independent circuit configurations for the black image data signal and the red image data signal, and is performed in parallel.

The following filter circuits 117 and 118 perform filtering for recovering the decrease in MTF at the time of reading the image and for weakening the moire pattern generated at the time of reading the halftone dot original. The page memories 119 and 120 have a capacity enough to store one page of images up to A3 size. The image read by the bidirectional document feeder is read as the mirror image image while the image read in the reverse direction is read as the image in the forward direction. Here, the page memories 119 and 120 perform control to convert the image read as a mirror image into a normal image by further performing mirror image processing. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, a process for realizing a Cut & Paste function for moving a specific area of the document image 610 to another place to obtain an image 611 as shown in FIG. The input original image of one sheet is changed by the scaling / resolution conversion circuits 125 and 126 in the next stage.
Reduced to 50% and 4 original images 6 as shown in Figure 6 (a)
Image 611 as shown in FIG. 6 (b) in which 10 is formed on one sheet of paper.
The reduced layout function for obtaining the above is also performed on the page memories 119 and 120 by the memory control signal 124 from the controller 123. The scaling / resolution conversion circuits 125 and 126 perform normal image size conversion not only when the above-described reduced layout function is realized. Image decoration circuits 127, 128
As shown in FIG. 7 (a), an image 621 as shown in FIG. 7 (b), which has been subjected to negative / positive reversal processing by performing area designation on the original image 620, an image 622 which has been subjected to halftone processing, and halftone dot processing to the image portion It realizes the function of obtaining the processed image 623 and the like.

The density conversion circuits 129 and 130 perform gamma conversion for correcting the linearity characteristic of the printer unit 1 and processing for reflecting the density adjustment level input by the user from the OCU 3 on the image data. The image data up to this point is 8
Although the signal is a 256-bit gradation signal, the gradation number conversion (error diffusion) circuits 131 and 132 convert the image signal into a 4-bit 16-gradation image signal that can be expressed by the printer unit 1. An error for canceling the density unevenness generated at the time of converting the number of gradations when the area is viewed is diffused.

The above is the image signal processing operation performed in the image processing section 11.

Next, the PBM 15 that stores a large number of pages of images for printing will be described with reference to FIG. Figure
8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PBM 15. In the figure, the black image data signal 133 and the red image data signal 134 input to the PBM 15 are coded by the compression processing of the variable length reversible compression method of the compression circuits 150 and 153. Variable-length lossless means that the amount of data at the time of compression differs depending on the input image, but has the property of restoring exactly the same as the input image after decompression processing, and is compared with fixed-length lossy compression methods such as JPEG. It is. Variable length lossless compression method is MH, Q-CODE
There are methods such as R and Lempel Ziv, but any method is acceptable. D
The RAMs 151 and 154 are memory units in the PBM 15, and are composed of a semiconductor memory or a hard disk and a control unit for addressing them. When performing page replacement such as the pamphlet mode described above (where each of 1 / N page, 2 / N-1 page ... is configured within 1 page), etc., it is realized by controlling the addressing in the DRAM 151, 154. . Then, the image to be printed out is read from the DRAM 151, 154, and the expansion processing circuit 152, 1
At 53, the original image data is restored again. As for the read timing here, the black image data signal 135 is read independently at the timing necessary for black image formation, and the red image data signal 136 is read independently at the timing necessary for red image formation. The image data in the DRAMs 151 and 154 basically stores all jobs.

The operation will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 9
Shows a conceptual diagram of PBM15. In FIG. 9 (a), reference numeral 5002 denotes a copy job which is currently being printed.
00 copies are to be copied. After the pages 1 to 150 are read one by one in order, they are printed out, and then the finishing process is performed. A printer job 5003 is waiting for the next job, and is a printer job requested by the external device, which is a job for finishing 60 copies of 50 pages. Further, 5004 is a copy job of 50 copies of 200 pages, and the image is being read.
Here, the PBM15 becomes full, and the reading operation is temporarily suspended. The job 5002 is continuously performed during this time, and the 100th copy of the final copy is printed up to pages 1 to 150.At the same time, the output image does not need to be stored, and is sequentially replaced with the image of the waiting job 5004. To go. When the job 5002 is completed, the job 5003 waiting for its turn is printed.

In FIG. 9B, reference numeral 5005 denotes a vacant portion of the PBM 15, and other jobs can be input (stored) as long as the memory capacity permits.

The compression rate prediction will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. In the compression rate prediction circuit 160, image decoration information (shading in FIG. 7 (b), partial movement in FIG. 5, etc.) of the image obtained from the controller 123 via the bus 161, scaling information (reduced layout in FIG. 6). Etc.) and the selected density conversion circuits 129, 13
0, gradation conversion processing (1/2/4 bit), etc.
The accuracy of the prediction is improved by using the processing information until the gradation conversion processing is performed by the gradation conversion circuits 131 and 132.
Usually, a statistical value of image information (compression ratio and high correlation, density average value of image, entropy, etc. obtained by simple calculation) subjected to simple calculation is used as a predicted value. The calculation or coefficient used here is changed according to the processing information. For example, the average value of image densities is used for prediction, and the following equation (1) is used to further convert to the predicted value.

Predicted value = average density of image * a + b (1) The controller 123 refers to a RAM table (not shown) to determine the coefficients a and b determined according to the image processing information, and compresses them via the bus 161. Tell the prediction circuit 160. Assuming that the average density of the image area is 50 and the coefficients a and b depending on the processing are 0.1, the predicted value is obtained by the following equation (2).

Predicted value = 50 * 0.1 + 0.1 (2) This is a prediction that the amount of data after compression is 1/2 of the amount of data before compression. The controller 123 performs the above-described control based on the compression rate prediction obtained via the bus 122.

Next, the operation of the automatic document feeder (ADF200) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a STD (state transition diagram) showing a state transition of the automatic document feeder. In the figure, after the power is turned on and initialization is performed in step S1001, this device enters the normal operation mode in step S1002. In the normal operation mode, the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 199
If it is determined that there is no room to store the predicted value in PBM15 based on (see FIG. 8), Almos described later in step S1003.
Take t Full. In this Almost Full, when it is determined that the PBM 15 is completely empty based on the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 199, the PBM Full state described below is set in step S1004. In this PBM Full state, the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 199
If it is determined that the PBM 15 has a free space based on the above, Almost Full is taken in step S1003. This Almost Full
If it is determined that there is enough room to store the predicted value in the PBM15 based on the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 199,
Return to the normal operation mode in S1002.

Hereinafter, each state will be described in detail.

[Normal Operation Mode] First, the case of the normal operation mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the normal operation mode in step S1002 in FIG. 10, the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 19 are always set in step S1101 in FIG.
Based on 9, it is determined whether or not there is room to store the predicted value in PBM15. If there is no margin, step S1003 of FIG. 10 is executed, and then the determination process of step S1101 is performed again. If there is a margin in step S1101, the determination processing of step S1101 is directly performed again. In this way, in the state where there is room to store the predicted value in the PBM 15, this device repeatedly executes the determination processing in step S1101.

This state will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 14 regarding the operation timings of the image input signal to the page memory 119 and the page memory 120 and the image output signal from the page memory 119 and the page memory 120. Figure
In FIG. 14, 1, 2, n-1, n, n + 1, etc. represent the order of the read originals. From the start of document scanning (point 1407 in FIG. 14), the documents fed one by one by the ADF200 as described above are irradiated by the scanner unit 250, and
Storage from the CD 111 to the page memory 119 or 120 through the filter circuit 117 or 118 is started, and storage for one page is completed (time point 1401 in FIG. 14). FIG. 19 shows the page memory 119 or 120 in this state, but as is clear in the figure, the original data of the first page occupies the entire area of the page memory 119 or 120.

In response to the completion of image input for one page at time 1408 in FIG. 14, the controller 123 starts image output from the page memory 119 or 120 to the PBM 15. Upon reception of the start of this image output at time 1409 in FIG. 14, the controller 123 instructs the ADF 200 to convey the next document to the flow reading / reading position 203. Thus, the storage of the second page of original data in the page memory 119 or 120 starts at time point 1403 in FIG. FIG. 20 shows the page memory 119 or 120 in this state. As is clear from the figure, part of the page memory 119 or 120 is an open area.
It has already been output as 2001 and has been released.

Further, the original data of the second page is written in the open area 2001, and the page memory 119 or 120 at the time point 1404 in FIG. 14 is as shown in FIG.
In general, when the (n-1) th page is being output and the nth page is being input, two image data coexist in the page memory 119 or 120 as shown in FIG.

[Transition from Normal Operation to Almost Full Mode] The controller 123 determines in step S1101 of FIG.
If it is determined that the PBM Full state may occur based on the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 199, Almos in step S1003 of FIG.
t Full.

The operation of this transition will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In the figure, n-1, n, n + 1, n + 2
Indicates the order of the read originals. Also, 150l
And 1502 represent input and output of document data to and from the page memory 119 or 120, respectively. In FIG. 15, the PBM 15 is operating in the normal operation mode of step S1002 of FIG. 10 described above until the PBM 15 has no room for one page at time 1504. After point 1504 in Fig. 15, since there is no room to store the predicted value in PBM15, the current page memory
Whether or not the image data stored in 119 and 120 can be stored in the PBM15 can be known only by actually storing the image data in the PBM15. This state is called Almost Full. In this state, the confirmation work of actually storing the image data in the PBM15 is required, so the AD shown in FIG.
The F200 operates so as to limit the number of sheets fed by the sheet feeding unit 205 per time. That is, the paper interval is set longer than in the normal mode (also referred to as skip operation or step feed), and the state is such that the paper can be stopped at any time. Almost Ful
At the time of transition to the l state, the controller 123 of FIG.
This sequence operation is instructed to 200, and this sequence operation is continued until the Almost Full state is released.

The sequence in the Almost Full state is not limited to the control of the number of sheets fed per hour of the sheet feeding unit 205 of FIG. 2 as in the present embodiment, but also the control of the sheet feeding speed and the conveying speed of the conveying path 206. It is feasible.

[Almost Full] Next, the operation in the case of [Almost Full] will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In Almost Full in step S1003 of FIG. 10, it is constantly monitored whether or not there is free space in the PBM15 based on the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 199, and when there is no free space, as described above. Takes PBM Full state.

PBM Ful in step S1004 of FIG.
After the l state, in step S1201 of FIG. 12, it is monitored whether or not the PBM 15 has free space. If it is determined that the PBM 15 has no free space, the process returns to the PBM Full state in step S1004 of FIG. Also, the step S1201
In step S1202, if it is determined that there is free space in the PBM15, it is monitored whether or not there is room to store the predicted value in the PBM15. If there is space, step S1003 in FIG. If it is in the Almost Full state and there is no margin, the process returns to step S1201 to perform the monitoring again.

Almost Full in step S1003 of FIG.
In this state, the apparatus repeats alternately while transitioning between step S1201 and step S1202 in FIG.

Next, the operation in Almost Full will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. Step S1 in FIG.
In the normal operation mode in 002, as described in the section of the normal operation above, in response to the fact that the image data of the previous document n-1 has started to be output from the page memories 119 and 120 (time point 1408 in FIG. 14), The original n was conveyed to the reading / reading position 203, but in Almost Full in step S1003 of FIG.
Image data may not be stored in PBM15,
The next n + 1 can be read only after confirming that the read original data has been stored in PBM15. That is, upon reception of the end of image input of n pages at time 1509 in FIG. 15, the controller 123 starts outputting an image from the page memory 119 or 120 to the PBM 15. Upon reception of the completion of this image output at time point 1510 in FIG. 15, the controller 123 releases the areas of the page memories 119 and 120 and also feeds the next original n + 1 to the ADF 200 to the reading / reading position 203. Instruct. Thus n + 1
The storage of the original data of the page into the page memory 119 or 120 starts. After that, since the end of the document reading and the waiting for the completion of the output of the image data are alternately repeated, in Almost Full in step S1003 of FIG. 10, the paper interval in the ADF200 is empty, and the productivity is step S1002 in FIG.
However, the read image data is not destroyed because the areas of the page memories 119 and 120 are released after waiting for the completion of the output of the image data.

[Transition from Almost Full to PBM Full State] Next, the transition operation from Almost Full to PBM Full state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the monitoring at step S1201 in FIG. 12, the controller 123 determines that the PBM15 is full based on the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 199.
If it is judged that it is, it instructs the PBM15 to discard the image currently stored in the PBM15 and its management information, and then
Transition to the PBM Full state of step S1004 in FIG.

This transition operation will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In the figure, n-1, n are
It shows the order of the read originals. Also, 1601 and 16
Reference numeral 02 represents input and output of document data with respect to the page memories 119 and 120, respectively. In FIG.
Until 1603 when the PBM15 is full
Almost Full operation in step S1003 of 0 is performed. Further, after the time point 1603 in FIG. 16, there is no space for storing the document data in the PBM 15, so the image output is stopped. This state is called PBM Full.

In this state, the reading of the original is stopped until there is free space to be actually stored in the PBM 15. Therefore, the ADF 200 shown in FIG. Wait for the start command from the controller 123. PB
At the time of shifting to the M Full state, the controller 123 of FIG.
Instruct the ADF200 to stop the flow reading image reading sequence operation.

At the time of shifting to the PBM Full sequence, the document in the transport path is stopped in the transport path in a state before reaching the flow-read image reading position 203. Flow reading image reading position 20
If the original that reaches 3 is passed and does not enter the PBM15, other processing such as reloading and reloading the original will be performed.
It will not be explained here.

Further, even if the original document is being conveyed on the conveyance path,
If scanning is complete and the paper is in a position where it can be ejected, it is ejected without stopping.

In FIG. 2, the paper feed unit 2 in the single-sided reading mode.
The document is put on standby at 05 and the transport path 206. The document on the transport path 207 is discharged. In the double-sided reading mode, the original is made to stand by in the paper supply unit 205 and the transport paths 206 and 208, and the original on the transport path 209 is discharged.

As described above, each transport path can be independently driven, stopped and speed controlled. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed unit 205 or the transport paths 206 and 208 have independent standby positions 211 and 212, respectively, and stand by in the PBM Full mode.

[PBM Full] Next, the operation in the PBM Full state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13 and the timing chart of FIG. In step S1004 of FIG.
The PBM 15 is constantly monitored based on the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 199 as to whether or not there is free space. If there is no free space, at step S1301 in FIG. 13, whether there is free space in the PBM 15 again. Monitor whether or not. If it is determined that the PBM15 has free space, step S1 in FIG.
When it is determined that there is no free space after transitioning to Almost Full in 003, the process returns to step S1301 and the monitoring is performed again. Further, in PBM Full in step S1004 of FIG. 10, the PBM 15 continues to wait for an available capacity to occur (time points 1603 and 1604 in FIG. 16).

The operation of the ADF 200 shown in FIG. 2 is in a stopped state and waits for a restart command from the controller 123.

[Recovery from PBM Full] Next, recovery from PBM Full will be described again with reference to FIG. When it is determined in step S1301 of FIG. 13 that the PBM 15 has a free space based on the remaining amount detection signals 198 and 199, the controller 123 starts output from the beginning of the image data stored in the page memories 119 and 120. . As described above, the control mode of the controller 123 has been set to Almost Full in step S1003 in FIG. 10 from the start of the image output. If the free space of the PBM 15 generated at this time is less than one page of the document, the process returns to PBM Full in step S1004 of FIG. 10 and waits for further free space in the PBM 15.

The controller 123 of FIG. 3 issues an operation restart command of the ADF 200 shown in FIG. 2 when the PBM 15 has a free space. Upon receipt of this command, the ADF200 receives the standby position 2 in Figure 2.
At 11 and 212, the standby document and the document on the document tray 201 are resumed to be fed, and the reading at the flow reading image reading position 203 is restarted.

[Recovery from Almost Full] As described above, the present apparatus which has changed from the normal operation mode in step S1002 of FIG. 10 or PBM Full to Almost Full in step S1003 detects the remaining amount in step S1202 of FIG. When it is determined that the predicted value can be stored in the PBM 15 based on the signals 198 and 199, the normal operation mode of step S1002 of FIG. 10 is set.

Next, the recovery operation from this Almost Full will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS. 17 and 18.

FIG. 17 shows that when the nth document is being read, Almos
Indicates that t Full has been resolved. In the figure,
n-1, n, n + 1, n + 2 indicate the order of the read originals. Reference numerals 170l and 1702 denote input and output of document data to and from the page memories 119 and 120, respectively. PBM1
Until time 1703 when there is no free space for storing the predicted value in 5, the Almost Full operation in step S1003 of FIG. 10 described above is performed. While reading the n-th original, large image data of other jobs is predicted because all output for that image is completed, another job coexisting with PBM15 is discarded, etc. After the time 1703 when the PBM 15 has a free space larger than the value, the n + 1-th original can be read without waiting for the output of the n-th image data to be completed.

FIG. 18 shows that when the nth image data is being output, Alm
This indicates that ost Full has been resolved. n-1, n, n +
l and n + 2 represent the order of the read originals. 1801
Reference numerals 1802 and 1802 represent input and output of document data to and from the page memories 119 and 120, respectively. Almost Full
When the controller 123
Since the ADF 200 instructs the ADF 200 to resume reading the document at the normal speed, recovery is faster than in the example of FIG.

FIG. 23 shows a conceptual diagram of OCU3. In the figure, reference numeral 2301 denotes a CRT screen on which designation from a user is input by touch-type input. The CRT screen 2301 is the same for LCD and FLC. In addition to the touch input, there is a configuration in which input is performed using a pointing device such as a mouse or an input pen. 2302 is a keypad, 2303 is a numeric keypad, 2304
Is a clear key, 2305 is an enter key, 2306 is a stop key, 2307 is a reset key, and 2308 is a start key.

The above is the basic equipment configuration of the OCU 3, and FIG. 24 shows the display of the display unit, the selection menu, and the settings. 23, reference numeral 2401 denotes a standard menu screen in the CRT screen 230l of FIG. 2402 designates a book mode (a mode in which an original is set on the platen and scans the original by moving the optical system). 2403 designates a single-sided copy mode in which a moving image is read. 2404 designates both sides in the case of a moving image. Copy mode designation part, 2405 is the copy number designation part, 2406 is the copy magnification designation part, 2407 is the functional device (paper feeder, stapler, saddle stitcher, glue binder, mailbox sorter, etc.) attached to the copier body. A designated portion 2408 is a detailed copy mode selection designation portion for performing more detailed settings in the copy mode.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a screen display state when the device select is designated in the designation portion 2407 for selecting the functional device in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 2501 denotes a screen. Here, the main body of the copying machine and all accessories attached to the main body are displayed, and it is possible to select which function to use. Further, in FIG. 25, 2502 is a proof tray for trial printing the finish of an image after copying on an actual transfer paper, 2503 is a stapling function, 2504 is a stacker for storing output paper subjected to stapling, and 2505 is a stacker. Saddle stitcher, 2506 is saddle stitcher 25
Stacker that stores output paper saddle stitched by 05, 2506 is a glue binder, 2507 and 2508 are bookbinding stackers processed with glue binder 2506, 2509 is a mailbox sorter, and 2510 is a mailbox sorter.
An output sorting bin for sorting by 2509, and 2511 is a designated portion for returning to the screen 2501. 2512, 2513, 2514, and 2515 are first to fourth sheet feeding stages, respectively. First to fourth paper feed stage 2512-
Each of the 2515s contains transfer paper set by the user. Reference numeral 2516 denotes a display portion for displaying a flow of output paper sent to each functional device in real time.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a screen display state when the detailed copy mode selection designation portion 2408 of FIG. 24 is designated as the detailed copy mode selection. Here, a copy function is designated in image processing such as the number of gradations, resolution, continuous shooting, and twin color.

FIG. 27 shows Almost Ful.
It is a figure which shows the screen display state in l) mode. In this state, check the free space of PBM15
Since the image is transferred to the BM15, the processing speed for reading the original document decreases. In FIG. 27, reference numeral 2701 denotes display information for notifying the user of the status, and reference numeral 2702 denotes a designation portion for canceling the job set by the user in the status.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a screen display state in the PBM full mode. In this case, the image reading is in a suspended state as described above, and the reading process is kept waiting until the PBM full mode is stopped. In FIG. 28, reference numeral 2801 is display information notifying the state, 2804 is the display of the waiting time, 2802 is a designated portion for canceling the job set by the user in that state, 2803 is the original reading in the PBM full state Is the designated part to wait for is started.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a screen display state for designating the read mode from the PBM 15. User this figure
From the screen display shown in FIG. 29, it is possible to select from “Time order reading”, “Priority order reading”, and “Automatic switching reading”. When "Time order read" is selected, jobs are read in the order input in PBM15, and
If "Read by priority" is selected, jobs are read in the order of the amount of jobs. If "Automatic switching read" is selected, "Read by time" and "Order by priority" are selected according to the PBM15 status. "Reading" is automatically switched.

Next, the structure of the job control unit for controlling the PBM 15 will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 30 shows
It is a block diagram showing a configuration of a job control unit,
In the figure, reference numeral 70101 denotes a job control unit, which includes a job map 70102, a job amount detection circuit 70103, a read mode determination circuit 70104, a memory output circuit 70105, and a memory input circuit 70106.

FIG. 31 shows the internal structure of the job map 70102. In the figure, columns are jobs (JOB) 1,2,
3, ..., the horizontal row is address, number of gradations, number of colors, number of sheets, ...
It is.

In FIG. 30, first, regarding input,
The memory input circuit 70106 manages the job input to the DRAM 151 of the black image by the input signal 16202 from the controller 123 of 4 (70127). Then, if input is possible, the job is input to the DRAM 151 (70118). At that time, the memory input circuit 70106 has a counter and counts the addresses in the DRAM 151. In the job map 70102, the address 70128 in the DRAM 151 of the input job 70118,
The job 70118 stores the scaling information 70111, resolution information 70112, gradation number information 70113, color number information 70114, document number information 70115, and copy number information 7011 converted into the job 70118.
Data related to these jobs is stored in the order of jobs input to the DRAM 151, and the job 7011 that has been read
Removed from 9.

Next, as for the output, first, the read mode determination circuit 70104 sets the read mode according to the state control signal 16201 indicating the state of the PBM 15 from the controller 123 of FIG. 4 and the read selection signal 70105 of the PBM 15 input from the OCU 3. decide. If reading in chronological order is selected (70
120) is the memory output circuit 7010 which is the address of the job read in the order of the job directly input from the job map 70102.
Pass to 5. If priority is given to reading from the job with the largest amount of job, first, the job amount detection circuit 70103 causes information parameters such as scaling on the job map 70102, resolution, number of gradations, number of colors, number of originals, and number of copies. Each job amount is detected from 70122, the job amounts are compared, the one with the largest job amount is selected, and the addresses of the jobs to be read in the order of the largest job amount are passed to the memory output circuit 70105. Memory output circuit 7
The 0105 reads out the job of the passed address from the DRAM 151 (70126). Such control is continued until there are no jobs in PBM15. Here, the black image DRAM15
Although the control of 1 has been described, the DRAM 154 for a red image can also be controlled by a similar configuration.

The job amount detection circuit 70103 can be composed of a multiplier and a comparator. For example, it is assumed that the user selects the number of gradations of 1,2,4 and the number of colors of 1,2. Job 1 (70
201) has address 0001, 10 originals have 4 gradations, 2 colors, job 2 (70202) has 30 originals have 2 gradations, 2 colors, job 3 (70203)
If 50 originals are processed with 1 gradation and 1 color differently, from the job map 70102 the job amount detection circuit 70103
Multiplies each parameter of the job by a multiplier (job1 is 4 * 2 * 10 = 80, job2 is 2 * 2 * 30 = 120, job3 is 1 * 1 * 50 = 50) and these three By comparing the multiplication results of jobs with a comparator, it is assumed that the amount of jobs is large,
Select job 2. Even when information such as resolution, number of copies, and scaling is used as a parameter, similar processing can be performed by simply increasing the number of multipliers. In this case, when the time-sequential read mode is selected, the jobs stored first are sequentially read out to the image output device, as shown in FIG. However, when the priority order reading mode is selected, the job map 70102 is given a priority from the job having the largest job, and the jobs are read in the order of the priority to the image output device as shown in FIG. 32 (b).

Next, the read operation from the PBM 15 in the image processing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the figure, first, in step S3301, it is determined whether or not the PBM reading mode is selected on the display screen of FIG. If the PBM reading mode is not selected, the automatic switching reading mode is set as the default in step S3306, and then this processing operation is ended. If the PBM reading mode is selected, step S
It is determined whether the mode selected in 3302 is the time-sequential reading mode. And in the time-ordered reading mode,
After performing the reading in time order in step S3303, the present processing operation is ended. If it is not the time-sequential reading mode, it is determined whether the mode selected in step S3303 is the priority-sequential reading mode. Then, in the priority order reading mode, the priority order reading is performed in step S3305, and then this processing operation is ended. If it is not the priority order reading mode, the automatic switching reading mode is set in step S3306, and then this processing operation is ended.

Next, the automatic switching read mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the figure, first, in step S3401, it is determined whether or not it is the normal operation mode, and if it is the normal operation mode, in step S3402, it is read in time order, that is, the PBM15 is read in time order, and then the process returns to step S3401. Then, it is again determined whether or not it is the normal operation mode. If it is not the normal operation mode, it is determined in step S3403 whether Almost Full, and the Almo
If it is not st Full, the process returns to step S3401 to determine again whether or not the normal operation mode. If it is almost full, in step S3404, the reading is switched to the priority order, and the job with the largest job is read from the PBM 15 preferentially, so that the remaining capacity of the PBM 15 can be secured in a short period of time. Next, in step S3405, it is determined whether or not it is PBM Full, and if it is not PBM Full, the process returns to step S3403 and it is again determined whether or not it is Almost Full. If it is PBM Full, in step S3406, reading is performed in order of priority as in step S3404, and then the process returns to step S3405 to determine again whether or not PBM Full.

Even while the priority order reading is being performed in step S3404, Almost is selected in step S3403.
Determine whether it is Full or not. If Almost Full, the process returns to step S3401 to determine again whether the operation mode is the normal operation mode. If the operation mode is the normal operation mode, the read mode is switched to the time sequence (time sequence read) in step S3402. Reading is performed in chronological order.

In this example, in the normal operation mode, Almost Full and PB are used for the time sequential reading in step S3303 of FIG.
In M Full, the case has been described in which the PBM 15 is read in the priority order read mode in step S3305 in FIG. 33, but other combinations can be implemented with the same configuration.

[0082]

As described in detail above, according to the image storage device of the present invention, the image data stored in the image storage means is output in order of increasing data amount.
The free space of the image storage means for the image output of the page becomes large, the image storage means can be used efficiently, and the state of using the storage capacity of the image storage means to the limit is reduced. Further, even when the storage capacity of the image storage means is used up to its limit, the storage capacity can be set to an empty state in a short period of time, so that it is possible to reduce the restraint of the device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus including an image storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing a configuration of an automatic document feeder in the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a document feeding operation of the automatic document feeding apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of image processing in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing an example of image processing in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram of image processing in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.
7 is a diagram showing another example different from FIG.

8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer buffer memory (PBM) in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing movement of a job in the printer buffer memory.

10 is a state transition diagram (STD) of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.
It is.

11 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure in the normal operation mode of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure when the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is in Almost Full.

13 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during PBM Full.

14 is a time chart showing image input / output timing with respect to a page memory in a normal operation mode of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

15 is a time chart showing the input / output timing of an image with respect to the page memory at the time of transition from the normal operation mode of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 to the Almost Full time.

16 is a PB when Almost Full of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.
7 is a time chart showing the input / output timing of an image with respect to the page memory at the time of transition between the time of M Full and the time of M Full.

17 is a time chart showing the input / output timing of an image with respect to the page memory at the time of recovery from the Almost Full state of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a time chart showing the input / output timing of an image with respect to the page memory at the time of recovery from the Almost Full state of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

19 is a conceptual diagram showing a page memory when the image 1 occupies the page memory in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

20 is a conceptual diagram showing a page memory when image 1 starts to be output from the page memory in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram showing a page memory when image 1 and image 2 coexist in the page memory in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

22 is a conceptual diagram showing a page memory in the case where image n-1 and image n coexist in the page memory in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

23 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

24 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation screen of an operation unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

25 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation screen of an operation unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

26 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation screen of an operation unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 27 is an Alm of an operation unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the operation screen at the time of ost Full.

28 is a PBM of an operation unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the operation screen at the time of Full.

29 is a PBM of an operation unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the operation screen at the time of reading mode selection.

30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PBM control unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

31 is a diagram showing a configuration of a job map in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

32 is a diagram for explaining the operation of reading image data from a job to an image output device in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

33 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure for reading image data from the PBM in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

34 is a flowchart showing the operation control procedure of the automatic switching read mode in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image recording unit (printer unit) 2 Image reading unit (reader unit) 3 Operating unit (OCU) 7 Finishing device 11 Image processing unit 15 PBM (page buffer memory: image storage means) 111 CCD 112 A / D conversion circuit 113 Shading / Color space conversion circuit 114 Two-color separation circuit 117 Filter circuit 118 Filter circuit 119 Page memory 120 Page memory 123 Controller (data capacity management means, control means) 125 Magnification / resolution conversion circuit 126 Magnification / resolution conversion circuit 127 Image decoration Circuit 128 Image decoration circuit 129 Density conversion circuit 130 Density conversion circuit 131 Gradation number conversion circuit 132 Gradation number conversion circuit 150 Compression circuit 151 DRAM 152 Expansion circuit 153 Compression circuit 154 DRAM 156 Expansion circuit 157 Remaining amount detection circuit 158 Remaining amount detection Circuit 160 Compression rate prediction circuit 165 Selector circuit 166 Selector circuit 200 Automatic document feeder (ADF) 201 Document tray 202 First mirror 203 Flow reading document reading position 204 Book mode scan reading position 205 Paper feed section 206 Conveyance path 207 Conveyance path 208 Conveyance path 209 Conveyance path 210 Lens 250 Scanner 70101 Job control section 70102 Job map 70103 Job amount detection circuit 70104 Read mode decision circuit 70105 Memory output circuit 70106 Memory input circuit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Takiyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Ryosuke Miyamoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kya Non-Incorporated (72) Inventor Katsuya Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroyoshi Yoshida 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image storage means for storing a plurality of image data, a data capacity management means for managing a data capacity of the image data, and the image storage means outputs the image data in descending order of data amount. And an output control unit for controlling the above. 2. The image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the data capacity management unit manages information according to processing such as the number of gradations, the number of colors, and resolution. 3. A counting means for counting the amount of image data stored in the image storing means, wherein the data capacity managing means manages the value obtained by the counting means. The image storage device described in 1. 4. The image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit outputs the image data in descending order when the capacity of the image storage unit becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value. . 5. The image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit outputs the image data in descending order of the image data amount when the image storage unit runs out of capacity. 6. The data capacity management means determines the output priority by comparing the capacities of the image storage means used by a plurality of the image data.
The image storage device described in 1.