JP5392039B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique of an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on image data.

  Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus including a plurality of control units (see Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus includes a main control unit that controls each unit such as a printing unit, and a sub control unit that controls an interface with an external device. During the power saving mode, the main control unit is stopped and only the sub control unit operates. It has a configuration to let you. This can further reduce power consumption in the power saving mode.

JP-A-8-101609

  However, in the above-described conventional image processing apparatus, effective functions are fixed in advance according to the operation modes of a plurality of operating control units, and the convenience is poor and further improvement is desired.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of improving convenience in a configuration including a plurality of control units.

  In order to achieve this object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of executing a function involving image processing on image data, and a receiving unit that receives an execution instruction for executing the function; A storage unit having a free area in which the image data can be written; a detection unit for detecting a size of the free area in the storage unit; and image processing the image data according to an execution instruction received by the reception unit, A plurality of control units that control execution of a function on the image data after the image data is written in the storage unit area, and the plurality of control units switch images by switching an activation state of at least one control unit. The function can be executed in a plurality of types of control modes having different processing capabilities, and the function is determined according to the size of the free area detected by the detection unit. Select one control mode from among several control modes for controlling the execution of said function.

  If the said structure is employ | adopted, since it is possible to select a control form according to the vacant area of a memory | storage part, it becomes possible to use the vacant area of a memory | storage part with an appropriate control form. Therefore, since it is possible to execute a function for image data even in a plurality of control forms, convenience can be improved with a configuration including a plurality of control units.

  Further, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a time for writing the image data based on a time for performing the image processing on the image data based on the control mode and a time for writing the image data based on an empty area of the storage unit. A time determination unit that determines whether or not the image data is shorter than an image processing time, and the plurality of control units may control the execution of the function by selecting a control mode in which the time determination unit makes an affirmative determination good.

Since the time for image processing of image data varies depending on the control mode, if the above configuration is adopted, the function execution time can be shortened as much as possible if the image processing time is shorter than the writing time.

  Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the plurality of control units may control the execution of the function by selecting the control mode with the lowest power consumption from among the control modes in which the time determination unit makes an affirmative determination. good.

  If the above configuration is adopted, the function is executed in the control mode with the lowest power consumption among the control modes, and thus the function can be executed while suppressing the power consumption.

  Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, whether or not the type of the image data written in the storage unit is standby data for executing a function in response to at least one of a user instruction and a set execution time. The data determination unit for determining the size of the empty area by reducing the empty area by the data amount of the standby data according to the fact that the image data written in the storage unit is the standby data. It may be detected.

  If the image data written in the storage unit is standby data, the standby data may not be deleted for a long time and the free space may remain unchanged even after being written to the storage unit. It is necessary to detect that the free space has decreased. Therefore, if the above configuration is adopted, an appropriate control form is selected in an appropriate situation.

  Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the detection unit reduces the free space by the amount of standby data when the execution time of the standby data written in the storage unit is within a specified time. Alternatively, the size of the free area may be detected.

  If the above configuration is adopted, even if the data is standby data, it is less necessary to reduce the free area if the image data is to be executed after a specified time, so that the free area can be detected appropriately.

  Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of control units may select one control form from among the plurality of types of control forms when the function is not executed.

  When the accepting unit accepts the execution instruction, the free space in the storage unit changes every moment in order for the plurality of control units to execute the function. Therefore, if the above configuration is adopted, it is possible to appropriately select the control mode in a period in which the execution instruction is not received and the change in the free area of the storage unit is small.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of improving convenience in a configuration including a plurality of control units.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming system. FIG. 2 is a time chart of image processing and writing processing. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation mode selection process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation mode selection process according to the second embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image processing system 1. The image processing system 1 includes a terminal device 10 (for example, a personal computer) and a printer 30 (an example of an image processing device).

(1) Terminal Device The terminal device 10 is connected to a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, HDD (hard disk drive) 14, an operation unit 15 having a keyboard and a pointing device, a display unit 16 having a liquid crystal display, and a communication line 20. A network interface 17 and the like are provided. The HDD 14 stores various programs such as an OS, application software capable of creating image data for printing, and a printer driver for controlling the printer 30. The CPU 11 performs processing according to the program read from the ROM 12. The operation of the terminal device 10 is controlled while the result is stored in the RAM 13.

(2) Printer The printer 30 is a multi-function machine that can execute a plurality of functions such as a print function, a copy function, and a scanner function, for example, and includes a first CPU 31A and a second CPU 31B (a plurality of control units, detection units, time determination units, and data determinations). Unit), a ROM 32, and a RAM 33 (an example of a storage unit).

  Various programs and the like for controlling the operation of the printer 30 are recorded in the ROM 32, and the CPUs 31A and 31B operate the printer 30 while storing the processing results in the RAM 33 according to the program read from the ROM 32. Control.

  The first CPU 31A has higher performance and consumes more power than the second CPU 31B. Specifically, the operating frequency (for example, 400 [MHz]) of the first CPU 31A is higher than the operating frequency (for example, 100 [MHz]) of the second CPU 31B. Therefore, the first CPU 31A can process at a higher speed than the second CPU 31B.

  The printer 30 further includes a network interface 21 (an example of a reception unit), an NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 34, and an operation unit 35 (an example of a reception unit), and further includes a scanner unit 36, a facsimile unit 37, Various devices such as an image processing unit 38 and a printing unit 39 are provided.

  The network interface 21 is connected to an external device such as the terminal device 10 via the communication line 20 and can perform data communication with each other. The operation unit 35 has a plurality of buttons, and various input operations such as an instruction to execute each function can be performed by the user. Furthermore, the operation unit 35 includes a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display), a lamp, and the like, and can display various setting screens, operation states, and the like.

  The scanner unit 36 reads an image of a document (not shown) and generates image data as read data. The facsimile unit 37 transmits / receives image data as facsimile data to / from an external facsimile apparatus (not shown).

The image processing unit 38 performs image processing (for example, processing for conversion into data that can be printed), for various image data such as read data from the scanner unit 36 and print data received by the network interface 21. As specific examples of image processing, processing for converting print data received from the terminal device 10 into bitmap data that can be printed by the printing unit 39, or reading data read by the scanner unit 36 is externally performed by the facsimile unit 37. There is a process for converting the data into facsimile data that can be transmitted to the facsimile apparatus. The printing unit 39 prints an image based on the image data on a sheet (for example, paper, an OHP sheet) by, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

2. Operation Mode The two CPUs 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B can control the printer 30 in two operation modes of “high speed processing mode” and “power saving mode” having different control capabilities and execute functions.

  The “high-speed processing mode” is an operation mode in which only the first CPU 31A is in an activated state and the second CPU 31B is in a sleep state. “Activation state” refers to a state in which the device can be controlled. “Sleep state” refers to, for example, inability to access the NVRAM 34, and a signal (for example, activation interrupt signal) from the activated CPU or the external device 10. The state that can only be detected.

  The “power saving mode” is an operation mode in which only the second CPU 31B is in the activated state and the first CPU 31A is in the sleep state.

  These two operation modes can execute all the functions described above in the respective control modes.

  As described above, since the first CPU 31A is a CPU having a higher operating frequency and higher power consumption than the second CPU 31B, the “high speed processing mode” is faster and consumes each processing speed than the “power saving mode”. This is an operation mode in which power is increased.

3. Overview of Each Function The above-described devices perform the following functions independently or in cooperation.

  The “print function” is a function in which the network interface 21 receives print data from the terminal device 10 and the printing unit 39 prints an image to be printed on a sheet. In this function, after receiving print data, the image processing unit 38 converts the print data into bitmap data that can be printed by the printing unit 39 (an example of image processing), and stores the bitmap data in the RAM 33. (Write). Thereafter, the printing unit 39 prints the bitmap data in the RAM 33.

  The “copy function” is a function in which the operation unit 35 receives a copy instruction from the user, the scanner unit 36 generates document read data, and the printing unit 39 prints the read image on a sheet. In this function, after generating read data, the image processing unit 38 converts the read data into bitmap data that can be printed by the printing unit 39 (an example of image processing), and stores the bitmap data in the RAM 33. (Write). Thereafter, the printing unit 39 prints the bitmap data in the RAM 33.

  In the “scan function”, the operation unit 35 receives a scan instruction from the user, and the scanner unit 36 generates document read data and stores it in the RAM 33.

In the “facsimile transmission function”, the operation unit 35 receives a facsimile transmission instruction from the user, and the facsimile unit 37 transmits, for example, read data generated by the scan function to the external facsimile apparatus as facsimile data. In this function, when a facsimile transmission instruction is accepted, the image processing unit 38 converts the read data generated by the scan function into facsimile data that can be transmitted by the facsimile unit 37 (an example of image processing), and the facsimile data is stored in the RAM 33. Remember (write). Thereafter, the factory data 37 transmits the factory data in the RAM 33.

  The “facsimile reception function” stores the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 37 in the RAM 33.

  In the “facrimiri printing function”, the operation unit 35 receives a facsimile printing instruction from the user, and the printing unit 39 prints an image based on the facsimile data received by the above-mentioned facsimile reception function on a sheet. In this function, the facsimile data received by the facsimile reception function and stored in the RAM 33 is converted into bitmap data printable by the printing unit 39 by the image processing unit 38 (an example of image processing). Bitmap data is stored (written) in the RAM 33. Thereafter, the printing unit 39 prints the bitmap data in the RAM 33.

  The read data stored in the RAM 33 after execution of the scan function is converted into JPG data by the image processing unit 38 in accordance with, for example, a scan data import instruction from the terminal device 10 (an example of image processing). It is also possible to store (write) JPG data in the RAM 33 and transmit it to the terminal device 10.

  The print function and facsimile transmission function have a reservation function, and printing or facsimile transmission is possible at an execution time designated by the user. This execution time can be specified by a reservation registration instruction by the user using the operation unit 15 of the terminal device 10 or the operation unit 35 of the printer 30.

  The image data to be executed by the reservation function is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 38 in response to a reservation registration instruction by the operation units 15 and 35, and the RAM 33 as bitmap data or factory data. And waits until the execution time is reached.

  The target image data for which the user has instructed execution in order to execute the above functions is referred to as a job. Further, a job that executes the above-described reservation function is referred to as a reservation job (an example of standby data), and a job that executes a function immediately after an execution instruction is referred to as a normal job.

4). Overview of Image Processing and RAM Image data (bitmap data, facsimile data, etc.) after image processing is executed by the image processing unit 38 as described above is written (stored) in the RAM 33. At this time, it is possible to store image data having a data amount based on an empty area of the RAM 33. For example, when the free area of the RAM 33 is large, a large amount of image data can be stored. Conversely, when the free area of the RAM 33 is small, only a small amount of image data can be stored.

  Accordingly, the unit data amount for image processing of image data is determined according to the free area of the RAM 33, and image processing is performed by dividing one image data according to the free area. At this time, the entire free area of the RAM 33 does not match the unit data amount.

  Further, since the speed per unit data amount in the writing process for writing (storing) image data in the RAM 33 depends on the performance (spec) of the RAM 33, even when the operation mode is changed when the image data is written in the same RAM 33. The write processing time does not change (even if the operating frequency of the CPU changes).

Furthermore, in the present invention, the write processing time to the RAM 33 greatly depends on the performance of the RAM 33 rather than the influence on the amount of data to be written. Therefore, even if the unit data amount changes, the write processing time to the RAM 33 hardly changes. As described above, the following will be described on the premise that the write processing time to the RAM 33 is constant even when the operation mode and the unit data amount change.

  On the other hand, in the image processing by the image processing unit 38, the image processing speed per unit data varies depending on the operating frequency of the CPU. Therefore, when the operation frequency differs according to the operation mode as in the present embodiment (when the operation frequency differs according to each of the CPUs 31A and 31B), the image processing time varies depending on the operation mode for controlling the image processing unit 38. Specifically, the image processing time in the high-speed mode can be processed in a shorter time than the image processing time in the power saving mode.

  FIG. 2 shows the relationship between image processing and writing processing based on the above-described operation mode. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis is taken as the time axis, and the time has passed in the right direction in the drawing. Further, for example, an area indicated by “A-1” or the like means “first data obtained by dividing image data called data A”. Note that the data amount of the divided data is constituted by the data amount of the unit data amount described above.

  In the process shown in FIG. 2A, image data called data A is divided into three data and image processing or writing processing is executed. Similarly, in the process shown in FIG. 2B, image data called data A is similarly divided into four data, and each process is executed. Furthermore, as described above, the high-speed mode performs image processing in a shorter time than the power saving mode.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when processing image data, image processing is continuously executed for each unit data, and writing processing is executed in response to completion of image processing for one unit data. The Although the image processing is executed continuously, the writing processing is executed in response to the completion of the image processing on the unit data. For example, like the writing processing in the power saving mode in FIG. The writing process from “A-1” to “A-2” and “A-3” may stand by.

  First, referring to FIG. 2A, image processing and writing processing will be described in the high speed mode and the power saving mode when the free area of the RAM 33 is large. In this case, since the free area of the RAM 33 is large, the unit data amount for image processing is large. Therefore, the image data of data A is divided into three and processed.

  When image processing and writing processing are executed in the high-speed mode when the free area is large, the writing processing time is longer than the image processing time per unit data amount. That is, since the image processing speed is higher than the writing processing speed, the writing process can be executed continuously. On the other hand, when image processing and writing processing are executed in the power saving mode, the writing processing time is shorter than the image processing time per unit data. That is, since the image processing speed is slower than the writing processing speed, the writing process cannot be executed continuously, and a waiting time is required for executing the writing process of each unit data. Therefore, the total processing time of image processing and writing processing is shorter when executed in the high-speed mode.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2B, image processing and writing processing will be described in the high speed mode and the power saving mode when the free area of the RAM 33 is small. In this case, since the free area of the RAM 33 is small, the unit data amount for image processing is small. Therefore, the image data of data A is divided into four and processed.

  In this example, when the free space is small, the writing process time is longer than the image processing time in any of the operation modes. That is, since the image processing speed is faster than the writing processing speed, the writing process can be executed continuously. Therefore, the total processing time of the image processing and the writing process is the same regardless of the operation mode. It is the same time.

  As described above, since the relationship between the length of the image processing time and the writing processing time in each mode changes according to the free space in the RAM 33, a suitable operation of the printer 30 is realized by appropriately selecting the operation mode. Is possible.

5. Operation Mode Selection Process The operation mode selection process of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a reception process executed by any one of the CPUs 31A and 31B in the activated state based on the operation mode of the printer 30. For example, the processing is periodically executed after the printer 30 is activated.

  In the operation mode selection process, whether the print data transmitted from the terminal device 10 in S101 has been received by the network interface 21 or read by the scanner unit 36 as a result of an execution instruction from the operation unit 35 by the user. It is determined whether or not a job has been received, such as whether or not a job such as data has been received. This job may be a normal job or a reserved job. If it is determined that the message has not been received (S101: NO), the operation mode selection process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that it has been received (S101: YES), it is determined in S102 whether or not any of the functions described above such as the print function and the copy function is being executed by the printer 30. Here, when it is determined that the function is being executed (S102: YES), the determination of S102 is continued until the execution of the function is completed, and when it is determined that the function is not being executed or the execution of the function is completed ( (S102: NO), the free area of the RAM 33 is calculated in S103. Since the unit data amount is determined by the calculation of the free area, the image processing time used for the following processing can also be calculated.

  After that, in S104, it is determined whether or not the write processing time for writing to the RAM 33 is longer than the image processing time for image processing of the unit data amount in the power saving mode. Here, when it is determined that it is long (S104: YES), the power saving mode is selected as the operation mode in S105, and the operation mode is switched. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is long (S104: NO), the high-speed mode is selected as the operation mode in S106, and the operation mode is switched.

  When the operation mode is switched due to the completion of the process of S105 or S106, the execution of the function corresponding to the job received in S101 is started in S107, and the operation mode selection process is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, an empty area of the RAM 33 is detected at the timing of receiving a job (S103), an operation mode based on the empty area is selected and switched to the operation mode (S105 or S106), and received. The function for the completed job is executed (S107).

  The process of S103 executed by the first or second CPU 31A, 31B corresponds to the detection unit of the present invention, and the determination of S104 corresponds to the time determination unit of the present invention.

6). Advantages of the present embodiment According to the present embodiment, the operation mode is selected by comparing the image processing time of the unit data amount based on the size of the empty area of the RAM 33 and the writing processing time to the RAM 33. Since the image processing and the writing processing can be processed in a comprehensive manner, the time for executing the function can be shortened as a result.

In S104, the image processing time and the writing processing time in the power saving mode are compared. As described above, the image processing time in the power saving mode takes longer than the image processing time in the high speed mode, and thus the writing processing time seems to be longer than the image processing time in the power saving mode. If so, the writing processing time is always longer than the image processing time even in the high-speed mode.

  By executing the processing of S104 under such circumstances, for example, the writing processing time seems to be longer than the image processing time in either the high-speed mode or the power saving mode. For example (for example, the state of FIG. 2B), the power saving mode is preferentially selected. At this time, since the power saving mode has a lower power consumption than the high speed mode, the printer 30 can be operated in an operation mode with a lower power consumption when the total processing time is the same.

  Further, the timing for calculating the free area of the RAM 33 in S103 is after it is determined that the function is not executed in S102. Accordingly, since the free area of the RAM 33 can be calculated at a timing at which the free area of the RAM 33 does not change every time the function is executed, the free area of the RAM 33 can be calculated without much change. .

<Embodiment 2>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The difference of the second embodiment from the first embodiment is the timing for selecting the operation mode. Therefore, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given and the redundant description is omitted, and only different points will be described next.

7). Operation Mode Selection Process FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reception process executed by any one of the CPUs 31A and 31B in the activated state based on the operation mode of the printer 30. For example, the processing is periodically executed after the printer 30 is activated.

  In the operation mode selection process of the present embodiment, unlike the operation mode selection process of the first embodiment, this operation mode selection process operates only for a reserved job. That is, when the received job is a normal job, the operation mode selection process does not operate. For example, when a normal job is received, the execution of the function is started immediately as in S107 of FIG. Therefore, only the reserved job is the subject of the following description.

  In the operation mode selection process according to the present embodiment, whether or not the reservation job transmitted from the terminal device 10 in S201 has been received by the network interface 21 or the execution instruction is given from the operation unit 35 by the user to the scanner unit 36. It is determined whether or not a reservation job has been received, such as whether or not a reservation job such as read data read is received.

  If it is determined that it has been received (S201: YES), the reserved job is image-processed in the operation mode currently operating in S202, and the RAM 33 is written. On the other hand, if it is determined in S201 that no reservation job has been received (S201: NO), it is determined in S203 whether or not it is the execution timing of the reservation job. If it is determined that it is not the execution timing (S203: NO), the operation mode selection process ends. However, if it is determined that it is the execution timing (S203: YES), the execution of the function is started for the target reserved job in the same manner as S107 in FIG. 3 in the operation mode selection process of the first embodiment.

Next, when the processing of S202 or S107 is completed, it is determined whether the function is being executed as in S102 of FIG. 3 in the operation mode selection processing of the first embodiment, and is not being executed or the execution of the function has been completed. If it is determined (S102: NO), it is determined in S204 whether or not the reserved job in the RAM 33 is executed within the specified time. If it is determined that the job is executed within the specified time (S204: YES), the data amount of the target reserved job in S205,
Virtually free up space to increase free space.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S204 that the reserved job in the RAM 33 is not executed within the specified time (S204: NO), or when the process of S205 is completed, the process starts from S103 of FIG. 3 in the operation mode selection process of the first embodiment. Similar to S106, the execution of the function is started. Further, when the selection of the operation mode and the switching of the operation mode are finished in S105 or S106, the operation mode selection process is finished.

  By processing the operation mode selection process as described above, when the reserved job is received, the reserved job is written in the RAM 33, and therefore the free area of the RAM 33 becomes small, or when the reserved job is executed, the RAM 33 becomes free. It is possible to switch the operation mode at the timing when the area becomes large. Therefore, it is possible to select and switch the operation mode for the operation related to the reserved job at the timing when the free area of the RAM 33 changes greatly.

  The process of S103 executed by the first or second CPU 31A, 31B corresponds to the detection unit of the present invention, and the determination of S104 corresponds to the time determination unit of the present invention.

8). Advantages of the present embodiment According to the present embodiment, the operation mode is selected by comparing the image processing time of the unit data amount based on the size of the empty area of the RAM 33 and the writing processing time to the RAM 33. Since the image processing and the writing processing can be processed in a comprehensive manner, the time for executing the function can be shortened as a result.

  In S104, the image processing time and the writing processing time in the power saving mode are compared. As described above, the image processing time in the power saving mode takes longer than the image processing time in the high speed mode, and thus the writing processing time seems to be longer than the image processing time in the power saving mode. If so, the writing processing time is always longer than the image processing time even in the high-speed mode.

  By executing the processing of S104 under such circumstances, for example, the writing processing time seems to be longer than the image processing time in either the high-speed mode or the power saving mode. For example, the power saving mode is preferentially selected. At this time, since the power saving mode has a lower power consumption than the high speed mode, the printer 30 can be operated in an operation mode with a lower power consumption when the total processing time is the same.

  Further, the timing for calculating the free area of the RAM 33 in S103 is after it is determined that the function is not executed in S102. Accordingly, since the free area of the RAM 33 can be calculated at a timing at which the free area of the RAM 33 does not change every time the function is executed, the free area of the RAM 33 can be calculated without much change. .

  Further, when the reserved job in the RAM 33 is executed within the specified time in S204, it is highly likely that the reserved job will immediately execute the function and delete the job from the RAM 33. Therefore, it is possible to select and switch an appropriate operation mode in advance by determining a reserved job whose function is to be executed immediately and freeing the RAM 33 for the data amount.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and the drawings, and for example, the following various aspects are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the printer 30 that is a multifunction peripheral is taken as an example, but the “image processing apparatus” of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer that does not have a scanner function or a facsimile function, a facsimile apparatus alone, or an image reading apparatus alone may be used. In short, any image processing apparatus capable of executing a function for image data may be used.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the print function, the copy function, the scan function, the facsimile transmission function, and the like have been exemplified. However, the functions of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, an image storage function for storing image data in the NVRAM 34, a specific image extraction function for extracting a specific image from scan data, a mail function, and facsimile data based on the received image data received from the terminal device 10 A PC fax function or the like that transmits to an external facsimile machine may be used.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the printer 30 including the two CPUs 31A and 31B has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be an image processing apparatus including three or more CPUs.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the performance of the CPUs 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B that are activated in the respective control modes is made different as a method for making the two control modes different, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a method of changing the number of CPUs to be activated may be used. When a plurality of CPUs are in an activated state, the plurality of CPUs cooperate to control a device and execute a function. As a form of cooperation, for example, there is a form in which a plurality of CPUs share and control a common device (for example, the image processing unit 38). In the case where one function is executed by a plurality of devices, each CPU controls an individual device (for example, the image processing unit 38 and the printing unit 39). Further, a method may be used in which different CPUs have different performances, and in each control mode, different CPUs are activated.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the image processing time in the power saving mode and the writing processing time are compared with the image data in the operation mode selection processing (S104 in FIGS. 3 and 4), but simply The operation mode may be selected and switched by detecting the size of the free area of the RAM 33 and comparing it with the size of the specified free area.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the unit data amount is determined according to the size of the empty area of the RAM 33, but the unit data amount may be a predetermined constant value. In this case, since the free capacity of the RAM 33 becomes smaller than the unit data amount, the unit data amount exceptionally becomes the data amount equivalent to the free area.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the first CPU 31A has high performance and high power consumption, and the second CPU 31B has low performance and low power consumption. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the first CPU 31A may have high performance and low power consumption, and the second CPU 31B may have low performance and high power consumption. In this case, the CPU that is preferentially selected in the operation mode selection process is the first CPU 31 that consumes less power.

  (8) In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the reservation job in the RAM 33 is executed within the specified time (S204 in FIG. 4) at the timing when the reservation job is received and when the reservation job is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the above determination may be performed by periodically detecting a reserved job in the RAM 33.

1 Image Processing System 10 Terminal Device 11 CPU
15 Operation Unit 20 Communication Line 21 Network Interface 30 Printer 31A First CPU
31B 2nd CPU
33 RAM
35 Operation section 36 Scanner section 37 Facsimile section 38 Image processing section 39 Printing section

Claims (7)

An image processing apparatus capable of executing a function involving image processing on image data,
A reception unit that receives an execution instruction for executing the function;
A storage unit having a free area in which the image data can be written;
A detection unit for detecting a size of an empty area of the storage unit;
In accordance with an execution instruction received by the receiving unit, a plurality of control units that control execution of functions, including image processing on the image data and writing of the image data to the storage unit area;
With
The plurality of control units are:
Including a first controller and a second controller having a lower performance than the first controller;
Be capable of executing the functions of at least one plurality of types of image processing capabilities are different from each other by switching the activation state of the control unit of the control mode, when the free space where the detecting portion has detected is larger than the free area of the provision When the first control mode for activating the first control unit is selected from the plurality of types of control modes, and the free area detected by the detection unit is smaller than a prescribed free area, the multiple types of control modes are selected. An image processing apparatus that selects a second control mode for activating the second control unit from among them and controls execution of the function. Whether the time for writing the image data is longer than the time for image processing of the image data from the time for image processing of the image data based on the control mode and the time for writing image data based on the free area of the storage unit A time determination unit for determining whether or not
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of control units select a control form in which the time determination unit makes an affirmative determination and control execution of the function.   3. The image according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of control units control execution of the function by selecting a control mode having the lowest power consumption from among control modes in which the time determination unit makes an affirmative determination. Processing equipment. A data determination unit that determines whether or not the type of image data written in the storage unit is standby data for executing a function in response to at least one of a user instruction and a set execution time;
The detection unit detects the size of the free area by reducing the free area by the data amount of the standby data in response to the image data written in the storage unit being standby data. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The detection unit detects the size of the free area without reducing the free area by the data amount of the standby data when the execution time of the standby data written in the storage unit is within a specified time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4.   6. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of control units select one control form from the plurality of types of control forms when the function is not executed. An image processing apparatus according to 1. An image processing apparatus capable of executing a function involving image processing on image data,
A reception unit that receives an execution instruction for executing the function;
A storage unit having a free area in which the image data can be written;
A detection unit for detecting a size of an empty area of the storage unit;
A plurality of control units for controlling execution of functions including image processing on the image data and writing of the image data in the storage unit area in accordance with an execution instruction received by the receiving unit; The plurality of control units capable of executing the function in a plurality of types of control forms having different image processing capabilities by switching an activation state of at least one control unit; and
The time for writing the image data from the time for performing image processing on the image data based on the control mode and the time for writing image data based on the free area of the storage unit detected by the detection unit. A time determination unit for determining whether the time is longer than the processing time;
With
The image processing apparatus, wherein the plurality of control units select one control mode in which the time determination unit makes an affirmative determination from the plurality of types of control modes, and control execution of the function.