JP2005110020A - Image input / output device, memory management method, program, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maximize the parallel execution performance of each image processing, by dynamically changing assignment of image memories to be secured from memory resources and performing its control, when complex functional processing is executed. <P>SOLUTION: An image memory control section 4110-5 performs control so as to determine with respect to each page the condition of changes in the content of image processing determined by an image processing determination section 4110-1, and dynamically change the assignment of the image memory for executing the determined image processing of image data following each functional processing and to be acquired from the memory resources, on the basis of the judgment result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides an image input / output device, a memory management method, a program, and an image, each having an image input device and an image output device, and capable of executing a composite function process including a copy function, a print function, a facsimile communication function, and a scan function The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the case of a complex copying machine that includes an image input / output device and an image memory for storing image data and can execute image storage and input / output processing, image data is stored in a large-capacity low-speed storage device such as an HDD. When input / output such as scanning or printing is performed, image data on the HDD is transferred to a high-speed input / output DRAM. At this time, an area as an image memory is allocated on the DRAM, but conventionally, an image memory acquisition process is performed immediately before the input / output is executed. Conventionally, Patent Literature 1 has already been published as this type of technical literature.
JP 2001-103473 A

  In recent complex copying machines, since more functions are installed, complex image processing is executed. For this reason, image processing such as image scaling and rotation is often performed on the image memory.

  Further, the multi-function copying machine is required to have performance when executing image input / output and image processing in parallel.

  However, with a simple method such as acquiring image memory immediately before input / output or image processing, the maximum capacity is ensured even if the image memory capacity required for each page processing fluctuates, and multiple pages are stored. It is impossible to execute complex function processing in a state where the image processing required for the image data composed of the image data and the usage efficiency of the image memory and the parallel operation performance of each function are compatible, that is, the scanner function There has been a problem of inviting a situation where it is not possible to deal with a situation where there is a demand for the system.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to determine the change state of the determined image processing content for each page, and based on the determination result, the memory By dynamically changing the image memory allocation for executing the determined image processing on the image data associated with each function processing to be acquired from the resource, the image memory to be secured from the memory resource at the time of executing the composite function processing Since allocation can be dynamically changed and managed, the parallel execution performance of each image processing can be maximized, and a complex image processing environment that can respond flexibly and quickly to changes in the image processing path is flexible. It is an object to provide an image input / output device, a memory management method, a program, and an image forming device that can be constructed.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input / output apparatus comprising an image input device and an image output device and capable of executing a composite function process including a copy function, a print function, a facsimile communication function, and a scan function. The image memory, a determination unit that determines image processing for each page (for example, the image processing determination unit 4110-1 shown in FIG. 16), and the image data determined by the determination unit are executed on the image data for each page. Image processing execution means (for example, image processing execution units 4110-2 to 4110-4 shown in FIG. 16) and determination means for determining, for each page, the change state of the content of the image processing determined by the determination means (for example, FIG. 16 and the image memory management unit 4110-5) shown in FIG. 16 and the image processing determined by the determination unit based on the determination result by the determination unit. Memory management means (for example, the image memory management unit 4110-5 shown in FIG. 16) that dynamically changes the image memory allocation to be performed, and the determination means performs image processing of the preceding page and page subsequent to the preceding page. When it is determined that the contents of the image processing are the same, the memory management means assigns the image memory allocated for the image processing to the preceding page to the image processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page. Features.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the memory management unit determines that the image processing of the preceding page is different from the content of the image processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page, the determining unit determines the preceding page. The allocation of the image memory secured for image processing is changed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the contents of the image processing of the preceding page and the image processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page are different, the memory management means ends the series of processing of the previous page. Then, the image memory allocation is changed, and the processing of the next page is executed by the corresponding image processing execution means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the contents of the image processing of the preceding page and the image processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page are the same, the memory management means ends the series of processing of the previous page. Before, the processing of the next page is executed by the corresponding image processing execution means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a memory in an image input / output device comprising an image input device and an image output device and capable of executing a composite function process including a copy function, a print function, a facsimile communication function, and a scan function. A management method, wherein an image memory, a determination step for determining image processing for each page (for example, step (5101) shown in FIG. 16), and the image processing determined by the determination step are performed on image data for each page An image processing execution step to be performed (for example, steps (5112) and (5131) shown in FIG. 16), and a determination step (for example, FIG. Step (5133)) and the determination result based on the determination step. A memory management step (for example, steps (5101) and (5146) shown in FIG. 16) for dynamically changing the allocation of the image memory for executing the image processing determined by the group, and an image of the page preceded by the determination step When it is determined that the contents of the image processing of the page subsequent to the processing and the preceding page are the same, the memory management step assigns the image memory allocated for image processing to the preceding page to the preceding page. It is assigned to image processing of subsequent pages.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the memory management step, an image secured for image processing on a preceding page when the determination step determines that the content of the function processing is the same between the pages. The memory allocation is not changed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the memory management step, when the determination step determines that the contents of the function processing are different between the pages, the memory management step stores an image memory secured for image processing for the preceding page. It is characterized by changing the assignment.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the memory management step, when the series of processing of the previous page and the next page are different, the series of processing of the previous page is completed, and then the image It is characterized in that the memory allocation is changed, and an instruction for causing the corresponding image processing execution step to execute the processing of the next page is performed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for realizing the memory management method according to the fifth to eighth aspects.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image memory, a determination unit for determining a series of image processing for each page, and an image processing execution unit for executing the image processing determined by the determination unit on the image data for each page. And determining means for determining whether or not the image memory allocation needs to be changed for each page based on the content of the image processing determined by the determining means, and determining whether the memory resource is based on the determination result by the determining means. A memory management unit that changes an allocation of an image memory for executing the image processing determined by the determination unit; and the memory management unit performs processing of a page preceding the preceding page and processing of a page preceding the preceding page by the determination unit. Image processing for the preceding page when it is determined that it is not necessary to change the image memory allocation for execution Without changing the allocation of the image memory allocated to, and executes the subsequent processing to the page preceding before ending the series of image processing the page of the preceding.

  In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the memory management unit determines that the image memory allocation needs to be changed in order for the determination unit to execute the processing of the preceding page and the processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page. In this case, the allocation of the image memory reserved for image processing for the preceding page is changed.

  In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the memory management unit determines that the image memory allocation needs to be changed in order for the determination unit to execute the processing of the preceding page and the processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page. In this case, after a series of processing for the preceding page is completed, the image memory allocation is changed, and an instruction for causing the corresponding image processing execution means to execute processing for the next page is performed.

  According to the present invention, since the allocation of image memory to be secured from the memory resources can be dynamically changed and managed during the execution of the composite function processing, the parallel execution performance of each image processing can be maximized, and the image There is an effect that it is possible to freely construct a composite image processing environment that can flexibly and quickly respond to changes in the processing path.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus system to which an image input / output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 200 includes a scanner unit 2070 that is an image input device, a printer unit 2095 that is an image output device, a Controller Unit 2000, and an operation unit 2012 that is a user interface.

  The scanner unit 2070, the printer unit 2095, and the operation unit 2012 are each connected to the Controller Unit 2000, and the Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a network transmission unit such as a LAN 20111 and a public line.

  Transmission by G3 and G4 fax including color image transmission is possible from the public line.

  In addition, other image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 having the same device configuration as the image forming apparatus 200 are connected to the LAN 20111. Further, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 240 is connected, and can send and receive files and e-mails using FTP and SMB protocols. The image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 have scanner units 2270 and 2370, printer units 2295 and 2395, and operation units 2212 and 2312, which are connected to the controller unit 2200 and 2300, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a color scanner 2015 as an image input device and a color printer 2017 as an image output device. On the other hand, the controller unit 2000 is connected to a LAN 2008 or a public line (WAN) 2051 so that image information and device information can be obtained. It is a controller for inputting and outputting.

  The CPU 2001 functions as a controller that controls the entire system. The RAM 2002 functions as a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001 and also functions as an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program.

  An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F 2005 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 2006 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2006 to the operation unit 2006.

  Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 2006 to the CPU 2001. A network 2007 is connected to the LAN 2008 and inputs / outputs information.

  A Modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs image information. A binary image rotation unit 2052 and a binary image compression / decompression unit 2053 convert the direction of an image before transmitting a binary image by Modem 2050, or convert the image to a predetermined resolution or a resolution suited to the other party's ability. belongs to. In this embodiment, compression and decompression support JBIG, MMR, MR, and MH.

  A DMAC 2009 is a DMA controller that reads an image stored in the RAM 2002 without using the CPU 2001 and transfers the image to the ImageBus I / F 2011 or writes an image from the image bus into the RAM 2002 without using the CPU 2001. The above devices are connected to the system bus 2008.

  An Image Bus I / F 2011 is an interface for controlling high-speed image input / output via an image bus (Image Bus) 2010. A compressor 2012 is a compressor for JPEG compression in units of 32 pixels × 32 pixels before sending an image to the image bus 2010. A decompressor 2013 is a decompressor for decompressing an image sent via the image bus 2010.

  The raster image processor (RIP) 2018 receives the PDL code from the host computer via the network 2007, and the CPU 2001 stores it in the RAM 2002 through the system bus 2008.

  The CPU 2001 converts the PDL into an intermediate code, inputs it again to the RIP 2018 via the system bus 2008, and develops it into a bitmap image (multi-value). The scanner image processing unit 2014 performs various appropriate image processing (for example, correction, processing, editing) on the color image and black-and-white image from the scanner 2015 and outputs (multi-value).

  Similarly, the printer image processing unit 2016 performs appropriate various image processing (for example, correction, processing, editing) on the printer 2017. At the time of printing, binary multilevel conversion is performed by the decompressor 2013, so that binary and multilevel output is possible.

  The image conversion unit 2030 has various image conversion functions used when image data on the RAM 2002 is converted and written back to the RAM 2030 again.

  A rotator 2019 can rotate an image of 32 pixels × 32 pixels unit at a specified angle, and supports binary and multi-value input / output. The magnification changer 2020 has a function (for example, 25% to 400%) of converting the image resolution (for example, 600 dpi to 200 dpi) or changing the magnification. Before scaling, the image of 32 × 32 pixels is rearranged into an image in units of 32 lines.

  The color space conversion unit 2021 converts, for example, a YUV image on the memory into a Lab image by matrix operation and LUT for the multi-valued input image, and stores it on the memory. Further, this color space conversion has a 3 × 8 matrix operation and a one-dimensional LUT, and can perform well-known background removal and show-through prevention. The converted image is output in multiple values.

  A binary multi-value converter 2022 converts a 1-bit binary image into a multi-value 8-bit, 256 gradation. On the other hand, the multi-level binary converter 2022 converts an 8-bit, 256-gradation image on the memory into 1-bit, 2-gradation by a technique such as error diffusion processing, and stores it on the memory.

  Note that the composition has a function of synthesizing two multi-value images on the memory into one multi-value image. For example, the company logo can be easily attached to the original image by compositing the image of the company logo on the memory with the original image.

  The thinning-out unit 2024 is a unit that performs resolution conversion by thinning out pixels of a multi-valued image, and can output 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 multi-valued images. By using it together with the variable magnification unit 2020, a wider range of enlargement / reduction can be performed. The movement 2025 can be output by adding a margin portion to the input binary image or multi-valued image or deleting the margin portion.

  The rotator 2019, the variable power multiplier 2020, the color space converter 2021, the binary multi-value converter 2022, the synthesizer 2023, the thinning-out device 2024, the mobile device 2025, and the multi-value binary device 2026 are connected to operate. For example, when image rotation and resolution conversion are performed on a multi-valued image on a memory, both processes can be performed without using a memory.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the structure of image data in the image input / output apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the image packet structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-103473 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the compressor 2012 rearranges raster format images as packets of 32 × 32 pixel units, and performs JPEG compression on a packet basis. At the same time, information such as an ID indicating the position of the packet, a color space, a Q table ID, and a data length is added to the packet to form a header. Binary data (image area flag) indicating characters and photographs is similarly compressed and attached after JPEG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the packet data illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, packet data is composed of a packet ID, color space information, Q table ID, packet length, image information, region flag (MMR), and the like.

  The decompressor 2013 develops JPEG based on header information such as packet ID, color space information, Q table ID, and packet length, and rearranges them into raster images. By making such a packet image, only the image inside the packet is rotated at the time of image rotation, and by changing the position of the packet ID, it can be partially rotated by decompression and compression, so it is very efficient. . All images flowing through ImageBus 2010 are packet images.

  Further, when an image is handled on a memory, a packet table is used. In the packet table, one element is the start address and size of one packet, and one image is shown by arranging this in the main scanning and sub scanning. By using the packet table, even if packets constituting an image are discretely arranged on a memory, it can be handled as one image.

  When a raster image is necessary for FAX transmission, binary image rotation unit 2052, binary image compression / decompression unit 2053, etc., conversion from a packet image to a raster image is performed by software.

  FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram illustrating the configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2014 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the RGB 8-bit luminance signal input from the scanner 2015 is converted into a standard RGB color signal independent of the CCD filter color by a masking processing unit (masking) 2501.

  In the filter 2502, for example, a 9 × 9 matrix is used, and an image is blurred or sharpened. Subsequently, a histogram processing unit (histogram) 2503 samples image signal data in the input image and is used for determining the background level of the input image. In this module, RGB data in a rectangular area surrounded by the specified start and end points in the main and sub-scan directions is sampled at a constant pitch in the main and sub-scan directions, and a histogram is created. .

  This histogram 2503 is read out when background skipping or prevention of show-through is designated, and the background of the original is estimated from the generated histogram, and is stored and managed in the memory or HDD together with the image as the background skipping level. Used for image processing during printing and transmission.

  A gamma processing unit (gamma) 2504 performs processing so that the density of the entire image is increased or decreased. For example, it is a part that converts the color space of the input image into an arbitrary color space or performs correction processing relating to the color of the input system. In order to determine whether the document is color or black and white, the image signal before scaling is converted into a known color space Lab by color space conversion 2505. Of these, a and b represent color signal components, and a 1-bit determination signal is output from the comparator 2506 as a chromatic color if it is equal to or higher than a predetermined level in the comparator 2506 and otherwise as an achromatic color.

  The counter 2507 measures the output from the comparator 2506. The character / photo determination 2508 is a function for extracting a character edge from image data and separating the image data into character data and photo data. At this time, a character photograph determination signal is obtained as an output. This signal is also stored in the memory or HD together with the image data, and is used during printing.

  Reference numeral 2509 denotes a specific document determination unit, which compares to what extent the input image signal matches the pattern held in the determination unit, and can read out the determination result of matching or mismatching as shown in the figure. The image is processed according to the determination result to prevent counterfeiting of banknotes and securities.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the printer image processing unit 2016 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 2601 denotes a background removal processing unit (background removal) that removes the background color of the image data and removes unnecessary background fogging. For example, the background removal process is performed by a 3 × 8 matrix operation or a one-dimensional LUT. This is a function included in the color space converter 2021 as described above, and is an entirely equivalent circuit.

  Reference numeral 2602 denotes a monochrome generation unit (monochrome generation) that converts color image data to monochrome data and converts color image data, for example, RGB data, to Gray single color when printing as a single color. For example, it is composed of a 1 × 3 matrix operation that multiplies RGB by an arbitrary constant to obtain a Gray signal.

  An output color correction unit (output color correction) 2603 performs color correction in accordance with the characteristics of the printer unit that outputs image data. For example, it is composed of processing by 4 × 8 matrix calculation or direct mapping. Reference numeral 2604 denotes a filter processing unit that arbitrarily corrects the spatial frequency of the image data. For example, it comprises processing for performing a 9 × 9 matrix operation.

  Reference numeral 2605 denotes a gamma correction unit (gamma correction) that performs gamma correction in accordance with the characteristics of the output printer unit. For example, it is usually composed of a one-dimensional LUT. Reference numeral 2606 denotes a halftone correction processing unit (halftone correction), which performs arbitrary halftone processing in accordance with the number of gradations of the output printer unit. For example, arbitrary screen processing such as binarization or 32 binarization or error diffusion processing is performed. Each process can be switched by a character / photo determination signal (not shown).

  Reference numeral 2607 denotes an inter-drum delay memory, which is a memory for superimposing CMYK images by shifting the CMYK print timing by the inter-drum in a color printer having CMYK drums. In a color printer having four drums for each color of CMYK, it can be delayed to align the position of the image.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image input / output device shown in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 7, a scanner 2015, which is an image input device in the present embodiment, illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown), thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. . The original paper is set on the tray 2702 of the original feeder 2701, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2006, the CPU 2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2015, and the original paper is fed one by one from the tray 2702 of the original feeder 2071. Feeds and reads the original image.

  The printer 2017, which is an image output device, is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array. There is an ink jet method for printing an image directly on paper, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 2001. The printer unit 2017 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there are corresponding paper cassettes 2703, 2704, and 2705. A paper discharge tray 2706 is a paper discharge tray for receiving the printed paper.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of the operation unit 2006 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the LCD display unit 2801 has a touch panel sheet 2802 pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen and soft keys, and transmits position information to the CPU 2001 when the displayed keys are pressed. . A start key 2803 is used when starting a document image reading operation.

  There is a green and red two-color LED 2804 at the center of the start key 2803, and the color indicates whether or not the start key 2803 can be used. A stop key 2805 functions to stop an operation in operation.

  An ID key 2806 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2807 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 2801 shown in FIG. 8. This screen display example is an initial screen in the image input / output device, and returns after setting each image forming function. It is also a standard screen that comes.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 3101 denotes a copy button for switching a screen for performing copy settings. Reference numeral 3102 denotes a send button for switching a screen for setting to send a scanned image by fax or e-mail. Reference numeral 3103 denotes a box button for switching a screen for setting to store a scan image or a PDL image in the built-in HDD, or to print, transmit, or edit the stored scan image or PDL image.

  Reference numeral 3104 denotes a resolution setting window, which displays image reading settings set by the reading setting button 3105. A read setting button 3105 is used to set resolution, density, and the like when reading an image.

  Reference numeral 3106 denotes a transmission setting button, which performs timer setting at the time of timer transmission, setting for printing on the HDD or printer, and the like. A display unit 3107 displays a transmission destination designated by the destination table button 3108. Reference numeral 3109 denotes a detailed information button, which is instructed when displaying detailed information of one destination displayed on the display unit 3107. Reference numeral 3110 denotes an erase button, which erases one destination displayed on the display unit 3107.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 2801 shown in FIG. 8. This screen display example is displayed when the read setting button 3105 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed. It is a pop-up window.

  In FIG. 10, reference numeral 3201 denotes a size display unit, which selects and inputs a read original size from a pop-up, and the set read size is displayed on the display unit 3202.

  Reference numeral 3203 denotes a color mode selection button, which can be pressed to select three types of color / black / automatic (ACS) as a document reading mode. The color mode can be selected in the same way for copy and box. If the measurement result of the counter 2507 is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined as a black and white document, and if it is larger, it is determined as a color document. If it is color, a color image is displayed. Accumulate the result of determining whether it is color or black and white.

  Reference numeral 3204 denotes a resolution designation unit, which is a selection input from a pop-up for designating the reading resolution. Reference numeral 3205 denotes a slider which can adjust the reading density of the document in, for example, nine levels. A density setting unit 3206 automatically determines the density when reading an image with a background such as a newspaper. The density setting unit 3206 can be set in the same way even during the copy process.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 2801 illustrated in FIG. 8, and this screen display example corresponds to the screen display when the copy button 3101 is pressed.

  In FIG. 11, reference numeral 3301 denotes a text display portion that indicates whether or not copying is possible, and the number of copies set at the same time is also displayed. Reference numeral 3302 denotes a button, which has a function equivalent to that of the density setting unit 3206, and is a button for selecting whether to perform background removal automatically.

  Reference numeral 3303 denotes a slider which has a function equivalent to that of the slider 3205 and is configured so that nine levels of density adjustment are possible. Reference numeral 3304 denotes a document type selection button. In this embodiment, the document type can be selected from a character, a photograph, a map, a photographic paper photograph, and a printed photograph. Reference numeral 3305 denotes an application mode button which can set a reduced layout (a function for reducing and printing a plurality of originals on one sheet), a color balance (CMYK color fine adjustment), and the like.

  Reference numeral 3306 denotes a soft sort button that functions as a button for performing settings related to various finishings. For example, shift sort, staple sort, and group sort can be set. Reference numeral 3307 denotes a duplex setting button which is configured to perform settings relating to duplex reading and duplex printing.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 2801 shown in FIG. 8. This screen display example is a screen display example when the box tab 3103 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed. Correspond.

  In FIG. 12, reference numeral 3401 denotes a folder display section that displays the names of folders that logically divide HDDs. Each folder is assigned a folder number in advance, and the first folder is the 0th folder.

  In this embodiment, the ratio of the disk capacity used in the folder is displayed next to the folder number. Folders can be given any name, and the name is displayed here. Reference numeral 3402 denotes a usage status display section that displays the usage amount of the entire HDD.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 2801 shown in FIG. 8. This screen display example is a screen display example when the folder selection button 3401 shown in FIG. 12 is pressed. Correspond.

  In FIG. 13, reference numerals 3501 and 3502 denote document display units, which display the document names stored in the 0th folder. Each document is composed of a plurality of pages.

  A document display unit 3501 is a scanned document, is displayed with an icon having a unique shape for identifying and displaying the scanned document, and displays a HDD usage amount and a document name that can be arbitrarily set by the user.

  The document display unit 3502 is displayed with an icon having a unique shape for identifying and displaying that the document is a PDL document stored from the PDL. In this embodiment, when the icon is pressed on the touch panel, it is indicated by reverse display that the document is selected.

  A transmission button 3503 is instructed when transmitting the selected document. Reference numeral 3504 denotes a read button which is instructed when a document is read from the scanner and a document is generated. Reference numeral 3505 denotes an all select button which is instructed when all documents in the folder are selected.

  A delete button 3506 is instructed when deleting the selected document. A print button 3507 is instructed when the selected document is printed. An edit button 3508 is instructed when the selected document is edited. Note that the image input / output apparatus according to the present embodiment has a function of, for example, selecting and combining two documents, saving them as one document, and deleting a specific page.

  Reference numeral 3509 denotes a detailed information button which is instructed when displaying the detailed information of the last selected document. When the button 3509 is instructed, information such as resolution, document size, and color can be displayed in addition to the document name. Reference numeral 3510 denotes a close button.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the module configuration of the image input / output device according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, each module is defined in a hierarchical structure.

  In FIG. 14, reference numeral 4010 denotes a UI control unit (UI) that controls the display operation unit. In response to an instruction from the UI control unit 4010, a copy application unit 4020, a transmission application unit 4021, and a BOX application unit 4022 that execute a copy operation, a transmission operation, scanning from a box screen, and printing are activated.

  Also, there is a PDL application unit 4023 that receives PDL print data from the network application 4120 and inputs a PDL print job.

  Reference numeral 4030 denotes a common interface unit for absorbing the device-dependent portion of the device control portion. A job manager 4040 organizes job information received from the common interface 4030 and transmits the job information to a lower-level document processing unit.

  The document processing unit includes a scan manager 4050 and a print manager 4090 for local copy, a scan job for remote copy, or a scan manager 4050 and file store manager 4100 for a transmission job, and a file read manager for a remote copy reception job. For PDL printing such as 4060 and print manager 4090, LIPS (registered trademark) and PostScript (registered trademark), there are PDL manager 4070 and print manager 4090.

  An image processing request to the image manager 4110 that performs synchronization between the document managers and performs various image processing is performed via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 performs image processing and image file storage during scanning and printing.

  First, local copy software processing will be described.

  A copy setting is transmitted from the UI control unit 4010 to the copy application unit 4020 together with a copy instruction in accordance with a user instruction. In response to this, the copy application unit 4020 transmits information from the UI control unit 4010 to the job manager 4040 that performs device control via the common interface 4030.

  The job manager 4040 transmits job information to the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090. The scan manager 4050 issues a scan request to the scanner 2070 via a device I / F (not shown) (the device I / F is a serial I / F connecting the controller 2000 and the scanner 2015 and the controller 2000 and the printer 2017).

  At the same time, an image processing request for scanning is issued to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 sets the scanner image processing unit 2014 in accordance with an instruction from the scan manager 4050. When the setting is completed, a scan preparation completion is notified via the sync manager 4080. Thereafter, the scan manager 4050 instructs the scanner 2070 to scan. The completion of scan image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

  Upon receiving the scan completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090 of the scan completion.

  At the same time, the sync manager 4080 instructs the image manager 4110 to file the compressed image stored in the RAM 2002 into the HDD 2004. The image manager 4110 stores an image (including a character / photo determination signal) on the memory in the HDD 2004 according to the instruction. As the accompanying information of the image data, a color determination / monochrome determination result, a background skip level for performing background skip, a scanned image, and a color space RGB as an image input source are also stored.

  When the storage in the HDD 2004 is completed and the scan completion from the scanner 2070 is received, the scan manager 4050 is notified of the completion of file formation via the sync manager 4080.

  The scan manager 4050 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040, and the job manager 4040 returns it to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030.

  The print manager 4090 issues a print request to the printer 2095 via the device I / F when the image data is stored in the memory.

  At the same time, a print image processing request is sent to the sync manager 4080. Upon receiving a request from the print manager 4090, the sync manager 4080 requests the image manager 4110 for image processing settings. The image manager 4110 sets the printer image processing unit 2015 according to the accompanying information of the image data, and notifies the print manager 4090 of completion of print preparation via the sync manager 4080.

  The print manager 4090 issues a print instruction to the printer 2017. The completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

  In response to the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the print manager 4090 of the print completion. In response to the completion of paper discharge from the printer 2017, the print manager 4090 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040, and the job manager 4040 returns it to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. The copy application unit 4020 notifies the UI control unit of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

  On the other hand, in the case of a remote copy scan job or transmission job, the file store manager 4100 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the print manager 4090.

  That is, when the scan image is stored in the HDD, a storage completion notification is received from the sync manager 4080, and this is notified to the copy application unit 4020 for remote copy and to the transmission application unit 4021 for a transmission job via the common interface 4030. To do.

  After this notification, the copy application unit 4020 and the transmission application 4021 request the network application 4120 to transmit the file stored in the HDD. Then, the network application 4120 that has received the request transmits the file.

  The network application 4120 receives setting information related to copying from the copy application unit 4020 at the start of the job, and also notifies the remote device of the setting information. In the case of remote copy, the network application 4120 performs transmission using a communication protocol unique to the device. In the case of a transmission job, a standard file transfer protocol such as FTP or SMB is used.

  On the other hand, when fax transmission is performed, after the file is stored, the transmission application 4021 instructs the FAX manager 4041 to transmit via the common interface 4030 and the job manager 4040.

  At this time, the FAX manager 4041 negotiates with the counterpart device via the Modem 2050, requests the image manager 4110 to perform necessary image processing (color → monochrome conversion, multi-value binary conversion, rotation, scaling), and after conversion. Is sent using Modem.

  When there is a printer at the transmission destination, the transmission application issues a print instruction as a print job via the common interface 4030. The operation at that time is the same as that of the remote copy print job described below. When the transmission destination is a box destination in the device, the file store manager 4100 stores it in the file system in the device.

  At the time of FAX reception, the FAX manager receives image data using Modem 2050 and stores it in the HDD 2004 as an image file. When the box application 4022 is notified after the HDD 2004 is stored, a reception print instruction is issued from the box application 4022 to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. After that, the operation is the same as that of a normal box print job, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  On the other hand, in the case of a remote copy print job, the network application 4120 stores image data from the transmission side in the HDD and issues a job to the copy application unit 4020.

  The copy application unit 4020 submits a print job to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Unlike local copy, the file read manager 4060 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the scan manager 4050.

  Then, a request for expanding received image data from the HDD to the memory is made to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 expands the image in the memory.

  When the development is completed, the image manager 4110 notifies the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090 of the completion of the development via the sync manager 4080.

  When an image is stored in the memory, the print manager 4090 selects a paper feed stage designated by the job manager or a stage having the paper size via the device I / F, and issues a print request. In the case of automatic paper, the paper feed stage is determined from the image size and a print request is issued.

  At the same time, a print image processing request is sent to the sync manager 4080. When the sync manager 4080 receives a request from the print manager 4090, it requests a print image processing setting from the image manager 4110 (at this time, for example, if there is no optimum size paper and rotation is necessary, a separate rotation instruction is also requested. If there is, the image manager uses the rotator 2019 to rotate the image.)

  The image manager 4110 sets the printer image processing unit 2090 and notifies the print manager 4090 of completion of print preparation via the sync manager 4080. The print manager 4090 issues a print instruction to the printer. The completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

  Upon receiving the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090 of the print completion. The file read manager 4060 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040. In response to the completion of paper discharge from the printer unit, the print manager 4090 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040. The job manager 4040 returns an end notification to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030.

  The copy application unit 4020 notifies the UI control unit of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

  On the other hand, in the case of a PDL data development storage job, a request from the host PC that has input the PDL print is transmitted to the PDL application 4023 via the network application 4120. The PDL application instructs the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030 for a PDL data development storage job.

  At this time, the PDL manager 4070 and the file store manager 4100 receive a request from the job manager 4040. An image input portion after completion of RIP of the image is the same as that of the above-described scan job.

  The image on the memory (including the character / photo determination signal) is stored in the HDD 2004. Color / monochrome information is stored in an unillustrated SRAM as image accompanying information, and a PDL image, color space CMYK or RGB is also stored as an image input source. When the storage of the PDL image in the HDD 2004 is completed, a storage completion notification is received from the sync manager 4080 and is notified to the PDL application 4023 via the common interface 4030.

  After this notification, the PDL application 4023 notifies the network application 4120 of the storage completion to the HDD, and this information is transmitted to the host PC that has entered the PDL print. In the case of a PDL print job, the image developed on the memory is printed by the PDL manager 4070 and the print manager 4090.

  To print image data that has been developed and stored in PDL, a stored document instructed to be printed by the UI is issued as a print job to the BOX application. The BOX application unit 4022 inputs a print job to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Unlike local copy, the file read manager 4060 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the scan manager 4050.

  A request for expanding the image YES for which printing has been instructed from the HDD to the memory is made to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The subsequent operation is the same as that described in the remote copy print job, and is therefore omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining an image memory management method in the image input / output apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the surface management table FMT and the block management table BMT are used for image memory management.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the block management table BMT includes an address and size of an area on the real memory RM, a pointer to the next block, and a busy flag. The area indicated by the address and size of the area on the real memory RM in the block management table BMT is used for image processing.

  When the block is used, “1” is set in the in-use flag, and “0” is set when the block is not used. The block management table BMT has a pointer that points to the next block. By using the pointer to form a list format for the block management table BMT, a plurality of blocks can be used together.

  A surface management table FMT manages a plurality of the collected blocks as one surface. The surface management table FMT is made up of uses, that is, the type of image processing, a pointer to the first block, an assigned flag, and an in-use flag. The type of image processing is the content of processing when image data is written on the memory, such as for scanning, scaling, rotation, and HDD reading.

  A block management table BMT pointed to by the pointer to the head block represents one image memory used by the surface management table FMT. The in-use flag is a flag indicating whether the surface is being used regardless of whether image processing is being performed. The in-execution flag is a flag indicating whether image processing is actually being executed.

  Hereinafter, handling of the image memory by the image manager 4110 in the image input / output apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the operation of the image manager 4110 during printing will be described as a specific example.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a print sequence in the image input / output apparatus according to the present invention. For example, an image path at the time of printing is shown. The first and second pages read image data from the HDD, The third page is an image path for executing a process of reading image data from the HDD, rotating the color space, and then rotating and printing.

  In FIG. 16, the image manager 4110 is divided into five internal modules, each of which includes an image processing determination unit 4110-1, a first page image processing execution unit 4110-2, and a second page image processing execution unit 4110-. The image processing execution unit 4110-4 and the image memory management unit 4110-5 for the third and third pages. In addition, (5101)-(5172) show each step. For the sake of explanation, step numbers that are not described may be assigned as vacant steps.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a page management table in the image input / output device according to the present invention.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an image management table in the image input / output apparatus according to the present invention.

  When the sync manager 4080 shown in FIG. 14 notifies the image manager 4110 of the start of processing of the first page, in step (5101), the image processing determination unit 4110-1 determines the image path of the first page, The contents of the determined image processing are written in the page management table 5201 shown in FIG. The table 5301 shown in FIG. 18 shows the processing contents of each image processing, here HDD reading, rotation, printing, input / output color space, input / output resolution, number of input / output pixels, rotation angle, input / output compression format of each image processing. , Etc. are stored.

  Then, the image processing determination unit 4110-1 notifies the table 5301 to the image memory management unit 4110-5. The image memory management unit 4110-5 determines the allocation of the image memory based on the image processing management table 5201. Here, “1” is set to the in-use flag of the surface management table FMT of the HDD reading memory and the rotation memory. Is assigned, and a memory block is assigned to each face management table FMT.

  Subsequently, in step (5102), the image processing determination unit 4110-1 notifies the image processing execution unit 4110-2 of the first page of the start of image processing of the first page. In step (5103), the image processing execution unit 4110-2 for the first page requests the image memory management unit 4110-5 to acquire a memory for HDD reading. In response to this request, the image memory management unit 4110-5 sets “1” to the executing flag of the surface management table FMT of the HDD read memory in step (5104) and sets the first block management table BMT to one page. Notify the eye image processing execution unit 4110-2.

  The image processing execution unit 4110-2 for the first page starts HDD reading in step (5105), thereby storing image data in the HDD reading memory. When the HDD reading is completed in step (5109), the image processing execution unit 4110-2 for the first page requests the image memory management unit 4110-5 to acquire a rotation memory in step (5110).

  In response to this, the image memory management unit 4110-5 sets “1” in the execution flag of the surface management table FMT of the rotation memory in step (5111) and sets the first block as the image processing execution unit 4110-2 for the first page. In step (5112), the image processing execution unit 4110-2 for the first page starts the rotation process using the HDD reading memory as the input image and the rotation memory as the output image.

  Here, when the sync manager 4080 notifies the image manager 4110 of the start of processing of the second page, the image processing determination unit 4110-1 determines the image processing of the second page in the same way as the first page, and stores the table 5301. In step (5114), the image processing management unit 4110-5 is notified to the image memory management unit 4110-5 using the table 5301 in step (5114).

  The image memory management unit 4110-5 compares the table with the first page, and determines that the distribution of the image memory is not changed because the contents of the table are the same here. Subsequently, when the image processing determination unit 4110-1 notifies the image processing execution unit 4110-3 of the second page of the start of the image processing of the second page in step (5115), the image processing execution unit 4110- of the second page 3 requests the image memory management unit 4110-5 to acquire the HDD read memory in step (5116).

  The image memory management unit 4110-5 checks the surface management table FMT of the HDD reading memory, and here, the HDD reading memory is used as an input image for the rotation processing of the image processing execution unit 4110-2 for the first page. Therefore, since “1” is entered in the executing flag of the surface management table FMT, the request is not notified in step (5116), and the request is queued in the acquisition waiting queue in the image memory management unit 4110-5.

  When the rotation processing of the image processing execution unit 4110-1 for the first page is completed in step (5118), the image processing execution unit 4110-1 for the first page releases the memory for reading the HDD in step (5119). Is notified to the image memory management unit 4110-5.

  Subsequently, in step (5120), printing is started using the rotated image data stored in the rotation memory as an input image. The image memory management unit 4110-5 sets the in-execution flag of the HDD read memory to “0” in response to the HDD read memory release notification in step (5119).

  Here, the image memory management unit 4110-5 checks the acquisition waiting queue, and in response to the HDD reading memory acquisition request of the image processing execution unit 4110-3 for the second page queued in the acquisition waiting queue, Notify the memory address.

  In response to this notification, the image processing execution unit 4110-3 for the second page starts HDD reading at step (5121), and when HDD reading ends at step (5125), the rotation memory is read at step (5126). Is requested to the image memory management unit 4110-5.

  As in the case of the HDD read memory described above, the image memory management unit 4110-5 uses this image as the input image for the print processing for the first page because the image on the rotation memory is used. To queue.

  When the printing of the first page is completed in step (5128), the image processing execution unit 4110-2 for the first page releases the rotation memory to the image memory management unit 4110-5 in step (5129). The image memory management unit 4110-5 notifies the image processing execution unit 4110-1 of the address of the rotation memory, and the image processing execution unit 4110-3 for the second page starts the rotation process in step (5131). To do.

  Here, when the sync manager 4080 notifies the image manager 4110 of the start of processing of the second page, the image processing determination unit 4110-1 determines an image path in the same way as the first page and the second page.

  Here, since the color space of the image data stored on the HDD is different from the first page and the second page, the determined image processing contents are as shown in a table 5202.

  In step (5133), when the contents of the table 5202 are notified from the image processing determination unit 4110-1 to the image memory management unit 4110-5, the image memory management unit 4110-5 compares the table 5202 and the table 5201. However, since the processing contents are different, it is determined that the distribution of the image memory needs to be changed.

  In step (5134), the start of image processing for the third page is notified to the image processing execution unit 4110-4 for the third page, and the image processing execution unit 4110-4 for the third page accordingly responds to the HDD reading memory. Is acquired in step (5136), but the image memory management unit 4110-5 determines that it is necessary to change the distribution of the image memory in the processing of the third page. Instead of responding to the memory acquisition request, it queues to the acquisition queue.

  In step (5138) to step (5145), the image processing execution unit 4110-3 for the second page executes rotation and printing in the same manner as the processing for the first page described above, and in step (5145), the memory for rotation. Release is notified to the image memory management unit 4110-5.

  The image memory management unit 4110-5 waits for the notification of releasing the memory for rotation of the second page, determines that the processing of the second page is completed, determines the allocation of the image memory in step (5146), and reads the HDD. , Color space conversion memory, and rotation memory are secured.

  In step (5147), in response to the HDD read memory request for the third page in the acquisition waiting queue, the address of the HDD read memory is notified to the image processing execution unit 4110-4 for the third page. Thereafter, from step (5148) to step (5172), the image processing execution unit 4110-4 and the image memory management unit 4110-5 of the third page execute the processing of the third page. Description is omitted for the same processing as.

  Here, whether or not to change the distribution of the image memory is determined depending on whether or not the image processing of the previous page and the image processing of the next page are the same, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when the image processing executed on the previous page (execution of image processing for converting a multi-valued image into a binary image) and the next page (execution of image processing for converting a color image into black and white) are different, If it is not necessary to change the distribution of the image memory, the change of the distribution of the image memory may not be performed.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the image input / output device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the image input / output device according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIG. 16 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

  In the above embodiment, the case where an image input / output device that processes image data in units of packets has been described as an example. However, the present invention is also applied to an image input / output device that transfers image data using another transfer processing method. It is possible.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus system to which an image input / output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure explaining the structure of the image data in the image input / output device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the packet data shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of printer image processing illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the image input / output device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of an operation unit illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the LCD display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the LCD display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the LCD display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the LCD display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the LCD display part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the module structure of the image input / output device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the management method of the image memory in the image input / output device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing sequence in the image input / output device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the page management table in the image input / output device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image management table in the image input / output device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the image input / output device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

4110-1 Image processing determination unit 4110-2 to 4110-4 Image processing execution unit 4110-5 Image memory management unit

Claims (12)

An image input / output apparatus comprising an image input device and an image output device and capable of executing a composite function process including a copy function, a print function, a facsimile communication function, and a scan function,
Image memory,
Determining means for determining image processing for each page;
Image processing execution means for causing image data for each page to execute image processing determined by the determination means;
Determination means for determining, for each page, a change state of the content of the image processing determined by the determination means;
Memory management means for changing the allocation of the image memory for executing the image processing determined by the determination means based on the determination result by the determination means;
When the determination unit determines that the image processing content of the preceding page and the content of the image processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page are the same, the memory management unit reserves the image processing for the preceding page. An image input / output apparatus characterized by allocating image memory allocation to image processing of a page subsequent to a preceding page.   The memory management unit, when the determination unit determines that the image processing content of the preceding page and the content of the image processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page are different, the image memory secured for the image processing for the preceding page The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the assignment of the image is changed.   The memory management unit changes the allocation of the image memory after a series of processes of the previous page is completed when the image processing contents of the preceding page and the image processing of the page following the preceding page are different. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing of the next page is executed by a corresponding image processing execution unit.   When the contents of the image processing of the preceding page and the image processing of the page following the preceding page are the same, the memory management means handles the processing of the next page before the series of processing of the previous page is completed. The image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the image input / output device is executed by an image processing execution unit. A memory management method in an image input / output device comprising an image input device and an image output device and capable of performing a composite function process including a copy function, a print function, a facsimile communication function, and a scan function,
A decision step for determining image processing for each page;
An image processing execution step for causing the image data for each page to execute the image processing determined in the determination step;
A determination step of determining, for each page, a change state of the content of the image processing determined by the determination step;
A memory management step for dynamically changing the allocation of the image memory for executing the image processing determined in the determination step to the image data associated with each function processing to be acquired from the memory resource based on the determination result in the determination step When,
A memory management method.   In the memory management step, when the determination step determines that the content of the function processing is the same between the pages, the allocation of the image memory reserved for the image processing for the preceding page is not changed. The memory management method according to claim 5.   The memory management step changes the allocation of an image memory reserved for image processing for a preceding page when the determination step determines that the contents of functional processing differ between pages. Item 6. The memory management method according to Item 5.   In the memory management step, when the series of processes of the previous page and the next page are different, the allocation of the image memory is changed after the series of processes of the previous page is completed, and the next page 6. The memory management method according to claim 5, wherein an instruction is executed to cause the corresponding image processing execution step to execute the above processing.   The program which implement | achieves the memory management method in any one of Claims 5-8. Image memory,
A determining means for determining a series of image processing for each page;
Image processing execution means for causing image data for each page to execute image processing determined by the determination means;
Determination means for determining, for each page, whether or not image memory allocation needs to be changed based on the content of the image processing determined by the determination means;
Memory management means for changing the allocation of the image memory for executing the image processing determined by the determination means from the memory resource based on the determination result by the determination means;
When the memory management unit determines that it is not necessary to change the allocation of the image memory in order to execute the processing of the preceding page and the processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page, the image for the preceding page is determined. An image forming apparatus for executing processing subsequent to a preceding page before ending a series of image processing of the preceding page without changing an allocation of an image memory secured for processing.   In the case where the memory management unit determines that the image memory allocation needs to be changed in order to execute the processing of the preceding page and the processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page, the memory management unit determines the image for the preceding page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the allocation of an image memory secured for processing is changed.   When the determination unit determines that the image memory allocation needs to be changed in order to execute the processing of the preceding page and the processing of the page subsequent to the preceding page, the memory management unit 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein after the processing is completed, the image memory allocation is changed, and an instruction is issued to cause the corresponding image processing execution means to execute the processing of the next page.

Images