JPH05300338A - MFP - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save a required memory capacity and to attain high speed processing in the processing of picture data read by a scanner section in the compound machine such as a digital copying machine. CONSTITUTION:The machine is provided with a gate A32 used to send directly SDATA 41 read by a read head 31 to a printer section, a gate B33 used to send the data to a controller board, a gate C34 for WDATA 43 sent from a controller to the printer section, and a gate D35 sending IPUDATA 45 after passing through a picture processing section 36 to the controller board, controls the switching of each of the gates A-D in response to the various operation modes to select a transmission path of picture data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multifunction machine such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner, a digital copy machine and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a multi-functional peripheral which is used for digital copying, image data read from a scanner unit is once volatile random access memory (hereinafter referred to as VR).
It was expanded to (AM), and after that, the data was processed as needed and sent to the printer unit or FAX.

[0003]

However, in the conventional method described above, when only binary data (white / black data) is handled, the amount of VRAM is about 2 Mbytes for one page, and the amount of data transfer is small. The route was simple, so it was effective. However, when dealing with multi-valued data (gray scale) as a recent technology, a huge amount of VRAM of about 16 Mbytes is required as 8-bit multi-valued data, and the next processing is performed after the data is once expanded on the VRAM. There was a problem that it took time to do. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the required memory amount and to realize a multi-function machine capable of high-speed processing.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printer unit with an image processing unit, and a multi-valued data is read by a scanner unit in a copy mode (grayscale copy). Multi-valued data is VRAM
It is sent directly to the printer section without going through the printer and printed out via the image processing section. Also, when you need to make multiple copies of an image that has been read once,
The multi-valued data read by the scanner unit is converted into binary data through the image processing unit, and then expanded into the VRAM on the controller board and printed out. In the scanner mode, it is possible to select whether to transfer the read data to the controller board as it is or to transfer it to the controller board after passing through the image processing unit. In the FAX transmission mode, the read data is converted into binary data via the image processing unit and then transferred to the controller board. In the printer mode, the print data (WDAT) sent from the controller board to the printer unit
It is possible to select whether to handle A _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ) as binary data or multi-valued data. By controlling so as to optimize the data transfer path of the image data in each mode in this way, the VRAM capacity is reduced.
(When it is necessary to write one page into the VRAM, it is written into the VRAM after converting from multiple values to two values) and the processing speed of the device is improved.

[0005]

Therefore, according to the present invention, the transfer route of the image data is optimized, and the image data is converted from multi-valued data to binary data as needed, so that the processing speed of the apparatus is improved and the required memory capacity is increased. Can be reduced.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an outline of the structure of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image forming unit (printer unit) 1 includes a paper feed cassette 11, a paper end sensor 12, a registration sensor 13, a registration roller 14, a photoconductor 15, a fixing device 16, a paper ejection sensor 17, and a paper ejection. Composed of tray 18. Reference numeral 2 denotes an image reading unit (scanner unit), which is a document set tray (also a paper feed tray) 21,
It is composed of a document set sensor (also a paper end sensor) 22, a feed roller 23, a head front sensor 24, a reading head 25, a conveyance switching claw 26, a document discharge sensor 27 and a document discharge tray 28. The broken line indicates the paper transport path. Next, the operation of FIG. 1 will be described. In the printer mode, the paper is conveyed from the paper feed tray 21, is conveyed by the conveyance switching claw 26 to the image forming unit 1 below in the drawing, and is stopped by the registration roller 14. The registration roller 14 is rotated in synchronism with the latent image formed by optical writing, and a well-known electrophotographic process is executed to discharge the sheet to the sheet discharge tray 18. Even when the paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 11, the operation after the registration roller 14 is the same. In the scanner mode, the original conveyed from the original set tray 21 passes through the head front sensor 24 and the image is read by the reading head 25 after a predetermined time. Is conveyed, and is discharged to the document discharge tray 28 via the document discharge sensor 27.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed block configuration of an engine board (printer section) in an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 31 is a read head, 32 is a gate A, 33 is a gate B, 34 is a gate C, 35 is a gate D,
36 is an image processing unit, 37 is edge enhancement technology (EET), 38 is a control unit IC (ASIC), 39 is a multi-tone LD driver, 40 is a multiplexer, 41 is data received from the read head 31 (SDATA).
₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ ), 42 is the transfer data to the controller board (SVDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ ), 4
3 is write data (WDATA _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ), 44
Is the data before image processing (FIDAT
A ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ ), 45 are image processing data (IPUD
ATA _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ), 46 is multi-tone processed write data (MDATA _(0,1,2,3,4) ), 47 is edge enhancement data ( EETDATA ₍₀₎ ) and 48 are laser diode lighting data (VIDEO _{(0,1, 2,3,4)} ). Here, the image processing unit (IPU) 36 receives the input FID.
Image correction processing is performed on ATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ 44 and IPUDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ 45 is output as multi-valued output. Output function and IPU as binary output after image correction processing
It has a function to output only DATA ₍₀₎ effectively and can be selected. In addition, EET37 is the input binary data
Edge processing is applied to (FIDATA ₍₀₎ 44) and EE
It has the function of outputting as TDATA ₍₀₎ 47. further,
LD driver 39 for multi-gradation is input IPUDATA
_{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} 45 Depending on the laser diode (L
D) Control the lighting time width and light emission power, process the data to obtain a multi-gradation printout, and perform MDATA.
_It has a function to output as _(0,1,2,3,4) 46. The control of the gates A32 to D35 and the control of the multiplexer 40 are A
This is performed by the control device (CPU) built in the SIC 38.

Next, a data flow path in each mode will be described. (1) In multi-valued data copy mode, gate A32
Only opened. SDA read by read head 31
TA _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} 41 is FID through gate A 32
Image processing was performed by the IPU 36 as ATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ 44, and IPUDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ 4
5 is input to the multi-gradation LD driver 39 and is input to MDAT.
It is output as A _(0,1,2,3,4) 46. Here, MDATA _(0,1,2,3,4) 46 is selected in the multiplexer 40 and sent as VIDEO _(0,1,2,3,4) 48 to the laser diode drive circuit on the laser diode board.

[0009]

[Outer 1]

WDATA transferred from the card
_{For (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} 43, only WDATA ₍₀₎ is valid, and EEDATA is set as FIDDATA ₍₀₎ 44 via gate C34.
It is input to the multiplexer 40 as EETDATA ₍₀₎ 47 via T37 and ASIC38. Multiplexer 40
Selected in and converted to multi-bit EETDA
TA ₍₀₎ 47 is output to the LD board as VIDEO _(0,1,2,3,4) 48. This cycle is repeated for the required number of sheets. Note that FIG. 3 shows the details of the multiplexer 40.

[0011]

[Outside 2]

When the data is directly transferred to the controller board, only the gate B33 is opened. SDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ 41 read by the read head 31 is SVDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ via gate B33 Switch to controller board as 42

[0013]

[Outside 3]

Opens the gate A32 and the gate D35,
Read head 31 to gate A32, IPU36, gate D
It is transferred to the VRAM on the controller board via 35. In this case, the multilevel data (I
PUDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ 45, SVDATA
_{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} 42 is valid) is also binary data
(Only IPUDATA ₍₀₎ 45 and SVDATA ₍₀₎ 42 are valid).

[0015]

[Outside 4]

(5) In the printer mode, only the gate C34 is opened. WDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ 43 transferred from the controller (not shown ₎ is FIDAT
A _{(0, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} 44 to IPUDATA
_{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} 45, MDATA _{(0,1,2, 3,4)} 46 multi-valued path and FIDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4 _{) , 5,6,7)} 44 to E
Via the binary path to ETDATA ₍₀₎ 47, multiplexer 40 selects EETDATA ₍₀₎ 47 for binary and MDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4 ₎ 46 for multivalued VI.
It is output to the LD board as DEO _(0,1,2,3,4) 48.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a multiplexer and VIDE.
It is a function added to O _(0,1,2,3,4) . That is, by controlling the signal SPSEL in FIG. 4 by the CPU inside the ASIC 38 (FIG. 2), SPSEL becomes L
When it is OW, the reading sub-scanning effective width signal (SFGATE) and the reading main-scanning effective width signal (SLGATE) are validated to control VIDEO _{(0, 1, 2, 3, 4)} . Also, SP
Printer sub-scanning effective width signal when SEL is HIGH
(PFGATE) and printer main scanning effective width signal (P
LGATE) is enabled and VIDEO _(0,1,2,3,4) is controlled. In either case, when the gate signal on the selected side is inactive, VIDEO _(0,1,2,3,4) is LO regardless of the output of the multiplexer.
It becomes W (white).

FIG. 5 shows the relationship of signals indicating the effective image area from the engine board to the controller board in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, B,
C and D are the gate B33 and the gate C34 shown in FIG. 2, respectively.
And a signal for controlling the gate D35, each of which is LOW
The corresponding gate opens by becoming. Here, SFGATE and S for the controller board are provided only when the gate B33 or the gate D35 is opened.
LGATE is allowed to become active. Also, PFGATE and PLGATE to the controller board can be active only when gate C34 is open. Inside the engine board, SFGATE, regardless of the state of each gate,
It is possible to generate SLGATE, PFGATE, and PLGATE and use these signals as signals necessary for control inside the engine board.

FIG. 6 shows an image processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
This is a case where a first-in first-out (FIFO) function is added to the input front stage and the output rear stage of the (IPU). In FIG. 6, FO and F of FIFO ₍₁₎ 51
The FI of the IFO ₍₂₎ 52 operates at a fixed speed according to the operation timing of the IPU 36. The FI of the FIFO ₍₁₎ is when the data is acquired from the scanner (gate A32 in Fig. 2).
Is opened), the read head 31 (FIG. 2) operates at the operation timing (the signal A in FIG. 6 is selected). Also, when data is fetched from the controller board (when gate C34 is open in FIG. 2), WDATA _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 )} is sent from the controller board. It operates at the timing (the signal B in FIG. 6 is selected). Next, FIFO ₍₂₎ 52 sends data to the controller board (when gate D35 is open in Fig. 2).
SVDATA on the controller board
Timing of transferring _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7) (} signal C in FIG. 6 ₎
Is selected). Also, when sending data to the printer (when the gate D35 is open in FIG. 2), the timing (signal D in FIG. 6) that matches the printer operation is used.
Is selected).

FIG. 7 shows an IPU according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It shows a case where the phase control signals S ₀ and S ₁ are assigned to ₍₀₎ and ₍₁₎ of DATA. Image processing unit
(IPU) 36 (FIG. 2) is the output data (IPUDATA
_{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ), which is one of the bits (generally IPUDATA ₍₀₎ and IPUD ₎ for phase control information.
Allocate to ATA ₍₁₎ and output. Further, information for phase control is input to the S _0, S ₁ as a multi-gray-scale LD driver 39, light emitting and lighting time of the laser diode by the image data input to the S _0, S ₁ information and D ₀ to D ₇ Data for controlling power (MDAT
A _(0,1,2,3,4) ) is raised and output. In this embodiment, IPUDATA ₍₀₎ and IPUDATA
_{In order} to validate the phase control information S ₀ and S _{1 described} in ₍₁₎ , the SEL signal is set to HIGH and the signal input to the B side of each multiplexer is validated. ILDDATA _{(2,3,4,5,6,7)} is input as an image signal to D _{2 to} D ₇ of the adjustment LD driver 39, and D ₀ and D ₁ of the multi-gradation LD driver 39 are set to the ground level. Fixed and phase control inputs S ₀ , S ₁ have IPUDATA ₍₀₎ ,
Enter ₍₁₎ . To validate the information of S ₀ and S ₁ sent from the controller board, the SEL signal is set to LOW and the input signal is validated to the A side of each multiplexer.
_{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} are all LD drivers for multi-tone 39
D _{0 to} D ₇ as image signals and the S ₀ and S ₁ signals sent from the controller board are contacted to the S ₀ and S ₁ inputs of the multi-gradation LD driver 39.
In this case, by setting the IPU to the image unprocessed mode (or removing the IPU), the image signal 8 bits and the phase control signal 2 bits transferred from the controller are directly processed by the IPU without being processed. Since it is input to the tuning LD driver 39, it is effective when it is desired to perform image processing on the controller board, and the degree of freedom in designing the controller board increases.

[0021]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention has the following effects as is clear from the above-mentioned embodiments. (1) The transfer route of image data is optimized according to each operation mode, and the image data is converted from multi-valued data to 2 if necessary.
Since it is converted into value data, the processing speed of the device can be improved and the required memory amount can be reduced.
(2) When the transfer path from the scanner unit or the image processing unit to the controller board is closed in the above selected transfer path, no erroneous information is given to the controller board. Also, when the transfer path from the controller board to the printer is closed, incorrect information is not given to the controller board, which facilitates memory management on the controller board.
(3) The input and output timings of the image processing unit are fixed, and the FI input timing of the FIFO ₍₁₎ is switched and controlled when data is transferred from the controller board and the scanner unit, so the speed of output data is converted. It eliminates the burden of doing. Further, the output timing of the FO of the FIFO ₍₂₎ is switched and controlled when transferring the data to the controller board and the printer unit, so that the burden of converting the speed of the input data is eliminated. Therefore, image processing units having different processing speeds can be mounted. (4) Switch between binary data and multi-valued data as printout data, and select either of them as VIDEO
_(0,1,2,3,4) , and at that time, the binary data is converted into multiple bits to use a common laser diode drive circuit without impairing the laser diode lighting timing in each case. can do. (5) Since the effective data area is switched for the printout data according to each mode, and the printout data is controlled so that white is printed out for each ineffective data area, For any image data that has passed through any data transfer path, white can be printed out (nothing is printed) without being indefinite in the ineffective image area of the data. (6) The dot phase control signal is output from the controller board as output data (IP
Since it is possible to select from any bit of UDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ ), the phase control signal can be output regardless of the performance of the controller board and the specifications of the image processing unit. Obtainable.

[0022]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multi-function peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an engine board (printer unit) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the multiplexer shown in FIG.

4 is a diagram showing an example in which a function is added to the multiplexer and VIDEO of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship of a signal indicating an effective image area from an engine board (printer unit) to a controller board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram in which a first-in first-out function is added to the input front stage and the output rear stage of the image processing unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is image processing data according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the case where the phase control signal (S ₀ , S ₁ ) is assigned to (IPUDATA ₍₀₎ , ₍₁₎ ).

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Image forming unit (printer unit), 2 ... Image reading unit
(Scanner part), 11 ... Paper feed cassette, 12 ... Paper end sensor, 13 ... Registration sensor, 14 ... Registration roller, 15 ... Photoconductor, 16 ... Fixer, 17 ... Paper ejection sensor, 18 ... Paper ejection tray, 21 … Original setting tray
(Also paper feed tray), 22 ... Original set sensor (and paper end sensor), 23 ... Feed roller, 24 ...
Front sensor, 25, 31 ... Read head, 26 ...
Conveyance switching claw, 27 ... Original paper ejection sensor, 28 ... Original paper ejection tray, 32 ... Gate A, 33 ... Gate B, 34 ...
Gate C, 35 ... Gate D, 36 ... Image processing unit (IP
U), 37 ... Edge Enhancement Technology (EE
T), 38 ... Control IC (ASIC), 39 ... Multi-gradation L
D driver, 40 ... Multiplexer, 41 ... Data received from read head (SDAT
A ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ ), 42 ... Transfer data to the controller board (SVDAT
A _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ), 43 ... Write data (WDA
TA), 44 ... Data before image processing (FIDDATA
₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ ), 45 ... Image processing data (IPUD
ATA _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ), 46 ... Multi-gradation processed write data (MDATA _(0,1,2,3,4) ), 47 ... Edge enhancement data ( Binary data) (EETDATA
₍₀₎ ), 48 ... Laser diode lighting data (VID
EO _(0,1,2,3,4) ), 51 ... First in first out (FIFO ₍₁₎ ), 52 ... FIFO ₍₂₎ .

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A multi-function peripheral having an image reading section (scanner section) and an image forming section (printer section) and operating in a set operation mode, wherein image data read by the scanner section (SDATA ₍ SDATA _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ) Gate to open / close the route for sending directly to the printer (Gate A)
A gate (gate B) that opens and closes a path for sending the image data to a print-out image data forming substrate (controller board), and print-out image data (WDATA sent from the controller to the printer unit.
_{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ) for opening and closing a path for taking in the printer section (gate C), and an image after passing through the image processing section mounted in the printer section. It is equipped with a gate (gate D) that opens and closes the path for sending processed data to the controller board, and controls the opening and closing of each gate (gates A to D) according to each operation mode, enabling selection of the image data transmission path. A multifunctional machine that is characterized by 2. Image data read by a scanner unit
_{(SDATA (0,1,2, 3,4,5,6,7))} of a signal indicating an effective image area (SLGATE, SFGATE) active to see the controller board when the gate B or gate D are open 2. The multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, further comprising control means for permitting the activation and prohibiting the activation when the gate B or the gate D is closed. 3. A controller board is allowed to become active only when a gate C opens a signal (PLGATE, PFGATE) indicating an effective image area to be printed out by the printer unit, and the gate C is closed. 2. The multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, further comprising control means for prohibiting activation from occurring at times. 4. A first-in first-out (FIFO) is provided in each of the input front stage and the output rear stage of the image processing unit, and the operation timing of the FIFO first out (FO) of the front input stage and the FIFO first-in (FI) of the output rear stage. Is synchronized with the image processing unit, and the operation timings of the FI of the FIFO before the input and the FO of the FIFO after the output are controlled according to the opening / closing conditions of the gate A to the gate D to output the image data for printout (WDATA).
_{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ) timing to take in and image data (SDATA
_2. The multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the multi-function peripheral has a function of selecting and synchronizing any of the timings for taking in _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 )} ). 5. Binary data subjected to edge processing (EET) as a path for printout data in the printer unit.
DATA ₍₀₎ ) and multi-valued data (IPUDATA ₍ 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ₎ ) for multi-tone images processed by the image processing unit.
There are two paths, one of which can be selected as the laser diode lighting data (VIDEO ₍ 0,1,2,3,4 ₎ ), and one input signal when EETDATA ₍₀₎ is selected. line (EETDATA ₍₀₎₎ the MFP according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a function of outputting a large number of signal lines (VIDEO _(0,1,2,3,4)) with the same content. 6. The printout data in the printer section is gated by the printer sub-scanning effective width signal (PFGATE) and the printer main scanning effective width signal (PLGATE) in the printer mode, and is read in the copy mode. Sub-scanning effective width signal (SFGAT
E) and the function to switch the gate signal so as to apply the gate with the effective width signal for reading main scanning (SLGATE). In both cases, the data for printing is controlled so that white is printed out when each signal is inactive. The multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, wherein 7. A dot phase control signal (S ₀ , S ₁ ) to be printed out is sent from the controller board to the printer section, and multi-valued multi-value data (IPUDA).
TA _{(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)} ) has the function of making it possible to select from any of the bits, phase information given by the controller and phase information given by the image processing unit. 2. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein the laser diode lighting data (VIDEO _(0,1,2,3,4) ) based on the selected information is output according to need.